Averill: Historical Romance (The Brocade Collection, Book 3) (39 page)

“
Nothing?”

He winked
. “You really should have listened to the entire exchange, love. But, I’ll confess. As soon as I told my uncle your name, you should’ve seen his relief. I truly do think he worried I might have wed with some nameless trollop. When he found out it was the artist he’s quite fond of, well...”

He stopped speaking and approached her
. Averill’s eyes widened as he went to his knees in front of her. He took her hands. The touch dissolved the last vestige of the stone weight.

“Do you understand
yet, how much I love you?” he asked.

She looked up at him, her eyes awash with unshed tears
. “Yes.”

“
And do you promise never to run away again?” 

He lifted one
of her palms to his lips. Touched his tongue to her skin. It sent a solid thrill shooting through her. Averill nodded.

“
And will you marry me and stop this nonsense?”

It was almost impossible to answer when h
is lips reached her wrist, then her lower arm, pushing her sleeve aside.

“Oh yes!” 

He lifted his head, the warmth in his eyes embracing her and heating her until she longed to shed more than just her cloak. She didn’t have to leave him. Ever. She’d never torture herself with another parting.

He retrieved the marriage certificate with one hand
and stood, bringing her to her feet beside him.

“I love you, Andrew.”  She stood on tiptoe to whisper it into his ear.

“Thank God. Well. Averill. Looks like I’ve a bit more penance to do.”

“Penance?”

“Exactly. I’ve found the perfect love and given no time to enjoy it. Again. Come along, darling. We’ve got quite a bit to do yet…starting with releasing servants.”

“Harvey?”

He chuckled slightly. “Oh, no. No. I’ll deal with Harvey. In good time. That can wait. I was speaking of the men I have posted. At every exit. And the gatehouse. And the drive. And…well. I even sent one to the nearest posting house.”

“You did?”

“With your history? Please. Grant me some wits. You’re an escape artist. I was taking no chances. I’ve just gone through a year’s worth of hell in the past hour pacing this floor, thank you very much.”

Averill giggled.

“Oh. Before we leave, I need alert you. I’ve started another scandal. And I’m not finished yet.”

“
How?”

He grinned
down at her. “Well. After I found out you were actually here – at the Hall – I proceeded directly to the ball room. I believe I broke several social codes, and I’m not speaking of my incorrect attire. You were missing. Nobody knew where. I caused quite a ruckus, actually. They may still be speaking of it down there.”

“You
didn’t!”

“
Don’t worry so. We’ll live it down. And we won’t be about to witness it, anyway. It’s going to be a long night, love. A very long night…ending somewhere between here and France.”

Her throat closed off
. “France?”

“Well
. I did say we eloped. And I’ve paid passage to Paris. Come along. Oh. I think you’ve got something to show me first. A bit of precious baggage we need to retrieve first.”

“Baggage?”

He headed for the door, grabbing up the candelabra on the way. Averill could’ve sworn, as they left, that the knight winked at her.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The nursery was the same…yet everything felt so much different! The cradle containing little Andrew was set just to one side of the table. A rocking chair was beside it. The fire was nothing more than a few glowing embers. But it felt so much warmer!

Averill put her finger to her lips for silence before bringing Tenny with her
. He seemed to drag oddly at her hand as he tip-toed with her. Averill didn’t make much sound. Tenny’s boots made little thudding noises. The warning wasn’t needed. Little Andrew was awake. Stirring. A fist went up above the cradle, and then the other. And then a foot. Averill thought her heart might burst.

“Hello, darling.”

Averill had him in her arms and held so tightly, he should’ve been fussing. He wasn’t. He simply watched her with the brown eyes so reminiscent of his father. Averill turned to Tenny. Looked up. And couldn’t believe the look in his eyes as he gazed down at her and the baby. His eyes didn’t look brown just then. They were pure liquid gold. Her heart melted, sending a flood of warmth everywhere. There wasn’t a bit of cold in the world. Anywhere.  

“Oh, Averill
. He…he looks like me.”

His voice choked
.

“I think so.”

“He even…has my eyes.”

He kept his voice low, but
it didn’t hide the awe that stained it.

“You want to hold him?”

Tenny’s hands came up, shedding more light since he still held the candelabra. He backed a step. His eyes went wide. “Oh no. No. I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

“Averill…I don’t have the hands for it. I’ll…drop him.”

“Then sit
. I’ll help.”

“No
. Truly. This is not a good plan. I don’t think—.”

“Sit down, Andrew Tennison
. Now.”

Tenny sat
. The rocker creaked loudly with his weight. It looked insubstantial and small beneath him, especially with his knees aligned almost with his shoulders. He looked out-of-place and uncomfortable. And absolutely perfect.        

“Now
. Put the candles on the table. Good. Open your arms. Yes. You can use your legs to support him if you need to.”

The babe looked
tiny once she settled him in Tenny’s arms, making certain Tenny cupped Andrew’s head in his palm. Tenny had his hands propped atop his thighs, and wasn’t moving. Little Andrew didn’t either. Averill held her breath, watching as the baby regarded his father seriously. It matched the look on Tenny’s face as he looked up.  

“You see
? I told you, you could do it,” Averill said.

“He’s not going to cry, is he?”

“He might. Babies do cry, you know. It looks more like he’s mimicking you,” she whispered back.

“What is…his name?”  He cleared his throat mid-sentence.

“You can’t guess? He’s your son. I named him Andrew.”

“
Andrew. Oh, Averill.” 

He
sounded close to tears as he looked back to his son. Averill had to blink the tears from her eyes as she watched them. And then the nanny’s door scraped open, loud in the stillness.

“Now
. Just what is going on here?”

The
woman came bustling out, tying the belt on her robe as she did so. Tenny had reacted instantly, standing beside Averill in such a quick motion the rocker legs smacked into the floor several times before stopping. A glance showed Andrew clasped against his father’s upper abdomen with one arm, while the other went about her waist.

“I heard a noise and…oh
. It’s you, Miss Averill. And…oh my! Your Lordship!”

The woman bobbed a curtsey, despite the hour and how strange it was
. Tenny pulled Averill closer.

“Good eve, Nanny
. Or…should I say, good morn?”

“
It’s…late. I’ll give you that, my lord. And …I haven’t seen you in the nursery since you were in leading reins.”

“
You’re going to pretend you haven’t seen us now. Fair?”

“
I am?”

“I’ve come to claim my wife and son
, Nanny. We’re escaping…for a bit. And we need your help.”

“Your
wife…and son?” 

The woman’s voice was faint
. She looked close to that affliction. Averill would’ve stepped toward her, if the woman hadn’t recuperated and stared at them wide-eyed.

“
Exactly. Now. If you’ll just go back to your room, and pretend you never saw us, I’d be appreciating it. And don’t worry. We’ll be back in a month or so. Maybe sooner.”

“
Oh. Very good, my lord. And Miss Averill? I never suspected a thing! You never said—. Will wonders never cease?”

“Your room
? Our escape?”  Tenny prompted.

“Oh.”  The woman
sighed. “Very good. Very good. You always were one for a shock, Andrew. I mean…my lord. Safe travels. And to you, as well, your ladyship.”

And then the woman curtsied to Averill
. The sound of the door closing muffled her gasp. It matched the feeling making her knees quiver.

“She…just called me ladyship,” Averill was stunned
. Her voice sounded it.

“You’ll get used to it, darling
. Now. Where are his things?”

“Things?”

“You know. Cloths. Blankets. What-all else a babe needs.”

“I packed them.”

“And…just where have you hidden this pack?”

She told him
. His brows went up. He was getting very secure with the babe, she noticed. Nothing about Tenny looked awkward or hesitant. And then he winked.

“Servant’s staircase
? Good plan. We can reach the stables without notice that way. Come along.”

“You want to give me the baby?”

“Oh. I think you’ve carried him long enough. It’s my turn. Step lively, love. We’ve got a carriage ride before us, a ship to catch, and then a captain to stand before. In that order.”

“A captain?”

“Captains can perform weddings, darling. It’s perfectly legal, and binding, and impossible to break. You’re wedding me just as soon as I can arrange it. And I’m not taking no for an answer, just so you’re forewarned.”

“
Oh…Tenny.”  She would’ve giggled, but the emotion went awry and sounded close to a sob. “As if I’d want to.”

“Okay then
. Prove it. Lead on. We’ll follow. You know, Averill. I could get accustomed to handling my son. It’s not so difficult.”

“Oh
. Just wait until he needs his nappies changed,” she replied.         

Copyright © 2014 by Jackie Ivie

ISBN
978-1-939820-29-7

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