“I can't tell him,” Lola protested. “Not yet. Aaron, just give me time and I promise...”
“Are you coming?” he changed the subject, seeing that he wouldn't get too far with her now. “It's not the best place for someone...in your condition...”
“I will see this done,” she raised her chin high. “I just...was expecting the letters. I feel guilty, do you know...for surviving when so many of them are gone.”
“Don't make it in vain,” he said to her, and she sighed.
“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, heading upstairs to change. Lola prided herself in being able to hide her emotions, in being in control at all times. Unlike others, she didn't like to be comforted when anxious and frightened, because she felt like she had lost the game of life at that point. She also felt like she had no right to have such emotions today, when there were so many others on edge.
When she had left to walk in the gardens, Wesley had still been at breakfast. They hadn't spoken too much, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Now, though, he was staring out the bedroom window, his hands gathered behind his back.
“Hello,” she said, softly, as to not startle him.
He barely turned to face her.
“If you were any other woman, I'd tell you not to come,” he said. “This isn't a memory I want you to have.”
“But I'm not any other woman,” she said. “And you knew that from the moment you married me.”
“From the moment I met you,” he said. “I knew that you were not any other woman. Your eyes held a passion, a fire that I had never seen elsewhere. I knew I had met my match in you, Lola Montclair.”
She sank onto the bed, watching him. He was tense, and he still wouldn't face her fully.
“Are you afraid, Wesley?”
“My father used to say being afraid was for the weak; for those destined not to survive.”
“Your father had no idea what kind of hero you would be.”
He turned to face her then, and he looked as if he had lost everything.
“Wesley,” she got up at once, going to put her arms around him. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” he kissed the top of her head. “Nothing. I am so glad that you are with me in this moment, though. I know the past few weeks have not been easy for you, Lola. How do you keep such hope?”
“Secrets,” she said, knowing he would just laugh and not take her meaning literally. “I have to change, but I'll be ready to leave shortly.”
“Mmm,” he sat on the bed, clearly not intending to leave. “Do you ever think of our time in the colonies?”
“I do,” she said. “It was quite the adventure. Just the adventure we needed, although not one I'd like to repeat, given that I almost lost you then. Again, here. Could you stay alive, do you think?”
“If I didn't?” he asked, suddenly, and she turned round to him.
“What are you talking about?”
“If you were to be put in a position like Lady Bamber...where you were alone, carrying the title and...”
“Lady Bamber has a child,” Lola said, softly. “A child gives you a reason to survive, when everyone you love is gone.”
“Aye,” he said “But I assumed....you would not want that. It would limit your career.”
“That it would,” she said, looking at him carefully.
“I would never try to limit your career, Lola,” he said. “Not after last time. It nearly tore us apart...”
“My career is proving rather dangerous of late. What if something happened to me?” she asked. He shook his head.
“You gave me a reason to live again. I couldn't be apart from you.”
She nearly sobbed at that, but instead looked away, keeping her composure.
“I'll be down in a moment,” she said, keeping her voice even. “If you wouldn't mind waiting for me? Aaron could use some company, I think.”
“Is he alright?” Wesley rose at once.
“I think so,” Lola assured him. “He just doesn't like to be alone, at the best of times.”
He kissed her on the top of the head at that, taking one last look at her before heading down stairs.
It was only then that Lola looked in the mirror, taking a deep breath. She put a hand on her stomach, which she knew was starting to bulge.
“What am I going to do?” she asked her reflection, softly.
Lola had always known what to do. Choices were always easy, and obvious to her. Until now, at this moment.
She changed as quickly as she could, not wanting to feel her body in the cold air. She didn't want to acknowledge the changes anymore; whatever would be, would be.
She didn't know what Wesley wanted, not really. She barely knew what she wanted anymore.
Eventually, she could pace her bedroom no more. At the bottom of the stairs, the men were waiting. Harold was in his dress blues, while the others in their best clothes. The mood was odd. Not quite a celebration, for death should never be celebrated, but this was the end of a reign of terror.
“I'm glad Father isn't here to see this,” Annabelle lingered in the hallway, to say goodbye to her twin brother. She was staying with the children, the heirs to the Bamber throne, as they eliminated the only other line.
“Are you sure he wouldn't be proud?” Aaron asked. “He would understand that sometimes, one has to do what is necessary.”
“Maybe,” she said. “But he wouldn't have liked that you would witness it. He was kind to us, always wanting our days to be happy.”
“We leave that behind in our childhood,” Aaron said, his tone flat. Lola touched his arm, and he nodded, closing his eyes. “Shall we be off?”
“Don't leave the house until we return,” Harold said, firmly to his wife. “Do you understand?”
“He'll be dead in an hour,” Annabelle said, bravely, as he kissed her. “Then there will be no more danger.”
“Still, just in case,” he said. “You are now our last and best hope.”
“Go,” she said. “Less you miss the whole event.”
The waiting carriage was cramped as they got in, but none of them was in a state of mind to take separate ones. The ride was mostly in silence; the occasional remark to lighten the mood falling flat, until they reached the courthouse. The sentence would come down in 20 minutes, but the gallows was already built, and the crowd was already gathered.
“I didn't expect such a crowd,” Aaron said, as they watched out the window.
“Word has spread,” Harold said “These people know how close they came to death because of Gilles.”
“They give him too much credit,” Aaron said, after a few moments of silence. “This was a giant orchestration. He is a scapegoat and he is the first to be brought to justice. That's all.”
“Aaron, you aren't regretting this, are you?” Harold asked, and Aaron shook his head.
“No,” Aaron said. “I just know what it's like, to be in that position. It doesn't get any easier.”
“Aye,” Harold said, and Lola cleared her throat.
“We don't have to watch, Aaron.”
“We do,” Aaron took a deep breath. “After you, Countess Rippon.”
“I'm still not sure I want you to watch,” Wesley said, as he got out first and helped Lola out. “Death is...”
“I know death,” Lola said. “Don't forget that. I have not lived an innocent life. And death reminds me that we need to be grateful for life.”
“Aye,” he squeezed her hand. “I can see that. Shall we?”
“Harold,” Aaron stopped his best friend just before they walked into the courthouse. “Thank you. For all of this.”
“For what?” Harold asked.
“You took care of my title, of my family, of my house,” Aaron said. “And you didn't punch me when Peckard gave me my life back and therefore took awhile your title.”
“Aaron,” Harold shook his head. “It was never mind. I was always safe guarding it for you. And if you think you should be thanking me, you have clearly forg
otten the years that you gave up your freedom for me.”
“Right,” Aaron grinned at him. “The last knock on the head, it did me in.”
Harold rolled his eyes.
“It is good to see you smile again, Lord Bamber, and to walk beside you in public. Welcome back.”
“Aye,” Aaron agreed. “It is good to be back. Shall we put this to rest?”
Harold held the door for him, watching as he headed in. Aaron was slower than he used to be, and a bit thinner. However, he was alive, and that was all that mattered.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Lola never thought that she would be sitting with her husband, gripping his hand and watching an execution. She wasn't exactly thrilled to be here, but she knew that she had to be.
“Are you alright?” Wesley asked, as he heard the executioners drum.
“Do you want to go back to the colonies?” she turned to him, suddenly.
“What?” he asked, turning to her. “What are you talking about?”
“I got an offer,” she said. “A few offers. We could go to all the colonies.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible,” she said.
“What is the rush, exactly?” he asked.
“I...” she bit her lip. “I'm with child. And I want to tour before I have the child. Because I know I might never get the chance to do so again.”
His jaw dropped.
“You're with child?” he asked. “Are you certain?”
“I'm certain,” she said. “And I know it will change everything, and I'm sorry but...”
“You're sorry?” he asked, confused. “Why would you be confused?”
“Because...you're having a child with an actress, who is not of noble blood...”
“Lola!” He threw his arms around her and kissed her, in front of everyone.
The drums stopped. She didn't open her eyes, didn't turn her head.
She heard the gasp of the crowd, and put her head on his shoulder.
It was over.
She heard people crying, and others trying to breathe properly. Worse, she heard applause and cheers.
There was death and then there was life. Life inside of her, to replace this death they had caused.
Whether or not Gilles had deserved it was a different matter.
“God Save the King!” came a cry from the crowd then.
“God Save the King!” came the echo.
Lola pulled her face off of Wesley, to see the crowd turning towards them.
“God bless you, Lord Bamber!”
“Bless you, Lord Bamber.”
“Aaron,” she said, in a strangled voice. “This is for you.”
“No...”
“It is,” Harold said, refusing to stand up. “This is for you. This is your welcome back.”
“Death and life,” Lola said softly to him. “Gilles is dead. But you are alive, at least.”
Aaron looked hesitant to accept the honor, but he rose, on shaky legs.
“God save Lord Bamber!” Matheson's voice roared, leading the applause as he stood.
It had been several years since Aaron, the favorite noble of the country, had received such praise and such adoration. As he looked out at the crowd, he realized that he had given up on ever seeing this again. It wasn't about basking in the sun or the praise; but rather being home, being recognized. Living his life in the sun rather than facing the ground.
“God save Lord Bamber,” Harold said quietly, to him.
“God didn't,” Aaron answered, as he raised his hand to the crowd. “It wasn't God that saved me.”
“Just promise to be available to watch my child,” Lola said, casually, which made him turn his head to Wesley.
“Did she tell you, then?”
“Aye,” Wesley answered, still in shock. Harold choked, leaning around Aaron.
“Lola...”
“I'll join the club that you and Aaron had exclusive rights to,” she put a hand to her belly. “It wasn't the best place to announce it but...”
“Ashes to ashes,” Aaron said, at last.
“Yes,” she said, as Wesley put an around her.
“We're done here, gentlemen, don't you think? It's come full circle.”
“I agree,” Harold gave one last wave to the crowd and then led the way, turning to go. Wesley lingered with Lola behind, making sure she moved slowly.
“To the colonies, though?”
“One last adventure,” she said. “I know it's controversial, but I thought I could tour until near the birth time...”
“And if the baby is born in a different country,” Wesley said. “Then it's a new start for our little family. I never wanted any child of mine to be tied to one life. I was...and it wasn't.”
“Even if they are the child of an actress?”
“Even if they want to be an actress,” he said. “Or an actor.”
“My my, if the nobility could hear you talk,” Lola said.
Aaron turned around then, eyeing both of them.
“Wesley, you look like you were run over by a carriage,” he said. “Did she tell you the news?”
“That she did,” Wesley replied, and Lola leaned into him. “She also informed me of our latest adventure.”
“So...we'll go?” Lola asked and Wesley paced a kiss on top of her head.
“Of course, my love,” he said. “I am never leaving your side again. And if our child is born away...then so be it.”
“I love you,” Lola wrapped her arms around him.
EPILOGUE
It took Aaron a moment to figure out where he was. The sunlight was shining on his back, and the birds were chirping. His bed was stationary, and the only voices in the house were the young ones, laughing in the garden outside his window.
He wasn't on the ship, far away from those he loved. He was in bed, in Bamber Manor, beside Shauna, as the late dawn broke. He was safe, he was happy, he was home and he was alive.
“Mmm,” Shauna rolled over, pushing him to lie on his back so that she could lie on his shoulder. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “It's just occurred to me that I have no idea what day it is.”
“It doesn't matter what day it is,” she said, sleepily. “You're here, we're together.”
“That is true,” he closed his eyes for a moment, and then groaned. “I'm sorry, love, I have to eat or I'm going to resort to munching on the pillow.”
Shauna laughed, sitting up so he could get up.
“Go,” she said. “It's later than we normally get up.”
“Well, we had quite the night, didn't we?” he asked, and she gave him a smile.
“That we did,” she rolled over, stretching to glance out the window. “Oh my, the children are already up.”
“I think I heard Annabelle out there,” Aaron replied, as he searched for his clothes. “So they probably aren't tearing things to pieces.”
“Yet,” Shauna said, as he pulled on his shirt. “You look well today.”
“I feel well,” he said. “Especially since I heard Harold leave for the office hours ago.”
“That is satisfying, I imagine,” Shauna laughed. “Go on, before you resort to cannibalism.”
“Do you want your breakfast sent up?” he asked.
“I suppose since I'm awake now,” she said, and he promised to send it, taking the stairs a little faster than he should. He had a bounce in his step today; the day was warm and he was content. It was a wonderful start to the morning.
He didn't realize it could possibly get more wonderful until he heard the front door open. His brow creased, as he wasn't expecting anymore and he hadn't even heard a knock.
Abandoning his croissant, he headed into the front hall. It briefly crossed his mind to wonder where his military weapons were, as it could be danger. It was unlikely, given that Gilles was gone and the world seemed to have returned to the peace it had before the chaos of his cousin. Still, given the years
he had lived, he supposed that he really should be more cautious.
“Harold?” he called, wondering if it was just his brother-in-law returning early. However, when he rounded the corner, his face burst into a grin.
“Lola!” he said, in surprise “Wesley! What are you doing here?”
Lola looked radiant, and to his surprise, still very pregnant. Quick math in his head told him that she may not have delivered yet, but he hadn't expected her to travel in her condition. Then again, it was Lola, and she would do whatever she set her mind to.
“We thought we'd come home, just in time,” she said. “For as exciting as it is to have a baby abroad...home is the best place for it. And you are all our home.”
Aaron laughed, giving them both a hug.
“Did she talk you into this?” he asked Wesley, who laughed.
“Of course, just as she talks me into everything, and I am happy to comply.”
“You two must be exhausted. Why didn't you write to me?” he asked. “Come, there's breakfast.”
“We decided spur of the moment,” Lola said, as she eagerly followed him towards food. “The letter would have arrived at the same time as us.”
“Of course you did,” Aaron said. “How were the shows? The colonies?”
“Amazing,” she said. “Being on a foreign stage was what I needed. But being this pregnant on stage is a bit scandalous, never mind being a countess.”
“Lola, when have you ever let scandal stop you?” he teased her.
“I don't,” she answered. “But it is nice to be home.”
“Aye, I can agree with that,” he said, as they sat down to breakfast.
It was only a few moments of uninterrupted silence before the children came in from the garden, Annabelle on their heels.
“Oh, my,” Annabelle said in surprise. “Everyone is home, it seems.”
“We thought about going to the country,” Lola said, in a half-hearted defense “But we'd be alone there and...”
“Don't be silly,” Annabelle said, as she gave her a tight hug. “You're family, you must be here.”
“I'm glad of it,” Lola answered. “Because Wesley and I have no idea what to do with a child. But you all seem to know so easily.”
How To Love A Fake Prince (The Regency Renegades - Beauty and Titles) (A Regency Romance Story) Page 39
