by Lucy Adams
Esther’s stomach began to churn, fearing that her father was about to rail at Lord Westbrook for involving her in this matter but having no other choice but to depart with her aunt. She looked back at Lord Westbrook, seeing his face turned towards her and a small, encouraging smile touching his lips. With a deep breath, she forced herself to smile in return, before quitting the room and closing the door behind her.
Epilogue
“What did my father want with you?”
Charles smiled as he walked out of the bedchamber to see Esther hurriedly walking towards him, her face a picture of anxiety.
“You need not look so afraid,” he told her, catching her hands in his and pulling her tight against him, as they stood together in the passageway. “Come now, my dear lady. Surely you did not think that there would be any difficulty as regards your father?” He looked down into her face and saw her emerald eyes swirling with worry.
“What did he ask of you?” she said, her hands now freed of his and pressed against his chest. “Is he angry with me for becoming so involved?”
Shaking his head, Charles smiled tenderly down at the lady in his arms. “No, indeed not. Rather, he wanted to thank me for helping you and to ensure that The King’s League was also made aware of his gratitude.” He watched her keenly, seeing her expression clear.
“I see.” Esther blinked rapidly, as though trying to push away her fears now that she knew the truth. “Then he is not angry.”
“Not in the least,” he answered truthfully, knowing that Lord Leighton had been upset to hear of his daughter’s involvement but also glad that she had been so determined and courageous in the face of great danger. “Although I did inform him that the beau monde knows very well that we are now courting.” Tipping his head, he grinned at her, seeing how her cheeks colored. “I informed him that, in light of his absence, Lady Ware had agreed to our courtship but that now he was returned, I felt it only right to seek his permission.” His heart began to sing with joy, knowing that this was one of the most important moments of his life. “But not permission to court you, Esther, but to ask you to marry me.”
Esther’s eyes rounded as her breath caught, only for a smile to begin to spread across her face. “And,” she asked, breathlessly, “did he grant you such a permission?”
Charles let a moment pass before he nodded. “He did.” Touching her cheek, he looked deeply into her eyes. “I must tell you, Esther, that my heart is filled with a love for you that has become such a part of me that it will never let me free. I love you desperately. I cannot bear to be parted from you.”
“You speak of my heart also,” she replied, a single tear of happiness streaking down her cheek. “I love you, Westbrook. I do not think that I could endure a life without you by my side.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms; he wanted to hold her close but resisted for a moment, knowing he had yet to ask her something of the gravest importance. “Then you will marry me, Esther? You will be my wife?”
She laughed, her hands around his neck and her face glowing with joy. “You need not have any doubt as to my answer, my love,” she said, moving a little closer. “Yes, I will marry you. I want to be your wife, to share my days with you, and to spend our years together.”
“You know that I will still be a part of The King’s League, do you not?” he murmured, suddenly fearing that she might turn from him if he remained. “I cannot give up my duty.”
Esther smiled contentedly and ran one hand through his hair, not even a single flicker of doubt in her eyes. “I should not even consider asking you to do such a thing,” she replied, chasing away his doubt. “I have seen your bravery, your courage, and your dedication for myself, and I would never pull you from your duty to the King and to the Prince Regent. I shall always be here to support you in your duties, in any way that I can.”
“An honorary member of The King’s League,” he promised her, his hands about her waist again. “For you have just as much courage and intellect as any of us, my dear Esther.” Lowering his head, he brushed her lips with his own, aware of the love that bound them together. “And I shall show you the same devotion and dedication, my love. I swear it to you now.”
He kissed her again, unable to keep himself from doing so any longer. Her lips were soft, her tears gently brushing against his skin as he held her close. His heart was overflowing with joy, his happiness seeming to radiate from him. Esther had become so very dear to him in a way that he had never expected, and now he could look forward to a time—very soon—when they would be bound together in matrimony, never to be parted again.
The Viscount’s First Love
The King’s League Book Two
Book Description
Daisy’s father has been taken from her.
Now, two years later, she is back in London to try and discover the truth about his death whilst pretending to return to society in search of a husband that she does not want.
Lord Matthew Watt is a member of ‘The King’s League’ and knew Lord Harrogate well indeed. To hear of his death has been terrible enough, but the loss of Miss Daisy Williams from London is another difficult blow. Having wanted to marry her, he cannot bring himself to write and receives nothing but silence from her in return.
When they are thrown together, both Daisy and Matthew must find a way to work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Hiding their feelings as best they can, they soon find themselves in a tangled web where secrets, lies and threats threaten to pull them down. Will they be able to bring Daisy the justice she longs for? And will their hearts ever truly recover so they can find the happiness that has been denied to them for so long?
Prologue
“My lady, you outshine everyone else here this evening.”
Miss Daisy Williams blushed furiously as Viscount Watt bowed over her hand, his lips tantalizingly close to her skin. “You are much too kind,” she told him, a little breathlessly. “And a little biased, I believe.”
He looked up at her, grinning. “Biased? Surely not!” he exclaimed, making her smile. “I cannot be so. I am just wise in all my judgements.”
She shook her head at him, laughing. “You know very well what I mean.” Her cheeks were still hot, but she made no attempt to hide them from him. Lord Watt had been courting her for some weeks now and they were getting along very well indeed, it had to be said. Daisy was quite certain that, soon, Lord Watt would seek her father’s permission to ask for her hand in marriage. She had no doubt that she would accept, of course, for Lord Watt was charming, kind, considerate, and very well mannered. In addition, she found that each moment spent in his company was a joy, for he often made her laugh. Yes, they rubbed along very well indeed together, and Daisy had to admit that the thought of being wife to someone such as he was a welcome one.
“I am sure that I do not know at all what you meant by such a statement,” Lord Watt answered, with a twinkle in his eye. “Therefore, I will stand by my consideration that you are, Miss Williams, the most beautiful young lady in all of England.” Her hand, still captured by his own, was lifted a little closer and, in a moment, he had kissed it and then allowed it to drop.
The sensations that captured Daisy were almost too overwhelming to describe. Heat spiraled up her arm, sending embers all the way into her heart and stealing her breath from her. The urge to draw closer to him, to have him take her in his arms completely, grew so strong that had she not been standing at the edge of a ballroom with the other guests milling near to her, then Daisy might have done just that.
“I look forward to our walk tomorrow afternoon, Miss Williams,” Lord Watt murmured, a spark in his eyes. “You have not forgotten it, I hope?”
“I would never permit myself to forget,” she answered, one hand pressed to her heart in an attempt to calm its furious thundering. “I look forward to it, Lord Watt.”
He smiled at her, and something in his expression shifted, as though he knew some wonderful secret that she did not. Her heart exploded within her, sudd
enly believing that Lord Watt had every intention of proposing very soon indeed.
“As do I, Miss Williams,” Lord Watt replied, glancing to her right and smiling at whoever it was approaching. “I look forward to it with great anticipation.”
“Daisy, my dear!”
Daisy closed her eyes momentarily, feeling a wave of disappointment crash over her soul as she turned towards her father, who was looking at her knowingly. Viscount Harrogate was a kind if not strict father, who had taken a keen interest in each of his daughter’s debuts into society. Daisy’s sisters had both married very well indeed, and that was, of course, thanks to their father’s careful eye as well as their mother’s guidance.
“Where is your mother?” he asked, with a slight gleam in his eye. “Or one of your sisters? You know very well you ought not to be standing here alone!”
Daisy, who knew her father was a stickler for propriety, winced inwardly but put her very best smile on her face instead. “I am sure they are nearby,” she said, gesturing at nobody in particular. “You need not worry, Papa.”
He chuckled. “I am not worried, my dear, not when you are in the company of Lord Watt.” He grinned in Lord Watt’s direction. “I am certain that he has been speaking a good many lovely words to you, my dear. Is that not so?” He shot a questioning glance towards Daisy, who blushed all over again. “How sad that I should have to pull you from his company.”
Lord Watt bowed his head, no sign of frustration or regret on his face. “I quite understand,” he said warmly. “I have every intention of calling on Miss Williams tomorrow afternoon, as was agreed – but perhaps I might arrange a meeting with you a little beforehand?”
Daisy felt her world begin to spin, her heart beginning to cheer furiously with such joy and expectation. She saw her father glance at her, as though looking for signs that she agreed with and wanted this arrangement, and Daisy gave him a swift nod, her hands clasping together tightly as though this would help her contain her joy.
“I think that would be welcome,” her father said, with a warmth to his voice that told Daisy he knew precisely what Lord Watt wanted. “Come half an hour before you were due to call on Daisy. I look forward to seeing you then.”
“You are lost in a dream, Daisy.”
Daisy caught herself, then laughed as her mother eyed her from the other side of the carriage. It was quite dark save for the two carriage lanterns and, even then, they threw only a small light across the passengers within.
“I am sorry, Mama,” she said with a smile. “It is only that Lord Watt has asked father if he might call upon him tomorrow afternoon, before he and I go for our walk in Hyde Park.” Her voice rose in pitch, exposing her excitement. “I cannot help but be thrilled with such a thing.”
Lady Harrogate considered this for a moment, glancing at her husband, who was sitting next to her but looking keenly out of the window into the darkness.
“And you are content with that, Daisy?” she asked after a moment. “Lord Watt has been very attentive, yes, but are you quite sure that he is someone you wish to consider to be by your side for the rest of your days? I have heard that he is a viscount with too much wealth and not enough responsibility.”
Daisy, knowing that her mother was doing all she could to ensure that Daisy had given a good deal of consideration to her future, smiled gently back at her. “Yes, Mama, I have,” she said honestly. “Lord Watt has been very attentive, yes, but there is a friendship between us that cannot be denied. He is always interested in what I have to say and does not consider me vapid, as so many other gentlemen have done.” She rolled her eyes, recalling how one Lord Barton had simply ignored her conversation, before telling her that he thought it best if young ladies remained, on the whole, mostly silent. “I think him an excellent gentleman.”
Lady Harrogate considered this, her eyes fixed upon Daisy. “Then I hope all goes well,” she answered gently, allowing Daisy to let out a breath of relief. “Your sisters have all married well, and I hope that the same will be said for you. Lord Watt appears to have an excellent character, although he is a little lacking in the accepting of his responsibilities. I have heard that he does not often spend time at his estate and prefers to leave such matters to his steward, but mayhap that will change in time.”
“Once he is married, a good deal will change,” Lord Harrogate said firmly, reaching across and taking his wife’s hand. “I think him an excellent match for Daisy.”
Daisy smiled, sighed, and settled back into her seat. This was all going wonderfully well. Soon, she would find herself betrothed, with a wedding to plan and preparations to make. Thereafter, she would be a viscountess, wed to Lord Watt and mistress of his estate. She could hardly wait for tomorrow to come.
“Daisy!”
Daisy stirred, her eyes heavy with sleep as she attempted to force herself into wakefulness.
“Daisy, you must wake up!”
Groaning, Daisy rebelled at the insistent hand that was shaking her, wanting to snuggle back down under the covers and return to that most excellent dream where she had been wed to Lord Watt.
“Daisy! It is a matter of life or death!”
Hearing the urgency and the fear in her father’s voice, and slowly realizing that it was he who had been waking her, Daisy forced her eyes to open and slowly sat up, blinking furiously. Lord Harrogate grasped her shoulders, forcing her into wakefulness all the more.
“Daisy, you must get up and get dressed at once,” he said, urgently. “You must take your mother to Susanna’s house.”
Daisy blinked in confusion, trying to force her muddled head out of the remnants of her dream and into the present. “Susanna?” she asked, repeating her elder sister’s name. “But why? What has happened?”
Her father said nothing, letting go of her shoulders and stepping to one side to allow her to rise.
“Where is Mama?” Daisy asked, as a sudden chill ran up from her toes all the way through her. “What is wrong, Papa?”
“Take a few things with you,” he said, moving back towards the door and picking up a bag that she had not noticed before. “Just the things you will require for the next few days.”
Daisy stared at him, her hands refusing to move as he held out the bag to her. Fear clutched at her heart, seeing the grim expression on her father’s face and realizing she had very little understanding of what was happening.
“Daisy!” Her father’s voice echoed around the room, startling her. “You must do as I ask. Now!”
Jerked into obedience, Daisy began to hurry. Feverishly, she gathered up a few things from her dressing table and placed them into the bag. A few clothes soon followed, whilst her father pulled out her long, thick cloak from the wardrobe.
“Once you dress, you will need to put on your cloak,” he said firmly, as Daisy’s breathing became ragged with fright. “Then come to join your mother and I in the drawing room. You must leave at once. Most of the staff have already left and will return in the morning, if it is safe.”
Daisy saw him make to leave, only to hurry forward and grasp his arm. Her eyes wide, she looked up into his face and saw the paleness of his cheeks, the fear in his expression.
“What is wrong, Papa?” she asked hoarsely, aware of the terrified pounding of her heart. “Why must we go to Susanna’s? Where will you be?”
Her father shook his head. “If I do not come after you, then you must not come looking,” he said slowly, his expression grave. “I love you and your mother very dearly, which is why you cannot remain here. I have had word that he is seeking me out, and I fear for my own safety, as well as for yours.”
Daisy’s heart began to hammer furiously. “You have had word?” she repeated, not understanding what her father meant. “From whom? And why would you be in danger?”
He held her gaze steadily, pressing his lips together. “You must never breathe a word of this to anyone,” he said, his voice low as though they would be overheard. “But I work for the King. The League helps pro
tect England from the many foes who would come into our country and seek to do us harm. I believe I have been discovered. I fear that they seek me out now, knowing that I have betrayed them and that they are no longer safe.” His eyes darted away, and she saw the fear held within them, wanting to understand and to reassure him but knowing she could not. “I must keep you and your mother free from danger. Go to Susanna’s. Stay there for as long as is required, and do not come to seek me out.”
Daisy did not understand much of what had been said, but she threw herself into her father’s arms, holding him tightly. Tears began to streak down her cheeks, her breathing turning into ragged sobs. She felt as though she were saying goodbye to her father, as though she would be parted from him for some time, if not forever.
“You can come with us,” she said hoarsely. “You know that Susanna and Lord Northgate would be glad to see you.”
“I cannot,” he answered, setting her back from him gently, his urgency beginning to surround her once more. “I would not put any of you in danger.” His eyes searched hers. “If the worst should happen, then you must speak to Lord Templeton. He must know of this.” Sighing, he put one hand on her shoulder, his head low. “Please, Daisy, do as I ask. Come and find your mother and I once you are dressed. I would have you both gone from this house just as soon as I can.”
And so it was that Daisy found herself trudging along beside her mother in the cold, dark streets of London, with two footmen accompanying them. Her heart was aching, her mother quietly weeping beside her. Her father had been insistent that they depart, and equally insistent that he could not join them. Her mother had cried and begged him to attend, but Lord Harrogate had refused.
“We must convince him,” Daisy whispered furiously, suddenly turning around in order to make her way back to the house. “Mama, we cannot permit him to stay!”
