An Earl for Edith

by Tammi Lee Bird

  The sky was starting to change from rosy dawn to pale blue. In the distance, a sheep bleated sadly. It sounded troubled. Hoofbeats drummed in the distance. Could it be Miles? She put her head out the window and looked back. There was a dark blob on the horizon that was steadily getting larger.

  “The hero arrives, just in time to save the lady’s virtue,” Lucy whispered.

  “Hush, I can’t tell if it’s him.”

  “What did you say?” Mama mumbled.

  “Nothing, go back to sleep,” Edith murmured softly. She didn’t want to explain to Mama why Lord Camden might be chasing after them, especially if it wasn’t him.

  She looked back again, and this time she could see a horse and rider. Then he finally was close enough for her to distinguish his handsome face. It was Miles—he’d come for her.

  “Stop the carriage,” he shouted. “Stop this instant.”

  The driver slowed the horses, and they came to a stop. Miles thundered past them and flew off of his horse to run to her.

  Edith threw open the door and stepped out to greet him. “Why are you here?” she asked, her heart pounding with fear and anticipation. After all this, he could still deny having any feelings for her.

  “As a gentleman, I couldn’t let you leave without reminding Sir Archibald that he forgot his horse. He must truly love you to have left without it.”

  “What? The horse?” The world darkened, or at least her perception of it did. He cared only about the bet and not her. “I thought you came to stop me from leaving.”

  “I was tempted. I’ve come to care for you, Edith, but you made your choice and I understand. Sir Archibald is a lucky man.”

  Everything was wrong. Yet he cared, so that meant she might be able to turn it right again. “I don’t love Archibald. I love you. Say the word and I’ll stay. I don’t have to leave.”

  He put his hand up, signaling her to stop. “Don’t say that. Poor Archi will be devastated. He came to me the other night and I could tell his feelings were real. I cannot ruin his happiness. I will back down. Though my own heart is breaking. I will never forget you, Edith. You are beautiful, fun, sincere, and I will miss you.”

  Miles stepped toward the carriage, “Archi?” he yelled. He stepped forward again and Edith blocked him by putting both of her hands up and standing between him and her family in the carriage.

  “Wait. I have a confession to make.” Edith’s heart pounded in her ears. What if he couldn’t forgive her for lying? “I couldn’t foresee any happiness for myself without you, Miles. Which is why I deceived you. Sir Archibald was only pretending to court me. He has no feelings for me, nor I for him.”

  “Truly?”

  She nodded. He frowned and stepped back. “You lied to me?”

  “I’m sorry. I love you, I want you to be happy and I understand if you can never forgive me.” She bit her lip. Now wasn’t the time for tears, but for being bold. “I cannot take back the lie, but I can promise to never deceive you again.”

  His frown disappeared into a smile. “I trust you, Edith. I may have gone a little too far. Because I wanted to tease you a little.” One of her curls blew into her eyes. He reached for it and tucked it behind her ear. Why was he apologizing?

  “What do you mean?”

  “I realized I loved you when we kissed. Though my heart has been yours for even longer than that. I think you won me over in London, when you forgave me instantly, threw your reticule at me, and made me laugh. You make me happy.”

  His hand found hers and he held it tight. How fast was her heart beating? Was it possible to expire from a racing heart? “I was a fool to push you away, and I went to find you to tell you how I felt yesterday, only to overhear your plot to deceive me. I remembered how much you enjoyed pretending to be a heroine from one of your favorite books, and I thought it would be more memorable to follow you today. Can you forgive me?”

  Edith released the breath she’d been holding. He loved her. He was willing to act the fool for her. Edith threw her arms around his shoulders and held him tight. “Oh Miles, there is nothing to forgive. I’ve never been happier.”

  Miles didn’t let her continue. He lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers. Edith was enveloped in the warmth of his arms. She’d never felt more safe and secure than she did at that moment as his hands cupped her face. They stayed together sharing kisses and smiles until they heard a cough coming from inside the carriage.

  Miles turned. Her whole family was watching them from the carriage. “Mama doesn’t know this was planned, and she is bound to have a million questions. I say we run off so that we don’t have to answer to her.”

  “You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren't you?”

  Edith smiled up at him. Happier than she could ever remember being. “Isn’t that better than leading a boring life?”

  “I’m sure it is.” Miles knelt in the mud and reached for her hand. He had to be cold. Edith squeezed his hand encouragingly. She couldn’t wait to hear what he was about to say.

  “Edith Wilson, will you marry me and make me the happiest of men?”

  Edith knelt beside him. Freezing cold mud soaked into her skirt. His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to join him. She put her hands on his face and stared directly into his green eyes as she said, “Yes, and I promise to love you every day of my life. I’ll never stop loving you, Miles Stirling.” He kissed her more passionately then. His hands disturbing the pins in her hair, but she didn’t care. He was hers. He loved her, and she was never going to let him go.

  “You’d better be engaged, to be kissing my daughter like that!” Papa said. He’d stepped out of the carriage and was looking quite menacing. Miles stood and helped her to her feet.

  “She agreed to be my wife, sir. Do I have your permission?” Miles asked. His voice in her ear sent shivers down her spine.

  “You have my blessing.”

  Edith smiled up at him and he whispered in her ear, “Are you ready for trouble?”

  She nodded, and he took her hand and led her to his horse. He mounted and pulled her up in front of him. His arms wrapped around her waist as he put Amadeus to his paces. “Let’s go home.”

  Once they had a little distance between them and the carriage, it felt as though they were the only people in the world. “You’ve thoroughly ruined my reputation, Miles. We’re all alone without a chaperone, you’ll have to follow through and marry me.”

  “There’s nothing I’d rather do.” His left hand found hers and he rubbed her palm with his thumb. Even the smallest movement made her heart race. She leaned back into him and felt his breath on her cheek.

  The cold air on her wet skirt made her shiver, and Miles took off his coat and wrapped it around her. His woodsy scent wafted up and made her smile. He was hers now. They galloped past a bend in the road and Avonview appeared in the distance, stately and magnificent. They were back. This was to be her home, and she was going to have everything she’d ever hoped and dreamed of. A loving husband and a family that cared about her.

  Epilogue

  “I think she needs a few more daisies in her hair,” her sister, Felicity, said. Edith looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She was a lovely bride because she was happy and her face glowed with joy.

  “She needs a different necklace, one that sparkles more, like her emeralds,” Lucy added.

  “No,” Edith interjected, “I like the pearls.” The emeralds were long gone. She’d given them to Sir Archibald right after her engagement. So far no one had noticed their absence and she wanted to keep it that way.

  “The real problem is the dress,” Mama said for the tenth time today. Edith ignored the comment. She’d chosen the simple white gown with silver lace and trim herself, and it flattered her willowy frame. She felt pretty in it, and while she still wished for Mama’s approval, she’d been learning how to filter out her negative comments, and she was getting better at voicing her own opinion.

  Lucy dabbed a few more dro
ps of her favorite lavender scented oils on her neck and wrists. She’d been poked, prodded, and decorated for over an hour. It was finally time for them to drive to the church. Mama had had a fit almost a month ago when Edith had decided to have her wedding at the Chippenham chapel instead of the more fashionable St. George Chapel in London. Edith had held her own against Mama’s temper and won.

  “I don’t want to be late for my own ceremony. We need to leave.”

  Felicity stuck a few more flowers in her hair then nodded approvingly. Over the last few years, Edith had let jealousy keep her from getting close to Felicity, but ever since her engagement she had realized it was time to reconnect. She’d sent Felicity a letter detailing her romance, and they had exchanged weekly letters ever since. Marriage had also softened her sister. Felicity was more compassionate and caring than she’d been as a girl. Edith looked at her sister’s swelling stomach and couldn’t wait to meet her new niece or nephew in a few months.

  As a family, they descended the stairs and entered the waiting carriage. Miles was already at the church waiting for her. She couldn’t wait to see his face when he finally saw the gown she’d been talking about for so long. The short drive seemed to go on forever, and her heart pounded in her chest. Today her life was going to change forever, and she was so excited to marry Miles.

  A footman helped her out of the carriage, and a moment later a flash of dark curls came barreling out of the church. Edith opened her arms and Grace flew into her embrace. “Can I call you Mother now?”

  Grace was so precious and sweet. Edith stepped back and looked into Grace’s eyes and said, “I would love that very much, dear. That also means I get to call you my daughter.”

  Grace giggled, and Edith grabbed her new daughter’s hand and made her way to the church. Papa stood at the door and held his arm out for her to take. The rest of her family headed inside to take their seats. The moment Edith entered she saw Miles standing at the front. The lopsided grin on his face filled her with pride. He was hers now. There was also a slightly rakish look in his eyes that let her know he found her attractive.

  Her face flushed and she took another step towards her love. It was a small wedding with only close family and friends invited. But everyone else disappeared from her view as she kept her eyes on Miles. Papa kissed her cheek and left her at Miles’ side. The vicar began to speak, yet it was hard to pay attention when Miles smiled down at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

  She agreed to be his wife with two simple words, and he vowed to cherish her forever. The vicar pronounced them husband and wife and introduced her to the happy audience as Countess Camden. The crowd cheered and people lined up to wish them well.

  Miles’ cousin George looked both sad and wistful as he congratulated them. Edith knew the two men were close. “Perhaps one day soon our positions will be reversed, and we shall be giving you best wishes. Open your heart, and who knows what will happen,” Edith said.

  “Unlike my cousin, my heart is not so easy to mend, but thank you, Lady Camden. I haven’t seen Miles this happy in many years, and it is all thanks to you.” George Stirling bowed and left.

  Miles helped his beautiful bride up into his carriage. Now that they were married there were no chaperones waiting inside, and he took full advantage of that fact. He sat down next to Edith and placed his hand on her smooth velvety cheek. Her skin gradually warmed as a fierce blush turned her face red. “You look ravishing, Edith, my wife,” he whispered into her ear. Then he kissed her full lips and held her close to him. She placed her arms around his shoulders and kissed him back.

  She broke the kiss and smiled up at him as she said, “I will love you forever, and tell you so every day. My heart will never change, and I will never hurt you.”

  Miles couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have her love. They clung to each other for the rest of the short ride back to Avonview. She was his better half, and when he was with her, he was whole and complete. Until he found her he had been missing out on the true joy of life, and now that he had her he would never let her go.

  The End

  About the Author

  Tammi Lee Bird grew up on the outskirts of a small town in Utah. Because her neighbors were far away most of her best friends were her brothers and sisters. She spent her youth gardening, running wild with animals, and pretending the orchard around her home was a magical forest. Three of the Bird sisters are writers and the fourth sells children's books. Currently, Tammi teaches 7th-grade science when she isn’t at home typing away on a story. She has two entertaining cats and a vegetable patch that reminds her of her childhood.

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