“It will only be a few months to plan everything, my dear,” the duchess protested.
“I am certain Your Grace is more than capable to arrange the perfect day in such a short period of time. If there is one woman who can do such magic, it is you, Your Grace,” Lord Markham uttered gallantly, his confidence not faltering in the least.
The duchess’ cheeks colored slightly, and she shrugged her shoulder modestly.
The urgent footsteps of a maidservant echoed through the hallway, and she appeared in the doorway. “My sincerest apologies for the intrusion, Your Grace, but Sarah wishes to speak with Your Grace. In the kitchen.”
“Can this not wait? I am enjoying a lovely afternoon tea with my daughter and her betrothed,” the duchess demanded.
“I apologize, Your Grace. Sarah mentioned it was a matter of urgency.”
The duchess huffed and rose from the table. “Please pardon my absence. It seems I have a matter to tend to.”
“Of course, Mother,” Lady Emmeline answered, as she watched as the duchess followed the maidservant through the door and into the hallway.
“You are not obligated to flatter my mother as you did, my lord,” Lady Emmeline said as she turned to Lord Markham.
“But your mother is a wonderful woman, with a caring heart, despite her curt and stern mannerisms,” Lord Markham defended.
“My lord, my mother and father agreed for us to be married; there is no warmer welcome into our family than that. I assure you,” Lady Emmeline said with a loving smile.
Lord Markham took Lady Emmeline’s hand in his and lightly kissed her soft skin. “I cannot wait for that day,” he whispered tenderly.
“Nor can I,” she whispered in return.
Lady Emmeline was awoken by a quarrel of voices, and she sat upright in her bed. She recognized the voices but could not be certain whom they belonged to as the voices were muffled. She sleepily rubbed her eyes, rose from her bed, and wrapped her robe around her. She left her bedchambers and noticed through the window in the hallway that it was still dark. The moon was still high in the night sky, and she had not been asleep for very long.
She approached the main stairwell and noticed her mother, still dressed in her day attire, standing in the hall, arguing with a man.
Descending the stairwell, the butler stood nearby, and she recognized the third person as Mr. Maples, the storekeeper.
As Lady Emmeline reached the bottom of the staircase, Mr. Maples’ eyes widened, and he approached her. “My lady! You must help!”
“Step away from my daughter!” the duchess exclaimed.
“It is alright, Mother,” Emmeline said, raising her hand in the air before turning to Mr. Maples. “Why the urgency in your tone, Mr. Maples? What has happened?”
“It is Miss Wilkes, my lady. She is gone,” Mr. Maples answered.
“Gone, as in missing? What do you speak of, Mr. Maples?” Lady Emmeline asked, fear overcoming her manners. "I saw her a few days prior in the park. She is coming to tea on Friday.”
"Missing is the wrong expression, my lady,” Mr. Maples corrected. “I visited her home earlier this day, and she was nowhere to be found. Her father has no knowledge of where she has gone.”
“I do hope she is alright. It is unlike her to leave without notifying her father,” Lady Emmeline said with a furrowed brow.
“Her father and I found a letter in her bedchambers,” Mr. Maples said grimly. “She has run off to marry that cad, Mr. Skeffington.”
Emmeline gasped and placed her hand over her mouth. She was shocked that Bethany would behave in such a manner, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. “She would never do such a thing out of her own accord. She would never be so inclined.”
“Then why would she do such a thing?”
“It was him,” Lady Emmeline stated bitterly. “He used his charm to convince her of his love. He has no love for anyone except himself. He will ruin her, take her father's property, and leave them with nothing.”
“My lady, I was hoping your father might be willing to help get her back before the worst happens.”
“I will have him called upon at once,” the duchess said in a stressed and panicked tone and disappeared down the darkened hallways.
Within a few moments, which lasted an eternity to Lady Emmeline, her mother and father made their way towards her and Mr. Maples.
"My wife informed me of the situation, Mr. Maples. I will have my fastest horses saddled immediately, and I will send for more men to aid us," the duke said. "I know my daughter thinks highly of her friend and you as well. I learned of Mr. Skeffington's treacherous reputation, and he will be punished for his actions, but first, we must find him and rescue Miss Wilkes."
Lady Emmeline watched as the duke spoke with a few footmen in the yard, sending with them the duke’s summons to Almacks where he knew his acquaintances were still enjoying drinks, and shivered. She wrapped her robe around her and turned away from the window. She was shocked and appalled that Mr. Skeffington had resorted to such lowly behavior, and she was well aware that he did not care for Miss Wilkes in the least. He only cared for himself, a selfish pig who had no regard for anyone except himself. He did not care what he would do to Miss Wilkes, or her family. He only wished money and fortune, despite losing his own.
The duke’s summons was answered by ten trustworthy men, including Lord Markham and his father, the Duke of Marlborough.
Upon seeing Lady Emmeline in tears, Lord Markham threw out all of the rules of propriety and took her into his arms, where she cried out her sorrow on his willing shoulder.
When shocked and admonishing eyes turned their way, the duke was quick to defend them by declaring, “These two are betrothed. It is appropriate that he soothe her."
The Duke of Marlborough nodded his assent and, without further ado, the matter was settled.
“My father informed me of what happened, my lady. I am truly sorry I was not here,” Lord Markham said and brushed a lock of hair off her face.
“It is alright. It is not your fault. You accompanied your father, and I do not hold any grudge towards either of you. No one could have known that cad had sunk his claws into my sweet friend,” Lady Emmeline said and sniffed.
“She will be alright. We will find her, I promise you that, my lady,” Lord Markham whispered.
“Thank you for being here, my lord.”
“Have you any clue where he might take her?” the Duke of Marlborough asked.
Lady Emmeline pouted and a thought occurred to her. “Your Grace,” she said and glanced at the Duke of Marlborough.
“Yes, my lady,” he answered.
“Gretna Green. It is where weddings are performed without questions. I believe Mr. Skeffington would take Miss Wilkes there, as it does not require witnesses or documentation,” Lady Emmeline stated.
“Gretna Green, of course,” the duke exclaimed. “You have not only a beautiful woman who would soon become your wife, but also a very intelligent one at that.”
“Thank you,” Lord Markham said proudly and turned his attention to Lady Emmeline. “We must go now.”
“Indeed. Find her and bring her back safely,” Emmeline urged.
“On my honor,” Lord Markham vowed as he reluctantly released Lady Emmeline’s hand from his grasp and followed his father, as well as the duke and the other men to the horses.
Lady Emmeline watched as the party of men raced away on the horses and a tear ran down her cheek. She hoped for a swift retrieval of her friend, and that she had not come under any harm at the hands of that horrid man.
The group headed out to intercept the wicked groom and his misinformed bride. Despite being hours behind the pair, their horses were fast, far faster than the carriage Mr. Skeffington was driving. Lord Markham was impressed with the speed of the horses, but kept his focus on the goal: Finding Mr. Skeffington and Miss Wilkes and bring Miss Wilkes home safely. Mr. Skeffington’s fate was still uncertain in Lord Markham’s mind, but it would not be a happy
ending for the terrible man.
“There, up ahead!” one of the men called out and Lord Markham glanced out in front of him.
Mr. Skeffington’s carriage was spotted a short distance away, and the party of men, racing their horses towards the carriage, sped up.
Mr. Skeffington desperately guided the horses with one hand, while he held Miss Wilkes’ arm in a tight grip. Miss Wilkes was crying, her pale face red and swollen.
Mr. Maples, who clearly noticed her distressed face, sped out beside the carriage, tugging against the reins of the horses.
Within moments, the carriage was surrounded by the other men on horseback, and much to Mr. Skeffington’s dismay, there was no escaping.
Lord Markham grabbed the reins from Mr. Skeffington’s hands, slowing the carriage significantly while the other men yanked Mr. Skeffington from the carriage.
Of course, Mr. Maples threw him to the ground and drew his cork. Multiple times.
The Duke of Marlborough and the Duke of Bedford assisted Miss Wilkes out of the carriage and placed her down gently on the ground. As soon as the carriage came to a halt, Lord Markham rushed to Miss Wilkes’ side.
“Are you alright, Miss?” Lord Markham asked.
Miss Wilkes sobbed once more, and Lord Markham placed his hand on her back.
“He was such a charming man, my lord,” Bethany sobbed. “He told me I was beautiful and he wished to marry me. He practically begged me to, telling me that he had not stopped thinking of me since our dance, and there was no one else as beautiful as I. He promised me the world, but I soon discovered my mistake shortly after leaving London behind. I was a fool to believe his words, but for a moment, I wished they were true,” Bethany cried. “The charming man who had begged for my hand disappeared behind the face of an angry, vengeful, crazy person. When maniacal laughter had burst from him, I tried to leap from the carriage. Then he slapped my cheek, a warning for my efforts. Since my escape attempt, he had gripped my arm tightly. It still hurts.”
“You are safe now, Miss,” Lord Markham assured her and glanced at the sight before him, which he hoped Miss Wilkes would not see.
Mr. Skeffington lay on the ground, his own face bruised and bloody from Mr. Maples' fists.
Mr. Maples rushed to Miss Wilkes side and noticed the bruise in the shape of Mr. Skeffington’s handprint on her cheek. “You are hurt.”
“I am, but I am safe now,” Bethany insisted. “How did you find me?”
“It was Lady Emmeline who realized that Skeffington would take you to Gretna Green. There, marriages can be performed without any questions, witnesses or documentation.”
“Lady Emmeline? She is such a wonderful person. I must thank her,” Bethany Wilkes said.
“I will pass along the message to her,” Lord Markham said, as he rose from the ground, allowing Mr. Maples and Miss Wilkes to have a moment to themselves.
“I must apologize, Mr. Maples,” Miss Wilkes said tearfully.
“And why on earth do you feel you must?” he asked.
“I was misled by a man who did not care for me, and I abandoned and hurt a man whom I have come to care for very much.”
“It is alright, Miss,” Mr. Maples said.
“It is not. I was foolish for thinking a man would love me in the manner Skeffington said he loved me. He made me feel as though I was the most beautiful woman in the world, which I now realize is not true,” Bethany sighed.
“But you are,” Mr. Maples said and took her hand in his, “to me.”
Miss Wilkes smiled weakly and lowered her gaze to his hand. His knuckles were bruised and covered in blood, and she was not certain whether it was his own on not.
“You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Miss, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, and the depth of my soul. You do not need to feel foolish or feel that you betrayed me in any manner. I realize that I am a simple man, a storekeeper, without a fortune and an estate as you are used to. I am a simple man, but my heart belongs to you, and I vow to treat you as you deserve to be treated.”
“Oh, Mr. Maples,” Bethany sighed dreamily.
“Please, call me Gregory.”
Bethany beamed happily as Mr. Maples wrapped his arms around her and embraced her lovingly.
Lord Markham smiled at the lovely sight of Miss Wilkes and Mr. Maples, but his joy was short-lived as he heard the groans of Mr. Skeffington behind him. Luckily, Miss Wilkes’ father, Lord Everton marched towards Mr. Skeffington and grabbed him by the collar. "I will give you a choice, Skeffington,” the baron spat. “Leave here forever, or go to prison. I will press charges for false imprisonment, kidnapping, and assault. My daughter's bruises will be proof enough for the magistrate. All these men will vouch that I am speaking the truth. You will have no chance to plead your case. I suggest you make the right choice.”
Lord Everton shoved Mr. Skeffington away and stepped away from him in disgust. When Mr. Skeffington pushed himself up, Mr. Maples marched towards him, and the bloodied and beaten man scrambled to his feet.
Mr. Maples seemed unafraid of Mr. Skeffington, despite being somewhat lacking in height, but it did not matter. Mr. Maples was livid and filled with adrenaline which certainly came to much use. “And if you, by chance, think you can sneak back to London, remember that I am very good with a pistol and I am not afraid to use it," Mr. Maples added.
A furious, yet terrified Mr. Skeffington glared at the men around him and clenched his jaw. He was well aware that he did not stand a chance against all of these men, and Lord Everton’s threats carried the weight of the world. His jaw still hurt where Mr. Maples had struck him numerous times, and the bitter taste of his blood filled his mouth. Unhitching a horse, Mr. Skeffington climbed on its bare back and raced away. He was penniless, unwanted, and all his plans had been thwarted. He would never see London again.
11
It was a sunny day, merely a few weeks after the daring rescue orchestrated by Lord Markham, the Duke of Belford, and Mr. Maples, and the gardens of Lord Everton’s country estate was blooming with hues of white, pink, and yellow. The hedges were decorated with ribbons in the same hues as the flowers, and there was not a breath of wind or a cloud in the perfectly blue afternoon sky.
Bethany wore a lovely muslin white gown with capped sleeves and an intricately embroidered bodice. Her dark brown curls were piled on her crown, interweaved with flowers creating a halo on her head, and her green eyes sparkled happily, accentuating the freckles on her nose.
Mr. Maples glanced at Bethany lovingly as they pledged their love for one another in a simple ceremony in the gardens she had spent her childhood frolicking in, dreaming of a day she would find the love of her life, the man who would hold her heart, and she would hold his. Not for a moment did she imagine that she would marry that same man in her father’s garden, but she was more than delighted she was able to.
Mr. Maples was dressed formally. He wore a dark-grey shirt and trousers, a pale-yellow waistcoat, and his eyes were fixed on his lovely bride.
Emmeline, who stood with them, sharing in their joy and happiness, glanced at Lord Markham, who was as entranced with Lady Emmeline as Mr. Maples was with Bethany. It was not surprising either, as Lady Emmeline and Lord Markham were preparing for their own nuptials in a month’s time.
For the past few weeks, Lady Emmeline had been tormented and agitated by the duchess, who took it upon herself to arrange the wedding. Lady Emmeline, Lord Markham, and even the duke offered their services, as it was clear that the duchess felt overwhelmed, but she absolutely forbade it. This was quite puzzling to them for the duchess to refuse assistance from them, but Lady Emmeline was well aware that her mother wished everything to be more than perfect, and according to the duchess, doing everything herself would ensure that.
Emmeline did not wish for a perfect wedding. In fact, it did not matter where they were married, how many guests were invited, how tall the garlands of flowers would be, or how delicious the food was. The only thing that mattered w
as the man whom she would marry that day.
Lord Markham.
The shy, stumbling man who required a slip of paper to remind him of the steps to a dance, the man with the soft voice, and even softer touch.
As she gazed lovingly at him, their eyes locked, she did not see that man any longer. She saw a strong and confident man who would be her protector, her lover, and her companion. His shoulders appeared broader and her heart fluttered at the sight of him, as it had the very first time she danced with him.
The ceremony of Bethany and Mr. Maples was performed amidst marigolds, peonies, sweet Williams, daisies, and lavender. All the garden flowers had been planted by Bethany in memory of her mother. The arbor was whitewashed and would be carried by wagon to her new home, Mr. Maples’ cottage on the outskirts of London. Although Bethany would miss the green fields, horses, and newborn puppies, her husband had promised she could bring her favorite riding mare and choose a puppy to raise.
Lady Emmeline was pleased that her friend would remain in such close proximity, as they could fulfill their vow of continuing their friendship after marriage.
After the ceremony, Emmeline was pulled aside by Lord Markham and she smiled happily at him.
"Dearest Lady Emmeline, would you care to take a walk in the garden with your future husband?" Lord Markham asked. “I believe we have some matters to discuss.”
“It sounds of urgency, my lord,” Emmeline said, her smile fading slightly.
“No, it is nothing to fret over, but I do feel the need to share this with you.”
“Very well,” Lady Emmeline said and followed Lord Markham along the ribbon-lined pathway.
“I had been trying to find the words to explain myself, but as expected, I came up short at every attempt,” Lord Markham admitted.
“What on earth are you trying to say, my lord? You are giving me the impression that something is wrong. Was it something I said which had upset you, or placed doubt in your mind to not marry me any longer?” Lady Emmeline asked in a panicked tone.
Regency Engagements Box Set Page 91
