Page 36 of The Lady of the Lamps (Vows in Vauxhall Gardens #1)

A lthough Beatrix felt confident that their marriage could not be undone, she was still nervous as they approached her old Mayfair home.

Thomas might not be able to do anything about it, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be angry or think he could do something about it. She did not want an angry confrontation, and she did not want Spencer getting hurt.

All she wanted was to start her new life, in her new home, with none of this hanging over her.

She was excited about the future—and now she wanted to live it.

“We will fetch your belongings and leave. I promise you, I will not leave your side.”

Spencer held her hand and smiled down at her, and her heart felt like it might burst.

Oh, how she loved him. She had not said the words to him, for she was sure he did not feel the same, and she did not wish to say them and not hear them back.

It was surely less painful to know in her heart that she loved him and to keep it to herself.

And perhaps, in time, he would grow to love her just as she loved him.

“Thank you, Spencer. For everything.”

“You do not need to thank me,” he said, shaking his head. “Let us fetch your belongings, and then we can go home.”

Home . What a wonderful word it was.

Beatrix stood slightly behind Spencer as he rapped confidently on the door. It was, of course, not Thomas who answered it, but their butler Samson, whose eyes widened in surprise at seeing Beatrix. Then the mask of professionalism fell over his face once more, and he bowed.

“Is Lord Haxbury home?” Beatrix asked, feeling as though she really needed to be the one to tell him that she was now married.

“Yes, Lady Beatrix,” he said, and Beatrix was surprised to find that she already had an urge to correct him to her new name. She was very happy to be Lady Leighton. Lady Beatrix belonged in the past.

“Good,” Beatrix said, more confidently than she felt. “Can you tell him Lord Leighton and I wish to speak with him?”

The butler bowed his head. “Very good, my lady. I will just inform his lordship.”

He showed them into the library to wait.

It was very strange to be treated as a visitor in one’s own home—and yet she was a visitor now.

Although the butler did not know yet of her change in circumstances, he was obviously aware of the disharmony between Beatrix and Thomas.

How much had he raged and sworn and threatened the staff when he could not find her overnight, she wondered.

The sound of Thomas thundering down the stairs sent Beatrix’s heart racing. Spencer held her hand tightly, and she was relieved to have him with her through this ordeal.

To her surprise, Thomas blanched at the sight of Spencer beside her, and then turned his angry face towards her.

“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, his face turning red.

“Beatrix and I came here to inform you that we are now husband and wife. We have come to collect her belongings,” Spencer told him calmly.

For a moment, Beatrix thought Thomas might explode. His face turned even redder, and she could practically see the steam coming from his ears.

“Married? What nonsense. You disappear from here for a night, sending everyone into a panic, I might add, and now you return to tell me, your betrothed, that you are another man’s wife?”

Beatrix noted that he directed his ire and his questions at her, and not at Spencer.

And yet, Spencer was hellbent on answering every one of them.

“We are married, Haxbury, and there is nothing you can do about it. I appreciate this may be a disappointment, but I’m sure you will get over it. My wife and I will not trouble you for long.”

*

“My wife.” How wonderful it felt to say those words.

Lord Haxbury looked rather nervous to see him, and Spencer did not think he had to worry about the man challenging him to a duel—again—over Beatrix’s hand.

For one, it was too late. And for another, the man had not turned up to the last duel.

Spencer could see no reason why he would suddenly be brave enough to.

He was relieved that there would be no need for pistols, but he also wanted to leave as quickly as possible. He could tell Beatrix was not comfortable there, and he did not like the way Haxbury spoke to her, with such anger and hatred in his eyes.

As worried as he was about being a good husband to her, he was confident that saving her from this man had been a blessing.

“You make a fool of me,” Haxbury said, turning his glare on Spencer. “Both of you. Our engagement has been announced, and now you two are wed—and Beatrix still in mourning, too.”

“Love moves in mysterious ways,” Spencer said, a small smile playing on his face. “I am happy to meet you outside, Haxbury, if you have an issue with the situation.”

Beatrix gasped and squeezed his hand, but Spencer wasn’t worried. Beatrix did not know that Haxbury had not turned up to their duel; Spencer was confident that the man was not brave enough to face him in a fight.

As much as he loathed fighting, and guns, he would defend Beatrix and her honor until his dying breath.

Was this love?

He wanted her. And he would lay down his life for her. But he had thought he was too broken to feel love, to act upon it.

“That will not be necessary,” Haxbury said, drawing himself up to his full height. His face was red, but he avoided Spencer’s eye. “Take your belongings and leave. But do not forget that I own this house and its goods. If you try to steal from me—”

“I have no intention of stealing from you, Thomas. I simply wish to fetch what is mine and leave you to live your life.”

Beatrix scurried away, leaving Spencer alone with Haxbury. He was surprised to find his usual anxieties—well, usual since he had returned from France, anyway—did not plague him. He was Beatrix’s husband, and he would stand guard until she was ready to leave.

“Begged you to marry her, did she?” Haxbury said, pouring himself a glass of brandy, in spite of the early hour. He did not have the manners to offer any refreshment to his guest.

Spencer gritted his teeth and ignored the jibe. In spite of being a coward, the man was also a bully and clearly enjoyed pushing others to react.

“Told you how horrible I was, I’m sure.”

“I did not need her to tell me. I have witnessed enough for myself, thank you.”

Haxbury snorted. “Oh, you think you’ve won one over on me, I can tell. You’ll see, soon enough. Why, only two nights ago the little whore was in my bedchamber, insisting there was no need to wait until we were wed…”

“Enough!” Spencer roared, seeing red. He whirled around to face the shocked earl and grabbed him by the throat.

He wasn’t much bigger than him, but he was certainly stronger, and Haxbury gasped.

He tried to throw a fist towards Spencer but missed, and Spencer held his neck more tightly still.

“You will not speak ill of my wife again. In fact, I do not wish to hear that her name has crossed your lips, in any context. You have your title, your home, your place in society. Make of it what you will. But if you besmirch my wife’s name again, you will regret it. And that is a promise.”

It was at that moment that Beatrix re-entered the room, carrying a valise and with a larger case being carried by her maid beside her.

Spencer let go of Haxbury, who stumbled away from him, and straightened his waistcoat. “Do you need me to carry anything?”

Beatrix blinked and shook her head.

“Is this your lady’s maid?” he asked, nodding to the surprised-looking older woman to the left of her.

“Yes, Jemima. She’s been with me since I was a little girl…”

“Well, Jemima. If you wish to join your mistress in her new home, you are more than welcome. I will match your salary, of course.”

“So you steal my wife and my servants? Who do you think you are, Leighton?”

“I have stolen nothing. I have offered a choice, and Jemima is free to accept if she wishes.”

The wide-eyed maid bobbed a curtsy. “Thank you, milord. I would be honored to accompany Lady Beatrix.”

“Excellent. Well, we won’t trouble you any further, Haxbury. Good day.” He held out his hand for the case the maid was carrying, for it looked far too heavy for her, and his other for the valise in his wife’s hands. “Jemima, you may accompany us now, or follow on when you are ready, if you wish.”

The maid glanced at Haxbury, and then stuck her chin out a little. “I will collect my belongings and follow you. My thanks, my lord.”

*

Beatrix was sure she held her breath during the entire encounter. She had not been gone long, packing her things and explaining everything to Jemima as quickly as she could. She had hoped she might prevail on her new husband to employ her beloved maid—but in the end it had not been necessary.

He had offered without her even having to ask.

What had occurred between the two of them that had led to Spencer holding him by the throat? Beatrix had no idea, but she was sure Thomas was at fault.

She might not know Spencer very well yet, although she had shared his bed and now had his name, but she knew he was a good man. And Thomas was not.

Still, her heart fluttered nervously as the door to her childhood home closed behind her forever, and she did not feel calm until they were back in the carriage, the luggage stowed and the horses moving on towards Spencer’s home.

Her home.

Everything had changed so quickly, it was hard to know how to feel.

She was elated to have escaped Thomas. Hopeful for her future, having heard Spencer mentioning love when arguing with Thomas.

Sorrowful at everything she was leaving behind—even if she knew she was heading for a far better future.

And underneath all of those conflicting emotions, she still missed her papa dreadfully.

“Haxbury won’t bother us again,” Spencer said confidently as the coach rattled towards their Mayfair townhouse. “I am sorry he was so unpleasant—”

“He has said worse, do not trouble yourself,” Beatrix said. “Although when I entered, it seemed he had said something to offend you…”

Spencer shook his head. “I will not repeat it. He will not say it again.”

As curious as Beatrix was to know what he had said to make Spencer react so, her new husband clearly did not wish to speak of it, and she did not push him. He had done so much for her; she would trust that if he did not wish to share, it was for good reason.

As the carriage pulled up at the house, she looked up at him and felt her heart soar.

This handsome, strong, kind, supposedly broken man was her husband. And she was ready to start her new life with him.