Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
“ N o luck?”
Michael’s shoulders slumped as he shook his head.
“We’ve been in London a week, and I still haven’t been able to find him,” he said. “The man has disappeared, leaving no clues behind.”
“Do you think he’s dead?” Adelaide whispered the last word as she bounced Mabel up and down, as she always did to try to lull her to sleep. While others might think it was foolish to hide any worrisome conversations , for the baby couldn’t understand her, Michael found it endearing that Adelaide was already trying to protect Mabel from such things.
“Hard to say,” Michael said. “The timing of his disappearance does coincide with the few days before they arrived at Mandrake Hall.”
“True,” Adelaide bit her lip.
“What do we do now?”
They both jumped when another voice interrupted them.
“You get married.”
“Edward!” Michael exclaimed, happier to see his brother than he had ever been. He crossed the room and shocked Edward by wrapping his arms around him and clapping him several times on the back before releasing him, leaving a stunned look on his brother’s face. “Am I glad to see you.”
Even though Michael had vowed never to ask his brother to solve problems for him again, his appearance still gave him the sense of a weight lifting from his shoulders. Somehow, Edward always knew what to do, and Michael was more at ease knowing he was here to help.
“We had to return to London soon, as Dot would like to have the baby here with her midwife, Magda, nearby, but our timeline changed when I heard back from the archbishop. You have your marriage license and can be married whenever you wish.”
Adelaide and Michael exchanged a look. Any concern he had that she was still questioning her decision to marry fled at the warmth that filled her eyes.
“Where shall we wed?” he asked her, but it was Edward who answered.
“I would suggest that you marry at St. George’s.”
Michael shook his head as Adelaide wrinkled her nose in distaste.
“I do not believe either of us would be comfortable with that,” Michael said before Adelaide thoroughly explained her objection.
“St. George’s represents the nobility, and while I know that is what I am marrying into, it does not represent us, Edward.”
“I understand,” he said, his hands clasped behind his back. “But unless you have solved the problem of clearing Adelaide’s name” –he waited until Michael admitted he had not— “then I think it is your best option. The more people who understand that Adelaide has married into our family and is now the sister-in-law of a respected lord, the better.”
Adelaide narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at him.
“Just how many people are we talking about?”
“A full church.”
“I think not!” Michael exclaimed. “Edward, when did you last see St. George’s full for a wedding? I am the second son of a viscount, not the prince regent.”
Edward shrugged. “I am telling you what I believe is the best way to keep Adelaide safe. If our family protects her, then she is far less likely to be accused of conspiracy to create counterfeit, which, as you know, is a crime against the crown. So, what do you say? Do I plan a wedding for you?”
Michael ignored Edward for a moment as he directed his gaze at Adelaide. This would have to be her decision.
“What do you think?” she asked him in turn.
“I want to be married to you,” he said. “All else is but trifling clamor. It is your decision.”
She nodded, slowly yet resolutely. “Very well, Edward,” she said, although her eyes remained on Michael. “Plan the big wedding. We will be there.”
When Adelaide had imagined her wedding, she had never pictured it quite like this.
Every pew was filled, following Edward’s idea of spreading the news of their wedding far and wide.
She would forget them all, however, and focus on Michael and the few people who mattered.
Edward and Dot were their main witnesses, while Dot’s entire family, including Lord and Lady Fitzroy and their newborn baby, had warmly welcomed them into their clan and sat proud in front pews. Even the Duke and Duchess of Dunmore, Lord and Lady Fitzroy’s closest friends who hardly ever attended large social functions, had traveled from their home outside of London for the occasion.
It never hurt to have a duke in attendance.
Adelaide felt a kinship with said duke, even though she had never met him. He had no wish to be part of the ton , and instead, he and his wife lived a sheltered life at his estate outside of London.
Sheltered, but not lonely.
For they had one another and their baby.
She would remember when it came time for her and Michael to decide on their own future.
But first, the present.
She walked up the aisle alone. Edward had offered to accompany her, and while she appreciated the gesture as well as everything he had done for her since she became pregnant with Michael’s baby, it was much more important to her to symbolize the journey she had taken by herself.
She wore one of the few things she still had from her mother – a small locket clasped around her neck.
She had come so far, and now she would give a part of herself away to this man – but she was proud of herself for only doing so when she was ready and knew that she truly wanted to be married to him.
Michael stood at the front of the church, impossibly handsome in his navy frock coat and ivory brocade waistcoat, the crisp white of his cravat a perfect contrast to his sun-warmed skin. His dark hair, always a touch too long, curled rebelliously over his forehead. And when his storm-gray eyes met Adelaide’s, a quiet intensity stole her breath, reminding her that no matter how many pairs of eyes were currently trained upon her, likely questioning how a woman such as she had ever captured the attention of a man such as him, this moment belonged to no one but the two of them.
As if reading her thoughts, one side of his mouth slowly turned up, the dimple appearing in his cheek, and she knew this smile was for her and her alone.
It was everything.
When she finally reached him, he leaned in and took her hands, his eyes seeing into her very soul.
“I love you,” he murmured.
“And I love you.”
A happy cry had them both turning to the front row, where Dot held Mabel, who was smiling and clapping her hands at the two of them as though she understood the proceedings.
They both smiled at her before Adelaide finally allowed her eyes to wander over the first two rows, which held all of the people she had come to know and love, including the six unmarried Fitzroy sisters, who were looking fondly at her. She appreciated their support for welcoming her into their fold, despite the fact that she had been a stranger who had basically turned down their way of life.
This was what it meant to have family. To be accepted, no matter who you were and where you came from. To have people who would be there for you, stand up for you, and do whatever it took to make sure that you were not falsely accused and sent to prison – or worse.
Perhaps that last one was rather unique to her current position, but still.
She smiled at Edward and Dot before returning her attention to Michael and the rector, who cleared his throat to continue the ceremony.
Adelaide meant every word of her vows to Michael and appreciated that he didn’t release her hand the entire time they stood at the front of the church, even though the rector dipped his eyes to their joined hands a few times.
Soon enough, it was over, and when they turned around, they were both surprised by the elation of those gathered.
It seemed some people enjoyed any love story, no matter who it involved.
Her heart warmed as they walked down the aisle and she spotted familiar faces in the crowd of people who had helped her along her journey.
Abraham winked at her from the back pew while Mrs. Coleman and a few other young ladies from the shelter were busy with their babies next to him.
Adelaide closed her eyes to hold in a tear and a sniff.
How far her life had come in such a short time, and she was never certain what was coming next.
She knew that with this man by her side, they could face whatever came together.
They walked through the church doors to the bright sunshine, looking at one another in delight, laughing as they practically sprinted to the waiting carriage, which would return them to Edward’s house for the wedding breakfast.
For that, at least, only a few people were invited – Edward and Dot, of course, Lord and Lady Fitzroy and all of Lord Fitzroy’s sisters and his mother, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Dunmore.
Which was perfect.
Michael helped her into the carriage meant for them and them alone.
It took some time to settle in, as her skirts held far more fabric than usual, but Michael helped her, still finding room to sit beside her.
“I can hardly believe it,” Adelaide said, blinking. “I know that, in truth, not much has changed. We were already living in the same house and have a daughter together. Yet somehow…”
“Everything has changed?” he finished for her.
“Yes. Exactly.”
“It’s because we know now that our lives will always be tied together,” he said, reaching out and sliding his fingers down her cheek. “They might have been anyway, with Mabel, but now we know that, whatever we strive to achieve, we will do so together.”
“I so appreciate you.”
“And I you.”
His eyes took on that mischievous glint that she had come to know so well.
“I’m going to show you how much.”
“What do you mean?”
He slid off the seat and was lifting her voluminous skirts before she realized just what he intended to do.
“Michael! We are in a carriage.”
“I promised you that I would show you all the different ways and places we could make love.”
“Yes, but Mandrake House is so close.”
“Then we best be quick about it,” he said before he disappeared entirely.
She waited a beat in anticipation, and then she practically jumped in the air with a cry as his mouth found her.
Adelaide gasped as Michael’s talented tongue lapped at her most sensitive flesh, sending jolts of electrifying pleasure radiating through her body. His strong hands gripped her thighs, spreading them wider to allow him better access as the carriage jostled and swayed along the cobblestone streets.
She tangled her fingers in his thick, dark hair, holding him close against her as he worshipped her with his mouth. His tongue swirled and flicked, teasing her mercilessly before delving deep. Adelaide arched her back, pressing herself more firmly against his face, chasing the delicious friction.
“Oh, Michael,” she moaned, head lolling back against the plush velvet seat. “That feels incredible...”
He hummed in response, the vibrations against her sensitive pearl making her toes curl in the dainty silk slippers that had felt so foreign as opposed to her usual boots. With each pass of his tongue, tension coiled tighter and tighter, low in her belly, like a spring being wound to the point of snapping.
Through the haze of bliss, she distantly registered the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves and the occasional calls of people on the street just outside the carriage walls. The thought that anyone could discover them in such a compromising position only heightened her arousal.
Michael seemed to sense how close she was. He redoubled his efforts, licking and suckling with an almost feral intensity. Adelaide fisted her hands in her skirts, panting harshly as she teetered on the edge of climax.
“Yes, yes, don’t stop!” she cried. “I’m almost...I’m going to...”
With a final flick of his wicked tongue, the coil snapped, and rapture crashed over her in wave after wave of excruciating bliss. Adelaide cried out, seeing stars behind her tightly clenched eyelids as she shook, reduced to nothing but pure sensation.
Slowly, she floated back down. Michael placed a few final gentle kisses on her still-quivering center before emerging from beneath her skirts with a very satisfied, almost smug expression. Adelaide reached for him with trembling hands, drawing him up into a searing kiss.
“You are a scoundrel, Mr. Redgrave,” she murmured against his mouth.
He grinned roguishly.
“Ah, but I’m your scoundrel now, Mrs. Redgrave. Forever and always.”
Adelaide smiled, her heart so full of love and joy that she thought it might burst. “Forever and always,” she agreed.
Just then, the carriage rolled to a stop. They had finished their interlude not a moment too soon as they arrived at Mandrake House.
She looked at him and laughed, even as heat climbed up her neck to her cheeks when the driver opened the door, unable to look either of them in the eyes.
Perhaps she had been louder than she had thought.
She winced.
It had still been worth it.
Michael led her up the front walk, holding her arm close against his side.
“We will live wherever you please, wife, but one way or another, we are going to need our own accommodations sooner rather than later,” he said, “for the way that you cry out?—”
When he stopped so abruptly, Adelaide lifted her head from where she had been tracking the path beneath them.
“The way I—” she repeated before her own words stopped.
For there, standing in front of them, was a distinguished gentleman dressed in a dark, finely tailored frock coat, a crisp white cravat, a powdered wig, and an air of stern authority.
“Michael,” Adelaide said as their steps slowed, “who is that?”
“That, I believe,” he said quietly, though angrily, with tightly gritted teeth and pursed lips, “is the chief magistrate of London.”