Michael’s eyes smoldered with desire.
Reading his mind, she blushed, thinking of all the wondrous things he had done to her and how she wanted to do them all again.
At the window, Mother gazed into the gardens. “I do not know where you got the idea that marriage and love had anything to do with each other, Elinor. Marriage is a contract. It’s business.”
Elinor wished for some kind of divine intervention. Being disobedient wasn’t what she wanted, but she would have her way. “I do not know where you got the idea that marriage was about anything else but love, Mother.”
Virginia spun, wide-eyed. “I do not know who you are anymore. You look like my daughter but everything else about you is a mystery to me. When did you become so forward? Where is the sweet girl I raised to be a lady?”
“You and Father gave me little choice. When Father became an earl, I stopped recognizing the two of you.” She had to proceed without hurting Mother too deeply. She rose and walked over to Virginia. “I do not know Father. He was always gone on some mission to Spain. So when he became overly enamored with the idea of being an earl, I was not really surprised. He always had an opinion of himself that outstretched his reach.”
“Elinor.” Mother gasped.
She put up her hand to stop Mother from saying more.
Behind her, Michael chuckled.
“However, Mother, you have taught me everything about life and love. You have been with me every day for my entire life. If I believe that marriage is about love, it is because you taught me that, in spite of the state of your own marriage. I know that you love Father. His feelings are a mystery to me, but yours are obvious.”
Mother slouched, dabbing her nose with her lace handkerchief.
“I was not surprised by Father’s attitude, but I was surprised by yours. All my life, you have been my constant ally, until the moment I needed you most. When I needed you to stand up to Father and tell him what he was doing was wrong and dishonorable, you abandoned me. I can only assume you too had become full of yourself over being a countess.”
Head down with shame, Mother sighed and nodded.
“You left me no choice but to take control of my own life. I will admit, it has not gone as I had planned, and Michael’s first response was unfavorable.” She turned to Michael, whose apology was written all over his face.
It was unfortunate that she was hurting the people she loved most, but at the moment, it seemed inevitable. “I had wanted to spare you this information, but I will have the man I love for my husband. I am no longer a virgin.”
Mother’s face fell and she stumbled to a nearby chair.
She wanted to go to her and comfort her but couldn’t show weakness. “At this moment, I could be carrying the heir to the Kerburghe dukedom. So you see, Mother, you really have no choice but to let us marry as soon as possible.”
Mother stared at Elinor as if she had two heads.
Michael moved across the room, put an arm around Elinor’s waist, and kissed the top of her head. He whispered, “I could not be more proud of you.”
She might lose her mother’s love, but at least she hadn’t done it all in vain if it meant something to Michael. Living her life as Mrs. Micheal Collins was all she’d ever wanted.
Mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she dabbed her cheeks. “I suppose you are right. You leave me no choice but to allow the marriage. I expect you will wait at least long enough to have the banns announced and a proper wedding arranged. I expect it would be best if the matter of your marriage to Roxton was kept quiet, but even if it gets out, you will be married to a duke, so no one will shun you for marrying so soon after being widowed.”
“I am hardly a widow, Mother. I do not consider the marriage to Roxton as valid.”
“Nor do I,” Michael said.
Virginia got up and faced them. “Be that as it may, others will talk, and you will be on the negative end of that talk.” She kissed her daughter on the cheek and did the same to Michael. “You have my blessing.”
Elinor let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Mother.”
Virginia crossed to the door.
“What will you tell Father?” Elinor wouldn’t mind telling her himself, but she doubted she would get the chance.
Turing back, Virginia waved a hand. “I see no need to bother him with trivialities. After the wedding, I will inform him of the event. I am sure he will wish to give his felicitations at that time. Now I am going to rest. It has been a trying few days.”
“Of course, Mother. Shall I come and call you for luncheon, or shall we announce at dinner?”
She sighed. “Dinner will be soon enough. Have a tray sent to me at midday.”
Once the door had closed, Michael whirled her around the room, laughing. “My god, you are incredible.”
Elinor laughed as well. “Michael, put me down.”
He did as she asked, then kissed her hard on the lips.
She expected it to be a quick kiss, but his arms wrapped around her and his warmth filled her as the kiss deepened. She caressed his neck and shoulders. Tipping her head to one side, she accepted and joined the deepening kiss. She loved the rumble in his chest and the way his hands skimmed up and down her back.
He eased her away, his breath coming in short gasps. “If this continues, I will take you on the settee.”
“I do not think I would complain if you did.” Breathless herself, she longed for more of him.
His smile was the happiest she’d ever seen him. His eyes lit with it and reflected her own joy.
She was his in body and soon she would be his by law as well. The idea made her giddy.
“I have not truly appreciated you, Elinor. I am the luckiest man in all of England to have you love me. I will never make that mistake again. Losing you was terrible, but might have been the best thing that could have happened to an arrogant ass like me. How could I have been so stupid? I nearly ruined both of our lives by taking that last mission. Somehow, I thought I needed to prove one last time that I was the best in the field. My arrogance could have cost me everything. I am as bad as your father.”
“Not quite. Father has still not figured out his flaws. You have recovered brilliantly.” She was bursting with happiness.
Once again, he took her in his arms and crushed her until her ribs ached. His desperate hold continued and showed no signs of letting up.
“Michael, are you all right?”
“I am the luckiest fool alive.”
“Not such a fool. You came for me, and you came to your senses.”
Releasing her, his smile filled his face and her heart. “True. I cannot believe you said all of those things to your mother. She had unequivocally refused me before you entered. I even gave her the ‘but I am a duke’ argument. She was unimpressed and told me that while she appreciated all I had done in rescuing you, Middleton would make a much better match for you.”
Elinor’s heart ached. She had hurt her mother with an unwinnable argument and more truth than Virginia liked to hear. It would take her weeks to recover and dozens of lists.
“Is something wrong, my love?”
“I just wish it had not been necessary to say such harsh things to my mother in order to facilitate our marriage.”
“Elinor, do you believe your mother could have been swayed any other way?”
“No.” She was awash with regret.
“Look at me,” he commanded, tipping her chin up with one finger. “Was anything you said untrue?”
“No.” She let out her breath.
“Then how can you be wrong? Your parents have lived their lives in a sort of fantasy, where your father pretends to go off and be an important counsel to kings and your mother pretends to miss him. In reality, I think they are both content with the kind of detached marriage they have. I think your mother was so keen on Middleton because he would offer you the same life that she
has.”
“And our marriage will be different?” she challenged.
He took her hand, pulled her over to the settee, and sat her in his lap. “I will never take a mistress, Elinor. I will only leave your side when absolutely necessary, and only if there is no way for you to come with me. I will make all my efforts to make you happy.”
Her sight blurred with tears. “I love you, Michael. I will never wish you away from me. I would not like it if you took a mistress, though I am not so naïve as to think it is not common amongst the men of the ton.”
He took her chin again, forcing her gaze to him. “I will not take a mistress, Elinor. I have neither the need nor the desire to bed with anyone other than you.”
“When you did not come to my room last night, I thought it was a sign that you were disgusted by my killing Roxton.”
A burst of laughter exploded from Michael’s lips.
“It’s not funny!”
He dropped to his knees in front of her. “Oh, Elinor, I think you are the bravest woman I have ever known. And I have known women who kill for a living. I had no idea six months ago that you had the courage of a lion, and I love you more after seeing your measure. In the last two days you escaped a madman, were crushed by a castle wall, killed to protect the man you love whilst being nearly killed yourself by a runaway carriage, and still found the audacity to come in here and stand up to your mother and secure our happiness. I repeat, I am the luckiest man in England. What other man can boast of such a woman?”
She rather liked the sound of that. “When you put it that way, I sound like Catherine the Great.”
They laughed, then he kissed her cheek, then her lips. He kissed her chin and her nose, and continued to scatter light kisses across her face and neck. “I love you. I love you.”
“Michael?”
“Hmmm?” Another kiss on her eyelid.
“I have to go and speak to Preston.”
Murmuring something to himself, he stood. “I can speak to him later.”
She shook her head. “I think it would be kinder for me to tell him my decision. He has been wonderful through all of this and has not said a word, though I am sure he knows most of what has transpired. I would like to speak to him.”
He frowned, clenching his hands into fists before relaxing and meeting her gaze. “As you wish.”
Chapter 23
Elinor found Preston Knowles, The Duke of Middleton, in the stables rubbing down a horse.
“I would think there are many grooms here who could manage that task, your grace.” Elinor stepped around a pile of straw.
He smiled. “There is something about the care of a horse that always calms me. I often go out to the stables on my property in Kent and act a groom for an afternoon. The world always appears more reasonable after a day with these animals.” He brushed the mare’s black coat.
“Do you require calming, your grace?” she asked.
“I thought we had agreed that you would call me ‘Preston,’ or has our friendship dwindled to the point that we must revert to titles, Lady Elinor?”
She walked over until only the horse’s lead separated them. “No, Preston, forgive me. I…we are still friends.”
“I am glad to hear it.” He smiled, but his eyes were sad and distant. The usual open regard closed away, as he continued grooming.
She found herself without any words to convey why she had come.
He crossed under the lead. “I assume you have come to tell me that my suit is being rejected.”
She looked at her feet. “I am sorry, Preston.”
He put down the brush and patted the mare’s neck. “Kerburghe has made you an offer?”
“Yes.”
“Your mother has accepted him, as have you?”
“Yes.” She focused on his hessians, unwilling to gaze into his eyes.
“Elinor?”
She looked into his strong face.
Only disappointment shone in his eyes. “Michael Rollins is a good man. We have already discussed your love for him. I have only one question.”
“What question?”
He brushed a stray hair from her forehead.
It was an intimate gesture, but there was nothing forward in it. His familiarity was more brotherly than of a lover. Whenever Michael touched her, she longed for more. Even the slightest caress made her skin tingle and warm. There was no such sensation at Preston’s touch.
“Is he what you really want?”
“I beg your pardon?” She had told Preston from the beginning of their acquaintance that she loved Michael and was devastated by their separation.
The horse whinnied.
Preston cooed and rubbed her nose. “I just want to make sure you are happy with this outcome, Elinor. I really do care for you. I would not have traipsed all the way to Scotland after a madman for just anyone. I would still marry you, even after all the drama of the past few days.”
A groom entered the stable and cleared his throat. “Are you finished with Moonbeam, your grace?”
Preston inclined his head. “Yes. Thank you, John. The lady and I were just leaving.” He offered Elinor his arm and they walked out into the haze of the late morning toward the house.
She waited until they were away from the stables and wouldn’t be overheard. “You are too good to me, Preston. I have not even thanked you for helping in my rescue.”
Before she finished her sentence, he shook his head. “No thanks are necessary. You are safe. That is all the matters.”
“Still, I could not be more grateful,” she said.
They walked into the house gardens from the back and strolled along a cobbled path.
“Michael is all I’ve ever wanted. I love him and I am happy. Is that what you needed to hear?”
He stopped and took her hand. He bowed down and kissed her fingers gently. “That is exactly what I needed to hear. Sadly, I stand down my offer for your hand. I think we would have suited very well, but I understand your choice. Kerburghe is a lucky man. I am honored to be the first to wish you joy.”
“Thank you, Preston. I am sorry, though I do not think we would have been truly happy together.”
“Oh, why not?”
“I like you, but I think we are better suited as friends. You are more brotherly to me.”
“Ouch.” He gripped his chest feigning a wound.
She smiled. “I think you will survive.”
“Perhaps but it will be a struggle.” He smiled, but again there was no spark there.
* * * *
The next few weeks passed with long, tiring days. The difficulty in getting the banns announced, and arranging a wedding in as short a time as was respectable, created more tension between Elinor and her mother.
Virginia was constantly worried that the events at Marlton Hall and in Scotland would become known amongst the peerage, and all would be lost. She reminded Elinor of this several times a day in dramatic fashion.
The parlor was silent. Mother had gone shopping and thankfully left her at home alone. Elinor picked a book off the shelf and curled her feet under her. The fire burning in the hearth was delightful.
She was just becoming absorbed in the book when the butler announced, “Lady Dorothea Flammel to see you, miss.”
Clapping the book shut, she put it aside.
Dory’s perfect hair and perfect figure were clad in the perfect dress as usual, but her face was pale and her expression near panic.
Elinor’s chest clenched, and she rushed forward. “What is it, Dory? You look as if someone has died.”
“Then you have not heard?” Dory took her hands.
“Heard what?”
“Somehow the incidents of Scotland have become known. It’s all over town. The afternoon paper is said to be printing a story that will tell the entire tale.”
“No,” Elinor said. “How could anyone know? It’s not possible.”
The door flew
open, and Virginia ran in. Her hair was half out of its coif. The lace at the bottom of her dress was torn and dragging on the carpet. “We are ruined!” She flung herself onto the settee and threw her arm over her eyes.
“Mother has obviously heard,” Elinor said.
“Oh, Dory, thank God you’re here. We must make a plan of what to do,” Lady Burkenstock urged, but she did not move from her dramatic position.
“Mother, it would be best to wait and see what people actually know. Let’s just see what is written in the paper before we do anything rash.”
Putting down her arm, Virginia looked at Elinor. “How can you be so calm? Don’t you understand? We are ruined! We will have to call off the wedding. We might have to leave the country. We shall never be allowed to show our faces in good society again!”
Elinor raised an eyebrow. Why had the news of her repeated ruin not sent her into fits as it would have done a year ago? “We will not call off the wedding. I am marrying Michael next Saturday. If the chapel is empty for the service, then so be it, but the wedding will go on.”
Mother sat up. “Do you really think that Kerburghe will want to marry you now that your reputation is destroyed? He has his own family to consider. After the scandals that his father created, he will run for the hills the moment he hears of this. After all, that is what he did at the last sign of trouble.”
Elinor narrowed her eyes at her mother. “He will not run, and that is not what he did last time. We will be married next week regardless of what the papers know or do not know, Mother. Is that clear?”
Mother gaped. “I do not think I really like this new side of you, daughter.”
She shrugged and sat on the settee to wait for the paper to arrive.
Dory sat next to her, smiled and patted her hand. “Good for you.”
When the afternoon edition arrived, Mother snatched it off the silver tray that the footman had delivered it on. She fanned it and swallowed. Opening the paper, she closed it again before giving in.
She read aloud.
More secrets are lurking behind the walls of the Earl of Malmsbury’s home. It would seem that the young miss of that household was recently married in Scotland, in spite of the fact that she is about to marry a prominent member of the peerage next week. I have further learned that the sudden marriage was followed by an even more sudden death, making the poor girl a wife and a widow in a matter of hours. The only mystery here is why the laws of our country allow such a person to walk the streets with honest people of importance.
Foolish Bride Page 23
