Page 122 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

William was an angel. He had saved her father and convinced him to move over to Wellington for the time being, while their burnt down house was being rebuilt. The cause of the fire had not still been discovered but Joane was secretly delighted the fire happened. William’s self less act of bravery saved her father’s life. The Duke had no choice but to give his blessing to their courtship. William then brought her, her father and the important part of the court at Buckingham and Chandos to Wellington. Her father was adamant at first, he refused the offer. When it became obvious there was no other choice, he agreed. Joane was delighted with the offer.

Another chance to be close to William.

Joane remembered how she saw William disappearing into the fire. The sick fear still caused her heart to bang, tears gathered in her eyes. Joane rubbed at her eyes as she heard a small knock on her door.

“Who is that?”

“It’s me.”

William.

Joane rushed to the door. She opened it and threw herself into William’s arms before he entered.

“What is it? And why are you crying?” he asked.

Joane just shook her head. William pecked her and asked her again.

“It’s nothing, William. Thank you for saving my father’s life and then bringing us here, that’s what I was thinking.”

William led her to the bed, sitting her down beside him.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he said.

“Me too,” she replied.

“Joane Hardwater, I love you as much as the air that keeps me alive. Forget about vengeance, now my hearts holds no such power, only love,” he said.

“I know now,” she replied.

Joane sat on William’s laps.

“No one has and can make me feel the way you make me feel, William. I was yours right from the first dance,” Joane said.

William looked at her. His right thumb skimmed the lower lids of her wet eyes.

“Then stop these tears, things have worked out for us,” he said.

Joane smiled and followed William’s direction as he lay her down. His hands wrapped around her stomach. Joane raised them, placing them on her bosom. She wanted them there, if only to satisfy the tingle between her legs any time she was with him. Joane held on to William, wishing his hand would never let her go.

Epilogue

The walls of the hall were covered with white roses. William looked at the big doorway as people came in. He could see some people raise their noses as they caught the sweet scent in the hall. He looked at the seats on the front row of the pew and noted the absence of his father. The man had not recovered; he still drifted in and out of consciousness. William was constantly worried about him.

His mother was dressed in a cream gown; almost half of her head was hidden behind her big, brown hat. Regina who was keeping her busy with constant discussions was dressed in purple which fit her exceptionally.

I need to remind her to wear more of purple after today.

The front seats on the other side were occupied by the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos and his two sons. Joane’s brothers were tall; their skin was dark and they were really handsome, only their blonde hair tied made them look like Hardwaters. They turned out to be far nicer than their father.

“He did that. Now you don’t need to ask us why we left,” said John, the elder one when William told him about his duel with their father.

William dusted particles off the arm of his suit even though he couldn’t see any.

I just need to look perfect today.

Today was the happiest day in his life. Today Joane would become his wife. William burst out smiling, the excitement was too much to contain. The past month had really been hectic as he contributed a lot to help Duke Nicholas construct a new building on their land in Buckingham. It was expensive. It had eaten and would eat a lot of his father’s treasury but due to his father’s lack of capacity, he was the Duke now and decided it was best. To William, no cost was too much for Joane.

There was commotion outside the hall. People coming in stopped to look down the stairway.