Seeing that the nursemaids and governesses were watching the children, Maura ushered everyone inside and when Lorena tried to take John, Maura wouldn’t let her.
She wanted a baby more than anything at the moment and wasn’t ready to let him go.
“How has he been?” Lorena asked as they trailed toward the drawing room. It was bigger than it had been. She’d knocked down a wall and changed it from its former mauve to a pale violet.
“He’s doing so well,” Maura told her cousin. “Lorenzo helps, reminding him of the good times they’d had.” And she’d worked on creating new memories.
“That’s good.” Lorena smiled. “We all thought he’d never return.”
It had been a long journey home. Maura hadn’t pushed. She’d allowed Julius to choose when the time was right, and he’d chosen now.
They all turned as Julius came through the door. Penelope ‘Pen’ was in one arm, clinging to her father. Her long arms wrapped around his neck. They looked so much alike. She was four with violet eyes and blond curls and had her father wrapped around her finger since the moment she’d been born.
Maura had found out she was pregnant only months after they’d wed. Julius had ensured it the very first time they’d made love. It had taken him time to come around to the idea of having children and indeed Maura had had to work very hard to lift her husband’s spirits. She’d begun walking around nude the very same afternoon she’d told him.
Within hours, he’d brightened and had taken her to their room to ravish her body, but she’d sensed the doubts within him until the day Pen had been born.
Their youngest child, Lorenzo, who they usually called Ren to tell him apart from his uncle, came in holding Uncle Lorenzo’s hand, or rather hanging from his uncle’s arm. He was also blond but had Maura’s blue eyes, though sometimes in the right light they could look quite pansy themselves.
Ren saw her and jumped down from his uncle to get to her.
Maura handed John to Lorena and plucked Ren up when he made it to her. He was three, born just a year after his sister.
“Aunt Christin, is Lily here?” Pen asked, looking between Lady and Lord Jeanshire, or as they were known to her Aunt Christin and Uncle Aaron. She got down from her father and waited for their reply.
Christin smiled. “She’s outside.”
Pen was out the door and Ren was fast behind her.
Julius greeted his friends with warm hugs and laughs. Five years of marriage and she was still moved whenever she caught sight of her husband. He’d hardly aged, though she thought his cheeks slightly more chiseled, if that were possible. He’d also allowed his hair to grow an inch or two and Maura adored the way it curled around his neck. He looked happy, yet still, Maura worried. When Lorena offered her John again, she took him with gladness just as Julius came to stand by her.
His gaze moved between her and John before settling on her. “You want another one, don’t you?”
“Aren’t babies wonderful?” she asked quietly while conversation flowed around the room.
His lips twitched. “Darling, we just had one.”
“That was three years ago.” It felt like an entire lifetime had passed. “Just smell him. You’ll change your mind.”
His face split into a grin. “I’ve smelled enough children but thank you.” He touched her cheek. “When do your parents arrive?”
She sighed and allowed the subject to be changed. “Tomorrow.”
He grunted. “One more night of peace then.”
Maura narrowed her eyes but then softened her face. “I’m very glad you’ve forgiven my father. Family is very important to me.”
He dipped his head and lowered his voice. “I never said I forgave him, but for you, I’ll pretend that we are the very best of friends.”
She couldn’t ask for more. Not now. Things took time. She was only glad that her father would know his grandchildren and they’d be able to hear his grand tales as they grew older.
His eyes scanned the room. “I see the outsiders are here.”
“Julius,” she hissed. “They may not be Brothers, but they are your friends.”
He smiled at her. “No, they’re my brothers, and they should be recognized as such.”
Her brows lifted. “Do you truly think so?” The Men of Nashwood had always been ten. Would they actually add to their numbers after all these years?
Julius nodded. “We plan to initiate them at the end of the party. We only wished Bancroft could have come.”
Maura was so moved. Julius had been the one who stopped any talk of extending the Brotherhood. To hear that he wished to do so and at his own house showed great progress. “I’m very proud of you, husband.”
“And I’m very aroused by you, my wife.”
She gasped and looked around to make sure no one heard him. She was about to say something further when he cut her off.
“Thank you for making my house a home and for giving my life meaning.”
Her heart constricted, and she barely had a chance to smile, much less speak, before Julius kissed her cheek and then plucked John from her arms. “Let me hold him for a while, perhaps I’ll change my mind.”
She watched him move to stand with his friends and fell in love with her husband all over again, so sure and overjoyed by the bond between them and the ones that spanned the room. Friends. Family. Brothers. Sisters. Spinsters, though not really.
Together. Forever.
* * *
Preview of Next Book
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Maura’s Special Spinster's Society is Book 10 (finale book) in the series.
The Spinster’s Society series has come to an end.
Thank you for reading The Spinster’s Society Series. In this last miniseries, many events from history were mixed into the tale.
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PROLOGUE
London, England
Lady Lorena Cullip saw the Earl of Ashwick the moment she walked into his townhouse and immediately felt as though the last year of her life had vanished. In the blink of an eye, she was the young careless daughter of an eccentric and improvised duke and the daughter of a duchess who was known for her beauty. And while seeing the Earl of Ashwick made her heart flutter at the moments they’d shared only a year ago, her stomach felt as though it were in a continual fall. She felt slightly ill that she’d come at all.
She wasn’t ready to reenter society. She shouldn’t have come. She didn’t belong. Sadly, being poor wasn’t the only reason. Lorena was known to cause trouble, but never more than when Ashwick was around.
She turned to leave, but her friend Genie caught her arm before she could retreat toward the door. “Stay, Lorena.”
“I can’t,” Lorena whispered, pressing close so as not to be overheard by the growing crowd. The foyer was full of those guests who had newly arrived. Standing by the stairs were Ashwick, along with his mother, cousin Lady May, and a slew of women who’d all but pressed to him, dressed in an assortment of pastel evening gowns while Lorena wore gray.
She counted at least six unmarried daughters about him as he stood more than a foot over them, wearing an expression that conveyed neither pleasure nor annoyance, and yet still made him beautiful. He was an unmarried earl and far too handsome for words. Never mind that she’d always considered him hers. How foolish she felt, considering that she’d thought herself special to him.
“Lorena,” Genie said. “Stay. He invited you.”
“No,” Lorena said. “His mother did.”
“His mother is not… fond of you,” Genie told her.
Lorena turned to look at the door. “Ah, yet another reason I should leave.” She could barely br
eathe.
No,” Genie yanked on her arm hard enough that Lorena was sure she’d bruise. So, she looked down at her petite friend to find Genie glaring at her. “Ashwick wishes you here. His mother would have obviously never invited you otherwise.”
“That does not make me feel better. I’m leaving.”
“Lady Lorena,” a male voice called from behind her.
She froze and the fluttering in her heart quickly moved to her stomach. She took a deep breath, turned around, and met the face of the man who’d haunted her dreams since the day they met.
Emmett Starr, the Earl of Ashwick, looked gorgeous in his dark suit. His gray eyes were focused on her and in his gaze, she saw both surprise and… happiness. It wasn’t a full smile, but still one of his rare looks of pleasure. His lips were slightly lifted on one side, and she recalled what it was like to…
“I’m sorry,” Lorena whispered. “I have to go.”
“Stay,” he told her as he took Genie’s hand and greeted her. He turned back to Lorena and did the same, lowering his dark head to kiss her hand. His voice took on a deep seductive tone. “Will you save me a dance?” he asked.
Lorena immediately panicked. “No.”
His eyes widened with surprise. “No?”
She shook her head. “We shouldn’t.”
He blinked as he straightened. “It’s my party. You can’t say no.”
“I believe I did.”
His smile widened and an expression came on his face that she couldn’t read.
Lorena went on, “I mean, I’m not dancing tonight. I’m just coming out of mourning and—”
“Of course,” he whispered and concern touched his eyes. “I understand, but I am so very grateful you’ve come.” He still held her hand. “I mourned the passing of your parents as well. I always felt welcomed at your home.”
Lorena could tell he was no longer speaking of her parents but herself. She’d made him feel welcomed.
“Ashwick,” a high and aged female voice called just before Lady Ashwick appeared. His mother barely looked at Lorena as she spoke to her son. “You promised Lady Harriet a dance. The music is about to begin. Do not keep her waiting.”
The obvious dislike the countess had for Lorena was easy to see. Lady Harriet was not only beautiful but Lorena had heard through the gossip that reached the country that the lady would make a perfect wife to any titled man. She also had money, which was something Lorena had none of. Harriett was perfect. Unlike Lorena, who’d failed her first season and had never returned to London.
Until now.
Ashwick, who hadn’t looked his mother’s way, not even while she spoke to him, slowly turned his gaze from Lorena. “Mother, you do know Lady Lorena and Lady Genevieve, don’t you?”
“Oh, of course,” Lady Ashwick said, still not looking in her direction. “But we must go. A host cannot greet every guest.”
Ashwick fully faced his mother then. “I do not have to dance the very first song.”
“Of course, you do,” Ashwick’s beautiful cousin, Lady May, cut in, glaring at him. “You are the host. You set the pace for the entire evening.”
“Yes,” his mother said. “Come along.” Then she started moving away, as though already knowing he would listen.”
Lady May turned to Lorena and said, “I’m sure you understand, dear. My cousin has responsibilities.”
“Of course,” Lorena said quickly to Ashwick. “You must go.”
He seemed hesitant, so she pushed. “Please.”
Just go.
He stared at her and opened his mouth, prepared to say something.
Lorena froze.
“Later,” Lady May urged, taking her cousin’s arm and steering him away.
Ashwick met her eyes before fully turning to leave Lorena. She watched him turn to Lady Harriet and take her hand as they walked up and into the ballroom. All Lorena could think about was just how perfect they seemed together. She touched one hand with the other, over the spot he’d kissed, believing it to be the last time.
Genie was in her ear before Lorena could complete her thought. “Did you see the way he looked at you? He is completely—”
“For someone else,” Lorena quickly said.
Someone like Harriett.
Lorena started for the door again but Genie’s arm stopped her from leaving. “Let us at least stay and be social. This is your first invitation since your parents’ passing. There are those who would want to know that all is well.”
But all wasn’t well. Lorena had just witnessed the man she loved walk away with another woman. So much had changed in a year. Of course, he’d never said he had any intentions toward her, and why would he? She had no money, and they’d shared one impulsive kiss over a year ago.
She wanted to fall through the floorboards and never return.
Instead, she rushed from the room and toward the hall, heading in a direction that held fewer guests, not stopping to take in Ashwick’s vast collection of art. Vases lined the halls and paintings adorned the walls. She’d never been to his residence herself, but she’d heard of its grandeur. Her mind wouldn’t allow her to think on it for long.
She came to a hall that was completely empty. Genie appeared as if from nowhere.
“Lorena, you can’t avoid him all night.”
Lorena had a prepared response for this but paused as she heard a noise. Then she heard another that sounded like something heavy hitting the ground.
“What was that?” Genie asked.
They both turned to look down one of the long corridors and watched as a man emerged. It took Lorena a full moment to comprehend why she couldn’t make out his face from this distance. Chills ran through her, and she noticed his shabby attire and that in his hand he held a box.
A box that obviously did not belong to him. In fact, she was sure it very much belonged to Ashwick.
He started toward them at a run.
Genie screamed.
The man cut down another hall.
Lorena followed.
“Lorena!” Genie shouted. “What are you doing?”
Lorena picked up her skirts and ran, aware of Genie’s quick footsteps right behind her. She passed an armed statue and noticed when she didn’t hear Genie’s feet anymore. Then she heard a grunt. She turned around and noticed Genie struggling to untangle her dress from the metal on the statue’s armor. Unlike Lorena, Genie was dressed in a stunning pale blue evening gown.
But Lorena had no time to wait for Genie. She ran, following the direction the man had fled until she saw movement in a formal dining room. The man was opening a window when Lorena paused at the door.
“Wait!”
The man turned to look at her and fear gripped her. Dark eyes stared at her from the other side of the mask.
Then he turned back around, grabbed the box, and while climbing out, knocked a heavy candelabra from the table with his foot.
Then he was gone and flames burst from the floor. The curtains by the window caught fire first, then a carpet and the wallpaper. It was a disaster. She looked around, spotted a table liner, took it from the table, and began to try and fan the flames away, but then they grew, up toward the ceiling and circling the room.
A strong arm grabbed her and pulled her from the hot room.
She was lifted and carried down the hall. It took her a moment to realize just who was carrying her.
Ashwick did not look happy.
Flames poured out of the room and into the hall.
“What did you do?” he asked.
“Me?” Lorena gripped his neck as they started down the stairs. “We have to save Genie.”
“How do you think I found you?” he asked as he adjusted her.
Lorena tried to ignore how hard his body was as her side was pressed into his chest. The arms that held her were also strong.
They made it to the foyer, and Lorena noticed the house had been emptied of guests.
Lorena looked over Ashwick’s shoulder and saw t
he flames licking down the halls. “Your house,” she whispered as they made it outside.
Only when they were at the street did he put her down. They both turned to watch fire through the windows as it quickly consumed every floor.
The townhouse was gone, along with his vast collection.
Lorena’s heart fell. “Ashwick—”
“A moment,” he said, raising a hand to silence her as he watched his home and his worldly possessions burn before his eyes. He simply stood there for a long time, staring at the building and doing nothing but breathing deeply and slowly. The lights of the flames danced across his features, emphasizing the turmoil in him. Then he closed his eyes and asked, “What happened?”
Lorena hated the words she spoke, but said them because they were true. “There was a man in a white mask.”
He frowned.
“I don’t jest,” she quickly said. “A man was stealing something from your house and I thought—”
“To chase him?” he asked, his voice growing. His eyes were wide. “Why not call for help? You could have been hurt.”
“Ashwick—”
“You could have died!” he shouted.
Lorena looked around and saw that the other guests were standing on the street. Some stared at the burning building while others had turned to look at him. She’d done it again. Her first night back in society, and she’d managed to ruin yet another party. She should have left when she first thought to do so.
Lorena ducked her head and said, “Ashwick…” She gasped and stopped talking when he stepped closer. She lifted her head to look into his eyes.
He lowered both his head and his voice and while holding her eyes said, “You owe me.”
Lorena swallowed and shook her head. “I didn’t do it. It was the man in the mask.”
“You owe me,” he said again.
Her chest hurt and she knew she’d never have the money to rebuild his home. He knew it as well as her. “Ashwick, I didn’t—”
“We need to talk, Lorena,” he said even lower. “You and I will talk.” Then, in a blink, he walked away, leaving Lorena trembling with apprehension. She thought of the other times she’d spent in Ashwick’s presence…
Maura’s Special Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 21
