His Mischievous Bride (Regency Matchmaker Book 2) Page 9

  "Well, now, let me think." Callie tilted her head to the side and looked left as though trying to remember something. With any other mother, I would have expected a quick and accurate pronouncement of their ages, but with Calliope, I knew numbers were not likely to come rapidly to mind. She mumbled a bit to herself and appeared to count on her fingers before smiling up at me as though she had caught a prize fish. "Seven, they are all seven years old."

  "They are all the same age? Are they tr-triplets?" A bit of un-colonel-like sweat beaded my brow. Three young boys? That would be quite a fatherly baptism by fire.

  She paused for a moment. "Well, no, not exactly. Wickham comes from a different father," she said. Then perked up and added, "But they all have the same mother."

  "I should hope so."

  "You know I have always had a soft spot for strays."

  This revelation set me back a bit. My jaw had flapped open and I quickly snapped it closed. I supposed it was possible all three boys could be seven years old. Twins were known to arrive early so that could account for them all being the same age, though a few months apart.

  But different fathers? What had my Callie been up to? I assumed the twins were the fruit of the late Lord Thomas Harley, but what of this other man? Had she passed all three off as children of her deceased husband?

  "Where is Wickham’s father now?" I asked, unsure of whether I wished to know the answer.

  "Oh, who knows," Callie said with a laugh. "Probably out sniffing around for some other bitch in heat."

  "Calliope," I said, turning to her in shock. "Is that any way to talk about your boy’s father? Does Wickham know?"

  "Well, it is true. His father is known to be quite a hound," she said, looking at me as though I had lost my mind. "Of course, Wickham does not know. Besides, it is not as though any of them cares. Anyway, they have a new papa now."

  Speechless, we rode along for a moment or two while I tried to come to terms with my thoughts on these revelations.

  Regardless of their lineage, if these boys were the delight of Callie’s heart, as she stated, then they would be the delight of mine as well. Or so I hoped.

  "My London home is not large and not currently fitted out for three such boys, but I am sure we shall be able to accommodate them."

  "Oh, do not concern yourself over their quarters." She giggled. "Look, I used a military term. I shall be an outstanding officer’s wife."

  "Indeed, you shall," I said, pulling her close to me as the carriage continued to rumble through the streets of London. "But, back to the boys—let me see if I have their names right: there’s Wickham and then the twins are Darcy and Dingley, is that correct?"

  "No, William." A short fit of giggles came over her. "It is Bingley with a B, not Dingley with a D," she said, once she composed herself.

  "Of course, I shall be sure to remember that. There is nothing more loathsome than to be called by the wrong name and I should hate to get off on the wrong foot with any of them."

  "You are a dear," she said, "but as long as you toss a ball around the room for him to chase, Bingley will not give a whit what you call him."

  It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he might be some sort of simpleton, but having little experience with those under the age of ten or fifteen, I kept the thought to myself. I would learn the truth soon enough.

  "As I was saying," she said, "do not concern yourself about making room for them in your home. They are really quite small and take up only a tiny amount of room in my bed."

  "Wha—" The rest of my shocked statement was cut off when the carriage stopped at Calliope’s soon-to-be-former home.

  I stood to assist her in exiting the carriage, but she brushed away my attempts. "You need to get to your meeting," she said. "Besides, I do not want you to meet the boys until they have been properly bathed and look their best." She dropped a kiss on my cheek and alighted from the carriage with the aid of a footman.

  I ought to have insisted on accompanying her and meeting Darcy, Bingley and Wickham, but, still in a state of shock over Calliope’s statement, I numbly watched as the door closed behind her.

  William

  "Married?" General Fitzwilliam stared at me and repeated the word two or three times under his breath. Leaning forward across his desk, his eyes bore into mine. "Have you gotten some girl pregnant? Damn it, man, has the army taught you nothing?"

  I supposed I ought to have been offended, if not for myself then on behalf of Calliope, but putting myself in the general’s shoes, I could see the shocking nature of my announcement.

  "No, sir," I said. "My bride and I knew each other in our youth. We quarreled—"

  "And that is when you took a commission in the army," the general said. "Now it all makes sense to me. I have often wondered why you joined the service in the first place." He held up his hand to halt my protests. "Now, Colonel, I am not at all insinuating it was a poor choice, you are a fine soldier and a credit to the crown. But, we both know your circumstances are such it was unnecessary for you to earn a living or make a name for yourself. I know you had no title, but your uncle left you with substantial wealth, did he not?"

  Dumbstruck, I took a turn at being gobsmacked.

  The general continued. "I have not been spying on you, but you have shared enough of your past with me over the years for me to piece the story together. Besides, did you think I had not noticed your neck cloths and handkerchiefs were specially made and not the usual army issue?"

  "You have waited all these years to learn the specifics of my decision to take a commission?"

  "It was not the sole object on my mind, Colonel. I am, after all, a rather busy man."

  "Agreed." I tipped my head to him in acknowledgment of his statement.

  "However," the general continued, "I am not so busy that I do not wish to learn all the details of how you and your bride came to be reacquainted and so quickly married." He went to his bar and brought out a decanter and two glasses.

  I sipped my drink and enjoyed a moment’s contemplation. General Fitzwilliam outranked me, but that did not entitle him to know all of my business. On the other hand, the circumstances of the last few days had left my head reeling a bit and I was eager for wise counsel. I finished my drink and poured a second before commencing my tale.

  I watched the general’s face as I retold the extraordinary events which had occurred since our last conversation.

  "A matchmaker, you say?" He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head from side to side, a wide grin upon his mouth.

  He chuckled, and I could not help but join in, during my description of our late-night visit to the bishop. "Oh, that old elbow-crooker. I am glad you finally got some satisfaction from him. If the man cannot hold his liquor, he ought not to sit down to a game of cards."

  "I believe," I said, "the bishop and I are now on even terms."

  The general tipped his glass to me and I continued the tale, though of course quickly passing over the details of how Calliope and I spent our time at the hotel.

  "Which brings us to this morning," I said with a sigh. "As it turns out," I glanced up at General Fitzwilliam and braced for his reaction, "my wife has three boys, all seven years of age."

  The general’s brows furrowed together like two caterpillars mating. "Triplets?"

  I let loose a heavy sigh. "No, apparently twins and another."

  "All the same age?"

  "I believe they are a few months apart."

  "Seven years old, you say?"

  "Yes," I said. "And she is quite besotted by them."

  "Their father is her now deceased husband?"

  "So I assume, though she tells me—and you must swear on your honor never to reveal what I am about to say—she has revealed to me that the one who is not a twin, I believe his name is Wickham, has a different father from the others."

  "Bloody hell!" The general slammed his glass upon the desk and some of the amber contents spilled onto a stack of papers, though he took no notice of it.
"Did she pass this side-slip off as her husband’s?"

  "I tried to ascertain some of the details, sir, but she was not overly concerned with the issue. It would appear I am to be their new papa and that is all that matters."

  "Bloody hell," the general said again, rubbing his chin. "I suppose, now that you are married, you ought to make the best of it. ‘Tis not the boy’s fault his father is a blighter."

  "I know I ought to be upset she did not tell me all of this before we were married, but now that I have retold the tale, there was no opportunity for her to do so."

  "Does not sound to me as though it would have made any difference to you anyway."

  "No, it would not. It still does not. My concern at the moment is how on earth to be a proper father to these boys. It is important to Calliope and therefore it is important to me."

  The general nodded and I was heartened by his interest. Over the years, I had not kept in touch with my schoolmates. In truth, because Lord Thomas Harley, the man who swooped in and won Callie’s heart after my youthful debacle, had been at school with me, I was loath to remain in contact with any from that sphere, the mere idea of even a hint at the happenings in his life, and Calliope’s, had been too much for me to bear. The army had provided plenty of male companionship, but only a very few of those had developed into anything resembling a friendship. General Fitzwilliam was one of those rare few and I counted myself fortunate for his steadfast fealty.

  "I wish I had some fatherly wisdom to impart to you, but as you well know, I have been a bachelor for many years."

  The general said no more, though I knew the heartbreak he had endured when his beloved wife had died during childbirth. The baby, a boy, had not survived either. My friend paused before speaking. "I was not honored with the opportunity to be a father, but I will advise you in this regard—do not shy away from the blessing that has been bestowed upon you. Three boys, regardless of their heritage, appear desperate for a man like you in their lives. I suggest you embrace all your new life has to offer."

  "Thank you," I said. "That is sound advice."

  "Now," the general said, "we must return to the matter hand. I believe we have ascertained the name of one of the top ringleaders of this band of renegades against the crown."

  "Really," I said. "If you were able to learn all of that without me, then perhaps I can retire now."

  "Do not be a fool, St. Clair. We need you now more than ever." The general rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. "I expect you will be hearing from the leaders soon. The rumors we have spread about you seem to have taken hold quickly."

  I stared at the general while rage built inside me. I had forgotten about the toll being put to my reputation in the name of this operation. The sooner these bastards were caught, the sooner my good name could be restored.

  Chapter 6

  Callie

  I fairly floated into the London townhouse which, though it contained most of my worldly possessions, was no longer my home. As was the custom of the upper echelon of British society, this house was family property, held in trust. Even when Thomas had been alive, I was no more than an inhabitant, a keeper of the premises as a legacy for future generations. Now that I had married into another family, my claim on this home was as nothing more than a guest, though I did enter without knocking. How preposterous to imagine myself rapping upon the door when I had enjoyed unfettered access to this home for years. Besides, I was too excited to see my boys to be bothered with formalities, if it had occurred to me any were necessary, which it did not.

  In other circumstances, I would have been quite forlorn at the thought of vacating this house which had been the backdrop for many happy memories. Why, it had only been a few weeks ago, in the sitting room, that I had first become acquainted with dear Tempest, my beloved son’s new wife. And learned she carried my first grandchild. Such joy and anticipation.

  The marital happiness emanating from Tempest and my dear Jimmy had inspired me to visit Lady Ambrosia and in a stroke of unimaginable good fortune, that dear lady reunited me with William. Despite our many hours devoted to consummating our marriage, I still found it difficult to believe.

  My reverie was disrupted by the noisy entrance of my boys. My heart nearly exploded with love at seeing the three of them running for me as fast as their little legs could carry them. "Come to Mama," I squealed, bending down to gather them in my arms. Darcy jumped up and even licked my face. A display of emotion and affection that was unlike him. Bingley, bless his heart, ran into an end table in his eagerness to get to me and was sent flying off to the side and stunned for a moment, but he recovered and ran around me in happy circles.

  I glanced about for Wickham, the scamp. To my dismay, he was scooting along the floor, rubbing his bottom on the fine carpet which had been bought at a dear price by some Knox family ancestor. "Wickham," I scolded. "Stop, right now. Is that any way for a gentleman to behave? Come to Mama."

  He paused for a moment and gave his private parts a thorough licking before finally obeying me. I had no idea who his father was, but based upon the behavior of his son, he must have been quite a scoundrel.

  Darcy looked down his nose at Wickham, then sniffed the air and walked away, taking up a protective station near me while keeping a wary eye on Wickham. For some reason, the two had never gotten on together. As their mama, it broke my heart that my boys did not all love each other with the unfettered love I had for them. But, they were still young and might grow more fond of one another as they matured.

  Bingley, on the other hand, never knew a stranger, man or beast. He hopped up and down, twisting and turning his little body in unbridled enthusiasm. I grabbed him and kissed his adorable wet nose.

  Once the commotion died down a bit, I sat upon the sofa and called my little darlings to jump up and sit next to me. "I have found you a new papa and he is most eager to meet all of you. But first, you must have baths and get your nails trimmed so you look your absolute best when we move to our new home."

  When I said the B word, they all hung their heads. Wickham may have even growled. "Now, now," I said, taking each of them by the chin and forcing them to look at me, "this is important, and I expect you to all behave like gentlemen."

  I rang the bell for a servant and gave instructions for them to have a snack and then a bath. I also directed her to have their things packed as we would be relocating.

  "Begging your pardon, my lady," the girl said, "but I wish to congratulate you on your marriage, though I will be sad to see you leave." The girl blushed sweetly. That might have been the most words she had ever spoken to me and I appreciated her well-wishes.

  "Thank you," I said, glancing around the room. "I shall miss being here, but as long as I have my sweet fellows with me, I shall be happy. I am sure you will miss them too and I am sorry to be taking them from your company."

  She must have been in a hurry to start their baths because she did not reply to my statement, simply curtsied, turned and left.

  I supposed she was eager to have time alone with the little darlings before we all traveled to our new home.

  It was not until I paused for a moment and caught my breath that I realized how extremely tired I was. Upon reflection, it ought not to have been a surprise. The colonel had given me quite the working over. I had no complaints, but it was a level of physical activity to which a lady of my station in life was unaccustomed.

  Though I would not object to including more of the same in my near future, I thought, making myself blush and giggle self-consciously.

  "What is so humorous, Mother?"

  I had forgotten James and Tempest had been in residence on the day I left for my meeting with Lady Ambrosia and with a happy squeal I jumped up to hug my daughter-in-law. In only a few weeks she had brought joy to our family and turned my stoic Jimmy into a much less dour man. Had I not been charmed by Tempest myself, I might have suspected her of supernatural abilities, for my Jimmy was a tough nut to crack.

  We sat, Tempest and I,
facing each other and I rang for tea and gave instructions to the maid when she arrived, though I noticed the servant glanced to Tempest who gave her the tiniest of nods before the maid left to carry out the task.

  I am not usually the most alert to the subtleties of life, but there was definitely an interaction between the two which puzzled me.

  Until…

  "Oh, my! Tempest... Lady Tempest, I am so very sorry. You are now the mistress of this house, not I. Please forgive me. Old habits die hard."

  Tempest laughed. "Please, do not concern yourself with such formalities. This has been your home for many years. I am new to the family and this household, we shall all require some time to adjust to the changed order of things. But, enough about that. Is it true? Have you married?"

  I blushed and did my best to maintain ladylike composure, but could not contain the broad smile I felt stretch across my face. "Yes," I sighed. "Yes, I am. Oh, I can scarcely believe any of it is actually true."

  Tempest moved to the edge of her seat and leaned in eagerly. "Tell me all about him. Was it love at first sight? I did not love James at first sight, I shall admit, but I have grown to love him, as you well know. And what did you think of Lady Ambrosia? Is she not a delight?"

  Her questions hit me in rapid fire and I did my best to answer all of them. "Oh my, yes, Lady Ambrosia is a delight, though initially I had some doubts about her methods. She had me turning cartwheels, of all things. Can you imagine such a sight as me executing a cartwheel in a gown and petticoats? But, I did."

  Tempest gasped. "No."

  "Yes," I grinned, pleased with myself. "I most certainly did. And then what do you think?"

  "What?" Tempest nearly jumped from her seat. "Please, you must tell me everything."

  My tale was interrupted when the tea items arrived, and I deferred to Tempest, the new Countess of Knox, as she poured and arranged the delicacies which were brought for us. Once the servant was dismissed, I continued my story.

  "When I was a girl, a young man came to live at one of the neighboring estates. He was the nephew of a fine man who was childless."