Enticing Her Unexpected Bridegroom

by Catherine Hemmerling

  Sarah felt tears welling up inside her again.

  “You can’t know that, Sarah. Truth be told, the only reason William had a chance of surviving is because of you. If the Coles hadn’t told you of the Potters’ plight, no one would have been there to help those people. Now, despite the outcome with William, all the people retained on that land have hope for their future. Something they never had before.”

  It was impossible to ignore the saliency of David’s points, but Sarah was still unsure. “And Lady Lancaster? Do you think she will feel the same way? I can’t shake the certainty that someone else, anyone else, would have managed to save everyone.”

  David wrapped his arms around her. “Nobody could have done any more than you did, Sarah.”

  Sarah threaded her arms through his so that she could return the embrace. “Than we did, David,” she replied, resting her chin on his shoulder. “You, me, and Melinda.”

  “Ahem?”

  Sarah and David turned their heads to look at the newcomer. It was the downstairs maid.

  “Yes, Albina?” Sarah asked.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, my lord and lady, but your guests are, ah, attempting to help me clean the fireplace.”

  The servant girl seemed so befuddled by the unlikeliness of such a thing occurring, it was comical. Sarah found herself laughing once again.

  “I see,” she replied, turning her head to look at David. “Old habits will die hard in those two, I fear.”

  David’s eyes twinkled as he agreed.

  “Albina,” he said to the maid, who was still clearly confused, “we will be right there. Please don’t let the Coles lift a finger to aid you.”

  Albina nodded uncertainly and began to leave. At the last second, she paused.

  “I almost forgot,” she said, pulling a folded note from her apron pocket. “This came for you, my lord.”

  The girl handed David the missive and then quickly departed, probably afraid that if she stayed too much longer she would return to a sparkling hearth.

  Sarah chuckled again at the thought and watched David read the note he had been given.

  “What is it?” she asked when he was done.

  “It’s from the Committee on Privilege. They said they will make arrangements to hear us the day after tomorrow.”

  “I suppose meeting with us tomorrow would have been too much to ask.”

  David shook his head. “This is actually much sooner than I had supposed. It’s enough time for all concerned to arrive in London, but just barely. Frankly, I wonder if word of Blackwood’s actions precedes him. They may want him out as much as we do.”

  “Hmm,” Sarah replied, “that would be something, wouldn’t it?”

  “Yes, it would. However, I think we have some people downstairs waiting for us.”

  David looked at Sarah meaningfully and she knew she couldn’t hide anymore. Honestly, she no longer felt the need to avoid the Coles. David’s calm logic had helped her immensely, and she didn’t think she would ever be able to thank him properly, but she had to try.

  “Yes, you are correct. Thank you, David. For everything.”

  “You never have to thank me for being your husband, love. Supporting you is just part of the agreement into which you and I entered. Not to mention, seeing you sad just rips my heart out, and I cannot have that.”

  “Neither can I,” Sarah agreed. “I rather like your heart where it is.”

  “In your hands?” David said with a teasing smile.

  “Exactly,” Sarah replied with a wink, as she pulled him toward the door.

  David reached out with his free hand to tickle her, and she shrieked with laughter all the way down the hall. Surely the servants would think they were crazy, but Sarah couldn’t bring herself to care.

  This was love, and it was best thing that had ever happened to her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Where justice is lacking, poverty goes unheeded, ignorance dominates, and any one class feels righteous oppressing, robbing, and degrading others, is a world in which I would rather not exist.

  —The Duke of Lancaster

  Three days later, Sarah sat nervously awaiting the start of the weekly Garden Society meeting. Much had happened in the last few days, the least of which included her father having to hire a new butler and housekeeper.

  It had been an exciting day, indeed, when the Committee on Privilege had upheld the deceased earl’s will. Herbert Villiers, as he was known once again, threw a spectacular temper tantrum, but the deed was done.

  As it happened, the House of Lords had heard of the earl prior to the hearing. The case of William Potter had made waves across the ton. The judge had been so opposed to the finding of the jury, he had petitioned for a reversal. Unfortunately, Blackwood’s money had had too much power, and William was hung. The debacle had made an impact, though, and the Committee had seemed to relish stripping Villiers of the title.

  Mr. and Mrs. Cole, or Lord and Lady Blackwood as they were now called, had decided—after a long conversation with Sarah and David—that they could actually make a difference in their new role. Granted, they would never be considered a traditional earl and countess, but they were already having a positive effect on Chelmsford, the Blackwood estate, and all the people therein.

  Even the Potters seemed to be healing. The new Lord Blackwood had insisted on planting an orchard of apple trees in William’s honor, and he gifted it and the land to the cottagers. For some of the men, it was the first thing they had ever owned outright.

  Sarah teared up every time she thought of the Coles and their new life. She would miss them, of course, but how could she begrudge them any happiness when for years they were the only source of happiness she had ever experienced?

  True to his word, Sarah sat with David as he confronted her father. Decades of silence and apathy had been broken that day. The viscount visibly paled when he heard of all the pain he had caused his youngest child. And his apology, while nice to hear, was nothing in comparison to what her father had told her about how much she reminded him of his beloved second wife. He explained to her that it was that resemblance that had kept him so far from her. It had hurt him to even look upon her.

  At that point, he pulled a chain from around his neck on which a locket hung. When Sarah opened it, she saw a miniature of her mother painted when she had been about her age. Sarah nearly wept when she saw the picture. It was the first she had ever seen. Her mother was a beautiful woman, and Sarah remembered looking at her father in bewilderment. How could he ever have confused her with her mother?

  But when she had shown the image to David, he had agreed with the viscount. He said that she looked exactly like her mother. Certainly, they shared the same gray eyes and chestnut hair, but other than that…

  It didn’t matter much in the end, though. Her father had vowed to right the wrongs he had done to her, and Sarah had the warm memory of him hugging her, the first of any in her recollection.

  Sarah would forever be grateful to David for many things, but none so much as for giving her her father back.

  “Sarah!” a unison of voices cried from the doorway of the Blue Salon, and Sarah turned to see her friends. It felt like it had been forever since they had all been together.

  Hopping up and hurrying over to them for a much needed group hug, Sarah was surprised to see them all look at her with shock when she finally let go.

  Looking down at herself, she tried to see what was so alarming. All she saw was the pale gold dress with an empire waist and green lace accents she was wearing. Was it not in keeping with the current style? The storekeeper had assured her it was.

  “What?” she asked warily.

  Rose was the first to speak. “You are just the epitome of grace today, Sarah. I have never seen you move so far, so quickly, without knocking over or stubbing something!”

  The other ladies rushed to agree, and Sarah had to admit they had a point. When was the last time she had crossed a room so successfull
y? In her recollection, never. But in the last week, Sarah could count on one hand the number of times she had tripped over or fallen into someone.

  “I, ah, don’t know how to explain it,” she said slowly, “but I think I am beginning to gain control of my limbs.”

  “Naturally, you are,” Lady Lancaster concurred, sweeping into the room. “I have always said it was just a matter of confidence, which I should think you would be brimming over with at the moment.”

  The dowager was correct, of course. Sarah had never quite felt so happy with herself as she did lately.

  “I think you are right, my lady,” Sarah replied with awe. “I am certainly surer of my place in life these days.”

  “Love will do that, my dear,” Lady Lancaster said knowingly.

  Hope squealed and dragged Sarah over to the settee. The other girls were close behind.

  “Has something happened?” Hope asked excitedly. “Has David finally come to his senses?”

  Sarah laughed. No one could make you feel better about yourself than your friends. Except perhaps your husband, Sarah thought, blushing unwittingly.

  Hope pounced the moment Sarah felt herself growing warm.

  “Something has changed,” Hope cried gleefully. Sarah smiled.

  “If you had come with the others, you would know that we are what you might call a love match, after all,” she said shyly.

  “I have a new husband of my own, you know. I could not get away, but I knew it,” Hope chortled. “How could he not love you?”

  “How could I not love him?” Sarah sighed besottedly.

  “Yes, that is love, all right,” Rose agreed, clearly recognizing the sentiment.

  Hannah leaned in and hugged Sarah tightly. “Again, I am so happy for you, Sarah-dear.”

  “I’m pretty happy as well,” Sarah said, hugging her sister-in-law and longtime friend.

  “I, too, am beside myself,” Lady Lancaster said dryly, “but perhaps we should turn our attention to the matter of this meeting?”

  Sarah and the others laughed good-naturedly as they situated themselves and gave their attention to the dowager duchess.

  “As this is the first time you have all been together since the court date, I will assume you have no idea what has happened. Just two days ago, Sarah reported back to me, and I now ask her to tell you all that she told me.”

  All eyes turned to Sarah, and as calmly as she could, she told all her friends what had happened in Chelmsford immediately following her friends’ rapid departure. It took a long time to tell, and there were multiple interruptions before it was done, but finally Sarah was able to sit back and let all she had said sink in.

  “My goodness, Sarah,” Hope breathed. “What a week you have had.”

  “I am so sorry about William,” Emily chimed in.

  “Yes,” Lady Lancaster replied. “It is a shame about Potter and all that his family had to endure, but I believe everything is as it should be now.”

  “What do you mean, my lady?” Sarah asked, surprised to hear such a thing. How could William’s death be as it should be?

  “Without the danger to Potter, which was reported to you by the Coles, the truth would never have come out about Blackwood. Destiny works in mysterious ways. I do not believe, now, that the mission was to save William at all.”

  “It wasn’t?” Sarah gasped. “Then why did we go through all this?”

  “Because, my dear girl, you were meant to save everyone else. All the miserable people of Blackwood’s domain. And you did just that.”

  “Do you really believe William could not have been helped?”

  “I think,” Lady Lancaster said wisely, “that if Potter were here right now, he would say you have helped him immensely.”

  “But how?” Sarah whispered.

  “You have ensured the future wellness and comfort of those most important to the man. His family.”

  When put that way, Sarah could finally see the dowager’s point. She supposed in that way, the mission was a success.

  “Then I did not fail William?” Sarah asked. “Or you?”

  “On the contrary,” Lady Lancaster pronounced, “I think you have outdone yourself grandly. I am very proud of you, as you should be of yourself.”

  Sarah smiled. She was rather proud of herself. She would always regret that she could not save William, but she could take comfort in the fact everyone else involved would be much happier for her appearance in their affairs.

  “What of Melinda, my lady?” Emily asked. “She was of great help to Sarah and David.”

  “Oh, she was,” Sarah rushed to say. “David and I found her very astute and mindful.”

  “As it happens,” the duchess replied, “I have looked in on Melinda and young Samuel. I have even spoken at great length with their aunt.”

  “You have?” Sarah exclaimed, not precisely sure why she was surprised.

  “I have. And I have offered to take over the care of her wards. I believe the old woman was rather relieved to be rid of what she thought a burden. I, myself, think Melinda has great potential, and she may be an excellent candidate to join the Garden Society in a year or two.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Sarah replied in all sincerity. “I have grown very fond of Melinda, as I know David has. Even Samuel has his assets. But I am concerned about their aunt. She did not seem well enough to live alone.”

  “I have made arrangements for the eldest Potter girl to train as her housekeeper and lady’s maid. It will be good for the girl to learn a skill and excellent for the aunt to have something useful to do.”

  Sarah shook her head. How could she have thought the duchess would miss such a thing? Of course she would see after the needs of everyone. She was Lady Lancaster, after all.

  “I think having Melinda here would be wonderful,” Hannah said warmly, but a tinge of worry in her friend’s voice had Sarah waiting for the however that was surely coming.

  “However,” Hannah continued, “I thought that you wanted to keep our group small. Just the five of us, you have always said.”

  “As much as I am loath to admit it,” Lady Lancaster said wryly, “I believe I may have spoken too soon about that. The truth is, you are now almost all married. Soon you will begin to have children. And while I will enjoy the day when we welcome our first baby into the fold, it would be imprudent of me to send any mother out to do spy work. It is a dangerous job.”

  “But—” Hope began.

  “No, no ‘buts’, my dears,” the duchess imposed. “My mind is made up. You five will always be members of the Society and your knowledge and experience will always be invaluable, but we must extend invitations to other worthy women as they arise, if we are to continue our enterprise. Melinda may be one such girl, but she will most likely not be the last. And I believe that is how it should be. How it always should have been.”

  Again, Sarah could not fault the good lady’s logic. She knew that, should the time come that she were blessed with a child, no power on earth would draw her away from the baby. She knew what it was like to lose both parents, whether through death or distraction, and she would not let herself or any of the friends she loved abandon their children, no matter how worthy the cause may seem.

  To that end, she vowed to help Lady Lancaster find future members for their little club. Melinda was an excellent option and where there was one, there would be more.

  “Speaking of continuing our ‘enterprise,’” Emily said. “Are there any new cases on the horizon, Lady Lancaster?”

  “None of any consequence,” the duchess replied, as she pulled a number of pages from her pocket.

  As she handed them out, she said, “I have a few small items here I would like you all to explore, but just a word or two from women of your rank should suffice in making these issues quickly dissolve. We will continue to meet weekly, as usual. If all holds true, a new mission will reveal itself in time.”

  Sarah watched as Emily looked at her page and frowned.

&n
bsp; “Is anything wrong, Emily?” Sarah asked.

  Emily shook her head. “It may be nothing, but the name on my note is familiar to me.”

  “Oh, what is the name?”

  “Young.”

  “That is a rather common surname,” Sarah said logically. “I’m sure it is nothing.”

  “Yes,” Emily said absently. “You are probably right.”

  Sarah watched as her friend got up and walked to the window. From the way Emily was creasing and re-creasing the paper in her hand, Sarah was sure that she had not been convincing in her logic. She was equally sure that this was not the last she would hear about the Youngs, whoever they were.

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  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my stepdaughter, Sarah Hammons, for her beautifully written poem that so artfully led our heroes to the hidden will. Your talent with words will serve you well. Foster it! And, as always, thanks to my editor and agent for always supporting me and being 100 percent in my corner. Love you all!

  About the Author

  Catherine Hemmerling spent most of her career as a technical writer in the software industry, but in the last few years has realized her dream of becoming a novelist. Every day she pinches herself to make sure her new life is real. Living with her family in the hills of southern California, Ms. Hemmerling spends her days devising plot twists, agonizing over titles, and making a lot of new imaginary friends; and loves it.