Wicked Widows' League, page 1
Wicked Widows’ League
Wicked Widows’ League
WICKED WIDOWS’ LEAGUE
BOOK ONE
DAWN BROWER
“...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.”
JANE AUSTEN, PERSUASION
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Thank You
Excerpt: Her Rogue for One Night
Prologue
Wicked Widows’ Books
Acknowledgments
About Dawn Brower
Also by Dawn Brower
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Wicked Widows’ League © 2022 Dawn Brower
Cover art by Mandy Koehler Designs
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
For all those that find strength when they need it most. Do not give up. You never know what you might discover in the middle of your journey.
Prologue
Katherine Lockley, the Countess of Wyndam lowered herself into a chair in the sitting room at the dower house she resided in. A fire had been lit in the hearth, but a chill remained in the room. She could feel the frigidity in her bones. As the years passed by, the more her body rebelled against her. Her knees failed her often forcing her to use a cane. She stared down at the offending accessory she wished she didn’t need and frowned. Her grandson, Hudson Lockley, the current Earl of Wyndam had gifted it to her when it had become obvious, she would need one. It was mahogany and had carvings of large wild cats etched into the side. The handle had a sizeable sapphire at the top—Hudson claimed it matched her eyes—the charming scoundrel lied, but she’d allowed it. Her eyes had never been that vibrant blue, but his words had made her smile, nonetheless. Katherine had to admit she found the cane lovely to look at. That had probably been her grandson’s plan all along.
Cheeky rogue that he was...
She had difficulty telling him no. He was the only family she had left. Katherine would do anything for him and had over the years. She wouldn’t be around forever, and she worried about him. He needed more in his life, but he showed no signs of settling down.
Katherine glanced at her cane. She’d been alone a lot of years. Most of them had been by choice, but there was a time she’d been in love and thought nothing could ever happen to destroy that. She’d been mistaken—young, naïve fool that she’d been. Katherine had been wrong on a lot of things; however, there had been one thing she’d done right.
The league…
Her widows were her legacy. Katherine smiled, leaned back, and closed her eyes. They hadn’t always been a part of her life. She had plans for this new set of widows. They didn’t know it yet, but they would continue her legacy.
For now though, she wanted to reminisce—travel through her memories and revisit her past. When she was younger, her brown hair hadn’t been streaked with gray, her blue eyes weren’t faded, and her bones didn’t ache. Her angular face and sharp cheekbones certainly had not been weathered with wrinkles...
It had been a different time and those experiences had led her to the person she’d become…
One
Many years earlier…
Katherine paced outside her husband’s chamber. The doctor had been inside forever. Hours and hours and still no word… Did men feel this way when they waited for their wives to deliver a baby? At least that usually led to a happier outcome. This? Nothing could compare to waiting to be told if her husband would live or die.
He couldn’t die. He just couldn’t…
Not now when they finally had a son. It had taken months for her to conceive and when she had…they’d both been so happy. Their son, William, hadn’t even reached his first birthday. In a few short months he would be a year old, and she prayed he would have many more years after that.
Their son couldn’t grow up without a father.
Katherine refused to believe her husband would die. There had to be something the doctor could do to help Richard. His sickness had progressed until he could barely breathe. He gargled every time he drew a breath. It echoed through the room, and she barely suppressed a flinch with each intake of air. Richard’s skin had lost all color. He looked close to death.
The door creaked open, and the doctor stepped out. He closed the door behind him. Katherine rushed to his side. “How is he?”
The doctor shook his head. “It’s not good news.”
Her heart sank. She feared he wouldn’t survive, but hope was a hard thing to kill. “There’s nothing you can do?”
“I’m afraid not. His illness has overtaken his body. It’s only a matter of time before he takes his last breath.” The doctor had a solemn expression on his reddened face. His hair had gone white, and his eyebrows were bushy, almost overtaking his forehead.
She couldn’t look directly at him, or she’d laugh maniacally—the absurdity and devastation overwhelmed her. Katherine had to remain calm. Her husband depended on her. “I can’t believe that. There has to…”
“There isn’t,” the doctor interrupted her. “I have seen too many people with this illness. Anything that could be done has, and now we can only wait and make him as comfortable as possible.”
“Until he dies…” She swallowed hard. Tears threatened to fall but somehow she managed to keep them inside. Crying wouldn’t give her husband what he needed. Richard needed a miracle, and the doctor didn’t have one to give him. “He’s too young to die.”
“Death knows no age,” the doctor replied in a grave tone. “You need to prepare yourself.”
Katherine wanted so to smack him. He was speaking the truth, but that didn’t men he had to be so callous about it. He threw out epithets and dictates as if she were unaware of the realities of the world. Her husband was dying. Of course she didn’t want to believe it. What she’d said hadn’t been wrong. Richard was far too young to be dying on her now. She didn’t need the doctor to remind her that death was in inevitability and a person could succumb to it at any stage of their life. Katherine would not cry though. She probably would later, but now she had to stay strong. Especially in front of the doctor… “How much time does he have?”
“Hours at most,” he said. “I’ve given him something to help him rest. You can go in and be with him.”
She nodded. “Very well. I trust you can see yourself out.” Katherine didn’t want to see his face any longer. He had to go, and the sooner the better. Her husband needed her, but clearly not the doctor. His care wouldn’t save Richard.
“I should stay…” The doctor sputtered out the words. He sounded offended she told him to leave.
“You said there is nothing you could do for my husband, or did I misunderstand you?” She lifted a brow.
“No, you did not. But…” The doctor had a confounded expression on his face.
He was probably unaccustomed to being tossed out of a sick person’s home. It was likely he had never had a woman do so either. Good. She hoped he remembered this day for the rest of his life. Katherine certainly would.
“Then there is no reason for you to stay,” she interrupted him. A weariness settled inside her along with acceptance. The truth was difficult to acknowledge, but Katherine had no choice. “I can take care of my husband for what little time he has left. Good day, doctor.”
She didn’t wait for him to say anything else, and she presumed he would find his way out of the house. What use was a doctor that couldn’t save a person’s life? Katherine opened the door to her husband’s chamber and entered. She left the door open. There was no reason to hide her husband’s condition. He was dying. She might not like that fact, but she had to accept it. Denial would not do anyone any good.
“Richard.” Her voice was soft and firm as she spoke. She wanted to give in to her emotions and break down. To let all her pain and anguish flood out of her. Seeing him so broken down destroyed a part of her. Katherine’s beautiful, warm, loving husband was a shell of the man she’d married. She hated feeling so damn helpless. “I’m here,” she said. Her voice was a little hoarse now. Nothing could be done about that.
Richard opened his eyes. “Katie,” he said. “I don’t want to leave you.”
If he kept saying things like that she’d definitely break down. “I know you don’t.” She cupped his cheek in her palm. “I love you.”
“Love you more,” he choked out, then started coughing. She grabbed a nearby cloth and held it to his mouth as blood slid over his lips. Her heart beat heavily inside her chest. He wheezed in a breath. “I’m so sorry darling.” He coughed again and it sounded even worse. Katherine hadn’t thought that was possible. Her stomach sank as his breaths became even more ragged. Each wheeze was a stab to her heart. “I don’t want to die. I’m a terrible husband for leaving you.” Richard closed his eyes and struggled to breathe. “I’ve failed you.”
“You have done nothing of the sort,” she chastised him. Katherine couldn’t let him die thinking she blamed him for becoming ill. Richard couldn’t have prevented this. “You have been the best husband. I’ve been lucky to have you in my life. Don’t ever believe I think less of you.”
“I think less of myself.” He struggled to get the words out. “Tell William I loved him. Help him know me.” Richard struggled to speak each word.
She struggled to hold in the tears. “He won’t ever doubt that you adored him.”
He nodded. “Good.” Something in his eyes had changed. Richard seemed to look right through her. Almost as if he finally had accepted his fate.
* * *
“You should rest. This isn’t helping you.” She wanted to hold him in her arms and protect him from what was to come.
“There’s no helping me.” He met her gaze. “You have to promise me something.” His breathing had a rattling sound now with each intake of air.
“I’ll try,” she said. Katherine didn’t want to make a promise she might not be able to keep. What if he asked too much from her? Watching him struggle to breathe was difficult enough.
“Don’t close your heart,” he said. His tone was firm even though he had difficulty speaking.
* * *
“I am…” How dare he ask that of her? “I can’t…”
“You can,” he insisted. “Don’t be one of those bitter widows. Let yourself love again. If not for yourself, or even me, but for our son... He should see what love is.”
“All I can promise is that I won’t push it away if it presents itself,” she conceded. Katherine would never marry again. She didn’t have any intention of allowing another man to have her heart. “But I don’t know if I can pursue it again.” It hurt too much when it was yanked away…
“That will have to be enough then,” he told her. There was a finality in his words. Katherine’s breath hitched and her lips trembled from the effort to hold back her tears.
Richard closed his eyes and took one final breath. The doctor had been wrong about the length of time her husband had left, but not the conclusion. Richard had died, and somehow Katherine would have to move forward.
Two
Three months later…
Could there be any worse color than black? Especially when Katherine’s mood remained solemn. The weather hadn’t helped either. The skies had been gray and gloomy for days. At least her outer appearance matched everything surrounding her. She’d have to become accustomed to wearing the dreaded color though. It would be all her wardrobe consisted of for many more months to come.
“My lady, pardon the interruption…” Her lady’s maid stood in the doorway to Katherine’s bedchamber. She rang her hands together in a desperate fashion. All the servants were nervous around her since Richard’s death. They didn’t seem to know what to do or say to her anymore.
“What is it, Mary?” she asked. She hadn’t treated any of them differently. Her sadness must be permeating the air around the house. She would have to try to set it aside. It wasn’t good to have so much melancholy in one household, and she didn’t want to do anything that might be detrimental to her own son’s wellbeing either.
“Your solicitor is here,” she told Katherine. “He says it is important.”
“It usually is when your solicitor pays you a call,” Katherine replied dryly, then sighed. “Take him to my sitting room and order tea. I’ll be down in a few moments.” She needed a few more minutes to prepare herself for the solicitor. Since Richard’s death she’d had more estate matters to handle than she could ever have anticipated. What could the solicitor want now? Hadn’t they settled everything?
She took a deep, fortifying breath, smoothed down her black skirts, and then strolled out of her room. It didn’t take her long to reach the sitting room. The solicitor was already seated and looking out the window when she entered. “Mr. Collins,” she greeted him and then pasted a smile on her face. Reasons to smile were few and far between these days… “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“Lady Wyndam.” He bowed. The solicitor was always serious and never bothered with small talk. This visit should be no different. “My apologies for coming by unannounced but it couldn’t be helped.”
She nodded. “I trust this reason is of the upmost importance then?” Katherine lifted a brow. “What has happened?”
“There is an addendum to your late husband’s will that has only just now been brought to light.” Mr. Collins’ expression was grave. Drat. That couldn’t be good.
“What pray tell did my husband add that has you so concerned?” Richard wouldn’t do anything that would harm her or their son. What did this addendum contain?
“It concerns your son,” Mr. Collins said flatly. Katherine’s heart beat heavily inside her chest. What about William? “After his birth your husband decided provisions should be made in the event of his death.”
This didn’t surprise her. Richard had planned as much as he could for any possibility. After William had been born, he’d probably considered everything that could happen. It was a practical thing to consider. This provision couldn’t be a terrible thing. Right? “What were my husband’s wishes?” She hoped she wasn’t incorrect in her assumptions. She had to believe her husband meant only the best of intentions. Richard had loved her and their son. He would have only wanted what was best for them.
“He has appointed a guardian for the young earl until he reaches his majority.” Mr. Collins cleared his throat. “He is to oversee everything. Even your personal inheritance.”
Katherine couldn’t hold in the gasp. Why would Richard have done such a thing? She didn’t need a man to oversee her. She might understand more if he’d only appointed a guardian for William. Having a male presence in her son’s life should be beneficial. Especially, since William’s father had died before he reached his first birthday; however, that did not mean she appreciated having a man she did not know have a say in her life. “Why is this only coming to light now?” She needed all the information. Katherine would not react until she understood everything. Her first instinct was to act like a shrew and refuse to allow the appointed guardian in her home. It would be a futile effort of course, but the fit of rage might feel good.
“The office has been in a bit of chaos of late,” Mr. Collins began. “One of our associates retired and organizing has been a bit…difficult. He wasn’t as diligent about keeping his records in one place.” Mr. Collins took a deep breath. He met her gaze and continued, “He’s the one that had written the addendum for the late earl. One of our clerks found it earlier today. I came to see you straight away after I realized its significance.”
“Is the proposed guardian aware of this sacred duty? Is he up to the task of overseeing my son’s estate?” Katherine asked. She didn’t ask about her own circumstances. She had a voice and would use it if she needed to. “When can I expect him to insert his influence?” Because it had to be a man…a gentlemen of high rank… Her husband would have left her in charge of her own life if he believed a woman could make decisions for herself. How had she not known that about him? The betrayal coursing through her was profound. She would not overcome it anytime soon. “Who did my husband choose to appoint guardian of my son.” And me…
“The Earl of Dryden,” Mr. Collins told her. “I believe he went to school with your late husband, but I’m not certain.” He waved his hand. “That’s not important though. The earl is not currently in London. I will pay a call on him in a few days at Dryden Abbey and discuss it with him. His estate is in Hampshire.”
“What if he doesn’t wish to take on this responsibility?” Katherine asked. She hoped he would refuse to be William’s guardian, but she didn’t know what would happen if he did.
