Chapter Twenty-Three
Rowena and Lord Samuel left Pebblestone immediately after dinner. Con would give them time to arrive home before he would go to the stables to borrow a horse. He went to the library to pass the time until then, and Lord Cramer appeared as Con was perusing the shelves.
“My best wishes again to you and Lady Jewell,” he told the earl, a little surprised at the match because Cramer was so taciturn and Lady Jewell the opposite.
“I know to others, we may seem very mismatched,” Lord Cramer admitted. “Lady Jewell is vivacious, drawing others to her with ease. I am a serious, solemn sort of fellow, but she has brought out the very best in me. I could not afford to leave this house party without offering for her.”
“I think it is important for a couple to balance one another in a relationship,” Con told the young man. “Obviously, you both have strong feelings for one another.” He smiled. “It is a good thing that you decided to attend this house party.”
“I was doing so in hopes that I might find a wife,” the earl shared.
“I have been to the Season and found it both superficial and overwhelming, especially for a reserved gentleman such as me. I hoped the intimacy a house party offered might help me get to know a handful of young ladies better. Frankly, I liked all the women present, but I was especially drawn to Lady Jewell. It is a good thing since a few of the other gentlemen present also found matches in the other guests.”
Lord Cramer hesitated, studying Con for a moment. “I thought perhaps you and Miss Stanhope might make a go of things.”
He shrugged. “That remains to be seen. It is not for lack of effort on my part.”
The earl brightened. “Then I wish you success in your endeavors, Lord Marley.”
Lord Cramer frowned, and Con asked, “What is it?”
“I had intended to ask if you would ride with me tomorrow to see about this bishop’s license. You seemed to know what you were talking about, and I wanted to make certain I had it in hand since the wedding is being planned. But if you need time to woo Miss Stanhope, that is more important.”
He knew things would be settled later this evening between him and Rowena. If she agreed to wed him, he could miss one day with her. And if she again clarified her position and let him know there was no chance of a betrothal between them, he would be better off not being at Pebblestone tomorrow.
“I shall be happy to accompany you, my lord. What time would you like to depart?”
They arranged to leave by seven o’clock the next morning, and Con told Lord Cramer he would see him then.
He left the library and went down to the stables, asking a groom to saddle a horse for him.
Thankfully, Lord Pebble’s servants were well trained, and the groom did not ask him where he was riding off to so late.
He arrived at Rowena’s cottage a quarter hour later, dismounting and tying the horse’s reins to the post. Trepidation filled him as he approached the door.
He had not let his hopes rise simply because she wished to speak with him in private.
If anything, he steeled himself for the worst. Knowing this might be the final time they ever spoke alone, he rapped upon the door.
Immediately, it opened. He saw she still wore the same gown she had worn to dinner. Her eyes betrayed nothing of her feelings as she asked him to come inside. Con did so, and Rowena closed the door behind him.
They both started speaking at once and then stopped, each chuckling, which broke some of the tension in the air. He decided to take the lead because what he had to say was too important to wait.
“Normally, I would bow to a lady and allow her to speak first, but I left something very important unsaid the last time we were together here.”
“I am sorry we parted on such an angry note,” she said. “That is why I need to—”
“No, let me finish.” He took a deep breath. “I have been a confident man all my life, knowing my mind and acting accordingly. I have never been indecisive regarding any matter, much less quick to anger. I am now taking the advice of my valet.”
Her brows arched hearing that, and he nodded. “Yes, my valet. Benchley told me to speak my heart—and that is what I wish to do now, Rowena.”
Con took a step toward her, gathering her hands in his, bringing them to his lips for a tender kiss.
“I love you,” he declared. “That was the most important thing—and one I should have said before all the other hurtful and angry words spilled from me. I do love you, Rowena. I cannot tell you when I started loving you, only that I do. I can see a life for the two of us, one in which we are both lovers and friends, equal partners in our marriage. I know you have said you will never wed, but I hope you will reconsider.” He swallowed.
“Because if you are not going to marry me, then I, too, will never wed.
“It is you. Or no one.”
He had barely spoken the last word when she burst into tears. Her sobs continued, racking her entire body. Con enfolded her in his arms, smoothing her hair, whispering words to soothe her, but she cried all the harder. Finally, he fell silent, simply holding her, for what might be the last time.
Her tears subsided, and she looked up at him. “I, too, love you, Con. Will all my heart. I want a life with you. Children with you. I want to grow old and gray with you.”
Confused, he asked, “Then why so many tears?” He framed her face with his hands and pressed a gentle kiss to her soft lips.
“I have never cried before,” she revealed, her body still trembling.
“Never?”
She nodded. “I have always been stoic. Rational. I had to be. Papa was almost like a child, and so I became the parent and always told him what to do. I managed the household. Met regularly with his solicitor and banker regarding his investments. Gave advice to Ollie regarding the running of Stanfield.” She sniffed.
“I knew Papa was dying because his doctor informed me of it. Because Papa was a simple creature, I kept that from him, wanting him to enjoy his final days without worry. By the time he passed, I had already come to terms with his death, knowing about it in advance and preparing myself for that eventuality.”
What she revealed surprised him. He did not think he would have had the maturity to do all she had from such a tender age.
“I have never shed a tear, Con. Ever. I cannot tell you what all these tears were about because I am not certain myself. Perhaps I am feeling a bit of relief that our feelings are the same and that we have a chance to be together.”
“I do love you, Rowena. I want to wed you as soon as possible.”
She smiled, a radiant smile which warmed him. “I will marry you whenever you wish, Con.”
“I know you would like for your cousin to be present at the ceremony. I believe you had mentioned an aunt at one point.”
Rowena nodded. “Yes, Aunt Sylvia lives in town. I would also like for Lord and Lady Pebble to attend. They have been as family to me over the years. But what of your family? You have your mother. Your sisters and so many cousins. We must send word to all of them.”
He thought a moment and then said, “I am to go with Lord Cramer tomorrow to purchase a bishop’s license for his and Lady Jewell’s wedding.”
“Oh, I have agreed to stand up with Miss Tweedham when she and Ollie wed in three weeks. Do you think we might wed in the meantime? Between those two weddings?”
Con thought a moment, not certain how Rowena would react to what he had to say.
“I know you are not fond of town, but I believe it would be the best place for the ceremony to take place. Your cousin and Lord and Lady Pebble could come to town. My two sisters and Cousin Ariadne only live about two hours from town, so it would be easy for them to attend the ceremony. It would also give me time to send word to Mama, who is visiting a friend in Sussex, and Val. My other cousins are too far away.”
He took her hands in his again. “I hope it wouldn’t be too terrible for you if we wed in town.”
“I think it sounds convenient for all,” she said, causing his heart to sing. “That way, we could have as many of our loved ones present as possible.”
“Then I will leave for London after Lord Cramer and Lady Jewell’s wedding.
I will purchase a special license for us when I arrive as well as go to Surrey to see my sisters and Ariadne.
I suspect Ariadne will offer to host our wedding breakfast. She has done so for her siblings and other cousins in the past. It has become almost a ritual. ”
“I am so looking forward to meeting your family, Con, and making them mine.”
He kissed her with enthusiasm. “Oh, they will simply adore you. Tia already does. At least you have met her and Hugo. I am sorry Tia’s sister, Lia, and her husband Rupert will not be able to be at the ceremony, but I hope Val and Eden can come to town. You got along well with the two of them.”
She gazed up at him in wonder. “Is this truly happening? Or am I dreaming?”
“If you are, love, then I am in those dreams with you. When you awaken, I will always be there, loving you.”
Con took her to bed and made slow, sweet love to her. Afterward, he told her a little about Lucy and Dru and also Marleyfield. Then he kissed her a final time and rose from the bed.
“I must return to Pebblestone. Lord Cramer and I are leaving early tomorrow morning.”
He took her hand and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “I am sorry we will not be able to spend time tomorrow together.”
“You are helping a friend, Con. Besides, Lady Pebble is going to keep me busy all day. I am to supervise the gardeners about which blooms to cut and then help the others decorate the Mossleigh church for the wedding. We would not have had time together because of that.”
“I do not want to take away from Lord Cramer’s and Lady Jewell’s happiness. Could we wait and share our good news after the wedding takes place?”
“Well, I will have to prevent myself from bursting with the news,” she teased. “But I suppose I can keep the secret to myself another two days.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “You look comfy where you are. Stay in bed. I will see myself out.”
Con rode home, joy soaring through him. He had wondered what would happen when he took Lord Clay’s place at the house party. Now, he was filled with good cheer, knowing he had found love. That not only did he love, but he was loved in return by the most wonderful angel who walked this earth.
*
A footman came and bent, saying in Con’s ear, “Lord Marley, your carriage has arrived. Your valet is seeing to having your trunk placed upon it now.”
“Thank you,” he said.
Con turned to Rowena, who sat beside him, their fingers entwined beneath the table.
“It is time for me to go.”
She gave him a wistful smile. “I will miss you terribly, Con.”
Giving her a rakish smile, he said, “Not half as much as I will miss you. Shall we share our good news now?”
They rose, their hands still joined. He saw Lady Pebble was the first to catch sight of that. Her mouth formed an O, and she elbowed her husband. Lord Pebble turned and saw them. He beamed and also rose.
“While it is not yet time to toast our lovely, wedded couple, I believe Lord Marley has something to share with our group.”
All eyes fell upon Rowena and him, and Con saw smiles break out on the faces of those present.
“I am sorry to interrupt this wedding breakfast, but my carriage is ready. I am departing for town now, where I shall purchase a special license to wed the love of my life, Miss Stanhope.”
He turned to face her and gave her a spontaneous kiss, causing those gathered to break into applause.
“We will marry in town in another week to ten days. It will be easier for Mama and my sisters to meet us there, along with a few of my cousins.” He looked at Viscount Samuel.
“Although your cousin is of age and does not require your permission to wed, I hope you will give us your blessing and that you will attend the wedding.”
“Other than my own upcoming wedding, this is the best possible news, my lord. Yes, I shall be there.”
“We will return to Pebblestone in time for the double wedding ceremony,” Rowena assured the other guests.
“My work is done here,” Lady Pebble proclaimed. “I must be the only hostess who has ever had every single guest invited to a house party become betrothed.”
Con looked at the viscountess. “Thank you for asking us all here, my lady.” He grinned. “Even if I came under unusual circumstances.”
Her eyes met his. “There was no emergency for Lord Clay, was there, my lord?”
Ready to admit the truth, Con said, “No, my lady. I learned that Miss Stanhope would be present at your house party and believed if I did not find a way to attend it, I would lose her.”
He looked across the group seated. “Besides finding my countess, I also have gained good friends. Friendships which I believe will last a lifetime.”
Looking to the newlyweds, he added, “I am sorry to have interrupted your wedding breakfast, but I did not want to rush off before everyone knew of our engagement.”
“I think it quite romantic, Lord Marley,” the new Lady Cramer said, beaming at him.
“Naturally, you and Lord Cramer are invited to our wedding, but I figured you might be on your honeymoon and not be able to attend.” He looked at the others. “I know two more weddings are yet to come, so if we do not see you at ours, we will come celebrate all our happiness at yours.”
Rowena accompanied him outside, tears misting her eyes.
He cradled her cheek. “Do not weep at us parting, love.”
“These are tears of happiness, Con,” she told him. “And I seem to be just like a watering pot these days, emotional about everything.”
He thought of his sisters and cousins and how they had talked about being the same when they were increasing. While he doubted she was with child yet, he would not mind a river of tears coming from her when she was. The thought of Rowena carrying his babe in her belly made him flush with happiness.
Con kissed her. “You may water away, Rowena Stanhope. Let me know the moment you arrive in town.”
“I will,” she promised.
Climbing into his carriage, he waved at her as his coachman set out. He would be counting the hours until he saw his beloved again.