Love's Legacy A Romantic Intrigue

By Barbara Phillips

At age eleven Chloe Fairfax met 14 year old William Crandall. His uncle came to visit with her father. When William left he suggested they write weekly. Chloe agreed. For six years they faithfully wrote. Then one day William came to Chloe's father estate to court her. William won her heart and hand.

They were married and lived happily ever after. That is--until he is murdered.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little Mountain Publishing
• Release date: Aug 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507855461

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

BOROUGHBRIDGE, YORKSHIRE, UK

1830

Seventeen year old Chloe was dressed in a man’s fishing attire which she had topped off with a gardener’s floppy hat. It almost covered her golden hair. Her blue eyes sparkled as she hurried down to the barn.  Chloe cheerfully announced, Fishing time! She hurried to her father’s side and handed him a scone. Then Chloe closed her eyes and took a bite of her scone. She smiled savoring the citrus flavor.

A tall regal man entered the barn. He studied the young girl.

Chloe opened her eyes. She was surprised and embarrassed. Chloe tried to swallow. Instead she choked and then stared. Before her stood the most handsome man she’d ever seen. His deep brown soft curls adorned his head. She noticed his bright blue eyes which were surrounded by black eyelashes. He looked like a gentleman in his high collared shirt and knee length full skirted black coat which was buttoned at his trim narrow waist. His tan trousers contrasted with his coat and emphasized his long legs. He was tall. Chloe gulped.

The tall stranger smiled and spoke up. Hello, there, young man. Have you seen Lord Edward Fairfax?

Chloe mumbled, while she motioned with her left hand indicating she had something was in her mouth. She nodded ‘yes’ since her mouth was still full. She noted, ‘He is so handsome.’ She pointed in her father’s direction. She swallowed and mumbled, He is o’ber der’. Chloe swallowed again and cleared her throat. She spoke up, By the way, I am not a lad. I am a woman. My name is Lady Chloe. My father and I are going fishing. Would you like to join us?

Sounds delightful, but I am not dressed for such an occasion. The stranger noted Chloe’s apparel, as she looked him up and down. He smiled as he looked directly into her eyes. His smile brought forth a blush and a dimple on both of her cheeks.

Chloe looked him over once more. You are definitely not dressed for fishing, but then neither is my da. In fact, my father is a bit late to go fishing. Let me get him for you. She hurried to her father who was examining a young filly. Chloe tapped him on his left shoulder, and pointed at the stranger.

Her father stood up, brushed off his breeches and strode over to the young man. How may I help you, sir?

The stranger stuck out his right hand and spoke, Good afternoon. My name is Lord Crandall.

I remember you well, young man. Your uncle Robert Crandall, the Duke of Windston, was the finest man I have ever known. We spent our years at school together. We even shared a room as well. Our friendship continued until his death six years ago. I miss him. He shook Lord Crandall’s hand

Thank you for those kind words, Lord Edward.

I attended his funeral six years ago. I still miss Robert. Edward felt a great sense of loss and batted his watery eyes. Would you mind addressing me as Edward?

It would be an honor, Edward, William nodded his head. I would feel honored if you would address me as William.

Thank you, William.

I wrote you a letter. I hope you received it. I want to purchase a pair of matched bays. I was told you have a fine pair.

Indeed I do. I am surprised you knew of the bays. He paused as he looked at Chloe. ‘She may have told him about the bays when she last wrote him.’ "I was going to release that information next week. I am glad you arrived when you did. Do not worry, William. We can arrange a way for you to see the bays today. Tomorrow I can show you how well they are trained. Edward noted the desperate waving hands of a young man. If you will excuse me for a moment, William, I am being paged. I will be right back." Lord Fairfax spoke to the stable boy briefly and then returned.

Thank you, William. I apologize that you had to wait for me. If you will follow me I will have someone show you the bays. Chloe please put down the fishing tackle and then show our guest the bays.

Chloe set everything in the corner of the tack room. She hurried to join her father.

Please show the bays to Lord Crandall. Fortunately he has arrived a day early.

Da, I asked the gentleman if he wanted to go fishing, but he was not prepared for a fishing trip. Chloe giggled. Maybe you can come to dinner tonight night, Lord Crandall. Do you like fish?

Fresh fish, yes. Thank you for your offer of supping with you.  Instead I will head back to the inn and come out tomorrow. Edward, I will wait to see the bays until tomorrow.

William, I insist you shall see the bays before you leave. Go get them, Chloe. His voice was quite business like and stern.

Chloe hurried into the other section of the barn. She put on the bays’ bridles before she brought the two forward.

What magnificent horses. William studied the two yearlings. When William and her father began to talk, Chloe picked up her fishing gear and went back to the manor. Next she changed her clothes. After that she told Dolly, the cook, there’d be no fish for supper. Chloe picked up her embroidery work. She was patient as she waited in the parlor. Nobody came into the parlor. So Chloe ate in the kitchen with Dolly while her father ate in his study.

Edward paused in his drawing to eat a bit of his dinner. Then he returned to drawing an illustration of a special carriage he’d seen recently. Tomorrow he’d send off his design to his carriage making associate in Bristol.

Chloe was upset. She went to her father’s study. She tapped on the door and entered. She sat in the chair directly in front of him. Chloe leaned toward her father. Did I get a letter from my friend Will, this week, Da? I have checked with our butler. He said he had not seen one. I hope he is well. He has me worried. I always hear from him, even when he was ill for a couple of weeks.

I think you need to look closer to home.

What are you saying, Dad?

Our guest is your William.

What? You did not tell me he was coming?

I wanted it to be a surprise. William came to see both of us. Do not be shy. Will’s the same young man, but he is grown up, as are you. It is up to you to talk with him when you are ready. Her father spoke up, William and I will be off to Bristol in two days. We will be gone for more than a week. Then he whispered to her conspiringly, Why not write a letter to your friend? I am sure he will get it. I’ll invite him to dine with us tomorrow night.

When Edward and William returned from their visit to Bristol, William began to woo her. It was a happy time in her life. They picnicked, fished, shopped, attended several balls, and went sightseeing.  Many a day they fished and talked for hours. Chloe’s maid, Mary Alice, was delighted to accompany Lady Chloe. Now she could flirt with Charley, the young stable hand who had driven the carriage for them.

The Monday before the last ball of the season, William asked Sir Edward Fairfax for a private meeting with him.

Edward knew William was going to ask for Chloe’s hand in marriage. Robert and he had made a compact for the two to marry. Edward had never mentioned it to Chloe because she was already besotted by William’s letters. Edward kept a firm grip on his feigned ignorance when William approached him. Edward motioned William to be seated across the desk. Then Edward poured two glasses of scotch and handed one to the tall young man.

William took a sip and savored it. He was mentally going over the speech he’d rehearsed for two days.  William squared his shoulders, set down his glass, stood up, and cleared his throat. Lord Fairfax, I have come to officially ask you for Lady Chloe’s hand in marriage.

I thought you might be on such a mission. Why should I say yes, Lord Crandall? Edward studied the nervous young man. William was running his fingers through his curly brown hair. Please be seated, William.

William sat down on the edge of his chair. Then he spoke up. Lord Fairfax, I believe you are aware that I love your daughter. Chloe is the most wonderful woman in the world. Her laughter enriches my soul, her kindness warms my heart, and I truly love her. I am asking for your permission to marry Chloe. I will give her a wonderful home and life. I inherited an estate upon my uncle’s death so I am well off. Too, my parents left me a small estate near London, as well as a home in Mayfair in London.

You are well off young man. Edward fought to keep a smile from his face. He was enjoying this moment.

Yes, sir, I am. I do not gamble nor carouse. William’s right hand brushed away an errant curl from his forehead and he smiled. Dimples indented both of his cheeks. He looked directly into Edward’s eyes and waited.

Has Chloe agreed to be your bride?

Yes, she has, but—only if you give us permission to wed, sir.

Edward smiled and stood up. Welcome to our family, William. You will be an honorable husband and a man who will treat Chloe with love and respect. I have come to not only know you, but to love you as a son. Your Uncle Robert was my closest friend. I know he would have been delighted to have heard your proposal. Edward, who was almost a head shorter hugged William to him and patted him on the back.

The night of the next ball William committed a social misdemeanor when he wrote his name on every entry in Chloe’s dance card. Then, as the guests watched, William smiled and knelt before Chloe to officially ask her to marry him. Chloe blushed and looked down into William’s blue eyes. She smiled and said, Yes.

William stood and pulled her into his arms. I love you, my darling. Then he kissed her on her right cheek in front of the assembly. Chloe smiled and blushed.

In January, Chloe and William set their wedding day for Saturday, March 26, 1832. Spring would be coloring the hillsides with a burst of color. Crocuses and tulips would reach toward the sun and give color to the awakening landscape. Soon buds would break out on the blossom-filled boughs of the cherry trees. Spring would shortly relieve the bleakness of winter and decorate their wedding day. 

The day before their wedding Chloe spoke with William. My love, I wish your family could be here. What did Lady Katherine’s last letter say?

I call my aunt ‘mother.’ She took over my upbringing after my parents died in an accident on their way home from London. I was an infant. Currently mother’s suffering from a severe sore throat and painful ear aches. She has taken to bed for the second week. Phillip has been on the continent for over a year now and is unable to return to attend our wedding.

Chloe held William’s hands and looked into his eyes. I am so sorry to hear that. Chloe felt upset when she found out neither his aunt nor cousin Phillip would attend their wedding.

Chloe approached her father. Father, can you see to it that William’s not alone. None of his family will be able to attend our wedding. His aunt Lady Katherine is ill and his cousin is somewhere on the continent.

Chloe, I will ask Marmaduke to stand with William. Marmaduke is a good man and has a great heart. He respects William.

Chloe’s mother Priscilla was a MacDonald as was Marmaduke. The MacDonald clan was there in full force and regalia two days before the wedding. Chloe’s uncle Marmaduke was the Duke of Jedburgh and Baily. He was the patriarch of the MacDonald family. Marmaduke did not come alone. His wife Bridgette and their six children joined him. The duke’s Scottish Guards accompanied him as well.

As much as Chloe loved William she was nervous about their wedding night. The day before her wedding she sought out her aunt.

Aunt Bridgette, I need to talk with you privately in father’s study. Once they were ensconced in chairs facing one another, they began their marriage discussion. Bridgette, can you tell me what will happen on William and my wedding night? I have never been with a man and I do not know what to expect.

Oh, my dove, you are in for a wonderful night with William. No doubt William will kiss you many times and in many places. Do you like his kisses?

Yes. William’s the first man I ever kissed. It was wonderful. He has kissed me a few more times since then and I have liked them all. Chloe blushed.

Now, Chloe, dear, do not be shy or afraid when you are with William. You will feel new emotions when William touches your body. He will tell and show you how much he loves you. William will not purposefully hurt you.

There must be more. I know nothing about what takes place in the bedroom, except what Mrs. Jones, the laundress, told me. She told me to lie there and count the objects in the room and that it will be done shortly. What is she talking about? She scared me.

Oh, my sweet girl, do not believe her. She stroked Chloe’s golden red tinged curls.  Mrs. Jones is a sour old woman. Your William will wrap you in his arms and hold you tight. He will give you much delight. When a man and a woman share their wedding night, it is a wonderful adventure. William will bring you great joy and completion. I cannot say for sure what all William may or may not do, but let him teach you as you have taught your horses. There is a possibility you may have a sharp pain or two when he makes love to you. This is natural for a first night of lovemaking. You will no longer be a virgin but he will know you have never slept with another man. I would like to remind you that a woman’s anatomy is such, that she can become with child quite readily. It is important for you to talk that over with William or visit with me later today. Remember, your husband will lavish you with his love and his body. Have you ever seen a naked man, Chloe? Chloe shook her head no. Your wedding night will be beautiful. You will feel loved. I promise you that. You will like the kisses William gives you and how his hands touch and warm your body.  No doubt you know you will be naked and so will he. That is good. Never be ashamed of your body. Now I want to show you a few drawings of what a man’s sexual organs look like. Her aunt took out a quill, ink, and paper. Then she drew pictures. Chloe gasped at seeing the graphic drawings. Bridgette finished her lecture and hugged Chloe. You will definitely know he loves you.

CHAPTER 2

BOROUGHBRIDGE, YORKSHIRE, UK

Early in the morning of their wedding, the Vicar’s mother and three maids decorated the church with fresh flowers. In addition, the butler oversaw the seating arrangements for the luncheon.

Chloe wore a soft blue silk gown layered with silver lace around the hem and the collar. Chloe’s hair was a crown of ginger tinged golden curls. The flower ringlet she wore on her head was a mass of blue ribbons and early spring lavender and white crocus blooms.  As Chloe and her father walked down the aisle, her heart was filled with love and dreams.

William awaited her at the altar. Chloe smiled and looked up into his blue eyes. She could only see him. Chloe didn’t even realize when the Vicar stopped speaking. She came awake as William gave her a passionate kiss. Chloe had never been happier.

By late-afternoon most guests were either on their way home or had made plans to stay with nearby friends and family. Uncle Marmaduke’s family took the west wing of Edward’s home.

By nine, a blushing Chloe went to her bridegroom. My love, I know nothing about sharing a bed with a man. I am a bit worried, but my Aunt Bridgette told me it would be wonderful. She told me to tell you of my nervousness. Is she right?

Yes, Chloe, she is. I hope you enjoy what we will share tonight. I love you and want to please you. Let us tell our guests good night before we retire to our bedrooms and learn about one another.

Later when they got to her bedroom there was a hot tub of water with fragrant floral smells wafting from it. Someone had strewn dried rose petals and lavender blossoms over the water.

Chloe looked around the room. She noted that her gown and William’s robe had been placed on his bed room adjoining her room. She looked at William and smiled timidly. 

William took his bride in his arms and kissed her gently. Then he ran his hands through her hair and removed all the pins. Chloe’s curls fluttered to her shoulders and down her back. William gently kissed her forehead, then each eyelid and finally her soft lips once more. He turned her around. He slowly loosened the lacing on the back of her dress and then lifted it over her head. Softly he kissed her shoulders and then turned her around. Chloe blushed. She wore only her chemise and her under garments now. Next, William’s left hand touched her shoulder and he gently planted kisses on the sides and back of her neck.  I love you, Chloe. Now, my love, undress me slowly. I will finish undressing you when you finish undressing me.

Chloe unbuttoned his shirt with trembling fingers. She timidly touched his chest and kissed the cleft in his chin. She ran her hands over his broad chest. His skin was smooth and almost hairless. Chloe smiled.

I love you. Do not be afraid, Chloe. There is no right or wrong way to make love. Let us explore our bodies and our love. William’s warm lips met hers and he felt her pull him closer to her. After kissing for a time William paused to help Chloe remove his shirt and the demi shirt under it. Then he showed her how to undo his breeches. William sat down on the bed and pulled her to him.

Chloe giggled nervously as she unbuttoned and unlaced his breeches. Then she pulled them down to his knees. He lifted his left foot and she removed the stirrup strap under one square toed shoe. Then William offered her his right foot. Chloe released that strap too.

William stood, and as he did Chloe saw a soft white covering over his private parts. Chloe looked, then blushed, and looked away.

William removed his undergarment. Then he took her hand and brought it to his groin and encouraged her to feel his erection. Please touch me, Chloe. I will touch you in private areas of your body because it will give you pleasure. He stroked her hand over his member for several minutes. Now let me finish undressing you. He took his time and slowly removed the rest of her clothes. Once she was nude, William lifted her and stood her in the bath tub. He stepped into the tub and stood behind her. His wrapped his hands and arms around her. Then he helped her sit down with him.

Gently his hands touched her innocent body and he felt her response to his touch. I love you, Chloe. Let me show you love’s delights. He kissed her neck and nibbled at her ears. Slowly he soaped her neck, chest, and each breast. His fingers circled her nipples and felt them harden as Chloe moaned. Then William slowly ran his hands down her body and to her mound while he continued to lavish kisses on the back of her neck. Then William helped her up.

He stood up and stepped out of the tub. He reached for the rinsing bucket and poured it over her body and did the same for himself. As they exited the tub he picked up a towel and dried her off. Then she picked up a towel and dried him off. Suddenly he picked her up and carried her to his bedroom and laid her on his bed.

He continued to touch and kiss her while she touched his chest. Chloe felt William’s body as he leaned over her body and she felt his erection. She timidly reached up and stroked him. His erection grew and he became more passionate William lavished kissed to her body. Soon their bodies were one in life and in love. It was the most wonderful night of their lives as they sought to give each other pleasure and love.

The next morning, Chloe woke to a smiling William. Oh, William, that was a wonderful night. Can we do that every night?

It will be my pleasure to give you such delights every night. It is also nice to cuddle and hold one another. He kissed her and the kiss grew to a greater passion. Soon they were making love once again.

After a short nap, they awoke and dressed. Then they went down to a late breakfast with Chloe’s father. Her uncle’s family had already gone to church for services.

Lord Edward spoke up, I have an offer for the two of you. Will you continue to live here with me? You are welcome to any rooms in any location in my home. William, I would like to train you to help me manage and run my business and estate. Chloe could continue to manage the estate’s finances. One day, I would like for you and Chloe to take over the management of my estate. I’ll leave to give you time to discuss my proposal.

The couple privately discussed her father’s offer and agreed to his proposition. Then they decided to take the largest guest room and the two adjoining rooms.

She spoke up, "Father, I want to take William to see the grand Howard Palace, the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, Brighton and the seashore on the east coast. I want him to enjoy Yorkshire as well as he does London. We could be gone for a couple of weeks. We will go to Ripon, too. There are several sites near there. I really like two wonderful sites: Fountain