“I love you, too,” was the last thing he remembered her saying before the world around him lost all meaning, and all there was was her.
Chapter Thirty-Six – A Dip in the Lake
Taking off her shoes and stockings, Ellie brushed her bare feet across the smooth grass, feeling its blades tickle her soles. As the autumn sun continued to burn down on her head, she pushed herself off the ground, lifted up her skirts and took a tentative step toward the shallow bank of the lake.
“Is it not cold?” Frederick asked from behind her as she dipped the tip of her left foot into the clear water. “You are not seriously planning to swim, are you?”
Laughing, Ellie turned to look at him, a smile on her face. “Not at the moment,” she said, biting her lower lip, and he smiled at her. “Please, it is truly wonderful. You should join me, my lord.”
“My lord?” he repeated, and his eyes narrowed before the corners of his lips drew up into a knowing smile. “Are you trying to bait me, my lady?”
Delighted with their friendly banter, Ellie took another step backwards, feeling the cool water swirl around her ankles, her heated skin welcoming the rare sensation. “I have to admit I am rather surprised to find you such a stick in the mud, my lord,” Ellie mocked, enjoying the amused curl that came to his lips. “I would have thought you more daring.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Frederick kicked off his boots and then proceeded to pull off his stockings, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on hers. Then he strode toward the water, and Ellie took a few steps backward as he came toward her, not slowing down as his feet slipped into the water. Within a moment, he was before her, his arms coming around her waist, pulling her closer, his lips seeking hers. “Is this daring enough for you, Elsbeth?” he asked and immediately captured her mouth, not letting her answer.
Losing herself to the moment, Ellie dropped her skirts−which were instantly claimed by the lake’s cool water as it slowly travelled upward, moulding the thin fabric to her legs. Her attention, however, was currently directed elsewhere as her heart thudded in her chest at the feeling of her husband’s hungry lips on hers. His arms pulled her tighter against him, and she buried her hands in his thick hair.
When he finally released her, she was panting for breath, her cheeks flushed.
Gazing down at her, Frederick smirked. “You seem flustered, my lady. Is something amiss?” Then his eyes shifted down, and he noticed her soaked skirts. His eyes instantly became serious. “I’m sorry, Elsbeth.” Taking her hand, he pulled her toward the shoreline. “I shouldn’t have done that. You’ll catch a cold wearing a wet dress.”
“It is just the hem,” Ellie objected, determined to hold on to the lightness that had carried them through the day. Stepping onto the dry land, she lifted up her skirts and twisted the fabric in her hands to remove as much water as possible.
“Here, let me help.” Kneeling down, Frederick took the hem of her dress from her hands. Pulling it tighter around her legs, he began to twist and squeeze the fabric, and a small puddle formed by her feet. As he looked up at her, a mischievous smile curled up his lips. “Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea at all−”
“Who said it was a bad idea?” Ellie interrupted, but he ignored her.
“−after all, the view is rather spectacular.”
Lifting her head, Ellie gazed into the distance, her eyes sweeping over the clear, blue water, almost entirely encircled by a dense tree line. Late bloomers poked their head through the tall grass here and there, their brilliant colours sparkling in the warm sun. “Yes, it is beautiful here, is it not?”
Frederick coughed, a devilish grin still on his face. “That is not the view I was referring to.” He raised his eyebrows at her, and she followed his gaze to her wet legs.
A flush shot up her cheeks, and in mock outrage, she slapped his shoulder. “You are truly a scoundrel, my lord. No gentleman ought to behave like this.”
As she lifted her hand for another slap at the back of his head, he ducked out of the way…and froze.
Seeing the shock on his face, Ellie felt her stomach twist into knots. “What's wrong?” she asked as cold fingers settled around her heart, squeezing it with an iron grip.
He did not answer her, though, but instead lifted his hand and skimmed a finger over her wet skin.
Looking down, Ellie found him staring at the small birthmark just below her left knee, the little bird spreading its wings, free of all restraints, and the breath she had been holding flew from her lungs in a burst of relief.
Dropping the hem of her skirt, Frederick rose to his feet, his dark eyes searching hers. A hint of recognition sparkled in them as he narrowed his eyes, almost squinting at her as though trying to look even closer.
He swallowed then, slowly, ever so slowly, and shook his head in disbelief. “Ellie?” he whispered, his eyes holding hers as though afraid she would disappear into thin air. “Ellie?”
A deep smile spread over her face as tears filled her eyes and a lump settled in her throat. Unable to speak, Ellie simply nodded as her tears spilled over and streamed down her face.
At her affirmation, a slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth before he crushed her to his chest. Rubbing his hands over her back, he mumbled her name into her hair again and again.
Holding on to him, Ellie revelled in the love that flowed through her; they had finally come full circle.
Deep down, she had hoped, wished, prayed that maybe one day he would recognise her, that maybe he would remember that day long ago. Still, she had never truly believed it would happen, always knowing that that day had meant more to her than it had meant to him.
Suddenly standing back, Frederick held her at an arm’s distance, his eyes gliding over her face. “I cannot believe it is you,” he whispered, awe ringing in his voice. “I can’t believe I…” Speechless, he shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
Resting her hands on his chest, Ellie looked up at him. “It has been a long time, and…,” she swallowed, “I have changed.”
He shook his head vehemently. “No, you have not. The light I saw in your eyes that day,” a devoted smile curled his lips, “it is still there. Maybe even brighter now than it was then.” Cupping her face in his hands, he drank in the very sight of her. “I cannot believe it is you, Ellie. My Ellie.” Pulling her closer, he brushed her lips with his own. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Without you, I would have been lost.” Then his mouth closed over hers, and words became obsolete.
Chapter Thirty-Seven – Gentlemen Unwelcome
“What do you mean ‘I cannot come’?” Frederick asked, his look of hurt disbelief threatening to melt her resolve. “This is my house, and you are telling me I cannot go where I please?”
“I am.” Meeting his eyes, Ellie stepped closer, her fingers skimming over his cheeks and trailing down the side of his neck until they came to rest on his shoulders.
At her touch, his eyelids had lowered, and she could tell from the relaxed expression on his face that the tea party had slipped from his mind.
As she brushed her lips over his, his arms came up and around her waist, drawing her closer. His mouth devoured hers with a passion Ellie had only just come to cherish, and a hazy fog settled over her mind, threatening to make her forget the tea party as well.
“I have to go,” she mumbled against his lips, forcing herself to draw in a deep breath and focus her thoughts on the guests due to arrive any moment and not the sensual tingles her husband’s skilled lips stirred within her own.
“No, you don’t,” he disagreed and pulled her back into his embrace.
Feeling her resolve weaken once more, Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, then pushed away his hands and took a few hasty steps back. “Yes, I do,” she insisted, hoping her voice sounded more convincing than she felt. Brushing down her dress, she pinned a few loose curls back up, fixing her husband with a determined stare, hoping he would keep his distance and allow her to regain her composure.
> “Why can’t I come?” he asked, his eyes roaming her body in a rather scandalous way that sent excited chills down Ellie’s back.
Swallowing, she did her best to ignore him; however, the amused crinkle of his lips told her that he knew very well what effect he had on her.
Walking over to the window, Ellie feigned indifference as her eyes swept over the many tables set up across the upper lawn. Large umbrellas offered shade while allowing the slightly cooling breeze to sweep gently through the gardens while refreshments waited on the terrace in the cooling shade of Elmridge’s walls.
When her nerves had calmed down, Ellie turned around to face him. “Today is for Maryann,” she reminded him. “Despite her earlier doubts, she is looking forward to this afternoon. Do not ruin it for her.”
“Are you saying my mere presence would ruin the day?” Frederick asked dumbfounded, and Ellie had to suppress a chuckle.
“In this case, yes.” Stepping closer, she placed her hands on his chest and looked up into his eyes. “No gentlemen are allowed today. Maryann needs to be at ease in order to realise that social events are not simply about finding a new husband. She is not ready for that, yet, and we think an event only for women and children will allow her to relax and enjoy herself.”
Looking slightly disgruntled, Frederick nodded. “Fine.”
“You will stay away?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Ellie pinched him through his shirt, and he flinched, staring down at her. “That was uncalled for!” he complained, rubbing a hand over his chest.
“Then be serious!”
“I am serious!”
“No, you’re not,” Ellie objected, fixing him through narrowed eyes. “You’re trying to make me feel sorry for you, so that I’ll let you attend.”
At her words, the miserable expression slid from his face, instantly replaced by a mischievous smirk. “You can’t blame a man for trying!”
Fighting down an answering smile, Ellie glared at him. “Yes, I can, and I assure you I will find an appropriate punishment if you do not behave yourself.”
“You cannot be serious?” he said, a hint of doubt in his voice as his eyes tried to see behind her calm mask.
A satisfied smile came to her lips, and she batted her eyelashes at him. “Believe me, you won’t like it!”
He drew in a sharp breath. However, before he could say another word to dissuade her, Ellie turned around and left, her teeth digging into her lower lip as she fought the grin that threatened to steal her composure.
As expected, she found Maryann and Theresa in the foyer. While her mother-in-law looked rather pleased, Maryann was fidgeting nervously from one foot to the other, her cheeks a little pale. However, when their guests began to arrive, her nerves slowly relaxed, and before long, Ellie saw an honest smile light up her face.
Coming to stand beside Ellie, Theresa reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We did well,” she whispered into her ear.
Ellie nodded. “She does look happy.”
As per their request, no gentlemen were in attendance; however, most women who were al-ready mothers had brought their children, and although Mathilda had been nowhere to be found only that morning, she soon abandoned her secret hiding spot and came forward to curiously inspect potential playmates.
Not only had most of Elmridge’s direct neighbours answered their call for a social gathering among women, but also Ellie’s friend Madeline and her cousin Rosabel had arrived. While Madeline seemed somewhat disappointed that no men were in attendance, Rosabel was delighted to be able to bring her two children.
“Your belly is growing rounder,” Ellie observed, hugging her cousin. “Are you certain it is not too exhausting for you to come today?”
“I feel perfectly fine,” Rosabel assured her, patting her son’s dark curls as he clung to her skirts. At age two, Christopher John Astor peeked at the world with curious eyes, but did not yet dare venture far from his mother. “Graham was a bit concerned as well, but you know how men are. They always worry about things they do not understand. It was the same when I was expecting Christopher.” Again, she stroked his unruly curls. “But I really wanted to come, and he trusts my judgement.”
“I am glad you are here,” Ellie beamed, enjoying the radiant smile on her cousin’s face. Hers had been a marriage of convenience as well; however, the love that Rosabel and Graham shared today was truly without compare. Well, almost. Ellie thought as Frederick’s adoring gaze appeared before her eyes.
“You seem happy,” Rosabel observed, jarring Ellie awake, and with a twinkle in her eye asked, “Has he come to appreciate you after all?”
A deep blush surged up Ellie’s cheeks, and she bit her lower lip to keep the face-splitting smile that immediately announced itself under control.
Rosabel laughed. “That is all the answer I need.” She took Ellie’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I am truly happy for you, dear Cousin.”
Before long, the mothers were seated at the many tables dotting the lawn while their children chased each other through the green maze of the garden, playing hide-and-go-seek until their growling bellies sent them to the buffet tables.
Cheerful voices filled the air, and children’s laughter echoed across the lawn while toddlers crawled around their mothers’ chairs. Maryann’s eyes glowed as she watched Mathilda walk hand in hand with Rosabel’s daughter Georgiana to the buffet, where they retrieved a piece of lemon cake for each of them and then retreated into the shade by the water fountain. “I haven’t seen her this happy in a long time,” Maryann observed with a sigh.
“She is a truly beautiful child,” Rosabel said, a winning smile on her face as she looked at Maryann, and before long, the two women were conversing easily about the one thing that brought irresistible smiles to their faces: their children.
Glimpsing Madeline, Ellie walked over to her, offering her a piece of lemon cake. “There are no gentlemen here. You might as well eat a slice without fearing for your reputation.”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “Do not remind me,” she pouted, a hint of distaste in her eyes as she watched a group of little boys tumble around on the lawn. “Who in God’s name allowed them to bring their children?”
“I did.”
As her eyes flew open, Madeline turned to her, disbelief drawing down her brows. “Why would you do such a thing? They’re so…unsanitary.” Her nose crinkled in disgust as a little boy wiped his runny nose on his sleeve before his nanny had any chance of retrieving a handkerchief.
Ellie laughed. “Feel free to leave if you’re truly appalled by the guest list,” she whispered in jest before the smirk left her face. “I for one am truly glad to see you.”
Madeline’s eyes softened, and she smiled at Ellie. “As am I. Even if I had known about the extended guest list,” her eyes darted to another rowdy band of boys and girls, “I would have come in order to see you.”
“I feel truly honoured,” Ellie said, not even the slightest hint of sarcasm in her voice. “So? Any news on the marriage front?”
Looking displeased, Madeline shrugged. “I have come to realise that men are idiots no matter what their title.”
Ellie chuckled. “Does that mean you are not set on marrying a high-ranked gentleman any longer?”
“Oh, please, dear Elsbeth,” Madeline scoffed. “If I am to put up with the vices and follies of a husband, I, at least, expect him to be of the highest possible rank. If not, what on earth is the purpose of ever binding yourself to one of their kind.” She shook her head as though the notion of love had never crossed her mind; Ellie supposed it really hadn’t. “After all, following a year of marriage, you generally find yourself stuck with one of…those as well.” Again, her nose crinkled in disgust as she pointed at young Christopher, who in that moment plucked a bogey from his nose and plopped it into his mouth, chewing happily.
A shiver went through Madeline, and determinedly, she turned her head away. “Gross!”
Suppressing yet another laugh, Ellie batted her eyelids to keep the tears from coming. “Am I to understand,” she cleared her throat, “that you are no closer to choosing a husband than you were in the spring? Your parents must be growing impatient.”
Madeline shrugged. “While they are not pleased with this delay, I assure you they would never deny me the right to choose a husband freely.”
“I am glad to hear it.” As her eyes swept over her friend’s raised chin and she noticed the determined look resting in her eyes, Ellie couldn’t help but ask, “Has it ever occurred to you that you might be happier without ever choosing a husband?”
Looking at her sideways, Madeline shrugged, and Ellie noted that her question had not taken her friend by surprise. “If it weren’t for social pressure, I most certainly would.”
Ellie sighed, hoping that one day, Madeline would meet a man who would sweep her off her feet and that her friend would not be too stubborn to admit that her heart had been stolen.
“Who is that?” Madeline asked, her voice drawing Ellie back from her inner contemplations.
“Who?” Turning her head, she glanced at the group of mothers standing in a circle by the terrace doors.
“Not them,” Madeline objected, her hand unobtrusively gesturing to the young woman, standing alone in the shade of the large oak tree. “Her.”
For a moment, Ellie was at a loss as her eyes swept over the woman’s chestnut hair and hazel eyes, a handkerchief clutched in her hands. Although she was not crying, her gaze spoke of un-bearable sadness as though the scene before her eyes only served as a reminder of what she herself had lost.
Instantly, Ellie’s eyes opened wide. “Charlotte,” she whispered, and her heart went out to the young woman.
“Who?”
“Lady Charlotte Frampton,” Ellie elaborated. “Her fiancé died in battle. We invited her in the hopes that such an event would help her move on.”
“I don’t think it is working,” Madeline observed casually. “I sincerely hope this wasn’t your only idea.”