By Virtue Fall (The Shakespeare Sisters Book 4)

by Carrie Elks

  They followed the vicar out of the small dressing room and into the main lobby of the chapel. Even though they’d tried to keep the wedding under wraps, there was still a sizeable crowed outside, Sam’s fans mostly, desperate for a glimpse of the famous actor, and Cesca’s soon-to-be-husband. The low murmur of conversation from outside the chapel was matched with the noises coming from inside the double doors. The chapel only seated eighty, the guests had been hand-picked by Cesca and Sam. Juliet felt like she was at a royal wedding.

  And then the vicar was pushing open the doors, and the big church organ burst into life, piping out the wedding march as they made their way down the aisle, Poppy clearly in her element as she sprinkled rose petals ahead of Cesca and her sisters.

  Just as Juliet had imagined, the pews were almost bursting with people. Famous actors and directors sat amongst Cesca and Sam’s family and friends, all turning to look at the radiant bride. At the front, on two reserved seats, sat her father and Cesca’s godfather, their weathered faces beaming back at them. Not having her father walk her up the aisle had been a source of disappointment to Cesca, but at least he was here, and well enough to watch her get married.

  In the row behind them were more familiar faces. Lachlan, Lucy’s boyfriend, sat next to Adam, Kitty’s fiancé. And then there was the man that set Juliet’s world on fire. The man that stole her breath away and gave her life at the same time.

  Ryan was looking straight at her, his hand resting lightly on Charlie’s shoulder as they watched her approach. His eyes were soft, appraising, and there was a smile on his face. Juliet licked her dry lips, trying to keep her face straight, and not crumple all over again into the mess of emotion she’d been all day.

  Could she really be pregnant? She thought back over the past few months. Yes, they’d been having a crazy amount of sex, but they’d taken precautions. They’d been careful.

  The same way she’d been careful before she had Poppy. The same way Ryan had been careful before Charlie.

  Oh God, they were clearly crazily fertile. Together they were like a time bomb waiting to happen.

  She really needed to take a pregnancy test.

  They’d come to the front of the church, and Sam stepped forward to take Cesca’s hands in his, grinning from ear to ear. He looked like a man who’d just won the lottery, and wanted everybody to know it. And as he reached out to cup Cesca’s face, love shining from his face as he whispered something in her sister’s ear, Juliet couldn’t help but feel the emotions welling up inside her all over again.

  And yes, of course she started to cry.

  There was something wrong with Juliet. Ryan had sensed it as soon as the doors had opened and the vicar had walked into the chapel, followed by Poppy, her aunts, and of course Juliet. He didn’t think it had anything to do with Poppy – she was as ebullient as ever, twirling around and showing off to Charlie, before dragging him onto the dance floor whether he wanted to dance or not.

  Juliet, however, was quiet. Deadly quiet. She’d barely said anything during the sit-down meal in the main hall at Glencarraig lodge, and then after the speeches were over she’d practically run to the bathroom, her sister Lucy following close behind, leaving Lachlan and Ryan to prop themselves up at the bar.

  ‘I like your place,’ Ryan said, lifting the pint of beer to his lips. He raised his eyebrows as he looked around the room. This place was more of a castle than a lodge, the expansive hall decorated with huge tapestries depicting scenes from Scottish history, the space easily accommodating the hundreds of guests Cesca and Sam had invited to their reception.

  ‘Thanks.’ Lachlan lifted his glass up to Ryan. ‘But it’s not really mine. I own less than half of it.’ He took a mouthful of warm beer. ‘Jesus, I still can’t get used to the taste of this stuff.’

  From the moment they’d been introduced, Ryan had liked Lachlan. They were of a similar age, both Americans, both successful. And of course, they had the Shakespeare sisters in common.

  Which made them the luckiest men he knew.

  ‘I was half expecting us to have haggis for dinner,’ Ryan said, drinking his beer in spite of the taste. ‘Not that I was disappointed, the steak was amazing.’

  ‘They know how to cater for a crowd up here,’ Lachlan agreed. ‘They’ve been doing it for about five hundred years.’

  Ryan laughed. ‘Practice makes perfect.’

  ‘Daddy, please can you tell Poppy I don’t want to dance any more?’ Charlie threw himself at Ryan, his eyes wide. ‘She keeps knocking me over with her dress. It’s stupid.’

  ‘It’s not stupid,’ Poppy said, running up to them. Her skirt caught on the edge of a bar stool, knocking against it and making it wobble. ‘It’s beautiful. Isn’t it, Ryan?’

  He still hadn’t gotten the hang of intervening with their squabbles yet. ‘Yes it is,’ he agreed, nodding at her. ‘But maybe Charlie needs a break. Why don’t I get you both a drink?’

  Where was Juliet anyway? He looked around in the direction she’d left. The door pushed open and she walked in, her face paler than he remembered. Lucy was walking next to her, and she patted her sister on the arm, then whispered something in her ear.

  Lucy was the first to reach them. She smiled at Lachlan and took his hand. ‘Why don’t we go and check on the evening buffet,’ she suggested. ‘Poppy and Charlie, you can come with us. We might need your help.’

  Juliet had reached them, and yes, she definitely looked pale. Ryan stared at her, willing her to look at him, too. And when she did, he felt his heart skip a beat. Jesus, she really was beautiful. But that beauty was more than skin deep. She was funny and kind, a great mother and businesswoman, but more than anything else she was his.

  And he intended to keep it that way.

  ‘Are you okay?’ he murmured, reaching out for her hand. It was cold to the bone. He folded it in his, trying to warm her up.

  ‘Can we talk?’ she said, her voice quiet. ‘Somewhere private?’

  He nodded, feeling perplexed. ‘Sure.’

  They found a small room at the front of the lodge. It was filled with boxes, the cardboard covered with a layer of thick dust. As soon as Juliet walked in she sneezed. Then she wrinkled her nose in that adorable way, and Ryan couldn’t help but reach out for her. The need to touch her, to feel her against him, was so strong.

  ‘Are you okay?’ he murmured, pulling her close, feeling her body melt against his. ‘You’ve been acting strangely all day.’

  ‘I know.’ She shook her head against his shoulder. ‘I’ve been a mess.’

  ‘Is it the wedding?’ he asked her. ‘It must be hard, seeing your little sister getting married.’

  ‘No, it’s not that. I’m so happy for Cesca.’ Her face crumpled again. ‘I really am,’ she sobbed.

  ‘Baby, what’s wrong?’ He smoothed her tears away with the pad of his thumb. ‘Is it me? Are you upset that it’s not us getting married? Because we can, you know, and we will. When the time’s right.’

  That only made her cry more. Shit, he was as bad at handling her emotions as he was with Charlie and Poppy’s arguments. Ryan licked his lips, pulling her against him tightly. She was so soft and supple against him.

  ‘I’ve messed up,’ she whispered against his shoulder. He could feel the fabric of his dress shirt moisten with her tears. ‘Please don’t be angry with me.’

  ‘Why would I be angry? I love you, remember?’ He tucked his finger beneath her chin, lifting her head until she was looking straight into his eyes. And he saw it there, the love, the passion and, hiding behind it, the fear. He brushed his lips against hers, feeling her exhale against his mouth. Damn if it didn’t make him want her all over again. ‘You can tell me anything, you know that.’

  She closed her eyes for a moment, and he immediately missed her gaze. ‘It’s such a mad thing to happen,’ she whispered. ‘I’m not trying to tie you down or anything.’

  ‘You don’t tie me down. You set me free.’ He kissed her again, this time cupping her
face with his palm. ‘We fit together perfectly.’

  ‘A little too perfectly.’

  ‘What?’

  She opened her eyelids. ‘I … ’ she sighed. ‘I mean we … we’re having a baby.’

  ‘What?’ It came out a little too loudly, but it was the last thing he’d expected to hear. ‘How did that happen?’

  ‘You want me to draw you a diagram?’

  He couldn’t help but laugh. Juliet was looking so scared, her eyes wide, her expression tight. ‘Wow,’ he said quietly. ‘Another baby.’

  ‘Are you upset?’

  ‘Why would I be upset?’ He couldn’t help but reach down and stroke his fingers gently against her belly. ‘It takes two to tango, after all. We’re having a baby, that’s something to celebrate.’

  She relaxed against him, the stiffness in her body melting away. ‘It is?’ Her voice was full of hope.

  ‘Of course it is. It’s amazing.’ He was getting used to the thought. Loving it. There was a new life growing inside her – something they’d made together. He could picture her now, belly rounded, face glowing. He couldn’t wait to see it. ‘I guess that explains the emotions.’

  She nodded. ‘I guess so. Will you still love me though I’m a hormonal mess?’

  ‘London, I’ll love you even more.’ He was grinning now. Couldn’t get the smile off his face if he tried. ‘You’re carrying our baby. What’s not to love?’

  For the first time her lips curled up. ‘I am, aren’t I?’

  He reached out, tracing his fingers around her stomach again. ‘It’s the best surprise I’ve ever had.’

  ‘I was so afraid you’d be upset,’ she confessed. ‘That you’d think I was trying to tie you down.’

  He looked at her, confused. ‘Babies don’t tie you down. Not if you don’t let them. Look at you, you moved continents when you were pregnant. And Charlie was born in the middle of nowhere in a goddamned hospital tent. Babies are the most portable humans you want to come across.’ He took her hand and pressed his lips against her palm. ‘I’m delighted I’m going to be a dad again. And when the time is right, Poppy and Charlie are going to be delighted, too.’

  She groaned. ‘They’re going to be a nightmare. Imagine how often they’ll bicker over the baby.’

  ‘Ah, let them fuss. We could even turn it to our advantage. Who knows, we may never have to change a dirty diaper again.’ His grin widened. ‘This baby will be loved, Juliet. And it’s already so wanted.’ Kissing her palm one last time, he folded his hand around hers. ‘Now let’s go and dance and celebrate your sister’s marriage.’

  ‘Yes, let’s do that.’ Her eyes glinted, and this time it had nothing to do with tears. ‘Just remember what you do to me when you get me out on that dance floor.’

  ‘Oh I remember.’ They walked into the hallway and he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her in to his side. It felt so good to hold her, to have her close. Everything he wanted was here in this castle. Juliet, Charlie, Poppy and now the baby growing inside Juliet.

  Home wasn’t a building. It wasn’t even a country. Home was where your family was, and that was exactly where Ryan wanted to be, too.

  Acknowledgements

  To Eleanor Russell, Anna Boatman and all at Piatkus, thank you for your hard work, enthusiasm and guidance in making this book the best it can be.

  My thanks as always to my agent Meire Dias, and all at the Bookcase Agency for your continued kindness and support.

  Ash, Ella and Oliver – I love you all to bits, and am always grateful for everything you do when I’m deep in my writing zone. You’ll be pleased to hear I’m no longer ‘buffering’ and may even answer your questions as soon as you ask them!

  So many people have supported me in my writing journey, I want you all to know how much I appreciate your support. Whether you’re an author, blogger, reader or friend – you mean a lot to me. Special mentions to Claire Robinson and Melanie Moreland for pre-reading, and for being such great Shakespeare Sisters cheerleaders. Thanks also to all who follow my Facebook page – we have so much fun there, and you always inspire me to write more words. It truly is a happy place.

  Finally thank YOU for reading this book, I truly appreciate it. I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with the Shakespeare Sisters as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about them.