Love Everlasting (Kingston Novel Book 3), page 8
Drake returned his smile. “I know I’m acting like a beast and I apologize. Six weeks I have been away from her and though it is tearing me apart, I’ll keep my word.”
Logan stood and stretched. “We know you will keep your word,” he stated with a cocky grin. “We may not know all there is to know about you, but what we do know is that above all else, you are an honorable man.”
Before Logan could move, Drake came forward and hugged him.
Bartley started to laugh, but before he could actually do so, Drake hugged him also.
Drake released Bartley and grinned. “You both make me feel worthy of joining your family and for that I thank you.”
“You have always been worthy,” Bartley told him and then shook his head. “Don’t even think to give my father one of you hugs…you would likely break him in half.”
With a nod Drake’s smile widened.
“Let’s get out of here before he decides to hug us again,” Logan stated, even as he made a wide path around Drake.
“We’ll check in on you tomorrow and then we’ll be here the next night to escort you to the party.”
“I don’t need a bloody escort,” Drake grumbled out.
“Just the same we will be here,” Bartley stated, smiling. “I trust you have the appropriate clothing or do we need to make a visit to my tailor tomorrow?”
Drake scowled. It was a blatant reminder that he didn’t get to leave Hertworth Hall alone. Instead, his bloody valet had seen to the packing of his clothing, the loading of them, and then joining them on their way here.
“Much to my dislike, Benjamin, the bloody arse, made sure my closets at Hertworth were filled with clothing fit for a Duke.”
Bartley laughed. “Well, I guess I’ll leave it up to Benjamin to make sure you are dressed to benefit your task that evening.”
Drake shook his head. “Leave now.”
Leaning down, Bartley placed another kiss to his father’s head. “Take care and I’ll see you at some point tomorrow.”
Justin patted his son’s hand. “Take care and give Kimbra my best.”
“I will.”
Drake slowly prowled around the back parlor. He could feel Toriana’s grandfather’s eyes upon him, but he couldn’t seem to help the nervousness he was feeling.
“Would you be so good to pour me a bit of brandy?” Justin asked, watching the younger man.
Without comment, Drake picked up the decanter and refilled the older man’s glass.
“So my granddaughter loves you?”
Drake met his gaze. Until now he hadn’t realized that the older version of Bartley had eyes almost identical to that of his son and Toriana.
“She does.”
Justin lowered his gaze to the amber liquid in his glass. “I had begun to doubt love…until my son married Kimbra. I have many regrets in my life, but never to have been loved is my biggest.”
“Your son loves you.”
Justin looked up from his glass and smiled. “I was talking more the other kind of love. For years I thought I could make my wife love me, but then I realized that it was an impossible illusion.”
Drake took a seat across from Canfield. “Why?”
“My Masina has no love in her…not for me, our son, or our grandchildren.”
“I’m sorry.”
Justin smiled. “My story isn’t for your sympathy, but I do thank you. I’m just glad Toriana will be following the same path as her father. From what I’ve been told, Alianore has chosen wisely as well. I can only hope Kinsley and Logan do the same.”
“I believe they will.” Drake nodded. “Growing up around love, seeing it each and every day, will have them looking for what their parents have shared with them.”
“And were you, Drake Easton, raised in such a fashion?”
Drake met his gaze straight on and shook his head. “No. I was raised by a man who only cared for money and title. He, also, was a miserable soul.”
Justin nodded as he raised a brow. “Then I must ask, who guided you?”
“The Viscount and Viscountess of Glennworth.” Drake smiled. “Hugh and Marie were like parents to me. Their daughter, Warner, was my best friend.”
“Warner? Isn’t she the chit who married Kimbra’s brother, Gabriel?”
“She is.”
“Is that how you met Toriana?”
“In a round about way,” Drake murmured.
Justin smiled. “But yet she fell in love with you before seeing you.”
Drake leaned back and closed his eyes. The old man wanted details that he wasn’t sure he wanted to give. Opening his eyes he stared at the kind face of Canfield. In some ways he felt sorry for the old man. By his own admission he hinted that he loved his wife, but apparently that love wasn’t returned.
That told Drake something…either the man an idiot or he was a man of honor.
Honor, was the conclusion he came to.
“Toriana was on a mission to save me from Gabriel’s wrath. To please the man who wasn’t my father, I had asked Warner to marry me…several times. I never wanted her for a wife. I loved her, but as my dearest friend. I was pleased, and relieved, when she met and fell in love with Gabriel.”
“Toriana must have accomplished her mission as you are here and not dead.”
Drake laughed at Canfield’s humor.
“Aye, she came upon me while I was hiding in an old cabin not far from Norbury Manor. She delivered her warning. She even offered to help me.”
“And how did she fall in love without seeing you?”
“The cabin was very dark inside,” Drake replied even as his face turned a warm shade of red.
“You didn’t compromise her or else you would be dead now,” Justin stated. “Unless…none know of the compromise.”
Drake slowly leaned forward. “I would never dishonor her,” he growled out. “I may have stolen a kiss, but that is all.”
“Don’t get riled, young man. I’m only trying to understand how the two of you fell in love and apparently quite quickly.”
“I didn’t know there was a way to time such a thing,” Drake countered.
“I’m glad it was you who Toriana fell in love with.”
That comment surprised Drake. “Why?”
“For many reasons it would seem. First and foremost, Toriana chose you. Anyone can see you take honor very seriously. Then I cannot overlook just how impatient you are to see her…and to make her your wife. I would like to believe these are signs that you’ll both have a happy union together.”
“I would like to believe it’ll be our love for one another that will accomplish that.”
“Well said.” Justin nodded and then sighed. “I guess it’s time to take myself off to bed. If you don’t mind, I would like to accompany you to the Wesard party.”
“I would like that.”
Justin slowly stood. “Try to get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you for allowing me to stay here.”
“There is no need to thank me…we are almost family and family looks out for one another.”
“It’ll be a great honor to have you as family.”
Justin smiled as he headed for the door. “It’s an honor to have you as family as well. I should, however, warn you…if you break my granddaughter’s heart I will kill you.”
Drake watched as the elderly man exited the room. Only the sounds of his shuffling footsteps could be heard…that is until Drake’s laughter seemed to fill every crevice of the townhouse.
Justin glanced back down the stairs and smiled. He was glad Toriana had chosen such a fine man. Not only did the young man seem sincere and honorable, he would protect her as long as there was life in his body. A grandfather couldn’t ask for more than that.
“I can’t believe how dishonest some people can be,” Kimbra muttered softly.
Bartley pulled his wife into his arms. “Yes you can,” he replied before placing a kiss to her lips.
“Six weeks! Six long weeks they have been worrying. And for what? So that some far-reaching steward could maneuver his own would-be Duchess into Hertworth? It’s a good thing I wasn’t with you, I would have—”
Bartley again kissed his wife. “Everything is fine now. Drake is staying with my father. The night after next we shall reunite them.”
“I’ll have to send a message off to my parents. They will want to be here for Toriana’s wedding,” she murmured.
“I already sent your maid’s youngest son off on the errand to deliver our message to your parents.”
“You are a wonderful man.” Kimbra laid her head against Bartley’s shoulder “It still angers me to think of that weasel of a steward.”
“I know.” Bartley smiled. “But it’s all in hand now. Just think, within a few days we shall watch as yet another one of our daughters marries and begins building a new life…away from us.”
Kimbra raised her head and gave him a good frown. “You didn’t have to remind me of that part.”
“Need I remind you the past six weeks and the unhappiness that has surrounded Toriana? She might have put on a good face, but we both noticed that deep inside, beneath her façade, how sad she truly was.”
“He really was writing her each day as she was him?”
Bartley nodded. “He was. Any doubts I might have had when it came to Drake were laid to rest when I witnessed just how angry and upset he was over Mr. Milton’s betrayal. All he wanted to do was come here to Toriana and explain.”
“He loves her.”
“He does.” Bartley nodded.
“So, you and Logan plan on escorting him to Wesard’s party?”
“I think it will be a nice surprise for Toriana.” When Kimbra didn’t comment, Bartley raised her face. “You disagree?”
“After all these weeks apart, I think their first meeting should be a little more private, don’t you? I mean, if it was you and I, would you want the ton sharing that moment with us?”
“I guess I really hadn’t thought of it quite that way.”
Kimbra smiled when Bartley gave a heavy sigh. “I didn’t mean to make it sound as if your plan wasn’t a good one, my love.”
Bartley placed a kiss to her head. “I know, but you’re right.”
“Maybe we could arrange for Toriana and Drake to reunite here.”
“Maybe,” he murmured as he tightened his arms around her, “we could give this more thought in the morning.”
Kimbra stood on tiptoes and placed a feathery kiss to his lips. “I believe you’re right. You have been gone from me most of the day.”
“Exactly.”
“Maybe it’s time we concentrate on us reuniting. We do have a big, soft, bed waiting for us in our chamber.”
“Then why are we still down here?”
“I have no idea.” Kimbra laughed. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“Now that, sweet, is an invitation I can’t turn down.”
Chapter Nine
Bartley and Kimbra were having a cup of coffee at the dining room table as they waited for the rest of the family to join them. As of yet, they hadn’t decided on how best to handle the Toriana and Drake situation.
Bartley thought it might be best to take Toriana to his father’s townhouse. Kimbra disagreed. She thought it was best to have Drake come there.
“The Duke of Canfield is here to see you, milord,” Mr. Tadmen, the butler announced.
Bartley stared at the older man for a moment and then turned his attention to his wife. “I wonder what mischief Drake got into now,” he murmured for her ears alone.
Kimbra gave a soft laugh as she stood. “I doubt any. Your father probably stopped by on his way to one of his clubs.”
“I doubt that,” Bartley added as he, too, stood and held out his arm toward his wife. “Let’s go find out.”
“Well, I’m glad your father stopped by. It seems as though we haven’t seen him in ages.”
“I know. I wish he would visit us more often.”
“We could always go to Canfield and see him and your mother,” Kimbra suggested.
“We will…eventually,” Barley stated. “I can only hope when we do, my mother is more welcoming than the last time we visited.”
Kimbra had the same hope. Masina had never hidden her dislike for her only daughter-in-law and that alone made any visits very uncomfortable and dreadfully long.
Before reaching the front parlor, Kimbra turned toward Tadmen and smiled. “Could you have a tray of tea and coffee sent in for us?”
Tadmen glanced toward the front parlor and then to his mistress. His indecision was obvious, but finally he gave a nod of his head. “Right away, milady,” he replied, before turning on heel and heading off toward the kitchen.
“He’s acting peculiar this morning,” Bartley murmured.
Kimbra glanced over her shoulder just as Tadmen entered the dining room. “Maybe he and Ingrid are having a spot of trouble,” she replied with a slight shrug.
Bartley smiled. “Wives can, from time-to-time, be a spot a trouble.”
“So can husbands, my love,” she replied with a laugh.
Justin slowly stood as his son and daughter-in-law entered the front parlor. It amazed him how their love for one another had grown over the last twenty-five years. To say he didn’t envy them would be a lie. In his younger years it was something he wanted above all else…to love and be loved. Bloody hell! At seventy-five years old it was still something he wanted.
Their eyes met his only for the briefest of moments before the pair noticed he wasn’t alone.
Drake stood near the front windows.
“I took it upon myself to alter your plans,” Justin stated in way of greeting.
“I agreed with his plan,” Drake stated as he slowly came forward.
Bartley could tell his father was unsure of how he would react to his decision. He made his way to him. “You did well,” he told him.
“I was quite worried you would disagree,” Justin replied softly as his son embraced him.
Kimbra had followed Bartley, as she waited for him to step back so she could greet Justin, she heard Justin’s whispered confession. “Nonsense,” she told him, wrapping her arms around him. “I think you did very well, indeed.”
“You just keep getting more lovely with each passing year,” Justin murmured as he hugged Kimbra and placed a kiss to her forehead.
“She does.” Bartley nodded.
Shaking her head at both of them, Kimbra turned to face their other guest. “It’s good to see you again, Drake,” she stated, closing the distance between them.
“And don’t even think of giving her a hug like you gave me and Logan,” Bartley warned.
Drake ignored him. He had no plans of hugging Toriana’s mother…that is until she hugged him first. Then he was very mindful of his strength.
Kimbra placed a kiss on Drake’s cheek before moving back. She wasn’t the least surprised to find Bartley right behind her. “We also agree with Justin’s plan. Last night we came to the same conclusion.”
“We did.” Bartley nodded. He held out his hand toward Drake.
Grasping Bartley’s hand, Drake shook it and smiled. “When can I see her?”
Kimbra nearly smiled over the young man’s impatience. “She’s up, but not yet ready to greet company. I believe the back parlor would be the perfect place for you to wait for her.”
Just then Mrs. Tadmen entered carrying a tray of coffee and sweet breads. Right behind her was Mimi carrying yet another tray with filled with tea and biscuits.
Bartley gave a silent sigh. He hadn’t missed how both women’s eyes went straight to Drake or how they both instantly came to a stop. It was a near thing that Mimi didn’t plow into Mrs. Tadmen’s back.
The road to having the element of surprise just grew narrower. He would bet his title that as soon as Mimi realized who the man was she would make it upstairs in record time to inform Toriana.
Bloody hell!
Kimbra noticed the expression on Ingrid and Mimi’s face and then she happened to notice Bartley’s. Her laughter filled the room as she made her way forward. She first took the tray from Ingrid and placed it on the table.
“Mrs. Tadmen, you remember The Duke of Hertworth, do you not,” she asked, reaching for the tray Mimi held.
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Tadmen murmured, with a small curtsey.
Mimi copied the older woman, never taking her gaze from the handsome stranger. The name of the man played through her head over and over until her eyes suddenly widened.
“He’s the man?” she asked, finally looking at Kimbra.
Kimbra smiled. “He is. It is also a surprise…one that you will not tell Toriana about.”
“She’s bound to find out,” Mimi whispered glancing in Drake’s direction again.
“In due time.” Kimbra laughed again. “What I need is for you to go upstairs and tell Kinsley and Toriana that their Grandfather Justin is here to share breakfast with us…that is all you are to tell them. Do you understand?”
Mimi nodded. “Aye, milady.”
Mrs. Tadmen reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a hanky and slowly dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “I say, the little miss is going to be quite pleased,” the older woman murmured.
“Aye,” Mimi agreed, still staring at the man.
“She will indeed,” Kimbra stated, with a smile. “Will you make sure Mrs. William has breakfast served in about an hour? Also, will you be so kind to ask Saul to go over to Alianore and Vance’s place and let them know that we wish for them to join us this morning?”
“At once, milady,” Mrs. Tadmen replied before turning about. Grabbing Mimi’s hand she pulled her along behind her as they exited the room.
Logan stepped aside as the two women hurried past him. “What’s going on in here?” he asked. “Bloody hell!” he muttered when he spotted Drake. “What are you doing here?”
“Calm yourself, son,” Bartley stated. “Your grandfather decided to bring Drake over this morning. Your mother and I believe he had the right idea.”
Logan thought over his father’s words as he moved his gaze over to where his grandfather stood watching him. “Well then, it would seem I agree also,” he replied, smiling at his grandfather.
