Chapter 28

April 1820

Hidcote Manor

It was a beautiful spring day in the middle of April. The spring flowers had produced a riot of colours in the beds surrounding the spacious lawn at Hidcote Manor. It was such a lovely afternoon that Helen had decided to sit outside on the terrace. She was now in the latter stages of her confinement, and she was looking forward to giving birth to her child. She was much larger than she had been when she had been pregnant with George. And she was already finding walking and going up steps difficult. She had picked that particular spot on the terrace because it was shaded from the warm spring sunshine. A large glass of refreshing lemonade rested on a table next to her. It was the perfect day to sit outside and enjoy some fresh air.

Lord Brentford had died less than a month after Hepworth's death at Torrington Place. Haverstock had been true to his word. Before the news of Brentford's death had been made public, he had put the legal cogs into motion. As soon as Brentford had been buried, she had been installed as the new mistress at Hidcote Manor and her son's legal guardian.

It had not been a smooth transition. When she had first arrived her son, George, as he liked to be called, was wary of her. Over the years, Brentford had told him all kinds of untruths about his mother. She had to, slowly but surely, gain his trust. It had taken months of patience and love to eventually win him around. All her hard work was beginning to pay off, and she was now enjoying a loving relationship with him.

It had also been difficult to fit in with the local community. Most of them remembered her as a young girl when her father had been the rector at the local village church. They had disapproved of her marriage to Harry and had believed Brentford's propaganda that she had tricked his son. Her pregnancy had not helped improve her already beleaguered reputation. In fact, it only confirmed their opinion of her as a woman of no morals.

She was actually quite glad that they had given her a wide berth. She was happy living the life of a recluse and only having to please herself and George.

Brentford's extended family had not been at all happy with her taking over the reins off Hidcote Manor and George's welfare. They had tried to launch a legal challenge to her authority, but thanks to Haverstock, their case had been thrown out of court. There was now nothing his family could do to challenge George's guardianship or her position as mistress of his estate.

George was now eleven years old, and it would not be long until he would leave her and attend Eton. Again, Haverstock had helped her secure a place for George at the prestigious school. It was only right that the new Lord Brentford would attend a school with his peers. However painful it would be to lose him temporarily, she would have to let him go so that he could make his own way in the world.

She was watching him play cricket with some of the servants he had roped into his game. He was charming like Harry, his father, but he lacked the duplicity that had marred his father's personality. He had charmed Edwards, the elderly butler who was a stickler for etiquette, to allow the younger footmen to have an hour away from their tasks. He had also beguiled the head gardener to allow some of his lads to join in as well.

There was quite a crowd on the lawn, enjoying the spring sunshine, and the atmosphere was good-natured but surprisingly competitive. The indoor servants had challenged their outdoor rivals to a match, and neither side wanted to lose.

Helen had a chair and a footstool set up on a shady part of the terrace that overlooked the lawn. She sat back and relaxed as she watched the game, and she was pleased to see George thoroughly enjoying himself. She suspected that these lighthearted interludes had been few and far between when his grandfather had been alive.

'Mama,' he called out in excitement, 'did you see that? I hit a six.'

'Well done, darling,' she called back, 'you were magnificent.'

She noticed that one of the under gardeners had bowled him an easy ball, and she was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Most of these men took cricket very seriously and played on the village team. Giving points away to the opposition was not something they would have done lightly.

She felt the baby kick as though he or she was celebrating their brother's victory. She placed her hand on her swollen abdomen and felt the new life growing within her move. It was a bittersweet moment. Sweet at the thought of soon being able to hold her newborn babe in her arms. Something, nine months ago, she would never have dreamt possible. Bitter because the father, the man she loved, would not be able to share the joy of welcoming their new child into the world.

She sighed sadly at the thought of Ralph, and a tear escaped from the corner of her eyes. She knew, after the last time they had spoken in the carriage to London from Torrington Place, that he would also find their parting difficult.

He had been true to his word. He had sent his secretary around to see her and had put into motion a contract that would provide generous financial provision for his child. The child would lack for nothing financially. However, they would miss out on having their father live with them. They would get to see him a few times a year during pre-arranged visits when he was in London for the season. They would never be able to visit his ancestral home or meet their only surviving grandparent, Lady Huntingdon. It saddened Helen to think about her child growing up with the stigma of illegitimacy, but there was nothing she could do to change that now.

Alice had written to her only last week, telling her that Ralph would be arriving In London for the season any day now. Miss Hepworth was still in half-mourning for her father, so their wedding would take place in the new year. It was painful to hear news regarding Ralph's forthcoming marriage, but Helen had asked her to keep her informed. It was better to learn of his plans from Alice than to read about them in the newspaper.

As she was deep in maudlin thoughts, Edwards came out onto the terrace.

'There's a gentleman to see you, ma'am,' he said haughtily, 'I told him to wait in the drawing-room.'

Helen heard the censure in his voice. She knew that he deeply resented her installation as mistress at Hidcote, and he never attempted to hide his displeasure. Helen knew that she should terminate his employment, but she felt sorry for him. He was due to retire before the end of the year so she would just have to put up with him until then.

The only gentleman that visited her at Hidcote was Ralph's secretary. She suspected that it could be him. However, all the legal documents, regarding her unborn child's future, had already been signed.

'Please could you bring them out to me on the terrace,' Helen said politely, 'I don't want to miss the end of the game.' It was partly the truth. However, she was finding standing and sitting difficult, so she avoided any unnecessary movements. She could hear the crunch of pebbles as her guest walked on the path towards her, but her back was towards them, and she could not see them coming.

'Hallo, Helen,' an achingly familiar voice said.

She turned around and there he was, Ralph. He was standing next to her, looking at her with amusement in his grey eyes.

'Ralph,' she said, as she swung her legs to the floor. 'What are you doing here?'

'Please don't get up,' he said, gently resting his hand on her shoulder.

She leant back against the chair. Even if she wanted to, she did not think that she had the strength to stand. Her legs felt like jelly, and she knew that they would not be able to take her full weight.

'You look well,' he said as he sat in the chair next to her.

'Yes,' was all she could manage to say in reply. The shock of seeing him again had rendered her speechless.

'I am fine,' she said, gathering her wits together. 'I have never felt better.'

'You've never looked more beautiful,' he said softly, taking her hand and gently caressing her fingers.

She closed her eyes. She desperately wanted to withdraw her hand, but his touch was so comforting. She battled with the emotions that were welling up within her. She felt the tears begin to spring into the corners of her eyes, and she vainly tried to fend them off. Her equilibrium that had already been teetering on the edge threatened to tip. She took a deep breath and summoned up the courage to remove her hand from his grasp.

'What are you doing here?' she said once she had retrieved her hand.

'I have come to talk to you,' he replied, sitting forward in the chair and looking at her intently.

Helen dared not look at him. Her emotions were far too raw, and she did not want to expose herself to him.

'I do not think that is wise,' she said, folding her hands nervously in her lap.

He retook her hand. 'Helen, will you marry me?'

Helen looked at him with disbelief. 'Ralph,' she said, as tears flowed down her cheeks. 'If this is your idea of a jest, I do not find it at all funny.'

'I'm not jesting,' he replied gravely. 'I want to marry you.'

'You can't,' she replied, surprised that her voice was steady. She hunted in her pocket for a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. 'You are betrothed to Miss Hepworth. We have already discussed this, you know you cannot go back on your word.'

'Helen,' he said, as he took her hands once more in his. 'She released me from our betrothal.'

'She released you,' Helen repeated with incredulity, 'from your betrothal?'

'Yes,' he replied, 'I know it is difficult to believe, but she has broken it off. There was a notice regarding it in The Times this morning. I thought you might have seen it.'

Helen shook her head. Even though the newspapers were delivered to Hidcote Manor, she tended not to read them. She had shut herself away from the world around her when she had moved here after Brentford's death. Hearing news about Ralph would have been far too painful.

'I don't know how,' he said, 'but she heard from someone the truth about her father and how he had died.'

'Poor girl,' Helen said sympathetically. 'It must have come as a shock to discover what he was really like.'

'She also told me that she knew that her father had cajoled me so that I would make an offer for her. She came and saw me a couple of days ago at Fallbrook House and offered to withdraw from the betrothal and break the contract,' he said, still holding onto her hand. 'She may be a shy girl, but she's very determined. She left me with no choice.'

'But, Ralph,' Helen said, her emotions beginning to return to normal. 'You cannot marry me. You need a young bride who can be your Countess. Not someone like me.'

'Helen,' he said gravely, 'you are carrying my child. If you marry me, then our child will have the protection of the Fallbrook name, and I will be able to be a proper father to them.'

'Is our child the only reason why you want to marry me,' she replied, looking at him directly.

'Of course not,' he said vehemently. 'I love you, Helen. I have loved you from the moment I saw you on the cliffs at Belmont Hall. Looking wild and beautiful and at one with the world around you. When I held you in my arms, I recognised the deep sadness in you. The loneliness, the burying of all feeling deep within to protect yourself from the rest of the world. It was as though a missing part of me had been accidentally found.'

'But, Ralph,' she said, still unsure if she was in a dream. 'In a few weeks, I will be giving birth to our child. It will cause a scandal in the ton.'

'If a scandal is all you are worried about,' he said, smiling at her, 'your fears really do not signify. You will be joining a family that can handle any scandal that comes its way. Believe me, this will not be the most outrageous thing that us Fallbrook's are famous for instigating. We are past masters at causing scandal and then weathering the storm that ultimately follows in its wake.'

'What about your mother, Lady Huntingdon? She will be furious,' she said, trying to think of every objection. His arguments, to her mind, seemed far too reasonable, and she needed to play devil's advocate.

'My mother will soon get over the shock. I'm not going to lie to you, she will not be happy about the marriage, but I guarantee that she will want to be part of the child's life. She has too much loyalty towards the Fallbrook family name. She will sulk and be unpleasant to me for a while, but she will come round. If I were a betting man, I would lay even odds that she will present you to all her old friends as her beloved daughter-in-law at the beginning of next year's season.'

'I do not know, Ralph,' Helen said, unsure of her own thoughts. Her heart wanted to say yes and live the life she could have only dreamt about over the past few months. However, her head, her rational being, was still full of doubt. 'What about your political standing?' she continued, 'I wouldn't want you to lose any support in the House because of me.'

'Helen,' he said earnestly. He was now kneeling next to her chair with her hands firmly grasped in his. 'I would give up everything for you. The titles, the estates, the political influence. The past months have proved to me that you and our child are the most important things in my life.'

Helen's heart melted. After such a sincere declaration, how could she refuse him? She nodded. 'Yes, Ralph, yes, I will marry you,' she said decisively.' Now that she had said it out loud, she felt the tears of sadness turn into tears of joy.

She felt a comforting flutter deep inside her womb. 'The baby,' she said, smiling at him. 'He or she is moving.' She took his hand and placed it on her swollen abdomen and moved it to the position where the child was moving. 'Can you feel it?' she said, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

Ralph smiled as his hand rested lightly on her. 'Yes,' he said, his voice full of wonder. 'It's...'

Helen knew that he was lost for words. It was the same fascination she felt when she could feel her child move within her. 'It's amazing,' she said softly, 'how we created a new life together.'

Keeping his hand on her abdomen, he kissed Helen gently on the lips. 'I do love you, Helen. More than I ever thought possible.'

As his lips touched hers, warmth seeped into the depths of her body and buried itself deep within her soul. She had given up hiding her feelings when she had first met him at the cliffs, and their searing kiss had unlocked all her pent-up emotions. There was no better feeling than to love and be loved. To be desired, but also cherished. All the hopelessness that she had felt over the past months now melted away as he kissed her.

Ralph then moved away and took his watch out of his pocket. 'Good grief, look at the time,' he said, 'it's getting late.'

'Are you leaving?' she said, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice, 'I would like you to meet George.'

'I am not leaving,' he said as he sat back on the chair. 'I am looking forward to meeting your son.'

'Then why are you worried about the time?' she said curiously.

'We have a wedding to attend,' he said, grinning at her.

'A wedding?' she asked. She was genuinely puzzled and had no idea what he was talking about. 'Who's wedding?'

He raised his eyebrows mischievously. 'Why, ours, of course,' he said, still smiling at her with a wide grin.

She stared at him with incredulity. 'But that's impossible.'

'I hope not,' he said casually. 'Our guests will be arriving very soon.'

'Guests?' she said, surprised.

'Alice and Tom,' he replied, 'and there is also Alex and Octavia, and they are bringing Rachel.'

'How can we get married today?' she said, still in disbelief. 'What about the banns? They need to be read four weeks before the ceremony.'

'Not if you have a special licence,' he said, tapping his jacket pocket. 'I have already spoken to the vicar, and he will marry us at three o'clock.'

'Ralph, we cannot,' she said quietly.

'Give me one good reason why we shouldn't be married today,' he said earnestly.

'I...' She stumbled on her words, 'I have nothing suitable to wear.'

Ralph laughed loudly. 'Is that all. Apparently, Alice has that side of things already planned. When she arrives, she will make sure that you are suitably dressed. Any other objections.'

Helen looked at him, suspiciously. 'You have thought of everything,' she said, her brows furrowed. 'I really have no choice, do I?'

'Not really,' he said, smiling as he stood up. 'Let us go and tell your son the good news.'