An Earl's Queen (A Rogues and Rakehells Mystery Book 2)

by Lindsay Downs

  Chelsea held out her hands, and in seconds they were freed from the rope allowing her to reach out and wrap her arms around his neck. Without thinking, she let him draw her out of the carriage then she settled her lips over his. When she felt the tip of his tongue tease her mouth open she let him in. After a few seconds she moved her head back and saw Nash, arms crossed over his chest, smiling back at her.

  A groan coming from inside the carriage caught her, Tony, and Nash’s attention. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Valerian attempt to move. Before she could do or say anything, Tony released her arms from his neck, reached in, and dragged the man out who collapsed at their feet.

  “Tony, take Lady Chelsea back on your horse, and I’ll follow along with the prisoners, including my brother, in the carriage. I know her parents are most anxious to see she’s safe,” Nash stated.

  “Yes, but remember I get to have a firm discussion with him.”

  Helped onto the saddle, she waited until Tony climbed up and wrapped an arm around her waist. She leaned back against him and gently nuzzled her head against his chest.

  “I knew you’d save me,” she whispered.

  Half an hour later she was eased from the saddle. Glancing down at her gown, she groaned loudly.

  “I know we must return to the ball, but I can’t go looking like this,” she stated.

  Not arguing with him when he grabbed her wrist, she let him lead her to the back of the mansion then up to the first floor and his mother’s parlor. Rushing in she raced over to her mother and hugged her, which was tearfully returned.

  “Come, we need to change your gown and fix your hair,” her mother stated then dragged her from the room.

  “Tony, I’ll meet you back in the ballroom. After all, you still owe me a waltz,” were the last words she called out before dashing up to her suite.

  Thirty minutes later she slipped into the room just as a waltz was starting and saw Tony speaking with his mother.

  “M’ lord, I believe this is our dance,” she said in a low voice.

  “Yes, it is.”

  As Chelsea let him guide her around the floor she was surprised no one seemed to notice she was wearing a different gown. Could they know what had happened? It wasn’t until the music ended and she let Tony return her to her mother that several ladies approached. They all expressed pleasure she was feeling better.

  Not sure what they were talking about, she kept her composure and thanked them.

  As the evening continued she put the events of earlier behind her as best she could, in particular when in Tony’s arms, and started to relax. As much as she wanted to ask him what would happen to Valerian, she held off and would when they were alone. That was, if they’d be allowed to be alone before they married.

  Epilogue

  Three weeks later

  At the small and pleasant church in the village, Tony and Chelsea exchanged vows with her parents, his mother, and Nash in attendance. What was amazing was that Lady Amelia was also present.

  “My dearest bride, as I mentioned a while back there is something between them, and it would seems so.”

  “Yes, my loving husband. I do believe you might be correct,” she replied, then let him help her into her brand new landau.

  One question did still remain in Tony’s mind, but with Nash barely making it back to the estate in time for the wedding it would have to wait. He suspected Chelsea was wondering the same, what had happened to Valerian?

  At the mansion, Tony waited until the others had entered then climbed out and assisted Chelsea down, up the stairs, and to the ballroom, now transformed into a huge dining room. Considering the number of invitations sent and affirmative responses that would be the only place which would hold the five hundred guests.

  Standing at the top of the grand staircase he nodded to a beaming Usher.

  “Your Graces, m’ lords and ladies, I present the Earl and Countess of Wyatt,” he bellowed out.

  Later, once the festivities calmed a little, Tony guided his bride over to where Nash was standing and talking to another guest. Raising a brow to the man who easily made his excuses, Tony led them to the veranda, where the most recent trouble involving Valerian had begun.

  “What happened to your brother?” Tony asked.

  “After hearing the details, thanks to letters sent by the countess and what occurred here along with the murders, Valerian has been dispatched to Bedlam. There he will live out the rest of his miserable life as a simple, in more ways than one, man. The duke has, through Parliament, disowned him and cut off all funds for him.”

  “Thank you,” Tony and Chelsea said together then returned to the ballroom as the musicians started playing a waltz.

  “My dear wife, I’ve instructed them to play one after each of the other dances, and I plan to partner with you every time.”

  Two days later this was reported in The Tattler

  This reporter has learned that the newly wed Anthony, Earl of Wyatt refused to allow another man to waltz with Chelsea, Countess of Wyatt. It is rumored they partnered in no less than five waltzes.

  Has a new trend been started by this reformed rakehell. All I can say is, time will tell.

  The End

  About the Author

  I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.

  So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.

  My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.

  With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.

  Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.

  My favorite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.

  Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.

  Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.