Lizzie nodded. “Just a small family gathering. We will make sure the license is dated correctly and that will be that. But I must say, I have never heard of anything so strange in all my life.”
Jane curled her hands against her skirt. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
No one said anything for a while. But the anxiety caused by the situation had settled over the room like a black cloud.
Agatha opened her mouth and closed it.
Jane had hoped Agatha could fix this. But what could the lady do? This was something she and Roderick had to work out for themselves. “Will Roderick marry me again, do you think?”
Agatha’s brows knitted into a frown. “Of course. But the way matters were going between the two of you, perhaps this will help him make up his mind about a lot of things.”
Jane sniffed. She thought about the girl Cecile whom Roderick had loved years ago. Had that lady been his true love?
“I fear he will think twice about marrying me,” Jane said, wondering now if Roderick would marry her out of obligation instead of true love.
Agatha scowled. “If he refuses to marry you, I shall whack him with my trusty parasol until he does!”
Jane let out a laugh, breaking the tension in the room. The rest of the women joined in the merriment.
“I suppose marrying him as quick as possible is the best way to handle things,” Jane said, holding Agatha’s hand. “But the gossip will be endless. At the Pump Room…” She bit her lip to keep from crying. “I tried to hold my head high because of last night and the other gossip about an heir, but this…well, this was horrible, Agatha. Simply horrible.”
Agatha wrapped a plump arm around Jane and held her tight. “Those people are jealous, dear. Jealous that you are a duchess. They were only waiting for something in your life to go wrong, and then they pounced. It’s the way of the world sometimes. I don’t like it, but there it is.”
Jane took in a shuddering breath. “I don’t think I shall ever be able to face Society again.” She was recalling the slights in her childhood because of her parents. This recent incident only enforced her insecurity.
“Oh, yes, you will face them,” Agatha said firmly, holding Jane’s chin in two chubby hands. “You were never afraid of anything before, why now? This will only make you stronger.”
“We will be there,” Lizzie vowed.
“Yes, we will,” Briana added firmly, handing Jane her handkerchief.
Emily’s violet eyes flashed. “You are a Clearbrook, no matter what anyone says.”
Jane’s emotions bubbled to the surface. “I am not certain if Roderick still loves me.”
“Of course, he loves you,” Lizzie put in. “The man simply adores you.”
Jane blew her nose. If Roderick still loved her, why had he acted so angry with her this morning?
“You did not tell him about the baby, did you?” Agatha said, accusingly.
Jane wiped her eyes. “I tried. And yes, I was afraid he might tell me to stop seeing Mrs. Hobbs. But today, when I wanted to talk about the baby, he stopped me cold.”
Emily sighed. “He is afraid he will lose you if you become with child.”
Jane looked up through watery eyes. “Many women die in childbirth. I am no one special.” She blew her nose again. “But I want this baby, and no one is going to stop me.”
“We were never going to stop you,” Briana said, smiling. “I suppose, neither is Roderick. I think what Emily is trying to say, is that Roderick loves you too much to lose you, even it means not having a baby.”
“We are man and wife,” Jane said, her spine stiffening. “I already told him if I died birthing his child, it would be worth it. Only God knows when it’s our time to die. Dying in childbirth is not something I would like to happen, but I cannot stop death.” She put a hand to her stomach. “And I will certainly not stop life.”
“We understand,” Lizzie said. “In fact, I am with child as well. And I am not saying a thing for a few months. Stephen can get rather protective sometimes.”
Briana giggled. “I am with child and keeping it quiet too. Same reasons.”
Eyes twinkling, Agatha looked at Emily. “What about you?”
Emily laughed. “Not definite yet.”
Jane erupted into laughter. “How delightful. All the cousins can play together.”
“But first we must make this legal,” Emily said, smiling. “What about tomorrow?”
Agatha frowned. “The men are to leave tonight.”
Jane peered at Lizzie and Briana. They hadn’t flinched. They must have known something about Roderick and Jared’s journey to France.
Emily scowled. “Well, Roderick will just have to stay another night. That’s all there is to it. We cannot rush something like this.”
Lizzie’s blue eyes widened. “I daresay, Emily. I think rush is exactly what we are doing.”
Jane threw her hands in the air. “Does it matter?”
“Have you truly tried explaining the baby to Roderick,” Emily asked concerned. “How can the man not understand the words, ‘I am having your baby?’”
Jane frowned. “Explaining anything to Roderick is almost impossible. I may have held back a few times because I was afraid of what he might say. However, if I could have him in this room for a few minutes, I am certain this can be taken care of in a simple conversation.”
There was a commotion at the door. All the ladies turned when footsteps thundered down the hall.
“It sounds like an army,” Lizzie exclaimed.
Jane’s eyes rounded. “I believe Roderick is home. I, uh, also have a feeling it is more than Roderick. I had news that the king was coming today.”
“The king!” the ladies said in unison, shifting their shocked gazes back toward her.
Agatha’s lips twisted. “Heard the news as well.” She cleared her throat when the ladies continued to stare at her. “Now, now, do not get excited. The man and I go way back. And you must remember, Roderick and this family were a great asset to England in the war. The king will only add his blessing to this marriage, which will make the new license all the more valid. And while he is here, the king can set the tongues wagging about someone in the Home Office making some stupid mistake. This little error will not be blamed on Jane or the duke at all.”
Jane pinched her cheeks to add some color to her appearance. “Do you think the gossip will eventually die down?”
Agatha grabbed her parasol. “I will make it so. And to stop Society from bothering you, no one need know of the child until it is born. While Roderick is away, you can live with me. Emily and the children are coming too. And have no worries about Mrs. Hobbs. I will see that Captain Argyle takes a place near Hemmingly Hall for the next few months.”
Jane’s jaw dropped. “I don’t think—”
Agatha raised her hand. “Do not worry. I will make certain your baby comes into the world safe and secure. Roderick will change his tune in more ways than one. You will see.”
Jane wanted to tell her that Roderick would never change. Once the man set his mind to something, he was immovable.
But before Jane could speak, Agatha marched toward the door just as Roderick whipped it opened. They collided.
Agatha would have fallen to the ground if Roderick had not caught her.
“Madam, you should watch where you are going.”
Agatha’s gray eyes narrowed. “La, take your hands off me.”
Roderick’s cheeks turned pink. “I beg your forgiveness for not seeing you. But if you would not have rushed out of the room in such a huff, I would have seen you.”
Agatha whacked him with her parasol. “You are an impudent pup. Now go in and see Jane!”
Roderick peered across the room. He stared at the ladies, then rested his glittering gray eyes on Jane. After a few tense seconds, he shifted a narrowed gaze back to Agatha. “You know then?”
Agatha pushed him into the drawing room. “Mercy, you fool! Everyone in England knows! Now,
do your duty and propose properly! You don’t have much time!”
Chapter Ten
Jane watched as a red-faced Roderick walked into the drawing room. Her sisters-in-law sat before him, glaring in silence.
Jane almost felt sorry for the man. Almost.
“We expect you to do right by her,” Emily finally hissed, shooting from her seat.
Briana and Lizzie rose as well. They flashed him condemning frowns and retreated from the room.
Jane swallowed and could barely look at him.
“So,” Roderick said, as the door banged closed. “I suppose we are going to have to marry again.”
Jane’s head snapped up. “You suppose?”
“Well, yes.” He threw his hands behind his back and clasped them together. Wavy black hair hung over his forehead, and his gray eyes glittered with purpose.
Jane wanted to box his ears. He stood there, acting as if he were performing some duty. She yearned to hold him, but his body language was absurd. She was no mere servant who worked for him. She was his wife!
“From the looks of things,” he continued calmly. “I can only deduce you have heard the news. Our license was not legal when we married. In essence, our marriage was not, is not, valid.”
“And whose fault is that?” she asked, her fury growing. There was no word of love. No apologies. No shame or regret at what happened.
He started pacing in front of the sofa. “I fail to see how placing the blame on anyone matters. It is what it is.”
Jane tried to control her temper, but screams of frustration began to build inside her. “So, do you want to marry me again, or not?”
He halted and glared at her. “Of course, I want to marry you again. Why would you ask such a silly question?”
Well, she thought, there were many reasons why. But at the moment, she had no wish to get into that.
She spread a hand over her gown and looked up. “Can we have children?”
A muscle flicked along his jawline. It took him a few seconds to answer. “We can adopt if you would like.”
“I might like that,” she said, smiling. “But I would like to have my own children too.”
He sliced a hand in the air. “Impossible.”
She laughed. Oh, was he going to be surprised. “Roderick, it is not impossible.”
He drew in a breath and let it out. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do. And last night was wonderful.”
His gaze softened as he looked at her. She blushed.
He turned and walked toward the window. “Having a baby might kill you,” he said sharply. “I have no wish … that is, I hope … well, confound it. You know what I mean!”
She rose from the sofa and walked up behind him, putting a hand on his arm. “Oh, darling, death is something we all have to face some day. But truly, I am not as fragile as I seem.”
He glared out the window. Beneath her hand, she felt him stiffen. The musky scent of his cologne reached her, making her recall the carefree days they had shared at the beginning of their marriage.
He cleared his throat. “The doctors in London said—”
She tugged on his arm, stopping him. “Those doctors do not know everything. I met with Captain Argyle’s servant, Mrs. Hobbs. I think I mentioned her before. Well, she believes Chinese medicine could help me carry a baby until it is born. She has some herbs that could help, and of course, other treatments. Oh, and you will be pleased that the other doctor I have been seeing, Mr. Hillside—”
She frowned. “Roderick? Are you paying attention to anything I have been saying?”
“I am,” he said through clenched teeth.
Disappointment swept through her. He had already made his decision. “Whether you like it or not, I am willing to do anything to have a healthy baby.”
He spun around and stared at her as if she had three heads.
“Roderick,” she said, her voice cracking. “Say something.”
His hands fisted at his sides. After a few seconds, he exploded. “I will not have you spending time with Argyle or his servant. Do I make myself perfectly clear, madam?”
Jane staggered back as the hope inside her began to die. “Why?”
“I forbid it, that’s why!”
“You forbid it?”
“Yes, and furthermore, if I see you talking to Captain Argyle again, I will be having more than a word with him!”
Anger got the best of her. “Whatever is the matter with you? The man has been my friend. Did you know he took care of me when I fainted on the walk the other day? In fact, the man has done many wonderful things for me that would take too long to mention.”
“The man is in love with you.” The words were said with such condemnation she wanted to scream.
“How could you be so cruel? He has offered the services of Mrs. Hobbs for our benefit, so we can have a healthy baby. Our baby, Roderick! Frankly, your behavior astounds me.”
“Our baby?” His laugh was hard. “A duchess does not venture to a single man’s home to obtain treatments for a…a baby! You are naïve if you think otherwise.”
“I am not naive!”
His face was grim. “You will not have anything to do with the captain and that is final!”
How could a man as smart as Roderick be so thick in the head? “I never ventured to the captain’s house,” she said calmly. “Mrs. Hobbs can come to me.”
She didn’t need to say that Mrs. Hobbs had already been giving her treatments by coming up the back stairs when Roderick was on his daily ride. Or that Jane had been having the cook boil the herbs Mrs. Hobbs had given her, and she was taking them every day.
“No,” Roderick snapped.
She flinched at Roderick’s unyielding tone. “What do you mean, no? No captain? No Mrs. Hobbs? Or no baby? Because I can tell you, the baby part is not a decision at this point.”
“No, there will be no Captain Argyle. No, there will be no Mrs. Hobbs. And no, there will be no baby. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
She almost laughed out loud. For once in his life, he would find his orders could not, would not, be followed. “Ha, and what if I do not agree? There are some things you cannot control.”
“You are my wife. I am the duke.”
But she was not his wife now.
With a sudden pang, she knew that if she did not clear up some things in their past, their marriage would never be right. She had to know where Roderick stood, even if it hurt.
“Does this have something to do with Cecile,” she asked. “The lady you loved before me?”
He seemed stunned by her question. His face lost a bit of color. “This has nothing to do with Cecile.”
The thought he might still love Cecile, even now, made her chest ache. “But you loved her,” she accused. “You still love her.”
His knuckles turned white as he made a fist. “I don’t want to talk about Cecile.”
“You admit it, then. She was your true love.”
“Oh, for the love of the king. Will you listen to me?” He grabbed her hands, pulling them toward his chest.
Her heart fluttered at his touch. “I want your baby, Roderick.”
He sighed. “I know this is hard on you. But sweetheart, you must trust me. I know better of these matters than you.”
Before Jane could reply, the door burst open.
“Ah, there you are!” an older man called to Roderick, his voice booming across the room.
Jane turned and her jaw dropped. The gold embellished cape, the stiff cravat, the tight pantaloons, the shiny Hessians, and the purple waistcoat belonged only to one man. Good gracious! She had completely forgotten about the king!
“Eh, and this is your lovely bride,” the king announced with a tinkle of laughter as he gazed her way. “A minor distraction, my dear. We will take care of this matter entirely. Not to worry.”
The king strode into the room, his multi-caped coat billowing behind him.
“Your Majesty,” Jane said, g
iving him a deep curtsy. But her chest felt as if it were going to burst. This entire day was her worst nightmare. Should she mention the baby again? Perhaps the king would have better luck talking to her thickheaded husband.
“Get up, get up, little lady.” The king motioned her to sit on the sofa. “Ah, the duke always caught the pretty ones. But curse you, Roderick. I forgot how much prettier this lady is, much prettier than that Wimble chit. Filled out some too.”
Jane’s biting blue eyes shifted to Roderick’s face. Wimble chit, indeed, she thought angrily.
Roderick cleared his throat.
The king sat beside her and took her hands in his. “Now, my dear. Tell me. You will marry this rogue, will you not? This entire mess makes the peerage look quite untamed, don’t you know?”
Jane’s tongue became a wad of cotton. This was unbelievable!
Roderick stood over them. “I was just explaining the situation to Jane when you entered.”
Jane gave the king a trembling smile. “Indeed, he was, Your Majesty.”
The king looked at Jane and pursed his lips in appreciation, his eyes traveling from her head to her blue kid slippers. “George, my dear. You must call me George.”
“George?” Roderick replied, frowning.
The king’s head snapped up. “No, no, not you! I would like the little lady to say my name. Jupiter, Roderick, her eyes are as blue as the sea. Like jewels, I tell you.” He squeezed her hands. “Now, call me by my Christian name, my sweet.”
Jane clenched her teeth and smiled. “George,” she said, her sugary voice almost making her ill.
The king’s face beamed with pleasure. He lifted his gaze and winked at Roderick. “Rather like it from her berry lips. Sounds enticing, don’t it?”
The king patted her hands and chuckled. “Yes, indeed. Right pretty wife you have here, Elbourne.” He erupted into laughter. “Wife, eh? She ain’t your wife though. Are you, my dear?”
Jane lifted a pleading gaze toward Roderick. If this man were not the king, she would leave him and walk out.
Roderick’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Jane, the king has brought along a special license so we can marry tomorrow. I can stay an extra day to get this done. Then I am off to France.”
The Duke's Bride: Book 5 (The Clearbrooks) Page 12
