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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781496943583 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 10/01/2014 |
| Pages: | 142 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.33(d) |
Read an Excerpt
Love on Trial
By Marvalee Mills
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2014 Marvalee MillsAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4969-4358-3
CHAPTER 1
Lady Ashley had just returned from volunteering at the juvenile centre and was sitting comfortably in the living room of the Thompsons' estate in the suburbs of New York. Her mother, Duchess Devry Thompson, had acquired it shortly after the death of her grandfather, Randolph Thompson. Ashley was holding a picture that had been taken of her and her parents when she was born. The inscription at the bottom read, "Our Little Lady." She knew she was the pride of her parents. Ashley smiled to herself as she remembered the story of her parents' engagement party, which had been a costume party. Her father had dressed as a duke and her mother as a duchess. Her father had taken great pride in introducing her mother as his duchess. Ever since that night, her mother had become known as Duchess Devry Thompson. Then when Ashley had come along, her parents had taken to calling her Little Lady. Eventually the name grew on her; she was their perfect little Lady Ashley. Ashley stared aimlessly at the large painting of her father that her mother had painted the year before he passed away.
Lady Ashley was startled by the phones unanticipated ring. Remembering that Kathleen, the family's lifelong housekeeper and friend, had gone to town, she ran hastily to answer it. Instead of Kathleen, who she thought might be calling, she heard Leopold on the other end.
"Hello, my love. You know, I was just sitting here thinking, and suddenly I realized how much I miss hearing your sweet voice."
"What do you want? I told you never to call me. Stay away from me! Stay out of my life! I want nothing more to do with you!"
"You know how hard I've tried to stay away, but it's not that easy. The sooner you realize that, the better it will be for both of us. I know you still love me."
"What we had is over! I repeat, is over! It should never have happened. As far as I'm concerned, it never did. Good-bye, Leopold. Don't call again." Ashley slammed the phone down. She realized she was shaking, and she threw herself down on the couch and cried.
Later that afternoon, Ashley arrived at Devonshire National Airport. She awaited Costello's flight from London with anticipation. Standing by the huge window, Ashley felt her body becoming weak from the heat as the sun beat down on the dark flooring. She started to move towards the gift shop when she heard Costello's voice and turned in acknowledgement.
Costello broke into a huge smile as their eyes met. Ashley moved gracefully towards him, and they embraced. As Costello gazed into Ashley's eyes, his words were like a melody to Ashley's ears. "Darling, though we may have been miles apart, I knew distance could not keep me away from you. I kept dreaming of the way it was when we were together. I knew, in my heart, our love was strong. A lifetime is not too long to hold you in my arms."
Tears gathered in Ashley's eyes. She drew close to whisper, "My love, Costello, I've waited so long for this moment, just to look upon your face and feel your arms around me once again." She sighed in happiness. When they were together, it felt as if time slowed, allowing her to explore the depth of her love for him. No more words were necessary, so he simply smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they left for home.
The next morning the sun rose high above the horizon. Ashley, already out of bed, stood by the window gazing at the birds as they were chirping merrily while passing. Making her way out of the bedroom, she turned to close the door behind her. She could hear Costello stirring. Walking down the spiral staircase, she could not help but reminisce on the times they had spent together before he'd left to teach medical school in London — the hot summer days they had spent basking under the sun and talking of nothing but their lives together. How wonderful it would be, she thought, if they were married and living on their own instead of living at the Thompsons' estate with her mother. The estate was beautiful, with fragrant flowers in the spring and large oak trees for shade in the summer, but she wanted a place to call her own.
Ashley toyed with the two rings on her hand. One was a diamond engagement ring; the other was a silver promise ring that twisted into an infinity knot in the middle. She thought about the day they'd met. A friend of hers had invited her to one of Costello's lectures. When she'd seen Costello, she'd thought he was a little young to be a doctor but was told that he was quite brilliant. They'd had a lot in common and started seeing each other. They had often talked of marriage but never pursued the issue.
A year later he was offered a four-year position in London. Ashley never thought their relationship would work with the distance, but Costello wasn't troubled by it at all. He said that their relationship would work if they really wanted it to. He left, and one week later, she received a letter. He never stopped writing thereafter. Every holiday or spare moment he had, he came home. It was almost as if he had never left. He had given her the promise ring the summer before his second year of teaching.
Then during his third year, he came home for Christmas. On Christmas morning Ashley woke up to see Costello kneeling at her bedside.
"Good morning, beautiful," he said.
Ashley smiled. "Having you here with me is the best Christmas present I could ask for." She gave him a kiss.
"I don't know about that," Costello said. He raised her left hand to his lips and kissed it gently, and that's when she saw the ring. He must have slipped it on while she was still sleeping. It was a beautiful three-stone diamond ring, and an engraved design wrapped around the white-gold of the band.
"Ashley, will you? —"
"Yes, absolutely!"
"Marry me?" Costello finished. They both laughed.
Ashley held up her hand and admired the emerald-cut diamonds that sparkled brighter than the Christmas snow outside. "It's gorgeous," she said.
"I had it custom-made for you. I wanted something as beautiful and unique as you."
Ashley snapped out of her memories as Costello gently wrapped his arms around her from behind. She twisted in his arms to face him, and he drew her closer still. She could feel the warmth of his breath as his lips slowly parted. She gazed into his soft brown eyes and stood frozen in his arms. Feeling the touch of his soft but somehow masculine lips caressing hers, she could not help but melt into his arms. She pressed her body tight against his. Panting for breath, she wondered, Where is the woman I know myself to be? It was as if her hungering soul, which had been waiting for this man whom she'd loved for so many years, came alive with such command over her body that she could not subdue it.
"Oh how I wish that last night had not ended, Costello."
"Who said anything about ending last night? We have tomorrow night and the night after that and the one after that."
"You've made your point quite clearly, my love. Oh, how I've missed you!"
"And I, you. You want to know the worst thing about being away from you?"
"Let me see ... I would have to say my cooking."
"You're cooking? Why, you've never lifted a spoon in your life — and I did say the worst thing about being away from you, not the best thing."
"Very funny, Costello."
"Seriously, Ashley, the hardest thing for me was not being able to hold you in my arms like this, to kiss you, to caress you, to whisper sweet love in your ear, and, most of all, to make passionate love to you. I've missed you so much, my love, and now that I am back, nothing can keep me away from you."
"Did you mean what you said last night, Costello?"
"I said many things last night, Ashley. You know I wouldn't say anything I didn't mean."
"You said that together there is nothing we cannot overcome."
"I believe that with all my heart, Ashley. We have a special relationship — one that is built on trust, honesty, and loyalty. With that, there is nothing we can't face and overcome together."
Ashley leaned her head against his shoulder and looked out the window. She wondered what would happen when he learned the truth. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.
CHAPTER 2Still wrapped in Costello's arms, Ashley heard Kathleen call out her name. She sounded concerned.
"Ashley, Lady Ashley, the duchess wishes to speak to you," Kathleen said as she came into the room.
"Oh, Costello, I'd forgotten all about Mother. She didn't know you were coming in from London yesterday. I meant to tell her, but then I thought maybe we could surprise her. Just the other day we were talking about you. I hope you don't mind?"
"Mind? Oh no. Why would I mind? Maybe a surprise wouldn't be too bad."
"Then come along, my darling. Mother is waiting, and I do need you two to get better acquainted; after all, you are her future son-in law, are you not?" Ashley asked teasingly.
"And the most favourite I shall be, my dear!"
"How modest!"
They entered the family room. Ashley saw that the thick draperies had been pulled back from the huge window. Sunlight splashed across the plush carpet. Her mother looked out the window as if she were looking through tomorrow into the future. Her slender body was motionless in her wheelchair as she gazed.
It still shocked Ashley every time she saw how thin her mother had gotten. Her mother had Alzheimer's and a weak heart. Two months ago, she'd had a stroke. They had all thought she wouldn't make it. She'd pulled through, but the doctor said she did not have much longer. Despite it all, her mother never worried about herself.
The duchess did worry about Ashley, though. Ashley had once overheard her praying. Her mother had given thanks to the Lord for allowing her another day to share with her daughter. Then she'd asked him to make sure that Ashley would be alright if anything happened to her. Ashley didn't think life would ever be the same without her mother, but she did her best to be strong so that her mother wouldn't worry too much. She just felt so helpless, watching her mother waste away and not being able to do anything to prevent it.
The duchess turned to look at them and asked, "Ashley, do I know this young man?"
"You certainly do, mother! This is Costello, my fiancé. You remember, mother, Costello went away four years ago to teach medical school in London."
"Well, over my mother's grave, son, it is truly a surprise to see you again! I had no idea you were coming in from London. How was your flight? Did you eat?"
"Thank you very much, douches, but I'm quite alright. I arrived last evening. Ashley would have made mention that I was coming, but she thought she would keep it a surprise. I hope you don't mind?"
"Oh no, son, I don't mind at all."
"Ashley told me you were quite ill."
The duchess gently stroked one hand through Ashley's hair as she spoke. "Oh yes. It's very hard, especially for my Ashley. I love her dearly, and I do worry about her. She needs someone, you know, to take care of her. You know, Costello, I've always approved of you. I hope that four years in London did not change you drastically?"
Costello glanced over at Ashley. "No, Duchess, I did not change a bit, and you need not worry about your daughter. I intend to take good care of her for the rest of her life. You are the one that I am most concerned about."
The duchess, taking Ashley and Costello by the hand, directed them over to the big antique chair that sat in the huge living room.
"Don't be too concerned, son. A flower grows and blooms so beautifully, but then there comes a time for it to die. So it is with me. When I go, I want you to remember the love and laughter that we all shared. I love you both, and I wish you both the best in the many years to come. Life is too short not to have love, so you two hold tight to each other. You take care of my Lady Ashley, Costello." Gently closing her eyes, she lay back to rest.
"I love you, Mother," Ashley whispered. Her mother smiled but did not open her eyes. Ashley and Costello left the room quietly.
"I will feel so empty when she's gone," Ashley told Costello.
"You will always have your memories of her," he said, giving her hand a squeeze. "She'll always be there when you need her."
Lady Ashley knew that in her mind, but her heart still ached. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her mother. She knew how much her mother loved her and feared the thought of leaving her. The tears felt warm as they rolled down her cheeks. She had so many vivid, wonderful memories of her mother. She remembered the Caribbean cruise after her father's death. Her mother had hoped to relieve some of the pain. It was a wonderful holiday, two glorious weeks on the open sea. She remembered the dolphins they spotted when they were docked at Grand Cayman. The islands were beautiful. She and her mother had spent the days strolling through the islands, shopping and taking in the scenic vistas. The nights were filled with exotic meals and dazzling shows. They'd made the most of each day. They'd filled every hour with something new and exciting. She giggled as she remembered her mother swearing her to secrecy about the tango lessons. It was quite innocent and so much fun!
Her father was gone, but somehow her mother was able to preserve his memory. "Your father would have loved this ocean view," she would say. It was as if he was always there with them, sharing their adventure. Their shared love and laughter was somehow able to bridge the gap after her father's death. Now she wondered, What will bridge the gap when Mother is gone?
That evening, Ashley could hear a soothing overture floating up from the main floor as she prepared for dinner. Her great-grandfather had started the tradition a century before. Ashley loved the soft music as much as her great-grandfather had, so the music had remained a part of the evening ceremonies. Formal attire was as much a custom at the estate as the dinner music was.
Tonight, Ashley chose a royal-blue-and-white taffeta gown. She thought it appropriate, as it was a gift from her mother, presented to her on her last birthday. Now how to make the hair suit the gown? She decided on a French knot held in place by mother-of-pearl combs that had belonged to her grandmother. They complimented the gown perfectly. One last quick glance in the mirror and she was ready.
Costello was already in the den when she appeared. His eyes took in her appearance in appraisal, and she could tell he was pleased. He looked quite dashing himself in his dinner jacket. As they sat patiently waiting for the duchess, Ashley's mind drifted to the many wonderful evenings she would have with Costello when they were husband and wife. She closed her eyes tightly, but reality still tugged at her. She remembered her deception and how it would soon come between them.
The duchess looked frail, seated in her wheelchair. Kathleen wheeled her to the table. The duchess's high-back Elizabeth chair was always missing now from the dining table. The duchess found it more comfortable to remain in the wheelchair. She tired quickly, sometimes before dinner was over. Kathleen hovered nearby, always sensitive to the duchess's needs. Her long black dress draped over her feet, touching the floor. Her shawl hung loosely about her shoulders. It was a warm evening, but the duchess always seemed to be chilled.
The duchess retired early, and Ashley sat by her side and combed her hair. They chattered as in days of old. When her mother could no longer keep her eyes open, Ashley gave her a kiss on the forehead and said good night.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Love on Trial by Marvalee Mills. Copyright © 2014 Marvalee Mills. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
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