Wayward by Carole Mortimer
Chapter Fourteen
It seemed almost anticlimactic to search through the trunks in the cellar and discover that Harriet had indeed kept a diary. There were a dozen of them there.
Even so, Lydia was shaken, and she could see Gideon was as affected, when they read the last entry for September 3rd, 1805.
I cannot bear it any longer. Esher must die if I am to be free to go to my beloved Michael.
Esher has been in his study all of this evening again. He will most likely fall asleep on the chaise if he drinks enough brandy. Once he is unconscious, I can go downstairs and place a candle where it will easily set light to the curtains and other soft furnishings.
It will look like an accident. No one will ever know that I have killed my husband.
Lydia took the diary from Gideon’s trembling fingers to place it back inside the trunk and close the lid. “I will instruct that those diaries be burned tomorrow.” It was testament to how shaken Gideon was that he offered no argument to her statement or when she took hold of his hand and led him back up the stairs to his study. “We will open your letters now,” she stated firmly.
She waited only long enough for Gideon to sit in the leather chair behind his desk before making herself comfortable on his muscular thighs and handing him the first letter.
After readingthat last entry in Harriet’s diary, Gideon was unsurprised to open his solicitor’s letters and read that Harriet’s mother was indeed suffering from some sort of emotional melancholy, not talked about by the family and which kept her from Society.
Thirty years ago, Harriet’s grandmother had apparently walked naked into the lake on the family’s country estate and not walked out again. A verdict of accidental death had been recorded, but the gossip in the area had been that she had committed suicide.
Harriet’s great-grandfather had been known for his eccentric behavior in that a dozen chickens and a pig lived with him inside the house. He also liked to ride on his horse about the countryside wearing only his drawers, blowing a hunting horn and shouting, “Tally-ho!”
Those latter exploits would have been amusing if they had not been carried out by the great-grandfather of the woman Gideon had married without knowing any of the family’s history for strange behavior.
“I am so sorry, Gideon.” Lydia turned to look at him.
“Don’t be,” he dismissed. “If anything, these things vindicate my own feelings of unease and confirm your father’s opinion of a mental illness.” He shuddered. “Thank God we did not have any living children together.”
Lydia pulled his arms more tightly about her waist. “It pleases me immensely to think that even now, our child could be growing inside me.”
His expression softened; his eyes glowing. “That would please me immeasurably too.”
She nodded. “Then we shall continue, at every opportunity, to ensure our wish becomes a reality.”
Gideon smiled warmly. “I will enjoy every moment of that.”
“But do not think to cease our lovemaking once I am with child,” she warned. “Some of my married friends have assured me that they became insatiable during their pregnancy.”
“I have heard that too.” Gideon nodded. “You will hear no complaints from me if that should be the case with you.”
They stared at each other for several long moments, their love for each other and the future family they would create together there in the happy glow in their eyes.
Lydia was finally the one to give herself a shake. “You still have the Prince Regent’s letter to open.”
“And if he should have changed his mind about welcoming me back into Society?”
She shrugged. “Then we shall return to Cornwall and live out our days together there. I am not sure I would not prefer it, actually. Think of all that time we would have for making love together!”
Gideon never ceasedto be amazed by this warm and beautiful woman. He never, for a single moment, doubted she would stand firm and proud at his side, no matter what the future held for them. As long as they were together, it no longer mattered to him either.
“We will always make time for that, my love, no matter what is in Prinny’s letter,” he promised.
But they need not have worried. Prinny’s letter did indeed enfold Gideon back into London and Society, as well as expressing regret that Gideon should ever have felt he was not welcome there. The Regent also demanded Gideon visit him the following day.
“When I see him, I intend to ask Prinny if he will give permission for and attend our wedding,” Gideon told Lydia. “Are you agreeable to that?” He did not wish to do anything in future without Lydia’s full agreement.
“Wholeheartedly!” Lydia threw her arms about him and kissed him.
Gideon placed the letter down on the desk and gave himself over to the kisses and love of the miraculous woman he held in his arms and would forever keep in his heart.
They weremarried three weeks later, in the presence of the Prince Regent and those members of Society currently present in London.
Within ten years, Lydia had given birth to their five children. Three boys, and then twin girls.
Over the years, they became fashionable patrons in Society, with the ton vying for invitations to their entertainments.
Gideon was no longer known for being the scarred Duke of Esher, but became the broodingly handsome and devoted husband of his duchess, Lydia.
Lydia, for her part, never lost an opportunity to show her love for and pride in the man who made no secret of how much he loved and worshipped her.
Their love for each other only grew stronger and deeper as each year passed.