Scoundrel (Lost Lords of Radcliffe Book 4) (36 page)

“Marry me, Faith. I won’t stop pestering you until you say
yes
.”

“You’ll never get me to agree.”

“Why not?”

To her dismay, tears surged into her eyes. “Because I cast my lot with you once, and it almost killed me.”

“Faith, are you crying? You can’t cry.”

“I’m not crying,” she claimed, but she was on the verge of a major sobbing session.

He stood and pulled her close, kissing one eyelid, then the other.

“Don’t be sad,” he said.

“I can’t help it. I counted on you. I was desperate to create a life with you.”

“And now you can.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“You don’t
trust
me? Honestly, Faith, who rescued you from slavers? Who brought you to England safe and sound?”

“It’s the same fellow who ruined me and left me at the docks.”

“Well, that fellow has had a change of heart,
and
he suddenly needs an heiress who can save his bankrupt estate.” He gestured to her. “That would be you.”

“Oh,
now
you want me? Because you assume I’m wealthy? I wouldn’t necessarily believe what Alice and Lambert said about it.”

“I would. They were so determined, and as Rowena pointed out, it’s usually about the money, isn’t it? I’m betting you’re rich as plum pudding. Why else was your cousin so anxious to wed you?”

“He
always
hoped to wed me. It wasn’t because of some mythical dowry.”

“Maybe, maybe not, but I definitely think we should hire a lawyer to research it for you. We could ask Mr. Thumberton, the solicitor who found Oakhurst for me.”

“If I actually have a dowry, I should marry you and let you have it?”

“No, you should marry me and help me build a home for us.”

“You’re mad.”

“Not mad, Faith. Just crazy. Crazy about you.”

Without warning, he dipped in and kissed her. She hadn’t been expecting it so she hadn’t braced herself not to react. At the feel of his lips on her own, her body rejoiced, every inch of her reveling in ecstasy.

“Ralston and Rowena are marrying and coming to live with me,” he said. “Ralston will be my estate agent.”

“Ralston doesn’t know anything about farming.”

“Neither do I.” He laughed with unbridled glee. “Isn’t it wild, Faith? Ralston and I—pretending to be farmers.”

“Yes, it is wild.” She couldn’t imagine it.

“So…Rowena will be there, and she’s bringing Mary, Martha, and Millie. I thought we could try to adopt them,” he stunned her by suggesting.

“Adopt…the girls?”

“Why not? They don’t have any parents, and they think I’m wonderful.”

She snorted at that. “You’d have a ready-made family.”

“Yes, and they need a mother. I like Rowena, but she’s a tad reckless for my tastes.”

“Again, Chase, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

“Those girls have been through too much. They need stability and security—and a mother. Don’t force me to travel to London to find one for them. I’d slit my wrists before I’d go bride hunting, and when you fit the bill perfectly, it’s silly for me to search.”

“Everyone will be there at Oakhurst,” she mused.

“Everyone but you,” he said. “I’m worried about your half-sisters too. Perhaps they could join us. I’m guessing Alice isn’t much of a mother.”

“She’s not.”

“She’d likely be thrilled to get rid of them.”

“She probably would,” Faith concurred.

He swooped in and stole another kiss. “Take a chance on me, Faith. Come on. Take a chance.”

“I can’t,” she moaned. “I’m so afraid of you.”

“Why? Because I told you the truth that day in London? I couldn’t care for you then. Once I realized how my circumstances had changed, I rushed to inform you. That has to be a point in my favor, doesn’t it?”

“If you broke my heart again, I couldn’t bear it.”

“If that’s your concern, I’m happy to report that you have nothing to fret about because I will
never
break your heart again. Not a single time.”

“You couldn’t have other women. I wouldn’t stand for mistresses and concubines. If I found out, I’d murder you.”

Gad! Was she actually considering his proposal? Was she insane?

He scoffed. “As if I’d want any woman other than you.”

“You couldn’t leave me either. If you decide you’re bored with farming or with residing in the country, if you missed the excitement of town, I wouldn’t let you go.”

“I will always stay by your side. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

“You say that now…”

“And I’ll say it for all eternity.”

She studied him, and she was conflicted, terrified, and confused.

Could she spurn him and walk away? If she did, she’d never see him again. She’d have to trudge back to Lambert and Alice, would have to wedge herself into whatever dreadful situation they managed to arrange. She couldn’t abide the notion of immersing herself in their calamity.

Chase was offering her a home of her own. Rowena would be there, Ralston and the girls too. From their sojourn in Africa, it had seemed they were already a family. They shouldn’t be separated.

“Take a chance on me, Faith,” he urged again. “Come on! You can do it!”

Suddenly a horse was trotting down the road. It blustered through the trees, and Ralston was there, looking fit and cordial and merry.

He jumped to the ground, asking, “Well? Has she accepted?”

“Not yet,” Chase complained. “The blasted woman thinks I’m a bad bet.”

“She might be right,” Ralston said, “or she might be wrong.” He smiled at Faith. “What if we all work on him and he turns out to be exactly the man you need?”

“What if we work on him, and he remains horrid?”

“He won’t,” Ralston said. “I won’t let him.”

Faith whipped her gaze to Chase. Outwardly he appeared very confident, but she sensed his insecurity too. He was scared as to what her final reply would be, and she liked witnessing his uncertainty. It was so rare.

He was a vain beast, the consummate scoundrel. He was pompous and ridiculously domineering. But he was also kind and funny and tough. Although he tried to hide it, he was loyal and devoted too. She had only to glance at Ralston and recall his fond affection for Chase. Chase’s best traits would always win out.

She took a deep breath, feeling as if she was running toward a cliff and about to leap over. Where would she be when she landed?

“Yes, Chase Hubbard,” she firmly stated. “Yes, I will marry you.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because with me, it’s forever.”

“With me, it’s forever too.”

“She’s agreed, Chase,” Ralston scolded. “Don’t refuse to take
yes
for an answer.”

“I’m not refusing.” He turned to Faith and told her, “I gladly give up my bachelor days—just for you.”

“Just for me,” she murmured, liking the sound of it.

“You’ll be Mrs. Hubbard.”

“Yes, Mrs. Chase Hubbard.”

He grinned, cocky again. “I knew I could convince you.”

“I will never be the same.”

“Not from this moment on.” He grabbed her and tossed her up onto his saddle. Then he vaulted up behind her. “I have to finish this kidnapping. Let’s go to Oakhurst!”

Ralston whooped with delight. “Oakhurst it is!”

They kicked their horses into a canter and raced away.

EPILOGUE

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Rowena drew Faith into her arms and hugged her as tightly as she could. They were weepy, overcome by emotion. When they reflected on the prior years, with both of them locked away in the convent, having supposedly shunned the outside world, it was strange and wonderful to be standing where they were.

Who would have thought that either of them would marry? Who would have thought they’d be so blessed?

Rowena would wed in a few weeks, at a church in Southampton where one of Ralston’s brothers was a pastor. But for now, it was Faith’s turn. She would be first. They were in the vestibule of the small chapel at Oakhurst, and the local parish vicar would preside. The organist was playing a quiet hymn.

There were neighbors in attendance, along with the elderly servants who’d remained after Chase’s last French relative had passed away. They were scattered in the pews.

Chase and Ralston were about to walk out to the altar, then the girls would stroll down the aisle, tossing flowers as they went.

Then…Rowena would go, and Faith would follow. Chase would be waiting for her at the end.

“You’re beautiful,” Rowena said.

“I feel beautiful,” Faith replied, and she really did.

In her previous, rushed ceremony with Lambert, she’d worn a borrowed dress but had made no genuine preparations other than donning that blue garment. On recollecting that day, it seemed she must have recognized the wedding would be a farce, that it would never be concluded.

She still couldn’t get over how much could change in a month.

After Chase had kidnapped her, he’d brought her to Oakhurst and she hadn’t put up any fuss. It wasn’t as if she could have chosen a different destination, and she’d been pathetically eager to see the estate he’d claimed to have inherited.

For once, he’d been telling the truth. It was a huge place with a house that was a veritable mansion three stories high. It had dozens of bedchambers, parlors, and suites. It was rundown though, many of the rooms emptied of furniture and in desperate need of a thorough cleaning.

She’d been astonished by the residence, and he’d been so obviously proud of it. The marvelous, loyal, terrific Chase Hubbard was back with a vengeance, and the awful, horrid, unreliable Chase had vanished. Or at least he’d been tucked away out of sight.

He’d finally found his niche, had stumbled into the spot where he absolutely belonged. He reveled in authority and management, and she had to stop being surprised when he was domineering. He was the son of a French count after all, so he had aristocratic blood flowing in his veins. He couldn’t help being bossy. He’d been born to lead and rule.

The property would require constant work and effort for it to be habitable, to restore it to some of its former greatness. And she was delighted to have the project to keep her busy. It might take the remainder of her life, but she wouldn’t rest until the condition was splendid.

She would make it a home. She would make it glorious so they could honor Chase’s parents.

He’d grown up believing they didn’t care about him and hadn’t provided for him. But clearly they’d cared very, very much. They’d planned for him to inherit a grand estate, and that’s what she was determined he’d eventually have.

Chase’s solicitor, Mr. Thumberton, had written that, yes, she had a dowry. It wasn’t fantastically large, but it was sufficient to repair and renovate, to support them until the farms were producing and profitable.

She sighed with contentment.

There was a tug on her skirt, and she glanced down to find Millie gazing at her.

“Is it time, Faith?” she asked.

“Not yet. Chase and Ralston have to come out with the vicar.”

Millie pointed into the church where the men had sneaked in without Faith noticing. They were attired in their wedding finery, looking handsome and dashing. On observing them, her pulse raced.

“They’re waiting for you,” Martha said.

“So they are.” She motioned to Mary. “You’re oldest, so you go first.”

“We’ll take turns, just like when Mr. Hubbard carried us onto the ship in Africa.”

“Yes, just like that.”

At the fond memory, the girls grinned, then Mary stepped to Faith and hugged her as tightly as Rowena had. Then Martha and Millie latched on too, and suddenly they were all crying.

“Go now,” Faith told them, “before I become so maudlin that I can’t walk down the aisle.”

Rowena pulled the girls away and gently shoved them one after the other toward the altar. They were so fetching, so arresting in their crisp white dresses, the blue sashes around their waists, their starched petticoats swishing with each stride.

“Oh, Gad, they’re so pretty, aren’t they?” Rowena said.

“Yes, and I’m so glad to have them here with us. Thank you for rescuing them. Thank you for bringing them to me.”

“As if I’d have let that witch, Sister Ruth, give them away. She acted as if they were abandoned puppies!”

“I wish I could have seen her face when she realized you’d vanished with them.”

“She was so set on herself. It probably hasn’t occurred to her that we’re not there.”

There had been no contact with the convent, no demand that the girls be sent back. Faith didn’t know if Sister Ruth was too miserly to pay for an investigation to discover their whereabouts or if—after the girls fled—she’d decided they weren’t worth the bother.

Faith suspected it was the latter, and she was already moving to adopt them. To anyone who would listen, she stated the facts: Their parents were deceased, no relatives could be found, and Faith wanted them.

The girls had reached the front and slid into their pew. Chase and Ralston were winking and whispering, making them giggle and shift in their seats.

“Your turn,” Faith said to Rowena.

“Don’t you dare slip out and run away once I’m not looking.”

“I’m not going to run away. I’m going to give Chase Hubbard exactly what he deserves.”

“A bride and a wife?”

“Yes. His bachelor days are over, and it will serve him right to be a married man.”

“He chased you until he caught you.”

“He certainly did, and I’m so relieved that he kept after me. What if he hadn’t? Where would I be?”

Rowena chuckled and started off, and Faith watched until she reached the front too. Then she took a deep breath, and her own procession began.

Guests smiled as she went by, and it was odd to have people staring so intently. For many years, she’d shunned attention, had tried to be pious and invisible, but that wasn’t the person she was destined to be.

She was meant to be a wife and mother. Chase had told her that. He’d seen it immediately, had set her on the correct path and would march down it with her.

He seemed very far away, and the journey seemed to last forever. She felt as if she was in a strange dream where she struggled forward but never arrived at her destination.