by Cheryl Bolen
"When we get back to London, you shall have to show me your architectural drawings. I had no notion of how many talents you possess, my dear Miss Featherstone."
"You are much too kind."
"I have a great respect for artistic abilities. I have the devil of a time getting qualified artists to illustrate my pamphlets."
It crossed her mind to lightly ask if he would hire a woman like her to draw for his business, but she knew if she brought up her lack of financial prospects, he would be quick with an offer of financial security for life--as his wife.
And she wished to prolong facing the disappointing inevitable.
Eventually they found themselves well on the other side of the lake, so far from the castle that it was completely out of view. "Come, Miss Featherstone, and sit on that bench with me. There is something I wish to . . . to discuss with you."
Her heartbeat roared and clanged. Her hands grew moist and trembled.
Pulling her skirts beneath her, she sat on the sturdy wooden bench. He came to sit beside her, and he drew her hand within his. "My dear Miss Featherstone, for some time now I have been - - -"
A great pounding sound interrupted him, and they both spun around to see what the noise was. Lord Slade, atop a galloping stallion, was racing toward them.
Her eyes widened. Whatever was his lordship doing?
He brought the horse right up to the bench, leapt off, and faced her, his dark eyes blazing with emotion. Was it anger? "I beg you not to accept this man's proposal."
What in the blazes? "But, my lord, he has not proposed."
"Good." Lord Slade then dropped to his knees, not having the least care that he was muddying his superfine breeches. "Forgive me, Poppinbotham, but I must attempt to claim Miss Featherstone for my own wife."
Jane's mouth gaped open. Surely her ears were deceiving her! "But, my lord, you cannot marry me. I have nothing to offer."
"Oh, but you do," Lord Slade said. "It is my most ardent desire that you consent to become my wife. No other woman will ever do for me."
"But, what about your Vow?"
He drew her hand into his and pressed a soft kiss atop it. "I have given the matter considerable thought and have decided it's far better to break my word to a man who's dead than to ruin the lives of four, possibly five, who are living."
"What can you mean?" she asked.
"It would be cruel to marry another woman when I can only ever love you, Jane. It will break my heart irrevocably if you wed Poppinbotham, and it wouldn't be fair to wed him when you're in love with me."
So her response to his kiss the day before had betrayed her.
Mr. Poppinbotham's mouth gaped open. "Is this true, Miss Featherstone?"
These past two days she was turning into a complete watering pot! Her eyes once again filled with tears. Then she began to heave great sobs while nodding in agreement with wonderful Lord Slade.
Mr. Poppinbotham mumbled a curse beneath his breath, got to his feet, and began to stalk away. "Then I shall be leaving Dunvale immediately. I trust you'll be able to manage your return journey to London without my coach and four!"
She felt ashamed of herself for having led him on, but otherwise, her heart was brimming with joy.
His lordship spoke in a husky voice. "You, my dearest love, haven't given me your answer."
She continued sobbing. "I know I should refuse because marriage to me cannot answer your needs- - -"
He pressed gentle fingers to her lips. "Never say that. You are the only woman in the kingdom who can answer all my needs."
Then he pulled her into his arms and thoroughly kissed her.
She wasn't sure how it happened, but she ended up kneeling beside her dearest Jack, the skirts of her dress becoming soaked with mud. Nothing had ever felt so good as being held in her darling's arms. Nothing could ever make her happier than his declaration of love. "My dearest, dearest Jack, I love you far too much to refuse your most welcome offer."
Then they kissed again. For one with little experience at kissing, she thought she had taken to it better than any new thing she'd ever learned.
Finally he stood and offered her a hand. She looked at him with searching eyes. "Dearest?"
"Yes, my love?"
"To whom were you referring when you said four, possibly five lives, could be ruined if we married the wrong people?"
"Besides you and me and Poppinbotham?'
"Yes, you goose."
"Lady Sarah or whichever woman I would have wed for fortune. I assure you, I could never love anyone but you, Jane."
Her tears stung again. "And the possible fifth?"
"I believe my brother may be falling in love with Lady Sarah."
She was not altogether sure her cousin wasn't falling in love with the dashing captain, too. None of Sarah's many admirers captured her attention as much as Captain St. John. "Perhaps if you gave him the castle, Lady Sarah would be eager to marry him. She is most enamored of medieval fortresses."
"By Jove! That sounds like a capital plan."
"You must know my needs are simple. I would be as a kitten in a sunny window in the merest room of a cottage, if I could be with you."
"Would that we were in such a room right now. Would you object if I procure a special license to marry immediately?"
She giggled. "Nothing could make me happier."
There was a lightness in his voice and in his step. "I cannot believe how happy you've made me."
"It is the very same for me, my dearest, dearest Jack."
They joined hands and began to walk back to the castle. "Allow me to add a sixth," she said.
His brows dipped. "A sixth what?"
"A sixth person who will rejoice over our nuptials--my papa. I know he will think you are exactly what I need. Dear papa always believed any man--even a handsome peer of the realm like you--would be happy to win the hand of his beloved daughter."
Her darling Jack dropped one more kiss upon the crown of her head. "You are exactly what I need."
Epilogue
Two weeks later
He was the happiest of men. Lord Slade stood before the altar at St. George's Hanover Square with his cherished bride beside him, their hands clasped. Making the day equally as special was the couple standing beside him and his dear Jane. He glanced to his right to observe David, handsome in his regimentals, standing happily with his bride, Lady Sarah. Two brothers marrying two cousins.
He keenly felt the presence of all his loved ones. His sisters sat in the front pew, and his father's presence was almost palpable. He knew his father would be happy to know that David's wife was going to see that Dunvale Castle was preserved. Indeed, David and Lady Sarah were planning to live there, planning to raise their family there.
Slade and Jane would be happiest in London, where they could be near Parliament--and close to Jane's aging father. Lord Slade was not a wealthy man, but now that Lady Sarah had offered to present–and to dower—her new sisters, he and Jane would be able to live comfortably.
His Vow to his father was being honored.
Now the priest was asking him to make another Vow. "Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Lord Slade turned to Jane, and his heart overflowed with his sacred love of her. "I will."
This was one Vow that would be his pleasure to honor. For as long as he lived.
The End
The Lords of Eton series
I hope you enjoyed The Earl, the Vow and the Plain Jane. If you did, I hope you'll consider leaving a review at the site where you purchased it. (And let me know, so I can enter you for my $50 gift card drawing.)
This book is the second in my Lords of Eton series about three aristocratic lads who were best friends at Eton and how their escapades and interests continue to tie them
--and the women they love--together after Eton.
The first book in the series is The Portrait of Lady Wycliff, which is loosely based on my out-of-print book, The Earl’s Bargain. Available at Kobo.
The third book in the series, Last Duke Standing, will be released in late 2018. To be notified when there is a new release, please sign up for my infrequent newsletter here.
Cheryl Bolen’s Books
Regency Historical Romance:
The Lords of Eton Series
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff
The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane
Last Duke Standing
The Brides of Bath Series
The Bride Wore Blue
With His Ring
The Bride’s Secret
To Take This Lord
Love In The Library
A Christmas in Bath
House of Haverstock Series
Lady by Chance
Duchess by Mistake
Countess by Coincidence
Ex-Spinster by Christmas
Brazen Brides Series
Counterfeit Countess
His Golden Ring
Oh What A (Wedding) Night
Miss Hastings’ Excellent London Adventure
A Birmingham Family Christmas
The Regent Mysteries Series
With His Lady's Assistance
A Most Discreet Inquiry
The Theft Before Christmas
An Egyptian Affair
Pride and Prejudice Sequels
Miss Darcy’s New Companion
Miss Darcy’s Secret Love
The Liberation of Miss de Bourgh
My Lord Wicked
Christmas Brides (Three Regency Novellas)
Marriage of Inconvenience
A Duke Deceived
Romantic Suspense:
Falling For Frederick
Texas Heroines in Peril Series
Protecting Britannia
Murder at Veranda House
A Cry In The Night
Capitol Offense
World War II Romance:
It Had to Be You
American Historical Romance:
A Summer To Remember (3 American Romances)
