The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (best new books to read .TXT) 📗

she lay in the beautiful bed, fully recovered, she pondered her circumstances. She had never intended to marry after losing Rich, but now that she was a wife, she had never considered that she would spend her married nights alone. She had agreed to this arrangement, but she felt an odd yearning now that the deed was done. Her heart longed for something that seemed just out of reach. A marriage of convenience meant … forever being celibate. Never being loved. Never being a mother.

Not that she had ever imagined bearing children to anyone other than Rich, but Rich was dead and so were her plans and dreams with him.

The captain had his own plans and dreams, and they didn’t involve fathering children with his wife, nor even living much of the time with her.

She would have to content herself with mothering the girls.

Restlessly, she slid out of bed and padded to the window. Brushing aside the curtains, she looked out on the blackness of the sea. Clouds had rolled in, and the moon and stars hid. The sea looked like ink, and it was hard to make out where the land ended and the water began.

Far out on the edge of the cliff, though, a dot of light moved. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. Someone with a lantern. The light swung in a tiny arc, matching the pace of the person who carried it. Who would be out walking in the middle of the night?

Was it the captain? Was Charles as restless as she, contemplating their unconsummated marriage?

“Lord, did we do the right thing? I felt at such peace when I made the decision. It seemed an answer to my prayers. But I have to wonder—what does a God-honoring marriage look like? Is it enough that we’ve come together to parent these children and look after this property?”

The light disappeared, and she jerked. Either the man had headed down the stairs to the dock, or he’d fallen off the cliff.

C

HAPTER

10

ONE WEEK LATER, Sophie didn’t know whether to bless or curse the arrival of the mail. For days there had been no mail at all, and now a deluge. She had known her mother would have a response to the letter Sophie had sent telling her of her marriage to the earl, but this was ridiculous.

“You are the most vexing child. What of my house party plans? I’m only thankful the invitations hadn’t gone out yet. Still, at least this time you’ve managed to snag an earl, but Rothwell is not a well-considered name at the moment. It has only recently come to my attention that his cousin tried to kill the Prince Regent! This is what I get for allowing you to travel. I knew in my bones this escapade to the coast was a mistake.”

The letter went on for some time, but it was the final sally that made Sophie wince.

“Your brother will be there in a few days. He has some business that takes him to Sussex, and he will journey over to see for himself what you’ve gotten into. And you should prepare a room for me. I will come myself in a few weeks, when I’ve gotten over my outrage. Cilla and Charlotte send their regards.”

Marcus was coming?

And then Mother?

She blew out a long breath, bracing herself for the onslaught of her family. She set aside her mother’s letter to see what Charlotte and Marcus had to say. Charlotte had started first.

“Trust you, darling, to leap into matrimony. Are you all right? I hurt to think that you got married with none of your family in attendance, not even Marcus, who would have walked you down the aisle. I wish you every happiness though. Do write and tell me everything. Your letter of announcement was much too terse. I need to know you are well.”

The day before the wedding, Sophie had fired off a missive to everyone at Haverly, because there hadn’t been time for a longer epistle. And she had kept it brief and sent it at the last moment, because she hadn’t wanted anyone to come haring down to the coast to talk her out of it.

Marcus came over very big-brotherish.

“Soph, you bedlamite. What are you thinking? If I were there, I don’t know if I would turn you over my knee or pull you into a hug. It’s just as well I made inquiries into Captain Wyvern. At least I know the caliber of the man whom you’ve married. However, such a bold move means I must come and see for myself which way the wind is blowing. Expect me shortly after you receive this letter. And for mercy’s sake, don’t do anything else rash before I get there.”

She set her mail on the corner of the desk. Her brother’s chiding made her feel warm and secure in his love.

Charles read his mail at his desk.

“Good news?” she asked. One of the letters had been from the Admiralty.

“Yes and no. Admiral Barrington has taken my need of an estate steward to heart, and he’s sending along an applicant who should arrive within the fortnight. One Alistair Lythgoe, former naval first lieutenant. Barrington assures me he is just the man for the job. I hope so. After speaking with the local solicitor, Will Owens, I’ve decided a man from outside the district would be a better fit.”

“That’s good, right? So what is the bad news?”

He tossed the pages down on the desk and stood quickly, as if he couldn’t bear to remain seated. “Parliament has rejected the naval blockade of Elba. They say there is no danger of Napoleon escaping his exile, and the war has already nearly bankrupted the nation. There is no need for the expense of a blockade. Therefore, there is no command awaiting me in Portsmouth.”

He went to the windows, staring out to sea. Hands clasped behind his back, his shoulders straight, muscles rigid, he embodied frustration.

No naval command? What did that mean