“Absolutely, My Lord.” Edmonds nodded and passed his hat to him.
Nathaniel turned to leave, nearly running into Avonlea. “What is the rush, old chap?”
“We are on a mission.”
“What kind of mission?”
“The kind of mission that requires an oath of silence. The kind that will send my mother into a fury, and the kind that will infuriate a certain duchess.”
“Sounds like my kind of adventure, Thompson. Where are we headed?
“To the country.”
* * * *
“Your Grace, I am sorry, this is the only room I have left.”
Isabel glanced around. It was passable, accommodating the needs to every traveler. A bed, fireplace, a table and chair, and a chest of drawers. Besides, while it was the furthest thing from extravagant, she would only spend the night here.
“Are you sure there is nowhere you could place my driver for the night, ma’am?”
The woman pondered for a moment before replying. “There be a loft in the stables. I am sure m’husband will not mind if he rests up there. I will get m’boy to show him the way. Your Grace, I am honored you are spending the night here. I will be sure you get the best breakfast the county could provide ya with.”
“That will be all, ma’am.”
The innkeeper’s wife retreated.
Isabel released a heavy sigh. By the time Nathaniel even realized she was gone, she would have a new cottage bought and paid for. She slipped out of her gown and draped it over the chair, neatly tucking her shoes underneath. Clothed in nothing but her stockings and shift, she scurried to bed and blew out the candle that illuminated the south side of the room.
Isabel tossed and turned, her thoughts swimming around what her hardships would be like over the coming months. If anything good came out of her tryst with Nathaniel, this child would be loved like no other.
As soon as she found a place she could call home, she would write to Nathaniel. He would be welcome to visit her and the child anytime, but their son or daughter would stay with her. They were safer that way. Free from vicious gossip and a meddling grandmother. Perhaps one day, once she had forgiven her own parents for the colossal mistake of passing her to Griffith, she would introduce them to their only grandchild.
That day would not be anytime soon. She could spend a lifetime healing from her loveless marriage and almost marrying the man she should have to begin with. Fate had been cruel to her in many ways, but her pregnancy would soon make up for the faults.
* * * *
Isabel could not find the driver of her carriage as she walked into the inn’s dining room.
“There you are, Your Grace!” the innkeeper bellowed. “Please have a seat. Milly will be right out with your breakfast.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Only a scant second later, a platter of eggs, toast, ham, and a side of porridge and tea was placed in front of her. All were her favorites, but what she would not give for a minute of company. Isabel hated to dine alone and often found comfort in dining with the servants when Henry spent the night out.
She finished eating and rose to pay the innkeeper. “Your Grace, the pleasure was entirely ours. I do believe your driver is outside waiting. Allow me to escort you.”
Upon arriving at the carriage, Isabel saw a local woman there talking with the driver. She blushed, “Your Grace, we will leave just as soon as you are inside. You will have to change carriages in a few hours, but I assure you all will be fine.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. It is only that the road we must take is rather bumpy, and I fear for your safety. A more suitable mode of transportation has been arranged at no extra cost.”
“Well, if it is so terrible, then why are we taking it?”
“Your Grace, it is the only road in that direction,” the driver declared.
Isabel sat down, finding the situation entirely too suspicious. What exactly has transpired in the time I have woken up to the time I managed to get out to the carriage? Pretending nothing was amiss, she sat there silently and smiled. I will figure out what you are up to, and then we will see who is clever.
After visiting two villages, she still had not managed to find the perfect home along the way. They stopped in a field for the luncheon the innkeeper’s wife had packed before they left. Isabel leaned against a tree and closed her eyes briefly. She missed Nathaniel with all her heart, but she knew leaving him would be best for them both. He would be free to enter into an acceptable marriage.
“Come along now, Your Grace. We will be changing just up the road from here.”
She awoke to a start, not even realizing she had fallen asleep. Isabel stood, brushing off the grass from her skirts and climbed into the carriage. Just how bad is this road that we have to change carriages?
Two hours later, the sun began to descend and they turned onto a gravelly road and stopped. She heard a quiet exchange of words, and the side door opened. Her driver smiled. “I am afraid I will not be continuing on, Your Grace, but I assure you, arrangements have been made once you have reached your destination.”
How odd. She climbed into the second carriage and waited for it to start up again. She managed to doze off, only to awaken and find Nathaniel sitting across from her.
“Hullo, love.”
Moments passed as reality set in. He really was here with her. Isabel leapt from her seat into his lap and embraced him. “But how did you find me?” she whispered before pressing a kiss to his lips.
He chuckled and returned her affections. “Sweetheart, it would not have mattered where you escaped to. I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth.”
“Nathaniel, where are we really going?”
“To see a certain blacksmith.”
Isabel tried to conceal her shock, but could not. “We are going to Gretna? Your mother will be furious. We really should not do this.”
“As head of our family, I am sure she will eventually get used to the prospect. I want you to be my wife, my marchioness, and I will not settle for anything less. Isabel, please tell me that you will marry me. Nothing and no one will get in our way, ever again.”
Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. “Nathaniel, I would not have you any other way. I accept, but we are going to have to find a way to deal with your mother, sooner or later.”
“Leave it to me, love. I will do anything for you and to preserve our little secret.” Nathaniel patted her belly and gave her a wink.
Epilogue
Six months later
Stoughton Hall was filled to the rafters with family, with the exception of her mother-in-law. Isabel’s parents wished to be present when their grandchildren made their entrance into the world. The first set of cries carried throughout the halls, announcing that little Edward was here. Thirty minutes later, a soft cry emanated from their chamber, this time revealing Abigail Marie.
Isabel looked over at her husband while he held their son and she held their daughter. Nothing could be more perfect. Their lives could not have been more complete. The family estate would soon be overwhelmed with visitors from London. Friends, associates, and the non-believers would all descend upon Stoughton Hall to bear witness to the two tiny miracles that they had been blessed with.
“Love, you should pass Abigail to the nurse. You need your rest. It is not every day that a woman performs the herculean task of delivering twins.”
“I am quite all right, dear. If it is all the same, Dr. Benson, I desire to have the children stay with me a little longer.”
“Of course, My Lady. Lydia, come along, let us give the family a little privacy.” He turned to Nathaniel. “My Lord, we will be along in a bit.”
Then there was the matter of the dowager countess and her underestimating Nathaniel. Nathaniel had paid passage for her to tour the continent, and thankfully, she would be departing in a few short days. She giggled and wished she had been present when Nathaniel delivered the news. Isabel figured
there was more to the discussion, as her mother-in-law had packed hers and Emily’s things for the hunting lodge.
“Isabel, have you ever seen children more beautiful than ours?”
She turned to him and returned a loving smile. “No, love, I cannot say that I have.”
“I do hope Emily gets to spend time with us. I think it would be wonderful for her to be around the children.”
“I am sure she will be a doting auntie to Edward and Abigail.”
Once things were settled in Stoughton Hall, she would sit with Emily and plan the season. With her meddlesome mother-in-law away, she was certain she would be able to find her new sister-in-law a suitable suitor, not one who was simply interested in her dowry.
* * * *
The dowager countess scowled at her young and naïve daughter.
“Mama, you cannot be serious? Lord Avonlea would never take advantage of me! Nathaniel would kill him!”
“Would he now? He is too busy with that farce of a wife and two babies to even notice the desperation we are in.”
“Mama, if you would only concede. Pride has no place in this world. And you are just as entitled to see your grandchildren as any other. You only intervened out of love for him.”
“You tell that to your brother and his wife, and see what kind of response you receive.” The dowager countess sighed and stretched across the dais, contemplating her next steps carefully. She needed to find Emily a husband and fast. There was no way she could afford to keep up appearances without further assistance from the marquess.
The door rang, and she watched the butler rush forward in the hall. Just as quickly as the door opened, it closed, and the footsteps drew closer. “My Lady.” He butler passed her a letter, bowed, and took his leave.
The countess opened the note, and after reading it twice, she folded the velum and smirked. Well, well, well. We are saved after all.
“Emily, pack our trunks. My trip to the continent will have to wait. We are heading to London. This season is starting to look up.”
“What are you about, Mama?”
“This letter is our ticket. Yours. Your future, my love. And if I am not mistaken, you could be the next Duchess of Downsbury.”
She watched her young daughter pale. “Are you thinking of pawning me off to the same cad who wished harm to my sister-in-law and showed no remorse in his previous duchess’ passing?”
“It matters not, love. At some point in time, we all make sacrifices.”
“If that is so true, Mama, what in heaven’s name did you ever sacrifice?”
“Love, darling. Love has no place in our society. You will learn eventually. Now run along. I would like to be in London by this eve, and I will not tolerate being late for our first ball of the season.”
“A ball! Mama, have you gone mad? I have nothing that will suit.”
“Yes, you do. Wear the cream gown. Eleanor will assist with your hair while I make the final arrangements.”
Nathaniel may have married that scandalous twit, but my daughter will certainly marry well. Then she would see who finished on top. Her daughter would finally be a duchess, and there wasn’t a damned thing her son could do about it.
*THE END*
About the Author
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.
Other Books by Layna
A Gift from Fate
Hardened Desire
Secret Cravings Publishing
www.secretcravingspublishing.com
Scandal at Vauxhall (Pleasure Garden Follies) Page 10
