Discouraging the Duke by Alexa Aston

Chapter Twenty-Four

Miles rode into Woodmorrow, passing Mrs. Fisher’s establishment. The smell of cinnamon and nutmeg wafted through the air. He almost stopped to purchase sticky buns for Emery and him to eat but was too eager to see her and headed straight for Jernigan’s store instead.

When he rode up, he saw Emery standing on the porch.

With Baron Haddoway.

Anger seared through him as he recognized the baron from the many times he had visited Wildwood during Miles’ youth. Knowing what this man had done to Miles’ mother and now seeing him engaged in conversation with Emery caused rage to roar within him.

Then he saw Haddoway’s hand on Emery’s arm as she tried to pull away.

He leaped from Zeus’ back and raced to where they stood, shoving the man hard. Haddoway stumbled back and Miles moved in, his fist slamming into the baron’s face. Blood spurted immediately but he didn’t let up. He pummeled the older man until he collapsed, dropping to the ground and curling into a ball.

Only then did he feel Emery’s arm on him, tugging him away. Hear words coming from her though they held no meaning for him. Miles only saw red.

Then she slapped him.

“Miles!” she said sharply.

He surfaced from the depths of his fury.

“Miles, do you hear me?”

He nodded. “I do,” he responded, glancing down at the bloodied man on the ground.

Haddoway grimaced and said, “You have gone too far, Winslow. All for this little trollop. No gentleman—much less a duke—would so viciously attack another gentleman over a strumpet.”

Hate burned within him but Miles reined it in. “You are no gentleman, Haddoway.” His gaze bored into the other man. “I know what you did to my mother.”

Fear sprang into the baron’s eyes.

“I would have you apologize to Emery but it would only be empty words, without meaning.” He took a few steps to the older man and looked down at him. “She is to be my wife. Never speak to her again. Never be in the same room or place she graces. If you are, I will do more than thrash you. You have my word.”

Miles stepped back and slipped an arm about Emery’s waist. He felt her trembling.

He saw the younger Jernigan had emerged from the store and stood with his mouth gaping. Others had gathered, as well.

Miles told Jernigan, “Have the supplies for Wildwood loaded into the wagon and bring it to the house.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Jernigan said, swallowing.

He turned to Emery. “Come, love.”

He guided her to Zeus and lifted her into the saddle, swinging up behind her, his arm going protectively about her waist. He saw Haddoway push to his feet from the corners of his eyes.

“You won’t get away with this, Winslow,” the baron shouted.

Miles gave the older man a withering look. “Threaten all you like. You know what you have done. You will answer for your actions in Hell.”

With that, he flicked the reins and Zeus took off, thundering down the lane and away from the village. He steered the horse toward Wildwood but knew he wanted to talk with Emery before they arrived there. Veering off, he directed the horse to the cottage where she lived with her parents and brought his mount to a halt.

He dismounted and looped Zeus’ reins around a post near the front door before reaching up and taking Emery’s waist. He brought her to the ground but held fast because she shook so. Pulling her to him, Miles enfolded her in his arms. They stood silently, drawing comfort from one another for many minutes. He stroked her hair, wishing he could make the ugly encounter with Haddoway fade away.

Emery lifted her head, revealing tearstained cheeks. He kissed both cheeks.

“Don’t cry over such a piece of filth, love. Come, let us go inside. You need a cup of tea.”

He led her into the cottage and to the settee. She gripped his arm, pulling him down next to her. Miles sat, waiting for Emery to speak first.

When she didn’t, he said, “I came to find you so we could choose our wedding date.”

She looked at him as if he’d gone mad. “What?”

Taking her hands in his, he said, “I realize I haven’t even formally asked you to marry me.” He brought her hands to his lips and tenderly kissed them. “I merely assumed we would after our time together. I have spoken to your mother, however, and she approves of the match.”

Emery gasped. “You spoke of this with Mama?”

“I tried to talk with your father and ask him for your hand. He wasn’t quite able to follow our conversation.” He squeezed her hands. “Your mother told me that he has been ill for some time and that you have managed everything on his behalf.”

“Miles, I—”

“I am not angry, Emery. Far from it. I was disappointed why you or your mother didn’t inform me of his health issues before but I can understand why. You have nothing to fear. Your mother has decided to remain as my housekeeper. She has also agreed to move to the main house with your father. We will have servants watch over and care for him.”

Her mouth trembled. “You would do that?”

He smiled gently. “Of course. They are to be my family. Just as you are.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I was so worried.”

“You have no reason to worry. You father will be taken care of. Your mother will keep her position. She suggested bringing in another steward from one of my other estates.” He grinned. “I told her you could run Wildwood.”

“What?”

“Well, at least for a little while. Eventually, we will need a full-time steward. A man of your choice, one you will train. I fully anticipate you will have as much a hand in overseeing Wildwood as I do. You will not only be my wife but my partner in all things. Of course, you will have responsibilities as the Duchess of Winslow.” He smiled. “Including being the mother of our children. I hope you plan to spend a good deal of your time with them. And me.”

She freed her hands and placed her palms against his cheeks. “You are such a good man, Miles. More than I deserve.” Then a shadow crossed her face and her hands fell away.

He captured her wrists. “What’s wrong, Emery?”

“I cannot marry you,” she told him. “I . . . I was responsible for your brother’s death.”

“But Ralph fell from his horse. That had nothing to do with you.”

“I was with him. Not when he fell from Zeus but earlier. He insisted that I take him out and show him something of the estate since he was never here.”

Emery stood and began pacing as she spoke.

“He had already looked at me in ways which made me uncomfortable. I was afraid to be alone with him, especially since it was obvious he had been drinking.”

She went to the window and pushed the curtain aside, peering out.

“He demanded to ride Zeus. I knew it was a huge mistake.”

Miles could picture it all. Ralph blustering, deep in his cups. Attracted to Emery and wanting to show off in front of her.

“I did as he asked. Took him to see the fields and his tenants’ cottages. Then he told me that we were going to have fun. That . . . I was his property, the same as Wildwood.” She paused, swallowing hard. “He . . . said he would take me right here, out in the open.”

He shot to his feet and went to her, wrapping his arms about her, holding her snugly against him as she continued to gaze out the window.

“He forced a kiss upon me. I had never been kissed before. It was so vile.” She shuddered. “I was terrified of what came next. So, I attacked him.”

He rested his cheek against her hair, inhaling the lilac scent he so loved.

“I slammed my knee into his groin,” she continued in a monotone. “Pushed him to the ground. I rode away as he cursed me.”

“You did nothing wrong, Emery. Ralph was the one who wronged you.”

She wriggled away from him, turning to face him. “Don’t you see, Miles? I killed him. I attacked him. I angered him. Once he climbed atop Zeus again, he must have been hell-bent on catching up to me. I had embarrassed him. I was guilty of assaulting a peer. He would have had me arrested. Fired my parents without references. I caused his death.”

“Emery. No.”

He pulled her into his arms again, holding her tightly as she struggled to free herself.

“Ralph was a lecherous rake who tried to use his power and position to bend you to his will. He was responsible for his actions. Not you. He was drunk and never a good horseman. In his heart, he knew he should never have ridden out on Zeus. You can’t accept the blame for what was his fault. Look at me,” he commanded.

She stilled and raised her gaze to his.

“I do not blame you for his death. You are honorable and good, where Ralph was dishonorable and evil.”

“He didn’t deserve to die,” she said stubbornly.

“No, perhaps not. But he did and we cannot change that. It was an accident as the magistrate ruled. The Duke of Winslow had too much to drink and rode a horse far beyond his skill level, one even a sober man would have trouble controlling.”

Miles kissed her tenderly. “You are blameless, love. Of this, I am certain. Now, I need an answer from you. Will you be my duchess? Will you make me the happiest man in England and be my wife? I love you, Emery. It is foolish to resist me.”

He saw she wavered and began kissing her, over and over, until they both were breathless.

“You are my world, Emery Jenson. My entire life. Life is not worth living if you are not by my side. You have the people’s respect. You are talented and intelligent. You are my own true love. I want you to help me create the family I never had. Build a strong foundation for generations to come. I want us to live in love. To allow our children and their children and their children to know of our love story.”

Love for this woman poured through him. He only hoped that their children would marry for love.

As their parents did.

He kissed her again, hard and swift, and then said, “You must wed me. I insist. You don’t want to be responsible for me becoming a lifelong bachelor, lonely and living alone, with no one to carry on the Notley name. I need sons and daughters with your spirit and determination.”

Emery laughed. “You have convinced me.” Mischief lit her enticing eyes. “Kiss me.”

“I will do more than kiss you, my love.”

Miles swept her off her feet and carried her into her bedchamber, where he made sweet, slow love to her, worshipping every inch of her creamy flesh.

When he finished, he drew her close. “When will you marry me, Emery?”

Her fingers gently stroked his bare chest. “I would tomorrow but it will take over three weeks for the banns to be read.”

He brushed the strands of hair from her face, his fingers gliding along the silky locks.

“Then I will ride to London for a special license first thing tomorrow morning. We can wed the day after. No, I must write to Finch. No, better yet, I will go see him.”

“Finch?”

“One of the Turner Terrors. My closest friends, whom I view as family, are from Turner Academy. Three Terrors fight for England, while Finch is a man of the cloth. Since the others are at war, it would mean a great deal to me to have Finch present for our wedding—and perform the ceremony.”

She bestowed a beautiful smile upon him. “That sounds lovely, Miles.”

“I’ll obtain the special license first and then travel to see Finch and bring him back with me. His parish is but an hour from Turner Academy. I may call upon the Earl and Countess of Marksby, where Finch holds the living. They were quite good to me.”

“Perhaps they, too, could come to the wedding. What of anyone at Turner Academy? Would you like them to attend our wedding?” Emery asked.

He grinned. “As a matter of fact, I would. I will stop and talk with the Turner brothers, the co-founders of the school.” Enthusiasm filled him. “Let’s plan for the wedding to occur a week from tomorrow. That will give me time to invite those I wish to be there in person and for them to travel to Wildwood.”

Miles kissed Emery, his joy spilling over. “I cannot wait for you to meet Finch and the others.”

Her hand glided down his body and found his manhood. “And what do you plan to do until you leave tomorrow morning, Your Grace?”

“Why, I thought I might make love again to my fiancée,” he proclaimed.

“She is very much in favor of that.”

So Miles did.