Page 41 of How to Seduce a Viscount (Wed Within a Year #3)

This room had been a part of the most important events of his life.

He and his brothers had taken lessons in here on occasion growing up.

It was where Grandfather had solemnly invited each of them into his network as Horsemen when they’d come of age.

He and his brothers had joked between themselves that some grandfathers gave their grandsons watches when they entered adulthood but their grandfather had given them a calling.

Despite the joking, Luce remembered being feverishly jealous of the three brothers who’d gone before him.

How he’d coveted the day he’d been taken in and given his place alongside those brothers.

After years of trying to catch up, he was finally one of them.

This had also been the room in which Grandfather had shared the news of their titles—the latest milestone to be passed here.

‘I felt such news should be delivered in person,’ Luce gently broke in when the silence showed no sign of ending. ‘We came straight from Southend-on-Sea.’

His grandfather turned his dark gaze in Luce’s direction, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

‘It should, my boy. You were right to bring it in person. Forgive me my silence. So profound is my relief, so overwhelmed am I at your news. I had hoped, of course, but hope can be dangerous and disappointing. Especially at my age.’ He reached for a handkerchief with a hand that trembled just the slightest.

His age was showing. Some would say at last. One did not attain almost eighty-nine years of life without acquiring some wear.

Wren had been right about that. He looked tired.

There were bags at his eyes that no amount of sleep would cure and he was thin.

A tea tray had been brought but he’d only eaten a small sandwich.

‘Are you upset that I could not bring him back?’ That one failure had burdened his heart the entire trip.

Grandfather shook his head. Despite his weakness a moment ago, his voice was strong now, his mind clear.

‘No. For the network, it is unfortunate. The Horsemen need him. We can help him recall his memories, get him fully healed. All of it would be easier if he were here. His family needs him but this news will definitely suffice. It will mean everything to your parents, your brothers and sister. You were right to leave him money and to tell him we’ll send men.

We have to trust now that Stepan will come when he’s ready.

’ Grandfather reached for his hand. ‘My boy, you did it. You brought him back to us as best you could. We know he is alive and for now that is enough, more than enough.’

It was. Luce had come to accept that on the journey.

Wren had helped, though, reminding him of what truly mattered.

Happiness, contentment, were not to be taken lightly but enjoyed.

Stepan deserved that as well. ‘I didn’t do it alone,’ Luce cautiously broached the next miracle he wanted to share. ‘Wren was an enormous part of this.’

‘As she should have been.’ Grandfather was stern. ‘She was not to have told you at all. I shall have to have words with her. You were not to be worried in case it was a goose chase.’

‘No, you will not have words with her over it,’ Luce said protectively, although he doubted Wren would appreciate the defence if she was in the room.

After greeting Grandfather, Wren had insisted this interview be conducted between just the two of them and had taken herself off to refresh herself.

‘As you know, I can be quite persuasive.’

Grandfather gave him a sharp eye. ‘Exactly how persuasive, my boy? You know she is to retire, leave the game. I have it all arranged.’

Luce gathered his courage. Even at thirty-two, it was hard to stare down his grandfather. ‘Those plans have changed. We plan to marry.’

Again, the long silence. He’d managed to overwhelm his grandfather twice in the span of an hour.

Luce waited. His grandfather gave a slow smile, his eye twinkling.

‘You aren’t going to ask for her hand? You’re just going to take it?

’ His tone suggested he wasn’t entirely displeased and it suggested something else Luce wasn’t quite sure he understood yet.

‘I am not taking anything.’ Luce chuckled. ‘You know Wren. No one takes a thing from her. This was our decision. Together. We have decided to wed.’

Grandfather seemed to think it over. ‘She understands what this means? No retirement, likely ever.’

Luce nodded. ‘She never wanted that. She said you wanted to see her protected. She couldn’t bear to disagree with you after all you’ve done for her. If protection was your goal, you have succeeded in that. I will be there.’

‘So you will.’ Grandfather’s gaze was steady.

‘That pleases me greatly. More than you know. She told you how we met on Audley Street? I was in town for the first time since your grandmother had passed. I had my work as always and the war kept me busy, but my heart was empty. You boys were grown, off to school in your case and Stepan’s, off to the Continent with the other two.

My heart needed to be filled and there she was, the prettiest, most fragile-looking child I’d ever seen.

Most unique, too, after being surrounded with all the dark-haired, dark-eyed Parkhursts.

I’d never seen hair like that. She was an angel with her hand in my pocket.

The universe moved at that moment and I knew I should care for her, take her from the streets.

It was easy to see what would become of her if she stayed. ’

His grandfather leaned forward. ‘I’ve never told anyone this, not even Wren. I felt as if your grandmother was with me, her voice in my ear saying, Henry, save the child. Let her fill your heart. And so I did. The only time I’ve ever done anything so rash.’

Luce thought that was debatable but at least now he knew Wren was the only orphan he’d taken in. He needn’t worry on that account.

‘Now, she will truly be a part of our family. You are both dear to me. This fills me with wordless joy, Lucien. The circle is complete.’ Grandfather smiled contentedly.

The circle was complete. That elusive something Luce had not been able to put his finger on immediately became clear. Why, the old schemer… ‘You planned this,’ Luce posited his burgeoning hypothesis.

Grandfather gave him a sly look. ‘One cannot plan anything, really. One can only put events in motion and let nature take its course. I did not plan for her to be chased and stabbed. That note sent fear through me, to think she’d been harmed.

But I knew she was in good hands with you.

Nor did I plan for Gerlitz’s men to come after you so soon, but her injury worked against me there. Gerlitz had time to regroup.’

‘But you did plan on her telling me about Stepan, despite your words to the contrary to her and again just now to me.’ Luce caught his grandfather out.

‘I counted on you persuading her,’ Grandfather admitted.

‘Just as you counted on us falling in love? How could you have been so sure so little time would have been enough to make the connection?’ But he knew how. Wren’s words came back to him: Parkhursts fell fast and hard.

‘Count on nothing, my boy. You know that.’ Grandfather admonished.

‘Assumptions are dangerous, but I did want to give you a chance to meet when the time was right.’ It had been right.

Luce could see that now in hindsight. He was facing a matrimonial deadline and Wren had been facing the danger of being recognised.

She needed protection, more than Grandfather could offer her.

But Luce could provide it. In lieu of that, disappearance would have to do.

‘Wren suspects nothing,’ Luce said.

‘Neither did you.’

‘We worried about your approval,’ Luce scolded. That had been another burden he’d carried on the journey.

‘I always approve of love, my boy. Kieran’s wedding should have proven that.’ Grandfather rubbed his hands on his thighs. ‘Now, when’s the wedding to be and where? I’d like it to be here at the bride’s home, at Sandmore, as soon as possible—which means as soon as the family can gather.’

At the bride’s home. Wren would like to hear that. But Luce had not liked that last part about ‘as soon as possible’.

‘Why the haste? Are you ill?’

Grandfather gave him a warm smile. ‘I am not ill, my boy. I am old. All time is precious now. But don’t you worry. I only thought to suggest haste because I’ll be busy this spring planning my eighty-ninth birthday,’ he added cheekily and Luce laughed.

‘Then yes, if earlier is better for your very busy calendar, we’ll do it “as soon as possible”. Thank you.’ Luce rose. ‘If you will excuse me, I would like to go and tell Wren the news.’

‘Shall I write to the family with your news?’ Grandfather said, waving him off. ‘My afternoon is clear and I am guessing that very shortly yours won’t be.’ There was a roguish gleam in his eye. ‘I will see the two of you at dinner and we’ll celebrate.’

‘He said that? Really? We’re to be married in the bride’s home?’ Wren was teary eyed as she lay in his arms, as Luce knew she would be.

‘He did say that.’ And much more. Maybe someday, he’d tell her about Grandfather’s shenanigans.

‘He also said we should wed as soon as possible. I’ll see to it that we have a special license, but you’ll need to see to the rest. Plan whatever kind of ceremony you want, whatever decorations you want. ’

She sighed against him. ‘I wish we could have snow so we could drive off in your sleigh.’

‘We’re too close to the sea, I’m afraid. No snow for you, not this late in the season.’ He held her close with a laugh. ‘But I am glad to hear you’re readjusting your perspective on winter.’

‘I’ve adjusted my perspective on many things since I met you: marriage, love, home, family.

These are all things I never thought I could have.

But you’ve made that possible. You’re quite the most extraordinary man I’ve ever met and now you are mine for ever.

’ She looked up at him, her eyes silvery, her hair tangled from love-making.

She’d never looked more glorious to him than she did right now—a picture of love, of happiness, of for ever.

Luce would have to amend those words just ten days later as the wood doors opened at the back of the Sandmore chapel and Wren stood there for a moment framed in late winter sunlight.

She made the most spectacular winter bride in a gown of pale blue velvet that had belonged to his grandmother, her hair loose, hanging in wavy tresses down her back.

His grandfather stepped forward beside Wren and presented his arm for a slow, stately walk down the aisle, offering everyone ample time to appreciate the glory of the bride, especially Luce.

He mentally added this picture of her to his ever-growing collection of his wife. His wife! The thought, the words, would not cease to fill him with satisfaction, with contentment. It would be official shortly although he’d thought of her as his wife since the day she’d accepted his proposal.

The last days leading up to the wedding had been filled with unexpected joy, watching her with his family as they’d arrived, piece by piece.

The first to arrive had been his parents.

His mother had taken one look at Wren and swept her into her arms, declaring, ‘Another daughter to love! One can never have too many, not with these boys around.’

Caine and Mary had arrived next from Newmarket, Mary starting to show the signs of their blessed event expected this summer.

Mary had been the one who’d helped Wren decide on a wedding dress.

Guenevere, Devlin and the new baby had braved the journey, surprising Grandfather with a request to do the baby’s christening at Sandmore before they returned home.

Kieran and Celeste had the furthest to come, all the way from Wales.

They’d only arrived last night to complete the reunion although they’d all been together at Christmas not so long ago.

Celeste had hugged Wren, eyes glistening with gratitude.

‘The boys told me what you did for me. Thank you, Sister.’

Luce knew how much that one word would mean to Wren, who’d craved a family, who yearned for siblings.

She had those aplenty now in her three sisters and three brothers by marriage.

She had new cousins and aunts and uncles by marriage as well.

Luce had made her a family tree to keep it all straight as a wedding gift.

He’d left blank spaces on the tree, too, for a future that was rapidly approaching.

Looking around at the faces of his family it was hard to believe it had only been two months since they’d all been together.

So much had changed. And for the better.

He’d found Wren, and love and new hope. Stepan was alive and there was hope in that, too, that someday they’d all be together again.

But for now, for this moment, when he took Wren’s hand from Grandfather, he had more than enough in the present to be thankful for, more than any one man had a right to.

He’d not thought to find a wife let alone love in unprepossessing Little Albury.

‘What are you thinking?’ Wren whispered, eyes shining, as the vicar started the service.

Luce grinned. ‘That love found me when I least expected it and where I least expected it.’

‘On your doorstep?’ she murmured with a laugh that earned a censorious look from the vicar.

Luce exchanged a conspiratorial grin with Wren.

This was the beginning of a life that would be unconventional in all ways.

How could it be otherwise when the fourth Horseman married Falcon?

Together they were destined to fly. And if they fell, and they probably would on occasion as both of them were too stubborn to prevent it, well they’d do that together too.

They’d waited their whole lives for this.

This was their time and there wasn’t a moment to lose in claiming it.