His Christmas Angel (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 8) (8 page)

“When you were out riding—did you meet up with my father?” she asked, in a small voice, and avoiding his gaze.

“We did. Lord Spaulding had a few choice words for him. I think they might have put the fear of God into him. Oh, aye, Tiny’s tongue was quite scathing. His wit was so sharp, he might have cut himself.” He smiled lovingly at her before continuing, “I don’t want you to worry about him, Ann. Put him out of your mind for the rest of today. Nothing he can do will disrupt our wedding. We shall be married, no matter what that man tries to do to the contrary.”

“I wish I could believe you.”

“The Devilles have closed ranks, Ann. Nothing can destroy this day.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You don’t know my father.”

“And you obviously don’t know my family as well as you should. My family might squabble, we might poke fun at each other from time to time…but whenever an outside force threatens one of our own. We close ranks, and there is nothing that can defeat us.” He pulled out his gold pocket watch and looked at the time. “Alas, we mustn’t tarry. We really do have to dress for the ceremony.”

“Aye,” she said, “And then, all we have to do is suffer through the next few hours whilst your family congratulates us, over and over.”

“I, uh…” He tugged at his cravat the way he did when he was nervous. “I sort of told everyone that they just had to come for the ceremony and then…well, then, I told them they could go home.”

She stared at him, with her eyes wide—while a myriad of emotions flickered through there lusciously dark depths. He tried to keep his composure. He wanted to see her face after they were married, and she realized that he had organized a wedding feast for them, and that there would be dancing, music, and so much merriment it would take her breath away.

They wouldn’t be having a wedding breakfast. Their meal would be later on in the day, and be considered more of a dinner than anything else. In his family, they had always called them wedding feasts, as they were a feast for the eyes and stomach, no matter the time of the day.

“I…I see,” she said slowly. “I suppose it is for the best, Clarence. We wanted to keep it a small and private affair, didn’t we? Yes, indeed, you certainly know best.” She feigned a smile for him, and opened her bedchamber door and quietly closed it.

He grinned from ear to ear, and walked to his own bedchamber door with a skip in his step. She was going to be so surprised—and hopefully completely delighted. Ringing for his valet, he sat on the edge of his bed, and thought about the rest of his life. He finally had everything he had ever wanted.

Ann looked at her reflection in the cheval mirror.

She wore a beautiful gown that Ginny had given her, deciding not to wear the pink concoction that Clarence’s mother had gifted to her. This dress was red and white, and with the emeralds and diamonds, she hoped she would look every bit the part of a Christmas Bride.

The under gown was made of white silk dupioni and trimmed with organza rosettes on the sleeves and neckline. The trained over gown was made of wine coloured silk dupioni and white lace, and the sleeveless coat was tied in the front with a matching satin ribbon. She felt like a bride in this dress.

Her maid had dressed her hair in a Grecian inspired coiffure and the beautiful braids and tightly twisted bun at the back were dressed with a crimson bandeaux that matched the colour of the over gown she wore. She might be a bit chilly in it once she left her warm bedchamber but it would be worth it. She had never had such an exquisite frock before.

“Oh, my lady,” Hopkins breathed. “You are quite lovely. Her Grace knows just what suits you.”

Ginny was a good friend, and Ann had always cherished her. She sighed, taking a step back away from the mirror. “Let us dazzle it up with some jewels, and then, I think it will be time for me to go down and be married.”

They had decided to hold the ceremony in the rather elegant ballroom. It wouldn’t be as nice as having it in a church, but she had to make do with the hand she had dealt herself. Clarence had suggested they be married at St. George’s Church, but her father could interrupt the ceremony there. This way there would be no way for him to interrupt it and cause a scene that would become the talk of the ton. There would be no church bells ringing, as they left the church, and oh, how she loved that blessed sound.

Hopkins had just assisted her with putting on the emerald and diamond necklace when a knock sounded at the door. Not the door that connected her bedchamber to Clarence’s, but the one that led out into the hallway.

She sighed, her stomach swarming with butterflies. “Answer it, would you, Hopkins?” she asked, sinking weakly onto the chair that went with her dressing table. Hopkins nodded primly at her, and went to open the door. If it was Clarence’s mother or grandmother come to warn her off again, she would faint.

“Oh, Ann, you look positively radiant. I don’t think I have seen such a pretty bride this year,” Ginny breathed, she turned in time to see Hopkins giving Ginny a deep curtsy.

“It is the Duchess of Kenilworth, my lady,” Hopkins said quickly. Ginny smiled at her maid, and walked past Hopkins in her breezy way. “I brought a little beautiful something for you to wear with the dress, but I see you don’t need it. I take it that is Clarence’s doing?” she asked, coming to stand behind her chair. Ginny rested her hands on Ann’s shoulders, and Ann reached up to take her one hand.

“Yes, it is, Ginny. Your brother is such a considerate man. He gave me a parure. I was going to wear the tiara, but I think I shall just keep it simple with the necklace and bracelets. He thinks of everything. Thank you, for being here. You have always been a tried and true friend to me,” she said softly, her eyes growing misty with tears.

“Other than Val, you are the closest chum I have,” Ginny mused. “And now that I have my happiness, I can’t wait to see you capture yours with Clarence. I…I just wanted to make sure you won’t…you won’t break his heart,” Ginny’s voice almost broke, and Ann looked in the mirror to gaze upon the strained expression on her face. It pained Ginny to say that to Ann, but she was doing it out of sisterly devotion, and Ann could understand that.

“I wouldn’t break Clarence’s heart for anything in the world, Ginny. I don’t know if I can live up to his expectations of me, but I shall try,” Ann said softly.

“I knew you would say that. I told Gideon as much. I said that all of the worries my parents and grandmother had were completely unfounded. Grumps and Granny Ma have arrived. They look quite tired, but they are here, and they managed to drag Cyril along with them, as he is off for Christmastide. So, we are all here, including the Lovett side of the family. Clarence looked particularly ecstatic to have Cyril back—although they are always such a handful when they are together. It is double the trouble now. You will find that out soon enough. Oh, and I was supposed to tell you that the vicar has arrived. Don’t worry about Grumps and Granny Ma. Grumps’ bark is worse than his bite, and Granny Ma is a sweetheart. She shan’t give you any trouble about joining the family.”

“I confess, Ginny. I am a little overwhelmed. Clarence and I…we thought this would be a quiet affair. I thought it would be a small intimate assembly of guests.”

“Hardly possible—not with my family, anyway. Our family is quite a large one. You shan’t lack for having people to support you and Julia has brought her new husband along as well as they were in London, so I sent them an invitation, and the rest of the Lovetts have been invited as well, not to mention Mama’s side of the family, those that were in Town, anyway. Cousin Rufus shall be here. I hope you do not mind. The Devilles, Lovetts and the Pratts are all under one roof for this wedding.”

“I do not mind at all. When you say Julia, do you refer to Lady Knightwick? Isn’t she the one who married the long lost son of the Duke of Bowdon and Lydney?”

“Yes, that is her, and if you recall, she is a cousin of ours on the Lovett side, so she is still considered family. She is lovely, and you have met her. You must remember her.”

“It must have been an awfully long time ago.”

“Oh, I think so. I think you two met right after I had married Howard,” she sighed wistfully. “So much as happened since then. I have gone from heartbreak, to happiness. I fear I am so happy some days, I think I just might explode from it all. And, now, Ann, now you shall have a taste of my happiness. That’s the thing about the members of my family—we are always there for each other. Whether you like it or not.”

Ann had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that had completely crushed the butterflies flying through her gut.

“I hope you don’t mind, Ann.”

“No. As long as my father is not amongst the guests, I don’t mind at all,” she sighed. The only person she missed not having at the ceremony was her mother. “I…I suppose I will walk myself into the ballroom.”

“Oh, well, I have taken care of that as well. Do not fret. I have looked after you. I asked Papa to do the honours. He looked absolutely delighted.”

The Duke probably looked a little shocked, not delighted, but she would take Ginny’s spin on the story.

“Now, I will take my leave,” Ginny said smiling. “I shall give you time to collect your thoughts, and you can follow me in about five minutes. Chin up, Ann. All will be well after today, and I can finally call you my sister!”

Ann smiled. “I think…I think I am closer to you, Ginny, than I have ever been to any of my sisters. They probably don’t even realize I am getting married today—and if they do—I can’t imagine they would care.”

Ginny sighed. “Cast aside all thoughts of your family. They never did right by you, and while I can say I will miss seeing Lady Broadway, I won’t miss any of the other members of your family. After today, you won’t be a Hardwicke. You will be a Deville, and you shall be all the better for it. Of course, you will never have to worry about being alone again—and sometimes that can be a double edged sword,” Ginny laughed.

“I do believe you are quite right,” Ann said, standing up. “You go ahead of me, and I shall follow you. I confess I have never been so nervous in all of my life.”

“You will do fine,” Ginny said encouragingly. “Cast your doubts aside, and enjoy the day.”

She watched Ginny leave. “Hopkins, I shall need your assistance. I know…I know what I must do.” She had to act swiftly before her resolve crumbled.

*****

“My lord.”

Clarence looked over at his butler. He stood with his family chatting away while they waited for Ann to make her appearance.

“Yes?”

“I think you should come with me, sir. It concerns Lady Ann.” He turned on his heel, and left the Ballroom. Cyril gave him a look that plainly asked what the hell was going on. Clarence shrugged his shoulders, and abandoned the rest of his family to follow the butler out into the Entrance Hall. Where was Ann? Shouldn’t she be coming down the staircase to meet him by now? The vicar was going to grow restless. They couldn’t keep him here waiting all day long.

His butler, Mr. Garwood took a long shuddering breath before he started relaying to him his concerns. “She came down the staircase only a few minutes ago, draped in a beautiful white cloak. For a moment, I thought it was part of her wedding attire, and then, I watched her ask a footmen to open the front door, and she walked out. I…I…I don’t know what to say, sir,” he stammered. “I…I am sorry. I should have tried to stop her.”

Clarence’s mind raced. He couldn’t believe she had left him. He dashed out the door, and searched the Square for Ann. He found her a short distance away, walking in the direction of her father’s townhouse. Momentary panic took hold of him, and then, his resolve to protect Ann took over.

“Damnation,” he swore, picking up his pace, and running after her. Why…why would she do this to him? “Ann,” he shouted. “Ann, wait. Please, wait!” Her steps faltered, and she finally stopped. Slowly, she turned to face him. She looked as if she had been crying. He closed what little remained of the space between them, and walked right up to her. For the first time in his life, he was angry with her. “Why…whatever do you think you are doing, Ann? Why would you walk out on me? On us?”

“Because I cannot marry you and make my troubles, your troubles, Clarence. You deserve better than that. Oh, you deserve so much better. I shan’t ever be good enough for you. My father won’t stop—he won’t ever stop. He will find another way to make our lives miserable, and you shouldn’t have to contend with that. You shouldn’t have to deal with a man like my father. Hailing from the wonderful family you were born into, you aren’t accustomed to men like him. So…so the best course of action is to return to him, and do what he wants me to do, it will ensure your happiness,” her voice was shaking. Her face was red. He could tell that she was terribly upset, and she didn’t want to do what she was doing—only, he had a suspicion she was doing it out of concern for him. She still couldn’t trust him to take care of her, and that hurt him deeply. She had to learn that he was a strong man. Capable of handling anything her churl of a father decided to throw at him.

“Devil take your bloody father, Ann. I don’t care how much trouble he thinks he can cause me, I already dealt with him, and it didn’t affect me a bit. It hasn’t even given me a headache. I…I will do whatever I have to do in order to protect you. I will gladly face that challenge. You…you don’t have to worry or fear that I will somehow be hurt. I am completely committed to protecting you. I love you so much. How can you think so little of me?”

“That is the thing, Clarence. I think far too much of you to see you hounded constantly by my father. He will not go away easily. Father shall do his utmost best to see that our lives are made as miserable as can be…and what about Sir Wilfrid? I have heard dark things about him. He is not a man to be trifled with. What if he causes trouble? He shall make a stir when he discovers I have escaped his clutches, and I do not want to see his wrath focused on you,” she sighed, and looked behind him. “It looks as if your entire family has given chase, and now, they are turning around and going back toward Evesham House.”

“We Devilles tend to stick together. They probably think you have lost your mind, and quite rightly so. You have clearly taken a short trip to Bedlam, Ann. Now…now, do come back to me. Drat the lot of them. They are bloody pests. Damn your father and Sir Wilfrid. I am not afraid of either one. Please…please believe that, Ann. Pray, give me your trust—and hopefully one day…your love. Regain your senses, and return with me to Evesham House,” he said softly, “You…” he sighed. “You look beautiful. You look quite enchanting. I…I am completely robbed of breath. Come back with me, and become my wife, and let me prove to you that as long as you are with me—you will be safe.” She looked sorely tempted, and yet, he could still see hesitation shimmering in her eyes. He pulled out his handkerchief, and gently wiped away her tears. “Come on, Ann. Come and be my Christmas angel. Don’t make me beg,” he implored. He would beg. He would get down on his knee like a knight of old, and ask her to come back with him. He would do anything to have her as his wife. If only she knew the lengths he would go to, in order to have her to himself for the rest of his life.

She laughed. “You don’t have to ever beg with me, Clarence Deville. You…” she reached to take his hand. “I fear you are almost too good to be true. You are my knight in shining armour. You are a prince amongst men, and I pray I am not dreaming all of this, for it all seems almost too good to be true.”

“Cling to that belief in the comings weeks, months and years, because I assure you, Ann, I shall act like a proper pillock at some point in time, and you will have to remember what a prince I am, whenever I let you down.”

“You can’t ever let me down,” she whispered fervently.

“I can be a devil at times,” he admitted. “After all, I am a Deville—and while I do not anger easily—when my temper is riled, I am not a pretty sight. You will definitely want to clear the decks whenever I am in a foul mood. Leaving me alone when I am in high dudgeon is really the only way to deal with me. I only need a bit of quiet time and then, I am back to my old angelic self. The devil only takes over for a short time, and then the angel regains residency.”