The Vicar's Frozen Heart (21 page)

Since he grew up, his parents patiently listened to his reasons for not entering the church and they readily bought him a commission in the army as he wished. They allowed him to live his life, make his own mistakes, and find his own path. For that he was grateful. Now they welcomed him home with open arms and hearts, when they should call him to task for withdrawing completely from the family. They supported and loved him unconditionally. He did not deserve his family any more than he deserved Eliza.

Ah. Eliza.
He reached for a sandwich wedge and nibbled at it absently. Though he longed to see his family, he left Hawksgreen to give Eliza time to adjust to the revelation more than anything.

Just then, his older brother, Harrison, Marquess of Tennington and heir to the duke, strode into the room. They looked much alike with their black hair and silver-gray eyes, but Harry was a few inches shorter, hovering at a little less than six feet in height. “Don’t get up, brother.”

“I wasn’t planning to.”

Harry gave a bark of laughter as he sunk into the chair opposite. “Ah, beefsteak. Excellent.” He grabbed a piece and ate it heartily. “I’ll be heading back to London tomorrow morning. Parliament calls and duty beckons.”

When Tremain was made a viscount, Harrison was ennobled by the Queen, allowing him to serve in the House of Lords alongside their father.

“Is father going with you?”

“No. Not this time.” Harry popped the last piece of sandwich in his mouth and then reached for a napkin, wiping his fingers. Strange. His father never missed a session if at all possible. “There have been a few developments while you were off being a dedicated priest. We didn’t want to say anything as it only came to light two months ago. The duke has a slight heart problem.”

“What kind? And why wasn’t I told as soon as I arrived?” his voice rose in annoyance.

“Curb that short temper of yours, please. It is not that serious. At times father experiences a racing heart and because of it will have to curb certain activities. As a result, he will be going to London less, that’s all. My being ennobled has been fortuitous. I can step in for father and see to our interests. Besides, it’s not a death sentence and he certainly isn’t an invalid.” Harrison popped another piece of a sandwich in his mouth and swallowed. “I examined him and found it, then called in his physician and he concurred with my diagnosis.”

Harrison studied medicine at university but never pursued it, though considering his status in society, Tremain supposed he couldn’t. A damned shame, as he remembered how animated and alive Harrison had been when discussing what he’d learned. “Harry, I have the distinct feeling mankind has suffered because you did not become a physician,” Tremain said, his voice soft.

Harrison flushed but did not acknowledge the statement. “Regardless, we did not want to burden you with this the moment you walked in the door. All it means is that I will have to take up the slackened reins, as it were.”

Tremain frowned. “You are sure it is not serious? That you are not placating me in light of my fragile emotional state?”

Harrison snorted. “You? Fragile? Not even at your lowest ebb. And no, I am not pacifying you at all. You know me better than that.”

“Damn. We are all getting old, it seems,” Tremain murmured.

“Yes. Father is fifty-eight, but the man is still in fine fettle and is otherwise fit and healthy. He will just have to be prudent.” Harrison crossed his legs. “And at thirty-three, I suppose I should start looking for a suitable wife to continue the line. Which brings us to you.”

“Enough, Harrison. Leave your brother alone.” Both men turned to see their mother standing by the fireplace. Though threads of gray were visible in her chestnut brown hair and she’d gained a few more wrinkles since Tremain had seen her last, she was still elegant, slender, beautiful, and every inch the duchess. Both men stood, though it took Tremain a little longer to get to his feet. “Harrison, be a darling, run along and see to your packing. Your valet is all in a dither and needs your guidance. Also see a fresh pot of tea and sandwiches are brought to me.”

Harrison kissed his mother’s cheek. “Go easy on him, mother dear.”

The duchess laughed softly as she sat in the chair Harrison just vacated. “Has Harrison told you?”

“About father? Yes. Though I suppose I have no right to be angry, considering the way I withdrew from you all.”

Two footmen entered the room and swiftly took away the old tray, then replaced it with another holding a pot of tea, two cups, and plates of sandwiches and cakes. “You may go and close the door behind you.”

The footmen bowed and one replied, “As you wish, your grace.”

Once alone, his mother poured them tea then passed Tremain a plate full of sandwiches and cakes. “There, tuck in. You always had a hearty appetite. Do you still?”

“No, not as much as before, but for you I shall make an effort.”

The duchess sipped her tea. “I must say, since giving birth to the three of you, my life has been anything but dull. You are all astounding men in your own right, and I couldn’t be prouder of any of you. Especially you, Tremain.” She laughed. “Of the three, you were the most sensitive, though Spencer certainly had his moments. When emotions became overpowering, you would withdraw. You still do so, and that’s why I understood the reasons you had to extract yourself from society and family. We all understood.”

“I am eternally grateful for your support and your love.”

“Did it help, my dear? Being a priest?”

He bit into his sandwich, waiting a few moments before he answered. “Yes, it did. I am on the right path for recovery, both physically and emotionally, and in all honesty, spiritually. I always considered myself more spiritual than religious.”

“Concerning the young boy, Andrew Payne. You mentioned in your letter you were going to make him your ward.”

Tremain nodded. “I will be going one step further. I intend to adopt him. He agreed and will be taking my name.”

His mother placed her cup and saucer on the tray then met his gaze. “Oh my. So I am to have a grandson?”

“Yes, I met with him before I left to explain I was taking a short break to visit my family. You will love him, Mother. A bright, honest, and delightful boy.”

“My. Your life is taking new and exciting directions. And what of love, Tremain? You have not spoken of Miss Eliza Winston since you arrived, though you did mention her with some affection in your letter?”

Well, he would give his mother this; she waited until now to bring up Eliza. Why prevaricate? “I love her. Absolutely adore her. Eliza is intelligent, beautiful, and speaks her mind. I never thought to find a woman I would care to share my life with, but I have. However, I’ve made a complete hash of things. She found out about my identity in a rather crass way.” He told the story of meeting Lady Trimly in the village, though censored the more salacious details.

The duchess frowned as she picked up her cup and sipped her tea. “Never cared for that woman. We no sooner received your telegraph warning us your identity was compromised when the gossip reached us. She wasted no time in spreading her tale. Abominable woman. But, I do not comment on my sons’ mistresses, former or otherwise.”

“Very prudent, Mother.” Tremain’s mouth quirked in amusement.

“What I cannot understand is why you still sit here, Tremain.” His mother never called any of her sons by their nicknames and he found it endearing. “It is quite apparent your life waits in Hawksgreen. Why delay? Go to your governess, my dear, and profess your undying love. Claim her and the young lad. Be a loving family. It is what you deserve.” She gave him an affectionate smile. “When you came out of the hospital, you had us all quite worried. You could have taken to your rooms and drank and brooded as many do in the same circumstance. Instead, you took charge of your life, assessed what needed to be done to begin the healing, and you followed through on it. You are my hero.”

Despite his inner control, he could not stop the moisture from gathering in his eyes, nor could he swallow the lump of emotion that lodged itself in his throat. In spite of him pushing everyone away, they forgave him. Even admired him. “Mother....”

“Go to Eliza and Drew. Tell them how you feel. Tell them everything. Be happy.”

He rose to his feet and stood before his mother, took her hand, and kissed it. “Thank you. For understanding. For loving me. You and father both. I will go. Immediately.”

* * * *

The trip to Gransford Manor would take no more than three hours, but Eliza’s insides were in knots. Though she told herself she undertook this journey for Drew’s sake, as the lad suffered from Tremain’s absence, she suffered as well. Drew barely ate or slept, and seemed to wither without Tremain. Understandable, as she experienced the same symptoms.

In the three weeks since he left, she had plenty to think on and ruminate about. One thing her mind constantly returned to: Jon’s revelation concerning Tremain’s youngest brother about to marry a woman of ill-repute. Jon did tell her later Spencer Hornsby was rather eccentric and would go off for months at a time and lose himself in research. That he was often ridiculed by his peers for his solitary personality and his brothers, especially Tremain, often protected him.

If Tremain’s family would readily accept the brothel owner, Philomena McGrattan, sight unseen, why not a governess? She had to hand it to Spencer Hornsby for reaching out for love regardless of societal norms and the consequences of breaching them. In truth, she rather admired Philomena for doing the same.

Eliza was hurt that Tremain did not tell her about his identity before finding out the truth from his former mistress. The thought of him in bed with that golden-haired Jezebel churned her innards.
Yes, my delicate feelings are hurt
.

After soothing her ruffled feathers, she came to the conclusion that she couldn’t care less about Lady Trimly and her snotty ways, nor her insulting words. What she cared about was Tremain. Oh, how she loved him. Under the cool exterior lay a passionate, compassionate man who had captured her heart. And she could not stay away from him another minute.

“Are we there yet?” Drew asked, practically bouncing in his seat.

Apparently she was not the only one excited at the prospect of seeing Tremain. Perhaps she should have sent word she was coming, but Jon encouraged her to surprise him. She cupped Drew’s flushed cheek. “Another hour at least. Why don’t you try to nap? You had no sleep last night and if you nap, next time you awake we will be there. Lay down on the seat opposite.” Drew did, and she covered him with the throw. It did not take long for him to drift off into slumber thanks to the swaying of the carriage.

Flushing, she thought of the last time she was in this carriage with Tremain, her straddling him, rubbing against him until they came, clutching each other tight and kissing each other wildly.
Heavens.

If she held any reluctance over becoming a vicar’s wife, the apprehension increased at the thought of becoming a viscount’s. That is...if marriage would even be considered. But at the end of the day, regardless of the possible obstacles, she loved him enough to toss aside all fears. It just took a while to come to that conclusion.

As they travelled, she tried to pass the time reading, though she read the same page more than once. Drew continued to sleep. Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt. The driver, Terrance, slid the window open. Eliza immediately put her finger to her mouth and whispered to him that Drew was sleeping.

“Where are we, what has happened?” Eliza spoke in a hushed tone.

“We be in Staplecross, and there be a delay of some sort. You might want to stretch yer legs, Miss, begging yer pardon,” Terrance answered in as low a voice as hers. “I’ll try and find out what’s going on.” He slid the window shut, then opened the door to assist her from the coach. She scanned the area. There did seem to be a long line of halted carriages going both ways. As she was about to step down, her breath caught in her throat.

In a carriage farther down, heading in the opposite direction, a man stood on the wrought iron stair gauging the situation.
Tremain.
How handsome he looked in a gray travelling coat, his head bare, the breeze tousling his raven-black locks. Her heart stuttered in her chest and nearly ceased to beat when his gaze met hers.

Every wayward and questioning emotion came into crystalline clearness. She loved him more than life itself. A slow smile crept across his wide, sensual mouth and his eyes softened. Her complete joy at seeing him could not be contained. She waved, smiling, and ignored Terrance’s offer to help her down. Instead she jumped to the ground in a most unladylike manner.

Pushing her way through the people standing about the parked carriages, Eliza searched frantically for Tremain. It shouldn’t be hard, as he stood head and shoulders above every other man. At last she saw him standing in the middle of the thoroughfare, leaning on his cane and smiling broadly. Damn decorum and proper manners, she ran to him, stopping before him breathlessly.

“Eliza. Where were you heading?” His voice was low and husky, entirely passionate and full of emotion.

“I...we...Drew is napping in the carriage...he was having trouble sleeping and eating, you see, he missed you dreadfully.” She laid her hand on her chest, trying to catch her breath.

He arched an eyebrow. “Did he, indeed? And you, Miss Winston?”

“Never mind me, where were
you
going?”

Tremain gently lifted her hand to his mouth. Neither wore gloves. “Home. To you and my son.” His warm lips roved across her knuckles, causing her knees to buckle. It was a wonder she managed to stay upright. “I’ve missed you, too. Both of you. Come home? With me?” He turned her hand over and laid a passionate kiss on her palm, causing her to shudder with desire. “I love you, Eliza. I cannot live without you. Do not ask me to try, for it will be my finish. Put an end to my misery and be my wife. My lady. My lover and friend in all things.”

Tears fell freely down her cheeks, for she could not hold them back. “Yes, I will marry you. I was coming to you for the same reason. I cannot live without you, Trey, you glorious, stubborn and wonderful man. I love you so much...” His cane fell to the ground as he pulled her close and gave her a devastating kiss. A few people tsked and gasped in shock, and yet a couple of others nodded and smiled and one man declared in a loud voice, “Well done.”