Chapter 9
Edmund held his head in his hands as he rested his elbows on his desk. His head pounded. One of the many side effects of too much brandy. He’d thought the bottle was the only thing on his side, but with the pain pounding through his head, he realized he’d been betrayed.
“You look terrible.” Thomas sounded strangely cheerful for someone who’d been encouraging the consumption of spirits.
“Why are you so happy? I still don’t understand why you never suffer the effects of brandy.”
“That’s easy. I don’t drink as heavily as you do. I can pace myself, whereas you seem incapable of allowing me to put a stopper in the bottle.”
Edmund groaned as he leaned back in his chair. “Are you here to bother me about my drinking habits? That you began, I must add.”
“No. I have a favor to ask of you, and as you owe me, you can’t deny me.”
Lifting up a challenging eyebrow, Edmund stared at his cousin. “I can do as I please.”
“You can, but I would think you’d like to help me in this particular situation. After all, I will have my obligations to Demoon settled in a matter of days.”
“Meaning?”
Thomas puffed out his chest. “Miss Ashford has agreed to marry me.”
Shock widened Edmund’s eyes. “How did this come about? Has your intention to leave tomorrow convinced her she can’t live without you?”
“No. Actually, I . . . um, I have gotten her with child.”
The absurdity brought laughter bursting from Edmund’s lips, then the resulting pain made him regret it. He knew Thomas better than to think him capable of ruining innocents. Not to mention, Miss Ashford’s reluctance to wed him couldn’t have been an issue had they been together in that way.
Edmund took a deep breath. “You can lie to everyone else out there, but for me, I will have the truth.”
With a shrug, Thomas leaned forward. “Considering how she won’t speak of it, I suspect the lady was forced against her will. Now, she finds herself with a child and no husband.”
“And, this is the heir you will provide for me? Not an ounce of our grandfather’s blood to hold onto the title?”
“At least the blood won’t be bad. Miss Ashford is pure. Surely, her goodness will offset that of the child’s father. Besides, we don’t have a guarantee that the child will be a boy. I may still have to make a contribution.”
Although not entirely pleased by the situation, Edmund realized this could be a good compromise to provide all three of them with part of what they wanted. Thomas would have his handpicked wife, but not the life he wanted. Edmund would have his heir, but not of his grandfather’s blood. And, Miss Ashford would have a name for her child, but not a husband’s attention.
“Then, what is this favor you need? I certainly will have no part of that particular contribution.”
Thomas rolled his eyes. “I leave tomorrow, and if I don’t, my mother will come here to collect me. And, considering Miss Ashford’s condition, I need to get her to Gretna Green.”
“I don’t see the problem. Skip London and go straight to Scotland. When your mother arrives, I’ll tell her where to find you.”
“I would, but my betrothed isn’t impetuous. She needs three days to accustom her family to her new circumstances. I simply need you to collect her and bring her to London. Once you arrive, I will take her to Scotland, and you can return home.”
Edmund shook his head. “I won’t leave Moonlight Castle. I can’t. Have a maid collect her.”
“The girl is slight and will be nervous. I need you to assure her. Besides, this will give you that opportunity to speak with her as you requested weeks ago. Edmund, I don’t trust anyone else. I need you to do this for me.”
Reluctantly, Edmund nodded. His cousin was right. Two ladies riding in a carriage across England for several days, in the Duke of Demoon’s carriage no less, simply asked for trouble. He would be better protection as his fighting skills had been honed to perfection over the years.
~ ~ ~
Three days later, as Edmund sat in the carriage, he secured a scarf over his face after settling his mask in place. He refused to allow anyone to gaze upon him without hiding his deformity. Besides, it wouldn’t do to scare Thomas’s intended before the man had a chance to legally bind her to him.
When the carriage rolled to a stop, Edmund climbed out and quickly saw the winter-bundled figure waiting for them. The single woman standing on the road with her trunk beside her shot a pang of pity through him. Considering the location and the time, she hadn’t intended for her family to know when she left.
As the footman loaded her trunk, Edmund lifted her up into the carriage. Looking up the road to Dailey, he clearly saw the tracks in the snow where the woman had dragged her belongings. He smiled. Perhaps Thomas’s girl was made of sterner stuff than he originally realized.
Once inside, he claimed the seat across from her, and banged on the roof to indicate they were ready to begin this journey. Miss Ashford didn’t make any indication she’d realized another person sat across from her. She kept her cloak around her form while she stared out the window.
He knew he should say something, but discomfort kept him quiet. Not only did he have no idea what to say, but he’d never been skilled at small talk. The only person not related to him that he felt an ease with was Carolyn.
His fists clenched at the image of her that filled his mind. He didn’t want to think about her. Nor did he like the fact that he wouldn’t be able to make his trip to the garden as he had every day since he’d last seen her. It had been pointless all these weeks, but he refused to chance missing her the one time she chose to visit. He had to find her.
“I suppose you are to be my companion for this journey.” Her muffled voice struck him as familiar.
Perhaps Thomas had been wrong, and the girl had been at the masquerade. He must have shared a dance or a conversation with her. The thought that Dailey hadn’t shunned his invitation brought him comfort. For too long, he’d felt guilt for how the baron and his friends had suffered, and he sincerely hoped they didn’t regret their choice.
She faced him, and he realized she expected a response. As he opened his mouth to reply, she pushed back her cloak, and the air left his lungs. He blinked, trying to clear the sight of Carolyn before him. Was he dreaming?
“Although Mr. Avery isn’t here for an introduction, I think this situation allows for some concessions. I’m Carolyn Ashford. May I have the pleasure of your name?”
His hands trembled as shock and rage ravaged his body. Banging on the carriage, he jumped out before the driver had a chance to fully pull the horses to a stop. This couldn’t be happening.
Unable to control his boiling anger, he tore through the still darkened forest, needing to push himself as hard as he could to get away. Carolyn was marrying his cousin. The thought wrenched a growl from his throat. He wanted—no, needed—to hit something.
Seeing a large rock, he grabbed it and threw it as far as he could. When Thomas’s words came back to him, he felt the color draining from his face. She finds herself with a child and no husband.
His stomach rolled. Carolyn was pregnant. With his child. His child. The thought was enough to take him down, but nothing compared to the crushing blow that she’d delivered to him.
After all, she had no intention of telling him. Instead, she had hidden from him, then agreed to marry his cousin. His bloody cousin. He yelled at nothing in particular, simply to release some of the rage pounding through him.
When his emotions had run their course, and the only thing left was a blessed numbness, he made his way back to the carriage. He had no idea what to do about this whole damn situation, but he knew one thing for certain. Carolyn was not going to marry his cousin.
~ ~ ~
Carolyn took her breakfast in the room she been given for the night. After three days of traveling, she was beginning to go mad. The weather must have slowed their journey as she had hoped to have arrived in London by midday the day before yesterday. Perhaps there had been a change of plans, and she was to meet Mr. Avery somewhere else. She couldn’t be certain, though, since no one had spoken to her.
The carriage had been cold, and not just from the weather. The man Mr. Avery had assigned to accompany her was frightening, both in his bulk and in his silence. No matter what she’d said to him, he’d kept his face hidden in his cloak, and his thoughts to himself.
Forcing down the last of her breakfast, she tried to think positive. After all, they had to be ending their journey soon. Although she wasn’t thrilled with her final destination, at least Mr. Avery was an amusing companion.
A rush of nerves danced in her stomach. She could hardly believe she had agreed to this. Soon, she would be married. This wasn’t at all like she’d envisioned.
As the footman handed her up into the carriage, she flashed him a smile. The man had been nothing but kind to her, the very opposite of the person inside the carriage. Taking her seat, she noticed he watched her, or rather his cloaked face was looking in her direction. For all she knew, he could be asleep.
She jumped when he banged on the roof, and they were off again. A chill ran up her spine, and she shivered. Before she could fasten her cloak tighter against her, the silent man pulled a blanket off the seat and hooked it over her shoulders, making sure to tuck it around her. His gloved hands moved over her as if he had a right.
Fear snaked through her at his proximity and his lack of respect for her person. He could do anything to her, and she wouldn’t be able to stop him. The thought made her ill. Was she wrong in believing that Mr. Avery had hired the man to bring her to him? Then he moved away, and she allowed herself to breathe again. Had that been compassion from the man? She could hardly believe it.
“Thank you,” she said, hoping to draw him out. Perhaps if he would talk to her, she could relieve her fear of him.
He didn’t respond. His stoic silence irked her.
“I must ask, does your silence come from a dislike of me personally, or are you incapable of speech?”
Again, he didn’t respond. Carolyn let out a long sigh. She was definitely looking forward to arriving at their destination. After a while, the lull of the carriage sent her back to sleep.
She awoke when someone gently shook her shoulder. Blinking back her confusion, she realized the carriage had stopped. Had they finally arrived? After allowing the footman to assist her down, she surveyed her surroundings. The cottage before her didn’t look like anything she’d ever seen in London.
She swallowed. Gretna Green. Glancing around, she searched for Mr. Avery. He didn’t appear, nor was there another carriage about. She didn’t know what was going on. This was nothing like she’d expected when she had agreed to elope with Mr. Avery.
Turning around, she faced the cloaked man. He stood frozen, facing her. She put her hands on her hips. Now was the time for him to speak, for she could take his silence no longer.
“What is going on? Where’s Mr. Avery?”
“He’s not coming.” His muffled voice betrayed nothing but anger.
“Why not?” she demanded. “You were supposed to deliver me to him.”
“The plan changed.” He held out a coin purse to her. “You will pay the parson and speak at the appropriate times, or you will not like the consequences.”
His words, as well as the hate radiating off of him, confused her further. What was going on? Why on earth would she pay the parson? His meaning became clear when he took her arm and led her towards the cottage.
“Why are you doing this?” Her voice emerged strong, although fear raked her entire body. She’d heard of women being kidnapped and forced into marriage for their dowry, but she’d never expected it to happen to her. Tears threatened to escape.
He shoved the coin purse into her hand then pulled her the last few steps into the building. The only thing she saw was the anvil as he led them toward it. She knew many marriages had taken place over that anvil, but she never imagined such a thing for herself. She couldn’t contain her shaking. Each and every step echoed in her mind as though an eternity passed between each one. She stopped breathing, willing this to not be real.
The man exchanged words with others in the room, but she couldn’t focus on anything as the edges of her vision became foggy.
“State your names and addresses for the record,” the blacksmith said loudly as he looked at her.
Forcing the words through her dry throat, she managed to do as he bid.
Glancing at the man beside her, one word from his mouth made it through the haze and turned her world upside down. Demoon. Had she been kidnapped by the Duke of Demoon? That was impossible.
“Are you both unmarried?”
Seeing her one chance of escape she opened her mouth, but her kidnapper answered for both of them and the coin purse was retrieved from her hand. With a nod, the blacksmith continued with the ceremony. Fear clogged in her throat. It was too late.
Her thoughts swirled around her like a jumbled mess. The words uniting her to the stranger beside her only adding to the confusion in her mind.
What God joins together let no man put asunder.
The words echoed in her head, and she couldn’t concentrate on anything else as she tried to keep herself upright.
Then, she couldn’t hold herself up anymore. She felt weightless as she fell to the ground that never came.
~ ~ ~
Carolyn opened her eyes and frowned at the unfamiliar surroundings. Judging by the furnishings, she had to be in an inn. Sunlight streamed in the windows, so she hadn’t been out long. It was perhaps midday.
Memories assaulted her, and as she brought her hands up to cover her face, she caught sight of a ring on her finger. The golden band held a stone the color of an emerald surrounded by rubies. She sucked in her breath at the beauty. It reminded her of a flower.
The door opened, and the cloaked man walked in. Her heart stopped at the slamming of the door and the finality of the bolt sliding into place. The Duke of Demoon, her husband, stood there, staring at her in silence as he had done for days now.
He removed his gloves and tossed them on the chair. As his hands went to his cloak, all she could see was his signet ring. Dear God. How could this have happened? And, why?
“I demand to know what is going on.”
“All in good time, Your Grace. First, I believe introductions are in order.”
Your Grace? Her stomach turned. She truly had married the duke.
He pulled the scarf from his face, and she saw touches of blond hair. Then, he removed the cloak, and she gasped.
“Edmund?” Relief poured through her. How had he found her? Would he be able to save her from the duke? Yes. He would help her get this marriage annulled.
“So good to know you remember me.”
The bitterness in his voice felt as though he’d slapped her. “I don’t understand. What is going on? How did you find me?”
“I suppose your confusion only makes it fair. After all, you’ve left me in the dark for far too long now, but that discussion is for another time.”
“Edmund, I—”
He held up a hand to silence her. “Please, allow me to introduce myself. Edmund Marsham, Duke of Demoon, at your service.” He bowed.
“W-What?” The room began to spin. “How can you be the duke?”
She closed her eyes and pressed her hands against her aching temples. As she thought back over their association, so much clicked into place. The ball. The duke’s study. The hunting cabin. Of course he’d been able to access them all, he owned them. Nausea and anger warred within her.
“It’s simple. I was visiting my garden when we met. That day you spoke so unfavorably of me, I chose to not reveal my full identity.”
Shaking her head at her stupidity, she could hardly believe she had not realized it before. “Is that why you sent the chocolate? You felt responsible for my sickness?”
His hands clenched at his sides. “I had no idea who you were at the time. Had I known . . . Well, it doesn’t matter now.”
“When did you discover who I was?”
“The second you got in the carriage.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Now that we’ve cleared that up, would you mind telling me why you thought you could run off to marry my cousin?”
The anger was back in his voice, and she swallowed. She certainly didn’t want to tell him. How could she? He never wanted a child.
She lifted her chin. “I still plan on marrying him. Just as soon as we get this joke of a marriage annulled.”
“Never,” he growled. “You belong to me now, and I fully intend on consummating the marriage.”
As if to back up his words, he shrugged out of his outerwear and began unbuttoning his waistcoat. She wished she was afraid, or angry, or anything other than what she was feeling right now. Despite everything, she wanted him.
“Now?” she squeaked the word out of her dry throat.
“I think I’ve waited long enough. After all, it’s been two months since I’ve seen you.”
“Wait.” Panic gripped her. “You don’t have to do this. Remember, you didn’t want to marry. We can still fix this.”
He shook his head. “You have that wrong. It isn’t marriage I didn’t want, it’s a child. But, that doesn’t matter. I have both now.”
Sucking in her breath, she wrapped her arms around herself. How had he found out? Mr. Avery had promised that no one would know the truth. She supposed there was nothing to be done about it now.
She lifted her chin in defiance. Now she understood why he’d married her. It hadn’t been from a desire for her or even to prevent her from entering into a passionless relationship with his cousin. She refused to have his sense of honor forcing this.
“You’re wrong. This child isn’t yours.”
~ ~ ~
“What do you mean, the child isn’t mine?” Edmund demanded, nearly choking on the fury threatening to escape.
Carolyn thrust her chin in the air and looked at him as if he were daft. “You want to know why I agreed to marry Mr. Avery? Well, it’s because I am carrying his child.”
Mixed emotions swirled through him. Although he already knew Thomas hadn’t conceived the child, jealousy still simmered within him. For over a year, his cousin had set his eyes on Carolyn. The two of them shared a relationship Edmund would never have with her.
Then, from his anger grew hurt. The two went hand-in-hand since they both came about by her decision to keep his child from him. Did she think he would be like his father? If so, she couldn’t be further from the truth. His temper was hot, but he’d never bring harm to an innocent soul.
And, although he didn’t want to admit it, he found himself a little excited by the new situation and it bothered him that she did not. After all, Carolyn was his now. There would be no rushing off to see her, and no end to their visits. He could have her whenever and wherever he chose.
“Is that so?”
She nodded. “He and I . . . became close after you abandoned me in the garden.”
He growled. “I did not abandon you. Now, you and I both know whose child you are carrying, so I’ll not hear another word about some other man touching you.”
The very thought had his fingers itching to cause bodily harm.
Her shoulders relaxed, and he knew she was giving in to him. “But, you don’t want a child. Let Mr. Avery claim this one. No one would ever know the truth.”
Unable to help himself, he laughed. “What do you suppose my hesitation is with a child? It matters little who claims the baby, it is still my blood flowing through his veins.”
“That is a good thing. According to my sister-in-law, both sides contributes to make the child important. You see, when I think about the child—our child—a certain uncomfortable flutter begins in my stomach. Had Mr. Avery been the father, I don’t believe I would feel like this.”
Her admission stole his breath. She actually wanted this child, because it was his. The part of what distressed him, actually brought her comfort. For the first time since he found out she was pregnant, hope for their future filled him.
Overcome with a strange feeling, he crossed the room, and pulled her into his arms. She willingly came to him, meeting his kiss with a passion that rivaled his own. God, he had missed her.
When she pushed him away, he reluctantly released her.
“Wait. We can’t do this. What about Mr. Avery? I’m betrothed to him.”
“Not anymore. You are my wife.” The words echoed in his head. His wife. The foreign thought felt good.
“But, Mr. Avery—”
He put a finger over her lips. “Right now, I don’t want to hear another word about him. Thomas will be overjoyed to discover I have decided to see to the dukedom myself.”
“So, my wants or desires on the subject are completely irrelevant?”
Fighting anger again, he locked his jaw. “Nothing about you is irrelevant. What would you have me do, Carolyn?”
A sly smile transformed her lips. “For one, I’d like you to ask me to marry you. That part seemed to be left out earlier.”
“Will you marry me?” he asked, unsure why she insisted upon something so pointless. After all, he had no intention of allowing her to escape, regardless of her answer.
“Yes, Edmund, I will marry you. However, I have one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Take off that mask. When you are with me, I want to see your face. Your whole face.”
Joy overwhelmed him as he gripped the mask, then tossed it aside. He’d been wearing it so much lately, he’d forgotten it had still remained on his face. He recalled how wearing it had felt odd after so many free hours with Carolyn in the garden. He supposed he was equipped to become used to any situation, regardless of how horrible it was.
“Much better.” She ran her hands down both sides of his face.
He closed his eyes. Knowing she cared nothing about his scars made her unique. An ache formed deep within him. He yearned for her. Pulling her back to him, he captured her mouth. She melted in his arms.
Backing her up, he led her to the bed, then he proceeded to show her one of the benefits of being the Duchess of Demoon.