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He shook his head. “You sorely test my resolve to wait for our wedding night. I have had far too many casual liaisons, and I do not want just a quick tryst in the garden with you. I want more for us. I did not bring you out here to ravish you however much I want to."
“Then…” She swallowed. “Then why did you bring me out here, Arthur?”
He kissed her again, softly, sweetly, tenderly. “I wished to have you alone and tell you that I love you. I came far too close to never having the chance to say it. But I shall not make love to you until I can do so honestly and as honorably as you deserve. I told you it will be worth the wait. I will give you more pleasure than you could ever imagine, my love. I promise.”
Her heart felt like it might be melting. Or like it might be taking wing and trying to burst out of her chest. “I love you, Arthur. We shall wait. And then, my beloved, I shall show you whatIcan bring to our marriage bed.”
Arthur laughed. “Vixen.”
They shared one last lingering kiss under the moonlight and made their way slowly back inside, amid air perfumed with flowers and loving words lingering in the air.
* * *
The next morning Arthur rose early, dressed, and made his way to his study. The night had not been a particularly late one, all of them worn out from the rapid changes in their lives over the past two days. Lydia had been the first to retire, snuggling into her new bed with barely a murmur.
She was still recovering from her illness, he knew and resolved to have a physician come to look her over some time in the near future.
His mother had been the next to retire, followed not long after by Scarlett, Nora, and himself. He had mourned the separate bedrooms but consoled himself with the knowledge that they would not remain separate for long. He did not intend for her to spend any nights apart from him in the Duchess’s bedchambers after they wed.
He rang for a cup of strong coffee and sorted through his correspondence, glad to see there was nothing of any note in the pile. Social invitations, which he would discuss with Nora later, and a few notes concerning business matters.
Once he had sorted through that, he drew a clean sheet of paper toward him and readied his pen. The day would be a long one of planning for the wedding, but before that, he had a vital letter to send. He took a breath to collect his thoughts and began.
To Lord Beaumont
My name is Arthur Russell, the Duke of Bedford. I bid you greetings, and I hope this letter finds you well and your affairs prospering.
You may wonder why I have undertaken to contact you, given that neither our social acquaintances nor our business interests interact. The reason for my writing is this—to inform you that I intend to take Miss Eleonora, formerly Miss Eleonora Beaumont, as my wife and wish to ask your blessing, as is proper even under the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Lest you wonder, I will tell you now that your daughter did indeed inform me of her disownment some years past, and the circumstances surrounding it, so you need not fear I am marrying her without full possession of the facts as to her status.
I understand the reasoning behind your actions, though I cannot say I entirely agree. However, I have made some inquiries, and I feel you should know what I have determined.
According to what I have been able to determine, the father of Eleonora’s child was a member of the Royal Navy, most likely a younger son who aspired to service to increase his fortunes. I further believe that the young man was lost at sea some time before or directly after Eleonora discovered her condition.
It is highly likely that it was their intention to post the banns after he returned from his service. And I confess I find it admirable that, in the wake of his loss, she was willing to keep the babe and her own unmarried status in hopes of his return. Nor do I fault her decision to leave the father’s name unknown, for without the banns I suspect there would have been much censure had she attempted to claim the relationship.
Such are my thoughts, and you may agree, or not, as you will. It is only my intention to inform you of my determinations on the matter and my decision to take both Eleonora and her daughter into my family, as my wife and child.
I know Eleonora would be much pleased to have her family by birth in attendance at our wedding, and I should like to be better acquainted with the family of my bride-to-be. I, therefore, ask that you send by return notification as to whether or not you are interested in attending. Should you choose to attend, you will receive the formal invitations as soon as we have set the date and location.
I await your reply at your earliest possible convenience.
Cordially Yours,
Lord Arthur Russell
Duke of Bedford
He read through the letter twice then, satisfied, blew gently on the ink to dry it, folded it into an envelope that he sealed with the family seal, then rose to take it to Bradstone to be delivered.
He returned to the upper floor to encounter Scarlett, bearing a basin in hand. The redhead looked him over. “You’re awake early, Your Grace.”
“I am.” He considered. “I should not like to tell Nora just yet... but I have sent a message informing her family of my intentions.”
Scarlett nodded approvingly. “Well done, that. It was a kind thought, and I’ll keep your secret until you’ve got a reply.” Her expression turned soft. “’Tis truth that Nora has missed her mother greatly, but she could never do more than exchange letters.”
Lightning quick, her mood changed. “As for that father of hers... I’ll not argue against reconciliation, but you keep your eye on that one.” Her eyes flashed. “Did you know he wrote her, telling her he wanted to take the wee babe away from her?”
