Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3)

by Debra Elizabeth

  “My best regards to Emily,” she said to his receding back.

  ***

  Emily sat at her vanity while Rigal fixed her hair into a neat chignon for dinner. She would have much rather eaten her meal in her own room, but she needed to keep up appearances for Hannah.

  “There you go, Ma’am. As beautiful as ever.”

  Emily glanced in the mirror. “Thank you, Rigal, but please do call me Emily at least in the privacy of my rooms.”

  Rigal nodded. “Some habits are hard to break, but I will try.”

  “Good.” Emily got up and smoothed down her dress. “I shall see you later.”

  She walked down the hallway to Hannah’s room and knocked on the door. “Hannah?”

  “Come in.”

  Emily walked in to find dresses strewn across Hannah’s bed. “What is all this?”

  “I can’t decide which dress to wear. I know it’s only us for dinner, but I like to look pretty.”

  Emily went over and picked a pink cotton dress with white embroidery out of the pile. “You will look pretty in whatever you wear. How about this one?”

  Hannah nodded and Emily helped her finish dressing. “There. See how pretty you look.”

  Hannah looked in the vanity mirror and twirled around. “Thank you, Emily.”

  “Come now. Shall we head downstairs for dinner? You know how Cook doesn’t like us to be late.”

  The two women descended the grand staircase. As they neared the dining room, they heard voices and Hannah rushed ahead.

  Emily smoothed down her dress and tried to calm her nerves.

  Could it be?

  Ethan was finally home?

  ***

  When Emily walked in the dining room, he was hugging Hannah.

  “Ethan, welcome home. I missed you so,” the young girl said.

  “And I missed you, but I had no idea you would be visiting.”

  “Emily invited me and she’s been helping me practice the piano too.”

  “Good evening, Mr. Richardson. Welcome home,” Emily said.

  Ethan looked past Hannah and his heart soared. Emily looked beautiful. What a fool he’d been to stay away from her so long. “Good evening, Mrs. Richardson.”

  He untangled himself from his sister and pulled out the chair for his wife.

  Emily sat down. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” he said before helping Hannah with her chair.

  Throughout dinner Hannah chatted nonstop, but his attention piqued when she began talking about riding. So, Emily knew about Bright Star.

  “How do you care for her?” Ethan asked.

  Emily looked at her husband. “I have never seen her equal. She’s beautiful and such a sweet magnificent animal. I must admit I was nervous at first, but Hannah has been a very good teacher and helped me tremendously.”

  Ethan patted Hannah’s hand. “Thank you for helping Emily.”

  Hannah’s face split into a wide grin. “It was so much fun. We went riding every day and today we went for an even longer ride.”

  “Good. I’m glad of it.”

  “Brother, shall I play for you after dinner. I’m much improved. Even Emily says I am.”

  He stole a glance at his wife. “I would like that very much.”

  When dinner was finished, they retired to the parlor where Hannah entertained them.

  Ethan clapped. “Bravo, little sister. You are right. Your playing is wonderful.” He turned to Emily. “Thank you for inviting Hannah here. It was very kind of you.”

  “It was my pleasure. She’s kept me entertained while you were away.”

  Ethan started to reach for Emily’s hand when Hannah called to him. “Ethan, shall I play another?”

  “Yes, one more, but then it’s off to bed with you.”

  By the time Hannah finished playing and retired upstairs, Ethan wanted nothing more than to spend some time alone with Emily. He had much to explain, but before he could begin, Emily began the conversation.

  “Ethan, I’ve been to see the tenant farmers,” Emily said.

  “So I understand.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I ran into Warren Tunstale on my way home. He told me what you did for his wife.”

  “Mrs. Tunstale needed help and I was there. Anyone would have done the same, but that is not what I wish to talk to you about.”

  “No? Please, go on.”

  “The tenants do not have a doctor to care for them regularly and the women are served by only one midwife. There are far too many of them for one woman alone. You have given me a generous allowance and I would like to secure the services of a doctor for them. With your permission, of course.”

  “I see. You seem quite passionate about this.”

  “I am. I would hate to think what would have happened to Mrs. Tunstale if she’d been alone. She might have lost the child and her own life as well. I have no need for any more gowns or bonnets or ribbons. The money is better spent on our tenants to keep them healthy. Please say you’ll agree to my request.”

  “Emily, your allowance is for you, not…”

  Emily reached over and grasped Ethan’s hand. “Please, Ethan. Won’t you let me do this for them? It would mean the world to me.”

  Ethan stared at his wife. It shouldn’t have surprised him that she would take up the tenants as her newest cause. He had known about her charity work with the widows back in London.

  He placed his hand over hers. “Emily, please let me finish my sentence. I agree with you and I’ll hire a doctor for our tenants. There is no need for you to spend your allowance on it.”

  Emily nodded. “I see. Then would you object to my helping the women and children with my allowance?”

  “Our tenants are paid well for their crops and make a good living.”

  “That may be so, but I would like to give the women a little something extra. Perhaps, some soft wool for a dress to keep them warm in the winter. And what about the children? They grow so fast. A few bolts of sturdy cotton could service many of the families. Such a little thing that would help them greatly.”

  Ethan chuckled. “Well, I can see your mind is quite set on this.”

  Emily nodded. “Indeed, it is. I only need your permission.”

  “Well then I guess I should not interfere. Yes, you may do whatever you wish for the women and children. I told you your allowance is yours to spend as you see fit. You do not need my permission to spend the funds as you see fit.”

  Emily nodded and withdrew her hand. “Thank you, Ethan. I’m most grateful. I shall write to the modiste straight away and place the order for the fabric.”

  Much to his surprise, Emily stood. “Thank you for your continued kindness. I’m glad that you are home. Good evening, Ethan.”

  He sat stunned and watched her walk out of the room. Now what? Was Emily’s departure a signal that she wanted to talk to him more in private? She had asked him countless times before he had gone on his last trip to come and speak with her, but tonight she walked out without a word. Did that mean she didn’t want to see him?

  Anxiety roiled around his insides. This was not how he envisioned his homecoming. He began to pace the parlor. He had thought about this night for so many days and now he was paralyzed with indecision. Should he go to her? What if she no longer wanted to see him?

  Gileson walked into the parlor. “Mr. Richardson, would you care for a brandy before you retire for the evening.”

  “No, thank you. I shall be heading upstairs and will not need you anymore this evening.”

  “Very good, sir. Good night,” he said before slipping out of the room.

  Ethan began his pacing again. What was he doing? Hadn’t he wasted enough time? He walked out of the parlor and knew what he needed to do.

  Chapter 22

  Emily had changed into her nightdress and dismissed Rigal for the evening. She was so happy that Ethan was home. It was delightful to see him again and she was pleased he had agreed to her request to h
elp the tenant farmers. That was something at least, but would it be enough for Ethan to realize that she had changed? She wasn’t sure.

  She sat on the chaise and waited, as she’d waited countless times before. Was he finally ready to forgive her? He had seemed amenable at dinner, but that could have been because Hannah was there. It was clear to see the love between brother and sister and it only made her love Ethan more.

  She sighed realizing that she had not asked Ethan to come to her this evening. How could she have forgotten? Perhaps it was too soon anyway. Tomorrow she would try to engage Ethan in more conversation, maybe even suggest they go riding together if he could find the time. Woo him the way Mia had counseled. That’s what she planned to do. Perhaps he would enjoy a picnic? Yes, that’s what she would ask him tomorrow.

  She rose, ready to retire for the night, but before she had even taken a step towards her bedchamber, there was a knock on her door. She inhaled sharply and dared to hope.

  She sat down. “Yes, come in.”

  Ethan opened the door and walked in. “Emily, may I speak with you?”

  Emily looked at her husband, really looked at him. The strain of the last two months had clearly taken a toll on him, but it didn’t matter to her. He was perfect. Why had she not noticed how handsome he was, or his beautiful brown eyes, so kind and caring? “Yes, of course. Will you sit with me? I wish to speak with you as well, but I did not want to presume you would welcome it.”

  Ethan nodded and walked over to the chair opposite her chaise and sat down. Before he could begin, Emily started to talk.

  “Ethan, thank you for coming to see me tonight. I had not dared to hope you would be here. If you would indulge me for a moment, I wish to speak first. I have thought a long while about this. It’s a sad tale about a foolish, young woman who thought she was in love.”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow, but did not interrupt.

  “You see, this girl was dazzled by all the wrong things: charming words, winks, and stolen kisses.”

  “Madam, I do not wish to hear of this again. You made your point on our wedding night,” Ethan said, getting ready to stand.

  Emily panicked. She jumped off the chaise and knelt in front of his chair. “No, please wait. I must explain. Please don’t go.”

  Ethan settled back into the chair. “Go on, but do sit down. There is no need for you to be on your knees.”

  Emily nodded and went back to the chaise. She wrung her hands, but plunged ahead. “You see, this girl was in love with a man who wrote the most beautiful love letters to her, but she was sadly mistaken about the sender of those letters.”

  Emily paused, but when Ethan did not respond, she continued. “I believed I had married the wrong man, and my heart was broken. I have never been so wrong about anything in my life. I’m so ashamed and so very truly sorry for my actions on our wedding night. I spoke out of turn. I should have never said such awful hurtful words to you and I regret them deeply. More than you’ll ever know. It wasn’t until after you left for London that I found your final letter. I could hardly believe how mistaken I’d been and I rushed to your chamber to apologize to you, but I was too late. You had already ridden off to London.”

  Ethan shifted in his chair and Emily was afraid that he would leave her again. She couldn’t bear another rejection. She had to make him understand. “Oh, Ethan, why did I not see it long before this? It was you that I have loved all along. You, and only you are the one I truly love. You cannot know how many times I have read your letters over these past months. They made my heart soar each time. The author of those letters is the man I want to be with. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me for those hurtful words I spoke to you on our wedding night? Can you find it in your heart to give me a second chance? I will do anything you ask. Please, Ethan. Please consider it.”

  Emily watched as a range of emotions flashed across her husband’s face. She was so afraid that now that she had confessed everything, it would not be enough. What would she do if Ethan didn’t forgive her? How would she survive if he left her again? She had never wanted anything so much before as to see the love shining in her husband’s eyes once again.

  After an agonizing minute Ethan rose, and sat next to her on the chaise. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a folded document.

  “Here. This is for you,” he said holding it out to her.

  Emily looked at the document in his hand and her heart seized. This was not what she was expecting tonight. The solicitor’s seal showing on the outside sent waves of panic coursing through her. It was over. Ethan was divorcing her. He would never forgive her and it was her own fault. Now she must pay the ultimate price for her foolishness. She steeled herself and took the document from him.

  She broke the seal and read. Her eyes welled with tears and she looked at him. “You’re banishing me to London?”

  “Banishing you? What are you talking about?”

  “You’ve given me the deed to a house in London. I assume you do not wish me to live here anymore. I understand and if you wish to divorce me, I will not contest it. I understand if you cannot find it in your heart to forgive me. I shall have my things packed straight away and I will trouble you no more.”

  “Divorce you?” Ethan reached out and squeezed her hand. “You’ve got it all wrong, my darling. I’m not banishing you and I’m certainly not divorcing you.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No, of course not. This home is for you to use whenever you wish to stay in London either for the Season or to visit with your parents. I’ve always stayed at Aunt Mary’s home while I was in London and had no need for a second residence, but now that we are married, we should have our own place.”

  Emily blinked back her tears. “Our own place. Truly?”

  “Yes, truly.”

  “Oh, Ethan. That’s so wonderful of you. I thought you were still angry with me. Have you forgiven me?”

  His finger traced the line of her jaw. He lifted her chin so their eyes met. “My dearest Emily, your words were hurtful to me that night. I cannot deny that, but I confess my ego got the better of me when I left for business. I regret my part in all of this. I’m sorry for making you suffer because of my rude behavior, but you must know that I have loved you from the moment I first saw you when you were fifteen-years-old.”

  “You did? I had no idea.”

  “Yes, I did. Don’t you know that you are my one and only Bright Star?”

  “Why did you never tell me?”

  Ethan chuckled. “Seems I should have been more forthcoming and perhaps we may have avoided this misunderstanding. I do apologize for that.”

  Emily’s face split into a smile. “Your Bright Star. How wonderful to hear that from your lips. You cannot know how I longed to hear you say that.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “Forgive you? There is nothing to forgive,” Emily said. “Perhaps we may start again?”

  Ethan leaned forward and kissed her, softly at first, and then with a passion that had been waiting to burst forth for months.

  Emily wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck, and returned his kisses while the fire of passion ignited within her. “Ethan, I love you with all my heart. I never want to be parted from you again.”

  “And I love you, my darling.”

  Emily’s face radiated with love for her husband. “I welcome you to our marriage bed, at last. I have waited so long for this night.” She stood and undid the ribbons of her nightdress while the passion for the man she loved burned bright in her eyes. She let her nightdress fall to the floor.

  Ethan inhaled sharply. “My dear sweet Emily, you are exquisite.” He pulled her into his lap and kissed her. Her lips parted and his tongue darted inside her mouth, probing and tasting every inch of her.

  A sweet moan escaped her lips.

  He left a trail of kisses from her lips to the swell her breast. “You are so beautiful.”

  Emily reached up and ran her fingers over Ethan’s s
trong jaw line. “My wonderful handsome husband. I have missed you so.”

  “I will never leave you again.” Ethan carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed.

  Their long awaited dance of love began with long deep kisses and tender caresses. When they had sated their appetite for each other, Emily lay in Ethan’s arms peaceful and content. “I never thought I could be so happy,” she said.

  Ethan leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “And are you truly happy, my darling?”

  “Yes, and I plan to tell you each and every day how much I love you.”

  “I can’t think of a better way to start each day, but….”

  Emily leaned up on her elbow. “But… I don’t like the sound of it.”

  Ethan chuckled. “I plan to tell you that very thing every morning and every night.”

  Emily smiled and snuggled back with her husband. “That will be wonderful and I shall hold you to it.”

  Ethan lifted her chin and brushed her lips with a feather-light kiss. “I’m so very happy, my darling, Emily.” He kissed her again. “So very happy…My Beautiful Bright Star.”

  Epilogue

  Connor Preston stroked his beautiful wife’s face as she lay in his arms after another night of passionate lovemaking. Their wedding had been a lavish affair attended by the elite of London society.

  Elizabeth had been a radiant bride. Three months later, she was still perfect. Perfectly rich, that is.

  “Connor?”

  “Yes, my love?”

  “Will you please set up a line of credit with the modiste in London for me? I’m having some new gowns made for next Season.”

  “A line of credit? Don’t you have one there already?”

  Elizabeth pushed herself up on her elbow. Her finger caressed her husband’s lips. “No, I have none.”

  “No? Surely your personal allowance is enough to cover a dressmaker?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m afraid not. Did my father not tell you?”

  Connor sat up. Alarm bells rang in his mind. “Tell me what?”