Page 56 of A Duke to Save Her

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Alice and her husband insisted on Jackson and Delphine spending the night. It was too late to return to the Baron of Loxbury’s house that night, and the offering of bed and board was welcome. The farmhouse was large, and it turned out the couple had two children: five-year-old Annabelle and three-year-old Samuel, who had been asleep in a cot upstairs during the earlier revelations. They ate a simple supper of bread and cheese, accompanied by cider made from apples grown in the orchards. It was a convivial evening, and there was much questioning on the part of Alice as to her sister’s welfare.

“I vaguely recall the name of Crawford. the Earl of Mismarch, that’s to be his title, isn’t it?” Alice asked as she cleared away the plates.

“That’s right. A thoroughly unpleasant man. We were at school together,” Jackson replied, shaking his head at the memory.

Alice placed a large fruitcake in front of them and proceeded to cut each of them a slice.

“I don’t know what Father was thinking. Why didn’t he just allow Eloise to choose whom she would marry? That’s what the seasons are for. She’s still young. Why force her hand?” Alice wondered aloud, sitting down next to her husband, whilst the two children played on the rug in front of the hearth.

It was still light outside, the late summer sun beginning to set on the horizon and casting long shadows across the farmyard. Jackson felt at ease in Alice’s company. The two sisters had been separated for many years, but Jackson recognized so many of Eloise’s traits in her sister. Their bloodline may have been different on their mothers’ side, but they shared so much in common, nonetheless.

“I don’t know. But he flew into a rage when our ruse was discovered. I suppose I can understand why, but we both tried our best to persuade him it was no longer a game. Our feelings are real. There’s no doubting we’re in love. But Lord Crawford always gets what he wants, or so he believes. He doesn’t love your sister, he only wants to possess her.” Jackson’s frustration was palpable.

Alice shook her head and sighed.

“And the marriage is imminent?”

Jackson nodded. He did not know the precise date, but he felt certain it would be soon. Eloise had already escaped once, and Lord Crawford would surely not risk her doing so again. He wanted to be married, and he would ensure the whole ton was there to witness it.

“It can only be a matter of weeks, perhaps even days. If we hadn’t found you in time… well, I dread to think what might’ve happened,” he said.

“But what can I do? Do you think Lord Crawford would break off the engagement?” Alice asked.

Jackson pondered for a moment. He was certain his plan would work, but still, there remained doubts. If Lord Crawford was absolutely determined to marry Eloise, then even the threat of a monumental scandal may not be enough to dissuade him.

“I think he would. It’s a risk, I know, but if we confront him with the facts…” Jackson began, even as he doubted himself further.

Lord Crawford was cunning. If they simply arrived at Eloise’s father’s house and presented themselves, he was bound to manipulate them in some way and force the matter to his advantage. No, this would require a more drastic approach.

“I’m not sure about this,” James said, glancing anxiously at his wife.

“No, I owe it to Eloise. I hadn’t realized she would miss me so much. I used to feel… guilty, I suppose. My father sent me away, but I didn’t mind, not really. I know that sounds terrible, but I had a good life at Wingate Towers. Reverend Drake was always so kind, and I loved being with the other children. Then I met James and came here to Draycott. I’ve got two beautiful children and a happy life here. I wouldn’t want it to change, but I realize Eloise was left behind,” she admitted, taking her husband’s hand and smiling at him.

“I think we should object to the wedding,” Jackson proposed.

He knew it was a drastic thing to say, but he felt certain only the public humiliation of a scandal reveal would be enough to thwart Lord Crawford’s plans. Alice looked up at him and nodded.

“If that’s what it takes,” she said with a look of resolution on her face, even as her husband began to protest.

Later that night, when Jackson lay on a bed in one of the upstairs rooms trying to sleep, he thought of Eloise. He was anxious for news of her. She was a prisoner in her father’s house and a prisoner of the fate that awaited her. He wanted so desperately to rescue her, but he knew he had to bide his time and strike at the right moment. The day of the wedding was to be that moment. Alice would return, and the scandal of illegitimacy would be revealed. Lord Crawford would refuse to marry Eloise, and Jackson would take his place.

“That’s how I imagine it, at least,” he muttered to himself, rolling onto his side and pulling the blankets up over his head.

But Jackson’s resolve was strong, and nothing else mattered to him save rescuing Eloise from her fate. Alice was the key to this and having found her, Jackson was eager to unite her with her sister so that happiness could be theirs.

CHAPTER27

“Ifavour ivory for the wedding dress,” Penelope stated, as Eloise rode with the two sisters in a carriage along Bond Street.

“I agree. Anything else just looks gaudy. Do you remember Lydia Garth in that hideous peach dress last summer? It looked ghastly,” Claudia droned, and both sisters laughed.

Eloise was sitting silently between them. They were going dress shopping. But what was meant to be a happy occasion was, like all the preparations for that sorry day, tinged with bitterness and regret.

“Ivory it is, then.” Penelope glanced pointedly at Eloise as though she expected her simply to agree.

“Yes, ivory. We’ll go to Madame Jonquil’s. Her modiste is the finest in London. George only wants the best for his bride,” Claudia said.

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