Page 26 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“Well, he has gone to Brampton Manor to meet with my family. We eloped so there is much for them to discuss. Alexander arranged for my trousseau and garments to be delivered. They had only just arrived when I saw your carriage pull up to the courtyard.”
“I see.”
Elizabeth and her friends had refreshments and chatted until late in the evening.
* * *
Addington, Newton Abbott
Alexander gazedinto the stunned face of both his mother and aunt. He had explained it all.
“If Lord Salisbury had wed Elizabeth, her parents would have been apoplectic for I am certain they have greater ambitions for her than a penniless viscount. He is a devious one at that,” Aunt Beatrice said.
“A scandal would certainly have ensued. Although I must say a hasty wedding is a bit of a scandal, my dear boy. The fact that Lady Bonner and her family were witnesses will ensure there are whispers,” his mother said. “Nonetheless, we shall weather the storm, after all even the royal family has been touched by scandal. We will not be the first noble family to appear in the scandal sheets and we most certainly will not be the last,” His mother smiled wryly.
His mother had always been confident in expressing herself.
“Barlow and I needed to ensure the wedding did not take place. It was clear Lord Salisbury was taking advantage of her for his own selfish reasons, her inheritance,” Alexander explained.
His aunttutted.“This Lady Elizabeth did not guard her heart.”
“On balance the earl would rather that she was married than not, even if he did not approve of her husband otherwise Elizabeth would have been ‘damaged goods’. There would be little prospects of finding a husband,” his mother said.
“Pray tell, who was it that the earl wanted for Elizabeth?” Aunt Beatrice asked.
Alexander paused. “The Duke of Rochester.”
“Well, no one can say the earl is not ambitious. His ambition and quest for power are the only reasons he would seek to join his family to the duke. It would have been a bad marriage. I’m afraid the duke’s reputation precedes him,” his mother surmised.
“I was keen for you to wed Alex, but not in this fashion,” Aunt Beatrice exclaimed.
Alexander gave her a warm smile. “Do not forget that Elizabeth’s brother Barlow is a close friend. I have known Elizabeth for years and I am fond of her. She was set to be launched this season and I had intended to woo her. Salisbury robbed me of that opportunity, yet I am sure Elizabeth will fulfill her duties as my wife.”
His mother eyed him with surprise in her gleam, “You had intentions of seeking a wife this season?”
“Yes, Mother. But not any wife, I wanted Elizabeth.”
“Well, though you are enamored by this girl, you have sacrificed much. It is not just you, but also our family that will be tainted by the scandal. Nonetheless, given you are fond of Elizabeth, and she is from good stock, I will support you as best I can and I will welcome her into our family,” his mother said thoughtfully.
Alexander could not have asked for more. Yet, he had not taken his mother’s approval for granted. He was relieved and the meeting had gone much better than expected. He was not obliged to discuss the settlement with his mother for he had full control of the estate upon his father’s death. Nonetheless, he reassured her that all the proper arrangements had been made. The earl was a reasonable man and they were able to expedite the negotiations and arrive at a satisfactory outcome.
While on his journey to Newton Abbott Alexander reflected on his dream and the possible meaning. It was just by happenstance that he had come across a sign for a dog dealer and he thought it must be divine intervention. Alexander immediately decided to procure two pups for Elizabeth. The dog dealer was a quiet and deferential man. They discussed breeds and Alexander examined a few of the pups.
“I suggest the mastiff for the lady, my lord. Their courage does not exceed their temperament and generosity, and in attachment, they equal the kindest of their race. Their docility is perfect; the teasing of the smaller kinds will hardly provoke the larger animals to resent,” the dog dealer explained.
“They are fine animals,” Alexander replied as he stroked the pups.
“You need not worry about the children, my lord. Mastiffs will permit the children to play with them and suffer all their little pranks without offense.”
“These are no doubt the mastiffs that keepeth the house,” Alexander tickled one of the pups who rolled over onto his back.
“They will quietly and deliberately patrol the house at night, ensuring all the family are safe in bed. Protective they are.”
Alexander had purchased two of the mastiff pups, a pair so that they could breed in the future. He had instructed the dog breeder to have them delivered to the estate straight away with instructions to his staff regarding their care. He made it clear they were a gift for Elizabeth and he wondered how she would receive them. He thought it may only be a matter of time before Elizabeth started wandering around the estate and the mastiffs could alert her if any threat suddenly materialized. When fully grown they would be sure to intimidate.
He had yet to receive a report on Salisbury and he wondered if he was not being too impatient. He had given instructions for the report to be sent to him in Newton Abbott, but he received nothing. Perhaps, it is his dream that was causing him to lose his endurance. His man had been thorough and proficient in the past and he would come through. Patience, Alexander cautioned himself. As her husband, he was Elizabeth’s protector and he would take his responsibilities seriously.
Now that Alexander had attended to the more urgent tasks, he was restless. He must return home to be with his wife. Perhaps, now that she had time alone, she would be adjusted to being wed … to him. He had to hope. He had put it all on the line for Elizabeth and he was wondering if he would come to regret it. He thought she would make a good countess, but perhaps she was too wayward. And perhaps he was wrong.
