With both Eve and Lucy assisting her up the stairs, Eve wondered why she hadn’t realized earlier that she’d been drugged. Even now, she could hardly lift her feet up each step. All that tea she’d drank… Eve shuddered at the thought and turned her mind to eavesdrop on the arguments drifting up from the study. Loud at first, but gradually subsiding as Niles’ steady voice took control.
Her mind conjured images of how he’d looked that day in the rain. Catching her from falling, holding her in the shelter of the trees. He’d put her before himself, despite his injury.
The three women shuffled into her chamber and assisted her onto the bed.
Eve didn’t want to sleep anymore. She hated this feeling of being trapped within her own body.
“I knew something must be dreadfully wrong, as soon as Mr. Waverly said you intended to marry.” Rhoda sat beside the bed and dabbed a cool cloth over Eve’s forehead. “Opium! The scoundrel! He had to have known how you opposed the poison!”
“I’ll never forgive him for it.” Although feeling weak and horribly humiliated, Eve no longer experienced the heavy darkness she’d been subdued by for the past twenty-four hours. Shortly after Eve’s…unfortunate bout of sickness, Rhoda had arrived with a magistrate and as luck would have it, Lucy. Apparently, Darius had fired the poor girl. She’d gone into the village and had been looking for Niles.
“Drink this, Mama.”
“No tea!” Eve pushed the drink away.
Her daughter’s eyes pooled with unshed tears. “It’s safe, Mama. I promise. I made it myself.” And then Rhoda leaned forward, resting her head on Eve’s shoulder.
Rhoda had endured so much already in her young life. Eve hated that she was causing her any duress. Mothers were supposed to comfort their children, not the other way around. “Of course, it is. I’m sorry to worry you.”
Eve sipped her tea, relieved at being safe once again. Darius Mossant no longer had any power over her. He never had, in fact. She’d been held captive by the drug.
How had Jean Luc lived his life in such darkness? Had he been imprisoned by the drug all that time?
She’d hated it. It had nearly robbed her of her own free will. And yet… it promised a false comfort.
She now understood its lure. It’s power.
Never again. It was horrid and demonic and… terrifying.
Rhoda sat back and wiped an errant tear. “Mr. Waverly certainly is clever,” she commented, oh, so casually. Her hands shook a little as she returned the cup of tea to the tray beside the bed.
Eve could only marvel at this brave, beautiful girl. Her daughter!
“Don’t you think so?”
Ah, Niles. Clever Niles. “He certainly is.”
Eve smiled at the thought that her man of business could so easily command a room full of gentleman whom society would consider his betters.
“You’ll have to give him a raise, Mama.”
“Give Niles a raise?” Eve nearly laughed. He’d never take it. “He works on commission.”
“When we arrived, he was a man possessed. For all of two minutes, he was in quite the panic. I never imagined he could be anything other than utterly calm and composed.”
He’d worried for all of two minutes. Again, Eve smiled. She had first-hand knowledge of the hidden passions of Niles Waverly.
Eve squirmed and Lucy stepped forward to stuff an extra pillow behind her.
“Thank you, Lucy.” Her maid had had a difficult few days as well. “I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve had. You’ve been wonderful with the girls since coming on. You certainly didn’t deserve such treatment, and I’m sorry I was unable to protect you from it.”
The young woman was only a few years older than Rhoda.
“I’ll be fine. I was just so worried of what they were doing to you. I knew you’d never send me away like that.” Lucy twisted her hands together.
“And I never will. You have my word on that.” Eve knew that she and her girls were the closest to family Lucy had. Darius Mossant had thought only of himself.
Apparently uncomfortable, Lucy glanced around the room and then asked, “would you care for something to eat, ma’am?”
“Something light, thank you Lucy.” Eve wasn’t hungry, but the maid seemed to need a moment to herself.
And Eve needed some privacy.
Left alone, Eve could ask her daughter a very personal question. Something she’d been contemplating since the moment she realized she’d nearly married her dead husband’s cousin.
“Darling?”
Rhoda’s brows rose at her tone and she sat forward attentively. “Yes?”
Eve cleared her throat. “Would you consider me foolish, I mean. Are you happy?” She hedged.
“I am. You know that I am.” The somber mood fled her daughter for the moment. Lord Carlisle had been perfect for her. Eve had seen it from the beginning.
“Justin can be at times overly protective, and a bit stuffy.” She smiled. “But he’s made me happier than I ever might have imagined. Are you happy, Mama?”
How did one discuss something like this with one’s daughter? She supposed to do so as though she were a friend.
“I think I can be.”
“Because father is dead?”
Eve had quite come to terms with her emotions over Jean Luc’s death. “Your father’s death doesn’t make me happy.” She explained. “Although, I am relieved. I am also sad. At one time, he was a good man. At one time…”
Rhoda tilted her head. Again, Eve searched for words.
“I’m in love with Niles Waverly.” The words rang clear and true. “I didn’t think I’d ever feel love again, and I’m uncertain as to whether or not he feels the same…”
A huge grin spread across her daughter’s face. “I don’t think you need have any fears there.”
“You’re a Countess now.”
At these words, her daughter broke into a peel of laughter. “Oh, Mama. Are you asking for my approval?”
Was that it?
“I don’t want to make a ninny of myself.” This was more embarrassing than she’d imagined. She was past the age of forty!
“Remember what you told me when I didn’t know what to do about the bet? Or about Justin?”
Eve remembered. Of course, she remembered. “I do.”
“You told me that we Mossant woman oughtn’t only to survive, but that we deserved to thrive.” Rhoda smiled as she spoke the words.
“I’ve wanted that for you and for Coleus and Hollyhock more than anything, all along.”
“And we want it for you.”
Eve simply stared into her daughter’s eyes. “I’m so very proud of you.”
“Of course, you are,” the little imp supplied. “But what of you? Are you going to allow yourself to thrive? Are you going to be able to live your life in faith that good things await you? Or are you going to allow the bad stuff to rule you?”
This daughter of mine. She knows me all too well.
Not waiting for an answer, Rhoda touched the side of her face with one finger as though contemplating something of great import. “Because there is a gentleman downstairs this very minute of whom, I’m certain, would like nothing better than to assure himself of your happiness and well-being.”
Eve bit her lower lip.
Rhoda would not relent. “Would you like to see him?”
But she must look a fright! Did it matter? Of course, it mattered!
“After you’ve done something with my hair.” She glanced down at the horrid black gown she’d been dressed in. “And anything but this atrocity. Something bright perhaps? My cerulean?”
Upon which, allowing Eve a glimpse of the tiny little girl she’d once been, her daughter grinned from ear to ear. “I’ll have Lucy press it as soon as she returns.”
Twenty minutes later, Eve sat in the small sitting area of her suite holding a book. She had no idea what it was about and doubted she ever would.
Rhoda had excused herself to go in search of Niles.
What if he didn’t wish to come?
What if he was angry with her?
From what she’d since learned, Eve had discovered she’d sat mute while Darius Mossant fired him! Her very efficient and most appreciated man of business.
Rhoda had assured her that Mr. Waverly did not hold a grudge.
But what if he did?
And what if he didn’t want—
A knock at the door interrupted her misgivings.
“Come in.” She set the book aside and smoothed her skirt in her lap. The air seemed to change the second he stepped inside — and the colors in the room — and the weight in her heart.
“I expected you’d remain abed.” His voice drew her gaze.
He did not look angry. He simply looked like… Niles. When had he come to mean so much to her? Truth be told, she’d always looked forward to their meetings with considerable anticipation.
“I’ve spent far too much time abed as of late.” At his hesitancy, she gestured beside her. “Won’t you sit down?”
Oh, but she felt like a gauche young girl suddenly.
The cushions sank as he lowered himself beside her. And then, instantly alleviating all her concerns, he reached over and covered her hand with one of his.
This wasn’t going to be excruciatingly hard, as she’d feared. She drew in a breath. “I—”
“Please, give me a moment first… I need to say something.” His voice prevented her from diving headlong into her own practiced speech.
She turned so that she could look him directly in the eye. And as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do, she placed her other hand atop his.
“You will always have my assistance.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll do anything you need. But I can no longer remain in your employ. I’ll protect your assets. I’ll protect your daughters. God help me, I’ll do better to protect you. But not for payment.”
“Surely, you must require some sort of fee?”
His eyes flared at her question.
Oh, but this man. She’d always feel safe beside him. And protected. And desired.
He rubbed his chin. “The only payment I’m willing to accept may be beyond your budget.”
Eve could only smile at such foolishness. “I’m a very wealthy woman. That is, of course, unless you did, in fact, send my money to the bottom of the sea,” she teased, knowing of course, that he had not.
He waved the concern away. “Never.”
But he’d been about to tell her something of import. “Then what is it that I may not be able to afford?” Eve closed her eyes, afraid she’d gotten it all wrong.
“Marriage.”
Her eyes flew open at the word. Joy exploded inside her. She had to press her lips together to keep from smiling. “To you?”
“Yes.” He nodded in all seriousness. “To me.”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” He didn’t move. “You’ll consent to becoming Mrs. Niles Waverly?”
“Aside from my unmarried daughters I’ve quite used up any goodwill I had for my current name. So, yes. Please.” She nodded. “I’d be more than happy to become Mrs. Niles Waverly.”
The dear man remained utterly sober. “I’m more than capable of taking care of you. All your funds will remain yours and your daughters’. Always.”
He spoke so earnestly. Of course, she knew this about him. “They needn’t, you know. I only have one requirement.”
“Indeed?” He cocked a rakish eyebrow. Because, yes indeed, her dear Mr. Waverly was quite capable of appearing rakish.
“I expect you to make love to me long and often. And I expect you to allow me to love you.”
His throat worked a few times as he swallowed hard. “I never hoped…” Another swallow. “Your love is all I’ve wanted, Eve. Since I met you. So self-assured you were. So absolutely beautiful. So devoted a mother. I’ve been in awe of you every day.”
“So, I’ve not been an annoying client?” She could tease him now. He loved her. He had said he loved her, hadn’t he?”
“In case you’ve any doubt, you should know that I retired eight months ago. You’re my only client.” And then he touched her face, almost in awe. “I love you.”
She would not cry. He’d seen her do enough of that for a lifetime. This was a time for laughing and loving and new beginnings.
A second chance for both of them. A second chance at love.
“Aren’t you supposed to kiss me now, Mr. Waverly?”
He leaned in and hovered his lips less than an inch from hers. “My dear Mrs. Mossant. I thought you’d never ask.
***
Lila and Vincent are last but certainly not least in this collection of tales. Complete the series and read
HELL’S WEDDING BELLS!
Originally published in the 2019 anthology, Once Upon a Christmas Wedding
Can Vincent and Lila avoid deadly thorns, or will their love be poisoned before joy can blossom? WHEN A NIGHTMARE BECOMES A DREAM COME TRUE...