Page 28 of Her Honorable Viscount (Noble Pursuits #3)

CHAPTER 28

E dward had never been prouder than he was standing at the entrance of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with his wife on his arm, welcoming guests to their charity event.

She was always beautiful, but tonight, she was an absolute vision.

She wore a shimmering empire-waist pale blue silk gown adorned with delicate lace and embroidery. The short, puffed sleeves and flowing skirt, paired with elbow-length gloves and a subtle pearl necklace, exemplified her own grace and elegance.

Edward had never been a man who had looked forward to attending events such as these, let alone hosting them.

But this was different. For it was with Dot and for Dot.

He would have plenty more nights to sit and read in front of the fireplace.

Even if he was missing it by the time they had finished greeting the guests who had arrived on time.

“Lord and Lady Carroway are not in attendance,” he murmured in Dot’s ear as she looped her arm through his and they began to walk through the crowd.

“That is because I didn’t invite them,” she said with a self-satisfied smile.

“Perhaps, but I still assumed they would attend, to annoy us if for no other reason.”

“Well, let us be glad they are not here,” she said, taking a sip of the drink that was offered to her. “It will make the evening that much more enjoyable.”

“Agreed.” He lifted his glass to her. “A toast, love, to you and all that you have achieved.”

“I could never have done it without you.”

“Perhaps not, but you are the one to be celebrated. I am in awe of you.”

“Oh, Edward. I?—”

She stopped speaking when the music came to an abrupt halt.

“What in the world?” she said, stepping forward, her eyes on the musicians.

She audibly gasped at the same time Edward saw what was amiss.

For there were Lord and Lady Carroway, standing on the musician’s platform, staring out at the crowd.

And from the look on Lady Carroway’s face, this wasn’t going to be good.

Dot’s heart was in her throat as Edward pushed past her, toward the couple who were obviously seeking to ruin this night – to ruin them .

“Edward,” she called out, keeping up with his long strides, almost frightened by the look of malice on his face.

“I will not allow them to ruin this,” he said, but it was too late.

Lady Carroway was already speaking.

“Good evening, friends,” she said, holding her glass aloft. “My apologies for the interruption. I know this is rather untoward, but I have to say a few words for Lady Mandrake.”

Edward and Dot had reached the front of the dais, but other than climbing up and tackling the woman, Dot had no idea what they were supposed to do now. She sensed Edward’s panic within herself as well and knew that he must be distraught at the thought that he couldn’t do anything to stop this – to fix this.

“We are all here to support Lord and Lady Mandrake, but of course, we are here for their little charity as well. Do you all know what charity you are supporting tonight? It is to house unwed mothers and their babies. Lady Mandrake has such a kind heart that she is championing such a sin. Can you believe it?”

Murmurs started throughout the crowd, and Dot looked around, trying to read the faces of the guests. Yes, she had wanted to create more understanding, but this was not the way to do so. Not with such malicious purposes behind it.

“That is not all,” Lady Carroway continued, an evil glint to her eye. “Lady Mandrake is more than just a benefactor. She is running such an establishment, and—” she paused dramatically, “—acting as a midwife as well. I told you all before that was her profession, and no one believed me. But it is the truth. Tomorrow, I will distribute a statement from a woman she has treated. And do you know, I saw her myself, her hands dirty as she helped a servant in my very employ. I was as shocked as you are. But we can make it right. Think about where you are spending your charity money. Leave now, before it is too late.”

Dot blinked back the tears that threatened as she moved past the crowd to stand next to Lady Carroway. She couldn’t allow her the last word – even if she had no idea what to say. Anyone who had been making for the door stopped, more interested in what she had to say than they were in leaving this all behind despite whatever morals they proclaimed.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” she said, her gaze crossing the room, stopping on familiar faces. Her mother. Her sisters. Eliza. Eliza’s best friend, Siena, had even ventured here this evening despite her husband usually refusing to leave their home in Chiswick. “I appreciate your support, as do the women who will benefit.” She cleared her throat as Lady Carroway stepped back, that sadistic smile on her face as she waited to see how Dot was going to talk her way out of this one.

But she would be disappointed.

For Dot wasn’t going to deny it.

She couldn’t.

Nor did she want to.

“Lady Carroway is correct. The establishment that we are raising funds for is for unwed mothers,” she said. “I am not supporting a sin. I am supporting women who perhaps made a mistake. Or might be suffering because of mistakes made by others upon them. Either way, it does not matter. How often do we find ourselves in situations that we have accidentally fallen into? We all need rescue or even a bit of help from time to time. I know that I certainly have. That is what we are doing. Providing help to those who have none.”

She took a breath, wiping away a tear as she said the words. She would admit the first truth, but she had to protect Edward by denying the second.

“I would like to thank my husband today. He is the best man I have ever met – my apologies, Fitz, but it is true – and I appreciate his support. He has nothing to do with anything untoward regarding this venture. All he has ever done is to be there for me when I needed him. Now, as for me being a midwife, I am not?—”

She stopped when Edward stepped up beside her, blinking up at him, surprised.

“Edward,” she whispered, “what are you doing?

“I am being proud of my wife,” he murmured, before looking out over the crowd.

“Lady Mandrake has worked as a midwife, it is true,” he said, the murmurs rising around them once more. “We all have passions, do we not? For some of us gentlemen it is hunting, or cards, or fishing. For the ladies, perhaps needlework or watercolors. My wife’s passion is something much different, but a pastime that benefits so many people other than herself. She is caring, kind, and generous, and loves nothing more than to experience the miracle of birth and help others through it. I am proud of the work she does and will continue to do so.”

He placed a hand on her back. “Let tonight be a celebration of Lady Mandrake as well as the work that she continues to do. Thank you all for coming.”

At that, he joined their fingers together, lifted her hand to his lips, and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

One could have heard a pin drop around the room at his declaration. Dot stared up at him, her eyes filling with tears. She knew what it would cost him to admit such a thing to all of these people. And yet… he had no fear nor hesitancy in his eyes. He was proud, just like he proclaimed to be. It was shocking, and she was so overcome with emotion she wasn’t sure how to react.

“Edward,” she whispered. “That was… just wonderful.”

Before he could respond, a slow clap started from across the room. Her gaze lifted up, finding Fitz was the one who had started it, admiration in his eyes. Whether it was for her or for Edward, she wasn’t sure, but either way, she appreciated it more than she could put into words.

Others – first, her sisters – soon joined in, until the whole room was clapping for them. Likely only some of the applause was truly encouraging and the rest simply polite, but Dot didn’t care.

She had the support of those who mattered the most to her, and she would accept it with all of her heart.

She only hoped that Edward wouldn’t regret this; that he was saying this because he truly was fine with it and not just because he thought this was what she wanted to hear.

“Edward,” she murmured, turning toward him as the guests began to speak amongst themselves – likely about whether or not they would stay or go.

“I regret nothing,” he swore. “The only thing that really bothers me is that Lady Carraway was able to threaten something like this and get away with it.”

“People like that never come out ahead,” Dot whispered confidently. “I am certain of it.”

“Are we too late?”

All heads swiveled toward the doorway, as the room was still silent enough, the musicians having not yet begun to play.

Dot tried to stand on her toes to see what was happening. Edward, of course, had a much greater advantage with his height.

“My goodness,” he said, his eyes widening. “You will not believe this.”

“What is happening?” she said, and he led her over to the side and lifted her onto a chair.

“You have to see it to believe it.”

There, walking through the entrance, was none other than Lucy, baby in her arms. Adelaide stood to the side, smiling proudly, and Dot realized just who had orchestrated this.

“Good evening, everyone,” Lucy said, hesitation in her voice as she walked forward. “My name is Lucy, and I am here to thank you. And to thank Lord and Lady Mandrake. Because of them, women like me will have somewhere to go, someone to take care of them. I appreciate you being here and for contributing to this cause.”

Silence reigned for a moment until a voice rang out. “This is highly untoward.”

A few other voices joined in protesting, and Dot looked up at Edward desperately.

“It is,” he said, holding his hands up to try to quiet the crowd. “But Lucy is an example of one of those women who did nothing wrong and yet still found herself in this situation. She was taken advantage of by a man in power. A man who she could not deny without losing her position.”

Lucy stepped forward more confidently, as her baby slept in her arms, head curled into her shoulder.

“Lord Mandrake is correct,” she said quietly, causing everyone to quiet as they strained to hear her. “I was a maid, and my employer was the father of my baby.” She pointed across the room. “That man right there.”

The room filled with gasps as the crowd cleared to show Lord Carroway. His face filled with fury.

“How dare you?” he shouted. “That is not true at all.”

“I recognize you,” one of the ladies said, stepping forward. “You are one of Lady Carroway’s maids.”

“I was,” Lucy said with a brief glance at Dot and Edward. “I was dismissed when the baby arrived. Lady Mandrake was helping me, and Lady Carroway has been blackmailing her ever since.”

As the crowd stared at all of them, seemingly split on where they should place their judgement, Dot caught sight of the rage growing within both Lord and Lady Carroway and decided that now might be the time to intervene.

“Lucy,” she said, stepping toward the girl and wrapping an arm around her waist. “I appreciate this more than you will ever know, but I think now you best go before you or the baby become involved in any trouble.”

“I meant to help,” Lucy said, her lips beginning to tremble. Dot knew how significant it was that Lucy – the girl who hadn’t wanted even to tell Lady Carroway who the baby’s father was – had come here, and she quickly tried to cover her concerned emotions, sending a warm smile her way instead.

“You did. You ensured that Lord and Lady Carroway will not escape the consequences of this. I appreciate that more than you know.”

Edward stood behind her as they spoke, and when Lucy nodded, both he and Dot escorted Lucy and the baby out to the carriage, Adelaide following and climbing in behind them, telling Dot that she had done all she set out to do for the evening.

“Is Michael accompanying you home?” Dot asked, her question causing Adelaide’s face to fall.

“No,” she said shortly. “He is not.”

“Very well,” Dot said softly. “Goodnight, then. And thank you all.”

As they watched the carriage drive away, Dot leaned into Edward, taking comfort in his steady support.

She sighed heavily. “I wish we could leave right now, but I do not suppose we can do so, considering this is our event.”

He released a low chuckle in her ear. “Trust me, I would love nothing more than to return home with you and curl up in front of the fire. But you are right. We cannot leave now. Not only because we are the hosts, but I also would not want Lord and Lady Carroway to think they had chased us away.”

“I do not think that is going to be a problem,” Dot said as she watched two people walk through the door of Almack’s. Lord and Lady Carroway were so caught up in their bickering with one another that they no longer noticed Dot and Edward – thank goodness.

“I doubt the two of them are going to be considered prime company for quite some time,” she mused.

“Do you think we will be?” he asked, and Dot turned around so she could see his face as well as she could in this light.

“I have no idea,” she said. “Honestly, it is doubtful that we will be asked to any intimate dinner parties. Maybe balls where a great many guests are invited.” She paused, searching his face. “Does that bother you?”

“Not in the least,” he said. “Not when I know I have you with me or waiting for me at home. I know now what matters, Dot, and that is the people in my life. Those I am close to. My responsibilities in Parliament are important to me, and I will continue to fight for what I believe in, but I also now understand what brings purpose and value. That is you, our families and close friends, and children we might have one day.”

Warmth flooded her body. “I can hardly picture such a thing.”

“I can,” he said, staring down at her. “Family made with you would be my greatest dream.”

“I love you. So very much.”

“And I love you,” she said with a smile. “Shall we see if our party continued?”

“We probably should,” he said, holding an arm out to her and leading her back inside.

Strains of music greeted them. Thankfully, a good number of guests filled the dance floor, although many eyes followed their entrance.

Edward held his palm out to Dot. “My lady?”

“Thank you,” she murmured, holding his gaze as they joined the couples on the dance floor. Edward took Dot in his arms, despite the fact it wasn’t a waltz, and held her close.

“I’m sorry everything came out like this,” she said. “It was the last thing you wanted.”

“I thought it was,” he said. “But you know, as it turned out, what I thought matters really doesn’t. I’m ready for whatever comes next, Dot, as long as it is with you.”

“Well, hold on tight,” she said with a grin, “for this might be a wild ride.”