Broken Legacy (Secret Lives Series) (30 page)

“No,” she said gently. “Give me but a moment more.”

Her eyes softened, turning to Marc Pierre. “I wish you would take Lenister’s offer and use it to go to America.”

“I told you, my dear sister. My life is here. As soon as I return to Paris, I am requesting to be reassigned to the Italian front. I do not believe Paris will be the place for me in the next few months. Changes are coming once more.”

“It is the reason…”

Marc Pierre smiled broadly at her. “Go now and do not look back. The network may be finished, but do not let it play upon your conscience. You have done…well. I will always be proud to claim you for my sister.”

“And I you as my brother,” she said, choking back tears. She refused to cry anymore. “But there is one thing more I want you to know before we depart.”

A slight breeze caught her face and a calm descended upon her. She glanced over at Lenister. Biting her lip in a nervous habit, she looked at the others who stood among them. “Edmund, this concerns you as well.”

She took a deep breath in. “I am not good at elegant speeches. So I will make it simple.” She reached in and drew out the blood-soaked paper. “My husband tells me that I can present this in England as a claim to the dukedom of Rotheward. He says I have a valid right to do so…but…”

She paused and looked around the faces she loved. “Before the
Revolution, I believed the words that all men are equal. That status and birth should not dictate one’s life. Luc and Andre felt strongly about these rights, as do you, Marc Pierre. I have not changed my belief.

“Gerard has told me it will take time for all that has happened to sink in, but this,” she squeezed tight
ly to the paper, “this needs no time to decide what needs to be done. All my life I have wanted only to belong and be loved. I wanted nothing more. Andre gave me the power to decide my fate. I don’t want wanton gain. This…this ruined many a life. I don’t want it to ruin mine.

“The paper may give to me the right to claim a title, but it is not mine. It was done out of deception and manipulation. I have no moral claim to it. Edmund has shown himself to be a man of his word, a true gentleman. He kept his word to Andre. He has only shown me love and kindness. He could have chosen to leave me to certain death as my father would have done. He did not. He has lived with this constant threat. Yet, he saw to my welfare. He gave me Gerard.”

She lost her words. She took the paper and ripped it to shreds. The winds gusted and swept the pieces into the ocean. She stood in silence, watched the waves ride in along the shore and out again.

Marc Pierre walked to her. With his hands on her shoulders, he kissed the top of her head. Then he strolled to his horse, mounted and rode away.

Lenister gestured to Edmund to leave them. He needed a moment with his wife. She hadn’t told him her intent
, although he had strongly suspected her reaction.
God, he loved this woman.

Last night, he wanted to caution her. Much had happened within the borders of France that would be known in England. The backlash of her testimony would be intense. Certain scandal. How quickly the tongues would condemn her without questioning why she would have done so! There again, many would condemn her even if her actions that saved his children and Miranda were known. Were they not his illegitimate children and former mistress? Many would feel Eloise deserved to be spurned by Society.

This beautiful woman…brave and courageous…loving and caring…who had saved hundreds of souls with her actions. She could have easily used her claim to vindicate herself. Thrown into the faces of all who shunned her that she was one of them.

But to have done so would have hurt others, others she loved. The scandal that would have ensued would have destroyed Edmund…and his family…her family. Lenister well understood that the paper would have made a claim for the title, but a long battle would have ensued where there would have been no winners.

Moreover her act…the destruction of the paper…gave to them their chance of happiness. He was tired. His one desire now was to retire back to his estate…with Eloise. He needed nothing else.

He walked behind her and wrapped his arms tight
ly around her. Turning her to face him, he leaned down and kissed her. A kiss that told her more than words would ever convey.

Breaking from her lips, he took her hand. “Let us go home, Lady Lenister.”

Laughter echoed throughout the hall. Giggles and shrieks carried into the drawing room as the little footsteps raced around the settee. Startled, Eloise’s head rose from her pillow. She smiled at the greeting before her. Two sets of small eyes gleamed at her from the arm’s rest.

“Mama Eloise,” young Louie Frances said. “We are supposed to
check on you to see if you are resting peacefully.”

“She was until she was disturbed by your entrance, young
man. Where is your nanny?” Cousin Beatrice placed her embroidery down by her side. Her gaze fell upon the small toddler. “Or your mama?”

“Cousin Beatrice, I am fine. I am sure Nana Adele and
Anne are preparing for our guests.”

“Come, Mademoiselle
Bridget, we will go and inform your mama,” Louie Frances reached over and took the girl’s tiny hand.

Giggles ensued once more. Then the two children raced out
of the room.

“Do not run!” Cousin Beatrice cried to empty air.

“Do not worry on my account,” Eloise assured the woman who sat across from her. “I should be up. Our first guests are supposed to arrive today and the house is not decorated. I told Anne I would help…”

“Now, now, Eloise, please lay back down and rest. I will
have the wrath of the earl descend upon me if you overextend yourself. I promised him I would care for you.”

“You have, dear Cousin Beatrice,” Eloise said, breathing in
deeply. “Everyone has. To the point I feel I cannot breathe. I may well suffocate under the care I have received. I assure you I feel much better than I did when I first discovered I was with child. The morning sickness has passed. I want only to enjoy my first Christmas here at Ashwin Manor. You cannot blame the children for being overly excited.”

“Yes. Yes. I suppose you are right. I will admit I
, too, am looking forward to the next couple of weeks. To have the whole of the family under one roof and enjoy the holidays. It is only with everything you have gone through…”

“I have never been happier.”

Truer words had never been spoken. The last few months, Eloise had experienced a peace she had never known. The past, while part of her, would not define her future. It was her life and her decisions to either dwell on the events on which she had no control or accept them. She chose to look toward the future with Lenister.

Much had happened since she stepped back onto English soil. The bond between her brother, Edmund, and herself had only strengthened. An invisible weight
had been lifted from his shoulders. Never would she forget his unselfish act of saving her. A pang stung her of her father’s betrayal, but she had not expected more from the man who had deserted her for seventeen years…had left her for dead…if not for Edmund and Andre.

Eloise sat up and swung her feet
onto the floor.
Where had she placed her slippers?
She glanced up at Cousin Beatrice, who sprang to her feet and retrieved them for her. Eloise studied Cousin Beatrice for a moment. The woman seemed anxious, even more so than usual. The dear woman had been quite emotional since Eloise’s return.

During the first few days at Height Point, Eloise wanted
only solitude with Lenister. She wanted to fade into oblivion, never to face the Society she was certain would shun her. But it was not to be. Before plans had been laid to leave for Ashwin Manor, a summons to London had been issued by the Prince of Wales himself.

Eloise supposed she shouldn’t have been shocked. Paris was a great concern to England. The events of the last week had played out before on the open stage that Paris had become
, where all the eyes of Europe were glued. Instincts overwhelmed her to run…to where she wasn’t certain, but Lenister would have none of the thought.

“We will face the world together,” he told her. “You and I. We have done nothing wrong. We will go and then leave directly for Ashwin Manor. A short stay in London. Moreover, it will have to be faced at some point. You will see. This will be for the best. Over and done. Then it is behind us.”

 Once more, she prepared herself for what lay ahead. Then the most amazing thing happened. Edmund insisted the couple stay at his London residence. The whole of her family, Julia, Cousin Beatrice, the children, Susanna and even Her Grace, the Dowager, stood outside awaiting their appearance—an open sign of unity, the whole of her family, which touched Eloise profoundly.

 
 Surrounded by her loved ones, she took comfort in their presence while Lenister met with the Council of Defense. The days passed slowly with Lenister spending the better part of his days relaying the events surrounding Paris and, Eloise was certain, her testimony. During their stay, Eloise found herself entertaining visitors alongside Julia and Cousin Beatrice. Quite busy, in fact.

“Curiosity! Why
, I haven’t seen Lady Pandor in ages and here she comes sauntering in this morning!” Cousin Beatrice laughed, taking tea with Eloise and Julia on the veranda.

“You have me confused, Cousin Beatrice. You act as though they are seeking me out. I thought I was to be shunned.”

“I highly doubt that will happen,” Julia said softly. “Edmund has not told you, but you have been invited to Almack’s by special request from His Royal Highness. It is said that Lady Sefton is sending the invite herself. You, my dear, are about to be thrust upon Society, whether you want to be or not.”

Eloise would have liked to deny the thought of being shunned by Society meant nothing to her, but that was not the truth. The thought hurt beyond measure…that being associated with her would be an embarrassment to her family…to Lenister. But she needed not to have worried.

Eloise tried to conceal her nervousness when the night was upon them. She did not doubt that all eyes were upon her, but the night was one never to forget. A night of enchantment. She danced, she laughed…she cried. Never had she felt more beautiful. Never had Lenister looked more handsome.

With the deed, Eloise was assured Society would not spurn her. Jemma told her that whispers ran rampant that she was indeed the White Rose. The anonymity whispered but not confirmed, Eloise was certain, had been well placed. The eyes of the
ton
had been confronted and survived. But she could not deny that relief flooded her when at last Lenister announced it was time to go home, their home—Ashforth Manor.

The arrival of the new Lady Lenister was met with joy and fanfare in Aston, the village outside Ash
forth Manor. The whole of the small community seemed to have anticipated her arrival and greeted her with the respect deemed the wife of the Earl of Lenister. Every residence and business along the street was decorated with bows and ribbons. From the open carriage, Eloise watched the inhabitants come out of their establishments, waving handkerchiefs towards her. She could not help but smile broadly at the warmth of the greeting that continued to Ashforth Manor, with all the servants lined up to greet them outside the house that would soon become her home.

Ash
forth Manor…home. Simply saying the word gave her comfort. It was all Lenister had told her and more. Her first glimpse came in the mild summer’s evening, riding in an open carriage. The long road leading up to her new home was aligned with grand old oak trees with their wide-spread branches that opened up to the view of the most beautiful of estates to her eyes.

The gray
-stoned house prodded the main portion up from two wings, which seemed to have been added on over the years. Ivy-covered walls sheltered the occupants of this home for hundreds of years. Moreover, the whole of the household lined outside the entrance to give the greeting befitting their new mistress.

A festive, cheerful welcome ensued
, followed by being formally introduced to Anne and little Bridget, the most delightful tot who looked adorable curtsying as she had been instructed but could not help but hug her new
aunt
. To Eloise’s relief, Anne was most gracious.

The truth be told, Eloise had been quite nervous about the meeting
, as Anne had long been the mistress of the house. If Anne was bothered by Eloise’s presence, she was too much of a lady to demonstrate any discomfort. Tall and slim, Anne seemed an intelligent sort, though shy and introverted, a woman who understood that with all things, change was inevitable, seemingly accepting the situation and most grateful to be allowed to continue her residence within the home.

Lenister wasted little time in escorting
Eloise around the estate. The immaculate gardens were spectacular in appearance, with a large lake edging the forest—the world’s best fishing lake. The house itself was equally as magnificent, most elegant, but it was her room she was most impressed. The room seemed to have been designed with her in mind. A deep rose colored the walls lined with landscape paintings. Fragrant white roses sat upon a table…without doubt her husband’s doing.