Cunningham looked as if swallowing his objections would choke him to death; however, he said, “Then we will do what is necessary. It will be good for your mother to have one of her children in Scotland where she might visit when she wishes todo so,” he said with more calm than Aaran had ever thought possible.
Freya said, “I hope you will also visit with His Lordship and me, Papa. I do not wish to lose you out of my life.” Her chin, however, notched higher, indicating her stubbornness in the matter. “When you have finished your negotiations with Lord Graham, perhaps you might also speak to Uncle Philip. Obviously, we do not want any of our family serving Lord Rayland, especially after this situation becomes common knowledge. Although both you and Lord Graham could likely manage a position in Scotland, please also consider something near Suffolk so Aunt and Uncle could be close to their children and their grandchildren. Such would be an excellent means of repaying them for all they have done for me.”
Aaran smiled upon his future wife. She had a large heart meant for caring for those she loved. “I imagine it will not take us long, my dear, to locate an appropriate position. Thank you for the reminder. You and your aunt should show your parents to their quarters. They are near yours. Once everyone is settled, Lord Duncan and I are at your leisure, my lord, to discuss the marriage settlements and to answer any questions regarding what occurred with Lady Rayland and Mr. MacAlasdair and the former Miss Bellton. As to the marriage settlements, just know I plan to be quite generous to Lady Freya and any future children we may have.”
It turned out,without Aaran’s knowledge, but Thompson’s assistance, Mrs. Turner had also sent her sister a lengthy letter regarding all the happenings at Thom Manor and the Rayland estate during her niece’s stay in Kent. Freya’s aunt had advocated for a marriage between her niece and Aaran andhad encouraged her sister finally to place her foot down when it came to Cunningham’s authoritative manner. According to Freya, Lady Pittboro and some of the others at the house party the Cunninghams had attended had already laid the groundwork for Lady Cunningham to take back some of her dignity. Freya and Lady Emma had jokingly warned Aaran that a new age for women was just around the corner.
Aaran had offered to arrange for their wedding to take place in Scotland or London, but it was decided by all in the house party that it would be easier to silence some of the gossip they would surely face in Town if they, too, married in Kent. “Fewer people from thehaut tonwill wish to travel to Kent, though I despise it, for Freya deserves her glory, just as did her sister,” Lady Cunningham had bemoaned.
Aaran had promised to host a large supper or even a ball in Freya’s honor once they all had returned to London. “We have executed nothing for which we should be ashamed,” Aaran had declared, “and we shan’t hide from society. We all know if one presents the upper crust of society with the appearance of guilt, they will take advantage. Lady Freya and I will dare them to find fault, will we not, my dear?”
His betrothed squeezed his hand. “As long as we are together, I shall be content.”
Lord Cunningham had gone with them to speak to Thompson’s vicar, mainly because Freya was still short a couple of weeks from meeting her majority, and her father’s permission was required. Moreover, in order to be married with a bishop’s license, one of them must have resided in the area for three weeks, though three Sundays would work also. Both Freya and Graham had been in the area for eight days. Tomorrow would be the second Sunday, and so, with Thompson’s encouragement, Mr. Deven agreed to the Monday after the third Sunday, which would be the twenty-second of February, for their marriage.Freya would, however, be expected to remain in Kent, while the rest of them traveled back to London to finish all the arrangements.
The duties of the wedding were divided among all of Aaran’s family. Lady Emma, for example, would make arrangements for Madame Emmeline to create a trousseau for Freya in time for the wedding, while Lady Cunningham would oversee the other matters in London. “Do you have room for Freya’s sister and Lord Dickerson or should I seek out an inn?” Her Ladyship asked Thompson. That is when it was decided that Lady Theodora would remain at Thom Manor to assist Lady Victoria in planning the necessary wedding breakfast and other suppers. Theodora had the most experience in such matters of all of Duncan’s daughters.
Duncan, Cunningham, Aaran, and his brothers, and their wives, with the exception of Lady Annalise, who at the last minute, decided she would also remain in Kent, using her obvious increasing as the reason not to travel back and forth between London and Thom Manor, departeden masseearly Monday morning.
Aaran was thankful for Annalise’s kindness. They all knew Theodora could be a bit overwhelming, for she had been presented much latitude by Duncan, and Freya might require an ally in making decisions.
Before Aaran departed for London, he left Boyde waiting in his carriage and, instead, went looking once again for Freya. When Aaran found her, he dragged her into an empty room to claim a series of kisses to sustain him until he could return to Kent. He had kissed her quite thoroughly before she snuggled deeper into his embrace. “I will have your quarters properly aired out and new touches added. You may, of course, change anything you like at Graham House or on our Scotland estates.”
“I do not care for any of those things now,” she murmured against his chest; her warm breath penetrated the fine threads of his shirt. “Everything will fall in place. Before you depart, what I wish to know is why you chose me?”
He bent to kiss the top of her head. “My reasons will sound quite self-centered. A man who has been seen by many as an imposter earl and regarded as not a whole man can…” She started to pull from his embrace to argue her point, but Aaran tightened his arms about her. “Permit me to finish.” When she settled against him once more, he continued. “Under such circumstances, one attempts to ignore the obvious, but it wears heavy upon a man’s self-respect. Yet, never once did you look upon me with disdain. Your faith in me was revolutionary. You demanded nothing of me but my trust. My heart screamed your name repeatedly.”
She kissed him then. This time when they came up for air, Aaran braced her chin with his fingertips. “Thank you for agreeing to marry me, Lady Freya Cunningham. You have truly made me happier than I deserve. I will not fail you, though I may occasionally disappoint you.” He sighed heavily. “For me, a life without you would be intolerable.”
“But, dearest, you are to have me, despite all the warnings to do otherwise,” she reminded him.
“You do understand that life with me will not always be what you expect?” he asked. “It may, upon occasion, beuncomfortable.”
“You cannot believe I am the type of woman who desires comfort, are you? Oh, my dearest Aaran, do you not understand, with you, I feel so alive. After nearly one and twenty years of constant comfortable dullness and ‘perfection’ in living reasonably, you are all for which I could ask.”
As if to prove her words, Freya captured his head between her hands and kissed him repeatedly. “At last…” she whispered, while he said, “Forever.”
The week hadpassed faster than Freya had thought possible. Lady Theodora had been invaluable in organizing the necessary suppers and allocating quarters for all involved. Lords Thompson and Marksman had only been in London for a few days, which took much of the pressure off Lady Victoria, who had never hosted such a grand event. At last, Lords Duncan, Orson, and Beaufort returned with Lady Emma in tow. Aaran returned in late morning, while the Cunninghams and the Dickersons arrived in midafternoon on Saturday. Though Freya was glad to have her family present, Dickerson, and, therefore, Imelda, appeared uncomfortable, which also made Freya uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, they had all managed to survive both Saturday’s supper and Sunday’s church services. Then Monday finally made its appearance. It was a bit cool, but it was obvious that winter was retreating, and all for which Freya cared was that it was perfect weather for a wedding. From the second-story bedchamber she had been assigned, she could view the circle before the manor house, where her father’s barouche awaited her. Pulled by four perfectly matched horses, the carriage had been festooned with white satin ribbons. “Lady Emma’s touch,” Freya murmured with a smile.
Her father had declared the carriage, “Fit for a bride,” which was his way of saying, he would learn to accept Lord Graham, even learn to live a different type of life than he had for the last twenty years. Freya hoped he and her mother had come to someunderstanding since they had arrived at Thom Manor nine days prior.
Freya had been quite surprised by a letter from Aaran that described how Lord Iain Cunningham had taken on the protection of her name in this business with Aaran’s mother, Lady Rayland, and Mr. MacAlasdair. Aaran reported that her father had told everyone who listened of how he had thought Lady Rayland’s quick marriage to Lord Rayland had smelt of an injustice, long before he had been proven correct. Reportedly, Lord Rayland had made a quick exit from London and had retreated to his estate, where he was accepting no visitors.
A soft knock sounded at the door, but before the maid could respond, Freya’s new sisters streamed through the door.
“It is time,” Lady Emma declared before she stumbled to a halt. “Oh, my, Madame Emmeline outdid herself. I wish all thetoncould view you in that magnificent gown!”
Freya giggled. “I am nervous enough with friends watching me. I cannot imagine atonwedding.”
“Your father awaits you below,” Lady Victoria told her. “The rest of your guests have left for the church.”
“My mother?” Freya asked, knowing her mother had been more nervous than was she, if that was possible.
“Lord Thompson’s mother has assumed those duties. Mrs. Thompson is quite a calming soul when others require her.”
Lady Emma, looking absolutely like a walking goddess in a pale sky-blue silk with a white lace overdress, handed Freya a jewelry box. “From Lord Graham.”
