Epilogue
Hawthorne Park
December 1817
“D oes your brother always require payment for favors?”
Lissa’s question interrupted Anthony’s thoughts on what to tell his brother and what not to tell him as they awaited Darius’s entrance into the library.
He was quite happy to return his attention to her. “Yes, he does. But to be fair, we have always bartered in this way. My father encouraged it as a way to sharpen our intelligence, though sometimes it cultivated rather devious thoughts.”
“Oh, now that sounds like a promising story.” She sat in one of the two wingback chairs before the desk, looking every bit the baroness, from her swept-up hair beneath her cap to the green travel dress and pelisse she wore—not that he could tell her that, as she wasn’t comfortable with her new title yet.
He moved closer and sat on the arm of the other chair. “Stories, as in many. The four of us often tried to outdo each other. One time when Darius asked a favor of—”
“I do hope I’m not hearing my name taken in vain.”
At his brother’s voice, Anthony rose and turned toward the door. “Not at all. Just sharing childhood memories.”
Darius grimaced. “I’ve tried very hard to forget most of those. As I was the oldest, Father more often than not put the blame on me.”
“Well, we all did look up to you so much.”
Darius snorted as he strode by and clapped Anthony on the shoulder. “No use trying to speak to my ego to lessen your payment. I have a real need, and I believe you are the perfect person to accomplish the fulfillment of it.”
He strode to where Lissa sat. “It is a pleasure to see you again, mademoiselle.”
“It is baroness now.” Though she didn’t smile, Anthony was pleased that she at least acknowledged her title.
“Is this true?” Darius looked from her nodding to Anthony.
He grinned. “Indeed it is. Since she was also at the house party, I was able to further pursue my interest, and we were married shortly afterward.”
“You married in Scotland?”
At the utter disbelief in Darius’s voice, he laughed. “Yes. That is what one does when one cannot possibly wait.”
His brother shook his head. “I should have guessed that you couldn’t even follow the traditional route to marriage.”
As Darius turned his back to walk around his desk, Anthony glanced at Lissa, who was trying hard not to laugh.
Darius took his seat, and Anthony returned to the arm of the chair, but at his brother’s stern look, he quickly slipped down onto the cushion. “So how can we repay you? As you can see, we are very grateful to have been at that particular house party, and it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t obtained an invitation for me.”
“So then your goals were met.”
Anthony looked at Lissa before turning back to his brother. He did need to tell him about Leighhall. “They were, but we became involved in a rather unfortunate discovery. We stumbled upon evidence that Lord Leighhall was a traitor, and I had to enlist Father’s help in bringing it to the regent’s attention.”
Darius’s eyes widened before his brows lowered and he shook his head. “Can you not even attend a house party without causing a fuss?”
Anthony coughed to hide a chuckle. He did so enjoy being the bane of his brother’s neatly ordered existence. “I hope it will appease you to know that the lord in question was arrested and sent to Australia, but he died before ever embarking. Dysentery, I believe it was.”
“I certainly hope my name is not associated with the man’s. Do not tell anyone that I obtained that invitation on your behalf.”
Anthony put his hand to his chest. “I promise to remain silent.”
“Good. Very good.” His brother relaxed back in his chair. “Now to my own goal, which you will help me with.”
Anthony didn’t care for Darius’s tone, but for Lissa, he was willing to pay his brother’s price. “Yes. We are anxious to show our appreciation.” He stifled a smile. Darius was clearly not happy that he was so cheerful about it. Usually, they all complained when having to repay the debt, but he genuinely wished to.
“I need a wife.”
The payment was so unexpected that he coughed to hide a chuckle. “Yes, well, you said so last time we were here.”
Darius leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together, a habit he used often when scolding someone or setting down rules. “So I did. However, I wish a wife by Christmastide.”
“The Season starts in a fortnight. Unless you wish to make your own trip to Gretna Green, you’ll need at least three weeks for the posting of the banns. Of course, that’s if you reached a settlement by the end of the week.”
“I didn’t say by the Season. I’m not such a simpleton as that, nor desperate enough to marry a woman by whisking her off to Scotland.”
Lissa ignored the insult and leaned forward in her chair. “My lord, do you mean to marry a woman you’ve never met in the next month?”
“I do.”
“But why?”
It was exactly what Anthony wished to know, but if he asked, Darius wouldn’t tell him. Would he reveal his motives to Lissa?
Darius looked down at his hands for a long while as if choosing his words carefully. Finally, he focused on Lissa. “My lady, I am a widower with two children. I knew my late wife well, having courted her for the full Season. However, she was a mistake.” He held up his hand to avoid interruption. “It was not her fault. I simply chose unwisely. But now I need a mother for my children, and if she’s somewhat comely, I will be able to do my duty and beget a second son to ensure my legacy.”
Anthony couldn’t keep himself from asking, “Why so quickly?”
Darius sighed, clearly not happy with his own situation. “I am being bombarded with invitations, which is no great feat to ignore. However, I spent the Season avoiding well-intended mothers and faint-hearted young women. I need a woman of strength who will let me be when I need to be alone.”
For the first time, Anthony recognized true worry and even fear in his brother’s gray gaze. He wanted a woman who could handle his being absent for days at a time until his black mood passed. “I understand. It will be difficult on such a short timeline. But is there a reason for urgency?”
Darius looked at Lissa before returning his gaze to Anthony. “There is. I wish my children to have at least one parent about. You and I both know that a nanny is not enough.”
The memory of the long weeks Anthony and his brothers had gone without seeing either of their parents while they recovered from the factory accident came to mind unbidden and unwanted. Their mother had been their light and their father their strength, and with both being treated in Town, they’d been left with a nanny. They’d bonded together, learning to depend on one another, but after two months, when they’d finally been allowed to see their parents, one of them was always at their side.
Darius’s wife had been gone a good year, which meant that every time he slipped away, his children had only each other.
Anthony found himself nodding. “I see.”
Lissa looked at him, letting him know he’d have to take her into his confidence later.
“Good.” Darius rose from his chair. “Then you know my requirements.”
Anthony rose as well. “I believe I do. A strong woman, who will be a mother to your children, and who is pleasant to look upon. She must be a bit older than the typical debutante but still willing to have a child of her own. She must also be willing to marry within the month.”
Darius raised his right brow. “You were listening.”
Anthony ignored the surprise in his brother’s statement. “My only question is, do you wish to meet her before the wedding?”
The silence that followed made it clear that Darius was undecided.
Lissa surprised Anthony by rising and laying her hand on the desk. “My lord, do you not wish to at least gaze upon the woman you plan to live the rest of your life with?”
Darius stared at her as if he hadn’t considered the gravity of his plan. Finally, he shook his head. “No. My brother will know the right woman for me and my children. Her outward appearance is of not of great consequence. It is her character that is most important.”
His words and his rush made it clear that Darius’s black moods had become worse after his wife’s passing. He wanted to give his children the best chance for a successful life, even if he couldn’t be there to see it. The realization was sobering.
Anthony held out his hand to his wife. “Come. We have a new mission with a fast-approaching deadline.”
Though he expected she might balk, she took his arm. He returned his gaze to his brother. “I will send you word as soon as I have identified someone. Do you wish me to negotiate the settlement or will you?”
“I will.”
It relieved Anthony that his brother wanted to be involved in that, at least. “Then we best leave, as we have much to do.”
“Safe travels, Anthony, Baroness. And congratulations on your nuptials.”
Anthony led Lissa out to the coach. He was surprised when she didn’t immediately ask questions, but instead sat across from him gazing out the window. They were at least a mile from Hawthorne Park when she finally turned to him. “Thank you for including me in fulfilling your payment.”
That was the last statement he’d expected to hear. “How could I not? We’re married. We are now a team in our investigations.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I had hoped, but I wasn’t sure. I was afraid you would look at me differently now that I’m your wife.”
Surprised, he grabbed on to the side of the coach and moved to sit next to her. “I married you because I love you, not because of who I think you should be, but because of who you are.”
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “And I am so grateful that you will not change.”
He took her hand, intending to pull her close for a kiss, but then she clasped his hand in both of hers.
“Now tell me why your brother needs a wife so quickly. He fears something. Does he fly into rages and hurt his children?”
Not a little shocked by her deduction, he scowled. “No, of course not. Darius would rather drown than hurt his children. He loves them, which is why he needs a wife.”
“That’s a relief. He did seem to have their welfare as his primary motivation. So he doesn’t truly want a wife, but more a mother for his children.”
Relieved that she understood so quickly, he relaxed. “Yes. Darius suffers from what he calls his black moods. They are not violent moods, more a deep melancholy that can last a fortnight.”
“A fortnight?” Lissa’s eyes rounded.
He held up his hand. “They don’t always last that long. It can be just an afternoon. He has no control over them, and when they happen, he hides away. He says he’s not fit company for anyone. Our parents were very involved in raising us, as odd as that is for those in the peerage, and Darius wants his children to have the same life.”
“I see. With his sequestering himself, his children would have no one now that his wife has passed. That relieves my mind greatly.”
“I’m pleased.”
She turned and faced him. “It relieves my mind because I know exactly who should be his wife.”
“What?” Doubt fought with excitement, which he tamped down. “Whom do you know who would marry a man without seeing him just to be a mother, as in truly being with the children, and not a typical wife? Most ladies of the ton have little to do with their children until it is time to marry them off or send them to school.”
Lissa didn’t smile, obviously understanding the importance of the task. “Lady Eleanor Dulac. She said to me just last week that she would be happy with a marriage of convenience if she could avoid another Season. Not only is Ellie my age, she’s a woman of strong character, and she mothers every Curious Lady at the school. I do believe she and your brother would fit well.”
Thinking on what little he knew of Lady Eleanor, he did see the possibilities. “Then I suggest that once we reach Bellamore, we send a letter off immediately to see if she would be interested.”
“You still wish to go to Bellamore?”
Lissa’s question made sense, since time was of the essence, but it was important that she feel comfortable in her new life circumstance before they rushed into their next mission. “I do. You can meet the staff and explore your new home. We can send the chest we’re carrying with a letter instead of stopping at Leighhall’s mother’s home now.”
Lissa wrinkled her nose. “I suppose.”
“Trust me. Your gift of the china and the coins to the woman is kindness itself. She doesn’t need to meet you.”
“I just didn’t think it fair that her son’s actions leave her destitute. I did want to meet her to see if she were the cause of his cruel behavior.”
He studied his wife, not at all surprised by her comment. “I can tell you that when I asked Leighhall how he kept his family at bay when it came to marrying that he said he simply told them he would marry when he chose. Based on how he thought of women, I believe that his mother is not the one at fault here. However, if she were, would you decide not to turn over the chest?”
Lissa appeared nonplussed at the question, and she didn’t rush to answer. “You do have enough wealth that those coins mean little to you?”
He nodded, very aware of what she was thinking. “And I have plenty with which to keep Madame Fontaine in the luxury she wishes in her final years.”
Finally, Lissa shook her head. “Then I can forgo meeting Leighhall’s mother. As you pointed out, it doesn’t matter. I will write her a letter.” A sly smile lifted her lips. “I’ll sign it Daguette.”
He rather liked that idea. There was no need to associate with the Leighhall name, especially as they were to start their new life together. “Then I suggest we relax, as we won’t reach Bellamore until late tonight.”
“Oh, I can think of other ways we can pass the time.” Lissa pulled on the finger of her glove and then the next, making it quite clear what she wished to do.
His body reacted to her suggestion immediately, and he quickly unbuttoned his greatcoat.
“Will we each have our own bedroom at Bellamore?” She pulled her glove off and started on the next.
Though the question was casually spoken, he could sense there was more behind it. “Yes, we will. This way we can enjoy alternating our sleeping spaces.”
He felt her relax at his answer before the second glove came off and she reached up to unclasp her cloak. “That pleases me. I’m sure I will wish to tup you often.”
He laughed out loud, her statement was so unexpected. “I will be happy to be of service to my Lady Baroness.”
She sobered at his address, and he scolded himself for not holding his tongue.
“As a baroness, I suppose I will have to give up my plan to have manacles installed on your bed.” Her statement was followed by such a heavy sigh that he was quite sure she was serious.
“Lissa?” He gently coaxed her chin up. “You do not have to give up anything. In fact, I was going to save this until we reached Bellamore, but I think it important to tell you now.”
Her deep brown gaze didn’t leave his face as her brow puckered. “What is it?”
“It’s my wedding gift to you.”
“My wedding gift?” She looked about the coach as if expecting it to be hidden somewhere. “I do hope it isn’t silver.” Her eyes lit. “Is it a new dagger?”
He bit down on his smile and shook his head.
She stared at his greatcoat lying on the opposite seat where he’d thrown it. “Will it fit in your pocket?”
“No. The only item small enough to fit in my pocket is the one on your hand.”
She lifted her left hand. The gold band with a large ruby surrounded by small diamonds and a sapphire on each side sparkled in the sunlight that filtered into the coach. “It’s a beautiful gift.” She dropped her hand. “If my ring is not my wedding present, then what is?”
He let his smile grow wide. “I had a sling installed in your dressing room.”
Her eyes rounded, and for a minute, he thought she was horrified—before she threw her arms around him, sending him backward against the side of the coach. “ Mon Dieu! Tu es le meilleur mari de tous les temps!”
He laughed as he held her close. So he was the greatest husband of all time, was he? “And you, my love are the most interesting, intelligent, and passionate wife in all of England.”
She lifted her head from his shoulder and gave him a soft look he’d only seen a handful of times. “My soldier, my thief, my baron, my husband. You are my Anthony forever.” Her lips found his in a gentle kiss that told him very clearly that he was not expendable after all.
The End