“Yes, I am mad.” With clenched fists, she pounded his chest. “I must have been insane when I married you!” She burst into tears and buried her face in his coat.
Everett stared at the heavens and prayed for patience. “Sabrina, what am I going to do with you?”
“You are divorcing me,” she mumbled before sobbing in woeful gasps.
He groaned. “I am not divorcing you.”
“But the petition--”
“--Was my mother’s idea.” Had he not already participated in that conversation?
She shifted in his arms, raised her head, and glared accusingly at him. “I found it in your desk.”
“I put the bloody document there after a quarrel with my mother and forgot it,” he explained.
His wife appeared skeptical. “Are you positive you were not having second thoughts?”
“Second thoughts?” He searched his mind and tried to make sense of her words. “What in the devil are you talking about?”
“You did not consummate our vows after our wedding.” Sabrina fidgeted. “You waited.”
Everett realized he had erred once again. For some strange reason he had thought his wife would be glad to see him. He had imagined she would come at him with all the enthusiasm he recalled in more pleasant times.
“That was because I did not want to make love to you at Tantallon Hall,” he expounded. “I hate that place. It has never been my home. And my brother had just died. I wanted us to begin our marriage on a happier note--in our house.”
“Then why did you not tell me?” How he wished he had.
“Because the time never seemed to lend itself to the conversation.” And he had been terrified of dismissal.
“It does not matter. Your mother is right. I am not good enough for you.” Sabrina bit her lip. “You should divorce me. I signed the petition and promised not to fight you.”
If he wanted his lady, it was time to make his stand. “You are wrong.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “About what?”
“Everything.” Spearing his fingers through her hair, Everett forced her to face him. “In light of recent events, my mother adores you. And in regard to a divorce, you have got it backward. If you want this marriage dissolved, you will have to divorce me, and I will not allow it.”
“But--”
Everett silenced Sabrina the best way he knew how.
By kissing her.
He only meant to quell her protest but, as usual, got carried away. And neither had her appreciative hum helped the situation. So he ravished his wife right there on the beach. The better to show her how he felt.
How he felt...
He retreated from their kiss.
“What is it?” she asked in a small voice.
“There is something I need to tell you.” He stiffened his back. “I should have said it long ago.”
She skimmed his arms with her hands, which came to rest at the nape of his neck. “Yes?”
“I love you.” It seemed as though ages had passed while he waited for a sign, some hint she might share his regard. “Sabrina Francis Douglas Markham, I am so in love with you.”
“Oh, Everett.” Sabrina burst into tears. “I do not know what is wrong with me. I swear I am not a water pot.”
“I know, darling.” He licked away her tears. “And I did not intend my declaration to make you cry.”
She wailed louder.
Finally, Everett relented and hugged her close. “Must be the pregnancy.”
“Oh, no.” Sabrina struggled and withdrew. “This is wrong. I promised myself I would not do this, and you should not be here.”
“Doing what?” He scratched his head. “We are married, and I belong at your side.”
“You must go.” A sorrowful river coursed her cheeks. “If you love me, then take another wife. Someone you can be proud of, a perfect chatelaine. A real lady.”
His fears had come to fruition. “But--I love you.”
“You will learn to love another.” She sniffed.
“And what of our child?” He tightened his hold, as he would not surrender her without a fight. “I am its father. I have rights.”
“You would take my baby?” Sabrina stood her ground.
“I want you and my child,” Everett replied with absolute finality.
“Can’t you see, it will not work.” She shuddered on a sob. “I would only do something else to embarrass you. You must take another wife.”
“You want me to choose another?” His ears rang with panic. “Truly?”
“Truly.” And still she wept.
“You would condemn me to a life without love? Without happiness?” The world teetered perilously, a vortex of desolation and despair opened beneath his feet, and he shifted to keep from falling on his bum. “Do you care so little for me?”
“No.” She held him at arm’s length. “It is because I love you that I am doing this. You will be happier without me. You will love again.”
Stripped of his defenses, Everett stared at the ground. “But how can I love again without my heart?”
“I do not understand.” Sabrina choked on another sob.
“Do you not?” He grasped her wrists. “You are everything to me, Sabrina. You are my life, my only love. Long before I inherited the title, you wanted me for who I am. Was that a lie? Am I a fool?”
Faced with losing his anchor, the center of his universe, he searched in desperation for an argument to persuade her to stay. Pain seared a knot in his throat. Inside him, something shattered. A chill of dread shivered over his skin, his legs weakened, and Everett knelt in the sand as a broken man. With tears welling in his eyes, he gazed at his elusive bride. “I beg you, do not leave me, because the man you claim to love will cease to exist. If you care for me in the least, please, do not abandon me.”
“Oh, Everett, I only left because I thought it was what you wanted.” Sabrina dropped to her knees before him. “I do love you. And if you truly want me, I will be your wife.” This time, his most unlikely lady cried not as a child, or a brash young debutante, but as the woman and countess she had become.
Relief cascaded through him, and he closed his arms about her. “Darling, I said I would have no other, and I meant it. Do not cry.” When she trembled, he nuzzled her temple. “Sabrina, please, I can bear anything but your tears.”
Recalling his earlier tactic, and subsequent success, Everett tipped her chin and set his lips to hers. And true to form, Sabrina softened, her sobs transformed into the moans of a well-pleasured woman. Were he unaware of her delicate condition, he would push her to the sand and take her on the beach. Because the sun danced on the horizon, the wind coming off the ocean was cool, and his wife shivered.
He slipped out of his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “Where are your slippers?”
“In the house.” She clutched the lapels.
“You walked down here without--” He bit his tongue and reminded himself to whom he spoke. No doubt one day he would have to smile patiently as she explained she had forgotten where she put their child. “Never mind.”
Settling on the sandy dune, he patted the space between his bent legs. With a somewhat shaky smile, his countess plopped down. In an instant, he turned her to the side and pulled her to his lap. Her knees draped over his thigh, and he rubbed her toes in an effort to warm them.
In mere seconds, she fell asleep in his embrace, and he recalled Caroline’s warning in regard to Sabrina’s health. For a while, he studied her features, sublime in repose, and he counted himself a most fortunate man, as his countess was the most beautiful creature of his existence. Every now and then, he gave her a gentle squeeze and kissed her. When only a thread of glittering gold lit the sky, and twilight encroached, Sabrina started.
With nary a word, she touched his face. “You are here? I did not dream it?”
“I am here, darling.” He chuckled. “And I may never let you out of my sight, again.”
“Do you really love me?�
� She sniffed.
“Are you going to collapse in a fit of tears at my response?” Since Sabrina appeared to be holding her breath, and he feared for her and their babe, he said, “Yes, I love you. I believe I have loved you from when we first met. Though I was too young and randy to recognize it. Of course, I had no opportunity to explore the theory, seeing as how you disappeared. By the by, what happened to you then?”
“I recall no absence.” With a finger pressed to her chin, she furrowed her brow. “As always, I retired to the country for the summer.”
“That is not what I was referring to, Miss Smyth.”
She winced and smacked his chest. “You knew.”
Now he laughed, and it felt so good. “Of course.”
She wrinkled her nose. “But--what gave me away?”
He snickered. “A waltz.”
“A waltz?” Sabrina clucked her tongue and frowned. “Which one?”
“Does it matter?” He snorted. “My dear, on the dance floor, yours is a singular talent unmatched by any woman.”
Now she pouted. “That is not a very nice thing to say.”
“Perhaps, but it is true.” Everett nipped her cute little nose. “Why did not you tell me your real name?”
“Because I set my cap for you that very night.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I had hoped I would improve with age. I am sorry I did not.”
“What is this?” He nudged her. “Does my saucy Sabrina lack confidence?”
“Do not tease me.” She hid her face in his coat. “I am an awful countess.”
Would her self-doubt never cease?
“God, grant me patience.” He tried to pull back, but she clung like a wet blanket. “Sabrina.” He wedged a hand between them in an attempt to capture her chin, but she resisted. In light of her condition, Everett hated to be rough, but she left him no choice. Fisting his fingers in her hair, he brought her gaze to his. “Darling, you have succeeded as my countess beyond my highest expectations. You command the hearts of everyone with which you come in contact. You have my staff hanging on your every word, prepared to defend you at the slightest hint of trouble. They were ready to string me up from the nearest tree when they thought I sought a divorce. I do not dare go home alone. And that house was nothing more than mortar and stone until you arrived. But now, Beaumaris is a warm, loving environment to rear our children, to live out our years--together. And as for me, I can’t imagine my life without you. You are my only triumph.” He grimaced. “As an earl, I fear I am not much an improvement on my brother.”
“You can’t be serious.” Sabrina framed his face. “You--a failure?”
“Not a failure, but certainly no smashing success.” And it killed him to admit it.
“I do not believe it.” With brows arched, she shook her head. “My fearless lord lacks confidence?”
She mocked him with his own words, and Everett compressed his lips. “You do not understand, I have the earldom to manage. It is new to me, and I am not doing very well.”
“Balderdash.” She slipped an arm about his shoulder. “You are a wonderful earl. Everyone says so, and I should know because I talk to everyone. The farmers think you generous and wise, their wives think you the most thoughtful lord. And as for the staff, they worship the ground beneath your feet.”
For a moment, Everett stared at his wife. When the reality of their situation hit, he succumbed to gales of laughter. “Sabrina, we are a fine pair.”
“Indeed, we are.” The joy in her expression melted his heart.
Slowly. Determinedly. He kissed her.
And kept kissing her.
After a few breathless, desperately sweet minutes, he lifted his head. “Is it true? Do you really love me? Or do you say so because you think it will make me happy?”
“You can’t be serious. Would I have left you if I did not love you?” Sabrina nestled close. “My shameless lord, I love you so much it hurts.”
Trevor had been right. Her declaration was a priceless treasure. “Surely that is a piece of logic I dare not question.”
“What is to question? I love you. I thought you wanted a divorce, so I left you.” She shrugged. “It makes perfect sense.”
To wit, Everett could only sigh. “My dear, I submit that you and I, our marriage, our future, is a fait accompli. There is no use fighting or denying it.”
“My lord, I have to agree.” She traced the crest of his ear with her nose. “And I have decided I want enough children to fill the dining room at Beaumaris.”
Everett choked. “Darling, that table seats twenty-two.”
“Oh, I have faith in you.” She giggled, and again he laughed.
For a while, they sat in silence, as the incoming surf swirled and foamed. To the east, night blanketed the earth, and the sky boasted rich indigo speckled with stars twinkling like countless diamonds.
Sabrina shuddered, and her teeth chattered.
“What the devil am I thinking?” Everett stood and carried her with him. “Let us get you to the house before you catch a chill.”
Hand in hand, they turned toward the beach house.
“Are we journeying to London tonight?” She whisked a stray lock of hair from her face.
“No. The coach will come for us in the morning.” He brought her knuckles to his lips. “But I believe I shall send them to the city with orders to return at week’s end.”
“Oh? There is not much to do here.” Her countenance was one of innocence. “Will you not be bored?”
“I can think of something we can do--many times, in fact. Given that my countess desires such a large family, practice makes perfect.” With wide eyes, Sabrina appeared shocked by his salacious inference, but he knew better and smiled. “So I intend to keep you quite busy, my beloved wife.”
“My lord.” She gasped, before bubbling with flirty giggles. “How scandalous you are, but that is one reason I love you.” Clutching his hand, she dragged him over the dunes.
“Slow down.” He planted his feet firm, stopping her flight. In a flash, he scooped her up and transported her along the gentle slope to the house, kissing her all the way. “God, it feels good to have you in my arms again,” he murmured against her lips.
Juggling her in his embrace, Everett flipped the latch and swept her through the gate entrance. He repeated the maneuver with the front door and kicked it shut behind him. Nothing, not even a sudden attack by the entire French Army would coax him to surrender his wife.
A peaceful calm fell over the charming cottage, broken only by the keening gulls in the distance and the roar of waves crashing ashore. A gentle breeze rustled the tall grass.
Approximately thirty minutes later, a breathless “Holy Mother” and a lusty howl shattered the tranquil serenity.
And then there was laughter.
Joyous, heartfelt laughter.
EPILOGUE
“Everett, darling.” Sabrina shook his shoulder. “Wake up.”
“Hmm? What is wrong?” He rubbed his tired eyes. “What is it, sweet? Are you ill?”
They had retired late the previous night, because they hosted their first weekend house party as husband and wife. Earl and countess. Beaumaris was alive with boisterous mirth and the occasional mischievous prank. The Brethren of the Coast were in full attendance. And whenever the Brethren gathered, rollicking celebrations erupted.
“Ho-hum,” she yawned and patted her hand to her mouth. She stretched long in his warm comfortable bed before sitting. Leaning forward, she kissed him. “I am fine, but we must not dally. Now, get up.”
“Mmm, I am already up.” He took her hand and drew it down to show her exactly what he meant.
“My lord, that feels lovely, but we have to go.” She shimmied out of reach and leapt from the bed. “Hurry, and dress for a ride.”
Everett rolled to his side and frowned. “We usually ride naked.”
“Get out of that bed.” Sabrina gathered the garments she had laid out the previous night. “And are you ever g
oing to tell me what happened to the four-poster in my chambers? It quite startled Caroline when I showed her the blue gown you purchased for me.”
“My dear, I already explained my position.” Everett punched his pillow. “This is your bed. I want you with me. And in the event you forget your place, the empty spot in your suite shall serve as an excellent reminder.”
“And what of our London accommodations?” She could not resist teasing her husband, even though his heavy-handed possessiveness thrilled her. “May I presume you have removed the furniture there, too?”
“You may.” At last, he slid from the mattress. “A month ago, I hired a builder to tear down the wall between our chambers, and, henceforth, we shall share a larger space.”
“Will you not grow weary of me?” She cast him a pout that never failed to rouse him, as she stepped into her wool riding habit. “Women require a vast deal more than men, just think of my toilette.”
“But I consider your bath a treat not to be missed, love. And I warned you in November, after your midnight ride to freedom, that I wished never to be parted from you again.” He rubbed the small of his back and grimaced. “My arse still smarts from my pursuit.”
“Should I soothe it with a kiss?” She presented herself, so that he could tie her laces. “I am yours to command.”
“Darling, I will oblige you wherever you wish, but we do not need clothes to--” She smacked him with a pair of buckskin breeches.
“Hurry, we do not want to be late,” she said over her shoulder.
“Late for what?” He snorted. “It is still dark.”
Ten minutes later, they strode into the stable.
“Should you be riding in your condition?” Everett lifted her to the saddle.
“Caroline says it is all right, but in a few month’s time, it is ill-advised.” Sabrina drew rein. “And I do love you for caring.”
“Of course, I care. And I love you, too. Are you cold, dearest?” He mounted his horse and nudged him to a canter. “I can fetch you a heavier wrap.”
“I am quite comfortable, my lord.” With a smile, she heeled hard and set a blazing pace, leaving him in her wake.
They rode through the meadow, toward the north fields. Sabrina knew exactly where she led her husband.
The Most Unlikely Lady Page 29
