A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) (5 page)
Read A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) Online
Authors: Kimberly Luke
She rewarded his frivolity with a smile.
“He then knelt, what if I spoil you Mrs. Parker, will you begin to expect a gift every time I visit?” He smiled and handed her a package.”
She gasped. “Mr. Lockwood”—she opened the package—“a new bonnet, oh it is beautiful.” She placed her hand on his cheek.
“May I see your beautiful eldest daughter?”
She offered her whereabouts enthusiastically, but he knew his angel would not feel the same.
“She went for a little walk, you should be able to catch her.” She pointed him in the direction.
He caught up to her quicker than he expected to. He stopped. “Angel...”
She stood still, but did not turn.
He continued. “I apologize for speaking to you so crudely the last time we were together. It was uncalled for; I will offer you no excuse for there is none that justify the severity of my behavior.”
She did not react.
“I have arranged the ceremony.” He still received no reaction from her. “It is in three days.” Her spine straightened, and her chin lifted.
“I thought you should hear it from me.” She is not going to make this easy.
He turned and retraced his steps back to the cottage.
Before leaving he enlisted Elizabeth’s help. “Lizzy, would you do something for me?”
“Of course, Mr. Lockwood.”
“Would you place this package on your sister’s bed? I do not want her to find it until she retires for the night, do you understand?”
“I will make sure it is as you wish.”
He was putting all his hopes into her understanding what that ring meant to him, and what it meant for him to give it to her.
Chapter 9
Ragged, Audra retired to the privacy of her room. Overwhelming feelings of guilt plagued her. She needed to sleep. As she prepared herself for bed, she noticed a package. She removed the crude wrapping to uncover a beautiful old wooden box with a slide lid. When she slid it open it revealed a small note, and a ring: an antique sapphire ring. She read the note aloud. “Alfie my beloved grandson, for the woman you adore...” She replaced the note and wept. How can it feel so wrong to be marrying the man you love?
Three days later she stood before the vicar in her best steel blue gown, with Mr. Lockwood at her side. He had noticed she was not wearing his grandmother’s ring; his look of disappointment was devastating. How could he expect her to be appreciative of his gift, and be joyous on this day? Yes, she had fallen in love with him. Her whole being was traitorous, but she had made a promise to marry Robert, and this was all wrong.
Her vows, the exchange of the simple wedding bands he’d purchased, this kiss, the signing of the register, it all was a blur as she felt the heavy weight of shame. Her new husband’s steward and her mother stood as their witnesses.
After the ceremony had concluded, the entire party walked to the inn together. Mr. Lockwood had arranged a wedding breakfast for them, and their guests: few though they were. She thought about Robert.
At noon, her new husband announced it was time for them to be on their way. Panic rose from deep within her; she wanted to do nothing more than run, but she said her goodbyes, and did not cry until she reached Elizabeth.
“You will come visit us soon won’t you Audra?”
“It is only a few hours trip Lizzy. I will see you as soon as I can.”
*
The two of them had not spoken one word to each other since their vows. The wheels of the barouche were deafening. Once they reached Lockwood Farm her new husband handed the groom the reins, and assisted her down. He did not continue to hold on to her; they walked independently. She noticed as soon as she came into the entrance hall that the house was full of newly picked flowers. She faltered.
How can I continue hold on to my anger when he tries so hard to make amends.
He started up the stairs, and paused when she did not follow. “Your mother had your things sent over this morning.”
She followed him to her room.
He opened the door. “I will send Emma to assist you.”
Emma helped her change out of her good dress, and promised to return to get her ready for dinner. She rested for a while and took care of her correspondence. Emma returned as promised.
Soon after, she entered the dining room. He was standing next to her chair when she arrived. He seated her then took his own. They ate in silence. Once she finished her meal, she was unsure what he expected of her. If he gave her a choice she would not lay with him, but she knew if he ever touched her, her defiance would not withstand the onslaught.
“I believe I will retire now. The dinner was delightful.”
He rose simultaneously.
Just as she reached the doorway he replied. “I will join you soon.”
She had no control over the warm feeling that raced through her. Her body and her mind were at war with one another.
*
He entered her chamber already prepared for bed: his robe laid open to the waist.
Why did he have to be so desirable?
She wanted nothing more than to run her fingers across the muscles of his stomach.
His severe tone brought her back to her senses. “The ring was not to your liking?”
She reminded herself of just why she was angry with him. “This night should have been for Robert.”
He closed in on her. She had angered him. “I do not want to hear about another man on my wedding night. I asked you about my grandmother’s ring: your engagement ring.”
“The ring is stunning, but I will not accept it.”
“Did you read my grandmother’s note?”
“I did.”
“Then you must realize I would only give it to a woman who met her stipulations.
He was making this difficult for her, but she reminded herself of how much Robert had supported her, and her family over the years since her father had passed: of all the plans they had made for their life together.
“You took my choice away when you tricked me into this marriage; however, I can choose not to accept this ring.” She takes the ring from her bedside and holds it out to him. He takes it gently touching her in the process. Her need for him was unbearable.
“Audra, what happened between us was not premeditated. I was wrecked when I realized you were intending to go ahead with your marriage to Robert. It was a desperate act, but I was a desperate man.”
“Please, stop Alfie.” It was the first time she had used his given name.
“Let me refresh your memory, you willingly participated, you responded to me. What if Allan had not come in. How far would you have let me go? “
“If you had not seen my brother arrive, you would not have—”
“You have no way of knowing that?”
He turned and left her chamber.
Chapter 10
Alfie awoke to the site of his grandmother’s ring box on the bedside table. Audra had not accepted it. Deep down he understood, but it did little to diminish the pain. He could not fault her for her loyalty to the doctor, but the time had come, and gone to let it go. He had given her sufficient time had he not. He knew she loved him, but her stubbornness, her pride, or whatever damned emotion, kept her from letting go...
He rose from his bed. He had things to oversee. They would need to leave for Lexington Hall in a couple of days for Nora’s wedding.
Audra was already taking her meal when he entered the dining room. He approached her and placed a kiss upon the top of her head. He heard her deep intake of breath.
“You are up early.” Alfie continued on to his seat, and did not look to see her expression.
“I thought I would take a walk this morning.”
“I would join you, but I have to meet with my steward as we will need to travel to Lexington in a couple of days.”
Her gaze snapped up from her plate to his face. She obviously had not counted on having to deal with his family, and friends so soon.
“…your sister’s wedding?”
“Yes, after the wedding, I will be clearing my belongings, and finalizing the transition of the tenancy to Nora’s husband.”
“Perhaps it would be best if I were to stay here. I doubt news of the banns has reached your family, unless that is you have already sent correspondence to them about our union.”
“I have sent no such correspondence; however, I will not leave you here just days after our wedding. You may not be invested in this marriage, but I am, and regardless of your stubbornness you will join me in attending my sister’s wedding. Nora would be hurt otherwise, and I will not harm the one person in my life who has stood by me even though we are not blood relations.”
Alfie rose from his seat at the table and walked the short distance to his study. He would give her space today, but starting tonight she would have to accept his nearness. The cottage at Lexington Hall would not afford her a room of her own.
Chapter 11
She walked from the house, beyond the outbuildings, and focused on a hill in the distance. It was a cool October day, and the walk was invigorating. Her worries momentarily left behind, she reached the base of the hill and gradually ascended to the top. From her vantage point, she could see her husband’s land, and all those adjacent. It was beautiful country, country she had already begun to fall in love with upon her first visit. Her first visit here came about because she had fallen in love with Alfie Lockwood, and felt she owed it to him to explain why he would always be in her heart, but she could not act on her feelings for him; however, it had all gone wrong. She had made her choice, yet he disregarded it, and put her in a horrible position. She closed her eyes. I played my part, and was just as much to blame.
Robert had been so much more than just a fiancé. He had been like a father to her brother, and acted as protector to her mother, sister, and herself while Allan was away at school.
Why could Alfie not have just accepted my decision? Yes, God help me, I love him, but I had made a promise to Robert.
Reluctantly, she returned for lunch. Her husband did not.
She retired to her room in order to take care of her correspondence. She had promised to write to Elizabeth every day.
Dinner time came soon enough. Emma helped her change, and she joined her husband. He appeared to be just finishing up. He removed his napkin from his lap, stood, and hurried to her side. He pulled out her chair, and bid her to sit. His hair had recently been washed; the dark blonde curls were still wet, and the smell of his sandalwood soap was still strong. He took her hand, and absently caressed each finger as he spoke. “I apologize for eating before your arrival, but I still have my books to see to this evening. He finally brought her hand to his lips. I will join you later.”
Once her breathing slowed, and her heart rejoined her chest the final words he’d spoken registered. Each moment of her evening thereafter served to harden her heart for when he would, in fact, join her later.
*
Audra’s eyes had begun to close when the door connecting their chambers opened. She could hear him discard his clothing. She knew it was his habit to sleep without benefit of clothing, and he would soon be within inches of her if she allowed him to continue his course.
“Alfie, I realize I took vows, but... I am simply not ready. I am angry, can you understand? Please...”
She felt the bed move as it took his weight. “You will not have your own bed in the cottage at Lexington. Would you prefer to become accustomed to my sleeping beside you here, or once we are there?”
The question hung there between them. Their quick, private marriage would be cause for enough upheaval. It was probably best she not add anything to it.
She felt him gather her long hair into one hand, effectively sending shivers throughout her body. He gave it a playful pull. “I will take your silence to mean you are not demanding I leave your bed.”
She pulled her hair from his grasp, and dared to look at him. His face held a mischievous grin, but his eyes revealed his hurt. She turned away. She would not pity him. He had forced this situation, now he would have to suffer the consequences along with everyone else.
*
Audra awoke to a noise and caught sight of her door closing slowly, and quietly. She dared to rise, and behold the scene that had sent Emma scurrying back out the door. Her infuriatingly attractive husband lay sprawled across half the bed with only a corner of the sheet covering his nether region. She had seen his bare chest during his convalescence, but much more was revealed before her now.
She willed her color to drop, and clapped her hands together. She did not dare touch him she knew all too well what that may wrought. “Alfie, you must wake, and return to your room. Emma is waiting to attend me. Alfie...”
He stirred, and stretched, displacing the scant amount of the sheet covering him even further. He was doing this on purpose. She approached, and bent close to his ear. “You are trying to manipulate me, and that just makes me angrier with you.”
His eyes opened, and for a brief moment she felt his disappointment. She turned as he put on his trousers, and left the room. She admonished herself for letting him get under her skin. She would be stronger.
Chapter 12
Alfie continued joining Audra in bed each night; she continued to show him she would hold firm to her anger.
Alfie called for the barouche to be readied to carry them to the cottage at Lexington Hall. His items loaded, and there was still no sign of Audra, and Emma. He hurried up the stairs. He entered Audra’s chamber; Emma was still fiddling with her hair.
“Emma, please take Mrs. Lockwood’s bags to the carriage.” Emma left them alone. “Audra, we need to be on our way, we are expected for dinner with Eva, and my brother.”
“You have informed them then… of our marriage?”
“No, I informed them I would be attending with a guest. I did not feel a letter the appropriate form of communication, especially since our news will be a surprise to them.”
“Perhaps it would be best if you go without me. My presence is going to cause a distraction. The focus should be on your sister alone.”
He took her face in is hands. “You are my wife; I want you by my side.”