Chapter Thirty-four

 

“They’re waiting for us,” Janice said.

She was right. Halsey waved a hand. Instead of the carriage going straight to the front door of the house, it went to the stable block.

“It’s a better place to fight,” Cynthia said glibly. “Lots of open space. Near the house you have all those hard stone steps and those holly bushes. I’d hate to be thrown into one of those.” She shuddered.

Everyone stared at her and said nothing.

She shrugged. “I’m only saying.”

Janice hated to agree with her, but she was sure Cynthia was correct. Daddy must have had his talk with Halsey.

The carriage rolled to a rather abrupt halt. The driver, obviously, was excited by the scene awaiting them.

Janice peered up at the windows on the second floor of the stable block. Sure enough, there was Oscar’s round face, Aaron’s, and five other stablemen’s, all watching from an open window—

And waiting.

Was anyone watching at the house? She imagined Isobel, Mrs. Friday, Mrs. Poole, and even the dowager and the Duke of Beauchamp might be. Heavens, probably everyone in the house was glued to a window.

“Here’s the book.” Marcia handed it to her and kissed her cheek. “It doesn’t look as though you’ll get that private time to speak to him first. Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Janice said a quick prayer and got out first. But she waited until her mother and sisters were behind her.

She skimmed the faces in the semi-circle. Their gazes were grim and the mouths straight lines—save for Robert’s. He couldn’t help the glimmer of excitement in his eyes and a quirky little grin. He knew what was coming. Boys would be boys, so she couldn’t fault him.

Janice swallowed the dry lump in her throat. What was coming?

A queasy stomach compelled her take a quick glance at Mama over her shoulder for comfort, and Mama smiled. You can do it.

But do what? Janice wasn’t sure. She needed—

She needed Luke.

She swiveled her head back to meet his gaze and felt calmer. She’d been so nervous when she’d first descended from the carriage, she hadn’t really looked specifically at him. But there he was—so distinguished with that slightly crooked line of his nose making his handsome face all the more endearing.

He was so manly.

And sweet.

He smiled at her, and immediately hot tears welled her vision.

She had hope.

Hope.

And this time he’d given it to her—not the other way around.

“You can be with other people, Luke Callahan,” she said aloud to him. “And you’re good for them. You’re good for me.”

Her words echoed off the stable block wall.

Halsey stepped forward and flung his gaze at Daddy. “What did I tell you? She’s got stars in her eyes.”

“That she does,” said Daddy, his tone sober. But he didn’t say more.

It seemed he was waiting, too.

Luke stepped forward. “I’ll say it here before the world. I love you, Lady Janice Sherwood. And I’ll fight for you with every last breath in my body.”

He did? And he would?

Everything became a starry blur until she wiped her eyes. “But there are things we’ve yet to discuss. Things in this book.” She held it up.

“Whatever it holds, it doesn’t change anything,” Luke said. “We belong together. And from now on, your story will be mine. And mine will be yours.”

Their gazes locked, and she read in his a new boldness that had nothing to do with how well he could intimidate—which he could, of course. She knew that from her own first meeting with him. But where he used to push away, he now seemed open. His hands hung relaxed at his sides. His eyes, always so hooded with mystery, were clear and bright.

“The groom’s desperate words mean nothing,” said Halsey, richly dressed in fine riding tweeds. “I’ve already proved to you that I’ll overlook your poor judgment. This is your last chance, Lady Janice: Will you say yes to the duke? The man who can give you everything you’ve ever wanted? Or shall you throw it all away”—he looked coolly down his nose at Luke—“on him?”

There was a long silence. Janice’s heart was beating so hard, her knees almost gave out from under her. But she knew her answer very well.

“Janice?” Daddy called to her. “What say you?”

She straightened her shoulders, stood tall, and looked at her father. “I say yes to the duke.”

There was another beat of silence before noise erupted from all corners. On the second floor of the stable block, words flew about the fight that was sure to ensue. The duke’s hounds began to run circles around the crowd. Peter and Robert loudly exclaimed over Luke’s tremendous boxing skills, which they lamented they’d now never have in the family. Duncan told them to shut up, repeatedly, and then he grabbed their arms and bent in to speak to them privately, after which they calmed down.

Halsey kicked a stone toward Luke and snickered. “Get lost, cretin. I should call you up before the magistrate for your willful disobedience. Go now, before I change my mind.”

Luke ignored him. Janice could see Luke was puzzled by her declaration. But he wasn’t terribly worried. At least not yet.

Daddy said nothing. But he scowled at everything he took in with that bright blue Irish gaze of his. He wasn’t happy—he wasn’t happy at all. And the world would know. Michael Sherwood, the Marquess of Brady, wasn’t one to hide his strong feelings.

Janice’s mother and sisters gathered around her.

Mama sighed. “You’re torturing your father.”

“I know,” she said. “I couldn’t resist. The Irish in him will love the irony when it’s all over.”

Marcia released a happy sigh. “Actually, I’m pleased Daddy’s upset. This must mean he likes Luke. He always scowls like that when he’s disappointed.”

“I can’t believe you chose Halsey,” said Cynthia, and laid a hand on Janice’s arm. “Please reconsider. Look how lonely Luke is. And he’s so much more handsome than the duke. His Grace looks like he should be thrown into a mud puddle to loosen him up a bit.”

“Be patient,” Janice whispered, amused that her little sister didn’t comprehend what she was up to. “You’ll see.”

She raised a hand in the air, and the noise died down. “I’d better explain further.” She looked at Halsey. “I said yes to the duke. But I’m turning you down, Halsey. If I were you, I’d cling to your grandmother’s affection. You’re going to need it. You’re going to need her.”

“What the devil are you talking about?” Halsey’s composure was cracking. Beads of sweat dampened that beautiful lock of hair over his eye.

“Yes,” said Daddy. “What’s this about, young lady?”

Duncan and her brothers also looked mystified.

Janice held the notebook aloft again. “Within these pages is an eyewitness tale of the origins of Luke Callahan, born to a mother and father separated by tragedy in a family with dark secrets. And that family is yours, Halsey.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he said, but his face paled.

“There will be plenty of time to tell the entire story,” Janice said calmly to the astonished males standing before her. Luke himself was riveted by her words. “But the duke I say yes to marrying is Mr. Callahan. He’s Halsey’s legitimate cousin—older by two years—and as such is the rightful Duke of Halsey.”

Luke stared at the notebook and then at her, his dear face alternating between disbelief and hope.

“Is it so?” he asked her.

She nodded. “The church, the day, everything.”

Halsey’s expression was black. “You bastard,” he said to Luke.

“Apparently not,” Luke said. “I told you I’d protect this estate, and I am. I’m protecting it from you and your selfish aims. Your father knew I was out there somewhere and passed his worries on to you. Why else would the nuns at an orphanage two hours’ ride away be subject to your threats?” He got up to Halsey’s face and stuck a finger on his chest. “Stay away from St. Mungo’s,” he said in a murderous voice. “They’re under my care now. It doesn’t matter how many weeks, months, or years it will take to sort out this mess with the solicitors, but as of this moment, your harassment of them will cease.”

“We’ll back you up on that, Callahan,” said Duncan. “Attempt to harm a hair on his head, Halsey, or cause the orphanage any more trouble and the Houses of Brady and Chadwick will seek you out and make you pay a severe price. That’s a promise.”

“Indeed, it is,” said Daddy.

“And ours, too,” said Peter, throwing his arm around Robert.

“I can speak for myself,” Robert said.

“You’re not allowed to promise to punish anyone, Lord Robert Sherwood!” called Mama. “You let the older men handle this!”

“Mama!” Robert’s cheeks flamed. “All I was going to say is that we should stop calling him Halsey. That’s Luke now.”

He pointed at the groom who would be duke when everything was sorted out properly, which it would be, Janice knew.

“As he’s to be Janice’s husband, and my brother-in-law,” Robert continued, “I’ll be the best knuckle boxer at Cambridge when I go.”

“That’s years yet!” Cynthia called to him.

“Only three!” he protested. “Imagine how good I’ll be by then.”

Cynthia made an exasperated face, the kind only sisters can make at recalcitrant brothers.

Halsey scowled round at them all. “I won’t let this happen, I’ll have you know. I’ll fight you every inch of the way.” He pointed to Halsey House. “I’m going back there now, and I will not be removed. Is that clear?”

“Of course you’ll stay.” Luke’s voice was quiet. “This is your home. We can’t expect you to leave—and no one here wants that sort of estrangement. If you do, that’s your choice. But you’ve got yourself a cousin. And soon, a new sister. Not to mention all of her family.” He turned and gazed at everyone as if he couldn’t believe his great good luck. “And I promise you that you’re Halsey,” he added, “until the world accepts our change in circumstance, and not before.”

The duke who was not the duke glared at him. “I’d sooner walk the plank than admit our blood connection.”

“Fine.” Luke shrugged.

And everyone began to talk at once in the usual Brady way.

Janice had to chuckle. What Halsey said or did didn’t matter anymore. It was going to be a rude awakening for him, and if he was clever he’d cling not only to his grandmother but also to the olive branch Luke had just offered him.

But he stormed off to the house, his coattails flapping behind him, his hounds nipping at his heels.

“I’m cold,” said Marcia suddenly. “We’re all cold. Let’s follow Halsey inside and have tea. Perhaps we can convince him to join us. If the men desire something stronger, we’ve got Daddy’s whiskey. Actually … all of us can have a dram. This has been quite a shock for everyone, has it not?” She spoke in her confident headmistress’s voice that Janice knew she’d never be able to acquire, but she didn’t care anymore.

She wasn’t sure how she commanded attention, but she obviously had. A proposal from two dukes in less than three weeks! She was exhausted, quite frankly.

But the best part was that one of them she loved with all her heart.

Isobel was going to be over the moon with joy. So would the dowager, Janice hoped. And so would Mrs. Friday, her new friend.

Janice looked yearningly at Luke. Would he never come to her? She didn’t want Mama and Marcia saying anything more about how a man should chase a woman.

He must have understood Janice’s thoughts, because at that very moment he sent her a slow smile that made her warm all over, even the tip of her nose, which had been frozen till that point.

Come to me, her heart said. He’d done so in her dreams for years. And now …

Now she wanted it to happen here, in front of her family.

“As Lady Chadwick has said, this day is shocking,” he reminded all the company. “I’m a duke.” He glanced down at his dusty groom’s jacket with wry amusement, but then his mood sobered. “It will take some very serious convincing of the legal system to claim my proper title, as you all know. And I’ll need time to figure this new role out, too. But I intend to exceed everyone’s expectations—especially my own—and there’s only one way I can do so.”

He caught Janice’s eye, and her heart began to thump like mad and her breath came short as her one true love wended his way through various relatives to get to her.

At last, he was upon her. “I can only be duke if I can have you as my duchess,” he said softly.

“I’ve already said yes to the duke,” she said with a smile that trembled. “But I’m also saying yes to the groom, to the boxer, to the ex-soldier, and the rescuer of frightened dogs.”

“Oh?” He grinned and captured her waist in his strong hands.

She looked up at the window where Aaron, happy and confident, waved down to her. “And yes to the man who’ll teach our children that any strength worth having always begins in the heart.”

“That’s a lot to ask a brute like me,” he said, “but I’m up to the challenge. Anything else?”

She eyed him speculatively. “How about yes to the man who’ll learn to love a lonely old woman with a temper?”

“It will be an adventure. But how about this?” He leaned close to her ear. “You’ll say yes to the man who comes knocking on your bedchamber door tonight, at two in the morning precisely.”

He planted a lush kiss on her mouth, and her entire body suffused with delicious heat. “But Luke?”

“Yes?”

“Isobel will be asleep in the little closet of a room attached to my bedchamber.”

“Oh.”

“Plus, Mama and Daddy will be down the corridor.”

“I see.” He thought a moment. “How about yes to a quick elopement to Scotland then?”

“What a wonderful idea! But only if the whole family can come, don’t you agree?”

“Of course.”

She laughed aloud at the idea of all those carriages going to Gretna. And then she remembered. “Do you mind waiting for Gregory and Pippa? They’re supposed to arrive in London from Paris any day now. I can’t wait for you to meet Little Bertie. Oh—and there’s Alice. In Ireland. If she has to miss the wedding, we need to sail to Ireland right afterward to see her, or she’ll never forgive us.”

He laughed. “I see that I’ll have to say yes to the entire House of Brady.”

“You understand me so well.” She kissed him with such fervor she almost forgot—she reached into a coat pocket and pressed a key in his hand.

“What’s this?”

“It goes to the new cellar lock,” she whispered. “I pinched it from the pantry. I had to try seventeen different ones.”

“Ah. Good work.” Luke pulled her even closer and looked into her eyes with such tender passion, Janice was brought right back to their very first kiss. “Shall we steal away after tea?”

They both smiled. Then their mouths joined in an ardent celebration of the union they knew was to come. And so it was that Janice and Luke said yes—

To love.