Chapter Fifteen
“T horne, no!” Fortuity sprang away from Matthew. “Last I saw her, Blessing was growling at the nurse and accoucheur, and little Starpeeper was causing her a great deal of discomfort, as is expected.”
“Praise God Almighty.” Thorne sagged against the door.
“Forgive us for giving you such a fright,” Matthew said, regretting his friend’s sudden pallor. He offered Fortuity an apologetic smile. “I was a fool and nearly lost my precious wife. But thankfully, she has granted me a second chance to do better.”
Thorne gave him a damning look as he straightened and entered the parlor. “Yes. My wife made mention of Fortuity’s unhappiness over the past few weeks. Several times, in fact. Consider yourself lucky, old man. The only thing that kept her from storming Ravenglass Townhouse and boxing your ears was her unwieldy condition. These Broadmere sisters protect one another fiercely.”
Matthew hugged Fortuity to his side, needing the feel of her against him. Breathing her in and relaxing in the warm, familiar sweetness of her lilac scent, he couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to her temple. “You have no idea how lucky I consider myself, and I will not make the same mistake again.”
Cadwick and a footman entered with tea, a decanter of brandy, and an additional decanter of spirits and glasses. “My lord,” the butler said to Thorne, “I took the liberty of bringing your favorite port as well. I thought you might require it under the circumstances.”
“Well done, Cadwick.” Nervously pacing the room, Thorne kept glancing at the ceiling. “How long do these things usually take?” he asked Fortuity.
Matthew also wanted to know, since he sincerely hoped to be in the same situation as Thorne one day in the near future. “Yes, with so many siblings, do you remember?”
Fortuity caught the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth and shrugged. “I am afraid I cannot recall. Merry is the youngest, and I was only four years old when she came along. I vaguely remember all of us walking with Mama round and round her bedchamber, but then the midwife shooed us out, and we sat with Papa in the parlor. Seri or Chance would know better than I. They were six and seven at the time.”
“Good heavens,” Matthew said, “I never realized the lot of you are like stair steps, one right after the other.”
“Yes. Each of us is only a year apart from the next one.”
As an only child, Matthew couldn’t imagine a house filled with so many children at the same time. His parents had despised each other so much that once his mother had fulfilled the requirement of producing an heir, they had rarely occupied the same residence. “However long it takes, we shall stay and keep you company,” he assured Thorne.
Fortuity poured a cup of tea, then paused with the teapot hovering over another cup and saucer. “Spirits or tea?”
“Not tea,” Thorne said, “thank you.”
“I shall pour for us, my love. Enjoy your tea.” Matthew used the pair of glasses that the butler had so thoughtfully provided along with the decanters.
The way she smiled and meandered over to gaze out the window as she sipped her tea gave him pause.
“Excuse me, old man.” He handed an overflowing glass of port to Thorne, then joined his wife at the window. “Fortuity? Are you all right? Are we not…better than we were?”
Frowning, she shifted with a deep inhale, then exhaled with a heavy sigh. “I worry for her,” she whispered after stealing a glance back at Thorne, who was once again staring at the ceiling. “I sent up a quick prayer. Do you think the Almighty heard me?”
“I am sure He did.” He brushed her golden curls back from her cheek and tucked them behind her ear. “We must hold fast to positive thoughts and look forward to meeting the newest little Knightwood. A house filled with love and light should greet the little one.”
She smiled while looking out the window once more. “Little Starpeeper Knightwood. I shall miss that name whenever she or he is christened with a more appropriate one.” She shifted and rested a hand on his chest, then started plucking at the folds of his cravat, a thing she did whenever struggling to find the proper words for whatever she wished to say. “After the baby’s christening, might we go to the country manor house rather than wait until late June or July? The city tires me of late. I long for the quiet of the country.”
“Is this about the continuing issue with the shameless Olandra or the debacle with your book that just entered the world?”
“Both, I suppose.” She twitched an unhappy shrug. “Gossip is sure to heat up even more when the ton discovers you are an author of romance.”
“If anyone inquires about my name on your book, I will simply tell them what Mr. Newman suggested.”
“Which was?”
“We did it as a marketing ploy to avoid the bias against stories written by women. Once readers fall in love with your work, they won’t care that you are a lady. They will simply want your next novel.” He cupped her face in his hand, then slid his fingers deeper into the silkiness of her hair. “And I have an idea about how to deal with Olandra, if she insists upon sending more notes and publicly eyeing me like a jilted lover.”
Hopefulness shone in Fortuity’s eyes like a candle piercing the dreariest night. “What will you do?”
“It is a surprise, my love.” He chuckled. “I am almost certain you will approve.”
“I hear a multitude of thumps and slamming doors,” Thorne complained while circling the parlor and scowling upward. “What in heaven’s name is happening up there, and why is no one informing me of anything?”
“They are caring for your wife and child,” Matthew said, then glanced at Fortuity to make sure he had the right of it. Her amused look and slight nod encouraged him. “As soon as anything is certain, someone will come and fetch you. At least”—he stole another look at Fortuity—“I would assume so.”
“I am sure they will,” she confirmed. “Their concern at the moment is Blessing and little Starpeeper.”
“I suppose that makes sense.” Thorne blew out a great gust of air, then drained his glass.
An enormous black-and-white cat traipsed into the parlor and took a seat in front of Thorne as if granting him a royal audience before sweeping the room with her bored, golden-eyed gaze and flipping her tail.
“The baby is coming, Hera,” Thorne told the cat. “You cannot be in the room at the moment. Go to Mother’s room and keep her company.” He watched the cat amble off. “Perhaps I should speak with her and let her know what is happening. She hasn’t been the same since her fall.”
“Holding her grandchild will bring her around.” At least, Matthew hoped it would. During his last visit, Lady Roslynn hadn’t recalled who he was, and confusion had clouded her dancing eyes. But she always remembered the names of each of her many cats. That gave them all hope she would somehow regain her strength and her memory.
“Shall I help her into her chair and wheel her in here so she can wait with us?” Fortuity asked.
“Gads, no.” Thorne gave a hard shake of his head. “Her maid accidentally rolled it over one of the cats’ tails, and now Mother thinks it is the throne of Satan. It was all I could do to keep her from firing the poor woman over it.”
“She loves her cats fiercely,” Matthew said. “But does that not make her bedridden?”
“Occasionally, she allows our footman, Mr. Donnelly, to carry her into the garden or the parlor and settle her on a pillowed chair.” He grinned. “Mr. Donnelly has a way with the ladies, and Mother is not immune to his charm.”
A sudden flush of worried possessiveness made Matthew turn to Fortuity. “You are to have no dealings with Mr. Donnelly, wife. You are mine.”
Her faint smile blossomed, and a rosy happiness colored her cheeks. “Mr. Donnelly could never hold a candle to you, husband.”
“Good.” He kissed her cheek, lingering a little longer to let her know he needed her ever so badly.
A baby’s lusty wail filtered down to them, making them all go still.
Easing out into the hall, Thorne looked back at them and smiled. “Listen. Is that not a strong, healthy cry?”
“It is, indeed.” Matthew caught Fortuity up in a tight hug. “We have a new little niece or nephew.”
She squeezed him just as tightly, laughing. “Oh my goodness. Listen to that furious roar. Little Starpeeper wants all of London to know he or she is here.”
Thorne nodded at the stairs. “Here comes Mrs. Hartcastle. She looks happy.”
“Praise God Almighty,” Fortuity said as she and Matthew joined him in the hall.
The housekeeper clapped her hands as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You have a fine, healthy daughter, my lord. She and her ladyship are well and will be ready to see you momentarily. There’s a bit of tidying up left to do.”
“A daughter,” Thorne repeated, looking suitably awestruck. “Little Starpeeper is a girl!”
Matthew clapped him on the back. “Congratulations, old man! Well done, indeed.”
“A little niece.” Fortuity hugged her brother-in-law. “I cannot wait to meet her.”
Mrs. Hartcastle started back up the stairs. “I shall fetch you all as soon as her ladyship is ready. She wanted everyone to know that all was well.”
Grabbing hold of the banister, Thorne sagged down to sit on the steps and dropped his head into his hands.
“Help him,” Fortuity whispered while nudging Matthew toward her brother-in-law.
Matthew hurried to sit beside his friend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Are you all right, old man?”
Thorne lifted his head. “I was so afraid for her. So afraid I would lose her.” He slowly shook his head, his voice cracking. “I am nothing without her. Blessing is my heart and soul.”
Matthew looked up at Fortuity and locked eyes with her. “I understand completely, my friend. Fortuity is the same for me.”
She caught her hands to her chest, and her eyes shone with the sheen of tears. Her reaction pleased him immensely. He needed her to know that he loved her more than life itself, more than anything in the world.
I love you, he mouthed.
I love you as well, she mouthed back.
He breathed easier now, and the throbbing tension in his shoulders eased. All would be well now. He refused to accept otherwise.
*
“She is so perfect,” Fortuity whispered as she cuddled the babe closer. Dragging her gaze from the sleeping infant, she smiled at her sister. “And what is little Lady Starpeeper’s official name, may I ask?”
With a weary yet happy sigh, Blessing tickled her daughter’s chubby cheek, making the sweet cherub twitch and pucker the plump bow of her tiny pink lips. “Aurora Cassia. Aurora for the Roman goddess of the dawn who rides her chariot across the sky each morning announcing the arrival of the sun and proclaiming renewal.” She cupped her baby’s velvety head that shone in the candlelight with an ether-like dusting of silvery golden hair. “And, of course, Cassia after Mama. I like to think she is looking down on us now and smiling. Hopefully, she will watch over her precious granddaughter, and somehow guide her as she has always guided us.”
“I am sure she will. Can you not just see her hugging Papa with joy?” Fortuity kissed the baby’s forehead and breathed her in, closing her eyes at the indescribable baby scent that made her long for a child of her own. One day, she promised herself, gently rocking from side to side. One day, she and Matthew would know this joyous miracle of new life.
“And what of your assigned task? Did you do as you promised?” Blessing smiled as she settled more comfortably against the fresh pile of pillows behind her. “You seem a great deal more relaxed than before.”
“Anne is packing, and you shan’t have to worry about a houseguest during your lying in.” Fortuity gently settled the infant into the cradle beside the bed, then poured her sister a fresh cup of tea laced with one of Mrs. Greer’s recommended tonics. “Here you are. Drink this before you sleep. I am sure when I return home, Mrs. Greer will ask if you took the tonic she sent over for when the baby came.”
Blessing hazarded a sip as if fearing the liquid held poison, then gave a happy nod. “Hmm… Not nearly as offensive as I expected. You know how some of her remedies tend to be.” She took another drink, then balanced the cup between her hands. “And you also know you are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. You are not a houseguest. You are my sister.”
Fortuity perched on the edge of the bed beside her. “I appreciate the offer, but my place is at home.” She couldn’t deny that she still harbored a bit of uneasiness. Or to put it more aptly, pure rage when it came to her book being published under her husband’s name instead of hers. But she would stop being a ninny and push through this. After all, as Blessing had pointed out, they came from a long line of strong women. She would be strong too and deal with the matter with intelligence rather than emotion. She reached over and gently squeezed Blessing’s arm. “However, I shall visit often for an exorbitant amount of cuddles.”
Blessing laughed. “With so many aunties, little Aurora won’t be wanting for cuddles.” Her mirth faded, and she shook a finger at Fortuity. “As soon as I am able, I shall help you deal with the dreadful Miss Sykesbury and the Duchess of Disgrace.”
“About that—” Fortuity said louder than she intended. She cringed and peeped into the cradle to ensure she hadn’t awakened the baby. “I failed to tell you earlier because I couldn’t remember for certain if it was true, but Matthew sent Eleanor back to India. Permanently.”
“Good on Matthew.” Blessing nodded her approval. “And what of Her Grace? How do the two of you intend to deal with the shameless Olandra? Just continue ignoring her until she wearies of being such a nuisance?”
Fortuity shrugged. “Matthew assures me he has a plan but wishes it to be a surprise.”
“Interesting,” Blessing said. “I hope he waits until after my lying in has ended. I want to watch.”
A light tapping on the door interrupted them. “My lady?”
Blessing wrinkled her nose. “There is that horrid monthly nurse, Mrs. Flackney, returning with Mrs. Bretherton so I can speak with her again.”
“Who is Mrs. Bretherton?”
“A wet nurse whom I am not entirely certain I like. That is why I wished to speak with her again. Our initial meeting was less than satisfactory. If her disposition has not improved, I refuse to allow her anywhere near my child. After all, I nursed Aurora perfectly well when they put her to my breast. Just look how contented she is. When I decide I need a wet nurse, it will be a woman I can trust with my precious baby.” Blessing huffed and glared at the door. “I am sure whatever I decide will shock Mrs. Flackney, since she behaves as if every word that falls from her lips comes straight from the Almighty Himself, and I should accept it without so much as a whimper.”
The tapping on the door repeated, a little louder this time. “My lady?”
Fortuity rose. “Do you wish to see them now, or shall I send them away?”
Blessing pushed herself higher among the pillows as if ready to declare war upon whoever dared to interrupt them. “Let the wretches enter at their own risk.”
Fortuity went to the door and opened it. As her sister had predicted, the scowling Mrs. Flackney stood there with a stern- faced woman at her side. “The baby is sleeping, so do be quiet,” Fortuity told them, delighting in how their eyes widened in surprise at her curt instruction.
Both ladies offered her a somewhat irritated nod, then entered without so much as a peep.
“Go to your husband, sister,” Blessing said with a calculating smile that assured Fortuity she had the situation well in hand.
“I shall return tomorrow,” Fortuity promised. “Send for me if you need me sooner.”
“I will, pet.”
Fortuity couldn’t help but smile as she left the room and softly closed the door behind her. Before going downstairs to Matthew, she returned to her room to check on good-natured Anne, who hadn’t batted an eye when Fortuity had asked her to repack everything she had just unpacked because they would be returning home. They nearly collided as the loyal maid opened the door to exit the room just as Fortuity reached for the latch to enter.
Anne hopped back and caught a hand to her chest. “Goodness, my lady. I was coming to tell you that Mr. Donnelly just carried your trunks down to the wagon. All is ready whenever you are.”
“Thank you so much, Anne. I am sure Lord Ravenglass is ready to leave. Follow me down and let Cadwick know to fetch my shawl.”
Anne held out her gloves. “I know you do not like them, my lady, but since you are going outside…”
A frustrated sigh escaped Fortuity before she could stop it. She despised gloves and thought them silly unless the weather was freezing or one was attending an elaborate ball that demanded full-length gloves to accentuate one’s arms. She tugged them on and gave her maid a curt nod. “There. My mother would thank you.”
Anne merely smiled and politely bowed her head.
Fortuity cast a last glance down the hallway toward her sister’s room and sent up a silent thank you to the Almighty yet again for the safe delivery of little Aurora. She swept down the stairs, with Anne trailing behind her.
Matthew awaited her, looking as if he could barely restrain himself from pulling her into his arms. A warm flush of longing washed across her, settling her uncertainties about whether this was the right thing to do. Yes. It was the right thing to do. She belonged with the man she loved, and she would learn to ignore the ton ’s stinging barbs. Somehow. At least she would do her level best.
“Are you ready to return home?” she asked him.
His face lit up, effectively answering her without uttering a word. With a lopsided smile, he offered his arm. “Indeed, I am, my love. We can return for your things later.”
“Anne already had Mr. Donnelly take my trunks to the wagon. We are ready as soon as she fetches my shawl from Cadwick.” She leaned to peer into the parlor. “How is Thorne? Bursting with pride, I suppose?”
“Absolutely. He is in with Lady Roslynn at the moment.” Matthew sadly shook his head. “He hoped to convince her to use her bath chair once again so they might carry her upstairs to see the baby. If that won’t do, I believe he intends to locate a sedan chair and see if she will trust that, since it has no wheels that would harm her cats.”
“Poor Lady Roslynn. She is such a kind soul. I do hope the cloudiness of her mind clears so she can enjoy little Aurora.”
“Aurora?” Matthew smiled. “So we shan’t be calling our new niece Lady Starpeeper?”
“Aurora for the Roman goddess of the dawn and Cassia for Mama. But I am sure if we occasionally call her Lady Starpeeper, no one will mind.” She hugged herself at the memory of holding the sweet child. “She is such a precious baby. Holding her made me eager for one of my own.”
With a smoldering glance, Matthew moved closer and pressed his mouth close to her ear. “As soon as we reach home, we can do our best to satisfy that eagerness, my love.”
A shiver of heat shot through her, making her catch her breath.
“Your shawl, my lady,” Anne said as she emerged from a side room with the garment held ready to drape around Fortuity’s shoulders. “And Mr. Donnelly said I would be most welcome to ride with him on the wagon to prevent me from overcrowding the carriage with you and his lordship.”
“Did he now?” Fortuity noted the high coloring on Anne’s cheeks but granted her the grace of not calling her a liar. After all, the maid was patient as the day was long, and always took the best care of her. She only hoped she wouldn’t lose her to the charming Mr. Donnelly. “That was very considerate of him. Please give him our thanks.”
With her gaze lowered, Anne bobbed a quick curtsy. “I will, my lady. If that be all, Mr. Donnelly and I shall set out immediately, so I might get to the unpacking and have everything sorted by the time you arrive.”
“Thank you, Anne.” After the maid hurried off, Fortuity turned and narrowed her eyes at Matthew. “I heard you snickering.”
“Snickering? Me? Surely you are mistaken.” He caught her close and nibbled at the spot under her ear that was always her undoing. “I am merely overjoyed to have my wonderful wife back in my arms where she belongs. And I am even happier to learn that I shall have you all to myself during our long carriage ride home.”
“Long carriage ride?” she managed to say in a breathless whisper as he drew her earlobe into his mouth. “Home is but a few streets over.”
He stepped back and smiled at her, then looped her arm through his and escorted her out to their awaiting carriage. “It is amazing how long it can take to cross Mayfair when one sets one’s mind to it.”
She shivered in anticipation as she seated herself inside and noticed it took him a bit longer to join her. She couldn’t hear what he told the driver, but her cheeks burned as she imagined what he might be saying. Surely, he wouldn’t tell the man to take a tour of London, so they might have ample time to enjoy a heated reunion in the carriage?
She shivered again and fanned herself, finding the idea not without merit.
He climbed inside without uttering a word, pulled down all the shades, then took her into his arms and crushed his mouth to hers. The fast pounding of her heart made her blood roar in her ears as she arched into him and clung to him just as tightly. Perhaps misunderstandings were not such a bad thing after all if they ended like this.
A moan escaped her as he kissed his way down her jawline to her throat, then pushed even lower while fondling her breast. “So many dreadful layers between us,” she said, then bit her lip. “Oh my, I should not have said that.”
He rucked up her gown, grazed his hand up her thigh, and cupped her bottom before lifting his head and smiling down at her. “Indeed, you should have said it, my love, because I could not agree more.”
“Surely we should wait until we get home.” But she arched into his touch as his fingers swept between her thighs and touched where she needed him most. “Or perhaps not.”
“I choose perhaps not. ” He nuzzled her breast through her gown as he slid his fingers inside her. “It is my intention to enjoy you now and yet again whenever we arrive home.”
“Whenever we arrive home?” she repeated with a breathless groan, finding it increasingly difficult to form an intelligent response. All she wanted to do was feel , revel in the ever-increasing bliss storming within her.
“I instructed Mr. Turnmaster to drive around until I gave him the signal to turn toward home.”
“How fortunate.” She slid lower in the seat, wrapping her legs around Matthew where he knelt on the floor between the seats. “I need you, Matthew, so very badly.” She bucked as his talented fingers dipped faster and his thumb rubbed the spot that drove her insane. “Oh my! Do not let me shout and startle the horses.”
He swallowed her cries with a deep kiss that crested the ecstasy and made it shudder through her even harder. Whirling with the delicious, hot waves crashing across her, she vaguely noticed him fumbling with his falls. Then he grabbed her by the hips and buried himself inside her. “I am a greedy man, my love. I had to have you.”
“Good, because I am greedy too.” The rocking of the coach and the bumps in the road made his plundering of her all the more effective. She clutched the sides of his waistcoat and yanked him toward her, encouraging him to rut harder and faster. She clenched her teeth and locked her jaws to keep from shrieking with pleasure and telling all of London that she was shattering into blissful bits of euphoria.
Matthew rumbled with a low, strained growl, then threw back his head and roared as he emptied into her.
She clapped a hand over her mouth. Why? She had no idea. She wasn’t the one who had just bellowed like an enraged beast while touring the crowded streets of London.
As he sagged over her, he started laughing.
“Matthew,” she whispered. “What will Mr. Turnmaster think?”
“It is a little late for whispering, my love,” he said, chuckling as he nuzzled kisses along her throat. “And I do not give a damn what Mr. Turnmaster or anyone else thinks. You are all that matters to me and making love to you makes me whole again.” He lifted her, spun about, and plopped down into the seat, settling her astraddle him. “Hmm… I rather like this position too. Shall we allow your Anne plenty of time to unpack your things?”
“Indeed.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and rewarded him with an impassioned kiss for such a splendid suggestion.