by Vella, Wendy
“Liar,” she hissed. “You are a weak, gutless man who failed in his familial obligations and furthermore you suggested vile, horrible things to me when I visited you in London.”
“Be quiet, Olivia,” Will said.
“I will not, he is a abhorrent, perfidious man who deserves a thorough thrashing, and I want you to give it to him, Will!”
Will heard Joe cough to cover his laughter while he struggled to keep his features calm. She was fiery, his beloved, and he couldn’t wait to have all that fire centered on him.
Lord Langley’s eyes bulged and his fists clenched as he took a step towards her, which foolishly put him in Will’s path.
“I tell you, those bitches lie if they have slandered me. They are the worthless daughters of a man who took his life and I can prove it. You will not want to associate with them when I produce proof!” Langley cried. “She propositioned me in London, came calling and begged me to take her, she’s nothing but a little slut!”
“You can’t stop me, Joe, no one can,” Will said calmly, taking a step forward and reaching Langley. Gripping the man’s collar he shook him like a bed sheet.
“Just the one, Will, and not the face,” the Duke said from behind him.
Will planted his fist in the man’s soft stomach and forced him backwards into the door he had recently entered. Hauling him to his feet he then shook him again.
“Never again speak of my fiancée, do you understand, Langley, nor her sisters. Were we alone I would frighten you like you did her, you gutless coward.”
Dropping him to the floor once more, he took a few steps backward, putting himself out of striking range. He felt Livvy’s hand slip into his and then she was leaning against him. Lifting his arm he tucked her into his side.
“It’s all right now, my love,” he whispered.
Langley floundered about on the floor like a landed fish while he tried to haul in a breath.
“Here is what will happen, and if you do not comply with what I say, Langley,” Will said when he knew the man could once again hear him. “I will have you before the magistrate for the deaths of those two innocent girls your name is linked too. “You’ll be leaving England for America on the next available ship, coincidently owned by me. Someone will escort you to London and retrieve any and all evidence you have on the Langley family and then they will help you pack and take you to the docks to meet your ship.”
Will looked at the man and thought of the pain he had caused Olivia. He had never wanted to hurt someone so much before. This is what love did to a person.
“You will sleep at Rossetter House in a room that locks from the outside, there will also be a guard stationed outside the door so there is no possibility of escape Lord Langley. Do I make myself clear?” Will added.
“Yes.” He was a beaten man and Will was happier knowing that fact. They were safe from him now, Livvy was safe.
***
Livvy watched the Duke light the Yuletide Log in the hearth with the embers from last year’s log. The Popplehinges stood arm in arm, Mrs Popplehinge resplendent in deep forest green with matching red trim on her hat and coat. Bella stood chatting with Thea and Penny, whilst Luke, Freddy and Jenny stood at the rear. Phoebe was having a heated debate with Lord Levermarch about the correct way to shoot a pistol.
“Are you happy, my love?”
Livvy’s smile was full of love as she turned to the man who was responsible for the joy inside her.
“So very happy, Will, and it is because of you.”
He looked down at her for long seconds and then a slow smile spread over his lips.
“Will you spare me a few minutes of your time, Miss Langley?”
Nodding, she let him lead her from the room and out towards the front doorway. He bundled her into warm clothing and then they were outside. Pulling her into his side they walked slowly down towards the lake.
“It’s so beautiful out here, Will.”
He didn’t speak just led her down to where the willows stood silently. Tugging her beneath, he then kissed her. Livvy melted against him seeking his warmth and the magic of his kiss.
Lifting his head he looked at her.
“I first kissed you here, love, under these trees and I remember thinking that no other woman had touched me as you did that day.”
“Oh, Will.”
“I promise to cherish and love you until I draw my last breath, Olivia Langley,” he said, framing her face with his hands. “Marry me, sweetheart; only with you can I truly be someone I’m proud of.”
“No, Will, you always had the man you are today inside you, it just took time for you to find him,” Livvy whispered against his lips. “Let me hold you close now, my love, and I promise to never let you go.”
“Yes,” Will sighed, drawing her closer. He was home finally, and this is where he would always stay.
EPILOGUE
Will looked down the aisle at the assembled guests and then across to where Livvy stood. She looked beautiful in pale blue with her hair woven in matching satin ribbons. The worry was gone from her eyes now and he saw only happiness and love every time she looked at him as she was now.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to marry this man to this woman.”
As the Reverend started talking Will felt his chest fill with love. Around them were friends and family, all here for this special day, people that he had never let into his life before yet now he could not live without. Their people, his and Olivia’s. Giving her a final look, which she answered with a soft smile he then focused on the service.
“Do you, Frederick Stanley Blake, take Jenny Elizabeth Bell to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
The bride cried softly beneath her veil and managed to say yes when the question was put to her a few moments later, while the groom looked down at her with love shining in his eyes.
Will looked at Livvy as he heard her sniff. In one month this would be them, they would marry and then they would live out their days together and that day could not come soon enough for him. He wanted to spend hours talking with her and when they weren’t talking then they would be making love. She had breathed life into him, her love had made him finally believe in himself and that he was someone worthy of that love.
Will watched Freddy lift his new wife’s veil and seal their union with a kiss. The new Mr and Mrs Blake would take up residence at Willow Hall as now the Langley sisters all resided at Rossetter house while Will finalized the purchase of the house they would all then relocate to.
Will swallowed his smile as Phoebe glared at Finn as he held out his arm so they could follow Freddy and Jenny from the church. Luke and Bella came next, and then Will held out his arm to Livvy.
“Come, sweetheart.”
Together they followed the others out of the church and into the cool clear winter’s day.
“I can’t remember a time when I have felt this happy, Will.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled Olivia close to his side.
“And your happiness has only just begun, my love.”
“Our happiness,” she corrected.
“Our happiness,” Will repeated and then together they went to congratulate the married couple.
THE END
Wendy Vella is a lover of all things romantic. She started reading her first Georgette Heyer book at a young age and instantly fell in love with the Regency era. Writing is something she has always found time for; she penned her first novel at eighteen, though she says it will never make an appearance outside the closet in which it currently resides.
After having her two children, Wendy joined RWNZ and started honing her chosen craft by entering competitions with some success and attending conferences.
She has an addiction to reading, and loves a wide range of romance genres, but her first love will always be historical. She relishes novels steeped in romance and excitement, with feisty heroines and delicious heroes, especially when they are set amongst the treacherous waters of Lon
don society.
Wendy is a sucker for a happy ending, having secured her own. She has been married to her dark brooding hero for twenty-eight years, and shares her home with two wonderful children, two dogs, and anyone else who happens to be visiting at the time. Born and raised in a rural area on the North Island of New Zealand, Wendy loves the beaches and lush green rolling hills of her homeland, and is proud to call herself a very patriotic Kiwi!
Visit Wendy at:
www.wendyvella.com
www.facebook.com/AuthorWendyVella
https://mobile.twitter.com/wendy_vella
Email Wendy at: [email protected]
