His Blessed Epiphany (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 9) Read online

  “Don’t fret, Lady Epiphany. I will deal with this troubling piece of baggage.”

  “I wouldn’t have done what I did, had you not set forth in this house. You should have stayed right where you were, Mr. Grey, everything was going according to plan.”

  Sighing, he picked up the portmanteaus, and with the help of a footman, he guided Miss Duffy to the Library. The footman opened the doors to the Library, and grimly he walked through it.

  Colonel Blessing looked intrigued, as his eyes swept over Felix, Miss Duffy and the bags.

  “It would seem, sir that Miss Thornback here attempted to abscond with a few trinkets, some of which were extremely precious in your daughter’s eyes.” He opened the portmanteaus and showed him the contents. Slowly, Colonel Blessing’s look of intrigue faded, and quickly transformed to cold hard fury. He had seen that hardened glint in his dark blue eyes far too many times before, and it was that glint that used to put the fear of God into the enemy.

  “You shall hire some form of conveyance, Madam, and you shall depart from Gloucestershire, never to return. Is that understood?”

  “I…you…you…you cannot do that to me.”

  “I could send for the local authorities and have charges brought against you, if you would rather take that route.”

  “No…no,” she said hastily. “Curse you, Mister Grey. Curse you and all of your descendants. May they never know a happy day for as long as they live.”

  Lewis’s anger had been riled. He raised his hand, and a furious wind whipped through the room. The fire died in the hearth. The candles were snuffed out, and though the light was waning outside, it still gave enough illumination for them all to see the frightened expression gripping Miss Duffy’s features.

  “Retract those vile words, Miss Duffy. Though I do not think you possess the power to back up such a threat, I do not like hearing it. Curses like that should never be bestowed. You bless Lord Spaulding’s descendants, and wish them all the happiness in the world, or I shall show you a few more of the tricks I have up my sleeve.”

  “Witch,” Miss Duffy cried. “You are…you are a witch!”

  “Some call me by that name, but I don’t like the way it sounds coming out of your shrill little mouth.”

  Chapter Seven

  Felix hastily looked over at Colonel Blessing.

  The older man looked a little nonplussed himself, but he maintained his composure despite the fact that his eyes had widened in alarm. “Now, say you are sorry, and that you take everything you said back, and that you wish many blessings for Felix’s descendants, and say it like you really mean it, Effie Lefty.”

  “How…no one, no one ever calls me that anymore, I make myself write with my right hand…how did you know?” her eyes widened in horror. Recognition slowly dawned. “You used your…”

  Lewis merely smiled. “I took a light and shone it deep inside of you, Effie, and I am not exactly pleased with what I saw. You have been wronged in your life, and unlike some people those unfortunate events twisted you into a wicked person. Most would have been shaped for the better because of it. Instead, you lowered yourself and became as bad as the lot who terrorized you.” His words seemed to do Effie in, her lower lip wobbled and her eyes filled with tears. She looked genuinely affected. This was no dramatic display. This came from the deepest recesses of her soul.

  She sank to her knees in front of Felix. “I implore you to forgive me for what I said. I really did not mean it. I…I am…I…I have always had to suppress who I really am, and it turned me into a bitter woman. I only came here because I had nothing left in Ireland. My family can’t even stand me. I didn’t know what I was going to do…I had nowhere else to turn. I wasn’t going to keep the jewels, I only took them to get some attention. I’ll do anything as long as you let me stay here. I will…I will work as a maid. Anything…just don’t make me go back home. I am not smart enough to work as a governess, nor do I have the patience for it. I tried working as one for a few years, and the children hated me. They said I smelled slightly reminiscent of old musty old books. No one that loves me is alive anymore, and…”

  “Enough,” Lewis said. “You have said enough, Effie.”

  Felix almost pitied the woman. She sounded as if she had had a pretty harsh upbringing.

  “You have deeply wounded my daughter, Miss Duffy,” Colonel Blessing declared, his strong voice echoing off the walls of the room. “You hurt her, and I usually don’t forgive anyone who hurts her. You have finally overstepped your bounds. The way you used to squeal on her used to amuse me, since you thought you were going to bring trouble to her by doing so, and I was merely entertained by her exploits, not angered by them.”

  “Miss Duffy, you need someone like my mother to guide you. She would sort you out quickly. She has a knack with reforming people like you,” Felix said softly.

  “Your mother?” she said, her lip curling distastefully.

  “I warn you to tread carefully, Effie. Remember from now on, you must do and speak of only good things,” Lewis said. “You must not cast darkness. Only light.”

  “I…I would like that, Lord Spaulding. The good woman would probably be able to teach me some things I need to learn.”

  “You can go and live in the servants quarters until I decide what to do with you,” The Colonel ordered. His ire toward Miss Duffy still hadn’t abated. The diamonds and other jewels, she had attempted to steal glittered in the half light. “You will not have the same position in this house any longer. You will not eat with us, you shall eat with the servants. You will have to learn some humility, Euphemia. Now remove yourself from my presence, as I cannot even bear to look upon your visage. Please escort her back to the servants’ area, and see that she is given accommodations,” Colonel Blessing said tersely, addressing his butler who had followed Felix and Miss Duffy into the room.

  “Yes, my lord,” the butler said, giving Miss Duffy a distasteful glance. She would be hard pressed to find friends below stairs, just as she had alienated so many above stairs.

  “Oh, thank you, sir. I always said that a kinder soul never walked this Earth. You shall have my undying gratitude until the day I die.”

  Effie jumped to her feet, curtsied hurriedly, and dashed from the room.

  A footman walked into the room, and started to light the candles that Lewis had extinguished. Colonel Blessing locked his eyes on Felix. “What shall be your next course of action, son? Shall you remain here with us at Blessing Hall, or will you go back to Evesham Hall with your mates? My bones tell me that a storm is coming. If you are to travel, you should away shortly. By the way I feel, we are in for a bit of a storm. It seems there is more snow on the way. The roads shall be treacherous. Life here comes to a resounding halt if we get a heavy snowfall, and the temperatures feel as if they shall plummet. Ice and snow are not a good combination. We usually don’t have any snow until January, but this winter is proving to be different, but then it isn’t surprising, as the entire year has been an unpredictable one for this family.”

  The butler returned, and cleared his throat. “My lord, most of the guests have departed. Some feared the weather turning, and others, well, others…”

  “Aye, I know, Davies. No need to elaborate. Did the good Minister remain?”

  “Oh, aye, sir. The church and the vicarage are so close there wasn’t any need for him to leave. Come what may weather wise, he and his wife could still find their way home.”

  “Splendid. Could you ask him to come down and see me now, Davies?”

  “Yes, sir,” the butler left the room.

  “I didn’t think the vicar would leave us. He doesn’t want to fall out of favour with me, as I am his patron, and I had asked him to stay here until you could marry Lady Epiphany, knowing that you had pledged to arrive on Boxing Day, and you are never tardy, eh, Felix?”

  Felix stood up straighter. “I…she’s not exactly in the shape to be thinking of such things now, is she?”

  “She is on the mend,�
�� Lewis said, a wicked glint in his eyes. “I do not think it would tax her health too much to stand and be married to you, Felix, if she is willing.”

  “Oh, she is willing,” Colonel Blessing said. “I have never seen her so willing before. She would marry you, come hell or high water.”

  “She looked a little weary when we last parted.”

  “She has always bounced back fairly quickly. Fortunately, the Blessings have always been quick to heal,” her father sat down. “However, I do think I would like to change out of this attire, and put on something more suitable for such a ceremony. I shall leave you with your friends.”

  “One question, sir before you leave,” Felix said hastily, once the footman had left the room, leaving them without any outsiders listening in.

  “Go ahead, Felix.”

  “How much does she know?”

  “I do not follow, Felix.”

  “Does she know how you convinced me to marry her?”

  “She knows that I saved your life, aye, by taking a bullet that was meant for you. Does she know that I used that event to sway you into committing to her by agreeing to become her husband? No. She doesn’t know that, and I am not prepared to tell her.”

  “I would rather not marry her on those terms, sir. I feel like a liar. I feel like a louse.”

  “You are not lying to her. You are merely keeping a bit of the truth from her. You can claim innocence by saying that you thought she knew.”

  Lewis grunted, and Lucky snorted. Micah and Freddie remained quiet, even though they both looked a little uneasy. Clarence wore a look of sheer bewilderment and though his face betrayed him—it always did, he too, remained silent. Felix was on his own.

  “Somehow I shall cock it up,” Felix mused. “I am notoriously honest. It will eventually end up spilling out of my mouth, and when it does—we shall both be damned.”

  “Fanny’s anger burns hot, and dies out as quickly as it came. She has never been one to hold grudges, and she does desire this marriage. She will overlook it. Trust me, Felix. You needn’t worry. Once she is married to you no matter what comes to light, it will matter not. Pray, have faith in me.”

  “I have always placed my trust in you, sir. Even before that fateful day, I had faith in you like no other person on Earth. I…I merely do not feel comfortable going forward and marrying her under these circumstances. It doesn’t seem right. She should know what brought me back into her life.”

  “You shall have to place the burden on my shoulders. If I am correct, I am strong enough to hold it all, aren’t I, Lord Cary?”

  “You become stronger with each passing day, sir.”

  “See, there. I told you, Felix. She knows that I searched you down to bring you to marry her because…

  “Because she said I was the only man on Earth she would marry. That in itself is a heavy ideal to live up to, and well, I don’t do well under that kind of pressure.”

  “You mustn’t worry, Felix. Shall you keep my confidence?”

  “Aye,” Felix said grudgingly.

  “Capitol. Now, then. Once the vicar arrives I shall tell him that we need him to perform the ceremony, and then, then, I shall go and dress for it.”

  “Sir, I beg you to reconsider. Please allow me to go and tell Epiphany everything. I would like it all aired out between us.”

  “You will have time to confide anything you want to her, after you are married to her. I do not mind if you tell her how I persuaded you to marry her after you are her husband. That shall be your prerogative, and I shall release you from your bonds to me after you have kissed her and sealed your union. Until then, my boy, please do keep your bone box shut.”

  “That’s going to be awfully hard for Tiny,” Lucky said, finally speaking up. “Being quiet isn’t exactly his forte.”

  “I know,” Colonel Blessing said. “Shall I rephrase it, Felix? Think of it as an order for you to obey.”

  “Aye, sir,” Felix sighed heavily. He had a feeling they were both going to have the devil to pay once Epiphany got wind of how their marriage contract had been arranged. He felt like a loathsome little toad, and he could use it to slip out of the marriage bargain. Except for one thing, he wanted to stay here, and see where this road would take him. Epiphany seemed so keen on having him remain and become her husband, and he had to admit that she did need someone to keep her out mischief, and to keep those who would harm her at bay.

  “Every part of me says I shouldn’t obey your order, but that isn’t in my nature. You will have your way, sir, but I want it to go on the record that I do not like this one bit.”

  “It is noted, Felix.”

  “Well, congratulate me, mates. I am about to becoming a blushing bridegroom.”

  Chapter Eight

  Epiphany had bathed and now wore a crimson coloured frock that she fancied might attract Felix’s attention.

  Mrs. Davies had kept a watchful eye on her, while Kelly had helped her bathe and dress. She touched her hair cautiously. “I wonder if I should have you dress it differently?” she sighed, and chewed her bottom lip. She hadn’t ever been this concerned with her appearance before.

  The familiar rapping noise that her father used whenever he knocked on her bedchamber door filled the room. Mrs. Davies stood up, and walked over to the door. Opening it, she admitted her father, who looked at her with an expression that made a tingle go up and down her spine. Something was wrong. She could see that he was distressed, and attempting to cover it up. She knew he was keeping something from her, she just prayed he would tell her and ease her worries.

  “Mrs. Davies, Kelly, could you please leave us? I would like to have a word with my father—alone.”

  Kelly curtsied, and Mrs. Davies nodded her head. Together they left the room.

  “Ah, you look lovely. You remind me so much of your mother whenever you wear red. She loved that particular hue.”

  “Mama was a bold woman, and bold colours suited her.”

  “I like to think you have equal parts strength from me and from your mother. You…you are a bit more headstrong than your mother—though you did inherit her temper.”

  She laughed. “I do not think I am more stubborn than Mama. If she got something in her head nothing could deter her from doing it.”

  “That is true,” he smiled, and walked over to sit on the chaise longue that was in her chamber.

  “Papa,” she said, walking over to join him. “Why do I feel as if you are keeping something from me?”

  He took her hand, and held it firmly in his much larger one. His grip felt stronger than it had been in months, and it instilled hope in her that she hadn’t felt since her father had first fallen ill.

  “Papa…”

  He smiled at her, and sighed. “I have a confession to make, Daughter.”

  Dread tingled at the nape of her neck. “You always said that carrying secrets was the hardest burden to bear.”

  “They are,” he said heavily, “And you are right, Fanny. I am keeping something from you. I…it would seem that I am on the mend.”

  She sat and listened to his confession. “Oh, Papa, you don’t need to tell me that to bolster my spirits. I am starting to learn how to deal with what shall happen. You mustn’t be strong on my account.”

  “No…Fanny, listen to me. Lord Cary…he said that I shall recover from what ailed me. I am not dying.”

  “But Doctor Hislop…”

  “Doctor Hislop is a bloody fool. He doesn’t know his arse from a hole in the ground, Fanny. He is the biggest quack around. He shouldn’t even be practicing medicine. He only became a doctor because that was one of the options left to him as the younger son of a baronet.”

  “So you are not going to die,” she said, almost afraid to believe it. Would her hopes be dashed? Did Lord Cary know more than Doctor Hislop?”

  “It would seem that I might be around for many years to come.”

  Relief surged through her. She stood up and twirled around, and then, had to sit back d
own as the foolhardy action made her nauseous. Her head spun, and she sucked in a large lungful of air.

  She turned to throw her arms around him, hugging him. “Thank God, Papa. It is a Christmas miracle to be sure!”

  “Perhaps,” he said, smiling at her as she drew away from him. She looked deeply into his eyes that were a shade darker than her own. Something lingered within them. He was wasn’t being entirely honest with her, and she didn’t know if she had the energy to continue questioning him. He could be a tough nut to crack.

  Still, keeping things from her wasn’t like him. “Papa, we have always shared everything. Why do I think you are still keeping something from me? Pray tell me.” And then, she realized something that filled her with nervousness. She didn’t want to speak the words aloud but they had to be said. “I…I don’t have to marry Felix now, do I? You…you said that you would be around for many years. I could become a spinster if I wanted to.”

  He frowned. “I don’t think that’s the path to you finding happiness, Fanny, and as I have said before, I want issue from you. I want to know that your mother’s legacy will survive in your children.”

  She stood up, and then as dizziness overwhelmed her, she sat back down.

  “I cannot marry Felix without telling him that you are going to survive.”

  “He already knows.”

  “And…and he hasn’t had any doubts about us marrying each other?”

  “Indeed not. In fact, Fanny, he is waiting downstairs with the vicar, should you agree to marry him today.”

  She wanted to ask him what the rush was, but wisely remained silent. If she questioned it, he might say that she didn’t have to marry him, and oh, how she wanted to. She wanted to marry him, and spend the rest of her life with him. Felix had always had her love. The question she pondered was whether or not she had his love. Her father said he was a man of the world. She took that to mean that he was a rakehell. She had heard murmurings about those kind of men. The ones who frequented dens of inequity. She supposed that she being a woman who did whatever she liked, sort of made her like Felix. As a rakehell, he had done whatever he pleased, although he had more freedom than she could have ever hoped for. She couldn’t give her body to anyone but to her husband, even that was a line she would not cross.