“Good morning, Lilian.” Harlow leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Will you join me in the parlour for a few minutes?”
She looked and judged the parlour to be only ten feet in front of her. Reaching behind her chair, she grabbed the cane her sister had given her and tested it on the floor in front of her before easing herself up. Awkwardly, she pushed one foot forward and, once stable, dragged forward the other one. The steps got easier as she moved to the doorway of the room.
Harlow stood just beyond the entry to the room, gaping and wiping rogue tears from his eyes. “I never thought I would see…how is this possible?” he asked, shock registering on his face. “Lilian…you are walking.” His voice shook with emotion. “Are you tired? Do you wish to continue?” Harlow swiped at his cheeks but was unable to stem the tears rolling unchecked down his face.
Unsure of her stamina, but determined to try, she replied, “I do.” Her movement was jerky, but with every step she accomplished, the smile on her face widened. When she reached the settee, she turned and sat down—or, more accurately, plopped down.
“Lilian…” he started to speak but stopped. Changing his mind, instead Harlow kneeled down in front of her and took her hand, looking up into her face.
She was not sure what had prompted her efforts to walk, but Lilian had not expected this. Her throat constricted with emotion as she beheld John’s tear-stained face. She at once felt elated, captivated and cherished as a myriad of implausible emotions washed over her.
“Lady Lilian DeLacey, I beg you, make me the happiest of men and say you will become my Countess. Having almost lost you, I have realized I cannot live without you. I love you.” Harlow whispered the last words to her, barely getting the last word out before she heard low murmurs coming from the doorway. Overcome, she glanced up.
Her sister, Viscount Yarstone, Lord Worsley, her parents, Clara, Winston and Chambers stood crowded in the doorway, smiles filling their faces. Cooper squeezed beneath their legs and came into the room. Lying down in front of her, he gazed up at her face.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, John Andrews, Earl of Harlow, I will marry you—on the condition that I be allowed to walk down the aisle to your arms.” She shook her curls. “Since nothing about this engagement appears to be fashionable standards, I think I should like to do it this way.”
“This is where you all are! There was no one at the door to take my coat and I thought something had happened.” The group parted, and her brother joined them.
“You have missed nothing, Jonathan, except our sister’s engagement,” Lydia said, giving him a hug.
“Your attention, please, everyone,” Father spoke up. “Lilian and Lord Harlow are now engaged, and it is permissible to allow them a few minutes alone. What do you say we all go to the dining room and break our fast together?”
“Thank you, sir. All except one, I believe. Viscount Yarstone, please stay a moment longer. I have something to ask you,” Harlow said quietly. When the others had left, he turned to Yarstone. “Max read out to me a bet in White’s—the substance of which no longer upsets me. However, I need to know the truth. Did you place it there?”
Yarstone paled. “I…I apologize. It was a foolish whim. ’Twas a ridiculous pierce of jealousy. Can you ever forgive me…?”
“Say no more. I believe I now understand. I just wanted to know. It drove me crack-brained.” He winked and patted Yarstone on the back. “To make amends, I ask that you consider allowing us to have a double wedding. What say you?”
“I say, yes indeed and well done! A double wedding it is, providing the family is in agreement,” Yarstone answered.
“I think Mama and Father will be happy with it—more than happy, in fact. They will love it!” Lilian agreed at once.
“If that is all, I shall join them for breakfast.” Bowing, Yarstone left quickly and, followed by Cooper, pulled the door closed.”
Lilian looked up into the eyes of the man in front of her. She had found her Prince Charming.
“I think I am the happiest of people and the very luckiest.”
He pulled her from the couch and held her, brushing her lips with his softly and then covering her mouth with his and hugging her to his chest.
Lilian found his kisses and caresses exciting, and melted into them, enraptured with his hunger and need of her.
“I think our lives together shall never be dull.”
Lilian looked into his eyes, her own overflowing with tears. “John, you are the prince my sister promised I would find. You are all I could have imagined—all I have ever imagined. I love you.” She pulled his lips to her own and kissed him with all the emotion she possessed. This morning she had awoken afraid of her nightmare, only to realize it was the true beginning to her life and all her wishes were about to come true.
Afterword
Please note: This book is written using historic British English spellings and grammar to better reflect the time period of the story. For example, favour is used instead of favor, parlour is used instead of parlor, marvellous instead of marvelous, colour instead of color, wheel-chair instead of wheelchair. These are correct spellings.
The Earl She Left Behind Chapter 1
Maidstone, Kent, England
October 1815
Thunder boomed above him. A second later, a sharp crack of lightning lit up the dark sky. Gripping the reins of his horse, Maxwell Wilde, Earl of Worsley, fought to stay seated as his mare reared and struggled. The lightning illuminated a woman lying in the road just ahead. Had the lightning not struck, he most certainly would not have seen her.
The scant light showed a small-framed woman curled into a fetal position,
