Already His (The Caversham Chronicles - Book Two) (35 page)

C
HAPTER
F
OURTEEN

O
n a warm sunny morning in mid-June, wearing her new burgundy riding habit in preparation for her morning ride with her brother, Elise entered the dining room to breakfast to find Ren nervously issuing orders for his horse to be brought around immediately and the coach sent to pick up Prescott. Then he instructed Michael on the handling of certain business and legal matters for him while he was away.

“My secretary will arrive at nine,” Ren said as he collected several leather-bound folios and handed them to his valet for packing. “He will assist you, Michael. All the files are right there in the office, he knows which ones you should need. Once you’ve gone over the terms of those contracts and approve them, send them to me for signatures, please.”

“Is everything all right?” Concern began to build in Elise as her brother made arrangements for a lengthy absence. The usually collected and normally unruffled Duke of Caversham seemed shaken. The only time she’d ever seen him this way was when someone in their family was ill or harmed in some way. Every possible horrible thing that could befall their kin began to run through her mind, frightening her. “What is the matter? Is it Lia? Are the children hurt?”

He shook his head and took a deep breath, unaware that his upset caused those around him to become distressed as well. “Lia has taken to her bed.” His voice quivered noticeably. “She hasn’t been feeling well and I’m concerned for the babe. Though she says she’s fine and insists I remain in town for your sake, I’m away for Haldenwood and bringing Prescott with me. I’m not sure when I will return.”

“I want to go home with you.” Turning to a footman, she asked that her maid be notified to pack her things.

Ren motioned to stop the footman. “That’s not necessary just yet, Elise. Like I told Grandmother a few minutes ago, give me time to assess the situation. I’ll send word if you and she are needed at Haldenwood. For now you can continue with the remainder of the season. You’ll have Grandmother with you, and Michael close by, so you will be safe.”

Ren left soon after, promising to send word about Lia’s health as soon as possible. Elise was too nervous to breakfast, so she proceeded with her ride in the park, with her secret fiance at her side instead of her brother.

M
ichael Dennis Brightman, Viscount Bellefield, and eleventh Earl of Camden, was nearly unmanned by an innocent slip of a woman. Damn her passion. No, damn his inability to control his desire when he held her in his arms. Her passion for him was a wondrous thing, something he wanted to arouse and nurture for many years to come. Just not yet.

Upon returning from their ride to find Ren’s secretary had not yet arrived, Elise had followed Michael into Ren’s office. He noticed the despair in her eyes, and his attempt to comfort her turned into a kiss so passionate and intense as to almost make him forget where he was. When the knock sounded on the door, it surprised them both. Elise recovered her senses first and replied to the person on the other side. Only after straightening her riding habit, did she open the door to allow the secretary entrance. She greeted the man as Michael moved uncomfortably to the chair behind Ren’s desk, praying the secretary didn’t notice his risen predicament.

He had to make Elise see the wisdom in waiting a little longer. In six weeks his family would come out of mourning. After that he would marry her immediately. Except that it wasn’t what his mother had asked of him. His mother preferred he have the banns read, and they marry in the chapel at Woodhenge.

Drumming his fingers on the desk as he waited on the secretary to complete a dictated change to the terms of a contract, Michael resolved that his mother didn’t order the particulars of his marriage. He’d inform her, and his sisters, of the time and place of the event, and they would be welcomed to attend. Michael wanted his mother to realize their presence wasn’t necessary for the sacrament to occur.

He resolved to make quick work of these contracts and be out of here. An afternoon sparring with a suitable partner at Jackson’s might help ease this pent up frustration.

Several hours later after reading each contract, making recommendations and changes, then dictating several notes to Ren, he left the packet on the desk for the courier to Haldenwood. After dismissing Ren’s secretary for the day, he sought Elise to bid her good day and found her and Lady Sewell in the parlor entertaining Lady Randolph, her daughter Caroline and Captain Wilson. They were partaking of tea and cakes when he entered and they all greeted him warmly. Elise rose and offered to pour him a cup, but he declined.

“Lady Caroline and Captain Wilson have just shared their wonderful news,” she said.

“What news is this?” Michael looked from Wilson to Lady Caroline.

“We are getting married in the spring,” said Wilson, as he rose from the settee.

The bride-to-be blushed prettily and Michael smiled, genuinely happy for the two of them. “My most sincere congratulations to you both.” He walked over to Wilson and shook his hand. After a few moments of exchanging pleasantries regarding the upcoming nuptials, Michael asked for a moment with Elise. “The packet for the courier in on your brother’s desk, you and your grandmother can add your letters home to it.” He stared at the floral pattern in the carpet. It was the same hand-tied turkey rug he’d seen in this room for years.

Good God, but he felt like a green lad right then! He didn’t want to believe it was the kiss they shared earlier causing his distraction. After all, he’d kissed many women, all far more experienced at the art of seduction than Elise, and had never been thus affected.

“In light of the circumstances, I think it inappropriate to go anywhere tonight, as we may get word from Haldenwood soon.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. Then asked, “Would you come for dinner then and keep me and grandmother company?”

“I’m sorry I... cannot. I... have a previous engagement I must attend to.” Michael had to leave, he was starting to stutter, something he hadn’t done since his school days. “I will see you for breakfast.”

Disappointment flickered in her eyes just before acceptance. “Fine. Then I bid you a good evening,” she replied and turned back to her guests.

Michael made a last stop in the foyer to speak with Ren’s butler. He left only after he checked on the guard and felt certain Elise and Lady Sewell would be safe in the home alone for the evening. Then he was off to Jackson’s first and perhaps dinner at his club. He had much to contemplate this night.

E
lise heard Beverly enter the house, her long stride sure as she headed toward the dining room, where she and her grandmother sat in quiet contempation at one end of the long table.

Foregoing a greeting as she entered the room, she asked, “Have you had any word yet?” She refused a place setting, but asked for a cup of tea.

“None,” Elise said. Looking at her grandmother, she said, “This was sudden, wasn’t it? In the last letter I received from her yesterday, Lia was feeling fine. This morning she is unwell, and it is such that my brother runs home to her bedside. I don’t understand, and I admit to being afraid.”

“Don’t be afraid, girls. I thought she was doing well also,” Her grandmother set her spoon down ending her meal with the last of her soup, and backed her chair with the help of a footman. “This is out of our hands, ladies. Prescott is there with Ren. Right now, the best thing we can do is pray for Lia’s health.” She reached for her cane, and leaned on it heavily, her gnarled and weathered hands aged from years of gardening. Her grandmother looked at them both and said, “Life is fleeting, and to have love in that life is precious. Not everyone does, you know.” She closed her eyes, her age and condition showing tonight more than ever. “I have loved twice, and buried both men. If you’re fortunate enough to find someone you cannot live without, make sure they know every day how much you love them. Every single day. Because you never know what tomorrow brings.” Grandmother turned and began to leave the room. As she walked she added, “And to that end, I am off for bed early. My prayers will be a little longer and more detailed tonight.” After she bid her and Beverly good night, she could be heard telling the footman not to hover so closely behind her as she began the climb up the stairs.

She finished her meal in silence, while a plan began to form in her mind. Elise couldn’t share her thoughts with Beverly just then. After her friend finished a second cup of tea she said, “Come to my room with me, and lets talk.”

“I hope all turns out well with the babe,” Beverly said.

“So do I.”

Once the bedroom door was shut behind them, Elise searched the room for Bridget or any other maids. “I have been thinking on my grandmother’s words,” she whispered, “and she’s right.”

Beverly nodded. “She has seen enough years to speak with authority on most every subject.”

“I want to be with Michael tonight. I love him.” Elise hoped she conveyed the urgency she felt. Or else Beverly would never understand.

“Your betrothal will be announced in a matter of weeks, ’Lise. Why rush it now?”

“You heard my grandmother. We never know what tomorrow holds for us, and Lia is an excellent example.” She stood and began to pace the length of her sitting room, all while keeping an eye out for Bridget entering through her bedroom. “You see, I have been in contact with Lia these past weeks she’s been in the country, on nearly a daily basis. At Woodhenge she was the epitome of maternal good health and beauty. Never once has she mentioned any difficulty with this pregnancy. Rather, it’s been just the opposite she says.”

Beverly was beginning to look confused. So she clarified, “Lia almost died giving birth to Marcus. Ren was shot at in the field while he was hunting. Grandmother fell down the stairs and hit her head. My father’s coach broke a wheel and went down a ravine.” At her friend’s confused look, she explained, “Beverly, I am done waiting, and taking the chance that all will be well following
his
time table. I want to be the master of my destiny. This is my
life
, and I’m not living it if I’m always following the dictates of others.” Elise stood, a new determination spurring her on. “But tonight I’m choosing to live. I’m choosing to be with Michael.”

Her friend gave her a disapproving grimace, so Elise tried another explanation. “The other day you asked me a question, and I told you I’d think on it. Remember? You wanted to know why I feel this sense of urgency.” When Beverly nodded, she continued. “If my father had loved me as he did Ren, he would have spent more time with me, shown a little interest in me or my life. He didn’t. He didn’t care about anything I did unless I was in trouble. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that I lived and my mother died.” When Beverly’s blue eyes grew round as saucers, Elise reassured her, “Truly, it doesn’t matter now. I’ve reconciled myself to that.”

Beverly nodded. “We’re finally getting somewhere Elise.”

“It’s not what you think. I’m not trying to replace my father with Michael. That’s abhorrent.”

“You are after the affection and intimacy, but not the—” Beverly looked around the room to make sure no one heard her say the next word, and when she did was a whisper. “—Sex.”

Elise gave her friend a knowing grin. “No, I assure you I want Michael sexually too.”

Her friend shook her pinned-up blond ringlets. “I don’t like this, Elise,” Beverly said, “I mean, what if you’re found out?

“I can be home before sunrise.” At Beverly’s worried frown, she added, “Before even Bridget awakens. If I get back early enough, no one will know but you.”

“You cannot possibly go to his residence,” her friend argued.

Elise scanned the room. “Well, I cannot invite him to mine! There are servants here who would report to my brother every detail of my actions while he was away. And what they didn’t know for fact, they would speculate upon.” She shook her head. “No, I must go to him.”

“Oh, damnation,” Beverly swore. “I hate it when you get that determined look. It always leads to calamity.”

“Yes, but this time you’ll not be involved, so you have nothing to worry over. I merely want time alone with Michael.”

“Trying to sneak into your house in the middle of the night is dangerous,” Beverly said. “It’s too risky.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“Against my better judgment I think.... You should come stay with me tonight,” her friend suggested. “Then you don’t have to worry when you get home tomorrow morning as you’re coming from
my house
. Understand?”

Elise sighed, then gave a slight smile to her friend. “How do I thank you both for giving me this gift?” When Beverly turned a curious glance her way, Elise explained. “You see, in my last letter to Lia, I lamented how Michael never allowed himself to be alone with me. How we were always in the company of others, usually Ren.”

“I see,” Beverly said as realization dawned. “Brilliant sister-in-law you have there, Elise.”

“Yes, I think so, too.” Elise went into her dressing room and took out her small valise, and began to put a few of her essentials inside, along with her riding breeches, plain boy’s shirt and an old jacket. “Lia presented me with the possibility. You are giving me an option in the execution. So I am taking the opportunity to make my desires known to Michael.”