Lady Forsaken Box Set (Books 1 - 5), page 112
“I think we have met before, but it is certainly nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Ellington,” Adams bowed.
She knew the solicitor was likely to expose her and Alex’s ruse—for the only place she’d met Adams before this moment was when he’d delivered the crates housing her father’s personal records.
“The marquis spoke of you frequently during our meetings,” he said with a wink.
“He spoke of me?” Ellie whispered, unsure if she were relieved at his confidence or shocked her father had spoken of her.
“Of course,” Adams continued. “I even caught a glimpse of your red hair once—I think you could not have been older than six or seven at the time. Your father was very protective of you.”
Ellie wanted to scoff and make a snide retort regarding her father’s intentions, but she wisely kept silent. Her smart mouth would not help the situation before them, nor speed things along. Besides, it was time she was her true self, no longer hiding her nature behind a sour disposition to keep others from hurting her. It was no longer necessary to hurt another before they were able to hurt her.
The realization was freeing in so many ways.
She was free to be whom she’d always dreamed of being.
“It is lovely to meet you,” Ellie said instead. “I would like to thank you for preserving my father’s correspondence so thoroughly.”
“I…well…” Adams stuttered as if embarrassed to receive such high praise. “I am just grateful the marquis trusted my abilities. I rarely saw him in recent years, but gladly stored any papers he sent round to my office.”
“We are very thankful,” Alex said, allowing Ellie to sink into the chair next to his behind the desk. It created a barrier of sorts and gave her a sense of protection from everything going on around her. Alex also returned to his chair, taking her hand in his, their clasped fingers hidden by the desk. He squeezed hers, reassuringly.
They were a pair—first and foremost, it said.
With him close, Ellie would never have anything to fear.
“I am certainly happy to see that the marquis’ presumptive and forward thinking is agreeable to you both.” The man smiled. “I suspected my lord, may he rest in peace, had lost his senses when he’d asked me to draft the papers.”
“What papers?” Harold asked.
“That is not what we called you here—“ Ellie started.
“Lady Ellington and Lord Chastain’s betrothal, of course.”
“Their what?” Ruby shot to her feet and was next to her husband in a second. “What do you speak of?”
Adams stared from Alex to her, to her sister and back again, his eyes as big as saucers, knowing he’d once again made a grave mistake. “I…ummm…certainly…” he babbled as he retrieved a crumpled handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his perspiring forehead. “I seem to be botching much with the Drake estate. I will not look unfavorably on either of you if you select a new solicitor.”
Ruby and Harold stared at the man, mouths gaping. Lady Haversham had also joined the group around the desk and tightly clutched her husband’s arm, her other hand covering her mouth. Mrs. Dutton seemed to have lost all her senses as tears spilled over and fell down her face in heavy waves, her emotional status hitting a vulnerable peak at the new turn.
Ellie had no idea how they were to explain things to everyone when they weren’t sure of her father’s motivations themselves.
Suddenly, a deep laugh filled the room—it took her a moment to realize it came from Alex.
“Oh, this is rich.” He chuckled. “Your faces…” Alex looked to the shocked faces around the room. “Imagine if the marquis’ decision hinged on this moment. A rare moment of truth, shared by so many people at one time.” All the while, he held Ellie’s hand firmly in his.
“What be so funny?” Mrs. Dutton asked, her tears never slowing.
Ellie wanted to ask the same question.
“This is rather shocking, even for my father.” Ruby eyed Alex, and for once, Ellie noted their severe resemblance. “I will not allow him—or his silly papers—to force you into any marriage.”
She wanted to leap from her seat and hug her older sister. It was her simple decree convincing Ellie that Ruby did indeed care for her bastard, wayward sibling. Or possibly, she always had, but it was Ellie who’d needed to see her actions more clearly.
“Ruby.” Ellie gave Alex’s hand a quick squeeze before releasing it and standing. She had much to say to him and she owed him so very much. “Your support means the world to me—and I can only pray it continues after Alex and I are wed. Our relationship matured at some point from friendship to affection, and I can assure you I will have no other as my husband than him.” Ellie kept her eyes trained on her sister, afraid to behold Alex’s reaction to her declaration. She feared she’d read too much into their kiss and his talk of love.
“I think that is wonderful.” Ruby made her way around the desk and took Ellie into her arms. For once, she relaxed into the embrace, seeking any comfort her sister could spare. “Harold and I will be honored to have such a fine man in our family.”
Tentatively, Ellie glanced toward Alex, judging his reaction to her words, but his face was a complete mask—neither showing elation nor fury. He was unreadable as he sat stoically at her side, and she feared she’d made a terrible mistake.
“Alex…” She held her hand out to him when Ruby released her. There was a hint of a question in the single word—a plea. She’d made her feelings known, and she only waited for him to rebuff her—it would only hurt all the more in front of the group who’d gathered.
Adams would witness her disgrace firsthand and need no further information…Ellie had tried, and it would be Alex—or Peter, whatever he chose to be known as—who’d rejected her. It should give her some sense of comfort with him knowing she’d not willingly went against her father’s final wishes.
She forced a smile to her lips, preparing to push off her words as meaningless utterances by a distraught female. Certainly no one would think her serious.
The blow would be severe, but Ellie was strong. Strong enough to live through the years of mistreatments and punishments dealt her way by the marquis. Her heart would mend faster than her pride, she was certain. The shame of her affections being rebuffed was what worried her—what else could it possibly be? She’d only discovered the depth of her love for Alex recently. They could not have dug so deep into her reality so quickly. Within a fortnight, it’d be much like this entire day hadn’t happened.
She’d still have her home, if Adams allowed it, or she’d leave to live with Ruby and Harold. Her days would return to normalcy—there would no longer be her visits to the stables nor extended hours spent at Craven House, but she would at least have a room to call her own. It truly wasn’t any less than she had now. Maybe Ruby would agree to her bringing Daphne—if the expense weren’t too great a burden to the couple.
Ellie had grown rather attached to her maid, but she’d be easier to give up than Alex.
She pushed the offending thought from her mind when it threatened to dispel her smile and bring on tears.
She could be happy.
She would be happy—without him.
It was obvious she had no other choice.
Suddenly, her shoulders where shaking and she feared her anguish had broken through her smile and her body was visibility trembling, but hands held her upper arms. The pressure insistent but not so much that it hurt.
“Ellie,” Alex said, his face only inches away. “Have you listened to a thing I’ve said?”
No, she didn’t want to listen; she only wanted to flee the room—the house entirely—and leave everyone behind.
She blinked rapidly and focused her gaze on his face—so stunningly handsome. Why had she never realized how truly, strikingly beautiful he was? It wasn’t until one was faced with the possibility of losing something that they finally found clarity.
“That paper does not matter…” His words faded once more as the thoughts fought for control over her mind. Of course, the papers didn’t matter—he would not agree to marry her. Why would he? She was a bastard. She was without a mother.
And he, Alex, was to be a grand duke.
Society—and every marriageable debutante—would be at his fingertips.
He would have no use for her. She was a liar, a coward, and not worthy of the love of a faithful man.
And she’d fooled herself into thinking it was she who didn’t need him.
“Do you not have anything to say?” Alex asked, moving his hold to her hand. “Your hand in marriage will make all that’s to come bearable—I want it all with you by my side or none of it.”
It was her turn to stare, her jaw slack. “Did I hear you correctly?” she mumbled.
“Ellington,” Alex started over, and she was grateful for it because she’d blocked every word, fearing them. “Will you honor me by taking the title of Lady Chastain—forever more to be my wife? You shall never want for a name or a home again.”
“But…“ Ellie couldn’t seem to put all her thoughts into cohesive sentences. “Why me?”
“Because I love you,” he said without skipping a beat. “Because I can only be myself when I’m with you. Because I will never tire from keeping watch over you. Because I never want to go another day without you by my side. Must I go on?”
“Do put this sorry love struck pup out of his misery, dear sister,” Harold proclaimed from a few feet away. “Brock says you must accept before drinks can be poured in celebration.”
“And Harold is a sourpuss when he is denied his sherry,” Brock chimed in.
Ellie looked at all the expectant faces surrounding her—each holding their breath, but their smiles fighting to break through, if only she’d give the answer they all hoped for.
Thankfully, it was the only answer she had to give.
“Of course, there is no need to go on.” Ellie raised her hands, setting both to frame his face. “You are everything I have ever dreamed of in the man I never knew I needed—nor wanted, but now,” she paused, taking a deep breath, “you have inserted yourself so completely in my life that I fear I would perish without you. It is I who was unable to be myself before you. It was I who cherished the many hours we spent in our travels between London and Foldger’s Hall. It is I who will care nothing for the next sunrise if you are not close to share it with.”
As each syllable left her mouth, everything and everyone in the room receded until it was only her and Alex.
It had been that way for the last year—since her father had died.
She’d kept watch on him, and he’d done the same.
“I love you, Alex.” Ellie pressed her lips to his, only pulling back a hairsbreadth before continuing. “No matter if we live in a grand house in London proper or a stable owned by another, I will be with you. I will follow you to any place that makes you happy because the only way I know to be happy and content is in your arms.”
Ellie wasn’t certain when Alex wrapped his arms around her or when everyone in the room started their loud cheering, but one thing she was confident about was her decision to take this man for her own.
No longer did someone hide who they were—and in turn, Ellie was convinced never to hide who she was from anyone again.
She was born a bastard child.
She was motherless.
She had the cruelest father known to all of London.
But she was loved by the purest man in all of England.
Epilogue
Ellie stared at the miniature painting of a mother with her child—the only remnants of Alex’s past and the mother he never knew. She was beautiful with an elegant, swanlike neck, eyes filled with light, arms holding her baby protectively to her chest. Her smile wasn’t meant for the artist drawing their portrait nor for any person who’d eventually see the masterpiece, but for the little babe, wrapped in a soft blue blanket, who stared up at her.
Lady Chastain—she was a woman of immense strength and fortitude, as they’d learned from her father’s many letters and all that Mrs. Dutton had shared with them in the past several weeks.
And now, Ellie was to be the next Lady Chastain, a duchess.
A true name—Ellington Davis.
She slid her finger across the image once more; the slight ripple of the artist’s brush strokes told her it all wasn’t a dream. This woman had once been happy, through her death she’d saved her child and given Ellie a future—with a man deserving of her love.
A man she’d surrender everything for.
A man who’d cherish her forever more.
She only seldom wondered if her own mother could have found such contentment with Ellie in hand, if she’d lived long enough.
The two things that had frightened her the most hadn’t come to pass. Drake House was no longer her responsibility, but she had a new home, and with it, the man she loved.
All it had taken was giving up something she had held as solely hers, but with the sacrifice, she had gained more than she’d ever thought possible.
A forever home.
A true name.
A place that was hers and hers alone, to share with Alex. No one could take that from her.
The last several weeks had been filled with many changes. With Lord Haversham’s help—and her father’s meticulous note keeping—Alex had petitioned for his place as the Duke of Chastain. Harold and Ruby had moved to Drake House until their own townhouse renovation was complete. Ellie was happy for their company, since Alex had moved to the Chastain townhouse.
He insisted it wasn’t proper to start their betrothal shrouded in scandal.
But that did not stop Ellie from slipping from the townhouse and stealing to Chastain House to surprise her intended. He may be worried about scandal and societal acceptance, but Ellie had never been one to heed other’s rules.
Setting the portrait back in its place on Alex’s tall chest of drawers, Ellie moved to the large bed that dominated the room. She’d spent many hours in this very room since Alex had taken up residence in the sprawling townhouse, its decor reminiscent of a long-ago time. Much the same as the Drake townhouse.
It was as if the day Lady Chastain died—the same day Mrs. Dutton had whisked Alex away—time had stopped in both households.
The duke had passed with his wife, leaving the marquis alone.
Except he hadn’t been alone. He’d had his daughter, Ellie.
Ellie was ready for time to resume—to live the life Alex’s mother had had stolen from her.
“My love.” Alex stood behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her back toward him to comfort, as if he knew her every thought—which many times he did. “I was not expecting you this afternoon. Do we not have rather grand plans in a few hours?”
“We do,” Ellie sighed, continuing to lean into him.
“Well then, why are you not slipping into the perfect gown, teasing your hair into a flawless knot, or donning scandalous undergarments?”
Ellie giggled. Not long ago, she would have scoffed at the thought of herself giggling like a schoolgirl over a silly comment, but with Alex she could be all the things she’d longed to be but hadn’t had the opportunity. She could laugh when the mood struck. She could dance light-footed about her dressing chambers. Just the other morning, Daphne had caught her mistress singing—not a soft humming to herself, but the chords of a popular theater song sung loudly for all to hear.
She would wonder if she’d gone daft in recent weeks, but she knew the true cause of her great pleasure was the man behind her.
And the least she could do was show him great pleasure in return.
“I thought I’d help you dress for the day.”
“Dress?” Alex asked, his brow furrowing. “I have yet to bathe.”
“Oh, I am certain I can help with that, as well,” she teased, raising her hands to unbutton his shirt.
“Ah, well, my love.” His arms fell to his sides as she took hold of the buttons lining his shirt. “Do make quick work of it, we have a wedding to prepare for. And do not think you will be seeing me in all my wedding finery—it is bad luck, after all.”
“I think you have marvelous luck, my lord.” Ellie reached the last button then took hold of the clasp of his trousers.
“Ah, I stand corrected,” he said with a smile. “I have earned the love of the most beautiful woman in all the world. I am preparing to bathe and dress to meet you before all our friends and family—to proclaim my commitment and love to you. I must say there is not a luckier soul alive than myself.”
Her hands faltered and she looked up into his smiling face, certain hers glowed with warmth.
“What is it, my love?” he asked, his smile vanishing, his brow furrowing in concern.
Ellie shook her head, wanting to tell him it was nothing, but his expression begged her to share—and Ellie was determined to never keep anything hidden from the man before her ever again.
“I am not used to having such endearments directed at me.” Insults by her father, yes. Indifference from the servants, certainly. But these continued declarations of love? It was too much to hope for that they would continue ever more.
“I have many years to make up for—to prove to you all those years should have been filled with love and adoration.” He spoke to her greatest fear, banishing it from her mind.
This man, Alex, did love her.
And she, the woman who’d spent her life hiding, was ready to start living—with him beside her.
“Now, woman, let us hurry” His voice held a tender note. “I will not be late to the happiest moment of my life.”
Loved Ever More
Exclusive Bonus Scene
Loved Ever More
Exclusive Bonus Scene
Lady Ellington’s hand shook as she accepted the bouquet of blue flowers, bound together by a simple bow of yellow ribbon, and brought her eyes to meet her sister’s. In Ruby’s eyes—shaped exactly like her own—she saw unconditional love. Her sister’s eyes brimmed with tears of joy and wonder—and zero reservations. Ellie had been a fool to think Ruby had ever wanted anything more than love and kinship from her. Over the last year, she’d spent so much time and energy pushing the woman away for fear her newly found elder sister meant her harm.
