Chapter 8
“Where’s Mrs. Banks?” Edward asked one of the maids as he left Winifred’s room.
He’d had a pleasant visit with his cousin, albeit that both of them were a little on edge as he’d still hadn’t received a letter from their relative.
However, he was looking forward to spending the rest of the afternoon helping Grace prepare for this evening’s entertainments.
“I believe she went down to the main hall. A carriage was announced, Your Grace.”
Visitors to the Home were not commonplace. It was either a lady in trouble, or… trouble. Could it be his aunt? Heaven help them all, if it were. He picked up his pace to join Grace.
“Do you know who’s approaching?” he questioned as he went to her side.
“I do not.” She rubbed her arms as a cool breeze whipped through the portico beyond the front door. “We’re about to find out, though.”
“Why don’t you go inside while I wait…” He squinted.
“Aunt Doreen?” he whispered. This was not going to be a pleasant afternoon, after all.
She detested traveling, especially during the winter when the weather and roads were unpredictable, and was certain to be in a foul mood.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was going to have to explain Winifred’s situation, and his solution.
“Where is she?” his aunt yelled from the moving carriage. The moment the conveyance stopped, the door was flung open and his rather plump relative practically leapt out. “Where is she? Where is my Winifred?” she cried with alarm.
“Aunt Doreen, how pleasant to see you,” Edward said with the hope of improving her mood. She must have left her residence the moment she received his note. “I hope the journey here—”
“Where’s Winifred? I simply can’t wait any longer.” She started to move past him, but he reached out and took her arm.
Grace whispered to him. “No one will bother you in the drawing room. Good luck, dearest.”
Her endearment warmed him and gave him fortification to deal with the unpleasantness that was certain to follow. He turned his attention back to his aunt. “Before you see Winifred, there is something we need to discuss.”
“Nothing matters except—”
“Aunt Doreen, please come inside and let’s discuss what has happened.” How was he to explain to her that her daughter—her unmarried, nearly seventeen-year-old daughter—was pregnant and engaged to be married, and to a commoner at that?
He ushered the older woman toward the elaborately decorated drawing room. The normally calm, serene environment was soon filled with anxious tension, mostly on Aunt Doreen’s part.
The moment the door closed, she turned to him and demanded, “What is so important that you have delayed my seeing Winifred?”
He sucked in a breath before continuing. “I think it best you sit—”
“I don’t want to sit. I’ve been cooped up in that carriage, in the foul weather for days. I want to see Winifred,” she said, then stomped her foot. And then, much to his surprise, she did indeed take a seat.
Edward gingerly explained the sequence of events of what had happened to Winifred, and strangely, his aunt took it rather well. There was no yelling or hysterics, just an odd sereneness about her countenance. However, he couldn’t be certain that she wouldn’t erupt at any moment.
“Winifred’s pregnant?” She looked to Edward with pleading eyes. “How ever did this happen?” she wailed. And there it was. In less than a second’s span, calm had turned to a torrent of reactions. “She’s ruined! Oh…oh, where did I go wrong?”
“Auntie,” he started in a level tone, “it would serve no purpose to speculate or blame. However, there is more to—”
“There’s more? What more could there be?”
“Winifred is set to marry Samuel Phelps.”
“Who?” Aunt Doreen’s blonde brows crinkled together. “I don’t know—”
“The young man who worked in the stables. The one—”
Her voice rose to a high pitch that rattled the crystals on the wall sconces. “But I told him never to see Winifred again and sent him away.”
“And I retrieved him.”
Dawning setting in, she jumped to her feet. “Winifred—Lady Winifred—is the daughter of a duke and—”
“And she is going to marry the man she loves.”
“And then what?” Her features were contorted and distressed.
“Sit down, Auntie,” he said with firm resolve. He would not let her destroy Winifred’s chance at happiness because of some antiquated belief that the daughter of a duke could only marry someone of the same rank. He was prepared to go into battle and defend his cousin.
His aunt looked as if she was about to argue, but much to Edward’s relief, took a seat instead, although not before glaring at him with disappointed eyes.
“Regardless of how you feel, Winifred and Phelps are in love. He has the best of intentions.” Edward braced himself for an argument when he revealed the next part. “Phelps has been offered a position here at the Home, as well as one of the guest cottages to live in.”
“But she will be throwing her life away,” dismay weighed Aunt Doreen’s words down.
He was quickly losing his patience. “How exactly? Because she won’t be moving in society and subjected to gossip at every turn? Or is it because she is marrying for love? I’m failing to see what the problem is. Just because it is not what you want—”
“I only want her to be happy!” she cried.
“Winifred is happy, and about to embark on a new path. Who are we to dictate what the heart wants?”
“I…I suppose you’re right.” His aunt said in a deflated tone as she looked down at her clasped hands. “Her brother would have said much the same.”
A sharp pang of grief struck Edward. He and Jacob had been like brothers, and had similar aims and expectations. He had no doubt that if his cousin were still alive, he would have taken the same course of action. It gave him great peace to know that Jacob’s mother believed the same.
“Are you ready to see her?”
“Yes,” Aunt Doreen said on a sob. “I need to see my Winifred!”
“You are not to upset her or cause them any grief,” he reiterated.
She nodded her head, then on a sniffle said, “I understand.” Rising, she paced slightly as she glanced about her, as if contemplating what she wanted to say.
“I know that we may not have made things simple for you, but you have done much for this family. Your uncle and Jacob would have been very proud, and I just want… Well, I just want to thank you.”
He had never sought praise as he was merely doing his duty, but it was nice to hear that all his sacrifices had not been in vain.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
He led his relative upstairs. He knew this was not going to be an easy visit, but he said a silent prayer, hoping Aunt Doreen could contain her emotions. He knocked softly on the door, then turned the handle, and offered another invocation.
Winifred was sitting by the window, with Phelps next to her. Since Edward had brought the young man to Rose Park, he’d never been far from Winifred’s side. He tended to her every need and craving, toward which Cook was most accommodating. They indeed shared a wealth of love.
“Mother!” Winifred cried with joy as Aunt Doreen rushed to her side.
“I will leave you three alone.” And with that, Edward took his leave. He had his own happily ever after to see to.
New Year’s Eve
Everything had to be perfect. This wasn’t just any other day, but the one his heart had desired since he’d first laid eyes on Grace.
He would have preferred to be at one of his own homes, but he wanted to prove that it did not matter as long as they were together.
If Grace wanted to continue to run the Home, then he would be here beside her.
“Are these garlands ready to be hung, Your Grace?” one of the maids he’d borrowed from the Home’s staff questioned as a couple of footmen stood ready to execute the orders.
“Yes, and the ones on the table are to go in the study.” Edward glanced about at the decorations already in place. The Dower House was slowly turning into a cornucopia of winter beauty.
Before too long, garlands of ivy and festoons of holly, all neatly tied with silver and gold ribbons, filled the Home.
The household had departed to enjoy a well-deserved afternoon and evening off.
Although too cold to venture outside, Edward had asked Cook to prepare a special picnic for himself and Grace to enjoy by the fire in the drawing room.
He’d paid extra attention to every detail in here. Numerous bunches of mistletoe were hung, a large garland of pine boughs, peppered with holly berries, was draped over the fireplace, and ribbons and bows adorned tables and hangings. The only thing missing was Grace.
“Edward?” her enticing voice called to him from down the entry.
He rushed from the room, not wanting to wait a moment longer to have her in his arms again.
But as he rounded the corner, the sight of her brought him to a halt, and nearly stole his breath.
She’d just removed her spencer, revealing a rich emerald satin gown that complemented her luscious brown hair.
He could hardly contain his excitement. He strode to her side and pulled her into a passionate embrace.
The touch of her lips was a delicious sensation that sent his blood racing.
“That was a very pleasant kiss, my love.”
His heart sang with her words. “There’s more to follow.”
“Oh?” she raised a delicate brow. “Everyone was beginning to gather for the play, but your note said there was an urgent matter here at the Dower House.”
“There is.” He took her hands in his and guided her to the drawing room. “I have a surprise for you.”
“What’s all this?” she whispered in awe as they entered.
Grace could not believe that Edward had done this for her.
Beautiful garlands tied with shimmering silver ribbon rested across the mantle, and vases of hothouse flowers in shades of red set against bright green leaves filled the space.
The room smelled of crisp evergreens and warm spice.
For as long as she lived, those two scents would always remind her of Edward.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as she reached up and kissed his cheek. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”
“This time of year has always held special meaning for me. Nearly three years ago, duty called and everything I’d planned and worked to achieve was trampled by death and responsibility.
” He took her hands in his. “I want to celebrate the dawning of a new year, and a new life with the woman I love.” He kissed her lips, sending tingles all the way down to her toes.
“Will you do me the honor of being my duchess?”
Happiness, like she’d never experienced, flowed through her. She’d dreamt about this very moment since she was a young woman. Tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the lips. “The honor is all mine.”
Minutes later, Edward pulled back. “I have another surprise.” He guided them to the sofa by the fire. Once seated, he began, “I know what the Home means to you, so I’ve made arrangements with Kenwreck for us to live in the Dower House.”
She could not hide the surprise from her voice. “Wh…when did you do that?”
“I paid him a visit when I went searching for Phelps.”
She was stunned. Stunned and amazed, and incredibly touched by Edward’s thoughtfulness. “You knew then—”
“Grace, you have always been the only woman for me.” He brushed kisses across her cheek.
“A duke, living in a dower house?” She giggled, then teased, “It will cause quite the scandal.”
“The first of many, I presume. But I don’t care. As long as you’re by my side, the gossips can spew whatever they want.”
“I adore you.” It had been a long lesson to learn with many heartaches, but their future did indeed look bright.
“And I adore you, my love, my duchess.”