Always Forever (Emerson Book 5)

by Maureen Driscoll

  No one in that room needed a reminder of what had happened to Simon Chilcott.

  Nate turned to Colin. “You cannot possibly think it is a good idea for Rose and me to marry.”

  Colin’s expression was as angry as Rose had ever seen it. “No. In fact, I am about to do something unprecedented. I have never struck any of my sisters, but Rose has given me no other…”

  “Lay a hand on her and I’ll break every bone in it!” bellowed Nate, his fists clenched.

  Colin grinned and turned to James. “I told you he was in love with her.”

  “If you will recall, I did not say he wasn’t,” said James. “I said he wouldn’t admit it any time soon.”

  “What are you talking about?” asked Nate.

  “Did you really think Colin would strike Rose?” asked Win. “Did you think he could raise a hand to any of us?”

  “Well, I did think it unusual,” said Nate. He turned to Rose. “Did you believe he was in earnest?”

  “Of course, not. But I am a bit offended that apparently you and I have been the subject of discussion in my family. I mean, I only just compromised you today.”

  “Rose, love,” said Nick. “Your tendre for Nate has not gone unnoticed, though I will admit the females of the family sussed it out first. We just didn’t know how Nate felt.”

  “I did,” said Alex. “But I didn’t feel it was appropriate to share my suspicions with anyone but Win.”

  “Alex,” said Colin with a sigh. “It is your duty to share anything that might be embarrassing to any other man in this family.”

  “I am not in your family,” said Nate. “And I do not intend to be. That is, of course, no reflection on Rose. Though she does show a lamentable lack of good sense at times.”

  “I am trying to save your life!”

  “That is exactly what I’m talking about! You would save my life by putting yours at risk. I will never allow it. And neither will your brothers, regardless of what they think I feel about you.”

  “How do you feel about me?” asked Rose. This wasn’t exactly the ideal time and place to have a conversation about feelings. But as long as the subject had been raised, she would not allow it to slip away unresolved.

  “That is hardly the point.”

  “I believe it is.”

  “You are entirely too stubborn to be a biddable wife.”

  “You have that right,” said Colin, who seemed to be enjoying the exchange. “But I believe having a biddable wife is wholly overrated.”

  “Good,” said Ava. “Since you will never have one.”

  “I readily admit I am stubborn,” said Rose, though in fact she believed the fault lay with others who could not see they were wrong. “But are they right? Do you…do you care about me?”

  “You might as well ask if he loves you, dear,” said Kate. “I often find men will take every chance afforded to them to get out of expressing their feelings. And by ‘men,’ I mean Nick.”

  “How did I get dragged into this?” asked Nick before he kissed his wife.

  Rose moved closer to Nate, refusing to let him back away.

  “According to your brothers, I love you,” said Nate.

  “But what about according to you, Nate?”

  Nate ran his hand through his hair. “Of course I love you. That is why I cannot marry you. It is why I insist you go to London. If things were different… If my father weren’t the beast I imagine him to be, I would marry you in an instant – provided your brothers would let me.” He turned to the Emerson males. “I have a terrible reputation. You should not even let me near her. Ask Stemple! The man threatened to kill me on more than one occasion in London.”

  Everyone turned to Stemple, who had been quietly observing. “I have since changed my mind, my lord. After watching you in London while trying to help Mrs. Lewis, I have concluded you are an honorable and quite admirable man. Though I will still kill you if you hurt Lady Rosemary.”

  “But don’t any of you see that my mere association with her may cause her grievous harm?”

  “Nate,” said Colin. “We are not idiots. We suspect your father is just as dangerous as you do. We fear for your life. And, obviously, I cannot bear to think of anything happening to Rose. But I also know my sister, and while I wish she would have consulted us before embarking on this reckless plan, it could actually save your life. If the two of you marry, Bancroft cannot so easily manufacture another hunting accident. I know you would do everything in your power to keep our sister safe and that may be what saves you in the end. For I have often wondered if you were planning to sacrifice your own life in order to bring down your father. That would be unacceptable to us, as well as heartbreaking to Rose, I suspect.”

  “It would be,” said Rose, who was near tears. She should have trusted her family, though she could not imagine them allowing her to do what she did. And she could not imagine Nate marrying her in these circumstances without being forced to. “Well, Nate? Will you marry me? Because I will not be sent away.”

  Nate looked at her. Really looked at her, searching her eyes. “It depends. You have not yet said how you feel about me. Are you doing this just to save me?”

  He was closing the distance between them and Rose could barely breathe. She had dreamed of Nate and the castle on the hill her whole life, never thinking it would be possible to be his wife. She had loved him from afar. Was it possible she would have what she had wanted for so long?

  Nate stopped when he was but inches away, then took her hands. “How do you feel about me, Rose?”

  She felt the warmth of his hands all the way to her heart. “I love you,” she said in barely more than a whisper. But no one else had to hear. Only Nate.

  He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in just a whisper of a kiss. She could not believe she would marry this man. But she would protect him. She would let no one tear them apart.

  “That is more than enough!” said Colin. “I said you could marry her, not maul her like some bear in the wilds of America. James, if you came across something like that in the woods, what would you do?”

  “I certainly wouldn’t let it kiss my sister, if that is what you are wondering. Though I suppose we should congratulate the happy couple.”

  At that, Rose’s entire family descended upon her and she realized her life had changed forever.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Duke of Bancroft looked at his son, seated across the desk from him in the library. Bancroft had not expected his son to marry, though if he was not mistaken, it seemed to have caught Grayson off guard, as well.

  “I was surprised to learn of your pending nuptials,” said Bancroft. “In fact, I did not realize you were even courting the girl.”

  “I was surprised to learn of your plans to marry, as well. Mayhap the men of this family simply do not care to discuss affairs of the heart.”

  “Since when did marriage have anything to do with the heart?” The duke poured each of them a drink, then almost laughed when Grayson didn’t take a sip until after he did.

  “It is only an expression, your grace.”

  “And a damned curious one. What kind of marriage settlement did you work out with Ridgeway? I cannot imagine the dowry was anything to speak of, despite it being an excellent alliance for her family. They may even be able to afford gowns made by an actual modiste, instead of whomever has been laboring over them at the dower house. No wonder the chit trapped you. Her family’s money problems are finally solved.” Bancroft noticed Grayson was clenching his jaw. The duke had suspected his son had feelings for Lady Rosemary, in part because he had tried so hard to hide them the night before at dinner, when anyone could see the Emerson girl was a much superior female to the elder Boston chit, though the latter’s bosom had been impressive. But for some reason, Grayson didn’t want his father to know he had feelings for his future bride.

  Interesting.

  “As you know, your grace, the Emerson finances are not such that they can pay any type of dow
ry.”

  “Had you only told me you wished to marry, I am quite certain I could have found you any number of candidates whose fathers have deep pockets.”

  “Fortunately, my income is already sufficient.”

  “Then why marry? Obviously, I appreciate Lady Rosemary’s allure. In fact, if I did not already have my own bride selected, I might consider the Emerson chit for myself.” Now it looked like Nate would have apoplexy in addition to a sore jaw. It was a gratifying sight.

  “Do not make the error, Father, of disrespecting Lady Rosemary in any way. I will do everything in my power to protect her and will go to any lengths to see that she is happy and safe.”

  “That rather sounds like a threat.”

  “It is.”

  So, Grayson had some determination under that rakish demeanor he presented to the world. In some ways it was gratifying to see that his son had some mettle. But it could also prove troublesome to his plans.

  “You have not yet told me when your bride will arrive, your grace,” said Grayson. “Indeed, I do not even know the identity of your betrothed.”

  “I travel to London in the morning. We shall marry by special license, then return here within a fortnight.”

  “You will not take a wedding trip to the continent?”

  “My future bride is anxious to see the castle. There will be plenty of time to travel later. What about you? I assume you and Lady Rosemary will marry shortly after the banns have been read.”

  “We have not yet discussed a date. I thought she might like to go to London to order a trousseau.”

  “If you would like, she can ride with me.”

  “No, thank you, your grace. I would much rather keep her here with me.”

  “Already anticipating the privacy of being at the castle alone, are you? Well, I cannot blame you. I assure you I will waste no time in reacquainting myself with the pleasures of the marriage bed. And who knows? Mayhap you will have a new brother before too long.”

  “Anything is possible, sir. Even the addition of a new sister.” With that, Grayson bowed himself out of the library and left.

  * * *

  Nate was hit with a myriad of emotions as he left his father’s library. One was that if he continued to keep his anger hidden, he would likely put a fist through a wall before too long. He knew his father had been baiting him, but it had been hard to resist responding. He feared he had done a terrible job of hiding his true feelings for Rose, but there was also something to be said for putting the fear of God into Bancroft. Because if his father attempted to harm Rose in any way, Nate would respond in the strongest way possible. If it came down to whether Rose would die or his father, there was no doubt what Nate would do.

  He would protect Rose. Always. Forever.

  This was the first time he had been alone since their betrothal was announced. He was still upset with Rose for her rash actions because she had placed herself in great peril. He had already considered the possibility that in stopping his father, he might have to sacrifice his own life. But now he had to stay alive to protect Rose.

  And there was more to it than that. He wanted to stay alive to make a life with her.

  For too long, he had seen the dark side of men through his work with the Home Office and his suspicions of his father. But Rose was everything that was light and loving. She would soon be his to love and protect. To cherish and honor. To take to his bed and never let go.

  His bed. He groaned aloud at the thought that soon he would be able to make love to Rose. He had certainly dreamed of it often enough, but now it would become a reality. He just had to figure out a way to prevent his desires from overwhelming her. He didn’t want to frighten her, especially when she was willing to risk so much to be with him.

  He also thought about what would happen if he did get her with child. For a moment, he allowed himself the luxury of thinking about Rose with his child nestled to her bosom. He pictured a daughter who would be willful and determined to make her way in the world, protecting everyone around her. He thought of a son who would adore his mama and go on to be the best Duke of Bancroft in history. For Nate was certain that even if he lived to one day inherit the title, he would not do very well at it. After so many years of mingling with the dark side of the peerage, nothing seemed more attractive to him now than holing up in Wiltshire with his wife and family beside him.

  He was determined, now more than ever, to complete this business with his father and get on with the rest of his life.

  * * *

  Mirabelle Langham breathed a sigh of relief when her lover finally finished and moved off her. It wasn’t as if she had not enjoyed their latest round of passion. She had, but she needed time to think and it was difficult to do so with a footman in her bed. She did not resent his low-born status. She had come from a similar background herself, though she had taken great pains to hide it. Very few people alive knew her secret. Her sister Portia had died the previous year in a confrontation with Arthur and Vanessa Kellington. She didn’t think Portia had ever given her away, but it was just as good that the bitch was dead. Because now that Mirabelle was about to be wealthy beyond her wildest dreams, her sister surely would have come calling with blackmail in mind.

  “I’ll miss our beddings,” said the footman. “Unless, of course, ye think we can still carry on once we move to that castle.”

  “I am afraid not, pet. At least not at first. I shall need you to stay here at the house. Bancroft is letting me keep the property for now. I am certain he has no more desire to constantly be in my company than I have in being with him. Well, he probably does want to see me a bit more, since I am half his age and can only imagine what sights I shall have to endure when he disrobes.”

  “All the more reason to keep me around, luv.”

  As the footman made himself comfortable, Mirabelle took a moment to admire the view. He was a decade younger than she and a lifetime of manual labor had made him a prime specimen of manhood. She had taken care to find a lover with fair hair and blue eyes, similar to what Lord Grayson looked like. She knew Bancroft wanted an heir and her ability to deliver one might be a key component to her living a happy life as a wife, then a very long and much happier one as a widow. It would do no good to give birth to a bastard who looked too dissimilar to the current heir.

  Mirabelle was looking forward to the day when she would hold the most envied of titles. Not Duchess, with its myriad responsibilities to a vain, aging husband. But Dowager Duchess, with its enormous wealth and freedom.

  She was not certain how long she would have to put up with Bancroft. She barely knew the man, yet already despised him. Their betrothal had been quietly arranged by his man of business. She had paid her own man of business – a man as equally bereft in ethics as Bancroft’s – a tidy sum to ensure she would end up the Duchess of Bancroft. She had met with her future husband only once. He had asserted his husbandly rights a bit prematurely, but at least it had given her the chance to see he was capable of concluding the act.

  “Would you like to go again?”

  More than anything else, Mirabelle wanted the eager young man beside her to leave. But it could not hurt to take one more opportunity to become pregnant. So she half nodded, which was all the encouragement the poor dumb beast needed to mount her again.

  Besides, it might be the last time in a long while for her to have a young, naked man on top of her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “Rose,” said Kate, as she tried to place a pin into Rose’s gown as neatly as possible. “Are you certain we cannot buy your wedding gown? I fear I am making a mull of the alterations and I do want you to have the gown of your dreams when you walk down the aisle.”

  “She already has the man of her dreams,” said Win, who was handing Kate pins as Rose stood in a light green gown which had already been altered several times over the past few years. “I do not believe Rose cares all that much about what she will wear. And I am certain Nate will not even notice.”

  A
va smiled as she smoothed out the gown. “The only thought Nate will give to her gown is how quickly he can get her out of it.”

  “Ava!” said Rose, the very thought making her blush while also intriguing her. Almost three weeks had passed since she and Nate had been discovered by Mrs. Stennis. Unfortunately, she had barely seen him since. From the moment his father had left for London, Nate had spent every moment searching Bancroft Castle, hoping to find evidence. But from what Colin had told her, it had been a disappointing venture.

  “Unfortunately, the only person talented with a needle and thread is Rose,” said Irene. “Though you are doing an excellent job of it, Kate. I know Anna is anxious to embellish the sleeves with needlework she learned in her village, while Letty has been hard at work embroidering a handkerchief.”

  “I shall have to bring my own,” said Maude, who was sorting through embroidery strings. “I am certainly going to miss you, my lady. I cannot imagine you leaving this house, even if it is to go live in a castle.”

  The lump which had been lodged in Rose’s throat the past week and a half made itself felt again. “I do not know how I will leave, either. Especially now that the family has grown so very much. I will be missing out on a great deal.”

  “This house won’t be the same without you,” said Ava. “You have been the very heart of it for so long. You and Nate will always have a home here. And I hope that we may visit you often.”

  “I do want to see all of you, but on one point I must be clear. Until this issue with the duke has been resolved, I do not wish for either Letty or Anna to visit the castle. I fear for all of you, but it is especially abhorrent to think of anything happening to them. I shall just have to come here as often as I can.”

  * * *

  The day of the wedding finally arrived and the sky was a bright blue with nary a cloud. Rose had hardly slept the night before, and as she stood at her window looking out at the castle, she feared even now that Nate would change his mind. The duke had written to Nate saying business in London would prevent him from attending the wedding. Rose was relieved that the ceremony would only include those they loved.