Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (30 page)

His eyes seemed to dance with new life. "I think not, my lady. And I will do my best to see that you never have cause to regret it either."

Lucas stood up and drew Season up beside him. He didn't try to kiss her, but merely held her tightly against him. She felt a tremor shake his body, and then her own body melted against his. Somehow it felt so right to be in Lucas' arms. Season closed her eyes, wondering what the future would bring. This was the first time she did not dislike the man she was supposed to marry.

Neither of them realized the front door had opened until they heard a gasp and turned around to see Rebecca staring at them in amazement.

Lucas smiled and held his hand out to his sister. "Come and congratulate me. I believe I will be a husband before you will become a wife."

Rebecca's face lit up and she flew across the veranda. 370

VELVET CHAINS

Lucas hugged both women to him.

"When did all this happen, Lucas? I never knew that the two of you were in love. I have suspected for a long time, however, that the two of you would be perfect for each other."

Lucas laughed down into his sister's face. "I didn't think anything would ever escape your notice, minx."

"Season, I am going to love having you for a sister, and it will be a comfort to me to know you will be taking care of Lucas." Turning to her brother she said, "I am overjoyed for you, Lucas. I just know you and Season are going to be happy together."

Lucas caught Season's eye. "Yes, I believe we are perfect for each other."

Rebecca's hand flew to her mouth. "We have so many plans to make, Lucas. Season you will need a trousseau, and invitations must be sent out. I think a spring wedding would be nice. Or you could have a double wedding with me and Robert? No, of course not—that would be too soon."

Lucas laughed and placed a finger over his sister's mouth. "Slow down, minx. Since there is a war going on, Season and I want a very small wedding. In fact, if Season has no objection, I had thought we would have a very private ceremony tomorrow night."

"Surely that is too soon," Season protested. "Rebecca's wedding is in two days. Can we not wait until she and Robert are married?"

"No, I believe there is no cause to delay. You will find that once I have made up my mind about something, I usually get my way."

"He's right there, Season. My brother is a very persuasive man. You may as well give in, or he will wring an agreement out of you," Rebecca stated impishly.

Season smiled at Lucas, silently thanking him for his thoughtfulness. She knew the need for haste, and was glad that he had realized she would want a private ceremony.

As Season's father rode up the drive and dismounted, Lucas took her hand and led her toward the front of the veranda.

"I believe we should tell your father the happy news," he said, smiling. Then he leaned close to Season and whispered in her ear. "You have made me a very happy man, my lady."

22

Hearing of his daughter's impending marriage put the duke in a jovial mood. While he and Lucas went into the study to talk privately, Rebecca took Season upstairs so they could make plans.

As the two girls sat in the middle of Season's bed, Rebecca could hardly contain her joy. "Just think, we will be sisters. When Robert and I are married, we will only be living a few miles away. We can spend Christmas and Thanksgiving together. Won't that be glorious fun?"

"What is Thanksgiving?" Season asked.

"Oh, you wouldn't know about that. It is a holiday that is set aside in America for giving thanks. We spend days preparing for the feast of venison, turkey, and more food than you can imagine. Lucas once told me it was something like England's harvest festival."

Season smiled, feeling as if she would soon be a part of this wonderful new land. Suddenly her heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. "I am looking forward to spending my first holiday at Rosemont, Rebecca. I will love having you for my sister. The one thing that grieved me about returning to England was the thought of never seeing you again."

"Are you happy, Season?" Rebecca asked, giving her a searching look.

"Yes, Rebecca, I believe I am."

"Do you love my brother?"

"I will be very honest with you, Rebecca; I like and respect your brother more than any man I know. I hope one day I will grow to love him."

Rebecca looked confused for a moment. "But why are you marrying Lucas if you don't love him?"

Season knew she couldn't bring herself to tell Lucas' sister the reason for the marriage. "I will make your brother a good wife, Rebecca; you have my word on that."

"When you get to know Lucas, you can't help but love him, Season. He is truly wonderful."

Season hugged Rebecca. "I think we both agree that he is wonderful."

The rest of the day was spent in busy preparation. Molly pressed the beautiful wedding gown that Season was supposed to have worn for her marriage to the Earl of Ransford and then to Edmund Kensworthy.

That evening when Molly came into Season's bedroom, she looked at her lady and clicked her tongue. "Such goings-on. You have near been married twice before, but this time it appears to me you will go through with it."

"This time it was
my
choice, Molly."

"Well, I have to admit this one is better than the other two, even if he is a colonist."

"Molly I never knew you to be a snob," Season said, smiling. Will you be wanting to return to England with my father, or will you remain here at Rosemont with me?"

"I will be staying with you, of course, and don't try changing the subject with me. Don't think I have forgotten the night you told me about Lucas Carrington. He's the one you met at the ball and was all dreamy-eyed over."

"Yes, he is the same man."

The maid frowned. "I remember I told you that night he was probably Lucifer himself, but I have to admit he is a handsome devil—and I like him. Probably the woman ain't yet drawn breath who wouldn't like Mr. Carrington."

Season laughed at her maid's assessment. "Molly, you are incorrigible."

Molly lifted a bundle of clothing in her arms. "This is the last of the lot. All your belongings have been moved into Mr. Carrington's bedroom, except what you will need for the wedding tomorrow." She walked to the door and turned back to Season. "I almost forgot, my lady, His Grace has asked if you will join him in the garden."

When Season reached the garden, she found her father waiting for her. He took her hand and pulled her into his arms. "I am finding this a bit difficult, Season. I believe it will be very hard to leave you and go back to England alone. I never felt that I was losing you before now."

"I will miss you, Papa," she said, resting her cheek against his. "You will never lose me, Papa. You will always be my father."

"My own dear little girl. You have suffered more than most girls your age. Let us hope all your unhappiness will be left behind now."

"I am not a little girl anymore, Papa. I am a woman with a woman's responsibilities."

He held her at arm's length. "I know you will think it is a little late in the day, but I want you to be happy more than anything in this world."

"I am not unhappy."

He sighed heavily. "I believe Lucas Carrington to be a man of honor, and he will make you a good husband. But you must never forget who you are or where you come from. You are a Chatsworth, and you will honor the commitment you are about to make to Carrington."

"I will honor him as my husband, Papa."

He kissed her cheek and said in a gruff voice. "Find happiness, little girl."

They both heard someone coming down the garden path, and Season saw Lucas come into view.

"I'm sorry if I am interrupting something," Lucas apologized when he saw Season and her father.

"No, my boy, I was just having a talk with my daughter." Mason took Season's hand and gave it to Lucas. "I now turn her over to your keeping. I am sure the two of you have many things to discuss."

Lucas felt Season's hand tremble, and he waited until her father had departed before he pulled her into his arms. "Are you cold?" he asked.

"No, merely scared."

Season felt her senses reeling as he laid his cheek against hers. "Never be afraid of me, my lady. I would never harm a hair on your head."

"Lucas, it isn't too late; you can still back out. If you were wise, you would do just that."

He laughed deeply and looked down on her face which was clearly defined in the moonlight. "Be warned, Season, you cannot get rid of me by throwing yourself into the arms of my stable boy. At Rosemont he happens to be seventy-five years of age."

"You know about that?" she asked, smiling.

"Yes, your father told me."

"There will be no tricks between us, Lucas, and no lies. You are marrying me with full knowledge that I carry another man's child and knowing that I love him."

He tilted her face up to his. "I will wipe him out of your mind so thoroughly that he will be no more than a fleeting memory," he whispered.

Season closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath on her face. "Yes, Lucas, help me to forget The Raven." Her words sounded like a plea from the heart.

Lucas stared at her beautiful face and felt a jealous anger because The Raven stood, like a dark shadow, between him and Season. He bent his head and softly touched his mouth to hers.

Season knew he was going to kiss her, and she didn't pull away. She was surprised at the warmth that spread throughout her at the touch of his mouth. She felt a tingling in her body, and her lips parted as he deepened the kiss. Her head was spinning, and she was confused by the wild feelings she was experiencing. She had never expected to feel this way with anyone but The Raven. Her response to Lucas frightened more than pleased her.

Lucas broke off the kiss and smiled down at her. "I do not think it will be as hard as you suppose to wipe him out of your mind, Season."

She took a step back. "I…think I had better go inside now, Lucas," she said in a breathless voice.

He touched her face gently. "Yes, I believe that would be a good idea. I won't see you until tomorrow night. Sleep well, my lady love."

Season watched him disappear down the path, a look of confusion stamped on her face. Dear lord, she thought, how is it possible to have such deep feelings for two men? What if I am the kind of woman who reacts this way to every man she meets?

She shook her head and made her way quickly toward the house. Season didn't want to analyze her feelings too closely. She didn't want to think about tomorrow night at all.

Season wondered if every bride felt as nervous and unsure of herself as she did at the moment. As she descended the stairs and took her father's arm, she was anything but a happy bride. Solemnly he led her into the sitting room where Lucas awaited her. When the Duke of Chatsworth placed Season's hand in Lucas', he gave his daughter an encouraging smile.

The only guests present were Rebecca and Molly. Season glanced briefly at her bridegroom, and he nodded at her reassuringly.

The reverend cleared his throat and began to speak. "Dearly beloved we are gathered together here to unite this man and this woman in the bonds of holy wedlock."

Suddenly Season's nervousness disappeared, and a serene calm settled over her. It seemed so right that she should stand beside Lucas Carrington and be united with him in marriage. She listened to Lucas' clear tone when he answered the reverend's questions.

"Do you, Lucas Michael Carrington, take Season Marie Chatsworth to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Do you, Season Marie Chatsworth, take Lucas Michael Carrington to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I... do."

In a daze, Season listened to the reverend pronounce that they were man and wife. Lucas bent down and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips, and she blinked in astonishment. Was it possible to go from being single to being wedded in such a short space of time? Could two people be united for a lifetime with just a few spoken words? She stared at the diamond and emerald ring that sparkled on her finger, and she realized she was Mrs. Lucas Carrington.

Season's father hugged her, and then Rebecca kissed her on the cheek and wished her happiness. Molly looked solemn-faced and said nothing.

Afterward, the reverend took his leave, and the small wedding party went into the dining room where a lavish dinner had been laid out for them.

As Season sat beside Lucas, he took her hand and raised it to his lips. "Today is the first day of many happy days to come, Season."

She could do no more than give him a weak smile as she toyed with the food on her plate, unable to take a bite. She was thinking about the latter part of the evening when Lucas would take her to his bedroom and the two of them would be alone. She was afraid and nervous. How will I ever be a true wife to Lucas? she wondered.

When the wine was served, her father stood up and raised his glass. "I want to propose a toast to the happy couple. May your lives be filled with happiness, and may you remain forever young in each other's hearts."

Lucas laughingly rose to his feet and lifted his glass to Season. "To the only woman in the world who could make me give up single life with no regret—to the joy of my life, Mrs. Season Marie Carrington." His golden eyes sparkled as he took a sip of the wine, and Season felt the cold hand of dread move over her heart. How could she ever be the joy of Lucas' life when she carried another man's child within her body?

After dinner and the toasting, they all moved into the sitting room. There was no laughter or dancing as was the custom after a wedding, but for their entertainment Rebecca played the spinet and sang a lovely ballad.

Season was standing by the window, looking nervous and out of place when her father came to her. "I will be leaving you now, my dear. I have made arrangements to take ship early in the morning for New York, then on to England."

"Must you go so soon, Papa?"

He smiled at her. "The one thing you don't need is your father hanging about just now. I will keep in touch. Lucas has made arrangements for my letters to reach you."

Season wanted to beg her father not to leave her, but she merely nodded. "I will miss you, Papa."

"Take heart, little girl. Before too long we will be together again. Come, walk me out to the carriage and tell me goodbye with a smile."

Season stood beside her new husband and watched her father's carriage until it was out of sight, swallowed up by the night shadows. She clung to the support post of the veranda and felt tears in her eyes.

"Don't look so sad, Season. You haven't been sentenced to death, you know. Being married to me isn't all that bad, is it?"

"I'm sorry, Lucas, it's just that—"

"I know. Ours wasn't the kind of wedding a young girl dreams of, was it?"

Season glanced up and saw an almost wistful look in his golden eyes. She sensed a sadness in Lucas, and it tore at her heart. She doubted she would ever know the reason he had married her, but she didn't believe it was because of any great love he felt for her.

"Come inside, it's getting cold, and I wouldn't want you to catch a chill." He led her inside, into the now-deserted sitting room. Apparently Rebecca had gone to her room to allow the newlyweds some time alone. Lucas seated Season on the sofa and then dropped down beside her.

"I think we should talk before we go upstairs, Season." He took her hand and held it in his. "I want you to know that I told Rebecca about the baby."

Season nodded. "She had to know sooner or later. Was she horrified?"

"Yes, but not for the reason you might think. She was sad that such a thing could happen to you. She loves you, Season, and will always be your friend."

"I am fortunate to have a friend like her."

"Did you take note that there were no servants in the house today other than your Molly?"