“Here, Edwin.” She made her way back down the stairs on feet as light as air.
He pointed his finger at her. “You will not marry Faulkner-Jones.”
“I know.”
He walked in a circle, slapping his fist into his hand. “He is devious, a wanted criminal and he certainly doesn’t deserve you.”
“I know.”
He swung back and pointed at her again. “No matter what your father says, you will marry me.”
“I know.”
He widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will have Berkshire obtain a special license which we will use immediately.”
“I know.”
He finally stopped raving and blinked. “What?”
“I said, I know.”
He shook his head, as if trying to unscramble his brain. “You agree?”
“Yes, Edwin. I agree. I have already informed my father. I will not marry Mr. Faulkner-Jones. I will marry you. As quickly as you can get a special license.”
He pulled her into his arms and blew out a deep breath. “Well, that was easy.”
“Don’t think the rest of our life will be that way, however.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you Dr. Stevens.”
“And I love you, Lord Sterling.”
“Ballocks!” Came an exclamation from the infirmary, sounding very much like her father.
They both ignored it since they were busy kissing.
“Ah. I just love a happy ending, don’t you Walter?” Mrs. Foster said.
Walter grunted.
Epilogue
Ten months later
Country Estate of Lord Sterling of Plaistow
“I’m not saying I don’t trust Dr. McNeil. I just don’t believe everything he says. I know my body better than he does.” Rayne shifted on the sofa trying to get more comfortable.
By the doctor’s calculations she was seven months along in her pregnancy. Her body had been a reasonable size until the past week when her middle had all but exploded. “Most women don’t grow this large this far along, and I don’t believe I’m carrying twins. I would know if I was. I know I am further along than he says.”
“As a mother, or a doctor?” Edwin grinned at her.
“Both,” she snapped back.
She knew she’d been unreasonably cranky lately and felt bad for poor Edwin who was only trying to make her feel better. One would think with her medical experience, this pregnancy should be a breeze. It seems her body had other ideas.
Apparently trying to distract her, Edwin asked, “When is your sister expected to arrive?”
“Any day now. I’m still concerned about the note she sent. Although Milton’s death had been a surprise to me, it might not have been for Natalie. She’s not usually so closed-mouth, but I found the dwindling letters from her over the past two years troubling.”
Rayne rested her hand on her stomach and smiled. “Here, feel this.” She reached out for Edwin’s hand and placed it where the child was apparently practicing swimming.
Edwin sucked in a breath. “I’m always amazed at this. How does it feel to have something alive inside your body?”
She grimaced. “It depends on the day.”
“My lord, my lady, Mrs. Natalie Garfield and her daughter, Miss Donna Garfield have arrived.”
“Already?” Rayne shifted to rise from the sofa but had to depend on Edwin to pull her up. “Stop grinning,” she said as she left the room to meet her sister.
“Natalie!” Rayne walked as fast as she could to where her sister and niece were removing their outer clothing and handing it off to the butler, Davis.
Rayne tried very hard to hide it, but her sister did not look well. She’d lost weight since she’d seen her last—which to her way of thinking was about three years before. They wrote back and forth, but her husband, Milton, didn’t allow for visits.
She also had dark circles under her eyes. But her smile was the familiar Natalie smile.
Rayne embraced her, alarmed at her thinness. She was even smaller than she looked. “I can’t tell you how happy I am you came.” She leaned back and looked into Natalie’s tired eyes. “I do hope you plan to stay forever.”
Natalie waved her hand. “Right now I just want to settle in and have Donna feel like life is normal again.”
Rayne turned to her niece. “Hello Donna. I’m sure you don’t remember me. I am your mama’s sister, Aunt Rayne.”
Donna offered an adorable curtsey and smiled, two teeth in the front of her little mouth missing. “Hello Auntie Rayne.”
Rayne pulled her in for a hug. She smelled like a little girl should. Sugary, sweet from her bath soap and a scent only a child carried. “I am so glad you and your mama are here. I have a wonderful room all set up for you in the nursery. Dolls, puzzles, drawing paper, and many, many books.”
Donna looked up at her mother, her eyes wide. “Books, mama. Books!”
Natalie smiled warmly at her daughter and ran her hand down the girl’s long blonde curls. “Yes, my love, a lot of books.”
The three walked to the drawing room where Edwin stood waiting. “Natalie, may I present my husband, Lord Edwin Sterling.”
“My lord. It is a pleasure to meet you,” Natalie held out her hand.
Edwin took it and bowed. “Please call me Edwin. After all we are family.” He looked down at Donna. “And who have we here?”
“I’m Miss Donna Garfield, my lord.” The little girl offered a slight curtsey.
Rayne smiled at Edwin trying so hard to hold in his grin.
“You are very well mannered, Miss Garfield. May I ask you to call me Uncle Edwin?”
She looked at him as if she was making a huge decision. “Yes. That is acceptable. And you may call me Donna.”
The three adults burst into laughter, but it was apparent Donna did not find anything at all funny.
Rayne took Donna’s hand. “We have hired a governess for you. Why don’t we go on upstairs and meet her? I can have tea sent up for the two of you.”
The girl looked a bit bewildered.
Natalie went down on one knee and looked directly into the girl’s face. “A governess is someone who will take care of you and teach you your lessons.”
“Come,” Rayne said. “Your mother and I will walk you up to meet Mrs. Moorhead. I think you will really like her.”
Once they got the little girl settled and began their trek downstairs, Rayne said, “With Christmas several weeks away, we’re expecting house guests to join us in a few weeks and stay through the holidays.”
Natalie immediately blanched.
“Is something wrong?” Rayne asked.
“No. It’s just that it’s been quite some time since I’ve socialized. I’m not sure I know what to do, what to say.”
They made their way into the drawing room where Edwin had ordered tea to be sent. After they all settled in, with Rayne fixing everyone’s tea the way they liked it, she said. “You have nothing to be concerned about. You will love my guests. They are women from Bath who call themselves—”
“—And you, too, my love,” Edwin added with a warm smile.
“—Yes. That is true. We are the Merry Misfits of Bath. They started out as three somewhat rebellious ladies avoiding the London social scene, eschewing marriage. Now we are five, and all have married and have started their families.”
Natalie eyed Rayne’s stomach. “And you as well, dear sister.” She continued to stir her tea and kept her eyes on her hand. “I, on the other hand, believe that except for my daughter, marriage was the most disastrous thing I ever did in my whole life.”
With those startling words, she picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea. Edwin and Rayne regarded each other with raised eyebrows.
The End
Did you like this story? Please consider leaving a review on either Goodreads or the place where you bought it. Long or short, your review will help other readers discover new authors and make purch
asing decisions!
I hope you had fun reading Rayne and Edwin’s love story. For more Regency romance, check out For the Love of the Viscount.
A pretend courtship can only if work if you don’t fall in love . . .
Lady Elise is a very content spinster. She holds intellectual gatherings and attends poetry readings, mind-improving lectures, and art shows. She runs her father’s household with quiet and determine efficiency, which is why she is absolutely stunned when Papa informs his three daughters that until Lady Elise is happily settled with—gasp—a husband, he will not consider offers for his two younger daughters.
Lord Simon St. George has happily watched one friend after another become leg-shackled, taking pride in the fact that his title is secured by a brother and nephew, so there is no reason to seek a wife for himself. When he sees a woman previously unknown to him at a ball, who seems to be hiding from the rest of the attendees, he is intrigued enough to introduce himself.
A friendship forms, and Simon is thrilled to have found a lovely, intelligent woman to pass the time with, while Elise has secured a way to thwart her father by pretending they are courting. But even the best plans can go awry . . . .
Want to read the rest of the story? Visit my website:
http://calliehutton.com/book/for-the-love-of-the-viscount/
You can find a list of all my books on my website: http://calliehutton.com/books/
About the Author
Receive a free book and stay up to date with new releases and sales!
http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/
USA Today bestselling author, Callie Hutton, has penned more than 45 historical romance and cozy mystery books. She lives in Oklahoma with her very close and lively family, which includes her twin grandsons, affectionately known as “The Twinadoes.”
Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at [email protected] or find her online at www.calliehutton.com.
Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Follow her on BookBub to receive notice of new releases, preorders, and special promotions.
Praise for books by Callie Hutton
A Study in Murder
"This book is a delight!...A Study in Murder has clear echoes of Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and of course, Sherlock Holmes. You will love this book." —William Bernhardt, author of The Last Chance Lawyer
“A one-of-a-kind new series that's packed with surprises.” —Mary Ellen Hughes, National bestselling author of A Curio Killing.
"[A] lively and entertaining mystery...I predict a long run for this smart series." —Victoria Abbott, award-winning author of The Book Collector Mysteries
"With a breezy style and alluring, low-keyed humor, Hutton crafts a charming mystery with a delightful, irrepressible sleuth." —Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of Never Deny a Duke
The Elusive Wife
“I loved this book and you will too. Jason is a hottie & Oliva is the kind of woman we'd all want as a friend. Read it!” —Cocktails and Books
“In my experience I’ve had a few hits but more misses with historical romance so I was really pleasantly surprised to be hooked from the start by obviously good writing.” —Book Chick City
“The historic elements and sensory details of each scene make the story come to life, and certainly helps immerse the reader in the world that Olivia and Jason share.” —The Romance Reviews
"You will not want to miss The Elusive Wife.” —My Book Addiction
"…it was a well written plot and the characters were likeable." —Night Owl Reviews
A Run for Love
“An exciting, heart-warming Western love story!" —New York Times bestselling author Georgina Gentry
“I loved this book!!! I read the BEST historical romance last night...It's called A Run For Love.” —New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala
“This is my first Callie Hutton story, but it certainly won't be my last.” —The Romance Reviews
An Angel in the Mail
“…a warm fuzzy sensuous read. I didn’t put it down until I was done.” —Sizzling Hot Reviews
Visit www.calliehutton.com for more information.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Author.
Author’s website: http://calliehutton.com/
Cover design by Maria Connor, My Author Concierge
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition August 2020
The Doctor and the Libertine: The Merry Misfits of Bath - Book Five Page 16
