by Aubrey Brown
He had received missives from Shropshire, but dismissed them. He would not have his hand forced. His mother had reminded him of his timeline, and David knew she was indeed right. It was time to send for his betrothed.
Penning the letter was absolute torture for David, since his father’s death a few months back had finally made him Duke of Kingsberry and pushed him to marry. He needed an heir, and he needed to marry Anna to ensure the legacy and reputation of the Winthrops.
“I know you did not want to marry, my son, but your father had no choice. He would have been sent to debtor’s prison, and we would have been ruined. Your sisters would have been shunned and not married,” his mother simply stated.
“I understand, Mother. It is of little consequence now. I may not like it, but you are indeed right. It is time I married. No family in London has taken an idea to me marrying one of their daughters since I am betrothed. And I have yet to find a solicitor that can nullify the marriage contract. So I have sent on a letter to Shropshire and am awaiting a reply. We need to marry by New Year’s Eve, and that is almost upon us.”
“The roads are terrible since the weather has changed. Perhaps you should travel to her home and escort her here,” his mother suggested.
David did not want to be inconvenienced any more than he had already been. So he informed his mother he would think it over.
As a fortnight passed, so did his patience. He had sent his letter off and no reply had come. He finally made the decision to travel to Anna’s country home and bring her back to the estate.
He wrote a quick missive that he was coming and to have Anna readied. As a duke, he was not used to waiting or being patient. He applied for a license weeks ago when he had first contacted Mister Snowe. David sent his valet to inform a footman he was leaving for the country and to pack accordingly. The carriage was readied a few hours later. He waved good-bye to his mother as he rolled down the long drive toward the main road.
David sat back in the small but luxurious carriage and sighed. By this time in a few days he would be a married man. He told the driver to set a quick pace and to only stop when the horses needed changing. He waited too long to send for his bride. However, he would never admit that to anyone else, he was a duke for Christ’s sake.
Anna’s home was a full two days and night ride from his home, and he hated wasting time, so he would travel straight through, escort the girl and her family back to London, and have the lavish wedding needed to prove to the ton, that his father was gone and he was the new duke.
* * * *
Shropshire, Anna’s home
Anna returned home from her trip to Scotland with two missives from London. Her mother had stayed behind to help Ada with her newest son, and her father had some business contacts to attend to. The date of the first letter was a fortnight ago. She opened the missive and felt her face drain of all color, and her heart seemed to stop beating inside her breast. The Duke of Kingsberry wrote of his intent to have her readied for travel to his estate?
Anna grabbed the other letter and tore it open. This one contained two terse sentences. Have Anna readied for travel as soon as possible. I shall escort her to London for our wedding in exactly three days’ time from this missive. Anna really felt ill now, as the date of this missive was precisely two days previous to this day. Anna ran for the door and yelled for their butler.
“Ruttles! Ruttles!” Anna screamed.
“Yes, miss?”
Ruttles had come from behind her, and she nearly jumped out of her own skin.
“Ruttles! Good grief, you startled me,” Anna said, gasping.
“I am sorry, miss. You called for my assistance?”
“When did this letter arrive?” She knew the answer, but she wanted him to confirm her fate.
“Just as you walked through the door miss. The post came with your carriage.”
Anna closed her eyes briefly and tried to breathe through frozen lungs. His Grace, David Winthrop, Duke of Kingsberry was coming to marry her! A few seasons ago she would have been elated, but now she was desperate to leave. Why had she not stayed with her sister and the new baby in Scotland? In addition, Anna’s mother and father decided to stay on and see her sister through the new adjustments.
“Is there something amiss, Miss Snowe? Do you need anything more?” he stated in a staid tone.
Anna shook her head as she set the letter down into the card bowl. She walked slowly to her room and shut the door. She heard Ruttles shuffle off as she kneeled to the floor and took in a breath that did nothing to ease her tension.
Chapter Two
Between London and Shropshire
As planned, they pulled off the road at an inn where he was permitted to change and shave. One hour later the horses were fed and readied to travel across the rest of the way. David sat back with an audible sigh. He was to be married soon to a stranger. He only briefly saw a picture of Anna, and as he recalled she had red hair, and was very slim. He did not garner much from the image and quickly dismissed her. David shook himself. He was about to meet his future duchess. He needed to be the gentleman he was, whether or not he found his new wife attractive. He had a duty, and he would see to it. An heir was needed.
* * * *
Outside of Shropshire near Wales
Anna made a hasty decision. She left her home and fled toward her father’s family in Wales. They were not too far from her parent’s marsh, and she needed a place to hide until the duke left his claim and the dicker was void. She wrote a quick missive to her sister’s home in Scotland, addressed to her father and mother, explaining that she was fleeing to live in Wales until the duke left for London.
Anna reflected on a discussion she had with her parents before they had left for Scotland to witness the birth of Ada’s son. She expressed her distaste in marrying the duke. She explained that she was tired of waiting for his person to come for her, and that her sisters were titled now, and they no longer needed her to marry for a title.
Her father had said to her, “Anna, ye feel ye no’ need tae marry the duke. Are ye sure of this? Yer mother hasn’t put the notion into yer head? I know our voices carry through the stones of the walls. Have ye heard what I ha’e said about the Duke of Kingsberry or his son? I do not want ye not to marry him, if ye feel uncomfortable with our assessment of the Winthrops.”
“Nay, father, I am simply tired of waiting and tired of the gossip circling our arrangement. It has been made clear to me that he does not wish to marry me, for if he did he would have come before. We are close to Christmas, and after that is my birth date. The weather has changed, and the snow has begun to fall. If he intended to marry me, he would have done so either in the spring or summer. I want to have a happy New Year, father, and marriage to the duke would not be in my best interest. I want the loving union you and mother share.”
She held her breath as her father turned her confession over in his head. He was a good man, a clear thinker. She felt inside her soul that he knew of what she was saying. He loved her mother to distraction, and since her health improved he seemed to have a renewed vigor as well.
“Aye, child, I want ye tae be happy. If ye feel it is not with the duke, then I will no’ make ye marry him. Between ye and me, Anna, I would love tae see a return of my investment, tenfold. There was nothing in the dicker stating that ye had tae be readied for his arrival, just that he had tae marry ye by your birth date. Maybe instill a little respect into the boy.”
Anna walked away from the conversation, lighter of heart in the knowledge that her father supported her decision. Her mother had also assured her that she was supportive as well. They would weather any scandal that came their way. Anna felt momentarily upset over the cost of such a scandal, but was quickly told to stop worrying.
When Anna received the missive that she was to be readied like a chattel, she burned first with upset and then with anger. How dare he speak of her in such an ill manner? She may not be titled such as he was, but she was far from a peasant or
a servant in his household. She would not be told what to do by such a pompous ass. Her upbringing rallied against her thoughts. She was trained for decorum and to have the grace dignified by a duchess. However, she was no longer going to marry the Duke of Kingsberry, so her regard for his position was now null and void.
She quickly left her parents’ home, with a maid and a driver. She would have sent a request to her aunt’s residence. However, time was of the essence, and she would have overtaken the letter by hours. She did, nevertheless, send her parents a missive explaining her whereabouts.
There was no need to pack since she was already packed from her previous trip. She entered her carriage and fled the home in hopes they would not be seen by the duke. It seemed to have worked, for they were almost in Wales.
Anna thought of the duke and grinned at what his reaction would be to her not being in residence. He surely would be angry at being inconvenienced. It would serve the cad correctly to be made to wait for her. She had been waiting for him for almost three years. She would love to be a footman in her father’s home to see the reaction on His Grace’s handsome face, when Ruttles told him and he was not at liberty to say where her whereabouts were.
* * * *
Shropshire, the Snowe home
David’s carriage pulled into the Snowe estate. He was astonished by the magnitude of the home. Her father may not be titled, but he was indeed as rich as everyone claimed him to be. The carriage came to a stop, and he sighed. He was about to meet his future duchess. He walked to the massive door and waited for his valet to knock.
The door creaked open to an elderly butler with a sedate look upon his face.
“May I present His Grace, David Winthrop, the Duke of Kingsberry.” The valet made a sweeping gesture with his arm in his direction as he gave the other man his card.
“Indeed, we have been expecting you, Your Grace. However, no one is here to receive you.”
David gazed upon the aging butler in shuddered silence. He then gained enough of his mind back to ask, “What of Mrs. Snowe or Miss Annabella Snowe?”
“They are also not in residence, Your Grace.”
“Where the bloody hell are they?” David practically yelled.
The butler’s eyebrows rose to his hairline as he said, “I am not at liberty to divulge Miss Annabella Snowe’s location at this time, Your Grace.”
“I beg your pardon?” David asked the odious man.
“I have been sworn by the miss not to divulge her location.”
“Do you know to whom you are speaking with? I am the Duke of Kingsberry. Anna’s betrothed. You will tell me where she is,” David bellowed.
“I understand who you are, Your Grace. Begging your pardon, but you are not my employer, and I shall remain loyal to Miss Snowe. However, if you wish to seek her father’s counsel, I shall tell you where he is, Your Grace.”
David was barely in control over his temper. This butler did not fully understand who he was and what he was seeking, if he was in London, no one would refuse him. For the sake of the important information, he said, “I would appreciate their address. If you would be so kind as to provide me with that, I shall be on my way.”
“Certainly, Your Grace, a moment please.” The butler turned away from the duke to fetch a paper. He wrote quickly and then returned to him.
David read the paper and said, “Scotland?”
“Indeed,” the butler said in return as he closed the door.
David walked back to his carriage and informed the driver to continue. As he made his way to Scotland, he was blistering angry. Anna should have been grateful to marry him, overjoyed that he had come for her at all. He was a duke and not used to having to dance to another’s tune.
* * * *
Wales, hours later
Anna and her carriage made the journey to her father’s family home in Wales. She received a warm welcome from her father’s sister, Gwylan Ackland. She was an older, more feminine version of her father. Anna had always loved to visit her when she was a small child. Wales was a beautiful country that held lush landscapes.
When Anna had come to the home, which was smaller than her fathers, she felt that she was in a proper Welsh dwelling. The structure was large by any standards, and she was shown a room for herself and her maid, Penelope. Her aunt had taken her into her arms and had yet to ask why she was here for a visit with no notice. Her aunt was a very clever widow who knew Anna well.
After Anna changed and refreshed herself, she sent Penelope to the servant’s quarters to see if they needed any help with preparations for the evening. Anna walked to her aunt’s salon and knocked upon the door, where she heard a soft, “Enter.” Anna opened the door and walked into the spacious room. Anna looked approvingly around and noticed it had been recently redecorated. She also noticed her aunt bought furniture that looked comfortable and not at all what was in current fashion. Her aunt was always a woman who could be seen going against convention. It was the reason her late husband adored her.
“Aunt Gwylan, this room looks wonderful,” Anna stated.
“Thank ye, sweet. However, I doubt ye made the long journey here tae compliment me upon me salon,” her aunt replied.
Ever one to cut to the bone of any subject, her aunt hit the nail upon the head without any preliminaries.
Anna, used to her aunt’s curt, decisive words, accepted them as any other question given to her and answered her inquiry. “Auntie, you have an understanding of my current situation of my betrothal to a duke, who resides in London?” At her aunt’s head nod, she continued on. “It would seem the duke has an intention on coming for me and marrying me after leaving me to reside with my parents well after my eighteenth birth date.”“
“So yer intended has finally decided tae come for ye, has he?” her aunt stated.
“Indeed. However, I do not wish to marry him. I have decided that I want a marriage of love, just as you and uncle and then my parents. He has had a time to come for me and hasn’t. It is clear to me that he does not want the marriage. “
“Anna, did ye know that my marriage was arranged?”
Anna had no idea! “Pardon? I thought you met and married him for love?”
“We did eventually fall in love, child. However, the day I met your uncle was our wedding day.”
Anna was stunned. “Oh…Auntie, I never knew…um.” She did not know what to say.
“Listen, child. I will not tell ye what tae do. I love ye no matter yer decisions. I just ask ye tae keep an open mind. Ye can stay here as long as ye like. I could use the company.”
Anna felt her heart slow to an almost right rhythm as the tea was brought in. Her aunt poured as she ate a pastry as fast as she could without bringing embarrassment to herself. She was ravenous, and her aunt could see that.
“Do ye need more food, child?” her aunt said with amusement.
She nodded her head and watched as her aunt rang a bell for more tea.
* * * *
Just outside of Scotland
David was tired of sitting in his bloody carriage. He was weary of the blasted snowfall, which made their trip nearly impossible. It was the holiday season, and merry folk from all walks of life were singing and celebrating. It should have brought happiness to his heart, but the holiday season always brought anger to his breast. His father always used to gamble and sleep with his mistresses during this time of year, rather than be at home in the bosom of his loving family. He hated this time of the year. Christmas and Boxing Day were a blemish upon his life that no one else could possibly understand.
The miles were eaten up by a fast-paced horse and a desperate duke willing to travel great lengths to save the reputation of his family, and save the investments he had made since taking over the estate. Days later, he finally made the trip to Scotland and was greeted at the door by a butler.
“I am here to see Mister Snowe,” David said with no preamble.
The butler raised his brows at the state of the man who just handed hi
m the card of the Duke of Kingsberry.
“This way, Your Grace.”
* * * *
He stood and extended a hand when he introduced himself. “Yer Grace, I be Breandan Macdonald, Earl of Demrake.” His Scottish accent was thick and barely discernible.
“I am David Winthrop, the Duke of Kingsberry. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you. Please, call me David.” David shook the younger man’s hand and sat down when he was invited to do so.
“I ha’e rung fer tea, and I have asked me father-in-law tae come down.”
* * * *
“Ye boy has a lot of nerve showing up here unannounced. Especially after ye neglected my daughter fer so long.”
David had not expected this kind of treatment, but to hasten the whereabouts of his betrothed, he clamped his mouth shut and waited for the angry Welshman to finish.
The man sat down upon a stiff-backed chair and blasted, “Damned uncomfortable furniture, ye need tae purchase something different for our next visit.” The man pointed at the earl.
“Sir, if I may…” David started.
“Ye may not, ye whelp. Ye will not use yer lofty title in this room with me. I could take ye out back tae beat that notion clean out of ye head.”
David swallowed his retort. This man looked to be serious.
“I’m sorry, sir. Have I offended you in some manner?” David asked.
“Have ye offended me? Have ye no’ a thought in that noble head of yers? My daughter has been waitin’ fer ye tae take her into matrimony. She watched as year after year her sisters marry and make happy matches. My daughter is almost twenty and one. If she were no’ engaged she would be considered a spinster. My daughter is tae beautiful tae be shelved.”
