Chapter 27
“Thank you, Mrs. Eaton, for taking us in for a couple days.” Sabrina, Mary, and Alberta sat in the front parlor, drinking fresh lemonade in the early evening.
“Please, do call me Alberta, Lady Pepperdon.”
“Only if you call me Sabrina. I no longer use the courtesy title.”
Alberta passed a plate of ginger biscuits to Mary. “And may I call you Mary?”
“I insist on it,” she replied as she took a couple of biscuits and laid them on her napkin.
“I do apologize for the state of this small manor house. My late uncle was a hermit and an eccentric, and in his final years allowed the place to go to ruin. We are slowly putting the place to rights. Our generous neighbors, the Wollstonecrafts, have been a great assistance, especially Garrett.” She smiled. “They are generous to a fault. I’ve never met such indomitable men.” Alberta stood. “I will leave you two to catch up while I check on Jonas and Mittens. He adores animals.” Alberta smiled and exited the room.
Mary blew out a cleansing breath. “Good Lord, what drama we find ourselves in.”
“I’m relieved you are here; I’ve been feeling rather adrift.” Sabrina placed her empty glass on the tray. “I don’t know where to begin.”
“My dear, you have a decision to make. It is not for me to make it for you,” Mary said, her voice kind. “Do you still love him?”
A loud sob escaped her. “Yes. Oh, yes. It’s what makes this difficult. You’ve heard the particulars?”
Mary nodded. “The earl filled me in. I understand why Riordan used the name Black; it is his middle name, his mother’s maiden name, and he wanted no distractions, to be treated as an equal, not a man from the peerage.”
“Yes, I understand it as well, but why did he not tell me as we grew closer? The other night we…well, he told me he loved me, and he showed me how much. Apparently he could not trust me with the information.”
Mary’s eyes widened. “That is the explanation he gave you?”
“No. He claims he wished to use the false name as grounds to obtain the annulment.” Sabrina paused and bit on her lower lip. “It makes sense. He did tell me he was keeping it hush-hush so I would act appropriately surprised before the court and would not be lying when the truth was revealed.”
“Again, sounds reasonable. And the settlement?”
“Riordan put up the money. Can you imagine? He knew about my father selling me and said nothing.” Sabrina thought to when they were leaving Durning House. She’d asked him if he had the settlement and he’d patted his pocket, claiming he had it well in hand. He hadn’t actually lied, but he wasn’t truthful either.
She waved her arm as Mary was about to speak. “I know. Generous to a fault. He kept the revelation to himself to protect me. But it is as if he were controlling my life, as Pepperdon and my father were.” Sabrina sighed. “I sound irrational to my own ears. I’m still coming to terms over the vile acts my father and the marquess perpetrated. I’m finding it difficult to sort through my feelings.”
Mary patted her hand. “Take as much time as you need. No one is pressing you for a decision. You have a choice, which is what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it, my dear? To be able to steer your own destiny? Here is the opportunity to do it.”
“If I decide to leave, what will we do for money?”
“As I told you, I have a nice sum. There are your jewels…we will manage. Do not let money influence your decision. I should tell you that Riordan has been dismissed from his position.”
Sabrina gasped. “What?”
“When I informed him you were missing, he left the school, and though he asked me to stay, the board was quite put out. However, his grandfather, the earl, spoke to the board member in question. I’m not sure of the outcome; Riordan will tell you.” She patted Sabrina’s hand, then reached for a biscuit. “The earl did state Riordan would have to decide what to do. I would guess the earl managed to get him reinstated, if he should wish to continue to teach.”
Sabrina mulled over the information. There were many paths to take for both of them. “The marriage is not a real one, even if I decide to stay with Riordan. He used a false name.”
Nodding, Mary nibbled thoughtfully on her biscuit. “Another ceremony will be needed.”
A long, frustrating sigh left her. “I acted like such a ninny earlier today. Riordan walked into the room and I became overwhelmed by his words, his very presence. Even being under the same roof as him drives me to distraction.”
Mary laughed. “Any of those men would drive a woman to distraction. You’ve met his grandfather? Good Lord, what a fine specimen of a mature man. How old is he?”
For the first time in the past forty-eight hours, Sabrina smiled. “Why, Mary! Does the earl interest you?”
Mary cleared her throat. “He’s fascinating to be sure, and handsome, with all that white hair and those large, expressive blue eyes.”
“Helen, the maid who attended me, said that the earl is sixty-four, the viscount forty-five, and Garrett thirty-two. Riordan and his paternal twin, Aidan, are twenty-six.”
“Twin? And where is he during all this?” Mary asked.
“He is away, apparently.” Sabrina stared out the large window in front of her. “I do love Riordan most desperately, but I want to be sure of my decision.”
“You’ve been through a terrible ordeal. No one will force you to decide anything until you are good and ready. I’ll stand guard and keep everyone away until you are.”
Sabrina impulsively hugged Mary tight. It had been a terrible ordeal. Honestly, she would be a stubborn, arrogant fool to turn from love. From passion. From a friend turned lover. From a man who was honorable. Decent. Sensual and alluring.
They could have it all. Now to find the courage to grab life with both hands.
Make a choice.
* * * *
Three days had passed since he and Sabrina met in the guest room. Riordan had stayed well clear, as she’d requested. It had been utter agony. But now he’d been summoned, and the final verdict would be rendered. Whatever she decided, he would honor her wishes.
But first, she would have to hear him out. Even the lowliest criminal was given a chance to speak at trial. As he strode toward the Eaton residence, the cold November wind chilled him to his bones. He held firmly to the brim of his hat, lest it be carried away. The sky was overcast, which matched his mood, not only due to this situation with his wife, but upon hearing he’d been dismissed. It gave him little comfort to learn the blacksmith had acted on his own, and that the rest of the board had overridden him once the earl brought it to their attention.
He was reoffered the position, but his grandfather stated they would have to find another educator until the first week in January, as Riordan was dealing with a family emergency. If Riordan even wished to return to the post. Though initially angry for the curt dismissal, he did miss his students. It was not in him to quit, he should at least finish out the school year.
How Sabrina felt about it—or anything—was a complete mystery. When he first met her, she’d been aloof, self-contained, sad, and lonely. Slowly, he’d peeled away the layers of her protective shell to find a woman of deep feeling and passion. But trust did not come easily to her. He should have known this and told her the truth regardless. A major misstep. Because of it, she’d retreated behind her wall once again.
The incident with her evil father did not help matters. Damn it, it never crossed his mind Sutherhorne and Durning would perpetrate such a malevolent crime. The baron was in dire straits financially, but to sell Sabrina again? All Riordan wanted was to protect her, and he’d failed miserably.
Arriving at the Eaton home, he exhaled as he used the brass knocker. An attractive blonde woman answered the door.
“There is no mistaking you’re Tensbridge’s son.” She smiled warmly and held out her hand. “I’m Mrs. Alberta Eaton.”
Ah, the widow. He could see why his father’s interest had been sparked. Taking her hand, he bowed over it. “Riordan Wollstonecraft. A pleasure, Mrs. Eaton.”
“Do come in. I will take your coat and hat. Sabrina is through to the parlor. Help yourself to whiskey from the decanter. There is tea as well.”
He entered the room, where Sabrina stood by the window once again. No doubt she’d watched him all the way to the door. She turned, her expression impassive, her manner guarded and cool. He would need that whiskey. Glancing about the sparse room, he located it. Without hesitating, he strode to the sideboard, picked up the decanter, and motioned it toward her.
“No, thank you,” she replied tonelessly.
There was only a threadbare armchair and a sofa in the room, and Riordan would bet a sack full of gold guineas that she would sit in the chair, which was farthest away from him. Sure enough, she stepped toward the chair.
“Will you join me on the sofa?” he asked, keeping his voice gentle, as if approaching a skittish horse.
“Yes.” She sat on the edge, primly clasping her hands on her lap.
Riordan took a long swig before he joined her. “I regret that I failed to protect you from your father and Sutherhorne.”
She met his gaze. “You were not to know. How could you?”
“I found out from Durning there was no dowry. He took great delight in informing me of Sutherhorne and his pact with him. Garrett and I headed directly for the inn and made certain threats, demanding Sutherhorne leave town immediately. I fear we angered and humiliated him, hence it became the motivation for his plan of abduction.” He took another long drink, the burn sizzling down his throat. “I’m heartily sorry we set this in motion. Were you harmed in any way?”
Sabrina shook her head. “No, not physically. The baron made me swallow laudanum or he would have killed Mittens. When I awoke, I was in that horrible room.”
Jesus. He placed the glass on the small table, struggling to control his fury. “I’ve news of the baron; do you wish to hear it?”
“No.” She sighed. “Yes.”
“His creditors are circling him as we speak. Sutherhorne has refused to assist him. Grandfather has it on good authority that your father owes more than twenty thousand pounds. Even selling Durning House and all its possessions will not see him free and clear from this crushing debt.”
She shook her head. “He claimed it was a railway scheme.”
“There have been quite a few investments that have fallen through and ruined all those attached to them. What these men, including your father, are doing is referred to as speculation, and it is heading for complete collapse. Again, improper regulation leads to utter greed and—you don’t want to hear this. Your father’s hearing is in early January. Durning is heading for debtor’s prison, I’ve no doubt. It’s over for him.” Riordan frowned. “Sutherhorne is another thing entirely.”
“Why?” she asked.
“He’s a marquess. Untouchable. I will not bring charges of abduction and the buying and selling of a human against him if it means involving you in public conjecture, especially when nothing will come if it. Unless you wish to see him brought up on charges?”
“No. It would come to nothing, as you say. I want to put it behind me.”
“We will keep an eye out, as I did not like the way Sutherhorne glared at us, Garrett in particular.”
She clasped his hand, a worried look on her face, the first show of emotion since he’d arrived. “Are you and your family in danger?”
He would not lie. Not ever again. “Perhaps. But if the marquess is smart, he will let this pass.”
“My father told me the marquess would seek vengeance, and he did. I fear this is not over. I should have told you that I came across my father the day I sold the jewels. It appears we both kept secrets.”
“We will never do so again. As for the family, we will remain vigilant, I promise.” Riordan threaded his fingers through hers. “Speaking of danger, I must tell you of the curse.”
She allowed his touch for a moment, then pulled her hand away. “What curse? Oh, the one tied to your family, about how women who love Wollstonecraft men don’t live long?”
“I suppose another reason I was reluctant to mention my real name is because I do not wish to place any woman I care for at risk.” She gave him a dubious look. “It is part of my family. Our legacy. Not easily dismissed.”
“Do you believe in it?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Yes…and no. Not enough to deny love. But I would understand if any woman turned from me because of it.” Sabrina’s eyebrows furrowed, and she didn’t reply. He might as well soldier on. “Again, allow me to apologize for lying to you. About my name, the settlement, not informing you of your father—”
“It hurts. Deeply. I understand the motivation, but after what we shared, you should have told me,” she whispered.
“I agree. I’m not perfect. Far from it, it turns out, as I’ve made many mistakes. I arrogantly thought I was protecting you from hurt, because you’ve been hurt enough. But I failed in all ways.” He reached in his suit coat pocket. “Allow me to make amends. Allow me to give you what you desire most…your freedom.”
Her brows knotted in puzzlement as she reached for the paper. As she read it the furrow between her brows deepened. “What does this mean?”
“A week from today, we appear at the ecclesiastical court. The annulment is all but guaranteed. My father pulled various strings. You will be free. It is what you desire most.”
She shook her head as she folded the paper with trembling hands. “No. It is not what I desire most.”
“The money will be yours—”
“I don’t want your money! I want you!” she cried. “You are what I desire most. I love you, you stubborn, glorious man. When you told me you loved me the night I lay in your arms, I was too frightened to say it in return. For you see, I’m not perfect either.” Sabrina choked back a sob. “Once, long ago, I dreamed of having a father who would spoil me, read me stories, and teach me how to dance. One who would share the last piece of cake with me. Bring me a gift when I least expected it, like you did with Mittens.”
Shaking her head sadly, she continued. “How I yearned for it, but never experienced any of it.” She caught his gaze, her eyes shimmered with emotion. “But I have found a different version of it—love—with you, haven’t I?”
“My darling, I will spoil you just enough, and when you least expect it. I will continue to read to you every night, share my cake, and lavish you with small gifts. Dance with you whenever you wish. I love you to absolute distraction. I would do anything to see you smile, laugh, and enjoy life.”
“I do, with you,” she whispered.
Riordan gathered her in his embrace, burying his face in her neck, his eyes wet. Sabrina held him tight, stroking his hair. Lifting his head, he kissed her. As always, it turned fierce for the both of them. He pulled away. “Do you forgive me?” He leaned his forehead against hers.
“Yes. How can I not?”
“We will stay married?”
Sabrina laughed. “We’ll need to arrange another ceremony.”
He laughed in return, joy filling his heart. “I will obtain a special license. I come from a powerful family, you know. As for your freedom? You will have it with me. I pledge this with my life. I will never treat you as property. We will be equal partners.”
“What of your teaching position?”
He kissed her again. “We will decide together. I would like to finish out the academic year.”
Sabrina stroked his cheek. “And after?”
“I’d hoped to start my own progressive board school here in Kent. I’ve decided to set myself as headmaster, as I wish to stay in teaching. But we will discuss it at length. After all, I have money and a powerful family—or did I tell you already?”
She smiled, then sobered. “On the subject of children, the earl blamed me, but the doctor did say the problem, as it were, lay with Pepperdon. I do hope that is the case.”
Riordan kissed her hand. “My love, it is no matter. I’ll have more children than I can count for many years to come. And different ones each school year. We will take what comes.”
She laughed, clutching his hand tight.
“All I need, or desire, is you. Until the end of my days. My partner, my friend, my passionate lover.” He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly, with every raw emotion swelling his heart until it nearly burst.
Their story was not over—nor was it for the rest of the men of Wollstonecraft Hall. Riordan had found his soul mate, the lady of his heart. Curse be damned.
He fervently wished the rest of his family to find love and happiness. To not allow the curse to deny their hearts.
Especially Garrett.