The Bedford Beauty (A Regency Novella) (9 page)

Blake watched
him with an intent expression. Alice wanted to wrap her arms around him
tightly, but she knew he'd push her away at the moment. He needed to hear this,
even if it was a complete and utter shock.

“When I
returned, your mother was married and had a four month old son. You, Blake, she
had you. You are my son. Hadley might have raised you, but I am your real
father.”

Blake sucked
in his breath and took a step back. A helpless feeling washed over Alice. She
wanted to wring her hands and cry out because she didn't know how to help Blake
at this moment. The man had been through the hell of war and now the torment of
discovering the man he'd despised most of his life was his father.

“Why are you
telling me this?” Blake asked in a whispered voice.

Alice dared
to reach out and touch his hand. He grabbed her gloved hand in his and laced
his fingers through hers. Relief coursed through her as she hoped she afforded
him comfort. He needed love and affection more than anything now.

“I am working
with Sir Charles to draw up papers to make you my legal heir,” Lord Bedford
replied in more a level voice. He watched Blake, trying to read his thoughts,
no doubt.

Blake lifted
his chin higher and took a deep breath.

“Why now?”
Blake demanded.

“I knew you
were interested in Miss Fulton and I wanted to ensure you were successful in
your courtship. I could not let what happened between your mother and I happen
to you too. You deserve happiness and you don't need to run away in order to
achieve it.” Lord Bedford held out his hands palms up in a pleading gesture,
willing them to understand and believe him.

“Is that why
you came after us?” Alice asked.

Lord Bedford
trained his shrewd blue eyes on her and replied, “I assumed you were on your
way to Gretna Green. When I heard you were all suddenly to attend a house party
at Sir William’s, I knew it was a lie. The man is with the Prince Regent in
Brighton as he is each summer.”

Alice turned
to Blake and squeezed his hand.

“I think we
should return home and plan our wedding, my love.”

Blake
wrenched his gaze from Lord Bedford and slowly his icy expression thawed as he
took in her features and his brown eyes focused on hers. His gloved finger
touched her cheek briefly and an upward twist of his lips let her know he
agreed.

“Miss Fulton
and I will ride in the carriage,” Blake spoke to Lord Bedford, who nodded.

His lordship
sat on the top seat with the driver while the coach headed south back to
Bedford.

“What are you
thinking?” Alice asked anxiously, gripping Blake's hands, as she sat next to
him in the carriage.

“I don’t know
what to think. I feel like someone planted me a facer,” Blake ruefully replied,
and gave her a slight smile, his dark hair falling across one eye.

Alice giggled
then burst out laughing until tears squeezed out at the corners of her eyes.
Blake twisted in place and gently cupped her face with his palms.

“What is it?”
He asked anxiously, kissing away her tears.

“What seemed
hopeless yesterday is now a dream come true. All I ever wanted was a loving
marriage and to please my dear parents. I do not deserve such happiness.”

“Yes, you do
and so much more. You alone have saved me and kept me going even through the
darkest hours,” Blake whispered.

Alice closed
her eyes as he kissed her face and neck. With a sigh of contentment, she
reached out and pushed a lock of his hair back. “I can't imagine what you're
going through, but you don't have to go through it alone.”

“I know,”
Blake replied and touched his lips to hers in a loving, searing kiss.

The End