His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) (29 page)

28

My True Love Gave to Me

Yvette stood beside Jeffrey in the little stone chapel at Eddington Grove the next morning, while Maxwell Eddington, the Duke of Rathmore, married Janet Rutherford, the mother of his only child, thirty-three years after the fact.

As the chaplain spoke the ceremonial words, Yvette felt Jeffrey slip his hand into hers. At his touch, warmth flooded through her. She glanced at him next to her, so handsome and sweet. Last night she had told him that she would be his wife.

She was really going to marry Lord Jeffrey Eddington! She bit her lip to keep from giggling nervously at the thought of it. It was so preposterous, yet so perfectly right at the same time.
Jeffrey.
Jeffrey, of all people! Jeffrey must be in love with her to want to marry her.

Over the last three months, her feelings for him had changed so gradually, so slowly that she had not quite realized them. It wasn’t until she’d felt utter relief that William Weatherly had been taken ill and could not propose to her that she’d known something was wrong. Whenever she was with William she found herself comparing him to Jeffrey and longing to be in Jeffrey’s company instead. She simply could not marry Lord Shelley once she’d realized her feelings were all for Jeffrey.

Last night it had become quite clear to her that she was in love with Jeffrey. Perhaps she had been in love with him for weeks but had been too blind to see it? In either case she was deliriously happy now. She loved Jeffrey!

That morning they had told his parents of their plans to marry and she’d thought the Duke of Rathmore was going to burst with happiness at their news.

“Well, that just makes this day even more special!” He’d kissed Yvette soundly and pinched her cheek. “I’m delighted to have you as a daughter and I’m relieved my son wised up and grabbed one of you Hamilton girls. I was afraid he’d wait too long and lose you to some other fellow!”

“I’m grateful that she accepted me,” Jeffrey said in a somewhat serious tone.

“Oh, my dear, I’m so happy for both of you!” His mother hugged her tightly and whispered only for Yvette to hear, “I told you he was in love with you, didn’t I?”

Yvette smiled at her, too emotional to say more.

“Well, we shall have another wonderful announcement at our Christmas ball this Friday!” Maxwell exclaimed. “Both Eddington bachelors finally getting married!”

Now they stood quietly in the little chapel, as the chaplain declared Maxwell Eddington and Janet Rutherford to be man and wife. Becoming almost teary, Yvette listened to the familiar words, thinking she would be saying them to Jeffrey soon.

After their heartfelt congratulations and a hasty breakfast, Jeffrey and Yvette left Eddington Grove to begin their journey to reach London by nightfall, leaving the new Duchess and Duke of Rathmore to honeymoon alone. The second carriage followed behind transporting Jeffrey’s valet and Yvette’s lady’s maid.

With Jeffrey’s strong arms around her to keep her warm, Yvette sat beside him in their carriage. She felt so happy, just being with him, resting her head on his shoulder as the carriage swayed along the road to London. Never had she known such complete and utter happiness.

“It was a lovely ceremony,” she said. “Quite romantic.”

“I’m happy for them, that it worked out in the end,” he said quietly. “But I don’t think I would call any of it romantic.”

She frowned. “Why not?”

“Their affair caused a great deal of pain to a lot of people and ruined his marriage.”

“Yes, but that is all in the past now,” Yvette reasoned.

Jeffrey’s expression was somber. “Yes, it’s all in the past now, I suppose.”

Yvette lifted her head from his shoulder and stared at him, noting the pained look on his handsome face. She touched his cheek gently. “But if it were not for their affair, you wouldn’t be here and I should be devastated without you.”

He smiled at her words and her heart melted.

“You were the good that came out of bad circumstances,” she whispered, placing a kiss on his cheek. “You made it all worthwhile, Jeffrey.”

He cupped her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I need you to know that I am not like my father. I will never go outside of our marriage, Yvette. You are the only woman for me. In spite of my reputation with women, I swear to you, I will always be faithful to you.”

Overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings, she whispered, “I know you will.”

They kissed then, and that slow, now-familiar heat flamed between them once more. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, hungry for more. She loved kissing Jeffrey, loved being held by him. Loved him. Loved everything about him. He pulled her across his lap and kissed her deeply. Yvette sunk into him and sighed with pleasure.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she wished they weren’t wearing their heavy coats and scarves. “Let’s take these off,” she whispered seductively in his ear.

In an instant, she was placed back on her own side of the seat.

“Are you trying to kill me, Yvette?” he demanded with a strained laugh.

“No. Not at all. I just want to be with you.” She wanted him so desperately and didn’t know how he could be so controlled. She’d barely slept the night before because she was too filled with excitement. She had been giddy with desire for him and stunned that he wanted to wait until they were married. She had been willing to do anything with him on the sofa last night, surprising herself with her own wantonness.

He shook his head firmly. “I told you. Not until we’re married. No illicit encounters. No illegitimate children. I don’t want to start off that way with you, no matter how much I want you.” He smiled at her wolfishly. “And believe me, I want you.”

Yvette stared at him, suddenly understanding why he wanted to wait. “Oh, Jeffrey.” She placed a kiss on his lips. “Then we better marry right away.”

Giving her a pointed look, he said, “I believe you ought to have a little chat with Lord Shelley first.”

Her stomach lurched at the thought. That was a task she was not looking forward to, but it must certainly be done. William was going to be terribly disappointed in her. “Yes. As soon as I can, I shall tell him. Tomorrow.”

“Good.” He leaned over and kissed her deeply.

“Oh, how soon can we marry?” she asked breathlessly.

He eyed her with all seriousness. “I thought you would wish to have a big, lavish wedding, Yvette, with a beautiful gown and anyone who is anybody in London in attendance. The social event of the Season?”

“Is that what you want?” she asked softly.

“I want whatever will make you happy.”

Yvette grew quiet. There had been a time when all of that was quite important to her. The big society wedding had been her dream for years and years. To be a stylish and important duchess, to be admired and even envied by everyone, to wear the finest clothes, to host the most sought-out parties, and to have the best of everything had been what she thought would make her the happiest. But somehow when she was with Jeffrey, none of those things mattered at all anymore. When she was in his arms, she had everything.

“I just want you, Jeffrey. Being with you makes me happy.”

Relief filled his eyes and the smile he gave her made her heart flutter. “Then I’ll obtain a special license tomorrow and we can get married whenever you want.”

“Oh, thank heaven!” she cried.

Jeffrey drew her into his embrace again, holding her close against his chest.

Yvette snuggled into him, breathing the masculine woodsy scent of him and closing her eyes. She sighed deeply. “I wish you could have married me today in the chapel, when your parents wed.”

He chuckled at her impatience. “Had I known you didn’t want a grand wedding, I would have.”

With her head against his chest, Yvette listened to his heartbeat as she drifted off to sleep with Jeffrey’s strong arms holding her tight.

Sometime later, Jeffrey kissed her cheek and whispered, “Wake up, darling. We’re here.”

Rising slowly, she stretched and peeked out the carriage window. It was dark out but the lights from Devon House cast a warm glow on the winter street. It was time to face her family and break the big news to them.

Yvette took a deep breath and looked at Jeffrey. “Are you ready?”

“Are you?” He countered with a wink.

“Let’s go tell them.” Filled with more nervousness than she’d expected, she entered the house with Jeffrey, greeted first by Granger.

“You’ve just missed supper, Miss Hamilton. Shall I bring you and Lord Eddington something to eat?” he asked them.

“Yes, thank you,” Yvette answered. “That would be heavenly. We’re both famished, aren’t we, Jeffrey? Where are they all, Granger?”

“Everyone is in the large drawing room, decorating the Christmas tree,” he told her. “They even managed to bring Mrs. Hamilton downstairs and she’s with them, too.”

“Thank you, Granger.”

Mother was there! She gave Jeffrey an anxious glance and her stomach tightened. What would they all think? What would they say? Would they be happy for her?

Yvette and Jeffrey walked the hallway toward the drawing room and they paused in front of the closed door. From within came the sounds of conversation, laughter, children’s voices, and Christmas carols.

Jeffrey took her hand in his and kissed her mouth briefly. “Do you want to tell them or should I be the one?”

“You tell them, Jeffrey,” she whispered back. “I doubt they’d believe me.”

“Be brave.”

“I will.” With her heart fluttering, she opened the double doors to the grand drawing room.

Her entire family was there. Her mother. Colette and Lucien. Juliette and Harrison. Lisette and Quinton. Paulette and Declan. Colette’s two sons, Phillip and Simon. Juliette’s daughter, Sara. Declan’s daughter, Mara. The youngest of the children, Lisette’s brood of three and Paulette’s son, must be up in the Devon House nursery. They were all gathered together, enjoying the carols that Lisette was playing on the grand piano, and decorating the enormous evergreen tree that dominated the room with its height and rich pine scent.

“Yvette! You’re back early!” Paulette called out to them, the first to notice their arrival, of course. Paulette never missed anything. “And you’ve brought Jeffrey with you! How was the wedding?”

Yvette hesitated before she entered the room, but Jeffrey still held her hand and pulled her forward.

Lisette suddenly stopped playing the piano and they all turned to look at Yvette and Jeffrey. Surprise registered on their faces; the fact that Jeffrey held her hand possessively was not lost on any of them. The room grew quiet except for the children, squealing and running around the Christmas tree.

Jeffrey gazed at Yvette’s sisters and brothers-in-law before pulling her closer to his side. He flashed his signature smile. “We have some good news to share with all of you.”

Juliette, who had been sitting beside their mother on the sofa, suddenly rose to her feet, her expression wary. Paulette grinned broadly in anticipation. No one else moved and Yvette could hear her own heart beating.

Jeffrey wasted no time. He cleared his throat and announced clearly, “Yvette has agreed to be my wife. We’re going to be married.”

Juliette gasped. Paulette squealed in delight. Lisette looked utterly baffled. A slow smile spread across Colette’s face. Lucien’s brows drew together in a confused frown. Harrison looked vastly amused. Quinton stared at them in disbelief. Genevieve appeared quite pleased.

Out of all of them, Yvette was surprised that Declan Reeves was the first to speak. In his soft Irish accent, he said, “Well, I think that’s just grand. We should celebrate!”

All hell broke loose then.

“You can’t be serious!” Juliette cried, staring angrily at Jeffrey. “You cannot possibly marry my little sister!”

“What is going on here?” Lucien demanded, his expression a little reproachful.

“But what about Lord Shelley?” Lisette asked, her face a mask of confusion.

Colette rushed over to them, placing her hand on Yvette’s shoulder. “Is it true?”

Yvette finally spoke up, knowing her cheeks were scarlet. “Yes, it’s true. Jeffrey and I are going to be married.”

“Oh my!” Her eldest sister was surprised, but obviously delighted. Colette declared, “I had a feeling about this, but I think you both have some explaining to do.”

Paulette hurried to their side, hugging both Jeffrey and her in turn. “I knew it. I knew it!”

“You knew what?” Juliette asked in an incredulous tone. Her face was a strange combination of astonishment and distress.

“I knew they were in love with each other.” Paulette smiled in triumph.

“When did all of this happen?” Lisette asked in wonder, gathering around them as well.

Yvette exchanged a glance with Jeffrey. “I’m not sure exactly. It just . . . happened.”

“Yvette,
ma fille,
come here.” Genevieve Hamilton’s hoarse voice silenced all but the children, who were happily oblivious to the family drama unfolding around them.

With Jeffrey still holding her hand, the two of them walked over to her mother. She looked up from her perch on the sofa, staring first at Yvette, and then her gray eyes settled on Jeffrey. Still weak but having lost none of her fierceness, she asked, “You wish to marry my daughter? My baby?
Ma fille bébé?
”

Jeffrey answered, “Yes, Mrs. Hamilton, I do want to marry her. Very much.”

“This makes me happy.
Je suis enchantée de ces nouvelles.
You are a fine man,
monsieur
. I knew it. I knew you would marry one of them!
J’ai toujours su que vous finiriez pas épouser une des mes filles. Vous avez bon goût, mon garçon. Mes félicitations.
” She smiled as Jeffrey leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Pleased that her mother was happy, Yvette looked up at the others for their blessings.

At that moment Granger entered the room with supper trays for her and Jeffrey, although Yvette had completely lost her appetite from all the excitement.

“Oh, Granger!” Colette called excitedly. “You must bring some champagne for us. We are going to have a little celebration. Yvette and Lord Eddington are engaged to be married!”