Tainted Bride (33 page)

“You are in a fine mood, Charlie.” Sophia searched for something to wipe his wet mouth.

“Should I take him now, my lady?” Susan asked.

“I hate to let him go, but it is time for his nap.” She handed the baby over. “Thank you, Susan. Why don’t you borrow a book from his Lordship’s library while Charlie sleeps? He has had a busy morning and should nap a long time.”

Susan smiled and curtsied politely. “Thank you, my lady, but I borrowed
King Lear
yesterday and I should think it will keep me busy for some time.”

“Indeed,” Dory said.

With the future Sixth Earl of Marlton in her arms, Susan walked across the expansive lawn back to Marlton Hall.

“She has come a long way, Sophia,” Dory commented.

Sophia rose and sat in a chair with her friends. “I don’t know what I would do without her. Really. Charles adores her and she him. Once I saw how bright she is, it took little work to educate her and make her a suitable nanny. I’m so glad we took her on after the Pundington business was resolved. Cissy comes by several times a week and they talk endlessly over Shakespeare. I have even started to read more as I was feeling quite ignorant with the two of them going on and on about sonnets and plays, which I have never bothered to read.”

“It will do you no harm to read more.” Aunt Daphne led the rest of the ladies to join them.

Sophia smiled and sent a maid for some tea. “You are, of course, correct. I find reading relaxing.”

“Your husband does not mind?” Elinor asked.

She looked out over the field to the east where Daniel walked toward them with Markus, Michael and Thomas. Her cousins, Frederick and Daisy followed behind. Her husband and their life filled her with immeasurable joy. “His lordship is indulgent.”

“Whatever happened to that awful man?” Aunt Adelaide asked. There was no need to clarify whom she was asking about.

“Should have been hanged.” Daphne pounded her cane into the ground.

“Oh, my.” Virginia Burkenstock clutched her throat.

“Oh, do not get so offended, Virginia. The man was plucking Englishwomen off our streets and selling them into slavery in foreign lands. He should have been hanged.” Daphne huffed as she sat and placed her cane against the table.

“I can see your point, Lady Collington. I just hate the thought of it.” Lady Burkenstock cringed.

“So, what did happen to him?” Adelaide asked.

Sophia still found the subject of Alistair uncomfortable. “All of his assets were claimed by the crown and he was banished. They sent him off on a ship to Australia. If he ever sets foot on English soil again, he will indeed be hung by the neck.”

“Well, at least he will never bother us again,” Angelica said.

Sophia nodded and watched Daniel come close enough for their gazes to lock.

* * * *

“It was a lovely day, my dear,” Daniel said in their room, late that evening.

“We had fine weather,” she said.

“Your uncle and Lord Flammel seem to be on opposite sides of politics. They were nearly at blows when we took our brandy.”

“I think they managed to work it out. I saw them getting quite drunk together later in the evening. You had better lock your liquor cabinet or by the end of the week we shall be completely dry.”

Daniel chuckled. He walked to where she sat at her dressing table, took the brush from her and ran it through her long tresses. “You looked grave when the tea arrived this afternoon. Was the conversation not to your liking?”

“It was nothing. Aunt Adelaide asked about Pundington.”

His hand stilled for several beats before he resumed brushing her hair.

She turned toward him, took the brush away, and placed it on the table. “I hardly think of him anymore, Daniel. There is no need for you to worry.” She stood and wrapped her arms around his waist.

He enveloped her and kissed the crown of her head. “But I do worry. I promised to keep you safe and make you happy. I could not live with myself if I broke that promise.”

She kissed his chin. “You have never broken any promises. I have all I have ever wanted and so much more.”

“Then, your life lives up to the dream, Lady Marlton?”

She smiled and pulled him toward the bed. “My life surpassed my dreams the moment you began to love me.”

He followed her onto the bed and covered her body with his. “In that case, you will have to dream bigger, Sophie. Every day my love for you grows beyond the day before and I feel it shall never level off.”

“I’m certain my dreams can keep pace, my lord. I have an excellent imagination.” She arched into him, making him groan.

Daniel’s mouth covered hers and her imagination soared once more.

Read on for a sneak peek at book #2 in A. S. Fenichel’s Forever Brides series

Time may heal all wounds, but while Michael begins to recover, Elinor cannot forgive his betrayal. She has a new suitor and a broken heart. It will take a miracle and a lot of help from their friends for these two to fight for the life they dreamed of.

“I was not out yet when the earl was engaged. I only know the rumors.” Elinor wished Sophia would change the subject.

“And, what was the rumor?”

Elinor cringed. How she hated gossip.

“Never mind, Elinor you do not have to tell me.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Sophia, but talking of such things reminded her of the article in the newspaper that had nearly destroyed her. “I hate rumors. They are often exaggerated and none of us really know the truth. Well, except those involved.”

“Yes, of course you’re right.”

The bushes to the right rustled.

Michael stood in the shrubbery’s shadow watching. He stepped out into view. His dark hair hung over bright blue eyes, and he was rumpled from hiding in the garden. “Forgive me, ladies.”

“Michael,” Elinor whispered.

“I was trying to wait until I could speak to Miss Burkenstock alone. I hope I did not startle you.”

He fidgeted, which was unusual. Michael was always in control.

All the waiting and now she couldn’t stop her tears from falling.

“Shall I leave, Elinor?” Sophia asked.

She’d forgotten Sophia was even there. Michael took up all the space. “Thank you, Sophia.”

“Are you certain you will be safe?”

His smile was warm and made Elinor weak in the knees. “You have my word I shall not harm her in anyway.”

“Elinor?” Sophia narrowed her eyes.

“I will be fine.”

Sophia nodded and walked away.

“Elinor.” He said her name like a prayer.

“Yes, Sir Michael?” Pretending she was unaffected by him, she looked away. She wished she could be more like Dory. Dory was excellent at pretending that she didn’t care.

“I was watching you dance,” he said. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself very much especially when you danced with Travinberg.”

“Are you jealous, Sir Michael?” She examined a rose more carefully than was necessary.

He stood behind her. “I am beside myself with desire for you. I hate every man who even looks at you and even those who only glance in your general direction. The last week has been torture.”

All her torment of the last week bubbled up in her belly. She turned toward him. “Then why did you leave town and leave me to deal with the scandal all alone? You left me with only a note to keep me company and not much of a note at that. What was I supposed to do?”

His smile widened. “My God, you are even more beautiful when you’re angry.”

Her cheeks immediately warmed, and she dammed her fair skin for not allowing her to hide her blush. “Do not change the subject. I may not be the smartest girl in London but I know that what you did was terribly unkind. I might have been ruined if not for my good friends.”

“I did not run from you. I ran to try to make something you can be proud of.”

“Where did you go?”

He took her hands. “I am going to be worthy of you, Elinor. I promise that I will if you will just wait for me.”

“Wait? For how long? Mother will not allow me to wait if another offer is made. And what if the gentleman is titled?” Panic tightened her chest until she struggled for breath. She would need to make a list of ways to stall her mother’s plans.

He pulled her closer. “A few months is all I ask, my darling. Just give me a few months and I will have enough money to come to your father and make an offer. Surely you can hold your mother off for a few months.”

“I suppose I can, but why? I have my dowry? Certainly that will be enough for us to live comfortably.”

He looked down at his feet. “I do not want to marry you for your money, Elinor.”

Her heart beat wildly. “But is that not why you pursued me?”

He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “I will not deny I came to London this season because I needed to marry so that I can restore the money that my father squandered.” He kissed her cheek. “I had every intention of finding a rich bride to enable that plan.” He kissed her other cheek. “Then I met you, and you were the perfect solution to my problems.”

She tried to pull away, but he held her close and gently kissed her lips. It was a gentle peck, but she felt it down to her toes and everywhere in between.

He hugged her. “I knew you were the one, Elinor. So beautiful, charming and sweet, I could not resist you. I want to be worthy of your love and in the weeks we courted, I found a way to get enough money to repair my country home and still have enough to make a good start of the marriage. I made the deal on some grain. It will take a bit of time for my plans to pan out but in a couple of months I should be able to show your father that I am worthy of you.”

It was difficult not to let his lips distract her from what he said. She heard him say he loved her well enough though. She breathed normally again though her heart still raced. “I would gladly have given you my money.”

He frowned. “We can take your money and put it away for our children.”

“Children.” The notion of raising babies with Michael made her sway with joy.

“You do want children, don’t you, Elinor?”

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming. “Oh yes. I want a house full.”

“I have a very big house.” His grin spread wide.

“Good.” Tears trickled down her face. Elinor was sure she had never been so happy.

With his gloved thumbs, he gently wiped the moisture from her face. “You will wait for me then?”

“I will wait, Michael.”

Immediately, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Her mouth opened under his and she melted against him. Michael and a house full of children with his marvelous blue eyes filled her head.

Her heart beat so fast, when he pulled away, she gasped for air.

“I have to go before I really do ruin you.” He was equally out of breath.

“Must you?” She didn’t want him to go. What she wanted was more of his kisses.

He laughed and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “It will not be long, my love. I shall return to London as soon as possible, and we will be married.”

Once again, Elinor felt alone. “Don’t go.”

I must but I will be back. I promise.” He took one step away.

“Michael.”

He turned.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Do you love me, Michael?”

In an instant, she was in his arms again. “I love you more than life, Elinor. I will not betray you. Please trust me.”

She tentatively kissed the skin behind his ear. “I do trust you. I just want…”

“Yes, my love, what do you want?”

“I want…I don’t know.” Her tongue touched his ear.

Grabbing her bottom, he pressed her roughly against his arousal.

Surprised but not afraid, she arched against him.

His lips found hers roughly and his hands caressed her everywhere. He pulled her deeper into the thick garden shrubs. His breath came hard and he kissed her ear, her neck and then moved down to her throat. His fingers caressed the top of her bodice then tugged gently to release her nipple.

The cool air felt odd and delightful on her sensitive skin.

He grazed it with his thumb and then his mouth covered hers and she pulled him closer, wanting something but not knowing what she needed.

Everything spun as if she’d taken too much wine. It was wonderful and terrible all at once. She gripped his arms tighter never wanting to let go.

He pushed her away.

“No.”

He fixed her dress so that she was covered and pushed a stray curl back behind her ear. “I must go. It is too difficult to be here in the dark alone with you. I will not be able to stop myself.”

“I did not ask you to stop.” She surprised herself with her boldness.

He grinned. “No, you did not, but I will wait and take you when you are mine, my love. We can wait for our wedding night and I promise it will be worth the wait.”

He kissed her nose, and then was gone.

See the dressmaker

Find just the right gift for Michael

Ask mother for pin money

Write to Michael so he will know I’m thinking of him.

Elinor had many more items to add to her morning list, but she put down her quill at the knock on her door. “Yes.”

Her mother stepped inside. “Your father wishes to see you in his study, Elinor.”

“Why so formal, mother?”

“The matter is quite urgent.” Virginia Burkenstock folded her hands together and pulled a sour face, much different from her normal serene expression.

Elinor placed her list inside her desk, stood and shook out her skirts.

As soon as she reached her father’s study a quiver of nerves twisted her stomach. She entered.

“Sit, daughter.”

She obeyed.

“You will not marry Sir Michael Rollins.”

For a full thirty seconds Lady Elinor Burkenstock could not respond. She heard what her father said, but it was so outrageous for him to be cancelling her wedding a mere month before the much anticipated day, she was sure she had misunderstood. She stared at him for some sign that he would say more or make her understand, but he only cleared his throat and fiddled with a document on his desk.