The Gentleman’s Challenge Page 8

  “Where are you going?” Valeria asked.

  “I am going,” the earl said, turning in the doorway, “to give them my blessing.”

  His heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs.

  As he left, Valeria smiled. Her arms went around herself. She was so happy. Her father had accepted them, she and Ernst were welcome here, and Henry and his affianced wife could marry and take up their rightful place, here at Wilding. The next children of Wilding would speak both German and English as a matter of course, and, who knew? It might be a healing of this war that tore through Europe. It was, in any case, a start.

  “Because love alters not, where it alteration finds, nor bends with the remover to remove. It is an ever-fixed mark,” Valeria breathed. It was a quote from Shakespeare, and her favorite. In that moment, it had never seemed more true.

  Twirling once more in the center of the hall in sheer merriment, Valeria turned and skipped lightly down the stairs. To find Ernst. To walk in the gardens and sit in the parlor and talk. And plan their wedding.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  WEDDINGS

  WEDDINGS

  The rose bushes by the chapel at Wilding were decked with summer blooms, the air heavy with fragrance. Two couples stood before the altar.

  “And do you, Lord Henry Grey of Harwood, take thee, Lady Claudia von Bergmann, to be thy lawful wedded wife?”

  “I do.”

  “And thee, Lady Claudia, do you take Lord Henry Grey of Harwood, to be thy lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

  “I do.”

  The words were short, clipped, punctuated with the heavy German accent. Henry smiled at her, and winked. Claudia squeezed his hand and made a mock-scowl, then grinned.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss.”

  Standing just beside them, Valeria and Ernst watched as the two kissed, a deep kiss, tender and infused with love. They smiled.

  “Well, then.” The priest, Father Clyde, cleared his throat. “Do you, Count Ernst von Aichelburg, take thee, Lady Valeria Grey of Harwood, to be thy lawful wedded wife?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you, Lady Valeria Grey, take thee, Count Ernst von Aichelburg, to be your lawful wedded husband?”

  “I do.”

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  Valeria felt her heart soar. She could barely believe it. Was it possible that she stood here, now? She gripped Ernst's hand, as if to convince herself that he was real, that he was there. He squeezed hers.

  “You may kiss.”

  A kiss. It is such a simple word, but there were no words to describe some things. The feel, tentative and passionate at once, of Ernst's lips, moving gently over hers. The warmth of his mouth as it moved across hers, devouring and enlivening at once. Valeria felt her body melt under the touch of his mouth, and gently parted her lips to his.

  The priest cleared his throat.

  They blinked and returned to the present. Valeria felt her cheeks warm as they flushed pink. Had she really kissed him like that, in front of the whole congregation? She wanted to laugh. Her heart was soaring and her soul danced with merriment and joy.

  The ceremony ended quickly after that, and soon they were walking down the steps, laughing and smiling as their guests came forward to congratulate them.

  “Congratulations, Lady Grey!”

  “All good wishes for your union!”

  “Congratulations, my sweet Valeria,” the earl said, softly, taking her hand.

  “Thank you, Father,” Valeria smiled. She watched her father and Ernst shake hands, and felt herself glow with warmth at the look of mutual respect that crossed their faces, though they said nothing.

  Then they were walking from the chapel, to the coaches that awaited them. Henry and Claudia alighted first, her long, narrow silk dress and lace veil imported from Brussels catching the wind as she stood on the steps of the open coach.

  She looked beautiful. Smiling, she turned to Valeria and waved. Valeria lifted her hand in salute.

  And then it was her turn.

  Ernst alighted first, the afternoon sun catching the white velvet of his coat, and softening the deep brown of his hair. He reached a hand to help her, and Valeria smiled as she stepped up, unsteady, the voluminous lace skirt billowing around her ankles. The sleeves were diaphanous chiffon from France, and the bodice was stiff with lace. The design bared her pale shoulders and she looked beautiful, her pale gold hair ringleted about her shoulders like an angel.

  She glanced at Ernst, and saw the look on his face, and blushed. Such love in that glance! It was beautiful. She was looking at him with as much love, but did not know how that gaze looked, how it transformed the person who conveyed that love.

  “I love you, Ernst von Aichelburg,” she whispered to him, as they sat beside one another in the coach.

  “I love you too, Countess Valeria,” he whispered. Valeria giggled. She had almost forgotten that she had had a slight change of state.

  “I suppose I had better copy Henry.” Ernst inclined his head, to where Henry was standing to scatter the obligatory coinage to the children of the villagers and cottagers who had come to watch the procession.

  “I suppose you ought to.” Valeria grinned.

  Ernst got carefully to his feet and stood, scattering the handful of coin to the morning. The people ran for it, and the children laughed as they ran to fetch the coins.

  “I feel like the Lent Carnival,” Ernst complained, still smiling, as he sat, coins finished, and the carriage began its slow procession up the hill toward the manor house.

  Valeria giggled. “Do you really only scatter coins at Lent?”

  “Yes,” Ernst said shortly, and they laughed. “There are still things to get used to here in England. Those first twelve years were not quite enough, it seems.”

  “Well, I am sure you will become accustomed soon.” Valeria rested her head on his shoulder.

  “I am sure I shall,” Ernst agreed, “though we shall have to decide where we wish to settle.”

  “Here, at first,” Valeria said firmly. “At least until our child is born.”

  “Our child?” The expression on his face was such a mix of surprise and wonder that Valeria reached out to stroke his hair.

  “Well,” she said, smiling shyly, “we couldn't really forestall our vows without some result.”

  “Valeria!” he breathed. “Are you certain?”

  She laid her head against his shoulder and looked up at the sky. The clouds were molten silver, and it looked like rain. “It might be the privation of the voyage, I agree. But I am almost certain that I should have my courses now, and I have not.”

  “So...” Ernst asked.

  “So,” Valeria smiled, leaning in to kiss him, “there might be a small Ernst or Valeria in our lives soon.”

  “Do we have to use our names? I don't know the traditions here,” Ernst commented as the coach drew up along the road toward the Manor.

  “Probably not,” Valeria assented. “What would you like to use instead?”

  “Well,” Ernst put his head back, looking at the sky. “I have always liked the name Eliza. For my mother. Or maybe Annabel, just because it's a pretty name. Or Luke, if it's a boy.”

  “Or William?”

  “Mm. William is a nice name. Wilhelm is better.

  The sun was setting as they arrived at Wilding Manor, the red rays setting the clouds aflame.

  Their carriage drew in behind that of Henry and Claudia, and they grinned at each other as they all alighted. Ernst supported Valeria up the steps, making her smile. He had not known a minute ago that she might be with child!

  She was about to say something, but then caught the tenderness in his gaze.

  She simply smiled at him. “I love you, Ernst,” she whispered.

  “I love you, too, Valeria.”

  They kissed.

  All around them, the sky above Wilding turned to liqui
d fire as the sun set behind the hills.

  The two couples walked together into the vast manor house, content.

  EPILOGUE

  Winter came again to Wilding, and with it the snow.

  Falling from dark clouds, it covered the ground completely, softening the hard moors to a blanket of silent white.

  In her bedroom, Valeria looked drowsily through the window. The room was silent, too – she and Ernst were sitting very quietly, trying not to make a sound.

  “She's still sleeping,” Valeria whispered.

  “I know,” Ernst whispered back.

  In the cradle under the window, Eliza Alicia von Aichelburg, newest member of the Grey and von Aichelburg dynasties, stirred and opened her eyes.

  Her parents both smiled.

  She looked about uncertainly, eyes still clouded and gray.

  “How long until she can focus?” Ernst whispered to Valeria.

  “Not long now. Have patience, sweetheart – she is only three days in the world.”

  “I know.” Ernst leaned across and kissed Valeria on the forehead. “You are so brave, my dearest.”

  “Oh, Ernst!” Valeria smiled, and then lowered her voice, as Alicia stirred in her cradle. “It is natural, you know.”

  “Natural or not,” Ernst retorted, “it is still very brave of you to bring our beautiful daughter into being.”

  “Oh, Ernst,” was all Valeria could say.

  They sat together, arms wrapping each other close.

  “I wonder when Claudia will give birth?” Valeria whispered. “She is almost halfway through confinement.”

  “Soon, I am sure,” Ernst whispered.

  “Claudia so dearly wants a boy,” Valeria whispered back. “She wants an heir for Wilding.”

  “Well, if she has a boy, it might be difficult for us, and Alice here...”

  “How so?”

  “Well,” he paused, smiling gently down at her, “you know how it is for boys and girls who are raised together.”

  Valeria laughed. “Oh, my sweetheart. You are right. Though I am certain it is not so for all such arrangements.”

  “No,” Ernst whispered. “There cannot be so much good fortune in one world.”

  Valeria laughed and kissed him on the nose. “I think not. Though, I do hope she is delivered soon, and safely.”

  “Me too,” Ernst said solemnly, then smiled. “I wish them both wonderful things, though I warrant no baby on Earth is as lovely as this one, nor any wife so enduring as you, my dear.”

  “Flattery, my sweet,” Valeria said, though she could not help a grin, “will get you nowhere.”

  “Really?” Ernst asked, and tickled her ribs, easy to reach since she no longer wore a corset.

  “Yes...really...” Valeria whispered, though she was trying hard not to laugh aloud.

  “I don't believe a word of it.”

  “Good,” Valeria whispered.

  “Good?”

  “Because if I had to pretend not to yield to your flattery, and your tickling, I would go quite mad!”

  “Good,” Ernst whispered.

  He bent down to help her stand, and they embraced, standing at the foot of the cradle.

  Together, they walked to the great bed in the center of the room, the snow still falling silently from the clouds, covering the whole of their world in brightest white.

  THANK YOU

  for reading my book and

  I hope you have enjoyed this story as well.

  “Does The Earl Love Me” is a standalone novel with at least 300 pages.

  If you have enjoyed reading this book (The Gentleman’s Challenge) so far, I believe you will be interested in checking out “Does The Earl Love Me”.

  A Fugitive Earl… A Betrothed Lady… A Brutal Duel…

  Returning to England was the last thing Lord Leo Grey, Earl of Harwood would have considered a blessing. But when Lady Alicia von Aichelburg is used as a pawn to drive Leo from hiding by the Duke of Lennox, Leo and Alicia find themselves in a dangerous predicament.

  Will Love Be Used As A Pawn?

  A Fugitive Earl...

  Returning to England to look after his father’s estate was the last thing Lord Leo Grey, son of Henry Grey, Earl of Harwood would have considered a blessing. Fleeing from the Duke of Lennox after a threat to his safety, Leo finds that the only safe place for him is within the walls of Wilding Manor.

  A Betrothed Lady...

  But no secret is safe from Lady Alicia von Aichelburg, daughter of Ernst von Aichelburg. Fondly remembering their time together as children, Alicia is more then willing to keep the new Earl’s whereabouts a mystery, even if she finds herself torn between the rekindling flame and the small matter of her betrothal to another.

  A Brutal Duel...

  But when Leo’s whereabouts is discovered by the Duke of Lennox, Alicia discovers that some things are more serious than her own struggles. Kidnapped by the duke and used as a pawn to drive Leo from hiding, The Lady von Aichelburg is faced with a serious predicament.

  Can Alicia survive a life where the one she loves is on the run?

  Or will such hardships insure that she remain duty bound to follow through with her betrothal?

  I have enclosed a preview of “Does The Earl Loves Me?”.

  Check it out below…

  It is coming and will be at $0.99 (around 300 pages) for a limited time.

  COMING SOON…

  CHAPTER ONE

  FLIGHTS OF FANCY

  Five years later…

  “I cannot say yes, my dear. I am so sorry.”

  “Mother, why?” Alicia asked, hazel eyes wide.

  The candles were lit in the small parlor, the gold light shining off the soft white satin of the wallpaper.

  Lady Valeria, delicate and lovely, smiled tenderly at her daughter.

  “I cannot risk you traveling alone. You are too precious.” She kissed the top of Alicia's head, her breath warm against the curls.

  “But, Mother,” Alicia protested, “I am sure it is safe! There is peace there now – not like when you went there to save Uncle Henry.”

  Valeria closed her eyes. The innocence of youth seemed to sadden her. “My dear, Germany will never be at peace. Besides, our own roads are none too safe. Only yesterday, Lady Ashdale told me she had been detained at gunpoint on the road.” Valeria shuddered.

  “I know,” Alicia said impatiently, then stopped as she saw her mother's sad eyes. “Oh, Mummy! I am so sorry.” Impulsively, she threw her arms around her mother's neck. “I didn't mean to make you sad. I just really, really want to see Leo again! It would be so special to see him, and travel like you did, and...”

  Valeria laughed then, her delightful laugh. “I know, sweetheart!” She coughed and gently loosened the younger woman's arms from round her neck. “Don't choke me.”

  Alicia laughed, too, though she could not help feeling a stab of disappointment. All she really wanted was to go to Germany, so she could see Leo again, as soon as she could! And traveling, like her mother had in her earlier years, would be no bad thing, either. She had always wanted to see the land of her father's birth. But she would swallow her hurt. There was nothing worse than upsetting people. Lighthearted herself, she hated sadness and depression. She loved fun, and balls and parties!

  “Besides, if you went to Germany,” her mother continued, as if reading her mind, “we would not be able to have a ball here at Wilding for your birthday.”

  “I had almost forgotten about the ball!” Alicia grinned and clasped her hands together. “Thank you, Mummy,” she added, kissing her cheek.

  Valeria smiled, radiant. “I didn't forget, so I took the precaution of ordering some fabrics in from Wedgeley's in town for new gowns.”

  “You did?” Alicia asked, rapt.

  “Of course! But since I don't know the latest fashions, we shall have to go to town together, to decide on some new styles for the dresses. I ordered some green chiffon, and some sprig muslin, and—”

/>   “Oh, Mumsy.” Alicia grinned.

  They chatted for a while, and Alicia tried to forget the stabbing ache of disappointment in her heart. It would have been so nice to visit Leo!

  “And besides,” her mother continued, “if you went, and we couldn't have a ball, what about poor Roderick?”

  Alicia sighed.

  There were two reasons why she should stop these silly fancies of hers about seeing Leo early. The first, as her mother said, was the danger.

  The second was Roderick.

  Life had seen to it that Lady Alicia Grey and Lord Roderick Drosty were betrothed in the cradle. Their parents both thought it was suitable, and perhaps on paper it was.

  But I don't like Roderick!

  She laughed dryly.

  “What, dear?” her mother, still smiling, queried.

  “Nothing,” Alicia said sadly. She knew it was silly of her to feel like this. There was nothing to dislike about Roderick!

  That was, of course, the problem. Nothing to dislike, but nothing to like, either. Plain, practical and level-headed, Roderick was not exactly the subject of a girl's greatest fancies. Alicia chuckled humorlessly.

  “I know you don't know Roderick very well,” her mother ventured gently, seeming again to read her mind. “But he has some good qualities. He is good looking, trustworthy, rides well, and is of your rank!” She smiled at Alicia, chiding her gently.

  “I know,” Alicia sighed.

  As if that helped the logic at all! Roderick could have been a king, or an emperor, like Napoleon himself, and he would still be boring.

  “I will go and practice the pianoforte now, Mummy,” Alicia said quietly, standing from her place beside her mother on the chaise-lounge.

  “Very well, dear, but you are already better at the pianoforte than me!” Valeria smiled. “And you sing so well!”