Chapter 9
Nine
Marriage, according to the Oxford English Dictionary:
The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.
An intimate union; a merging or blending of two things.
One week later
The Old Bailey, London
Will slammed his fist on the table in victory as the jury declared his client innocent.
The girl next to him wiped away her tears and gave him a watery smile. “Thank you, Mr. Page, thank you.”
The young woman had been accused of stealing from a shop owner. The owner’s wife had seen her take a small pouch off the counter and brought charges against her. But the store owner gave the young woman coin several times a year to support her child. His child.
Will had learned the circumstances, and both he and the shop owner had tried to convince the wife to drop the charges. She refused, most likely out of spite. “Her word against mine.” The man had refused to testify and go against his wife.
Will had been forced to expose the owner, uncover his wife as a liar and a shrew, and pray the jury would believe him. His client would be sentenced to prison or worse if found guilty, and the child would be sent to an orphanage.
“Congratulations,” he said, shaking the young woman’s hand. “Now go home to your babe.” When she arrived, she’d learn her rent had been paid for the next six months.
He smiled, his fingers reaching for the Fu dog charm.
Will still attached it to his watch fob every day he went out into the world.
It truly had helped him balance the darkness that had consumed him for months.
Gathering his papers, he turned to leave but saw a familiar figure in the crowd near the door.
His heart thumped seeing her again. He’d try to call on her, and she’d sent a note, telling him she needed time to sort out her thoughts.
Will had felt like a cad laughing at her that night.
Now he fervently hoped she hadn’t changed her mind.
He still wanted a betrothal. There was no doubt in his mind that they could work their differences out. But if she wasn’t as certain…
“Miss Baldwin,” he said carefully, walking toward her, “what brings you here?”
“Wheels,” she said with a half smile.
“Indeed,” he said, offering his arm. Tia slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, much to his relief, and they went out into the sunshine. Her clever retort was a good omen. “Would you like to go somewhere for a cup of tea?”
She nodded. “Yes, we need to talk.”
Foreboding swept over him. It was never a good sign when a woman made that statement. “Shall I hail a—”
“My carriage is right over there,” she said, pointing down the street.
It was then he noticed a young man in livery following them. She wasn’t alone. Good. He helped Tia into the coach, then gave the direction to the driver.
“Take us to Number 28 Ludgate, corner of Ave Maria Lane.”
Tia could see the spiral of St. Paul’s Cathedral as the carriage came to a stop in front of a small tea shop. “I don’t think I’ve been here before.”
“It’s owned by one of the Farrance brothers,” said Will.
“Of Farrance’s on Spring Garden?” she asked, happy that the tea and menu would most certainly be up to snuff.
She accepted his hand and alit from the coach, a light breeze pulling at her bonnet and sending the attached daisies into a flutter.
She’d worn a simple light-blue and white striped day dress with a blue bonnet and satin ribbons.
The white lace shawl draped over her shoulders was unnecessary in the day’s heat.
Inside, they found a small table and a waiter appeared with a tray displaying available options. The sweets all looked delicious, and Tia noted there was more substantial food available too. The customers next to her appeared to be eating soup and some kind of savory patty.
“I will have tea with shortbread, please,” Tia said, and Will ordered a bowl of mock turtle soup, bread and butter, and a small ale.
“I haven’t eaten yet today,” he said in apology.
“And you certainly worked up an appetite. You were brilliant today.” She gave him her most charming smile. “How often do you take cases like the woman you represented today?”
“It began as one a month, but this summer it’s turned into several. Do you approve?” He looked up as the waiter brought the soup and bread. He dipped his spoon and took a bite. “You should try this. It’s excellent.”
He dipped the spoon in again and held it out, his spare hand beneath the utensil in case it spilled.
Tia glanced around the shop, but there were only two other couples present, both engaged in their own conversations.
She leaned forward and opened her mouth, feeling slightly wicked at being fed.
She licked her lips and gave a moan of appreciation.
Will’s hazel eyes darkened, enhancing the golden specks. He still cares, she thought with hope.
“It’s delicious,” she said, turning her attention to the waiter as he returned with her tea and shortbread and Will’s ale. “Do you come here often?”
“I enjoy stopping for a meal after court. It’s better than the food at the Inns,” he said, indicating the Inns of Court where he rented rooms and had his law office.
“And are dogs allowed in your quarters?” she asked nonchalantly.
“Not usually—” He stopped with the spoon halfway to his mouth, his eyes narrowing. “Why would you ask that?”
“I saw you rescue one last week. Mama and I were shopping, and you appeared to buy the animal, then carry it to your coach.” She took a sip of tea, then added a lump of sugar. “How does it fare?”
“Phoenix is doing quite well. He eats more than I do and sleeps next to my bed. He’s become my shadow when we’re together, never letting me from his sight.”
“Phoenix? As in, the dog will rise again?” She raised a brow.
“Exactly. And here I thought I was being clever.”
“You were quite the hero that day.”
He frowned. “Were you pleased to see me behave in that way? I wanted to pummel that vile man.”
“I would have enjoyed that very much,” she said with a smile. “I believe many of the onlookers would have too.”
Their gazes locked, and Tia’s stomach flipped. She saw the love in his eyes, and she shrank inwardly for a moment. Did she deserve this man?
You will, a voice in her head whispered.
“William, I’m so so—”
“Florentia, I apolo—”
They both talked at once, stopped, then began to laugh. “You were right. I’m a spoiled girl who thinks she knows everything. Papa told me of your charity work, and I’ve been watching you when you present at the Old Bailey.”
“I haven’t seen you before today.” His brow creased. “Did you leave early?”
She nodded. “I wanted to get an idea of what your day is like. And I think I understand what you’ve been trying to tell me.”
“Go on,” he said as he buttered a hunk of bread.
“I felt you considered me inferior, not intelligent enough to discuss political matters, too shallow to really understand the issues of the day.” Tia chewed her bottom lip. She’d had a speech planned, but the perfect words had flown from her memory. “That’s not true, is it?”
William shook his head, his handsome face solemn. “I want to shield you from it. I became morose for a while, realizing the lot of many will never change. But instead of considering my work only a drop in a bucket, I must see it as one step in a better direction.”
“I only want you to be able to share your thoughts and feelings with me, not be left out. Don’t hold everything inside or be afraid to infect me with negativity.
My skin is thicker than you think.” She reached out and covered his hand with her gloved one.
“Sometimes sharing your sadness or frustration will help purge it from your system better than wearing blinders to the pain.”
“That’s very intuitive,” he said quietly.
“That’s my mother, but I have enough sense to listen.”
He chuckled, leaning back in the iron chair as he ran a hand through his thick, honey-colored hair.
“I contacted several different organizations and will begin volunteering. I’m not sure what I am best suited for, but I shall figure it out.
” She sipped her tea and nibbled at the biscuit.
“I cannot preach to others about the sad situation in the rookeries or elsewhere if I’ve never even seen it.
How can I know where to help, how to provide assistance, if I don’t venture out and see it for myself? Perhaps you could help me with that?”
“Are you saying I may call on you again?” he asked, pushing away the soup and taking both her hands.
Tia nodded, blinking back a tear. “Would you? I’ve missed you terribly.”
“First, I must beg your forgiveness for laughing at you when you… fell into the water. It was not well done of me.” Yet Tia detected he was still trying to suppress a smile at the memory. But she wouldn’t nitpick.
“I accept your apology,” she said graciously. “We must never part in anger again. We must always work through our differences.”
“With a kiss?” he asked, waggling his brows.
Heat crept up her neck at the thought.
“Not here, of course,” he whispered, then winked at her. “I can wait until we’re back in the carriage.”
Two days later
Hyde Park
“May I join you?” asked Mama as Tia came down the stairs, waiting for the carriage so she could meet William.
When Tia hesitated, she asked, “Is there a reason you prefer a chaperone to your own mother?”
“Of course not.”
“Are you worried he might propose, and I will be in the way?” Her mother stood patiently, a hand held up for the butler to wait with her redingote.
Tia sighed. When Mama said it out loud, it did sound ridiculous. Why would he meet her in the middle of the day, in a public place, to propose? “I would love for you to come along.”
Tia strolled along the Serpentine with her mother, breathing in the scent of fresh-cut grass. The sky was a perfect blue, not a cloud in sight. If only her life was so clear. The note from William had been vague.
Meet me by the Serpentine at four o’clock. I have something to show you.
Yours,
Will
“Merciful heavens,” said her mother. “What is that?”
Tia glanced over her shoulder, then turned around with a grin. “That is Phoenix, the Great Dane he rescued in Cheapside.”
“Oh dear, I only saw it on the ground and Mr. Page carrying it. The beast comes up to his hip!” Lady Baldwin twirled her parasol, then brought it down, and held it in front of her. “Just in case.”
“Greetings, my ladies,” called William as he drew closer. The dog walked quietly beside him, his tongue lolling. A duck waddled from the lake, and Phoenix lunged forward, pulling William with him.
“Whoa, boy,” yelled William, still clutching the leash and digging his heels into the grass. “Stop.”
The dog obeyed, standing still, and William straightened and tipped his hat to the women. At that moment, Phoenix lunged again, plunging into the Serpentine after a flapping fowl, with William pitching into the lake headfirst.
Tia’s hand went to her mouth; Lady Baldwin gasped. William stood, no longer gripping the dog’s rope, water cascading off his hat and onto his shoulders.
She couldn’t help it. Tia began to laugh, a true belly laugh, holding her stomach and sinking to her knees. The comical look on his face… Her mother joined her, wiping at her eyes with a handkerchief.
When William managed to climb out, his clothes were soaked and water dripped off him, creating a puddle beneath his shoes. “I’m so glad I could provide free entertainment for the afternoon.”
Lady Baldwin, trying to help, handed him her handkerchief, which sent Tia into another gale of laughter. William sat on the grass and took off his boots, emptying them. A loud honk drew their attention.
A large goose was chasing after Phoenix, who was swimming frantically toward shore. He reached the bank and ran to William, then shook his huge body, sending a spray of water in every direction.
“Phoenix, sit, or I will not save you from the geese!” commanded William. The dog obeyed. “Now you listen!”
Tia took the wet handkerchief and wiped her face. She glanced at William, who grinned back at her.
“I was rather hoping to appear complete to a shade rather than a sodden bumble-bath, but…” He stood. “Ladies, I’d like you to officially meet Phoenix. He has decided to stay for a bit and see if he likes it. Though I have a place for him at my father’s estate when he tires of Town.”
“It’s a pleasure, Phoenix,” said the viscountess. “Please excuse me if I don’t… touch you.”
Tia could see the sores and scars still visible on the bony canine. She stroked his head, and he leaned against her, leaving a wet spot on the side of her gown. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through,” she said to him.
“Florentia, I’m walking back to fetch the carriage,” said her mother, resuming her walk with the parasol above her head again. “I’ll see you soon.”
“I think a walk might help dry me off,” added William. “Shall we?”
Tia and Phoenix flanked William as they strolled in the sunlight, the wet boots making squishy noises as they moved. When they reached the path and a copse, William led her to the edge of the woods. He had her lean against a tree, then bade Phoenix to sit in front of her.
“He has a present for you,” said William, nodding at the collar.
Tia bent and untied a small pouch from the leather collar. She pulled at the opening and peered inside. Her breath caught as an emerald winked at her. “Oh, William!”
He stepped forward and took the small velvet bag, dumping the ring into his hand.
“Florentia Baldwin, since I’ve met you, I have been smitten, confused, deliriously happy, frustrated beyond imagination, and fallen deeply, madly in love with you.
Please,” he said, stepping closer as he gazed down at her, “be my wife and let me continue this blissful chaos for the rest of my life.”
Tia blinked back the tears, then decided she didn’t care, and let them fall. “Yes, yes, yes,” she cried as she flung herself at him, “I love you so much!” He wrapped his arms around her and swung her in a circle, sending Phoenix into a loud howl.
William set her back on her feet but didn’t let her go. Instead, he pulled her farther into the woods and kissed her. And she kissed him back with all the love and passion and optimism she’d kept tucked away.
The Baldwin crest appeared in her peripheral vision, and she heard her mother call out, “Go home and change out of those clothes before you catch your death!”
Tia’s eyes widened at her mother’s words.
William smiled and shook his head. “You won’t get rid of me so easily,” he whispered in her ear, sending a frisson of heat to her core. “But I don’t want to sneeze all over you at our wedding, so I’ll heed her advice.”