If the Earl Only Knew (The Daring Marriages) (28 page)

“Why?” asked Kate.

“Because of a riding accident. Got rolled by a horse and…” He lifted his trouser pant leg, revealing a wood and metal contraption instead of a leg. “Said I wasn’t a full man before God.”

“Outrageous!” cried Kate.

“Preposterous!” exclaimed Wynbrook.

The curate merely shrugged.

“I cannot believe anyone would be so shockingly prejudiced,” continued Kate.

“Do you know where you will go?” asked Wynbrook.

“I can stay with some lads I met at Oxford for a while, until I can find a new situation.”

Wynbrook handed the reverend his card. “Contact me if I can be of service to you.”

Reverend Dawkins took the card with some surprise. “Thank you, my lord. Wish I could help you, but the banns would have to be read in your home parish.”

“I do have a special license.” Wynbrook produced it with a flourish.

A wry smile appeared on Reverend Dawkins’s face. “I am still the curate for the remainder of the day. Let us have your wedding be the last office I perform!”

Kate smiled even as her heart beat in her throat. She was betting everything on the love of one man. One wonderful man. Her wonderful man.

A brief search for witnesses was commenced, and then they were ushered up to the front of the chapel. The Earl of Wynbrook was married to Lady Katherine Ashton by Reverend Dawkins in the presence of their coachman and a maid of all work.

Kate appreciated the soon-to-be-unemployed curate’s style of speaking—straightforward and unapologetic. She held her breath when the curate asked if anyone had just cause why she could not wed John. This time all was silent. John released a breath and gave her a smile.

The ceremony was short but complete. A wave of relief washed over her when they were pronounced man and wife. They had done it. They were finally married. The curate was announcing them to the two other people in the church when Wynbrook swept her up and kissed her joyfully.

“I love you, Lady Wynbrook.” John could not stop smiling. It made her smile right back. So far, her life of new things was not so bad.

After the appropriate papers had been signed, they walked arm in arm out of the church. “I wish there was something we could do to help our reverend friend,” whispered Kate as they left. Everyone should be as happy as she. “I don’t suppose you know of any situations? He seems a nice man.”

John stopped short. “Actually, I need to find another rector at home.” He said no more but led Kate back into the church.

“I think I may know a way to repay you for the service you provided us today,” said Wynbrook to the good reverend. “Would you be interested in the rectory at Arlington Hall?”

The man dropped his prayer book. “Are you in jest?”

“No. The rectory serves my countryseat and—”

“Yes!” shouted the reverend. “Oh, bless the good Lord, yes!”

“What would you like to do now, my love?” asked Wynbrook when they were back in the coach, celebrating their nuptials by eating from the basket of delicious meat pies and sweet treats packed by the cook.

“I did marry you for love, my dear, but would you mind ever so much if we try to nullify the marriage contract with the son of my father’s murderer?”

“Not a usual activity for a honeymoon, but with you, I would expect nothing less.”

She had a strong feeling he would deny her nothing. Marriage was making her feel stronger, not weak. Strange.

They continued their journey toward the country home of Sir Antony. This time, they enjoyed themselves, John reading aloud from
The Captain’s Curse
while Kate whooped with laughter. She could not remember a time she had laughed so hard. In truth, she could not remember the last time she had laughed at all.

It had grown dark by the time they rolled up onto the drive of the country cottage. It was of stone construction and clearly more of a country retreat than the gentleman’s countryseat. It had a cozy feel, with vines growing wild up one side of the cottage.

“This is the house?” asked Kate.

“Yes, I believe it to be.” John helped her out of the coach. “I hope we will find Sir Antony amenable to unexpected guests.”

“Perhaps General Roberts is not Sir Antony Roberts after all,” commented Kate.

“Excuse me, my lord,” said the coachman. “Seemed like someone was following us on horseback a while back, but I haven’t seen the bloke for the past hour.”

“Thank you,” said Wynbrook. “After you see to the horses, go to the kitchen and get warm and something to eat. We have traveled long today, and I hope we will all receive a friendly welcome.”

In a soft voice, Kate asked, “Do you think Silas Bones is following us?”

John shrugged. “Could be anyone.”

“But given our luck, it’s probably not.” She glanced around, but there was no one in sight. It was a cold night—perhaps he had given up the chase.

She approached the front door with some dread. How were they to explain their arrival at such a late hour? John put his hand over hers and gave her gloved fingers a small squeeze. He always seemed to understand when she needed a little encouragement, and though she would have difficulty accepting such from most people, she was growing fond of his support.

“If General Roberts is Sir Antony, I am certain he will help us,” said John with confidence.

“You know him well?”

“He was my father’s friend more than mine, but he has a reputation as a fair and good man.”

“I hope you are right,” said Kate. She was beginning to believe Wynbrook could make anything right. Marriage must have gone to her head.

They stood at the door and John pulled the bell. In due time, the butler answered, looking a bit severe.

“Lord and Lady Wynbrook to see General Roberts,” said Wynbrook in his most austere aristocratic manner. Kate bubbled with excitement to be so named Lady Wynbrook.

The butler was clearly surprised by such visitors but stayed true to his profession and invited them in with the utmost civility. He showed them to a nicely appointed sitting room, where they awaited their host. Wynbrook ensured Kate was warm by the fire before taking the seat opposite hers.

A middle-aged lady burst into the room with a swish of silk and a head full of ostrich feathers. “The Earl of Wynbrook?” asked the elegantly attired lady.

Wynbrook rose and gave her a nod.

She continued on before he had a chance to speak. “It’s very nice to make your acquaintance, my lord. Have you brought your lovely wife too? Lady Kate, I believe?”

Kate was shocked for a moment that the woman knew her name before she recalled the gossip column. Everyone knew her name.

“To what do we owe the honor of your visit with us today?” Though she spoke with perfect diction, Kate could not fail but note a slight lilt to her tone, with a hint of something Scottish in the way she spoke.

“It is a matter of some delicacy. We are hoping to speak with General Roberts,” said Wynbrook pleasantly enough but not entirely inviting further conversation.

“You may say anything to me that you would say to him,” said the lady, leaning rather close to Wynbrook. “I am his wife, Lady Roberts. So please feel at ease to speak as you wish. Do let us accommodate you for the night, for it is late and I would be greatly distressed if you were to leave us at such a time. If you are hungry, we can prepare something for you. I do like to think I keep a good table, but I am sure we can rouse the cook to produce such fare as you are accustomed to.”

“Thank you but we have already eaten,” said Wynbrook. “We are grateful for your hospitality.”

“It is a great honor to meet you.” Lady Roberts gave a handsome if unnecessarily low curtsy before them.

“This is a matter of some importance and I would very much like to speak with General Roberts,” said Kate, wishing the woman would leave and send her husband instead.

The lady laughed. “General Roberts? Yes, I suppose he is, though we mostly call him Sir Antony. It has been a long while since he served his country in uniform.”

“Though I did it with distinction.” An elderly man with sparkling eyes entered the drawing room. He gave his wife a warm smile and she returned it prettily. “Lord Wynbrook? I am surprised to see you! Is everyone in the family well?”

“Yes, yes, my family is well. Do forgive this bold intrusion at such a late hour,” said Wynbrook. “We come on a mission of some urgency. But please allow me to introduce you to my wife, Katherine, Lady Wynbrook.”

“So tell me. Is it true? Did you run to Gretna Green?” asked Lady Roberts, leaning forward with anticipation. “I have been following your adventures in the papers.”

“Have you been reading the society papers again?” chided Sir Antony with a twinkle in his eye.

“Oh yes, and if you did too, you would know of the great news Wynbrook has made running with the daughter of an earl.” Lady Roberts laughed in a manner even Kate found a bit gauche.

“The rumors of our elopement have been much touted, but in truth, we left quickly because Darington was held up by bandits on the road and shot. Fortunately, he is doing well,” Wynbrook said with unruffled calm.

“Lord Darington was shot?” exclaimed Lady Roberts, clearly delighting in this new piece of juicy gossip.

“Darington?” Sir Antony asked, clearly confused. “What is this about Darington?”

Kate stared at the kindly looking man before her. He did not look a villain. She took a deep breath. “Perhaps you knew my father, Lord Darington.”

Sir Antony’s face darkened. All was quiet in the room save the methodical ticking of a grandfather clock. “I was the best of friends with Darington. But is it really Lady Katherine? I have written many a letter to you and your brother, but I have never received an answer.”

Kate produced his last letter from her reticule. “Was this one of your letters?”

Sir Antony took the letter. “Yes. But you never opened it?” He stared at her, questions in his eyes.

“Forgive me. I never opened any of them,” Kate confessed. The clock ticked on as everyone stared at each other in silence.

“Let us call for some hot rum punch,” suggested Lady Roberts, breaking the awkward silence. “Please, everyone, do make yourselves comfortable. I am sure this problem will go down better with something warm.”

It was the first thing Lady Roberts said that Kate agreed with. They sat in the cozy sitting room, and the ingredients for punch were brought. Wynbrook stood to do the honors of making the preparations.

“It has taken a long time to understand the nature of what happened,” said Kate. She retold the story of Captain Harcourt’s revenge in bankrupting their family and the death of her father succinctly, leaving out several aspects such that she didn’t wish to have repeated, for Lady Roberts was clearly enjoying the tale.

“But this is infamy!” Sir Antony was on his feet and began to pace in an agitated manner. “Such things cannot happen. This is England!”

“I believe I said the same,” said Wynbrook. “Here, do sit down and take some rum punch. It will do you good.”

Sir Antony was tempted by the fragrant aroma wafting from the warm punch bowl Wynbrook was mixing. He accepted a cup and regained his seat.

“Directly after my father died, we returned to find our inheritance stolen and our estate deep in debt. We traveled to London to meet with you but were told you were too busy to be concerned with us, and we ended up in Fleet Prison.”

“What?” roared Sir Antony, jumping to his feet once more. “Impossible!”

“I assure you it is possible. We managed to escape, but we thought you had abandoned us when we most needed it, so I was out of charity with you and refused ever to open your letters.”

“My dear girl. My dear, sweet girl.” Sir Antony buried his face in his hands. “Oh, I am so sorry. Darington was my dearest friend. He even named his son for me and made me your godfather.”

“Oh,” said Kate. “I never knew Robert was named for anyone.”

“Please believe me when I say I never knew of this. I was injured in the war and it took a long time to recover. When I finally returned home, I learned of Darington’s death. I was told in a letter from his steward that the children had gone to live with some relative of his wife’s. I had no reason to disbelieve it, but I wish I had looked into the matter further.”

“Indeed, you must not blame yourself,” his wife chided. “For did you not come very close to death yourself? We have only been married a few months,” she explained to Kate and Wynbrook and blushed as any new bride should do.

“I wish you great felicitations,” said Wynbrook. “And you may also wish us happy, for we were wed just today.”

“Today! Holy Saint Andrew! What are ye doing here now, luv?” cried Lady Roberts, letting her Scottish accent slip.

“Always welcome,” said Sir Antony hurriedly. “But I wish I could have witnessed… Would have been honored to walk you down the aisle…but why are you here now?”

“Our ceremony was interrupted by a Captain Silas Bones who produced this paper.” Wynbrook handed Sir Antony the contract. “It is a marriage agreement between Lady Kate and Bones. I must add that Silas Bones is the son of Dr. Bones, the alias used by Harcourt to gain entry into Greystone to kill Darington.”

“That damn bastard son of a—Forgive me. Should not say in front of the ladies!” cried Sir Antony.

“The document appears to be signed by you,” said Kate.

“What the—?” Sir Antony scanned the document with a scowl. “This is not my signature. I never saw this document before in my life. Besides, on the date of this paper, I was overseas getting shot in a disastrous campaign.”

“And you would be willing to swear to it in court to have this contract invalidated?” asked Kate.

“Invalidated, repudiated, and utterly dismissed! Go to London myself tomorrow!”

Kate breathed easy for the first time in days. It was done. Settled. All was well.

Lady Roberts’s attention was caught by a scratching at the window. She stood to look out the heavy drapes, commenting, “I do believe there was a man out there. I wonder who could be peeking in at our window at this time of night?”

Kate did not have to wonder at all. She looked over at Wynbrook.

“Silas Bones.” They spoke as one.