In My Wildest Fantasies

Chapter 16

Devon escorted Rebecca back to the reception room in silence, dreading the continuation of the wedding celebrations. He had done enough talking today, and he did not believe he could paste on a smile for the guests. He had managed it before Rebecca's father had arrived, certainly, but did not think he could manage it now. Not after he'd dealt with the fact that Rebecca had come here because she believed he was her hero, and that she'd been engaged to another man and had kept it from him. Not to mention the fact that he had dredged up agonizing memories about MaryAnn and relived that wretched day in the woods.

He was beginning to think his father was right. Perhaps this palace was cursed. It seemed no one here was permitted to be happy. Teased with happiness, yes, but only briefly before that happiness was abruptly snatched away.

He thought suddenly of Lady Letitia's embittered warning. You chose the wrong woman to be your wife. And I will wager my grandmother's diamond tiara that one day, you will live to regret it.

He could not bear to think that she was right, or that he might have made a mistake-that he should have chosen her instead. Despite everything, he did not want to believe that.

They soon arrived back at the reception room. Devon was immediately approached by his father, who came marching across the room with Mr. Beasley, the portly village banker. They were hooting with laughter, jolly as a couple of Christmas fiddlers. Before they reached him, however, the duchess approached also, asking if she could borrow Rebecca for a few minutes to take her and the other ladies to the conservatory to see the orchids.

Naturally Devon agreed, then turned to his father and Mr. Beasley, who was staggering to and fro, clearly in his cups, despite the fact that it was barely past noon.

"My son!" his father said. "A married man at last. Come with us, we have something for you."

With mischievous, mumbling laughter, the two of them led Devon out of the room and across the great hall, through the south corridor and up the stairs to his father's study. They were chortling the entire way, congratulating Devon on his choice of a bride, his rosy future, nudging him in the ribs, and reminding him of his proper husbandly duty that very night. He did his best to be patient and humor them, and not to reveal his grim mood.

They entered the study and closed the door, and Mr. Beasley staggered like a wide, sloshing water barrel across the room to the bookcase behind the desk.

"I brought something for you," he said, lifting down a small box. "It's a wedding gift."

Devon glanced briefly at his father, who watched the box with eager eyes.

Beasley set it down on the desk and lifted the lid. He withdrew a clay plaque with an image impressed upon it. Devon looked more closely to discover a lewd depiction of the sexual act-a man poised behind a woman on her hands and knees, his tremendous erection largely out of scale, the size of a tree trunk. Sharp beams of sunlight rained down upon them.

"It's a fertility stone," Beasley explained, swaying drunkenly. "If you put it under your pillow tonight, it will bring you luck and put a child in your bride's womb the very night her maidenhead is broken."

It was a little late for that, Devon thought.

Beasley chuckled and nudged Devon in the ribs again. "You're an efficient lad, aren't you? I thought you might appreciate the gesture."

Devon raised his eyebrows and picked up the flat stone, turning it over in his hands.

Beasley, who was enjoying himself tremendously, wagged a confident finger. "It's a powerful thing, my boy."

Devon glanced again at his father, who reached for the stone and held it like a treasured family heirloom.

"Beasley, you are a good man to bring this here," he said. "The palace will benefit."

Beasley exploded with laughter. "I think the lad here will be the one to reap the benefits," he said. "It being his wedding night and all that."

Devon took a deep breath, willing himself to ignore the man's playful teasing, for he knew he meant no harm.

"Thank you, Beasley," he said. "I appreciate the thought." He turned to his father and spoke meaningfully. "Though I have never been a superstitious man."

The duke glared at Devon, his brows pulling together with frustration.

Mr. Beasley, in his drunken state, was oblivious to the tension between them. "Neither have I, when it comes right down to it. It's just a bit of fun, my boy. Promise me you'll at least give it a try, and maybe your bride will find it amusing. Show this to her and she'll at least know what to expect." He took hold of the stone and examined the fornicating couple, pointing specifically at the man's monstrous instrument of pleasure. "On the other hand, it might send her screaming from the room."

He slapped Devon on the back and laughed again. "Shall we head back to the reception room? I believe I left my brandy on a windowsill."

"You go on ahead of us," Devon replied. "I require a few minutes alone with my father."

"Ah, yes, father and son must have their moment to look to the future and all that. I'll leave you two to share a drink." He started off toward the door. "Congratulations again, my boy. You've made your family proud."

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Devon set the stone back into the box and lowered the lid.

"I'll have that sent up to your bedchamber," his father said. "And you must use it tonight. I will have your word."

"I will promise no such thing, Father. This is nothing but superstitious nonsense. It has no magic power and I will ask you again to let go of your silly belief in a family curse."

The duke pressed his shoulders back. "I thought you believed."

Devon shook his head. "No. I have been very clear about my opinions on the matter."

"But you did what I asked and chose a bride." He waved a hand toward the window. "Look. The sun is shining today. Surely that is enough to convince you."

"It is a coincidence, nothing more. The sun was bound to shine sooner or later. It could not continue to rain forever."

"But it could," his father argued, "and it would have, if you had not heeded my warnings. But you did, thank God. You did well, marrying that gel today. The sunshine is our reward. You have made me very happy."

"Happy enough to change your will back to the way it was?" Devon asked pointedly.

His father frowned at him. "No."

"But if it is a grandchild you want, I will give you that. I have already proven my willingness to remain here and fulfill my duty to this family by taking a wife. There is no need to force the others into marriages they do not want. At least give them time."

"I told you before, there is no time. The flood will come."

Devon fought to keep his frustration in check. "The only thing that will come will be misery for all your children, if you force them to abide by your ridiculous demands."

He knew the truth of that all too well.

The duke slapped his open palm upon the desk. "They are not ridiculous! And I will not alter my will!"

Devon cupped his forehead in a hand. God help him, talking to his father about this curse was like talking to a brick wall.

He drew in a deep breath and counted to ten, then tried to appeal to his father's compassionate side, if he had one. He certainly hadn't shown any compassion to Devon three years ago when the surgeon was setting his leg.

"This family has seen difficult times, Father. Vincent and Charlotte especially. They deserve happiness."

"Charlotte's cooperation is not required. She can marry tomorrow or never. It makes no difference to me."

Because she is not of your bloodline.

"Then perhaps you do not require Garrett's cooperation either," Devon pointed out, speaking openly for the first time to his father about the twins' true parentage.

His father's face flushed red with shock, but Devon was indifferent to it. The time for sweeping secrets under the palace carpets was over. If there was a chance he could free just one brother, he would take it.

"No," his father said flatly. "That boy needs to learn some responsibility. He is an embarrassment to me, living the way he does, mixing with those people."

"They're poets, Father. They are free thinkers."

"I can't stand the defiance. Especially from him, after I have given him so much."

"You gave him your name and a roof over his head. That is all."

"Well, my name is worth a hell of a lot!" he shouted. "As yours will be when you are duke."

Not yet willing to give up just yet, Devon strode closer to his father and placed a hand on his arm. "I am begging you, Father. Please. Change your will. Don't force your sons into hasty marriages. I will give you the grandchild you want. A whole nursery full of them. You could even consider it a wedding gift to me."

The duke slapped Devon's hand away. "No, no, no, no, no! And I already gave you your gift."

"A silver tea service."

"Brand new. And did you notice the pattern of engravings? They are tiny little oak trees. Hundreds of them on the teapot and creamer and sugar bowl."

His eyes brightened and his voice rang with fascination. Devon's heart sank, for he knew his father's mind was skipping around and toppling off the track. Their discussion about the will was over.

"I've never seen a tea service quite like it," his father said. "Have you? Not that a gentleman takes notice of such things," he said with a chuckle. "It's the woman's domain, to be sure. But I do love a good strong cup of tea." He looked around the room as if he were suddenly confused. "What time is it? Is it teatime?"

Devon worked hard to let go of his frustration. "No, Father. We just had breakfast. The wedding breakfast. Remember?"

"Oh, yes, yes. Your bride is lovely, I dare say." He ran a finger under his nose and his eyes darted about for a moment. "But who is pruning my rosebush? I don't want it pruned."

Devon realized he was becoming accustomed to the challenge of keeping up with his father's thought processes. "No one is pruning it, Father."

"But it's getting smaller."

Devon watched his father stare with concern at the sunny window.

He spoke in a gentle, reassuring voice. "Your rosebush is doing fine. It just looks smaller because you moved it to a larger space."

"I moved it?"

"Yes. A week ago. The day I returned home. Remember?"

The duke's expression became strained, revealing the intensity of his concentration, then at last he raised his chin. "Oh, yes."

A quiet wave of sadness and regret moved through Devon, distracting him from his irritability over what had happened with Rebecca. He moved to take his father's arm.

"Let us go now," he said. "It's time to return to the reception, and when we get there, we'll get you a cup of tea. A nice strong one, just the way you like it."

They walked out of the study together. "You are a good son, Devon. I don't know what any of us would do without you. We'd never manage."

"You would manage just fine," he assured him, wondering for the first time if they really would.

Rebecca strolled around the conservatory with the duchess and the other ladies, working hard to hide her troubles from them, while they examined the rare orchids and the many indigenous plants and flowers. It was a well-known fact that the duke had a passion for horticulture, and his commitment was more than evident in this enormous, lush, green, sweet-smelling conservatory.

"But what of the Italian Gardens?" Aunt Grace asked, as they wandered leisurely around the bubbling stone fountain.

"Yes, what does he intend to do with the garden?" Mrs. Quinlan asked. "It must be something marvelous. A complete transformation I expect."

The duchess strolled ahead of them. "It's his well-guarded secret, I'm afraid. But I believe he means to…" She paused, as if taking the time to choose her words with great care. "I believe he means to take England by storm."

The ladies expressed their fascination with bright smiles and flattering comments.

"If anyone can accomplish that," Mrs. Quinlan said, "it is your husband, the duke. He is a true genius when it comes to the beauty of flowers and all things that come from the ground."

"His mind is indeed a mystery to me," Her Grace replied.

While the ladies moved on, Rebecca took her time bringing up the rear, strolling at her own pace to look at the plants and flowers, for she needed time to think about what had happened that morning.

Not only was she devastated that her husband was displeased with her and she had lost his trust, but she could not stop thinking about her father. He had not wished to see her that morning. Was he so very angry with her for her defiance? Were they now permanently estranged?

She stopped and touched the leaves of a red ginger plant. With a painful rush of grief, she recalled the many dark nights as a child when she had been frightened by the wind outside rattling her windowpanes. She would call out to her father, and he would always come. He would tuck her back into bed and sit in the chair by the window until she fell asleep again. Sometimes she would wake up in the morning, and he would still be there, curled up and snoring.

She'd been a little girl without a mother, but she had never felt abandoned. She had loved her father dearly in those days, and now her heart ached over what had become of their relationship. He had changed so much over the years. His illness and pain had caused him to recoil inside himself. He had become a stranger to her.

She worried suddenly about him having to face Mr. Rushton and deliver the news that she was married to another man. Mr. Rushton would not be pleased, that was certain. But surely, once he learned that she had married the Marquess of Hawthorne, he would withdraw and leave her father alone, for he could never imagine he was any match for her new husband.

Or perhaps it would play out differently. Perhaps, knowing that he was now connected to a very powerful family, her father would find the courage to show some grit and stand up to Mr. Rushton. How she longed for him to be a man of strength and integrity-for his own sake and happiness, as well as hers, for he still had to live near that horrible man.

"Rebecca," the duchess said, stopping ahead to wait for her.

Rebecca realized she had fallen behind the others, who were already making their way past the jungle of Mediterranean palms and up the stone steps that led out of the conservatory and back to the main part of the house.

"Are you all right?" the duchess asked. "You seem distracted."

Rebecca's first instinct was to smile brightly and say she was fine, but as soon as she looked into her mother-in-law's eyes, she found herself quite unable to lie.

The duchess linked her arm through Rebecca's. "Come and walk with me," she said. "I think it's time we got to know each other better."

They walked to the door at the opposite end of the conservatory which led outside to the South Garden and the Arboretum beyond. "Let's walk to the maze," she suggested. "With all the rain, you haven't had a chance to see it yet, have you?"

"I've seen very little of the estate, Your Grace. But I'm looking forward to exploring, as I enjoy the outdoors."

"Devon does as well. You are a good match."

Rebecca was quiet for a moment. "I hope so."

"You're having doubts?" the duchess asked, though it seemed she already knew the answer and had even been anticipating it.

"I confess I am."

They walked down a stone path toward a rose arbor. "Was it something that my son said or did?" the duchess asked. "Or is it just a general feeling in your heart which you cannot explain?"

Rebecca sighed. "It is both, but I suppose this kind of thing is to be expected, considering how quickly we were wed. Perhaps we should have taken more time to get to know each other."

Her mother-in-law squeezed her arm. "May I ask, did he put pressure on you to marry quickly?"

"No. If anything, I was the one in a hurry."

They stopped on the path and faced each other. "I am surprised," the duchess said.

"I truly was not even aware that Devon was searching for a wife," Rebecca explained, "because I was too wrapped up in my own wishes and desires. I feel rather ashamed of myself, as a matter of fact."

Her mother-in-law inclined her head. "What do you mean?"

They began walking again, slowly, side by side. "I almost do not want to tell you, because I do not want you to think badly of me. I hold you in the highest regard, Your Grace."

The duchess gave her a warm smile. "First of all, you must no longer address me as Your Grace. We are family now, Rebecca, so call me Adelaide. Second, I could never think badly of you. You are simply a woman who is in love with my son. Don't look so surprised. It's as obvious as the nose on your face. I would never have supported the marriage if I didn't believe that."

Feeling some relief, Rebecca nodded at Adelaide. "I do adore him. I fell in love with him the first time I met him when he helped my father and me on the road four years ago."

"We've all heard the story of his daring rescue, so rest assured, I applaud you for your efficiency in winning his heart. You must have said and done all the right things."

Rebecca thought of the diary she had read aloud to him, winced slightly at her scandalous tactics, and of course chose not to mention it to her mother-in-law.

"There is more to it than you know," she said to Adelaide, "which is why I was distracted just now. I am afraid Devon is unhappy with me today."

"Why?"

"As I said, I was in a desperate hurry to become his wife-but not just because I adored him. I've adored him for years from afar without ever once leaving my father's home to do anything about it. Until now, when I was forced to take action."

"Forced?"

"Yes. My father had promised me in marriage to someone else."

The duchess stopped abruptly. "I presume you did not love this man."

"No, I did not."

"Was it a very advantageous match?"

"Only for the man in question," Rebecca replied. "He is wealthy and owns property, but he is not a member of the aristocracy. His father was once a successful merchant in West London, but from what I understand, he lost everything in a gamble. His son has been working his entire life not just to regain their social position, but to surpass it. Which is why he wanted me."

They arrived at the maze.

"So that is why you came here hoping to marry my son, and why you were in such a hurry?"

"Yes." Rebecca accompanied her mother-in-law into the gravel path between the hedges. "The problem is that I did not disclose this to Devon, and he found out today when my father arrived looking for me."

Adelaide stopped at a junction. "Your father was here? When? I was not told and did not receive him as I should have. Is he still here?" She gestured toward the house, looking as if she wanted to return.

"I am sorry, he is gone." Rebecca strove to explain. "He is not a very…sociable man, Adelaide, as I am sure you have heard, which is why I am concerned. He would never have come here if he were not very distraught about my disappearance, and the fact that he left so quickly after learning of my marriage without even speaking to me…I can only conclude he was very angry."

"Angry? One would think a father would be overjoyed to learn his daughter has married the heir to a dukedom. He couldn't actually prefer that you marry this neighbor of yours, could he?"

"I believe he would prefer it, Adelaide, which is why I fled, and why I am still so angry with him for agreeing to such a thing."

"But why would he agree? Is it possible this man has some control over your father?"

Rebecca hesitated. "That is what Devon suggested. I confess, up until now, I believed that my father made the arrangements because he has been living too long in isolation with his pain. I believed he lost his grip on reality. He has never seemed to realize there is a whole world of opportunity outside our estate. All he knows is his own small world of intimidation, from a neighbor who enjoys beating down those who are weaker than he. But after his visit today, I have begun to wonder if there is more to it than that. I am going to write to him for answers."

Her voice trembled slightly, and she realized with distress that she had not once cried over her father's betrayal. She had only been enraged and focused on her escape. And upon winning Devon's affections.

"It is not easy when we cannot understand those we love," the duchess said. "Especially when that person is a man-not to mention a peer of the realm-and we are expected to honor and obey him. Come."

Adelaide took her arm and led her through the maze to a wooden bridge in the center. They climbed the steps together. It provided a fine vantage point from which to see a way out.

Adelaide took hold of both Rebecca's hands. "I understand what you did more than you know, for I, too, was forced to marry one man, when I loved another."

Rebecca took a breath to ask about that, but Adelaide raised a hand. "No, dear, that's a story for another day. It is your marriage we must focus on now. I know you care for my son. That is without question. I also know that forced marriages between strangers can result in disaster and a lifetime of unhappiness. In that regard, rest assured that you did the right thing, to refuse the other man and stand up to your father. As far as Devon is concerned…" She paused. "Well, there are things that have happened in his life which make him wary of happiness in any form. Our family certainly has its warts."

"He told me about MaryAnn," Rebecca said.

Adelaide's eyebrows lifted. "Did he? Then he must care for you if he shared that."

"He did not tell me because he wished to open his heart to me," Rebecca admitted. "He told me as a warning, after he learned I had come here seeking protection from another man."

"Ah. That is because he does not want to be responsible for other people. He is afraid he will fail them."

"That is exactly what he tried to tell me. Obviously he entered into this marriage believing it was based on…" She hesitated a moment. "Based on duty and our surface attraction to one another. He feels duped, Adelaide, and I cannot blame him. I will never forgive myself."

"Did he openly accuse you of 'duping' him?"

"He used the word manipulated, and was angry with me for having an ulterior motive."

Adelaide gazed down at their hands clasped together and seemed lost in thought, then she sighed. "Perhaps it is not my place to interfere," she said, "and I might live to regret it, but you are going to find out sooner or later, so I might as well tell you now."

"Tell me what?"

"That Devon needed a wife, Rebecca-and fast-because his father had threatened to withdraw his unentailed inheritance if he did not marry."

Rebecca rested a hand on the wooden rail to steady herself. She was so surprised she could not speak.

"So, perhaps," Adelaide continued, "my son needs to be a bit more forgiving about your so-called ulterior motive. And perhaps you need to understand that if there are problems between you, they are not all on your shoulders."

Rebecca shook her head with dismay. "Why are you telling me this? To make me angry with him?"

"No, I am telling you because I know my son. He will use any excuse to retreat from loving you or anyone else. But someone has to fight for your happiness together. Someone has to tell him he's being stubborn and thickheaded."

Rebecca chuckled. "And that someone is me."

"Yes. Do not give up on him, dear. Just love him, unreservedly, however long it takes. Prove to him that it is possible to be happy for more than just a moment."

Rebecca gazed out over the complicated network of hedges below. "I don't think loving him will be difficult," she said. "The challenge will be holding back my foot, when what he really needs is a good swift kick for that secret he kept from me-the bit about the inheritance. Honestly."

Adelaide smiled. "Go ahead and kick away, dear. And the sooner the better, I say."