The Wary Widow (28 page)

“Then you will face ruin,” Andrew offered. “This way, it will look as if I’ve stepped aside in the name of love. I will be there tomorrow to offer my support of your union and then I will go away and marry Chloe as discreetly as possible so as not to arouse suspicions. We will stay away until well after the baby is born. No one will suspect a thing, I assure you.”

Elizabeth nodded her head, clearly trying to come to grips with her fate. Michael hated that he had to strong-arm her into marriage to him. He would have preferred to woo her, to tell her that he loved her, and have her agree to marry him based on a mutual love. But things didn’t always go as planned.

“Well, then,” Michael said solemnly as he stood, “I will see you at the altar.”

Twenty-Eight

Andrew stood at the front of St. George’s Cathedral the next morning with a beaming smile on his face. It was a lovely day for a wedding. The sun was bright in the sky, birds could be heard chirping away just beyond the stained glass windows, and a light breeze blew in from the back, carrying whispers from curious attendees.

“I thought she was marrying the other one...” was the most common of statements today, but Andrew didn’t care. They could talk all they wanted about him giving up his bride for Michael. All he cared about was that ultimately, their crisis had been averted and Chloe would finally be his.

Elizabeth walked down the aisle toward Michael, but her veil was too thick to determine if she was happy or not. Andrew wondered if they had done the right thing, but only briefly. His elation at his own luck was too overwhelming for him to get down for too long.

He tried to be patient during the vows, but he was itching to just be done with all of it. He had a great many things to tend to before he could run off to Essex to retrieve his bride. He wished he could go straight there, but if they were to disappear until after the baby was born, he would have to tie up his loose ends in the city. Furthermore, he wouldn’t be able to meet with his solicitor until tomorrow, and absolutely nothing could go forward without meeting with his solicitor.

So, he stopped his fidgeting and tried to relax through the rest of the ceremony. When the reverend announced that Michael could kiss his bride, Andrew finally got a good look at Elizabeth’s face.

She looked
neither happy nor sad—simply indifferent to the events
. Guilt stabbed at his gut, but there was nothing to be done now. What would he do anyway? They were already married. He could only hope for the best, for Michael's sake.

It wasn’t until the wedding breakfast that all the questions began to pile in from his family, or more specifically, from the Lionesses.

“What on earth happened, Andrew?”
Katherine asked, clearly eager to hear every last juicy detail.

Andrew shrugged nonchalantly. “When Michael told me that he was in love with her, well...what could I do?
I
wasn’t in love with her. And she wasn’t in love with me either,” he added. “We look alike and are of equal station, so it didn't seem to matter to Elizabeth either way.”

“Yes,
but,
are you not the least bit worried about your own reputation?” Phoebe put in. “People are already starting to whisper of how heartbroken you must be.”

Andrew only chuckled. “The
ton
may say whatever they wish. The truth is that I couldn’t be happier for myself, or for my brother.”

His sisters regarded him curiously. Clearly they were confused as to how he could be so very happy under such circumstances. But now was not the time to tell them about Chloe. Too many people were about, and he couldn’t risk any more gossip. He would tell Benjamin when they were alone and garner the support of his family in private.

For now, he would continue to evade his family’s inquiries.

As he circulated the ballroom, it became evident that the Lionesses were not the only ones talking about the situation. The whispering would cease whenever someone thought he was in earshot of
their
conversation. Pitying glances followed him wherever he went. Good God, he had to get out of there.

He found his brother and Elizabeth tucked into an alcove of the ballroom, clearly carrying on a private conversation. If he had not been looking, he wouldn't have even noticed them there.

Andrew approached cautiously, not meaning to eavesdrop, but eavesdropping nonetheless.

“I will not discuss this now. The matter is closed. Now I would very much like to return to the party.”

“Elizabeth, please. She only wants to apologize. Just come to Essex so we can all talk about this.”

“What on earth is there to talk about?” she asked, and her voice cracked a bit.

“Will you not give her your forgiveness?”

There was a pause and then Elizabeth finally said, “I do forgive her, and you may send that message along with Andrew. But I will not go to Essex. I do not wish to see her yet.”

“Pardon me.” Andrew stepped into the alcove to join them. They both turned, seemingly not surprised to see him there. “I will certainly pass along your message, Elizabeth. And, thank you. However, I do believe the two of you will wish to go somewhere.”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth seemed alarmed at the prospect of leaving London, but Andrew knew neither of them would be happy if they stayed.

“The rumors are already in full swing, even here, amongst your friends and family. I dare say an extended honeymoon would be a good idea.”

“And where do you suggest we go on such short notice?”

Andrew tossed a glance at his brother. “Scotland. The estate was being prepared for...for you and I, Elizabeth.”

“Good,” Michael said with a note of finality. “We'll leave first thing tomorrow, then. Thank you, Andrew.”

With a nod of his head, Andrew muttered, “Many felicitations,” and then disappeared out the nearest door of
Eastleigh
Manor.

***

“Are they gone?” Andrew asked, poking his head into his older brother’s study.

“They left hours ago. You’re safe.” Benjamin signed off on a document and then finally looked up at Andrew. “I suppose you’re here to tell me what happened.”

Andrew took a seat across from his brother after pouring himself a glass of scotch. “Yes, but there is a great deal more to the story than you might think. Have you got the time?”

“
I
’m
all ears, Drew
.”

Andrew nosed his whisky, garnering courage from its potent smell, and with a deep breath, launched into the whole, sordid tale of how Michael came to be the one married to Elizabeth. And how Chloe came to be pregnant with his baby. Benjamin remained quiet and never once passed judgment on Andrew for what had transpired. How could he? He had certainly met with his own bit of scandal in the past.

When Andrew finished the story, Benjamin sat back in his chair and exhaled. “So, what now?” he asked.

“Well, I’ve met with my solicitor this morning. I have money enough to buy us a home, and her parents as well, but the problem is finding one on such short notice. I could bring her to London, but under the circumstances that’s probably not the best idea.”
“No, certainly not.”

“I would accept one of the family estates, but the empty ones are in the north. I hate to take her family so far from home. So, you see, I need your help.”

“Well,” Benjamin said, standing to his feet, “it’s not me you need, really. But I do know someone who can help you.”
Andrew looked up at his brother, not daring to dream. Benjamin said nothing. He simply walked from the room.

“Well, are you coming?” he asked, popping his head back around the door. “I was under the impression this was a time sensitive situation.”

Andrew needed no further prodding. He jumped from his chair and followed his brother from
Eastleigh
House.

***

Tuesday morning a letter arrived for Chloe. She tore it open, eager for news from Andrew. She was somewhat disappointed as the note was brief and very to the point.

My dearest Chloe,

I regret that I haven’t time to explain yesterday’s festivities in detail, but rest assured everything went as planned. I will be there by the week’s end. Please tell your family to begin packing their things.

With all my love,

Andrew

Pack their things? What on earth was he talking about? She reread the note to make sure she hadn’t missed something, and went so far as to turn it over as well. Nothing. It was still just the few short lines, detailing very little.

Just the same, she did as he said and told her family to begin packing their personal belongings.

“Why on earth would we need to pack?” her mother asked. “It’s not as if the whole lot of us can go on your wedding trip.”

Good Lord, was that what he was planning? No. He would never do such a thing.

“I don’t know, mama, but we should pack just in case.”

***

The following afternoon, Chloe received yet another minuscule piece of correspondence from Andrew.

Dearest Chloe,

Secure the vicar for Sunday and prepare a bouquet of forget-me-nots. I will see you on Friday.

Yours,

Andrew

“May I come in?”

Chloe quickly folded the letter and shoved it in her pocket before looking up to greet Louis, who stood in the doorway of the cottage. She couldn’t say she was entirely surprised to see him. Somehow she’d known he would come back, if for no other reason than to make sure she wasn’t permanently damaged from his blow three days ago.

 
“Oh, Louis, do come in,” she said as she moved to clear the mess from luncheon.

“I just wanted to make sure you were all right.” He moved into the room and Chloe backed away. “I won’t do it again,” he said with a sheepish grin.

Chloe laughed in spite of herself. “I know, Louis.” She plopped into a kitchen chair and gestured for Louis to do the same.

“Please say you don’t hate me, Chloe. I don’t know that I could live without your forgiveness. I can’t imagine what came over me.”

“I know.” Chloe nodded. “And I do forgive you. But that doesn’t change things.”

“I saw him leave here shortly after I did,” he said. “I assumed perhaps you had sent him away as well.”

Chloe saw the hope in Louis’s eyes and her heart ached for the man. She just couldn’t give him what he wanted.

“No,” she whispered with a shake of her head. “He simply...had some things to take care of. He will return, Louis, and when he does, we will be married.”

“But I love you, Chloe.” Louis’s voice rose with a frightening passion.

“Yes, I know you do,” she replied. “But I don’t love you, Louis.”

She took his hand and gave it a slight squeeze. When he looked up at her, she could see there were tears in his eyes.

Chloe hated herself for being so blunt, but what choice did she have? She could no longer lead him on a string, and she certainly couldn’t marry him just to have someone to care for her and the baby. Especially now that Andrew was going to make things right for them.

Guilt surfaced again over the situation, but she tamped it down quickly. Lizzie would forgive her
one day
. Chloe just hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

But she understood Louis’s pain, and how lonely life could be. The months after Sam's death were the worst of her life. The feelings of loss, of overwhelming loneliness, had threatened to swallow her whole. However, she had known there was hope. That life had a way of working itself
out,
of bringing that thing or person that you never thought could be yours.