by Ava Stone
“I don’t know.” Lissy shook her head. “I thought I saw him, Fin. Back in London. I caught a glimpse of someone who looked like him but had convinced myself it was just my imagination.”
So he was Pierce’s spy. He’d come to The Chase to finish off what his friend had started. “I’ll deal with him,” he said, starting towards the butler. “Where did you put him?”
“The white parlor, my lord.”
“Fin!” Lissy called from behind him. “Mr. Heaton was always very kind to me.”
“I don’t think it was very kind,” he bit out, “to lead that murderous beast right to you.”
Lissy had no idea how or why John Heaton had showed up at Prestwick Chase, but she wasn’t going to let Fin throttle the man, not with his bad arm, and not considering that the Bostonian had always been kind to her. She followed in Fin’s furious wake, trying to make him see reason.
“Phineas Granard! Do stop.”
But he didn’t. He strode right into the white parlor and only stopped after he’d crossed through the doorway. “I don’t know how you can even dare to walk through these doors, asking to see Lady Felicity, but—”
“Oh, dear God.” John Heaton rose from his spot at seeing Lissy. “It really is you.”
She stopped at Fin’s side and slid her hand into his, hoping to calm his temper just a bit. Then she nodded at her one-time neighbor. “It really is me.”
“How?” The man’s face contorted into disbelief. “I searched the bay for you until I couldn’t see straight.”
So he’d been the one to search? She suspected as much, but felt quite guilty all of a sudden for the anguish he must have gone through in trying to find her, the anguish she could see reflected, even now, in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, John.”
“I’m just so glad you’re alive.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I—”
“Yes, well,” Fin began, his tone rather clipped, “that’s no thanks to Aaron Pierce.”
John Heaton’s gaze flashed from Lissy to Fin. “Where is Aaron? He never came back to the inn last night, I expected he would.”
“He won’t be going anywhere ever again,” Fin replied before Lissy could say anything.
“I beg your pardon?” The American frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean he’s dead.” Fin heaved a sigh. “He slaughtered the magistrate’s son in the middle of the night, slashed my arm open and intended God knows what for her ladyship if he hadn’t been stopped.”
“Oh, dear God.” John dropped back into his seat, his face as white as a ghost. “I-I had no idea.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I knew he was angry, but—”
“Angry!” Fin roared.
“Fin,” Lissy broke in. “None of this is Mr. Heaton’s fault. He—”
“He what?” Fin glanced down at her. “He didn’t know what sort of a monster his friend was? He traveled with the man from London to Derbyshire and had no idea what the man had in store for you?”
“I-I didn’t,” the American protested. “I had no idea. I thought he meant to talk to his wife, find out what had happened. I had no idea he meant to harm anyone.”
“Who knows how many he’s harmed along the way?” Fin muttered enigmatically. “How could you not know?”
“No one ever knew what happened to me,” Lissy said, hoping Fin’s anger would dissipate a bit. “Aaron could be very charming, he was always whoever anyone ever needed him to be in any given moment.” She glanced down at her floor. “He certainly pretended well enough with me until after our vows were spoken. No one could see through him, not unless you knew what to look for.”
She felt John Heaton’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t lift her gaze to meet his.
“No,” the American said softly. “There were times I thought I’d caught a glimpse of something else beneath his surface, but I never looked hard enough to see anything I might not like. I don’t know what he did to you, Felicity, but you can’t wipe away my complacency so easily. I should have done something.”
At that, she did look up, finding her one-time neighbor with an expression that tore at her heart. Aaron’s actions were certainly not John Heaton’s responsibility. “You did.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “You searched the bay for me until you couldn’t see straight.” In his own way, he’d helped her gain her freedom. He’d added the credibility that her suicide story had needed.
He blinked at her in apparent wonder. “You are amazing. I’m not sure how you managed all of that. The blood, the note, the escape. But I was quite certain you were gone.” A breath seemed wrenched from his soul. “I am so glad to discover otherwise.” John pushed back to his feet and added, “I suppose I have some arrangements to make if you can point me in the right direction. He may not deserve any sort of service, but my conscience requires I give him one anyway.”
Without a doubt, John Heaton was an honorable man, if nothing else.
“I’ll point you in the right direction,” Fin said, his tone softer than it had been thus far. “Or rather, I’m certain Keeton can do so.”
And then the two of them were gone and Lissy was alone in the white parlor wondering at how much had changed in her life in so little time. For years, she’d been certain her future was etched in stone, without a thing she could do about it. But now her future was what she could make of it.
She could spend the rest of it afraid to move forward, or she could take the second chance she’d been given and live the life she truly wanted. Juliet’s advice echoed in her ears. She was free to start over. Free to make better choices than she had so long ago.
When Fin returned to the parlor, she spun on her heels to face him. Noble, honest Fin. The man she loved more than she could have ever imagined. “Do you still mean to marry me?” she asked, hoping his answer hadn’t changed.
A bemused look spread across his face. “Do you think me so fickle, Lissy? I’ve told you I love. I’ve showed you I love you. And I will love you until my final breath.”
She didn’t even try to keep the tears from streaming down her face now. “Then I suppose we should have the banns started, Fin; because I mean to hold you to your word on that.”
The smile he flashed her lit up the room. He pulled her into his one-armed embrace and kissed her for all she was worth.
May 1821 – Carraway House, London
Giddiness bubbled up inside Lissy. But she was afraid to move. Afraid to find out she was dreaming. So she just sat in bed, and would be perfectly happy to stay there in that exact spot for the next eight months. She wouldn’t eat anything unusual or laugh uncontrollably or raise her voice or…anything. She wouldn’t even suck in a breath if she could help it. And she could help it. She would do anything and everything in her power to make certain Fin’s baby came into this world.
She glanced down at her flat belly and touched a tentative hand to it. Was she really going to have a child? She had long since given up hope and so had Fin, not that he ever said as much. True to his word as always, he had never made her feel less than for her inability to give him an heir. He doted on Luke and Juliet’s brood as an adoring uncle. He continued to guide Edmund with the wisdom and love of a father. But she knew there was nothing more he would love than to cradle his own child in his arms. And now…
Now that was an actual possibility.
If she wasn’t dreaming.
But should she tell Fin? That was the real question plaguing her even as excitement welled inside her. She might feel better about telling him if old Doctor Watts had attended her this morning and not his son. The younger Doctor Watts hadn’t been at this as long as his father. What if he was wrong? What if he had no idea what he was doing? She couldn’t let Fin get his hopes up only to have them dashed.
She shook her head, even though there was no one in her chambers to see her do it. But she’d have to wait. Make certain before she told him.
A knock came at her door and Lissy glanced toward the sound. “Come,” she called.
; Her door opened and Fin strode through the door, his brow furrowed in concern. “Ames said Doctor Watts was here.” He crossed the floor and was about to touch a hand to her head when his frown deepened. “Good God, Lissy, you’re green.”
She was still a bit nauseous, but she hadn’t thought about any of that ever since the young doctor had left that afternoon. “I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow,” she lied.
Fin didn’t seem so sure. He sat gently on the side of her bed. “Is there something I can get you, sweetheart? Did he leave anything for you to take?”
“I’m fine, Fin.” Lissy shook her head. “Tell me how things went with Liverpool.”
His dark eyes narrowed perceptibly. “There’s something you’re not telling me. What did Watts say, Lissy?”
She shook her head once more. “It wasn’t Doctor Watts, it was his son, and I—”
“His son?” he interrupted her. “You mean the fellow who was the top of his class at Edinburgh and is a leader in medical research? That son?”
She shrugged in response. Just because young Doctor Watts was heralded as a brilliant mind, didn’t mean he was right about this.
“The man has even consulted the King, Lissy. Now what did he say?”
“Fin,” she complained. “I think I’ll just lie down a bit. I’m certain I’ll feel better after a nap.”
“Felicity Corinna St. Claire Carraway,” he began rather sternly. “What did the renowned doctor have to say? You are scaring me.”
Lissy winced. She hadn’t meant to scare him. That was the last thing she ever wanted to do. So she heaved a sigh and said very softly, “He said I’m expecting.”
Fin’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Expecting?” he echoed cautiously. Then he swallowed.
Lissy nodded, unable to take her eyes from her husband. “I didn’t want to tell you. I wanted to be absolutely certain first. But you—”
Fin leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Lissy slid her arms around his shoulders and held him close. Joy radiated from him and she couldn’t help but be caught up in his excitement.
He pulled back slightly from her and looked her up and down. “How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”
Lissy laughed as she shook her head. “You already asked me that, silly man.”
He nodded in agreement. “Silly, indeed. I shall be silly from here on out.” His smile could light up a darkened room on a moonless night. “We’re going to have child.”
“If Doctor Watts is right and—”
“He’s right,” Fin declared. “I’d put more weight on his words than his father’s.”
Lissy heaved a sigh. “All that aside, Fin. I don’t want to take any chances. I—”
“No chances, indeed,” he cut her off. “I’ll hire a doctor today. We’ll bring him in fulltime and he’ll see that you get care around the clock. And—”
Lissy laughed. She couldn’t help it. His exuberance was more than contagious. “So you are happy, then?” she teased.
His warm eyes focused on her so intently, she barely dared to breathe. “Felicity, you have made me happy everyday of our lives together. Never doubt that.”
And she never had.
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~ Ava
The author of several Regency Noir Romances, Ava Stone first fell in love with Mr. Darcy, Jane Austen and Regency England at the age of twelve. And in the years since, that love has never diminished. If she isn't writing Regency Era romance, she can be found reading it.
Her bestselling Scandalous Series is filled with witty humor and centers around the friends and family of the Machiavellian-like Lady Staveley, exploring deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, but she travels extensively, always looking for inspiration for new stories and characters in the various locales she visits.
Ava can be found at www.avastoneauthor.com and at Lady Jane's Salon Raleigh-Durham, where she is one of the salon's directors. You can also find her at Facebook and on Twitter.
The SCANDALOUS world continues in…
A Scandalous Wife
A Scandalous Charade
A Scandalous Secret
A Scandalous Pursuit
A Scandalous Past
My Favorite Major
The English Lieutenant’s Lady
To Catch a Captain
An Encounter With an Adventurer
In the Stars
Promises Made (Encounter With Hyde Park)
And the Regency Seasons Novellas…
A Counterfeit Christmas Summons
By Any Other Name
My Lord Hercules
A Bit of Mistletoe
The Lady Vanishes (One Haunted Evening)
