My Fair Groom (The Sons of the Aristocracy) (27 page)

Aware of hoofbeats behind her, Sarah dared a glance back, startled to see Gabriel. Her heart suddenly heavy, she nearly gave up the chase. However, her horse seemed to be enjoying the race and continued running even though she no longer urged him on. She was in tears by the time Gabriel was abreast of her.

“We’ll get our son back,” he shouted above the thunderous sound the horses made in their pursuit.

Sarah finally looked in his direction, apparently startled by his words. “So that you can take him from me?” she shouted back, tears disappearing from her face as the air whipped across her cheeks.

“What?” Gabriel responded, shaking his head as if he hadn’t heard her. And then he realized what she said. “No, Sarah. I wouldn’t do that,” he yelled back.

“Then, why?” Sarah replied, her word nearly lost on the wind. “Why did she take him?”

Gabriel could only shake his head for a moment.
Why, indeed?
“I am about to find out,” he said, his mount pulled up so close to Sarah’s that she could feel his boot touch her stirrup. “But know this. I love you, Sarah. And I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” he shouted before Jupiter suddenly pulled away and raced ahead of her.

Sarah watched the back of Gabriel as he and his horse disappeared over the next hill.
I love you.
Had he really just said that?

And what might she say ‘no’ to?

When she crested the hill, Sarah had to slow her mount, stunned to see the earl’s coach directly ahead and pulling off to the side of the road. Gabriel had managed to get past the coach and force the lead horse to slow down. Once the driver recognized Gabriel, he pulled back on the reins and brought the coach to a stop. Sarah urged her horse forward, anxious to get to her son.

Gabriel dismounted even before he had Jupiter halted. “Mother!” he called out, stalking to the coach. He flung open the door and stood staring into the plush interior.

Lady Trenton, apparently oblivious to her son’s concern, held Gabe in one arm while she cooed and used the fingers of her other hand to entertain the babe.

“Dada,” Gabe announced with a chubby fist aimed at his father.

“Yes, it is,” Charity Wellingham agreed with an adoring smile. “That is your father,” she agreed in a high-pitched voice. She turned her attention to her son. “I have to admit, I am rather surprised to see
you
,” she said with a teasing smile.

Reaching into the coach, Gabriel took the bundle his mother held, eliciting a sound of disappointment from her. As he lifted Gabe to his shoulder, he asked, “What are you
doing
, Mother?”

Lady Trenton gave him a shrug. “We were just out for an afternoon ride is all,” she said, sounding ever so innocent.

Gabriel gave her a look of astonishment. “What are you about? Out with it!”

At that moment, Sarah’s mount stopped next to Gabriel. “Is he well?” she asked, her voice frantic.

Gabriel turned and regarded her with an appreciative grin. Although her blonde hair had long ago lost its pins and was down past her shoulders, and her cheeks were dirt- and tear-stained, he thought her rather lovely just then. “Seems so,” he said as he reluctantly gave the baby back to his mother. He reached up and placed his hands on either side of Sarah’s waist, pulling her down in a less than graceful dismount as she was forced to grip his shoulders in the process of being lowered to the road. Even after she had her feet beneath her, Gabriel didn’t let go his hold of Sarah but allowed her to reach for Gabe and bring the baby into her own arms.

“Mama!” Gabe shouted happily. He continued to babble a bit while Gabriel returned his attention to his mother.

“An explanation is in order, my lady,” he stated, using his most commanding voice. “And I shall have it right now.”

Charity regarded her son with a wan smile and shrugged again. “I know you’ve had a man searching for your father’s bastards,” she finally said with a sigh. “Against my better judgement,” she added in a quiet whisper. “But when you told me about your dear Gabe and his mother, I thought to visit the inn and see for myself why you would cavort ...”

“Mother ...” Gabriel warned, his expression making him appear as if he might do bodily harm to the woman.

Lady Trenton sighed, her face taking on a slight blush. “Choose to spend time with ... a  mere commoner ..,” she amended, “When there are so many eligible young ladies in London.”

Gabriel stared at his mother, his patience waning. “And?” he prompted, anxious to learn the reason for his mother’s mad dash from the Spread Eagle.

Lady Trenton shrugged again. “I saw how you looked when you talked about Miss Cumberbatch. When you talked about little Gabe,” she said wistfully. “You’ve never spoken that way about anyone in your life. Not even your new-found sister,” she added with a shake of her head. “And then I met Miss Cumberbatch, and your son ...”

“Then, you agree he’s my son?” Gabriel interrupted in a quiet voice, surprised to hear his mother’s words.

Lady Trenton’s smile broadened. “Oh, of course,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “One look at him, and anyone who knew you when you were that age knows that he’s got to be your son,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone. “He’s a
doll
. Well done, Miss Cumberbatch!” she said as she turned her attention to Sarah.

Sarah stared at the countess, stunned by her words. “Thank you, my lady,” she replied uncertainly, wondering if Lady Trenton had all her faculties about her. “So, why did you
take
him?”

At Sarah’s quiet question, Charity cocked her head to one side and held out her arms. “Isn’t it apparent?” she asked rhetorically. “Look at what I accomplished in only, what? Thirty minutes’ time?”

Gabriel’s quizzical expression gave way to one of relief and a roll of his eyes. “What does she mean?” Sarah wondered, finally giving in to Gabriel’s hold on her waist and allowing herself to lean against him for support.

“Me,” he said in a whisper. “Us,” he spoke louder before he kissed Sarah’s forehead. He turned his attention back to the countess. “I made all the arrangements in Wolverhampton yesterday, Mother. You didn’t need to create a scene to convince me to marry Sarah. Although, now you’ll probably have to create one to get her to agree to marry me,” he said with a hint of annoyance. “What poor woman would accept my proposal when she knows she has to contend with
you
as her mother-in-law?” he added with only a small hint of humor.

Sarah gasped at the earl’s words.
Was he joking?
He was speaking of arrangements ... and marriage!
Marriage to me!
“This poor woman would,” an awestruck Sarah said in a whisper.  “But, my lord, you should ...”

Gabriel held up a finger. “I’ll not hear anything more about how I should marry a daughter of the aristocracy,” he warned. “And you’re to call me ‘Gabriel’,” he added with a stern expression. He suddenly leaned around Sarah and whistled.

Jupiter, still standing where Gabriel had left him, walked up to where his rider and Sarah stood. Gabriel gave up his hold around Sarah’s waist and moved to open one of the saddle bags. “I had every intention of asking for your hand under far different circumstances,” he explained as he took out the hinged box from the goldsmith’s shop. “I was thinking in a garden on a moonlit night during a ball,” he said quietly as he opened the box in front of her. “But seeing as how you’ve already agreed, I want you to have this now.”

Sarah stared at the sapphire ring for a very long time before turning her attention back to Gabriel. “You’re sure?” she asked in a whisper, her lower lip quivering.

“I am,” he replied with a nod, sliding the ring on her finger before giving it a kiss.

Wrapping her free arm around Gabriel’s shoulder, she reached up and kissed him. “I love you,” she whispered.

Gabriel grinned, kissing her forehead. “I never thought I’d hear those words,” he whispered in return. Moving his lips to hers, he kissed her gently. “I love you, my lady,” he said, his lips still touching hers. “And I have another bauble for you, but I think I shall save it for later,” he murmured.

After a moment, he straightened and turned around to regard his mother. She still sat in the coach, beaming happily. “I cannot decide if I should have you shackled and thrown in the dungeon, or if I should hug and thank you,” Gabriel said, his expression not giving away if he was still upset with her.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Lady Trenton replied with a wave of a gloved hand. She turned her attention to Sarah. “There is no dungeon at Trenton Manor. But I will move into the dowager cottage if you demand it of me,” she offered, one eyebrow cocked mischievously.

Not yet ready to make demands of the dowager countess, Sarah shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous, my lady.” After a pause, she asked of Gabriel, “Didn’t you say there wasn’t a dowager cottage at Trenton Manor?”

Lady Trenton smiled as she watched her son and his fiancée. But her smile turned to a worried grin when Gabriel replied, “Not yet, there isn’t.” He shut the door to the coach and gave the driver a wave. “You need to go back to the inn for her lady’s maid,” he called up to the driver. The man on the seat gave him a nod of understanding.

As the coach pulled away, Gabriel pulled Sarah back into his arms, little Gabe between their shoulders. “Let’s get back to the inn,” he murmured softly. “We have a wedding to plan before we head to London.”

“London?” Sarah repeated, allowing Gabriel to lift her and Gabe back onto the Cleveland Bay. He followed, seating himself just behind Sarah. With one arm wrapped around her waist, Gabriel dug his heels into the bay and they were off, Jupiter running alongside.

“We have a ball to attend,” Gabriel replied. “For my sister’s come-out,” he added when Sarah turned her head to give him a questioning glance.

Sarah nodded, smiling when she realized she wouldn’t just be getting a husband by marrying Gabriel. She would also be gaining a sister. “A quick wedding, then,” she said with a grin.

Gabriel tightened his hold on her. “A quick one,” he agreed.

Chapter 38

Before the Ball

Alistair wasn’t quite sure why he expected to find the Mayfield household to be as quiet and sedate as he always did on the days he had dance lessons with Lady Julia. But on this day – the day of the Mayfield ball – he witnessed a scene of apparently organized chaos and heard worse as he made his way from the back door toward the ballroom.

”There you are,” the housekeeper said as she hooked her arm into his and led him down a different hallway. “A package came for you. From the tailor, I believe,” she added as she suddenly turned into the day parlor, unhooked her arm, and took her leave of the room.

Stunned by her quick departure, Alistair took a look around the room and found Edward Seward gazing out one of the front windows.

”Well, well, if it isn’t the groom,” Edward commented as he turned and regarded Alistair. He held a paper-wrapped parcel under one arm. “This is for you. If I were you, I would try them on immediately to be sure Hockholder hasn’t done something underhanded.”

“Seward,” Alistair stated, surprised to see his friend at Mayfield House. “I didn’t realize you were Hockholder’s delivery service,” he teased as he reached for the package.

“I volunteered, seeing as how I wanted to speak with you before tonight’s fête,” the tall man explained. “Seems the missus and Cunningham’s missus are both a bit concerned about your come-out.”

Alistair regarded Edward for a moment. “Oh?” he replied, a bit concerned himself. Tonight was the night he would prove he could be a gentleman in the eyes of the
ton
– and Lady Julia’s. But it would also be the night it could go very wrong if anyone recognized him prematurely.

“You have to tell Lady Julia. At least, according to Olivia and Anna,” Edward said. “And I’m of a mind to agree on this one.”

Shaking his head, Alistair gave the earl’s son a shrug. “You don’t think I can keep from being recognized?” he wondered, now not as convinced he could make it through the night without being recognized by someone. If he told Lady Julia now, though, what would her reaction be? She probably wasn’t even available to be told – if she was like any other chit on the day of a ball – of her own first
ton
ball – her bedchamber would be in as much chaos as the ballroom.

“Christ, Alistair. We knew who you were, and we hadn’t seen you in three years,” Edward countered, helping himself to a glass of claret from a sideboard.

Alistair sighed. “I rather doubt Lady Julia would agree to see me this late in the day,” he said, a bit of panic settling over him.

Edward punched him on the arm, a move Alistair would have expected from Michael Cunningham, given that man’s reputation at Gentleman’s Jackson’s boxing saloon.

“So ... tell her tonight. Just before you go into the ballroom. That way she can’t make a scene,” Edward said with a hint of humor. “But if you do that, be prepared for the wrath of an angry woman,” he warned with a raised finger. He took a long sip from the wine glass and seemed to savor the claret before returning his attention to the groom.

“Why would she be angry?” Alistair asked, his brows furrowing. “She’ll probably be relieved. Last I heard, she was more nervous about me than she was about herself, and she’s the one making her come-out tonight.”

Edward cocked his head to one side. “You seemed rather concerned about her in every other way but what she’ll think of you when she finds out she’s been bamboozled.”

Shrugging, Alistair lowered himself into the nearest chair and allowed a sigh. “I am. I’ve watched her ... blossom over the past few weeks. Damn girl’s gotten under my skin,” he whispered with a shake of his head.

Taking the settee adjacent to where Alistair sat, Edward leaned back and gave his friend a knowing look. “Fond of her, are you?” he whispered, his attention once again on the wine glass he held. At Alistair’s nod, Edward suddenly softened. “They do that, you know. When you’re not looking, they cast this spell over you, and suddenly you can’t think of anything but them. Can’t do anything without wondering what they would think of it. Can’t go anywhere unless you take them with you, because you’re convinced someone else will swoop in and take your place if you don’t.”

Alistair frowned as he listened to Edward, alarmed that the man was putting into words the very thoughts he’d been experiencing the past few days. “Is that what happened with your Anna?” he wondered. “How ... how long ago?” he asked, thinking Edward and Anna must have met and married rather recently. They had only just returned from their wedding trip a few months ago.

Edward nodded. “When we were children. I’ve loved her my whole life,” he said proudly.

Rolling his eyes, Alistair leaned forward and thought about punching the fencer. “Damn you. You’re no help in this, you must know.”

Chuckling, Edward leaned forward as well. “I have other news,” he said quietly. “The ladies were at the Clarendon Hotel for luncheon today. They met the new Countess of Trenton.”

Alistair stared at Edward for several seconds before the news sank in. “Gabe got married,” he stated, finally understanding Edward’s simple statement. “To whom?” he asked, straightening in his chair. “I just spoke with him a couple of months ago. He had no prospects.”

Edward grinned, rather enjoying his friend’s surprise. “Her name is Sarah. Anna claims she is a blond beauty from the country who is gracious, and apparently rather industrious.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Gabe found her running a coaching inn up in Staffordshire. He’s apparently known her for some time and decided she would make a suitable countess.”

Alistair allowed a smile. So Gabriel Wellingham had managed to find a wife outside of the
ton
. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he whispered, surprised at just how quickly the earl had managed to find a wife.

If he can do it, then so can I
, he thought. 

Lady Julia couldn’t remain too angry with him if he proposed the night of her come-out. How many chits could claim to get marriage proposals at their first ball?

“Where did you propose to Anna?” Alistair asked suddenly, thinking Edward would have chosen a particularly romantic place to pop the question.

“Oh, everywhere,” Edward answered with a wave of his hand. When he saw his friend’s expression of confusion, he added, “Because I’ve known since childhood I was going to marry her, I asked her several times in several places. But you’ll probably have the best chance of success if you propose in a dark garden during a ball. Preferably a ball where her father can announce the engagement without impinging on anyone else’s good news.” This last was said with a cocked eyebrow, implying Alistair should carefully consider at which ball the proposal take place.

Alistair’s eyes widened.

The Mayfield ball was obviously the only ball at which he could ask for Julia’s hand. There would be no other announcements planned for the evening. But ...

“I can’t ask her tonight,” Alistair stated suddenly.

Edward’s eyes widened. “Ask who?”

“Lady Julia.”

“Well, I must say, this is quite sudden. She must have really cast a powerful spell over you,” he teased, careful not to have too much fun at Alistair’s expense. “And, pray tell, why can’t you ask her?”

Alistair shook his head. “If you recall, my father cut me off. I have no income, besides what I make as a groom, and what little I have in savings will have to go to the widow,” he explained, a sadness settling over him. “Lady Julia isn’t going to agree to marry a man who can’t keep her in the manner to which she’s become accustomed.”

Sighing, Edward leaned back in the settee. “Perhaps you should let her decide that for herself,” he suggested as he pulled a pocket watch from his topcoat pocket. “And on that note, I must take my leave. I promised Anna we would enjoy a late tea before coming to this ball.”

Alistair nodded, a bit relieved that there would be gentlemen he knew at the ball. If things got a bit tense, he could always seek them out and join their circle. “Thank you for bringing the evening clothes. And for paying for them,” he said as he stood.

Edward joined him near the door. “Don’t thank me yet, Comber,” he warned with a cocked eyebrow. “You might be cursing all of us before the night is done.”

Or cursing myself
, Alistair considered before he gave the earl’s son a nod.