Unveiling Love: A Regency Romance (A London Regency Romantic Suspense Tale Book 4)

by Vanessa Riley

  Barrington took off his spectacles and rested them on the bed table. A pile of his little notes lay tucked under the candle stand near her Bible. She read both every day.

  Home, with his family intact, nothing could be better. A sigh of contentment seeped from his lungs. "Gerald Miller is now able to regain his life. He can choose what he wants to do with his years."

  "Good, he's as much a victim as me and the other women." Her violet eyes widened as her kissable lips creased. "Are you sure you want this for yours? No more law books. A wife with challenges."

  The bitter sweetness swirling in his gut at arguing his final case had disappeared. The minute Amora looked at him with all her love filling her eyes, any regret fled his skull. "I am home. I'm ready to spend my years with the best woman, managing these orchards and bringing hope to others that struggle. Take care of this hungry boy, then get dressed. It's time to go see the Priory. Do you still want too?"

  She snuggled Tomàs. "Yes."

  Amora inhaled the scent of the freshly cut pine. It made the air seem festive. She gripped Barrington's hand as he lifted her from the carriage, swinging her feet in the air.

  The Priory seemed so different from the one she painted years ago, or the one she'd crawled away from on hands and knees.

  Barrington pulled her close. His folded arms surrounded her head and straw bonnet. "I had the workmen tear away everything that blocked the light. No one will ever think they can hide in the Priory."

  A hundred thoughts filled her head as they walked toward the ruins. Memories of screams echoed in her skull, but it didn't grip her heart. Barrington was with her. Light fell upon their linked gloves. God was also with them now, as he had been through all the pain.

  "Do you want to see the cellar? We can see every bit of the small space."

  She marched forward between stone pillars where a gate once stood. She fingered the blocks and traced the mortar and the edges of the missing ones. Her gaze fell upon the loose bricks scattered in the grass.

  With all the sunlight heating the air, she shouldn't shiver. The Dark Walk Abductor was dead. His villainy could never happen again.

  Nevertheless, she trembled.

  "In your cellar, the workmen found a paint brush and this just outside." He put a small gold ring in her hand. The markings inside read, Amora.

  Her strength began to wane. She leaned into Barrington. She was daft ever to think she could face this place without him.

  "You're safe. You're free. And, you're beautiful." His low voice danced in her ear as the wool of his greatcoat blanketed her. She was truly safe and free, far from the young woman angry at God for taking her father or humbled by an abduction.

  And beautiful, not just because Barrington loved her. She'd learned to love herself.

  He kissed her brow and tightened his hold. "You don't have to go any farther. You are the bravest girl in the world."

  "Maybe when Sarah arrives. Maybe we'll all go together." She swallowed the joyful sob gathering in her throat. "We'll make a merry party of it."

  "Mr. Calloway agreed?"

  "Yes, I wrote him of your plans to open a private asylum for victims of abduction. He wants her to have a normal life, too. Well, as normal as it can be."

  He smoothed a curl behind her ear. "Who wants normal? Not me. I want every hour of everyday with you and a house full of extended family. Besides, someone needs to look after those who don't have a voice. I thought that's why I was called to the law. I know now I can use my inheritance and my blood to make a difference aiding victims, ensuring they don't feel invisible or broken. The Sanctuary built upon Norton land will do that."

  "But the Old Bailey and London?"

  He kissed her long and deep. "Not what I want."

  She looped her arms about his neck and spun. The Priory now behind her.

  "There will always be another barrister. Someone more eloquent with an easier temperament. But he's made only one man to be a father to Tomàs and a proper husband to you." He pulled back and crossed his arms. "Well, there is the reverend."

  She shook her head. A full smile lifted her lips. "You're the only one for me. Your faithfulness and understanding saves me every day."

  "Let's go visit Norton Hall." He claimed her arm and plodded toward the carriage. "I've had a few things tidied up. The workmen have splashed color on the walls."

  With a hand to her hip, she spied his sheepish grin. "You chose more paints without me?"

  "You are always at the top of mind, sweetheart." The slow even tempo of his words contrasted with the sparks blazing within his gray eyes. Like melted silver fresh from an artisan's fire, his gaze engulfed her heart. "I tried to recreate the Mayfair attic in a wide upper loft space, but I need your thoughts on improvements."

  "More pillows?" She hiked up her hem and ran to the carriage. Her short boot heels made easy work of the land she so loved. "What are we waiting for? You've been gone a fortnight. I know how you get when we've been separated for one day. "

  He caught up with her, clasped her hand, and brushed his lips gently against her wrist. "You are my love, Amora. I see all of you, every bit. I couldn't love or admire you more."

  She knew in her heart this was true. They finally saw the truth of each other without filters or blinders. The magnificent work that God had started within them had been made complete. Together they held enough strength, peace, and unity to last forever, even through future storms.

  The End

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  If you like these stories, please leave a review.

  I love being able to write these books. I hope you love them too. As an author, I depend on you, the reader, to get the word out about my books. If you liked this book, please leave a review online and recommend it to a friend. The more you spread the word, the more books I can write and nothing would please me more than to create more of these stories for you.

  Thank you.

  Vanessa Riley

  Extras

  Author's Note

  Dear Friend,

  I enjoyed writing Unveiled Love because diverse Regency London needs its story told, and I am a sucker for a wonderful husband and wife romance. They need love after the vows, too.

  These stories will showcase a world of intrigue and romance, a setting everyone can hopefully find a character to identify with in the battle of love, which renews and gives life.

  Stay in touch. Sign up at www.vanessariley.com for my newsletter. You'll be the first to know about upcoming releases, and maybe even win a sneak peek.

  Thank so much for giving this book a read.

  Vanessa Riley

  Many of my readers are new to Regencies, so I always add notes and a glossary to make items readily available. If you know of a term that should be added to enhance my readers' knowledge, send them to me at: vanessa@christianregency.com. I will acknowledge you in my next book.

  Here are my notes:

  Mulatto Barristers

  I couldn't find definitive proof of one, but that does not mean it was impossible. Connections and success bent rules. Such was the case for William Garrow (1760-1840). He was not born a gentleman and didn't go to the best schools. Yet, his success in the courts rewrote how trials would be performed. He introduced the premise, "presumed innocent until proven guilty," and rose to become Solicitor General for England and Wales.

  Free blacks in 1800's English Society

  By Regency times, historians, Kirstin Olsen and Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, estimate that Black London (the black neighborhood of London) had over 10,000 residents. While England led the world in granting rights to the enslaved and ending legal slavery thirty years before the American Civil War, it still had many citizens who were against change. Here is another image from an anti-abolitionist.

  The New Union Club being a representation of what took place at a celebrated dinner given by a celebrated society – includes in picture abolitionists, Billy Waters, Zachariah Macauley, William Wilberforce. – published 19 July
1819. Source: Wiki Commons

  Notable People Mentioned in this Serial

  William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was an abolitionist who sought to end England's slave trade which existed within the Empire's colonies. His conversion to Evangelical Christianity made him change his outlook on life and to seek reform.

  Zachary Macaulay (1768-1838) was an abolitionist and a former governor of Sierra Leone. Like Wilberforce, his faith drove him to try to end the slave trade.

  George Bridgetower (George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower) was born in Poland on October 11, 1778. The mulatto described as Afro-European was the son of John Frederick Bridgetower, a West Indie's black man and a white German maid. He became a virtuoso violinist whose talents were recognized by the Prince Regent. The prince took an interest in his education and directed Bridgetower's musical studies. Bridgetower performed in many concerts in London theatres like, Covent Garden, Drury Lane and the Haymarket Theatre. In the spring of 1789, Bridgetower performed at the Abbaye de Panthemont in Paris. Thomas Jefferson attended this event. Bridgewater died February 1860.

  Harriet Westbrook was the first wife of Percy Shelley. She was abandoned by Lord Shelley when he fell in love with Mary Wollstonecraft. On 10 December 1816, Harriet's body was found. She was pregnant when she was drowned in the the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London.

  King George III, the king who lost the American colonies, suffered from bouts of mental illness. His son ruled in his stead as the Prince Regent (George Augustus Frederick). King George III died January 27, 1820. Mourning for a King had three parts: deep mourning (eight weeks), mourning (two weeks), and half-mourning (two weeks). During these times, clothing and accessories had to be correlated to the type of mourning.

  Inter-racial marriages occurred.

  The children known as mulattos lived lives on the scale of their education and wealth. Examine this painting. Portrait of a Mulatto by FABRE, François-Xavier. It is from 1809-1810. Portraits were indicative to status and wealth. My screenshot of the image the art once displayed at Arenski Fine Art, LTD London. More information can be found at http://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/images-of-regency-era-free-people-of-colour/.

  This painting of an interracial couple and child, Pintura de Castas, from Spaniard and Mulatto, Morisca (1763). Where love exists barriers fade.

  Slavery in England

  The emancipation of slaves in England preceded America by thirty years and freedom was won by legal court cases not bullets.

  Somerset v Stewart (1772) is a famous case, which established the precedence for the rights of slaves in England. The English Court of King's Bench, led by Lord Mansfield, decided that slavery was unsupported by the common law of England and Wales. His ruling:

  "The state of slavery is of such a nature that it is incapable of being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but only by positive law, which preserves its force long after the reasons, occasions, and time itself from whence it was created, is erased from memory. It is so odious, that nothing can be suffered to support it, but positive law. Whatever inconveniences, therefore, may follow from the decision, I cannot say this case is allowed or approved by the law of England; and therefore the black must be discharged."

  E. Neville William, The Eighteenth-Century Constitution: 1688-1815, pp: 387-388.

  The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 was an act of Parliament, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire. A fund of $20 Million Pound Sterling was set up to compensate slave owners. Many of the highest society families were compensated for losing their slaves.

  This act did exempt the territories in the possession of the East India Company, the Island of Ceylon, and the Island of Saint Helena. In 1843, the exceptions were eliminated.

  Glossary

  The Regency – The Regency is a period of history from 1811-1825 (sometimes expanded to 1795-1837) in England. It takes its name from the Prince Regent who ruled in his father's stead when the king suffered mental illness. The Regency is known for manners, architecture, and elegance. Jane Austen wrote her famous novel, Pride and Prejudice (1813), about characters living during the Regency.

  England is a country in Europe. London is the capital city of England.

  Image of England from a copper engraved map created by William Darton in 1810.

  Port Elizabeth was a town founded in 1820 at the tip of South Africa. The British settlement was an attempt to strengthen England's hold on the Cape Colony and to be a buffer from the Xhosa.

  Xhosa - A proud warrior people driven to defend their land and cattle-herding way of life from settlers expanding the boundaries of the Cape Colony.

  Image of South Africa from a copper engraved map created by John Dower in 1835.

  Abigail – A lady's maid.

  Soiree – An evening party.

  Bacon-brained – A term meaning foolish or stupid.

  Black – A description of a black person or an African.

  Black Harriot – A famous prostitute stolen from Africa, then brought to England by a Jamaican planter who died, leaving her without means. She turned to harlotry to earn a living. Many members of the House of Lords became her clients. She is described as tall, genteel, and alluring, with a degree of politeness.

  Blackamoor – A dark-skinned person.

  Bombazine – Fabric of twilled or corded cloth made of silk and wool or cotton and wool. Usually the material was dyed black and used to create mourning clothes.

  Breeched – The custom of a young boy no longer wearing pinafores and now donning breeches. This occurs about age six.

  Breeches – Short, close-fitting pants for men, which fastened just below the knees and were worn with stockings.

  Caning – A beating typically on the buttocks for naughty behavior.

  Compromise – To compromise a reputation is to ruin or cast aspersions on someone's character by catching them with the wrong people, being alone with someone who wasn't a relative at night, or being caught doing something wrong. During the Regency, gentlemen were often forced to marry women they had compromised.

  Dray – Wagon.

  Footpads – Thieves or muggers in the streets of London.

  Greatcoat – A big outdoor overcoat for men.

  Mews – A row of stables in London for keeping horses.

  Pelisse - An outdoor coat for women that is worn over a dress.

  Quizzing Glass – An optical device, similar to a monocle, typically worn on a chain. The wearer might use the quizzing glass to look down upon people.

  Reticule – A cloth purse made like a bag that had a drawstring closure.

  Season – One of the largest social periods for high society in London. During this time, a lady attended a variety of balls and soirees to meet potential mates.

  Sideboard – A low piece of furniture the height of a writing desk, which housed spirits.

  Ton – Pronounced tone, the ton was a high class in society during the Regency era.

  Sneak Peak: Unmasked Heart

  Shy, nearsighted caregiver, Gaia Telfair always wondered why her father treated her a little differently than her siblings, but she never guessed she couldn't claim his love because of a family secret, her illicit birth. With everything she knows to be true evaporating before her spectacles, can the mulatto passing for white survive being exposed and shunned by the powerful duke who has taken an interest in her?

  Ex-warrior, William St. Landon, the Duke of Cheshire, will do anything to protect his mute daughter from his late wife's scandals. With a blackmailer at large, hiding in a small village near the cliffs of Devonshire seems the best option, particularly since he can gain help from the talented Miss Telfair, who has the ability to help children learn to speak. If only he could do a better job at shielding his heart from the young lady, whose honest hazel eyes see through his jests as her tender lips challenge his desire to remain a single man.

  Unmasked Heart is the first Challenge of the Soul Regency novel.

  Excerpt from Unmasked Heart: The Wrong Kiss
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  Seren adjusted the delicate gauzy silk flowers lining the edges of Gaia's cape. "Wait here until your Elliot arrives. Don't leave this room; I'll come back to find you."