Chapter 42

The conservatory wasn’t as comforting as Hannah hoped it would be. She knew the reason. Miss Barnes was gone, and everything, even the exotic plants, seemed colourless. The sadness everyone was feeling was amplified within Hannah because she was already nursing a broken heart. She couldn’t seem to forget about William, but she knew that time would eventually heal all wounds. She hoped.

Coming from the staircase, she noticed her nephew shrugging on a coat while his valet carried a small bag.

“Going somewhere?” she asked him.

“Oh, Aunt,” he said distractedly. “I’m going to see Rebecca.”

“Why? Are you going to ask her to come back?” she asked hopefully.

Having Miss Barnes around would go a long way to helping her overcome her heartache. A person couldn’t help feeling good around someone so cheerful. Also, her family needed her. While Juliana and Tommy had not deteriorated to their former state, anyone could see that something was missing from their lives.

Henry had become relentless in his need to find Miss Barnes’ accusers. He spent every waking moment trying to find who wanted to ruin her reputation. She believed it was his way of dealing with her absence. Hannah had noticed a bond between her nephew and the nursemaid and had wondered about it.

She never caught them doing anything inappropriate, but one couldn’t deny that feelings were involved. However, it likely would never work between them unless they were willing to brave all the challenges that came with it.

“I am going to ask her to come back, but not as you probably think,” Henry revealed. “I might as well tell you I’m in love with her. I will confess to her and convince her to return and become my wife. She only left because Lady Ruth and Mr Bartlett fabricated the witchcraft rumours, and I was a fool to let her go. I hope to remedy that.”

Hannah wasn’t too surprised, whether about what Lady Ruth did or his feelings for Miss Barnes. However, she was concerned. She was worried about what people would say about a commoner and duke being together. She was taught that like married like, and Henry also happened to be the only son and heir. But Hannah wanted her nephew to be happy, so she was willing to stand by him against the world.

“Go, bring her back,” she told him, briefly holding his forearm. “I’m looking forward to her being my niece-in-law.”

“So, you approve?” Henry asked.

“Of course,” she replied. “I am very fond of Miss Barnes and believe she is perfect for you. I suppose I should call her Rebecca now.”

Henry grinned and kissed her cheek before leaving. Hannah went to the parlour, barely settling in a chair before she was informed that William had arrived. Happiness brought a sincere smile to her face, but she quickly remembered that she had no business seeing him. Still, knowing he was only a few feet away did things to her heart.

“Mr Cruikshanks?” she repeated, heart in her throat.

“Yes, My Lady,” the butler confirmed. “Shall I send him in?”

She didn’t know. He had to feel some type of way for rejecting him, and she had seen him with that woman in December. She had no reason to see him, yet her curiosity and heart got the best of her.

“Yes, send him in,” she said.

When the butler left, she straightened her dress, wishing she was near a mirror. She couldn’t recall if she looked presentable enough to see him. She would hate to have hair out of place or wear an unflattering dress. She hadn’t put much effort into her appearance in some time, and now she had no clue if she had let herself go.

“Hannah,” said William, walking into the room.

She shot to her feet, her belly fluttering as she saw him. “William. Please, come in. Take a seat.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

To her surprise, he sat next to her on the settee. She scooted away, surprised he would take such liberties when they were no longer together.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.

“I know the truth,” he said, moving closer. She shifted again. “I know that Lady Ruth threatened you, making you end our courtship. You were also afraid I would reject you as that idiot did many years ago, but don’t you know I’m different? I could never be like him.”

Hannah was gobsmacked. She wasn’t sure what to expect from him, but this certainly wasn’t it.

“But how do you know?” she asked.

“Miss Barnes sent me a letter several weeks ago,” William explained. “But I was a fool because I didn’t read it until today. I’ve been trying to forget about you and didn’t want anything to remind me of you. However, I couldn’t help myself and opened the letter. I’m glad I did instead of throwing it away. You’re such a silly fool to believe I would leave you just because someone said so, my love.”

Hannah’s eyes quickly filled with tears as she looked away, her lower lip trembling. She was overwhelmed. William still wanted her! He wouldn’t have rejected her, but she had been too afraid to take that chance.

“You must be angry,” she said, still averting her eyes.

She gave a little yelp when he took her hand, holding it firmly in his. “I’m not angry, my love,” he said. “I was heartbroken because you ended our courtship and refused to see me. However, that is all in the past. I just want you.”

Her eyes bulged as he moved off the settee and got down on one knee. “William, what are you doing?” she asked.

“Hannah Andrews, would you marry me?” he asked. “I want to put everything behind us and start afresh. Say you’ll be mine.”

Tears ran down Hannah’s cheeks. This was all she had ever wanted, and it just seemed too good to be true. However, he was right here before her, so it couldn’t be a dream. This was truly happening.

“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said. “I would love to marry you, my love.”

After years of being alone, she finally had her very own happily ever after, and she had Rebecca to thank. Hannah quickly offered a prayer to the heavens, begging for the young woman’s happiness. Someone that wonderful deserved all the joy in the world.

***

It took too long to reach Rebecca’s home, but once he did, his nerves set in. Alighting from the carriage, he noticed two women in the front garden who looked much like Rebecca. They had to be her mother and grandmother.

“Excuse me?” he called, approaching them.

They both looked up and straightened, observing him. “Yes?” the younger woman asked.

“Good day,” he said, bowing slightly out of respect, although he didn’t have to.

“Good day,” the older woman replied. “How can we help you?”

“I’m Henry, here to see Rebecca,” he said. “Is she by any chance at home?”

“What do you want with my daughter, Henry?” Rebecca’s mother asked. “And how do you know her?”

“My sister hired her recently,” Henry explained. “She spent about three months with us. I would just like to speak to her. It’s very important.”

The women looked at each other and smiled before the grandmother spoke. “Rebecca is visiting sick people at the moment,” she said. “In the meantime, we would like to get to know you. You must be the man.”

Henry raised his eyebrows. “The man?”

The grandmother removed her gloves and wiped her hands on her soil-stained apron. “The one she loves,” she revealed. “She has been lovesick, and you appear to have the same look. She stayed at your house for three months, and now you’re here to talk to her. You appear desperate, so I assume you love my granddaughter. Am I correct?”

Henry nodded his head, briefly at a loss for words. “She loves me?” he asked. “She really loves me?”

The women laughed. “Do you not love her just as much?” the mother asked. “You’re here, after all.”

“You have both been so silly,” the grandmother said, shaking her head. “You both love each other but do not know that. Perhaps these weeks apart have taught you something.”

“I know I cannot live without your daughter, ma’am,” he replied. “I would like to court your daughter with your approval. I wish to do everything properly.”

Rebecca’s mother tilted her head. “Are you not the duke?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “The Duke of Dorset.”

“Hmm,” she said. “What about your differing social statuses? We’re commoners, and you’re a duke. That is one mighty jump.”

“To be perfectly sincere, I do not care what others think,” he replied. I will do my best to protect her, but no one will affect my decision. Besides, no one can take my title away, and my first son will still be the heir to the dukedom—that doesn’t change. I just want her love and your blessing. My family already loves her, so there will be no resistance from them.”

The grandmother and mother hugged each other’s waists and smiled at him. “We’re good judges of character, Your Grace,” said Rebecca’s mother. And we can see when someone is truthful. You truly love our daughter, and she loves you. We would be foolish not to give our blessing. However, you will have to get through her stubbornness to convince her.”

Henry grinned despite his nerves. Now, he just had to wait for Rebecca to come home and convince her they were meant to be together.

***

Rebecca should have just accepted the carriage ride because she was now dragging her feet home. She was mentally, physically, and spiritually tired, and she just wanted it all to stop. She missed the Andrews family and wanted to see Henry again, but that wasn’t possible. She left Dorchester Place to keep trouble at bay, so returning would only make their lives difficult. She had made the right decision, but it was tearing her up inside.

Despite being tired, she had taken the long way home, so she was exhausted when she returned to the house. She didn’t see her mother or grandmother in the front garden where they usually spent their afternoon. Frowning, she stepped into their humble home, peeking into the parlour. What she saw almost made her take a misstep.

“Your Grace?” she said in disbelief.

He turned to her, shooting to his feet. “Rebecca!” he cried.

He strode towards her, then hesitated a few feet away. He had just called her by her name. That was the second time. The first had been after he kissed her.

“What are you doing here, Your Grace?” she asked.

Although she was happy to see him, she remembered what Lady Ruth had said about being around him. If Lady Ruth happened to hear about him coming to see her, the young woman might cause trouble for them.

“Rebecca!” her mother scolded behind her. “Is that how you talk to a visitor?”

She jumped, turning around to see her mother and grandmother frowning at her. “I’m just surprised,” she said. “I didn’t expect him to be here.”

“Well, mind your manners,” her grandmother said. “His Grace has come all the way here to see you. The least you can do is sit down and listen. Your mother and I will be in the kitchen.”

They were leaving her alone with him! Rebecca didn’t think that was a good idea. “I do not need to speak with His Grace,” she insisted.

“Oh, yes, you do,” her mother said, raising her eyebrows in warning. “Just give him a few minutes.”

Rebecca sighed. She couldn’t deny her mother whenever she made that facial expression.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll talk to him.”

Her mother and grandmother grinned and shooed her into the room. Rebecca hated to think what Alice would say. She didn’t like Henry. Since she hadn’t come to see her, she assumed her friend was sleeping or visiting one of their neighbours.

Feeling very unprepared to speak to the man she loved, Rebecca sat as far away from him as possible, only for him to change seats. He sat in the armchair beside her, his eyes trained on her.

“You lied to me,” he accused.

Rebecca pulled her head back. “I beg your pardon?”

“You said you were going to marry a suitor,” he said. “I had a long conversation with your mother and grandmother. They informed me that you rejected everyone who asked for your hand.”

She shrugged sheepishly. “That is not any of your concern, Your Grace.”

“Call me Henry,” he said, leaning towards her.

She leaned back. “No, thank you,” she said, alarmed by his strange behaviour. “Why are you here?”

“I came to see you,” he said. “I’ll admit that you just about broke me when you said you wanted to marry someone else. You even said Lady Ruth was perfect for me, but the truth is that you’re the only woman I want.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened, her heart racing so quickly that she could barely hear herself think. He had just said she was the woman he wanted.

“But you’re supposed to marry Lady Ruth,” she pointed out. “You once courted her.”

“Lady Ruth is not the woman I love,” he said. “You are the one I want and love. Before you say anything else, I know all about Lady Ruth’s threats and am dealing with them. I do not want you to be worried about them. She and the vicar will not get away with their lies.”

Well, that was unexpected. “How did you know?”

“I’ve been working to clear your name and traced the rumour back to them,” Henry explained. “I spoke to Mr Bartlett, and he revealed everything. He’s willing to speak the truth if I ask him to.”

“Goodness,” she mumbled, hardly believing that the matter had been resolved.

“So, I do not want you to worry about it anymore,” he insisted. “Instead, I need you to concentrate on us. I wish to court you, Rebecca. Let me be with you.”

Rebecca’s breath hitched. “But you’re a duke!” she cried.

“But I love you,” he countered. “Being a duke is not going to keep me from you. Nothing anyone could say will separate me from you, and I’ll protect you from the naysayers. I just need you to give me a chance.”

Rebecca released her breath slowly, trying to calm her racing mind and heart. “You would do all that for me?”

Henry nodded. “I love you, Rebecca,” he said. “I do not wish to live without you by my side. My family adores you, and they also want you in their lives. Your mother and grandmother have already given me their blessing to court you. I just wish to know if you would accept me as I am. I know I have many flaws, but I’m a better man when I’m with you. I need you.”

Rebecca smiled, her eyes brimming with tears. She couldn’t have asked for a better love confession or a better man.

“I love you, too,” she said, taking his hand. “If you’re willing to brave the world to be together, then who am I to deny our love?” She laughed a little. “I can hardly believe that you love me, but I can see the sincerity in your eyes.”

“So, you agree to court me and eventually marry me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, smiling. “Yes,” she said. “I feel a little reckless, but I love and wish to be with you. So yes, I will court and marry you.”

Rebecca couldn’t believe she had just said that but didn’t regret it. This was the man she loved, and he loved her—that was enough to weather any storm because their happiness would eclipse every challenge thrown their way.