An Earl's Wager: Regency Romance (Gentlemen and Brides)

by Joyce Alec

  Sarah nudged me in his direction, and she found a spot on a sofa beside Mother to sit down.

  “Now, what is this all about?” Lord Walford asked, his brow furrowing.

  Standing in front of them all was much harder than I had imagined it would be. Confusion clouded Henry’s eyes, and Father seemed dumbfounded. Could they already sense what was coming?

  I doubted it. Our story was going to seem like a fantasy after we told it. It was unlikely that they could know the truth.

  “There is…something very important that we need to tell you all,” Lord Townshend began quietly, his tone even and calm. I was glad that he had decided to speak. I was not sure I would have been able to. “And we realized that it was necessary that we tell you all as soon as possible. We ask that you listen and are patient with us. This is going to be difficult enough as it is to get through.”

  And with that, he launched into the story of the masquerade ball. He told them all how we had danced together, and how we had so enjoyed each other’s company that we went out to the terrace to dance again. I was surprised when he left out the detail of the kiss, for which I was exceedingly grateful for, but he told them all with no shame how he had felt about me after we had parted ways. He told them all how he had looked for me, wished to discover who I was after not having learned my name.

  He told them all about the conversations we had at dinner earlier tonight. He said that, as soon as I had started asking about the ball, and the terrace in particular, he had known it was me. He told them how he had realized that I had been searching for him as much as he had for me.

  “So, you see,” Lord Townshend finished, “this is a very difficult situation that we find ourselves in.”

  He turned to Lord Henry. “Dear brother, first of all, I want to apologize to you. I want you to know that I had absolutely no idea until tonight, until an hour ago, that Lady Grace was the very same woman I had danced with at the ball. It was never my intention to make this situation so complicated. I hope you know that I wished, above anything else, that your betrothed and Lady Grace were not one and the same. Never in my dreams would I have wanted to take her away from you.”

  He sighed heavily. “On the other hand, had you not agreed to marry her, it is likely I would not have found her again so soon, maybe not ever. And who knows what could have happened then? Perhaps she would have wed to some other fellow. Or perhaps I could have been matched.”

  I chanced a look at Lord Henry’s face. He seemed contemplative, but not angry.

  I began to feel hopeful.

  “It is why I humbly ask you, dear brother,” Lord Townshend continued, “if you would rescind your engagement, and allow me to take your place as her betrothed?”

  He had bowed so deeply that his knee had sunk to the floor.

  Silence greeted his words. Wide eyes stared up at both him and me. Mother’s mouth hung open. Lady Walford’s lip trembled.

  “Brother…” Lord Henry began after an agonizing silence. “I remember you telling me of this enchanting woman at the ball with whom you had danced the night away…”

  To my great surprise, he smiled broadly.

  “If I had known that it was Lady Grace, I would have never agreed to the match in the first place. For you see, although I do believe she is beautiful and charming, I do not know her, and therefore, do not hold any affection for her.”

  I gasped in excitement as Lord Townshend blinked disbelievingly at his brother.

  “You… you are not angry?”

  Lord Henry shrugged his shoulders. “How in the world could I be angry?” he asked, laughing. “Brother, did you really think that I would stand in the way of your happiness? Why did you fear my reaction?”

  “I…” Lord Townshend began. All the color had returned to his face. “I do not know. It was not right for me to say anything. I was afraid of ruining a match arranged by Father…”

  “Dear boy,” Lord Walford said, getting to his feet. “This is all so foolish. It is your brother’s choice. If this arrangement suits you both, then we have no objections.”

  His wife nodded in agreement.

  “Wait,” Lord Townshend said, turning to Lord and Lady Walford, “you are not angry with me?”

  “Of course not, why on earth would we be?” His father laughed in a jolly fashion. “No harm has been done. The banns have not been called. Right, old chap?” Lord Walford asked, clapping my father on the shoulder.

  “Certainly not!” Father said, clearly astonished. “My dear, I had no idea that you had met someone at the ball. Why did you not tell us?”

  “Oh, I knew,” Mother said, smiling knowingly. “Only a woman in love acts the way she had those days after that ball.”

  I could not believe that she had known everything, and yet he had kept my secret. “Thank you,” I said weakly.

  “It is not often one finds a love such as you have,” Mother said, tears welling up in her eyes. “I am so happy for you both.”

  “A toast!” Lord Walford cried, swiping the bottle of brandy from the table and lifting it into the air. “To love! To life! And to the miracles of Christmas!”

  Everyone cheered, and Lord Townshend and I stared at one another, in utter disbelief that we had found one another.

  “Come, everyone! Let us sings carols and celebrate my dear brother’s engagement!” Lord Henry exclaimed, leaping up from his seat and making his way over to the piano beside the window.

  “It has started to snow,” Sarah said as she stared dreamily out the window. “How wonderful!”

  As everyone gathered around the pianoforte, my heart swelled so much that I felt as if it might burst.

  “This is the very best Christmas that I have ever had,” I said, turning to Lord Townshend.

  “And may it be the first of many, many more,” he said, reaching out and taking my hand in his.

  The End.

  Part IX

  A Lady’s Christmas Wedding

  By Caroline Johnson

  1

  England, 1872

  The back wheels of the carriage slid deeper into the mud. The Ouse River was out of its banks, and many of the farms of the nearby village were flooded. Lady Lucy Fitzwilliam had taken the carriage with the sole intention of offering aid and assistance to the villagers. She brought them baskets of food and provisions, but now, she was desperately in need of help herself.

  It was not customary for a lady in her position to be driving a carriage on a public road, but it was for a worthy cause. Her parents would never have allowed her to go without a suitable chaperone. Lucy and her horse were going to die because she had snuck out on a mission of mercy and compassion. At that moment, she made a promise to herself, and God, that if she survived this predicament, she would never disobey her parents' wishes and take the carriage out by herself again.

  Lucy wasn't even sure how she ended up in such a predicament. When she drove into the village earlier that day, the road was slippery but intact. Driving back, that changed. One moment she was driving along the muddy, but passable road, but in the next moment, she rounded a bend and discovered too late that the road was washed out. Now she was sliding down the slippery embankment, along with her horse and carriage, to the raging waters of the swollen river.

  The dapple mare, Mabel, panicked and was unable to free herself from the mud. Lucy tried not to join the horse in fear, but it was becoming very clear that their situation was dire. Unless something was done, she and Mabel would be washed away in the raging water.

  She tried to calm Mabel down by talking to her, but the mare was too anxious. Lucy knew the only way she was going to save her horse and herself was to free Mabel from the carriage and try to coax her up the embankment. She was not sure she had the strength or the ability to do that.

  Lucy jumped down from the carriage seat into the mud and sank up to her ankles immediately in the muck. The horse was agitated, and her movements were only making the carriage slip closer to the river. Lucy needed to free Mabe
l, but she didn’t know how to do that without being kicked or dragged into the river with the horse.

  Lucy called out for help as loud as she could. She was sure that it would not do any good, but she had to try to get someone's attention. The village was not far, and the road was well-traveled. She hoped that someone might hear her over the sound of the rushing water. In the midst of screaming, she also tried to unbuckle Mabel's harness, but it was a struggle. Mabel could feel her panic, but Lucy wouldn't give up. The mud continued to slide down the embankment, and Lucy found a rock with her foot that saved her from slipping all the way down into the rushing water. Mabel tried with all her might to flee the situation, which only made it worse. The weight of the carriage was dragging both of them backwards.

  Lucy was almost to the point of giving up. The buckles of the harness were slimy with mud, and she kept losing her grip on them. Although she could likely save herself, she wasn't willing to let her loyal companion drown. Mabel calmed down slightly, but her erratic movements amplified when the carriage finally slid into the water. The powerful current was tugging at the carriage; a few more minutes, and river would carry it away. Lucy was desperate. She screamed as loud as she could, but didn't cease working on freeing her beloved horse.

  Tears of desperation slid down Lucy's cheeks as she prayed for a miracle. The river current tugged harder at the carriage, and the back wheels slid up to the axle in the water; it would not be much longer now.

  "Stand aside!" said the strange man as he came charging down the embankment. He pulled a knife out of his boot and walked to the horse.

  Thinking the worst, Lucy screamed, "Sir, you mustn't. I am trying to save her."

  "What do you think I am trying to do? Now move!" he ordered.

  The stranger did not waste time trying to unbuckle the harness from the panicked animal. He quickly cut the leather straps, freeing the mare. The mare struggled to find her footing, so the stranger got behind the horse and pushed with all his might. The horse climbed to the top of the embankment at last.

  The carriage was lost, and Lucy was covered in mud, but she and the horse were still alive, and that was all that mattered. This man, this stranger, had saved them. He reached out his hand and helped Lucy to safety. His efforts to help her up the embankment seemed effortless, which indicated his strength. He was tall in stature, and even though he was wet from the downpour of rain. Lucy noticed his handsome features: a rugged jaw, big blue eyes, and dark hair that was almost black.

  Breathless from the physical feat she had just endured, Lucy managed, "Sir, I cannot express my gratitude at your act of bravery and selflessness."

  "Miss, what kind of man would have left you and your horse to perish?"

  His humility touched Lucy. "I hope to never know anyone capable of such lack of compassion, but that does not detract from your bravery."

  "I feel I must offer you my apologies for yelling at you. I did not intend to speak to you in a disrespectful manner. I assure you that it was not my intention to offend you by my harsh language."

  "Sir, on the contrary, your words and actions were perfectly in line with the gravity of the situation."

  A sudden splash from the river signaled the end of the carriage. Lucy and the stranger watched as it was seized by the current and swiftly washed down river.

  "If it had not been for you and your timely arrival, I fear that carriage would have taken Mabel and me to a watery grave."

  Lucy realized that she must look disheveled in her current state. Every part of her body, even her dark hair, was covered in mud. Although ineffective, she attempted to wipe the mud off her skirt and move her wet hair off her face. The attempts to regain her composure and look the part of a lady were useless. Lucy also hated to think of how puffy her face must look from crying.

  This man had just saved her, and he was covered in mud as well, but he still managed to look dashing. He ran his hand through his dark hair as he surveyed the river.

  "Miss, you may have to find an alternate route home. This road may be out for a while."

  "I will manage. At least now I have the opportunity to return home, thanks entirely to you," she said as she walked over to move her hands over Mabel in comfort. The mare was also caked in mud, but other than that, appeared to be unharmed.

  "I must find a way to repay your kindness. Please tell me sir, where is your family's home?"

  "I live north of here, Miss. I was just passing through to the Port of Hull."

  "I don't believe we have been introduced," said Lucy.

  "I have forgotten my manners entirely; I am John Tennant of Bainbridge Hall."

  "Bainbridge Hall? Are you employed there?" asked Lucy.

  "Yes, I suppose you could say that," he said with a laugh. "I am Lord Harrogate."

  "I beg your pardon; I did not mean to be rude. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lord Harrogate. I am forever in your debt."

  "Please, Miss, I must insist that I only did what any gentleman would do. Let's dispense of this preposterous idea of you owing a debt to me." He smiled, "Now then, you know who I am, but you never did tell me your name."

  "I am Lady Lucy Fitzwilliam."

  "Ah, the daughter of the Marquess of Whittenger, I presume?"

  "Do you know my father?"

  "I do, but only as an acquaintance. I will get word to the marquess of your situation. Now, I must escort you somewhere to find clean clothes and warm up by a fire. You look like you need a cup of tea."

  Lord Harrogate walked to the wood line, untied the reins of a chestnut stallion, and led the horse by the reins to the road. He handed the reins to Lucy as he collected Mabel. Together, they walked towards the village accompanied by their horses. Despite the extraordinary circumstances of the occasion, Lucy enjoyed walking with this handsome man. He did not say very much, but she did not mind. He was as chivalrous as a knight in shining armor.

  "Lady Lucy, we are nearing the village. Where would you like to go?"

  "You may escort me to the rectory, Lord Harrogate. The Vicar is a cousin, and his wife is a close friend. They will welcome my arrival."

  "I am not sure how long it will be before you can go home because of the road. Will you be able to find lodging with your cousin and his wife?"

  "Yes, I am certain of it. As I said, they are my family."

  Upon her arrival at the rectory in Sheffield, Lord Harrogate bid her farewell. He promised Lucy he would get a message to her father about her safety. She thanked him, and even though she did not verbalize her wishes, Lucy hoped to see him again.

  The Vicar and his wife welcomed Lucy to their home and also provided food and shelter for Lucy's mare. Several days passed before Lucy's father could arrange for her safe journey home.

  2

  Ever since meeting Lord Harrogate, Lucy was unable to think of much else. A humble man that was also handsome and well-bred, had come to her rescue. He was not especially forthcoming with any details, so Lucy knew very little about him. He was from Yorkshire, near Bainbridge, and he was traveling to and from the Port of Hull. They had never been introduced at a social gathering; Lucy was sure of that as she would have remembered him.

  Upon her safe arrival home, Lucy enquired about Lord Harrogate. Her father knew the Earl of Harrogate, but only as an acquaintance. Lucy's mother, the Marchioness, was less forthcoming with her opinion. Lucy determined that her mother was not inclined to give a high opinion of him, but did not want to disagree with her husband.

  What her parents were inclined to agree on was Lucy's lack of judgment. The fact that their daughter was still alive was the most important matter at hand, but they were distressed about the loss of a carriage and the scandal of their daughter being seen driving around the village on a public road without a chaperone.

  "I am appalled by your utter disregard for propriety. What were you thinking?" Her mother demanded.

  "Mama, my only thoughts were of the villagers and their suffering. I just wanted to make sure they had enough to
eat."

  Her father, who had always been the voice of reason, said, "Lucy, I can appreciate your positon, but why didn't you at least enlist the help of a driver? Your behavior was foolhardy. With flooding of that extent, the roads near the river are always perilous. Do you realize you could have been killed?"

  Lucy's mother fanned herself furiously before verbalizing her disappointment again, "Do you not appreciate the gravity of your situation? It's unfortunate enough to be seen by villagers, but to be seen by a member of society in that state? " Lucy's mother paused, only to remind Lucy of her fate, "You have been promised to the Duke of Selby. We can only hope that he does not hear of this."

  Lucy's father gently grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Like Lucy, he grew weary of the Marchioness's bellowing. The marquess finally asked his wife to stop complaining and instead rejoice in the fact that Lucy was home safe. Lucy’s father always seemed to remain calm and collected. Lucy's mother always kept her composure in front of guests, but within the privacy of her family, she was freer with her feelings.

  "Papa, why have I never been introduced to Lord Harrogate? He is from Yorkshire. His estate is not far from here, yet I cannot recall meeting him. Does he not attend dinners and balls?"

  Her father answered, "The earl served in the Navy. From what I understand, he has only returned home recently."

  The prospect of seeing Lord Harrogate again excited Lucy.

  "You said he is home now, does that mean we will be seeing him at social events?" she asked eagerly.

  "Yes, I suppose it does," said her father. "It was lucky for us that he did return home and he happened upon you that day."

  "I think it would be a fine idea to invite him to dine with us to thank him," said Lucy, hoping that her father would consider the prospect.