He knew that there would always be people who would be scared of his face, that wouldn’t change anytime soon, but this was a start.
Aidan blinked and turned back to the conversation when his mother reached over to touch his arm.
“Aidan, I called your name a few times. I wanted to tell you that I found the priest and spoke with him. He says he is more than happy to do the ceremony for you two when Cole gets back. He was very happy for you both. He seems like a nice man, even though your sisters and I think he is quite young to be in the church.”
Aidan smiled, “Thank you mother. I really appreciate you speaking with him. As soon as Cole gets back, I will send one of the new footmen to retrieve him. I cannot wait to make Rhia my bride.”
He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles in front of his family.
Rhia smiled and Lydia laughed. “You two are certainly made for one another. We are so happy for the both of you. Let’s plan what we can of the ceremony and the breakfast afterwards. If that is all right with you?”
Rhia nodded and the women pushed away from the table and all four walked together to Aidan’s study. Aidan trailed behind, making sure Rhia didn’t fall.
He sat in a small chair by the fire and let the women talk and giggle for a few hours until he saw Rhia yawn, twice.
He knew she had had a long night, what with walking to the town, and Aidan finding her there. Everything that happened afterwards, which made Aidan smile, and the day that happened. He stood from his chair and scooped Rhia into his arms.
She gave a meek protest, but snuggled into his arms, and that decided for him.
He leaned down, Rhia and all; and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, and one to Lily and Rose.
“I am taking Rhia to her room. It has been a long day for all of us. We all need to retire.”
Lydia nodded her head and said, “He is right girls. We were all up late searching for Rhia last night, we should get some sleep.”
Lily and Rose both nodded and stood. “Goodnight, Rhia and Aidan, sleep well,” Rose said and she walked out the room with Lydia and Lily.
Rhia looked up at him, “I can walk you know.”
Aidan leaned his head down and kissed her. “I know you can, love, but I wanted to carry you. It has been a long day for both of us. I would bet your leg is hurting? Is it not?”
Rhia sighed, “It is. It has been bothering me for the last hour. But it has been such fun with your mother and sisters. I didn’t want to stop.”
Aidan chuckled. “I know that too. But you need to rest. We can have the next few days to prepare for our wedding. It will be beautiful. You will see.”
Rhia nodded and put her head on his shoulder. “I have no doubts about that.”
Aidan smiled and brushed a kiss on her forehead and carried her to her room. He set her down on her bed and Rhia sighed again. “Thank you, Aidan.”
He smiled and kissed her. “Goodnight. Do you need my help getting ready for the night?”
A throat cleared and Aidan turned to see Julia standing in the doorway. “No, your Grace, I can see to her.”
Aidan thanked her, and gave Rhia one last kiss. “See you in the morning love.”
Rhia smiled, “Goodnight my love.”
Aidan turned and walked out the door, and to his room. He shut the door and leaned back against it. He shut his eyes, took a deep breath and let it out.
Then he walked around, taking off his clothes to get ready for bed. When his head hit the pillow, he sighed.
Today had started out frantically. Searching for Rhia; and hoping against hope that Rhia hadn’t gone too far. He had been grateful when he found her.
He let his body relax, and closed his eyes. He knew his life would never be the same and he welcomed the feeling. Knowing that he found the other half of his soul was a wonderful feeling.
The next morning, Aidan knew he had been neglecting his chores. He normally had so much to do in one day, that it was sometimes hard to finish, so he knew that there would be a lot.
He got dressed quickly and first made his way to Rhia's room. He needed to see her and kiss her before he worked all day. He knocked on the door, hoping she would be awake.
Julia opened it a crack and peeked through. “Good morning, your Grace. Can I help you?”
Aidan smiled, “I know it's quite early, but is Rhia awake?”
Julia shook her head. “No, since she didn't go to sleep until late, she is still asleep. I am sorry.”
Aidan sighed, “Tell her that I love her and hope to see her later.”
Julia nodded with a smile, “I will pass along the message.”
Aidan turned and left, going downstairs to eat breakfast.
When he got to the normally quiet kitchen, it was abuzz with activity. Aidan looked around in shock at all the new faces walking around his kitchen.
One maid finally noticed him standing there, and she quickly dropped a curtsy.
Aidan nodded his head in acknowledgement and other maids turned to see him.
Ida smiled from her seat at the counter and Aidan walked to where she was sitting. “Ida, where did all these people come from?”
Ida chuckled and whistled loud enough to stop all the activity. The room went silent. “His Grace was wondering where you all came from?”
An older maid stepped forward, along with a footman. She looked up at him, “Your mother sent out an advertisement in the paper in London asking for people to come help your family during the ball. We all showed up. She told us all of the reason why everyone is so afraid to come here and we were the ones who decided to not listen to the gossip. We wanted to find out for ourselves. And we have.”
The maid smiled at Aidan and the footman spoke up, “Since the moment we have arrived at your home, we have been welcomed and have been treated better than most homes in London normally would treat their staff.”
Aidan looked around the room and saw several people nod their heads. “We want to stay, there is a lot of work to be done, but we feel like we can help. If we are welcome, we will work hard for you and your family and you won’t regret hiring us.”
Aidan shook his head. He was speechless. Everyone looked downcast at his head shake. He put his hand out, “I am sorry, I don’t exactly know what to say. For a long time, people have been scared to work here. Because of the reputation my father put out, we have been working with a very small staff. I am grateful to you for being willing to come and work for us. There is much to be done, and I am so glad to have some of this burden taken off my shoulders. You will be treated well here and no harm will come to you. I am not like my father. I work alongside you, I always will. If you need anything else while you work here, you can ask and we will do everything in our power to help you. You can talk to any of the household. We are all here to help.”
Everyone in the kitchen started clapping and cheering and Aidan laughed. “I am going to get started in the stables.”
The footman who spoke to Aidan walked with him out the door.
Aidan held out his hand to the man and said, “Might I have the pleasure of your name sir?”
The man smiled, “My name is Oliver Martin, your Grace.”
Oliver shook Aidan’s hand and they walked into the stables. Aidan was again shocked to see that his chores were already done for him.
He saw there were a few new stable hands and Aidan smiled again. His stable master came over to him and Aidan said, “I see you have some new people to help us in the stables?”
John chuckled, “We certainly do Aidan. They showed up a few days ago, and it has been a godsend, that’s for damn certain.”
Aidan smiled, “What? Have I not done enough to help?”
John laughed out loud at Aidan’s tease. “You have indeed. I am most grateful.”
Aidan laughed, “Well, that is good then. Let’s see what kind of work you have for me today?”
He looked over and saw Oliver standing there watching their exchange with his mouth sl
ightly ajar. Aidan clapped him on the back, “I told you in the kitchen Oliver, I may be a Duke, but out here it certainly doesn’t show.”
Oliver shook his head, “No, it doesn’t.”
Oliver walked over to where John was standing and held out his hand, “I am Oliver Martin, I worked in the stables of the last house I was employed with for a few years. Is there something I can help with?”
John shook his hand, “Well, I am glad to hear you have experience, I actually need someone to help me with the few new horses Cole brought with him.”
Aidan laughed and left them to their work. He got his horse saddled and went out into the sunshine to get his day started.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Rhiannon
Northumberland, England Sept 1812
Their wedding day was here. Rhia held a hand to her stomach, trying to quell the nerves there.
She wasn’t really nervous, more excited, but her stomach just couldn’t understand either emotion.
Cole had gotten back last night after they had eaten dinner, so Aidan had let everyone know that today was the day.
Lydia had sent a footman to town, informing the priest to be here in the morning, and Rhia had seen a tall gentleman arrive just a few minutes ago.
Julia had helped her dress in a new dress that had arrived two days ago. It also came with another new gown, and all the undergarments that went with it.
Rhia didn’t wear a corset much, they had been costly; and she didn’t want to have that be one more thing for her already struggling family, so she had sold almost all of hers and rarely wore one.
She had one on now though. And some of the finest undergarments she had ever worn.
Her dress was a light pink silk and was very simple in its design. There were tiny cap sleeves, and the neckline was rather daring.
Julia had put a lace fichu in her bodice to keep her breasts from being too revealing.
The waist was high, and she had a small belt under her breasts and the rest of the dress floated around her.
Julia had kept her hair down today. She had curled it and put a few pieces up in strategic places.
Rhia loved the overall look. She had pulled Cole aside yesterday and asked if he wouldn’t mind giving her away. Cole smiled and nodded. He told her it would be an honor.
A knock sounded at her door and Rhia took a deep breath and answered it.
It was Lily. “Everything is ready for you Rhia. You look beautiful. That gown is stunning on you.”
Rhia grinned, “Thank you Lily. I cannot wait to marry Aidan.”
Lily grinned back, “May I help you with going down the stairs?”
Rhia nodded, and together they made their way down the stairs to the small drawing room where Aidan had wanted the ceremony to be held.
Rhia smiled and couldn’t wait to see her fiancé.
Lily opened the door and first thing Rhia saw was Aidan’s face. He was looking down, his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
Rhia smiled and Lily cleared her throat. Aidan’s head snapped up and he grinned.
Rhia couldn’t stop the smile on her face as he walked over to where she stood. He leaned down and kissed her. “You look marvelously beautiful.”
Rhia looked up at him, “And you sir, are very handsome.”
He was wearing the same kind of clothes from the ball, a dark black suit. But he had a light cream waistcoat this time and a white cravat, with black knee breeches.
He had on high black Hessians and his hair was combed back into a queue at the back of his neck. She noted that he was letting his beard grow back as well. She had told him at the inn that she rather liked his beard, and Aidan had grinned at that. Telling her it would be back soon. She sighed, thinking of how handsome he was. He took her hand and led her over to a chair.
While he was doing that, the door was slammed shut. Rhia jumped, as did Lily and Rose. Aidan looked over at the door and saw the priest standing with his back to them. Rhia looked at Aidan in shock.
Aidan cleared his throat saying, “I am sorry sir, but why did you shut the door? It isn’t necessary to have the door closed. We don’t need it shut for the ceremony. But if that is your wish that is fine.”
He looked down at Rhia, who shrugged. If the priest needed the door shut, who were they to stop him?
The man didn’t acknowledge Aidan in anyway, still not turning around. He was muttering to himself, and every once in a while, you could hear him laugh softly. Maniacally. The room was beginning to feel uneasy, like something was coming.
Aidan didn’t like the feeling coming from the man, and he started to slowly walk to where he stood. Not happy with how this man was handling things and ignoring them.
Everyone could see the man’s shoulders as he took a deep breath, when he turned around, he had a pistol in his hand. There was a gasp from someone in the room, but Aidan just watched as the gun stayed pointed on him.
It pointed at Aidan at first, but he waved it back and forth between the two brothers.
Aidan took a step forward and so did Cole. They had their hands up, and Aidan said, “What in the hell? What are you doing? What is going on with you Father?”
The man sneered at him and then scoffed, “I am not a priest. The furthest thing from it, actually. There are many reasons why I am here, but marrying you isn’t one of them. You know why I am here. Deep down, you know. But I know that you will do something extremely idiotic to try to stop me from getting what I came here for. We can't have that. Hence the gun.”
Aidan’s eyebrows drew down in confusion. “What does that mean? This is completely insane. If you think I have the slightest clue as to what you want or why you're here, I don't.”
The man laughed maniacally, “Of course you would think that, but I assure you, you and your family have been the bane of my existence for a very long time. You should have a clue as to why I am here, but I see you are going to be ignorant, it’s just who you are. Lucky me to get to deal with your idiocy. I need you to be quiet now. Why don’t we have everyone just sit down, and I will let you know exactly why you are here?”
Aidan shook his head, and so did Cole. “Being the bane of your existence is quite extreme. We have never seen you before, so what you are saying is not making any sense. Put the gun away. We can figure this out. There isn’t a need for that kind of violence.”
The man didn’t change his features from the cruel mask that was his face. “Oh, dear Aidan. That is where you are wrong. So completely wrong it’s laughable.” He chuckled, a dark and malevolent sound, “The need for violence is strong in me. My father taught me well. I learned much from him. Now, I gave you an order, and I expect it to be obeyed. Do I need to start shooting -which I will do, with absolutely no reservations- or do you want to sit down and shut up of your own volition?”
Again, Aidan and Cole shook their heads and Cole took a step towards the man, his face a mask of concentration, and determination.
Cole got slowly closer to Braddock, his hands held up in surrender, “There is no need for this. If you need to speak, we will listen, but you need to put the gun away. Someone could get hurt.”
Braddock sneered at him, “That is the plan Cole.” Cole lunged forward, trying to catch the man off guard, which made him tsk, and pull back the hammer, “I believe that was the wrong thing to do Cole. I told you to sit down and shut up. Apparently you need to be taught how to fucking pay attention. ”
He brought his arm up, the gun not wavering and pulled the trigger.
The boom was loud in the room and the women screamed.
Cole grunted, twisted in midair and fell hard. He landed on the ground on his back and reached for his shoulder, a groan leaving his lips and his hand came away bloody.
Lydia rushed over to him, kneeling on the floor next to him, her skirts billowing out around her. Cole lay on the floor, blood blooming from the gunshot wound in his shoulder. Small groans and curses coming from his mouth.
Aidan took a step forward
and Braddock turned the gun on him and cocked it. Aidan curled his hands into fists at his side, but stayed where he was, his lip curled in anger and breathing hard.
“Next time I say to do something, I would suggest you do it. I am an excellent marksman, and I will not hesitate to hurt you before I have to kill you. As obvious by Cole there,” he gestured to Cole lying on the floor, with blood now spreading from his shoulder, “I won’t be caught off guard. I am prepared for anything and everything you will throw my way. Try and stop me before I am ready, and I will have absolutely no problems killing every single person in this room.”
He looked at each person in turn, and Rhia knew that he saw shock in their faces, as well as fear, and anger from Aidan.
“The first rule I have before we begin is that everyone obeys my wishes. Otherwise, we are going to have more shots, and some of you won’t survive. Although, if you give me a reason to shoot you all now, then I don’t have to explain why I am here. So, go ahead. It will save some time. Cole is lucky I am feeling benevolent today. I want everyone to sit in a seat somewhere before I get really angry.”
Rose and Lily stared at their brother who lay on the floor, covering it slowly with his blood.
They sat on one of the settees and Rhia stayed where she was at. Her face was white after seeing Cole get shot, and she was shaking, both from fright and anger.
Her body was cold, and she stared at the man who shot her dear friend.
Aidan was shaking as well, his body strung taught as a bow with all the tension in his body. “You shot my brother,” was all that came out of his mouth. It was practically growled out through Aidan’s clenched teeth.
The man laughed, “Oh, yes, well. I did give you fair warning. He just chose not to listen. You will know in the future that I am not bluffing. I never bluff. I am in charge here. Not you. When I tell you to do something, I expect to be obeyed. I have absolutely no problems with shooting any of you. It is no hardship on me, and it doesn’t hurt me. Tempt me to shoot you, I dare you. By not listening to me and making me angry, that is all I wish to do. I have waited too long for this day, so you need to sit down, and shut the FUCK up. You are lucky I only shot his arm. He would be dead now if I wished it to be so.”
The Duke Who Loved Me Page 34
