By the time Edward got home, he walked into his study with a heavy sigh. With a flick of his wrist he tossed Lady Eunice Gladstone’s card into the fire. One evening was quite enough for him with a woman who couldn’t appear to string more than two sentences together that didn’t have something to do with the disparaging the women of her acquaintance. In fact, he didn’t even make it through the second act when she began to talk about poorly about Miss Everhart, listing off all the faults that he rather found admirable in the lady.
Murmuring some sort of lame excuse about an early morning appointment, he’d dropped her off at her parents’ residence and then stewed in the carriage ride on the way home. Tonight might have very well ruined his chances with Miss Everhart for good. After this, how could she believe that his intentions were sincere? He knew how damning it looked, kissing her one minute and appearing to cavort with other women the next.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and wished that his brother were here. Jonathan would be able to give him the advice that he sorely needed to win this particular lady’s hand, for at this moment, it would take a Christmas miracle.
“What are you doing here when you should be out looking for a bride?”
Edward sighed. That certainly wasn’t the miracle he’d been praying for. He steepled his hands in front of him and looked at the older man who’d entered the room. “Hallo, Father. I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
The Earl of Vellerman struck his cane on the floor. “I know you’d rather that I met my maker in Bath, but the waters were rather beneficial for these old bones. I plan to stay around and bedevil my heir for many more years to come.”
As he settled down in the chair across from the desk, Edward smiled in a tolerant manner. “I have no doubt of it,” he murmured. “But as far as the quest goes for the Viscountess of Rundell, I’m afraid it’s down to one more candidate.” He held up the card of the American heiress. “Miss Elizabeth Tolson.”
“Bah!” His father threw up his hands. “I added her to the list because of the sizeable dowry she would bring to the estate, but I didn’t think you would actually settle on her.”
Edward shrugged. “Then it appears we are at an impasse.”
He scowled darkly. “None of the other gels took your fancy?”
“I’m afraid none that were on your list,” he hedged.
As suspected, the earl instantly picked up on the hint. “So there is someone? Who is she?”
“Her name is Miss Sabrina Everhart. She is the daughter of a vicar and is currently the companion to Lady Warably.”
His father snorted. “That old crone?” He shook his head. “I certainly wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone, but neither does this woman make a proper addition to the family. If her father was a vicar, then she likely has no dowry and very few connections.”
“What do we need with ‘connections’?” Edward pointed out. “You’re an earl. You already hold a seat at the House of Lords. The estate is thriving, and Jonathan is the happily settled spare with a family of his own in case I fail in my duties. I don’t understand this urgency that I take a wife by Christmas.”
For a time, silenced reigned as his father regarded him steadily. He wasn’t sure he would even reply, but then the Earl of Vellerman finally glanced away and for the first time in his life, Edward saw something on his sire’s face that was rather surprising.
Remorse.
“While I was in Bath I had some time to reflect. I found that there were several aspects of my life that I’m not proud of.” Edward listened intently as the earl continued. “It’s doubtful that I will ever be able to fully repair my relationship with Jonathan, as he and I are more alike than he would like to admit. You, on the other hand, have always been steadfast, like your mother. It’s to honor her memory, why I put this ridiculous quest before you. It was just another part of my controlling nature, and something else that I’ve been trying to work on in order to have a proper relationship with my grandchildren.” He looked at Edward then. “My only wish is to see you happy and well settled before I meet my maker, so that I can leave this Earth knowing that, while things weren’t always easy between us, at least I won’t have any regrets.”
Edward decided that perhaps this was the Christmas miracle that he’d needed after all. “Considering this sudden change of heart, does that mean you wouldn’t mind if I asked Miss Everhart to be my bride?”
His father chuckled. “I suppose if I said no, that would make me a hypocrite, now wouldn’t it?” He followed that with a heavy sigh. “If this gel is the one you want, then who am I to stand in the way of your true heart’s desire?”
Edward smiled. “In that case, you might have your wish after all.”
***
Sabrina…
Sabrina set aside her embroidery with a huff. It’s not as if she had been able to concentrate on a single stitch anyway. Lord Rundell’s deep voice kept running through her head from the night before, that hypnotic timbre chanting her name all morning.
She decided that it was time to do something to ease this restlessness, so she made up her mind to take a brisk walk about the square. After a few mild, sunny days, the skies had darkened to a heavy gray, and the temperature had dropped considerably with the threat of snow, but she didn’t intend for that to stop her. And with Lady Warably taking her mid-morning nap, it was the perfect opportunity to slip away.
She gathered her gray woolen cloak and told the butler where she was going and that she would return shortly, in case her mistress awoke earlier than usual.
The moment she stepped outside, she breathed deeply. The air smelled fresh and clean and even though the slight breeze teased her hair beneath her plain straw bonnet, causing a shiver to travel up her spine, she was grateful for the memory of her time in the country. For all of its faults, she missed her easy life in the village, finding that the hustle and bustle of London could grow rather tedious.
Sabrina walked down the steps and set out at an even, clipped pace. She passed a few others out and about, but for the most part, the street was rather quiet. But St. James Square generally had local traffic.
“Miss Everhart!”
Sabrina halted mid-stride. She turned to see Lord Rundell, the very man she was trying to exorcise from her thoughts, hastening down the sidewalk toward her. He wore a greatcoat but no hat, and the wind quickly tousled his dark hair. When he stopped before her with a broad smile, she was temporarily struck mute.
“Do you mind if I join you?”
As she thought of the night before at the opera, she lifted her chin somewhat defiantly and found her voice. “I suppose you may do whatever you like, my lord.” With that, she began walking, not surprised when he fell into step beside her.
He sighed heavily. “I realize you must be angry with me, but if you’d just allow me a chance to explain—”
She spun on him so quickly that he almost ran into her. “That’s where you’re wrong, Lord Rundell. To be angry would mean that I would have to care. And honestly, it’s not my place to concern myself with whom you cavort. We’ve had a handful of interactions, which gives me no right to an opinion. However, I am rather annoyed by your behavior toward me. I didn’t imagine you as a rake when we initially met, but that just goes to show how deceiving first impressions can be.”
Having said everything she’d wanted, Sabrina began walking again. For a moment, she thought the viscount had left, but then she felt his presence at her side once more. “It’s true we’ve conversed on a mere few occasions, but am I only speaking for myself when I thought there was something… more between us?”
Sabrina pursed her lips. Yes! She wanted to express the truth, for this man had stirred something inside of her that she’d never felt before. But did she dare call it love, or mere fascination? “It doesn’t matter what I have felt toward you, my lord. You made your choice perfectly clear last evening—”
“Lady Eunice Gladstone is an overbearing chit, and if I see her again it will be too soon.” He sighed heavily and urged her to stop and face him. When she did, he said, “I was sent on this ridiculous quest by my father to find a bride by Christmas. I was only paying court on the ladies that he’d chosen for me. I never expected to meet you.”
For the first time, a spark of hope flickered in her chest.
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Look. I’m not very good at this. I’ve never proposed before.” He took her hands in his. “I don’t expect an answer from you now, but I do feel that I have to make something clear. The only woman that I can imagine having in my life from this moment forward is you. We might have had what some would call a whirlwind romance, but many unions have been founded on much less. At least it’s not one of those arranged marriages and I should likely find out if there is anyone I need to ask permission of first…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head. “I’m rambling. Perhaps I should just get on with it.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened as he bent down on one knee before her. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small black box. He opened it to reveal one of the loveliest sapphire rings she’d ever seen. “This was my mother’s, but now I hope that it will grace your finger.” He smiled in an adoring manner. “Miss Sabrina Everhart, you would honor me greatly if you would consent to being my wife.”
She opened her mouth, but he stood before she could even reply. He lifted her hand and placed the ring box in her palm. “There now,” he patted her arm. “You can have some time to consider it.” With a smile, he turned to leave.
Sabrina glanced at the offering in her palm and then at the viscount’s retreating back. He was already several paces away before she recovered from her shock. “Lord Rundell!”
He paused and glanced back at her.
She walked forward and stopped directly before him. “I believe there is one deciding factor that I will need from you before I can give you a proper answer.”
He lifted a wary brow. “And what is that?”
She lifted her chin. “A kiss.”
Slowly, a smile spread across his lips. He lowered his head and captured her mouth in an embrace that caused her toes to curl delightfully in her slippers. When he finally pulled back, he looked at her expectantly.
“Yes. I’ll marry you.”
***
After Lord Rundell took his leave, Sabrina touched her lips with a giddy sensation in her stomach. She held out her left hand and gasped when the sapphire twinkled back at her. She never imagined that this moment would ever come to pass, and if it did, it would have likely been to a man old enough to be her grandfather.
Instead, all of her dreams had come true.
Now, she just had to tackle Lady Warably.
The moment she walked through the door, she removed her outerwear and was told the countess was in the front parlor. She entered the room to find Lady Warably standing by the window. She turned upon Sabrina’s entrance with a rather stern expression. “I suppose you’ve come to tell me you’re resigning.”
Sabrina frowned, puzzled. Had Lord Rundell come here first? He hadn’t mentioned…
“I saw you from the window,” the lady explained, as if reading her thoughts. “It appears the viscount is quite taken with you after all. I assume he’s made you an offer?”
For reply, she held up her hand to let the ring speak for itself.
“I see. In that case, I wish you much happiness.”
When Lady Warably would have taken her leave, Sabrina felt she ought to say something. So she finally expressed what she’d always held in her heart. “Thank you, my lady, for giving me a home when I had nowhere else to go. I will always be grateful.”
The woman paused and regarded her steadily. “A grandmother does what she can.”
She froze. “Grandmother?” It was little more than a whisper.
The older lady’s lips twitched. “I can see your father didn’t tell you anything, even before he died.” She sniffed. “Not that I’m surprised. We never did rub along well. In truth he quite stole my daughter out from under me when I wasn’t even aware of their courtship. I was rather upset that she ran off with him, but there was nothing I could do at that point. She was already with child.” She glanced at Sabrina with an air of disapproval as she banged her cane against the hard wood floor. “When she fell ill, he didn’t even write to me so I could see her before she passed.” She shook her head. “But it’s all water under the bridge now, as they say.” Her eyes were direct. “I took you in because I didn’t wish for my granddaughter to befall the same fate as her mother, to be taken in by prose and poetry, which is why I decided it would be best for you to fade into the background. As far as being harsh…” She shrugged. “I suppose that is merely because you remind me so much of your father.”
Sabrina put a hand to her heart, not sure what to make of this stunning revelation. She thought all of her family was gone, and now to find out that this woman was her blood relation… “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?”
Lady Warably sighed. “I suppose I thought it would be better if you didn’t know the whole, torrid story. However, when Lord Rundell started to show an interest in you, I felt his intentions weren’t sincere, so that’s why I was so strict. But then, I suppose distrusting people is just in my nature.”
Sabrina thought of her father and she could imagine how they might not get along, but to keep such a secret from her… She released a calming breath. There was no use getting angry about what was already done. It was time to move forward and look to the future.
On impulse, she crossed the short expanse and dared to hug the countess. When she pulled back, she saw that the woman had tears in her eyes.
“You’re also very much like your mother, you know. High spirited and ready to take on the world.”
If anything could make Sabrina smile, that was it. “Thank you.”
Lady Warably sniffed, but it was more of a haughty reaction than emotional. “Get on with you then.”
Sabrina withheld a smile, but she found that after six months of wishing that she were anywhere else, she was rather going to miss this.