“I’ll fetch my parasol.” Vicky wasn’t going to bother postponing the inevitable. Within a moment, she was walking toward the gardens at Ashford’s side. She couldn’t feel her toes, and her stomach was a mass of clenched nerves. It was a most uncomfortable experience.
“Lady Crossley sends her greetings. She actually hopes I’ll escort you back to Crossley.”
“Does she? You remained?”
“Of course. I was actually hoping you would have returned before now.”
Vicky’s face heated, and she was glad they were walking side-by-side so she could avoid looking at him.
“I had intended to return after a se’en-night, but the time just slipped away.”
“Would you care for my escort back?”
“Surely, you didn’t have to come all this way for this, Mr. Northcott. Wexford would have certainly seen to my escort.”
“Well, I feel responsible for you.”
“You needn’t. I have plenty of people seeing to me.” The burn of tears threatened at the back of her throat. Responsibility was certainly not the emotion she wanted him feeling for her.
“Would it be so awful if I did?”
“Did what, Mr. Northcott?”
“Feel responsible for you,” he burst out. “And why can you not call me Ashford? There’s no one about, we’re perfectly private. I can assure you, if you managed to be found in my arms and not be ruined, you can call me by my given name.”
The blood rushing from Vicky’s head made her suddenly feel faint. “Mr. Northcott, you needn’t be crass.”
“Please, call me Ashford.”
They were near enough to a strategically placed bench that Vicky could sink onto it without falling to the ground.
“My dear, won’t you please allow me to speak freely?”
“I thought that was what we were already doing,” Vicky answered, wondering how things had become so topsy turvy.
“Lady Crossley said she thought you might not be indifferent to me. I know the entire mess with Bertram might have given you an unpleasant impression of me, but I can assure you, I’m not in the least bit traitorous.”
Vicky stared at him, nonplussed.
“That was far from a romantic argument, wasn’t it?” Ashford asked with a wry smile. “I’m usually most eloquent, but here I am making a muck of this.” He sat beside her on the bench and grasped the hand that Vicky had left idly lying beside her.
“The thing is, my dear lady, I find you most intriguing. I rather think you have stolen my heart.”
“But what about Rosabel?”
“Your sister? What about her?”
“Didn’t she steal your heart?”
He stared at her blankly for a moment, as though not comprehending her words before his face suddenly cleared, and a wide smile split his face.
“Is that what happened this Season? You thought I was still holding a flame for your sister?”
“You would always ask me about her every time I encountered you.” Even Vicky could hear the defensiveness in her voice, but she felt justified in her feelings.
Ashford laughed but it wasn’t in a mocking way; it was as though joy were bubbling out of him.
“I had wondered why you seemed so unfriendly towards me. Lady Crossley felt that your animosity was too single-minded to be legitimate. I didn’t dare to believe her. My dear girl, I can assure you, while I think your sister is lovely, she never generated comparable feelings within me as you do.”
Vicky stared at him, hope suddenly bubbling up in her chest, but she couldn’t quite believe that it was true. She needed more words. “What feelings might those be—” she hesitated before adding “—Ashford?”
“Very warm feelings, Vigilia. Feelings of love and devotion and a desire to travel the world together. I want to show you all the places you’ve ever wanted to see. I want to hear your thoughts on all my businesses. I want to share them with you and enjoy all that life might hold for us.”
The tears that had been threatening finally spilled out, but they were no longer moved by embarrassment or a sense of rejection. Vicky’s heart was trying to beat out of her chest.
“That sounds quite lovely,” she managed to say around the tears. Ashford found her words to be most amusing.
“That’s the most lukewarm response I could imagine, my dear girl.”
“What had you been expecting? You didn’t even ask me a question.”
“Very well, my dear Lady Vigilia, might I ask if you would please consider allowing our betrothal to stand? I know it was the least orthodox proposal ever and I didn’t even, in fact, ask you to marry me, which was quite remiss of me, but I would be very much honoured if you would please remain my affianced bride.”
Vicky’s heart was too full for her to be able to respond, she merely nodded a second before he pulled her into his arms.
The first time had been far too brief, but she had felt safe in his arms even then. Now, added in was the knowledge that he wished to keep her, and she was nearly bursting with joy.
“The thing is, though, I’m afraid, just as you wanted me to explain myself, I would greatly appreciate it if you would do the same.”
Vicky’s cheek was resting against his chest, and she was warmed by the steady beat of his heart. “What would you like me to tell you?”
“Why you have been acting as though I were beneath your notice, might be a good place to start,” he said with a small laugh.
“Oh, no, Ashford, I never—” She tried to pull out of his arms, he tightened them instead.
“Hush, my dear, you stay right where you are. But yes, you very much did. Start explaining, please.”
First, Vicky gurgled with nervous laughter but then she finally forced the words to start flowing. “You see, I spent the year and a half at home with my family thinking about you. You had seemed so kind and wise and competent and handsome when last I saw you. I couldn’t understand why Bel hadn’t chosen you. I was eager to see you again when I arrived in London. But then the first thing you did when we met was ask about Bel. And then every time after that. I began to dread seeing you. I couldn’t bear to match with someone who longed for my sister. But no one else held any appeal, either. It was most dreadful.”
“I’m terribly sorry, Vicky. My oratory skills certainly fail me when you are near.”
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“It could only be love,” he proclaimed as his head lowered to claim her lips in a kiss that would seal their future.
Epilogue
Felicity stood at the side of the front room wishing desperately that she could be somewhere else. It turned her stomach to think that by next year she would have to take her own place in this rarified world of the ton and make her debut into Society.
Watching her sister grinning at her handsome new husband gave Felicity a slight pang, wishing to have a mate for her own future, but she hated the thought of doing the expected thing in order to gain it.
If only girls could have a Grand Tour just as the young gentlemen of the ton got to do when they finished their schooling. It certainly wasn’t fair that such adventures were reserved exclusively for the men.
Felicity did her best not to curl her lip in disdain as the Duke of Rathnelly glanced at her. They had been introduced earlier when he had first arrived. His tall frame and angular face were certainly a handsome and fascinating combination, but Felicity chose to ignore the way her pulse sped up when she looked at him. One glance at him made it more than plain that he was an arrogant, proud man who expected the world to align with his expectations. And he was probably right, she thought with another pang of envy. He was a wealthy, titled gentleman. He could do whatever he pleased. Who could possibly gainsay him?
“Are you excited to make your own debut?” he asked. It seemed to Felicity that even though the words expressed interest, the expression on his face revealed his utter boredom.
“Not in the least, Your Grace,” she answered with what felt like
a tight smile.
The duke’s focus narrowed onto her.
“Really? That was not the answer I was expecting to hear.”
Felicity shrugged before reminding herself that she ought to at least behave properly, even if she didn’t seem to think properly by the accepted standards of the day. She really didn’t wish to embarrass her sister or any of the other members of her family on what should be a special day.
“My apologies, Your Grace, I know it isn’t a conventional opinion. Perhaps, I’m just nervous to make my debut.” Felicity knew that wasn’t the case but didn’t consider it to be a lie, as she had prefaced it by saying ‘perhaps.’ Her lips twisted in amusement at her own perverse reasoning, hoping the duke’s polite interest in his hosts’ little sister would soon wane.
“Will it make you feel a little less nervous if I promise to lead you out at your first ball?”
Felicity finally laughed.
“Are you invited to every single social event, and then do you actually attend every single event, so that you could reasonably make such a promise?”
Rathnelly’s grin finally broke the seriousness that had seemed to pervade his face, and Felicity had to catch her breath over how handsome it made him. She averted her gaze. It didn’t matter if he was handsome.
“You have a point there. I probably do get invited to every single event, but I certainly don’t attend them all. Perhaps, you could send me a note and remind me.”
“That would hardly be seemly, Your Grace, but it’s kind of you to offer. I thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you. I’ll wish you good day.”
~~~
Gilbert watched as Lady Felicity walked away from him. He hoped his expression didn’t reveal his surprise. It was usually he who had to extricate himself from the presence of grasping females, not the young women seemingly fleeing from his presence.
What an intriguing young woman, he thought before reminding himself that not only was she far too young for him, but he also had no interest in remarrying, and a daughter of the Earl of Sherton was only the marrying kind.
But he would watch for her next Season, to be sure.
The End
Enjoy Felicity's story in
A Lady to Reveal
~~~
Read the story of how Georgia became Viscount Crossley:
Inheriting Trouble
The inheritance was meant to better her life,
not muddle it.
_____________________
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About the Author
I’ve been writing pretty much since I learned to read when I was five years old. Of course, those early efforts were basically only something a mother could love :-). I put writing aside after I left school and stuck with reading. I am an avid reader. I love words. I will read anything, even the cereal box, signs, posters, etc. But my true love is novels.
Almost ten years ago my husband dared me to write a book instead of always reading them. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but to my surprise I love writing. Those early efforts eventually became my first published book – Tempting the Earl (published by Avalon Books in 2010). There were some ups and downs in my publishing efforts. My first publisher was sold and I became an “orphan” author, back to the drawing board of trying to find a publishing house. It has been a thrilling adventure as I learned to navigate the world of publishing.
I believe firmly that everyone deserves a happily ever after. I want my readers to be able to escape from the everyday for a little while and feel upbeat and refreshed when they get to the end of my books.
When not reading or writing, I can be found traipsing around my neighbourhood admiring the dogs and greenery or travelling the world with my favourite companion.
Stay in touch:
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Other books by Wendy May Andrews you will enjoy:
Book 1 of The Ladies of Mayfair series
The Governess' Debut
The governess must charm both the spoiled child and the haughty earl.
Orphaned and destitute, gently born Felicia Scott must find a way to keep a roof over her head. No longer able to enter the Marriage Mart, but also not of the servant class, the only option is to find a position as governess.
After his spoiled, seven year old daughter has sent off three governesses in the 18 months since her mother died, the Earl of Standish doubts the young, inexperienced Miss Scott could possible manage the position. Since he’s desperate and she comes so highly recommended, the earl agrees to give her a chance. Much to everyone’s amazement, the beautiful, young governess succeeds where the others had failed. The entire household benefits from the calm, including the jaded earl.
How does he overcome his arrogance to see his governess’ true value?
Available now on Amazon
If you like Regencies with a touch of adventure, you will love
the Mayfair Mayhem series. Book 1 is:
The Duke Conspiracy
Anything is possible with a spying debutante,
a duke, and a conspiracy.
Growing up, Rose and Alex were the best of friends until their families became embroiled in a feud. Now, the Season is throwing them into each other’s company. Despite the spark of attraction they might feel for one another, they each want very different things in life, besides needing to support their own family’s side in the dispute.
Miss Rosamund Smythe is finding the Season to be a dead bore after spying with her father, a baron diplomat, in Vienna. She wants more out of life than just being some nobleman’s wife. When she overhears a plot to entrap Alex into a marriage of convenience, her intrigue and some last vestige of loyalty causes them to overcome the feud.
His Grace, Alexander Milton, the Duke of Wrentham, wants a quiet life with a “proper” wife after his tumultuous childhood. His parents had fought viciously, lied often, and Alex had hated it all.
Rose’s meddling puts her in danger. Alex will have to leave the simple peace he craves to claim a love he never could have imagined. Can they claim their happily ever after despite the turmoil?
Available now on Amazon
If you like Regency Romance, read
Inheriting Trouble
Book 1 in the Bequest Series
The inheritance was meant to better her life,
not muddle it.
Georgia Holton, wellborn but nearly penniless, is best friends with one of the Earl of Sherton’s five daughters. When she is invited to accompany her friend for two weeks of the Season, Georgia jumps at the opportunity to have a little adventure away from her small village.
The Earl of Crossley is handsome, wealthy, widowed, and jaded. He has no intention of courting any of this Season’s debutantes. After all, every woman he’s ever known has been dishonest, including his late wife. But when a chance encounter throws him into contact with the Sherton ladies and their lovely friend, he can’t help being drawn to Georgia’s beauty and endearing personality.
When confusion about Georgia’s small inheritance becomes known, a sense of obligation to right a wrong forces the earl and Georgia into close association.
But is she really different from any of the other women, or does she have an ulterior motive?
And can Georgia even consider getting close to a man from High Society, when all she wants is to return to her simple village life?
Sparks fly between these two, but it will take forgiveness and understanding on both their parts to reach a happily ever after.
Available now on Amazon
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A Gentleman to Avoid: Sweet Regency Romance (Sherton Sisters Book 3) Page 15
