“Sit in that chair, and don’t move,” Justin commanded.
Emma started to refuse when she saw the other person, still silent and face hidden, step up to the woman and withdraw a pistol from under the great coat. With bated breath, Emma watched as the person cocked back the hammer and pointed the weapon at the woman’s head.
Not wishing to have any harm come to her or the man, Emma acquiesced and did as ordered.
“There, that’s better. Now, listen carefully as I’ll only say this once. You’re to write a note to Simon telling him he has until four to present himself to me, the true duke. If he fails to comply, he will have then sealed your fate. Do I make myself clear?”
Still with the gag in her mouth, which was becoming more uncomfortable, all she was able to do was nod.
Emma took up the quill pen and proceeded to write down what he’d said. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any way to let him know where she was or just how mad Justin was.
Finished writing, she looked over to Justin who immediately retied her hands, but this time also secured her to the chair.
“See, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?” he spat out.
Shaking her head, she glared up at him and noticed a tiny bit of spittle escaping from the corner of his mouth. The man had gone completely mad. No matter what, there was no stopping him from what he had planned.
Waiting to see what he’d do next, she stiffened her spine to let him know she wasn’t afraid of him. Unfortunately, he didn’t appreciate her little act of defiance as she watched him raise his hand and bring it down to her face. From the sharp sting of the slap she knew he’d left a mark which wouldn’t sit well with Simon when he came for her. Her only question was, how long would she be subjected to this man’s torments?
Peering over to the elderly couple, she attempted to relax so her eyes would give them even the slightest bit of encouragement. Somehow, someway it must have worked since she watched their shoulders lower and the man nod to her.
“Release the woman. We’ll have her deliver the letter to Simon,” Justin directed to the other individual.
Emma watched the woman stand, trembling in fear, and take the note.
“You are to take this and personally hand it to Simon. No one else. If he doesn’t comply with my demands your husband will die along with that woman.”
Emma could see he was pointing to her. Again panic overcame her, but she wasn’t about to give in to him or show fear. If she did, all would be lost.
Yes, she’d been in a few difficult situations before and had always come out for the better, and this was no exception. She knew, deep down in her heart, Simon would rescue her and the old man. Then in three weeks they’d be married with almost the entire ton joining them for the wedding breakfast. Except they would have a fabulous luncheon on the rear lawn. Emma had to keep these thoughts in her mind, otherwise she was afraid Justin could gain control over her.
After she watched the woman hobble off, she looked around as a soft tick-tock sounded. She finally spied it on the mantle and immediately knew something didn’t make sense. This one was exactly like the one in the duchess’ sitting room.
She looked around the room and noticed some items of furniture belonged, while others didn’t. One in particular caught her eye, the china hutch. As with the clock, this she knew was an exact match to the one in the family dining room.
Hearing a horse approaching, she saw Justin and the other person seemed interested in what was going on outside the window. Trying her bonds, Emma found they were too tight.
“It is I, The Duke of Kettering.” She heard Simon call out.
Emma started to breathe a sigh of relief until she heard a gunshot.
“No,” Justin screamed. “I am supposed to kill him not someone else.”
Emma watched as he balled his hands and stepped out.
Another shot rang out. She watched as Justin staggered back, a pool of red spreading on his chest. Just then she heard the rear door burst open. She watched as Jeffrey, along with Matthew and several grooms, stormed in.
The grooms immediately raced to the other person, who was now kneeling beside Justin, the scarf no longer hiding her face. Emma knew it was Katell, Justin’s half-sister.
Freed of her bonds, Emma started to stand, but her legs gave way. She began to collapse back down on the chair, but never made it. Strong arms swept her up.
“But-but, I thought you were dead, my love,” she whispered into Simon’s chest.
“As you can see, I’m quite well. I needed a ruse to bring Justin out so you would remain safe until my uncle, cousin, and the grooms could enter from the rear. Now, let’s get you back to the palace as there is much which needs doing.”
With a hand she cupped Simon’s nape, drew his head down to hers, and then settled her lips over his. Not even the screams coming from Katell stopped Emma from enjoying the kiss she’d dreamed about for weeks.
“Come Simon, as we’ve a prisoner to send to London and two very anxious mothers waiting the return of their children,” Jeffrey announced.
Settled on her feet, Emma linked her fingers with Simon’s and smiled up to him.
“So, my mother thinks of me as a child?” she said.
“What about mine? I went off to war, returned, and she also thinks of me in the same way.”
Lifted up onto Mars’s back, Emma waited while Simon joined her then leaned back against him as, at a walk they returned to her soon to be home.
At the base of the marble stairs they were met by both mothers. She waited until Simon slid off, then with a smile let him lift her down, getting the same wonderful reaction to his touch.
Her feet barely were on the cobblestones when Laura and Sarah swarmed up to her. Not in the mood to argue, she let them guide her into the palace and up to her suite where Abby waited for her.
“M’ lady, welcome home safely. I’ve already got your bath water and Cook will be sending up a small plate of sandwiches soon.”
Two hours later, the stench of Justin washed from her, having devoured two sandwiches along with a glass of wine, and dressed in a simple, light-green day dress, Emma sat patiently while Abby put the finishing touches to her hair. All the while her mother hovered about like a bee seeking a flower.
A knock on the door announced the duchess.
“My dear, His Grace requests the pleasure of your company in his office. When you’re ready.”
Glancing in the mirror, she saw Abby nod then smile.
Standing, she turned to her mother and Laura. “Then, shall we be off? After what His Grace went through to save me, it wouldn’t do to keep him waiting,” she declared, starting for the door.
With a mother on each side, which was unusual, Emma made her way to the first floor and Simon’s office. She found it very strange to see not only Winston but Seeley standing guard.
As she approached the door, she noticed both mothers slowed, allowing her to enter alone, which made her wonder what was going to happen. With a nod to the two men’s bows, she waited for one of them to open the door. It was Seeley who lifted the latch allowing her to step in.
“Your Grace, Lady Emma Carringham as requested.”
Taking a breath to calm her nerves, she swept into the room and saw Simon was standing in front of his desk. To his left were Jeffrey, Earl of Stratham, the countess, and their son Matthew, Viscount Rathbourne. What had her confused was the presence of Reverend Waters. That was when she realized he didn’t wish to wait for the banns and wanted to marry her here and now.
With a nod to the others, she glided up to Simon.
“Yes. This is what I desire also. My only regret is that I won’t be wearing the beautiful gown Mrs. Wallace is making.”
“My sweet dear, there will come a time when you will and make every lady of the ton jealous.”
Ten minutes later, Winston stood at the French doors leading to the veranda.
Emma looked past him to the entire Radcliffe family milling about. From a few of
their expressions she could see they seemed confused as to why they were here.
She saw Simon give the butler a nod who then swung open the doors.
“M’ lords and ladies. I am pleased to present The Duke and Duchess of Kettering.”
****
10 May 1810
Kettering London palace
Simon smiled down to his wife as he swept her through a turn and pointedly ignored the glares from several Grand Dames of the ton. He knew exactly why they weren’t happy with him. This was the third waltz they’d shared, and even being married didn’t change the rule that a gentleman could only have two dances with the same lady.
“Have I told you this evening that you are without a doubt the most beautiful lady here tonight?”
“Only every chance you get. You were also correct, when we married last year, that someday I’d get to wear the gown Mrs. Wallace had made for me. I just didn’t realize she’d have to make a few adjustments to the bodice,” she said with a smile.
“Yes, but being the mother to wonderful twins, a boy and a girl, that comes as no surprise,” he whispered, causing her cheeks to pinken slightly.
Straightening from the turn, Simon was about to say something when the musicians stopped playing mid measure. Glancing over his shoulder to where they were staring, he saw Seeley stiffen and puff out his chest. To his side Simon noticed the reason.
Jeffrey, you sly uncle, he thought.
“Your Graces, m’ lords and ladies. His Royal Highness, George IV, The Prince of Wales,” Seeley called out.
Simon released his hold on Emma’s hand and took a step back as the crowd parted for the Prince Regent who strolled directly to her.
He watched as she curtsied deeply, but what the man did next surprised even him. Prinny held out his hand to assist Emma to stand.
“Please accept my apology for disrupting your debut ball, but I had to see for myself if the rumors were true, and they are. Duchess of Kettering, without a doubt you are the most beautiful lady to grace the ton this year.”
“Thank you, Your Royal Highness,” she replied.
“Now that my curiosity has been assuaged, I will leave you to your evening entertainment.”
No sooner had the Prince Regent made his way back to the grand staircase than Emma and Simon were surrounded by the Radcliffe family. Retaking her hand, Simon helped guide her over to where their mothers patiently awaited them.
Taking a seat between her mother and the Dowager Duchess, it was all Emma could do to keep her thoughts straight at what had just happened.
“You see, my dear wife and mother to our children, for a Radcliffe, nothing is impossible,” Simon declared, then leaned forward and settled his lips over hers.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.
So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.
My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.
With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.
Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.
My favorite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.
Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.
Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.
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