by Jen Turano
“It probably didn’t come down to that,” Hamilton explained. “Theodore sent one of his associates to summon the police right after we left the warehouse, and clearly, Theodore’s associates are incredibly competent, because police were arriving before we even entered the house. I have no doubt they will take Eugene and Sally in hand.” He took a deep, steadying breath. “Are you two all right?” he asked, looking at Piper and Ben.
Piper nodded. “You would have been very proud of us, Daddy. We barely cried at all, and I know Ben promised never to bite anyone again, but he did bite that Sally person, and he left a big mark on that man’s face, but I don’t think he should get into any trouble about that, because it was very brave of him.”
“It was very brave of him, and he certainly isn’t in any trouble,” Hamilton said, leaning forward to pick Ben off Eliza’s lap and settle him against his chest. “It sounds as if both of you were very brave,” he said, inhaling deeply as he placed his face against Ben’s hair. “This is a scent I will never take for granted again,” he said softly.
“Ben called Miss Eliza Mama,” Piper said, an almost wistful expression crossing her face.
Ben lifted his head. “She is too my mama now. She came to save me and that makes her my mama.”
“Miss Agatha came to save us too,” Piper pointed out.
“Miss Agatha doesn’t get to be our mama because she doesn’t love Daddy,” Ben proclaimed, popping his thumb into his mouth and gazing across the seat at Eliza.
“Yes, well, this is a subject Miss Eliza and I will need to discuss in private,” Hamilton said, the look in his eyes causing every single hair on Eliza’s neck and arms to stand to attention. She absently brushed the hair down on her arms and finally got up the nerve to meet Hamilton’s gaze.
If anything, the gleam in his eyes had intensified. She cleared her throat, remembering there were two small children in the carriage with them. “Did you manage to hear anything Eugene was saying?”
Hamilton grinned, apparently perfectly aware of the fact that she’d deliberately changed the subject, but then sobered and tilted his head. “I did hear some of it, at least the part regarding Mary Ellen.” He released a sigh. “It appears I was wrong about my wife, and I must say, it’s a relief to learn she wasn’t unfaithful to me.”
“I’m glad you were able to hear that,” Eliza said. “I know it’s been weighing heavily on you these past years, and at least now you know the truth. I’m thankful I was able to get him to talk, even though I readily admit my purpose with that was to simply distract him.”
“You shouldn’t have been there to ‘distract’ him in the first place,” Hamilton grouched.
Before Eliza could respond, Piper interrupted.
“If Miss Eliza hadn’t been there, Daddy, Ben and I would’ve been scared.”
“You weren’t scared with Miss Eliza and Miss Agatha there?” Hamilton asked.
“No, Miss Eliza had that same crazy look in her eyes when she pulled that nanny’s hair. I knew we’d be fine,” Piper proclaimed.
“Well, I guess I won’t be able to lecture her, then.”
“You should kiss her instead.”
Eliza’s mouth dropped open at Piper’s suggestion. A tingle of something delightful washed over her, but it disappeared in a flash when the carriage door whipped open and Theodore poked his head in.
“You’ll be happy to learn I retrieved your chest and . . . Am I interrupting something?” he asked.
“Daddy was about to kiss Miss Eliza,” Piper proclaimed.
Theodore grinned. “I’ll come back later.”
“Theodore, he wasn’t going to kiss me,” Eliza sputtered. “You don’t have to leave.”
“Go away, Theodore,” Hamilton drawled.
Eliza gulped as Theodore laughed and firmly shut the door.
24
I can’t believe you just sent Theodore away,” Eliza said.
“He didn’t go far. He’s standing right outside the door,” Hamilton said.
“Are you going to kiss her now, Daddy?” Ben asked, pulling his thumb out of his mouth.
“No, I’m not going to kiss her right this moment, especially with you two looking on. It hardly lends itself to a proper atmosphere.”
“But if you kissed her, she would have to marry you,” Piper said.
“Where do you come up with these ideas?” Hamilton asked.
“Grandmother,” Piper said with a grin.
“That certainly explains a lot,” Hamilton grumbled before he set Ben down next to Piper and moved to join Eliza on the opposite seat. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I need to thank you for giving me back my children. You were remarkable tonight, and I will be forever grateful.”
“I don’t need or want your gratitude,” Eliza managed to get out, finding it difficult to even think with his hand still holding hers and the heat from his lips pulsing through her fingers.
“What do you want?” he asked softly.
Before Eliza had an opportunity to answer, the door flung open and Gloria jumped in, wiggled her way between the children, and reached out to pull Piper up on her lap as she released a long, relieved sigh.
“What a night,” she exclaimed, pressing her lips to Piper’s forehead. “Are you all right?”
“Grandmother, you’re squeezing me too hard,” Piper complained, although she was grinning from ear to ear. “Did you shoot anyone?”
“She did,” Mrs. Watson said before Gloria could respond, climbing into the carriage and peering around before scooping Ben up and taking his spot, settling him into her lap before turning back to Piper. “Although, I must admit, I don’t think she intended to shoot the man. It was not her fault Agatha knocked that Eugene fellow directly into the path of your grandmother’s bullet. From what I could tell, Gloria was simply trying to frighten the man into surrendering.”
“Is he . . . dead?” Eliza whispered.
“Of course not,” Agatha said as she allowed Zayne to help her into the carriage. She looked around and then gestured to Eliza with her hand. “Scoot over.”
“Where would you suggest I ‘scoot’?” Eliza asked.
“You can sit on Hamilton’s lap,” Agatha said.
Eliza didn’t have a chance to protest. Hamilton sent her a grin, and the next thing she knew, she was snuggled on his lap, his hand resting on her waist. She felt her cheeks flame and looked around for a distraction. “Why do you have that coat tied around you?”
Agatha plopped down on the seat and rolled her eyes. “My pants split all the way down the back when I tried to tackle Eugene.”
“They were quite delightful pants while they were still intact,” Zayne remarked cheerfully as he squeezed his lanky frame into the carriage and nodded to Agatha. “Scoot over.”
“There’s no room,” Agatha said, “and you shouldn’t have been noticing my pants.”
Zayne took Agatha’s hand, pulled her to her feet, took her spot on the seat, and pulled her into his lap. “This is cozy,” he remarked to no one in particular.
Eliza grinned. She couldn’t help but notice that Agatha was certainly not protesting about sitting on Zayne’s lap. Her gaze darted to Gloria and Mrs. Watson, and her grin widened as she watched them exchange delighted smiles.
“So what happened?” Hamilton asked, drawing her attention. “Have all the miscreants been apprehended?”
“I am pleased to say everyone has been rounded up, and I’ve been told they will soon be residing in jail,” Zayne said as he sent Eliza a smile. “I do believe any lingering danger to you, my dear, is now at an end, and you will be able to return to England without fear. That is . . . if you’re still intent on returning home.”
Eliza felt Hamilton’s body tense. She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. “I believe I have reconsidered.”
“You’re not going back?” Gloria asked as her expression turned hopeful.
“I think I belong here,” Eliza said quietly.
“She’s going to be our new mama,” Ben said.
“Ben’s a little ahead of himself,” Hamilton said.
“Everyone, out,” Gloria suddenly barked, and Eliza could only watch in amazement as everyone tried to get out of their seats at the same time, and with a lot of jostling and sly grins, they hurtled one by one out of the carriage until the only people left were herself and Hamilton.
“That was fast,” she muttered.
Hamilton laughed. “My mother is nothing if not determined.”
Eliza realized there was absolutely no reason for her to remain on Hamilton’s lap, and besides, she really wanted to see his face at this particular moment. She was not exactly certain what he was going to say to her, but she knew, deep in her heart, whatever he was about to say would most likely change her life forever. She struggled off his lap and took a seat on the opposite side of the carriage, listing ever so slightly to the right when the carriage set to motion. She steadied herself and then looked at Hamilton, the breath leaving her in a split second when she caught his gaze.
There was something incredibly warm in his eyes, something that almost seemed like . . . love.
Hamilton leaned forward, took her hand in his, and smiled. “There is much I need to say to you, Eliza, but allow me to begin by stating that I know I blundered badly with you before, when you thought I wished to marry you because I needed a mother for my children. At the time, I have to admit, I thought exactly that. I was not ready to commit myself to a woman; I didn’t have an ounce of trust in my body. Tonight you provided me with answers I’ve been seeking for years. You were able to extract information from Eugene, which put my mind to rest, and I can finally move forward. I know Agatha has been the one to say all along that God has a plan for the two of us, but I must say I do believe she’s right. I can only hope you’ll allow me another chance.”
Eliza felt tears begin to well in her eyes as hope swirled through her. “Are you asking me to marry you?” she managed to get out.
“I am asking you to marry me, but I wish to be very clear. I don’t want you as my wife because you’ll make an excellent mother for Piper and Ben, although I have no doubt you would be exceptional in that role. I only want you to accept my proposal if you can assure me that someday you’ll be able to trust me and, perhaps, love me as I have grown to love you.”
“You love me?” Eliza whispered.
“How can I not?”
He loved her.
Mr. Hamilton Beckett, the most wonderful, compelling gentleman she’d ever known, loved her. She took a deep breath, ignored her racing pulse, and felt a smile spread over her lips when she realized she’d been quiet longer than she’d thought, because Hamilton was watching her now with worry in his eyes. She squeezed his hand.
“I would marry you even if you only wanted a mother for your children,” she began. “I can’t imagine living without Piper and Ben, but as you said before, I need to be clear. I can assure you I trust you completely, and I can also assure you I have loved you from almost the moment I set eyes on you. It takes a very special man to see beyond a hideous puce gown to the woman beneath.”
“Is that what that color is called?” Hamilton asked softly before he rose and then took a seat right beside her, his fingers tightening on her hand. “You love me?”
She nodded and smiled. “I must admit that I do, with all my heart.”
“And you want to marry me?”
Eliza laughed, feeling happier than she ever had in her life. “I would love nothing more than to marry you and live with you here in New York.”
“You will not miss England?”
“There is nothing for me there,” she said. “You have stolen my heart completely, Mr. Beckett, and I believe it is now yours forever.”
His gaze intensified, and he leaned forward, causing Eliza to take in a sharp breath of air.
He was going to kiss her.
Finally.
She leaned into him, but before his lips could touch hers, the carriage began to slow and then came to a stop, causing Hamilton to release a snort.
“Horrible timing,” he muttered as he pulled away and gestured out the window. “It would appear we have arrived home and . . . we have an audience.”
Eliza raised her head and couldn’t help but grin. Gloria, Agatha, Mrs. Watson, Zayne, Piper, and Ben were standing on the sidewalk, each one of them beaming at the carriage.
“They’ll be so excited,” she said.
“Yes, they will,” Hamilton agreed. “We’d better not keep them waiting. From the way my mother is bouncing up and down, I’m afraid she’s about ready to storm the carriage.”
Eliza laughed and waited as Hamilton opened the door and jumped to the ground before he turned back and offered her his hand. She took it, stepped out beside him, and was suddenly pulled from his side and enveloped in a warm hug from Gloria.
“So?” Gloria prompted. “Am I finally going to get to plan a wedding?”
“I give you leave to plan whatever type of wedding you’d like,” Eliza said.
Gloria squeezed her hard, took a step back, wiped tears from her face, and nodded. “Lovely, I will get right to work.” She turned to Mrs. Watson. “I do hope you’ll assist me, Cora. I have come to rely on your expert advice.”
Mrs. Watson wiped a few tears of her own away and smiled. “But of course, Gloria. I would love nothing more than to assist you. Perhaps someday you’ll be able to return the favor.”
Gloria and Mrs. Watson sent pointed looks at Zayne and Agatha, who both cheerfully ignored them as they moved to hug Eliza and then Hamilton.
A thought suddenly occurred to Eliza after Agatha released her. “What happened to Theodore?” she asked.
“He made a hasty retreat once it started getting emotional,” Agatha said with a roll of her eyes. “I saw him almost running away from the carriage right after everyone decided Hamilton had something of importance to tell you. He’s obviously not a gentleman who is accustomed to dealing with situations of a romantic nature.”
“We’ll have to take him in hand,” Gloria proclaimed, causing Eliza to grin.
“He’ll enjoy that, but at least it will keep you out of my business,” Zayne muttered, earning a swat from his mother in the process.
“Did anyone hear anything else regarding Eugene and Sally?” Hamilton asked.
Eliza was a little taken aback to realize she’d almost forgotten all about them.
“Theodore was going to have them taken to jail, after a physician takes out that bullet from Eugene’s arm,” Zayne said with a glance at Gloria. “I have a feeling those two will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.”
“I feel somewhat sorry for Sally,” Eliza said. “I hate to think of the woman wasting the rest of her life.”
“She aided in the murder of her husband,” Zayne pointed out.
“I don’t think she did,” Eliza said. “I think Eugene was solely responsible for Bartholomew’s death.”
“Well, we have no say in what happens to her,” Gloria said. “She broke the law, and the courts will decide her fate.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Eliza agreed, unwilling to spend another minute of her life contemplating Sally’s situation. She looked down and found Piper grinning up at her, looking as if she were about to burst with questions. She lifted her head. “Would it be possible for me to have a few moments alone with the children?”
“Good heavens, dear, I should have thought of that,” Gloria said before she took Mrs. Watson by the arm and sent Eliza a nod. “Here we’ve been rambling on and on, and poor Piper and Ben have been made to wait. We’ll see you in the parlor whenever you’re ready.”
Eliza watched as Gloria, Mrs. Watson, Agatha, and Zayne traveled up the walk and disappeared into the house before she turned to Piper. “I do apologize, Piper. You should have been the first to hear the news.”
“Are you going to marry Daddy?”
Eliza grinned and nodded, but before she could get ano
ther word out of her mouth, Lawrence suddenly appeared in the doorway. He set his sights on her and stalked forward, a distinct expression of surliness on his face. He came to a stop directly in front of her. “Where in the world have you been? I had your brother bring me back here over an hour ago because I needed to speak with you concerning our return trip to England, and you were nowhere to be found.”
Eliza’s patience with the man was beginning to wear thin. “I do apologize for the fact that you were inconvenienced, Lawrence, but I find it truly telling you would believe I would want to talk about a return trip to England when Piper and Ben were missing. Honestly, I have come to think I never truly knew you, and if you must know, while you were cooling your heels in Hamilton’s house, I was out attending to the little matter of rescuing the children. They’re fine, by the way, in case you neglected to realize that.”
“I have no idea why you concerned yourself with this matter in the first place,” Lawrence snapped, ignoring everything else Eliza had said. “There were plenty of qualified people searching for them. You should have conferred with me before going after them.”
“She’s my mama,” Ben proclaimed as he sidled up next to her and snagged her hand. She smiled down at him, but her smile faded when Lawrence opened his mouth.
“She most certainly is not,” Lawrence hissed.
“She’s going to be,” Piper said. “She’s marrying Daddy as soon as Grandmother makes the arrangements.”
Eliza let go of Ben’s hand and took a step toward Lawrence. “Perhaps we should discuss this in private,” she said, brushing past him to stride up the sidewalk and into the house.
Lawrence fell into step behind her. “I cannot get out of this country fast enough.”
“You’ll be on a boat in a day and a half,” Eliza said as she increased her pace and stalked into the first available room, which happened to be the drawing room. “You’ll be happy to learn I’m giving you my steamer ticket so you can return to London without having to spend any money purchasing your own ticket.”
He frowned. “How will you get back?”
“I’m not going back.”
