They pulled up the drive and Alex, Rose, and Piper came rushing out of the house. A cacophony of noise erupted from them as they sprinted to the sleigh.
“You’re all right.” Alex gave them a grin.
“We were so worried.” Piper clenched her hands together even as Rose spoke.
“Were you in the cabin?”
“Did you eat?” Piper pulled May from the sleigh, giving her a hug.
“We could use some tea and biscuits.” Liz grinned as she embraced the two women.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chris whisper in Alex’s ear. Alex clapped Chris on the back, grinning.
The group moved inside and she stood in awe for just a moment staring at the beautiful Christmas tree that graced the front entry. After years of darkness, it seemed a beacon of light. Just to its left was her father’s tapestry. It no longer appeared wrinkled but was, in fact, absolutely perfect.
Mr. Manly came down the hall towards them as all of their guests filed in through the double front doors. While she had never met Manly before, they had corresponded often, and she was glad to make his acquaintance. She smiled at him but his eyes didn’t meet hers, instead, they were glancing just to her right.
She turned her head to see what had captured his attention. There was Chris, down on one knee. As their gazes met, he took her hand. Heat flushed her cheeks, as he began to remove her glove in front of everyone.
“What are you doing?” Her breath caught as heat filled her cheeks. He was declaring their feelings in front of everyone.
“I want to feel your skin. I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to my ungentlemanly behavior, though I have tried to warn you.”
How could he think she gave a wit? He was so much more than anyone she had ever met. “Chris, I don’t care about--”
“Lizzie,” he interrupted her, caressing her fingers with his. “I want to ask you, with all of our friends here to witness, if you will be my wife. I don’t deserve you but I’ll spend my life trying to be the man you deserve if you’ll―“
“Yes, I’ll marry you.” She sank to her knees, so their eyes were level. Then she did something completely unladylike. In front of everyone, she pressed her lips to his. “But you’re mistaken, it’s me that doesn’t deserve you.”
“Never think that,” his voice caught as he reached to cup her face in his hands. “I’ve never met a woman as miraculous as you.” He kissed her, softly, still holding her face. “You’re everything.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, her joy filling every part of her. “Oh, Chris.”
“Wonderful news!” Manly interjected.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
“My visit may be entirely unnecessary.” Manly bounced on the heels of his feet. “Though worth the trip.”
Chris stood, gently pulling her with him and then tucked her body next to his. “Why did you come?”
“Well, when you began asking questions about the stipulations in the will, I started reviewing all the documents. Initially it all appeared in order. It was the former Lord Rothenberg’s legal right to put in stipulations but…”
“Yes?” Chris held her tighter and Lizzie’s heart beat faster. What did all of this mean?
“The signature on the addendum is different from all of Rothenberg’s other documents. While his signature did change as the disease progressed, I had the document sent to an expert who confirmed that it was signed by a different person altogether.”
“But who?” Lizzie gasped. “I can assure you I did not add that ridiculous stipulation. No one else had access to the documents except for--” And then she knew exactly who had done it. “Is Bernard next in line?”
She heard Chris’ intake of breath.
“He is.” Manly confirmed. “If our current Lord Rothenberg fails to properly marry you, then Mr. Sinclair will inherit everything.”
“And he will become my guardian.”
“Like bloody hell,” Chris nearly growled.
Barrett gave an appreciative chuckle. “You’re getting quite good at that.”
“I would never falsely accuse but his lawyer’s training gives him particular insight into how to circumvent the will and it was he who delivered the document. The handwriting on the forged document matched his own. What’s more, he asked a lot of very particular questions about the estate. Questions that weren’t his right.”
“You can prove that Bernard faked the document?” Alex was more somber.
“Indeed,” Mr. Manly nodded.
“Let’s bring all of this to the constable. In the meantime, Barrett, get a special license for Chris and Lizzie. The best course of action is caution.”
“What do you mean?” Lizzie couldn’t quite keep the fear out of her voice.
“Well, if you marry, he can’t inherit. By his own stipulation, Chris will become the permanent lord. Of course, Sinclair doesn’t want that. If he learns of the engagement, or finds out we know about the forgery--”
Chris gave a shake of his head to stop Alex. He clearly didn’t want Alex saying anymore. As men of war, they understood Sinclair’s motivations and the lengths he might be willing to go to see them through. Putting those thoughts aside, he turned back to Lizzie. “I’ll take care of him, love. But Alex is right. Let’s not wait to get married.”
His thumb was stroking little circles on her bare hand. The gesture relaxed her but a doubt was niggling in the back of her mind.
“I’ll take the sleigh and depart at once. As tomorrow is Christmas, we’ll need to secure this today.” Barrett kissed Piper’s cheek then turned to leave.
They were worried but Bernard had left, hadn’t he? And he had hardly bothered her these past six months.
“Let’s have a party, shall we?” Alex gave a falsely bright smile.
“Wonderful idea.” Chris answered in return. Suspicion narrowed her eyes. This was most out of character. “Lizzie and I have a few things to discuss and then we can join you. Why don’t we make kissing boughs?”
“You want to make kissing boughs?” Rose scrunched up her face. “Have you lost your senses?” She was staring at her husband with the same puzzled look that Lizzie imagined was on her face.
“I think a discussion is a good idea.” Lizzie, still holding Chris’ hand, began tugging him towards his study.
* * *
***
CHRIS WATCHED the sway of her hips as she walked ahead of him, pulling him along. Without thinking, he reached his hand out to touch the curve, running his hand from her waist to her hip.
“No distracting me.” She gave him a small smile over her shoulder.
His blood instantly heated. “Do I distract you?”
“I’m sure you are aware of the effect you have on women?” Her eyes rolled toward the ceiling.
“I only care about the effect I have on you.” He quickened his pace so that his body moved closer to hers.
A blush infused her cheeks, it was damned beautiful. “Will you always feel that way? What if you go to London? There are so many beautiful--”
“None of them compare with you, love. Don’t ever think it.” He stopped walking to press their bodies together. “You’re the only woman I want.”
“Really?” She gave him a glowing smile and he dropped his lips to kiss her. When he raised his head, her look was more pensive. “Why are you afraid of Bernard?”
He sighed, recalling his conversation two nights prior with Alex and Barrett. It was his job to protect her from men like Sinclair. To keep her from the ugliness. “He’s gone to great lengths to forge documents. He doesn’t strike me as a man that will give up easily.”
“What do you think he will do?” Her voice trembled.
Chris raised his hand and used the backs of his fingers to stroke her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. But I needed to ask you…” He paused then continued. “Did Bernard ever make any advances?”
“Advances?” Her face scrunched up, perplexed, and relief rippled through him. His curse was tha
t he had seen the absolute worst of humanity. He had imagined Sinclair touching her with his weasely little hands.
“Did he ask you to marry him?”
She bit her lip. “At first he did. Over and over. Even threatened me. Then he stopped asking and soon he no longer came to visit. Didn’t even come for my father’s funeral.” She looked over his ceiling, lost in thought. “In fact, he didn’t come again after he delivered the last batch of documents to Manly.”
Irritation turned the corners of his mouth down. Of course he hadn’t. Sinclair had a new plan set in motion. Since Lizzie had refused him and he’d discovered that the property was entailed, he must have also realized he was second to inherit.
He likely added the addendum as a way to get rid of Chris. Sinclair couldn’t marry Lizzie, if that was still part of his plan, until after Chris was removed from the title.
Suddenly a jolt of memory stilled his movements. Prior to leaving London, he had nearly died twice, two strange accidents. And there was the sabotaged wheel on the trip. Sinclair couldn’t have been involved? As a former spy, it wasn’t the first time someone had attempted to kill him. It happened so regularly, in fact, that he hadn’t thought much of it. But if Sinclair attempted to hurt Lizzie… anger coursed through him. He would feel Chris’s wrath.
“Lizzie, stay with people. Don’t go anywhere alone and keep May close too.”
“All right.” She nodded. “I’ll put the chair under my door and--”
“If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll just sleep in your room so that I know you are safe.” He kissed her again.
“Oh, I….” a blush spread across her cheeks. It had to be the prettiest pink in all the world. Not even a sunset in Spain compared. “Yes, please.”
He kissed her again and then a third time, deepening the kiss. Though they had only been awake for a few hours, the need to take her back to bed beat through him. His office was just down the hall, perhaps no one would notice if they slipped in for a short…
“There you are,” Alex called from down the hall. “We’re starting the kissing boughs. Come join us.”
Lizzie sighed against his lips and he couldn’t help but grin. She was as disappointed as he to be interrupted.
“Coming,” she called.
“One more minute,” he amended.
“Sorry, old friend.” Alex called. “But we’ve a party to attend.”
It was Chris’ turn to sigh. The rest of this would have to wait till later.
11
It was miraculous how much his life had changed in such a short time. If someone had told Chris a month ago that he would enjoy making kissing boughs with a gaggle of women and children he would have spit out his drink while he laughed.
But now, he couldn’t imagine anything more pleasant. Except, of course, being alone with Lizzie.
He watched as the women laughed and worked, taking turns corralling children and arranging boughs. Alex and Manly did their parts as well, holding strings for boughs to be attached and joining in the Christmas carols.
Ribbons were brought out and May draped herself in them dancing around the room. Laughter filled the air and along with it, warmth and joy in his heart. He stood and, offering his arm to May, he twirled her around the room in her ribbons.
He looked back as Lizzie stared at them, love shining in her eyes as she watched them dance. He waved to her to join them and she crossed the room and clasped both of their hands. The three made a ring as Chris twirled them. May laughing with delight. It was a day he never wanted to end.
A cool draft chilled him for a moment and he looked up to see Barrett walk through the door. “I got it,” he declared. “The local priest will hold Christmas services and then he will come here directly after to perform the ceremony.”
A grin spread across Chris’ face. Tomorrow he would marry Lizzie. Picking up both May and Lizzie he spun them around as they shrieked.
“A wedding!” May yelled. “On Christmas.”
“Put me down,” Lizzie laughed.
“Tomorrow, we will officially be a family.” He kissed May on the cheek and then kissed Lizzie on the lips. It wasn’t the gentlemanly thing to do but he didn’t care. Everyone looked at them with great affection, even Manly.
“I did receive your letter about making provisions for May. Perhaps we can discuss them tomorrow morning.” Manly interjected.
Chris nodded. He would make sure they were both cared for. “Absolutely.”
Still holding Lizzie and May, he walked over to the where the kissing boughs sat on the table. “Hold one up,” he instructed Alex.
Alex dutifully grabbed the string and hoisted one above them. Giving Lizzie another kiss, he finally set them down. “Thank you,” Lizzie whispered.
“For setting you down?” He winked at her.
“For taking care of May and me.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I never thought I would find such happiness.” She said it so quietly, he almost missed it.
“Thank you,” he replied.
“What for?” She lifted her head, looking surprised.
“For giving me your love even though I don’t deserve--”
“Never think that.” She grabbed the lapels of his coat. “You deserve it all. You’re the best man I know. I…” Tears shone in her eyes. “It will take time, but I will show you how wonderful you are.”
A lump formed in his throat and he tried to swallow it down. He thought he might burst from the emotion of the moment. More than anything, he wanted to be alone with her. Worship her and whisper over and over how much he loved her. In just a few hours they could be alone.
Giving Lizzie a final squeeze, he let her go. The party began to finish the kissing boughs but Chris’ eyes followed his wife-to-be. Now that she would be his, he didn’t want to her out of his sight for a second.
Alex and Barrett came to stand next to him.
“Are you going to marry her or devour her?” Barrett’s low growl rumbled next to him.
“Leave him be,” Alex chuckled. “The man is in love.” He slapped Chris on the back. “I have to say, I didn’t know you had such fine taste in women. If there is a finer lady in all of England, other than Rose, of course--”
“And Piper,” Barrett interjected.
“She fits in with our group like it was meant to be.” Alex gave a nod to confirm his own point. “And you a lord. Amazing.”
“You can find it amazing after we are married.”
“What is wrong?” Barrett’s eyes sharpened.
“Just a feeling. Sinclair went to great lengths to forge that document, risking much. Then there are the attempts on my life. It isn’t the first time, of course, but three in as many months doesn’t seem like a coincidence. Add that to the fact that he threatened me last night. Inadvertently, of course. But I don’t think he is done.” Alex ran his hand through his hair.
“Of course. I hadn’t made the connection but it makes sense. With you gone, he would inherit posthaste. And then, he would simply marry Lizzie to bypass the stipulation of her marriage.”
“He asked her several times.” Chris clenched his fists to keep from making an outward display of anger.
“But that doesn’t make sense. Why would he marry her now? It would make you lord.”
“Lizzie said the he abruptly stopped asking some time ago. I can’t prove it, but my guess would be that he realized he wasn’t heir, or the estate was entailed. That’s when he forged the document.”
“We’ll all remain vigilant.” Alex cleared his throat. “It’s obvious that Sinclair has gone to great lengths. To be safe, Lizzie probably shouldn’t be left alone.”
“Oh, I agree.” Chris’s body tightened. It was an involuntary reaction to the thought of being alone with her. They could not be married soon enough.
“What of May? Perhaps she should sleep in the nursery with my children?”
“That would be marvelous. Thank you, Barrett.” Chris reached for his hand to shake it. He’d ha
ve hugged the duke if he thought the man would allow it.
“The constable is searching for Sinclair. Manly provided all the evidence needed.” Alex whispered as Piper walked by holding another string of boughs to hang around the doorway.
“I hope the constable is able to find him. But if he isn’t, once Lizzie and I are married, I’ll contact some of our old friends to hunt for Sinclair. He can’t outwit a band of spies.” Chris would remove the threat to his family no matter what he had to do.
* * *
***
* * *
THE DAY PASSED in a whirlwind of fun and holiday preparations. A wonderful meal was prepared. Chris did not hold her close again, nor did he try to tell her the depth of his feelings but his eyes watched her the entire day. He was never more than a few feet away and his attention began to leave a rosy glow on her skin, a blush perpetually at the ready. By the end of dinner, Lizzie was pulsing with need.
Once the meal was finished, Piper ushered the children, including May, upstairs for bed.
Rose, looking rather tired, requested that she and Alex retire as well. She yawned again. “I don’t know what has me so sleepy.”
Alex held her hand and waved goodnight as they left the dining room.
“No one even stayed for after dinner drinks,” Lizzie smiled at Chris, giving him a sidelong glance.
“Then let’s not either.” He stood and, grabbing her hand, pulled her up out of the chair and through the doors of the dining room. They picked up speed as they raced up the stairs and moved towards the master bedroom.
“Not my room?” She breathed as they ran down the hall. She was struggling to keep up in her skirts as he moved faster but the breathless pace added to the anticipation.
“Mine has a lock.” Chris reached back and wrapped his arms around her, swinging her up and cradling her in his arms.
“Chris,” she giggled but he silenced her with a searing kiss till she was breathless once more. Dimly, she heard a door bang open and then closed, followed by the clicking of a lock. How he did it without breaking the kiss, she didn’t know, nor did she care.
Taming a Rake into a Lord: Taming the Heart Series Page 8
