The Lady's Fate (The Reluctant Grooms Volume II)

by Anne Gallagher

  Manning knocked on the door and stepped in. “There is a Mr. Granger to see you, my lord.”

  Ellis hired him for a job four months hence and had forgotten all about him. “Send him in.”

  Mr. Granger, a short, stocky man with too large ears and a twice-broken nose entered the library. His clothes were rough-hewn and he stank of the sea and horses.

  “Mr. Granger, how good of you to call. Sit down, please. Would you care for coffee? Tea?” Ellis asked.

  Granger made a sound in his throat.

  “Brandy perhaps?” Ellis looked at the clock. It was only half-ten in the morning.

  “A bit of a nip wouldna’ hurt, my lord.”

  Ellis walked to the tantalus and poured a generous amount of the amber liquid in a glass. Handing it to Granger, he said, “How did you fare?”

  “We ended up in Torquay before we ‘ad to stop. S’not doin’ too well. Bit of a sickness wi’ the voyage an’ all.”

  “Do you think there will be any problems getting here before Saturday?” Ellis asked.

  “Not as I can see. Jes’ needs a day ta’ rest, an’ a good hot meal I says.” Granger drank half the brandy in one pull. “’Ere now, tha’s right good stuff.”

  Granger slugged the rest and stood. “Mus’ be gettin’ back. I jus’ thought you might like it if I come my own self to tell ya’. I ain’t a man for writin’ letters.”

  “Yes, of course, Mr. Granger. I do thank you. Would you care for something to eat? Manning will show you to the kitchen.”

  “’Ere now, tha’s right generous of ya’, guv’nor, t’ank you.”

  Manning appeared and took Mr. Granger away.

  Ellis hoped his gift large enough for Violet to forgive him.

  *****

  Violet and Jane walked beside the small creek trailing Jane’s little boat in the water behind them. She had only two days left before she had to go back to London and marry Lord Bailey. For all her misgivings, Bailey was a good man. Violet could ask for nothing more. How could she? Her name was ruined, her mother had disowned her, and Haverlane, obviously, was not the man she thought he was, yet she still loved him.

  It was no use to try to pretend she didn’t. She touched the small cabochon at her throat.

  The shade of the willows beckoned and Violet sat down on a log, Jane next to her.

  “Dearest, I need to speak to you,” Violet said. She took Jane’s hand and held it.

  “I know you are very young to understand this, but I shall try and explain it anyway. I must away to London in two days time. I do not think I shall ever see you again.”

  “Imma no see Jane again? Why not?”

  “I must get married and we shall be moving very far away to a place called Scotland.”

  “What married?” Jane asked.

  “Married is when two people love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together.”

  “Imma love Jane. Why not you marry Jane?”

  Violet smiled. “Because it is not possible, dearest. Marriage is for grown people. As much as I love you, you are still a child.” Violet hoped that was a good reason.

  “You marry Papa? You love Papa.”

  “No. His name is Lord Bailey.”

  Why not you marry Papa?”

  “I’m afraid he did not ask me.” For if he had, she would have said yes. However, he had not even told her he loved her. He had only said he had been worried about her.

  “Jane make Papa ask you. I no want you to leave me.” Jane leaned against Violet.

  “I do not wish to leave you either, but I have no choice.”

  “Where is Sco’land?”

  “That is very, very far away, too far for you to travel. You would have the veriest time of it, I dare say.” Poor thing would not even make it to St. Albans without losing her stomach.

  “Imma come back to see Jane?”

  “I do not think so, dearest, at least, not for some time. Not for a long time, I’m afraid.” Every day without Jane would be an agony. “I have drawn you another portrait of me, and another of us, for you to have always. That way, you will never forget how much I love you.”

  “Jane sad. Jane no want Imma to leave.”

  “I know, dearest. I know. I do not wish to leave either, but sometimes grown people must do what they think is right, no matter if it is wrong.” Violet took the little girl in her arms and held her. No matter how many children she had, Jane would always be her first.

  *****

  Ellis paced in front of the mantle. Tomorrow was the wedding. He prayed Violet would show. If she didn’t, he would go mad. He had sent men to every corner of England it seemed, and there had been no sign of her. Wherever Violet hid, she did not want to be found.

  Lady Olivia had certainly taught her well. Although he had to admit, the old woman had taken Violet’s departure severely. Last night at Caymore House, the dowager wiped tears from her eyes. In all the years he had known her, he had never seen her cry. She showed nothing of her feisty temperament, and remained silent most of the evening.

  What a bloody nightmare he had made. If he had only, yes, if he had only stayed away from the redheaded dragon, Violet would be at his side, wearing his ring. Never, never again, would he put his own feelings before the needs of his family.

  How would he ever be able to explain it to Jane if Violet did not want him? He should have gone to Fairhaven to see Jane, but he dared not leave London. After everything he had promised Anne, he had failed his daughter miserably. Ellis shut his eyes tightly hoping that would stem the flow of tears. It did not. He flung himself into his favorite chair and sobbed like a child. How would he ever be able to live without Violet?

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The day of the wedding dawned grey and wet. Could this be an omen of things to come? The coach taking Violet back to London seized in the mud several times. Thankfully, she had worn her calico and kept the wedding dress wrapped in her bag. She wondered if it would be prudent to go to Caymore House to change. Perhaps a hotel would be better. A few pounds remained from the money Lord Bailey had given her. The Bainbridge stood only a block from St. Michael’s. Violet could send a note round to Penny. She would meet them at the church.

  Violet sat in the small antechamber in the rear of the church. She could hear noise and commotion, the doors opening and closing. However, she did not really think what it could be. Perhaps the cleaning women doing a last minute wipe on the pews. Or mayhap Lady Penny had invited a few of her friends to the nuptials so the church would not look so bare. ‘Twas no matter who attended. There was only one face she wanted to see, and she knew that he would not be there. She tried to concentrate on her remembrance of Lord Bailey’s countenance. She saw Haverlane’s face instead.

  There was a knock at the door and William poked his head in. He was to walk her down the aisle.

  “Are you ready, Violet?”

  She rose from her chair. “Yes, I am.” She shook out the skirts of her gown. “Tell me….” No, she would not ask.

  “No, Violet, I am sorry. My brother is not here.”

  Violet did not think he would be. “Very well then. Shall we?”

  He gave her his arm and they walked to the back of the church.

  Violet faintly heard the rustle of gowns. She barely saw the rows of people standing in the pews as she walked up the aisle with William. Her watered vision focused on Lord Bailey standing at the altar steps.

  “Dearly beloved,” Reverend Marchmont began. “We are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man, and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  As the priest droned on, Violet wondered what Lord Bailey would do if she turned around and ran out of the church.

  “…And therefore, is not by any to be enterprised lightly or wantonly, to satisfy man’s carnal lust and appetites, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.”


  Violet sighed deeply. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bailey look at her. She glanced at him, and he smiled. No, she would not run. He was a good man, and did not deserve the scandal she would create by deserting him at the altar.

  “…Thirdly, for the mutual society, help and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity into which the holy estate these persons present, come now to be joined.”

  Violet heard a noise at the rear of the church. Latecomers, she surmised. It did not matter.

  “I require and charge you as ye will answer at the dreadful Day of Judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that if there be any impediments that these two persons may not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.”

  “There is an impediment,” called a voice.

  Violet’s stomach dropped out of her mid-section.

  As one, the entire congregation turned. An old man bent over a cane, walked unsteadily up the aisle. Violet had no idea who he was. Lord Bailey looked at her. She shrugged her shoulders.

  Reverend Marchmont called, “You sir, you declare an impediment? Tell me now what that is.”

  The man hobbled forth into the small pool of light coming from the candles on the altar. “I did not give my consent for the marriage.”

  Countess Rose Flowers stepped out of the pew, Lilly and Camelia behind her.

  Reverend Marchmont looked from Violet to Lord Bailey. “In what regard are you required to give consent?”

  “She is my daughter.”

  Rose Flowers fainted. Lilly and Camelia left their mother on the floor and walked toward Violet.

  The occupants of the church broke into excited conversation.

  Violet lifted her veil and stepped off the altar. She stood in front of the man and peered closely in his face. It couldn’t be, but it was.

  “Father, dear God, Father, is it really you?” Violet threw her arms around the man she hadn’t seen in ten years.

  “Yes, my child. I’ve come home.”

  As Violet embraced her father with her sisters by her side, through her tears she noticed a man standing in the shadows at the rear of the church. Could it be? She broke away from her father and walked down the aisle. The congregation hushed as they watched her.

  Haverlane met her half way.

  “Did you do this? Did you find my father for me?” Violet asked.

  “Yes. I wanted to give you back your name.”

  “But how? We tried, Her Majesty tried for months. How could you know where he was?”

  “’Twas not a simple task and the Queen gave up much too soon. Your father sustained an injury to the head, as well as several broken bones, and did not know who he was. He required months of recuperation and not knowing his name only added to the confusion of where to find him. During his recovery, his memory returned, but only partially, and without funds, he could not come home. Only until my enquiries turned up an old man who survived a tragedy at sea, did my man know where to look.”

  Haverlane got down on one knee and took her hand. “Violet, I can never tell you how sorry I am that you had to endure such distress. Tis a lot to forgive and I hope someday you will.” He kissed her hand. “I love you, Violet. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I do not know if I can live without you. Please say you will be my wife.”

  Violet’s heart nearly broke open from the joy it contained. “Yes, yes I will marry you. I thought you would never ask.”

  And as the Reverend Marchmont tried to focus on the strange turn of events, as Rose Flowers was reunited with her long-lost husband, as the women cried, and the men smiled, Violet and Haverlane kissed with a passion that should not have happened in church.

  Epilogue

  Violet and Haverlane were married from Fairhaven. Reverend Andrew Perry officiated. Jane was Violet’s flower girl. Her father, the Earl of Duncan proudly walked her down the aisle.

  Filled to the rafters, Fairhaven Hall welcomed over two hundred guests to the wedding. The receiving line wound down the cobblestone drive, London guests mixing with friends from the village and Haverlane’s tenants all attended the massive wedding feast.

  Lady Penny beamed throughout the day, and told everyone who would listen how she had known from the very beginning Haverlane loved Violet. Lady Olivia and Quiggins danced, slowly and in a very discreet corner of the gardens. The Earl and Countess Flowers did not dance, although stayed very close to each other. Mrs. Jeffers stood with Manning and both found tears in their eyes more than once. Lilly was only a little jealous of her sister’s good fortune, however, she would be married to the man of her dreams in a few short weeks and love was all that mattered.

  Walking with Violet and Jane down by the stream during the late afternoon, Ellis took Violet’s hand in his and brought it to his lips.

  “You have made me the happiest of men,” he said.

  “And you have made me the happiest of women,” Violet answered.

  “To think, it all started with ducks,” Haverlane mused.

  “’Twas fate, my dearest Ellis, fate that brought us together.”

  “Do you really think so? I have never believed in fate,” he said.

  “What else could it be?” Violet asked.

  “Me,” Jane said.

  Ellis and Violet looked down at their daughter, and then at each other and smiled.

  Ellis scooped Jane up in his arms. “And we shall always thank you for that.” He kissed his daughter, then leaned over and kissed his wife. And Jane smiled.

  The End

  The author wishes to thank Lois Moss, J. Bridget Chicoine, Bev Nickelson, Liza Carens Salerno, Bish Denham, and Francine Howarth for their reading and approving the pages contained herein. I don’t know what I would have done without them.

  *****

  This book is lovingly dedicated to my

  daughter, and my parents

  without whose love and support

  this would not have been written.

  xoxoxox

  Anne Gallagher grew up a voracious reader on the shores in Rhode Island hoping to be a famous author. Although, not famous yet, she continues to pen stories about love in the Regency era, her favorite subject. She lives in the Foothills of the Piedmont, with her daughter, three dogs, and a cat named Henry David Thoreau.

  You can find her author website

  http://annegallagherwriter.blogspot.com

  Look for other books in The Reluctant Grooms series from Shore Road Publishing.

  NOVELLAS

  A WIFE for WINSBARREN -- Rich, titled, and handsome, Winsbarren wanders through society searching for a wife. He doesn't understand why he can't find one. When one of his friends takes up his cause, Winsbarren realizes the woman he was looking for was right under his nose the whole time.

  LADY CADORET’S LONGING – Lady Dorcas Cadoret, secretly engaged these five years to her childhood sweetheart, is overwhelmed with grief when Peter is killed in action two weeks before his commission is over. His brother, Daniel, is very kind, and rumors abound there is more to his attention than just being her guardian angel. As they share a forbidden kiss, Dorcas thinks it is Peter’s lips upon hers and Daniel is overwrought by feelings he should not be having about his late brother’s fiancée. Can Dorcas find a way to love Daniel for himself or will Peter’s memory haunt Daniel and Dorcas forever?

  LOVE FINDS LORD DAVINGDALE – Thomas Merrit, the Earl of Davingdale, wants nothing to do with Society. His fondest wish – to rebuild his dilapidated barn for his newly acquired collection of horses. Until he meets the enigmatic “Miss Ophelia Cummings” who is only in Town for three days. Their paths serendipitously cross twice, and Thomas is drawn to her like no one before. Fate deals a cruel blow on the third day when the chance to see the delightful Miss Cummings is thwarted by mere moments. Thomas will do whatever it takes to discover if what he feels for her is real, but it may be too late.

  ROMANCING LADY RYDER – The Earl of Greenleigh, longs fo
r something “more” yet cannot define it. Until he meets the ravishing Lady Illora Ryder. Young, beautiful, and dangerous, Illora could expose Greenleigh’s secret life as an undercover operative for the Foreign Office. Lady Ryder has secrets of her own and when Greenleigh finds he and Lady Ryder are merely pawns in the game played among the allies and Bonaparte for control of the Continent, Greenleigh must expose himself, not only to the enemy, but to Society as well. Can he save both their lives before it’s too late?

  NOVELS

  THE LADY'S FATE – When Lady Violet Flowers becomes governess to the Marquess of Haverlane's daughter, her gentle care, and affection for the little girl turn the curmudgeonly Marquess' eye in her direction. However, a woman from his past wants Haverlane and will do anything to get him. Will Fate intervene?

  THE DUKE'S DIVORCE – A simple trip to the Scottish Highlands finds the Duke of Cantin with a bride he does not want. With her impeccable beauty, and fiery disposition, Fiona takes society by storm. As their prearranged divorce proceedings draw near, can Fiona change his mind?

  THE EARL’S ENGAGEMENT – Unoccupied in London, Gregory Scott, Earl of Bailey seeks out an old acquaintance who has a most unusual daughter. Part hoyden, part bluestocking, part servant, Lady Rosamund wants nothing to do with Society. However, she needs protection from the lecherous lord next door. The idea to find her a husband goes slightly awry, as Rory doesn’t bargain for falling in love with the enigmatic Lady Rosamund. And when his plan turns up another beau for Rosamund, can Rory let her go?

  THE LADY’S MASQUERADE – Someone is trying to kill Lady Penelope Leighton and she has no choice but to masquerade as a traveling companion. When the Earl of Westerly does a favor for his cousin, he finds himself masquerading as a steward. Will these two see through their deceptions and find their way to love?