Married By Midnight(55)

He held her tight, buried his face into her neck, breathed in the sweet scent of her skin. He couldn’t seem to let go.

“Why did you believe I would be angry?” she softly asked.

He fought to gain control of his emotions. “Because it was money you wanted, too. For your freedom, Anne.”

The others came rushing down the stairs just then, and his angel stepped out of his arms.

He knew instantly that it had been the wrong thing to say.

“Thank heavens you’re all right!” Charlotte cried as she, too, launched herself into Garrett’s arms.

“We were so worried,” his mother said.

“What happened to you?” Devon asked.

Devon held out his hand to Dr. Thomas who had stayed back to give Garrett a moment alone with Anne. He was only just then reaching them on the steps. “Merry Christmas, Doctor. What a pleasure to see you. You are the reason for Garrett’s last-minute trip to London, I presume?”

“Yes, he came to extend an invitation to the wedding. I do apologize for this very late arrival, but something urgent came up. I hope you will allow Garrett a chance to explain.”

“Of course we will,” Devon replied. “Please, everyone, come inside.”

As they made their way to the door, Charlotte turned to Dr. Thomas and held out her hand. “I am so happy to see you, sir.”

He cupped her hand inside both of his, and his eyes glimmered with warmth. “I am happy to see you, too, my dear. Merry Christmas.”

“I have a present for you,” Charlotte said with a grin.

“And I have something for you as well.”

Garrett realized he would have to catch up on the familiarity that existed between these two. He was not sorry, for it, however. It was something he would anticipate with great joy.

Then he turned to Anne and hoped she would be willing to hear him out.





* * *





“You saved his life?” Anne said from clear across the drawing room.

Standing with his brothers around the Christmas tree, Garrett gestured toward Dr. Thomas, who stood in front of the mantel. “It was mostly the good doctor who did the saving.”

“That is pure rubbish,” Dr. Thomas replied. “I couldn’t possibly have pulled that boy out of the water and carried him all the way back to the coach through the deep snow as you did. You were the hero of the day long before I withdrew my stethoscope.”

“Sounds like it was a shared effort,” Devon said, raising his cup of hot cider for an informal toast. Blake raised his cup as well.

Anne smiled at Garrett, for she, more than anyone else in the room, understood what it must have meant for him to save that boy’s life. He had come home to Pembroke seeking to atone for quite another tragedy, and perhaps this unexpected Christmas Eve ordeal had provided him some relief and validation for what he had not been able to accomplish in the past.

Everyone gathered around the tree, except for Anne, who remained at the sofa. They all raised their cups and toasted the boy’s recovery, as well as Garrett’s safe return.

But there was another glaring issue to which no one had yet alluded. The will... The family fortune...

Garrett finished his cider and set down his cup. “What happened with Father last night? Was he very distraught when the wedding did not take place?”

“We were all distraught,” Adelaide replied, “but mostly because we were worried about you. But your father...” She paused. “He didn’t seem to realize that it was Christmas Eve, or that your wedding was scheduled to take place. Of course none of us said anything. He fell asleep early and slept through most of the storm. I checked on him this morning and he ate a small breakfast, then ordered a hot bath.”

Garrett regarded his mother with relief. “Thank heavens for that. I was very concerned last night. I know how anxious he can be.”

“Some days are worse than others,” his mother replied. “Yesterday was a good day.”

Everyone stood quietly for a moment until Garrett finally broached the subject of the will, and the wedding that did not take place. “Will you fight the terms?” he asked Devon. “Try to keep our family fortune intact?”

“I’ve had lawyers working on it for months,” Devon replied, “and I will continue to do what I can. Now that the deadline has passed, however, I am not sure what hope there will be. We must all prepare ourselves for reduced circumstances.”

Charlotte sighed heavily. “Then I suppose it will be up to me to refill the family coffers. Perhaps I will run off to America and marry a rich railroad tycoon who wants to purchase our family name for his business interests.”

The duchess slid an arm around her waist. “Only if he’s handsome, dear.”