by Jane Charles
Even though the brothers were calling the situation a courtship, there would be a marriage at the end. At least that is what Ashton assumed… “You’ll have me court your sister, win her over, then announce a betrothal, as if it was something the two of us agreed to, without her being the wiser that such a marriage was decided today.” At least, he thought that is what the twins decided.
“Yes,” the two answered in unison.
“I’m assuming this marriage, once she agrees, will take place before we sail home?”
“Yes,” they answered again.
Which meant he had approximately two months to become used to the idea and for Hannah to agree, not to mention somehow fix his current financial situation.
However, he did not like the idea of deceiving her, but if Nathaniel spoke the truth, it would be bloody hard for him to court her if she returned to England while he was required to remain here.
“What if we don’t suit?” he finally asked.
“You do,” Sam answered with confidence.
Nathaniel shook his head. “If necessary, and if it appears our sister might not be happy, I’m open to reconsidering all the options.”
Samuel shot his twin a look. “Then you’ll be the one to explain to Ben why she isn’t married after facing potential ruination.”
“Only if Ben ever learns.” Nathaniel grinned. “Who is going to tell him, or anyone for that matter. Only four of us know.”
“Two of which are her older brothers. I will not see Hannah ruined,” Samuel maintained. He would be the one to make certain Ashton and Hannah married before they sailed home.
“I prefer to see my sister happy,” Nathaniel disputed.
Ashton stepped forward before the two came to blows. “I am happy to court Lady Hannah. It had been my wish last spring. We will become betrothed in time and will marry.” Otherwise, Samuel Storm might just call him out. “While I do not like the idea of deception, I will bow to your wisdom for now.”
It was also on the tip of his tongue to confess his current financial situation, but pride held him back. No gentleman wanted to admit to another that he was nearly a pauper with only estates to recommend him, though no money was earned from any of them. Somehow, he must find a way to right the situation before anyone knew and the first item on that list was to sell this plantation, then send word to his solicitor in London to sell everything else, and hopefully, by the time he returned to England there would be money in the coffers once again.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to stave off a headache. Bloody hell! How had he gotten himself into this mess?
It had been two hours since Hannah had left Wingate with her brothers, and nobody had returned to the plantation.
What were they discussing? Worse, what had her brothers done to Wingate? Was he injured? Was he even alive?
Sam wasn’t usually violent, but Nate had served in the footguards, survived many battles, including Waterloo, so perhaps he wasn’t as immune to violence, and he had taken issue with regard to the circumstances in which he’d found her.
Her stomach knotted as she glanced at the breakfast items Cook had prepared. Even though Hannah hadn’t eaten since yesterday afternoon, it wasn’t possible that she could eat anything now.
What if they harmed Wingate?
He’d done nothing but protect her, but Hannah had also never seen her brothers so tense and angry before.
“At least have some tea, Hannah,” Jillian insisted.
She wasn’t certain she could force the liquid past her tightening throat.
“You are worried for nothing,” Isabella assured her.
“How can you say that?” Hannah demanded. “You didn’t see the looks upon their faces, the anger in their eyes.”
“Do you really think they are going to harm Wingate?” Jillian laughed.
“It’s more likely they are discussing the marriage settlement,” Isabella suggested.
Hannah grasped hold of the back of the dining room chair. While her sisters-in-law were quite calm sipping their tea, partaking of their morning meal, she’d not been able to even sit. And now, Isabella suggested that Sam and Nate were going to force Wingate to marry her. That would never do.
“I’ll not allow it,” she finally said.
“I don’t believe you are going to be given a choice,” Jillian offered. “You did spend the night with Wingate and the two of you were very much alone.”
“He didn’t even kiss me,” she blurted out, her face growing hot. “If he were interested in furthering our acquaintance, he would have at least kissed me.”
Isabella raised an eyebrow as the side of her mouth quirked. “I would be willing to wager that Wingate was far more interested in a kiss than you realize but feared where it might lead.”
“Lead? It wouldn’t have led anywhere,” Hannah insisted to which Jillian snorted.
“Have you ever been kissed, Hannah?” Isabella asked, curiosity in her grey eyes.
Hannah ran her finger along the back of the wooden chair, unable to look at her. “I don’t see why it matters if I have or haven’t.”
“Ah, that explains much,” Jillian offered. “Had you been kissed before, especially by someone like Wingate, who has already shown an interest in you, you’d understand that matters could easily progress where they shouldn’t, until marriage that is.”
Her face was about to burst into flames.
“Before she marries, we will need to discuss what to expect after a kiss,” Jillian said in complete seriousness to Isabella.
“Yes, I agree. No doubt she’s been sheltered. First by her mother, then brothers. I’m surprised they even let her off leading strings.”
“Would the two of you stop,” Hannah cried. “I need no information as I won’t be marrying.”
Again, Jillian snorted. “Yes, you will.”
“You’ll not be given a choice,” Isabella warned. “Then we’ll discuss kissing and the marriage bed.”
Hannah held her hands up, palm toward her sisters-in-law to get them to stop. “I need no information, especially since that information comes from what you do with my brothers. I don’t even want to discuss kissing.”
“Why is Hannah yelling about kissing?” Sam asked as he came into the dining room, Nate not far behind.
“Hannah has never been kissed,” Jillian informed her husband.
“Never?” Nate asked in surprise.
“Please, can we discuss something else. Anything else?” she begged.
“I suppose we could,” Nate shrugged. “But I’m certain Wingate will be pleased to know that nobody has ever kissed you.”
Hannah narrowed her eyes on her brother. “What did you do to him?”
“Do?” He pulled back in mock surprise. “We didn’t do anything.”
She looked to Sam. “Where is he and is Wingate harmed in any way?”
“Of course he’s not harmed,” Sam drew himself up as if insulted. “We aren’t barbarians.”
With that Hannah blew out a sigh and her stomach finally relaxed.
“However, he will call on you later.”
“To what purpose,” she asked with a bit of the tension returning. If they were going to force Wingate to marry her, she’d not stand for it.
“He asked permission to court you,” Sam offered. “To which we granted his request.”
“That is all?” her heart warned not to trust them, but they’d tell her if marriage was expected, wouldn’t they?
“We trust that he behaved the gentleman, and given you’ve never been kissed, we trust it all the more,” Nate assured her. “However, he had planned on asking for permission to court you before last night. Actually, he first approached me last spring, so rest assured, Wingate isn’t being forced into anything.”
“Last spring? Why didn’t you tell me?” Oh, if her mother had just once not turned him away, perhaps they would have already been courting, or more.
“I never really got the chance,” he finally admi
tted. “I thought Ben would see to the matter, but apparently he didn’t. Nevertheless, you now know, and permission has been granted.”
To which she should be thrilled. However, their relaxed mood was in complete contrast to what she’d observed at Grell Hill Plantation and Hannah wasn’t certain she could trust them.
This was all too easy.
Chapter 9
After Ashton’s return to Roxburg’s plantation, he’d kept his answers vague as to the night before, simply stating that he’d found refuge inside until the storm passed and never mentioned Lady Hannah’s presence. Not that he believed his sister, or even Roxburg or his wife would think ill of Lady Hannah. Ashton simply didn’t wish to discuss his courtship and eventual marriage. Nor should he since apparently it was to remain a secret until an unspecified time, or when it was apparently safe to tell Lady Hannah without her booking passage on the first ship leaving Barbados.
Such behavior in a future spouse should give him pause. He could argue that Hannah simply didn’t wish her life being dictated and Ashton could hardly blame her. Yet, to be so stubborn that she’d not give any consideration that perhaps the decision was for the best did give him pause. Except, she was being told, as if she were a child, whereas, hopefully in the future, such important decisions could be made after discussion. Perhaps that was where her brothers erred. Did it even occur to them to ask her?
Then again, Ashton had seen her reaction when her brothers arrived and their command of the situation. She knew what they’d demand, and she’d already decided to take a stance against them so perhaps they were in the right.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and prayed that the future didn’t require him to keep secrets because those never worked out well for any of the parties involved.
When Ashton arrived at Storm’s plantation later that afternoon, he was directed to the back veranda where he found Hannah quite alone, seated in the shade and enjoying a cup of tea. As soon as he greeted her, she rose and studied him as if he were a stranger, seeing him for the first time.
“Is anything amiss?” he asked.
“I feared one or both of my brothers had done you bodily injury, but your eyes and nose appear unmarred by fists.”
He chuckled and offered his arm. “Would you like to stroll along the beach.”
“As much as I would enjoy doing so, I’d rather not,” Hannah answered and this time he studied her. Was she injured in some manner?
“Sand in slippers is quite uncomfortable if you must know,” she answered. “Further, stockings can become stained.”
“So, you’ve not walked the beach since you arrived?” It was something he’d been wanting to do but hadn’t been given the opportunity until now. He’d thought Hannah and his sister had been standing on the beach that first night, but then he recalled that they’d been at the edge of the path and had stood just a few feet from where the sand began.
“I do so in private, Lord Wingate.” A blush rose to her cheeks. “When I can be barefoot and dip my toes in the water.”
He’d certainly have no objection to her doing so now, and with him. He’d rather like to take off his boots. He’d never experienced the feel of sand on his feet before.
To walk along the beach and test the water, barefoot might not be considered scandalous, but it wasn’t proper either. At least not at the state of their betrothal. Not that it was an official betrothal since Hannah was unaware that it existed, but even in a courtship one did not remove stockings and shoes in the presence of another.
Then again, those rules applied to London. Could they be a bit more relaxed here?
“Are your brothers around?” he asked out of curiosity.
“Sam and Nate have both gone into Bridgetown. I don’t expect them to return for hours.” Her eyes widened. “Have you come to call on them?” The unasked questioned remained in her green eyes of instead of me.
Ashton simply smiled. “I came to call on you, but if they are not about, there is nothing to stop us from enjoying the beach.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.
The color in her cheeks deepened. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” Jillian asked as she stepped outside.
Ashton blinked at his cousin. He’d not even been aware she was near.
“Who is going to know or even see you?” Jillian asked.
“It isn’t right.”
His cousin rolled her eyes. “If you were in England, I’d agree, but you are not, and the day is quite lovely.”
“Would you like to join us?” Ashton asked, but only to be polite.
“I will not infringe on your courtship.” Jillian grinned. “Now go, enjoy, then come back and join me for tea.”
Ashton looked to Hannah, noting the blush still stained her cheeks.
“Be daring, Hannah,” Jillian insisted. “Heaven knows you’ll get little chance to do so once you return home.”
Ashton lifted an eyebrow, almost in challenge.
“Oh, very well, but you must turn your back so that I might remove my stockings.”
Jillian rolled her eyes, but Ashton did as requested, then found a seat a little further away to remove his boots and stockings, and then rolled up the cuffs of his trousers. Then, throwing caution to the wind, he also removed his suitcoat, thus giving him a bit more freedom and one less layer of clothing to suffer with in the heat.
How odd it was to be outside and doing such an activity, and in the presence of ladies, but Jillian was right, if there was any time to be daring, it was now.
“Though you should still wear a bonnet or carry a parasol, Hannah,” Jillian cautioned. “Your new gowns leave a good deal of your shoulders exposed, and I’d not like to see you sunburnt.”
“I’ve walked the beach daily and not suffered a burn yet,” Lady Hannah insisted as she held out her arms. “I no longer fear the same happening to my face, nor am I concerned for my shoulders.”
Jillian frowned. “Just don’t spend too much time in the sun, or you will come to regret it.”
Ashton would make certain that they didn’t, as he’d suffered a burn on his face during the crossing from spending too many hours on the deck of the ship after they’d sailed into warmer waters. His skin had been quite tender for a few days and he’d not want Lady Hannah to suffer. “Shall we?” he offered his arm as Hannah joined him.
“Yes, we shall.” She grinned and then lifted her skirt only slightly as they descended the few steps toward the sand. He was able to get a few peeks at her delicate toes and small feet. They were golden, in contrast to the rest of her skin, which was proof that she’d spent a good deal of time walking along the water. His feet, on the other hand, were nearly as white as new fallen snow.
The waves gently rolled into the shore and he sank into the soft sand once they reached the end of the walk.
Such an odd feeling, as if warm water had turned to granules, bathing his feet, but as the sand grew warmer to hot, he fought the urge to rush to the water’s edge to cool his toes.
“Come on.” Hannah let go of his arm and pulled her skirts a little higher and raced ahead, kicking up sand behind her. Ashton quickly caught up to her and nearly sighed with relief as they stopped at the water’s edge where the sand was packed tightly, and wet, cooling the soles of his feet.
“That’s better.” Hannah laughed.
“I’d not expected the sand to be so hot,” he finally admitted.
“It had been a surprise to me the first time I attempted to walk barefoot.”
A wave rolled in and Hannah gave a little squeal as she lifted her skirts and danced back.
He skipped back as well, laughing with her. Joy, pure joy, for the first time in a very long time filled him and because of something so simple as running to the water. Maybe that was what had been missing from his life—simple things.
“I do need to take care,” she laughed. “I’ve ruined the hem of nearly half of the gowns I brought with me.”
“If you wish to raise your skirt h
igher, I promise not to look,” he assured her. It would be difficult, but Ashton would hold to his word. Besides, once they were married, he’d have the opportunity to view all of her.
“Just see that you don’t,” she warned then gathered her skirts a bit more as she turned to walk further down the beach.
Ashton joined her. He’d like to offer his arm, or even better, take her hand in his, but as Hannah needed to keep her skirts from being ruined, he’d need to be content to simply stroll by her side.
“My brothers weren’t too difficult?” she asked quietly.
“No. They were not. I think their anger this morning stemmed more from worrying about you and not so much the situation of how they found us.”
She nodded. “At least they didn’t do something so ridiculous as force a betrothal or marriage.”
His stomach tightened at the deceit and it was on the tip of his tongue to correct her assumption, but thoughts of her running away kept him from speaking. The concern now, however, was did she think a match between them was absurd?
“Why ridiculous?” Ashton found himself asking.
“Because there was no cause. The situation was quite innocent, as you know.”
“Had the same circumstance occurred in London or if others learned…”
“I’d be quite ruined,” Hannah sighed. “Perceptions can be quite damning.”
“You would have objected had your brothers forced a betrothal?” he asked quietly.
Hannah sighed. “Yes.” She stopped and turned to him. “I’d not have them force either of us into such a permanent situation.”
“Yet, you agreed to a courtship?” Was she only wishing for a temporary association? That was what bothered Ashton the most. He wasn’t certain what Hannah expected when this holiday came to an end.
“I wish to come to know you better,” she admitted. “That is why courtships exist. Had my brothers forced a betrothal, they’d then force a marriage, and we would marry more as strangers than friends.”
At least she wasn’t dismissing him.
Hannah turned away and continued to wander along the water’s edge.
“I have friends who rushed to betrothal and hurried into marriage, because that is what was expected, and they are now far from happy with their circumstances,” Hannah explained. “They’d not realized how much they didn’t know about their husbands until it was too late. I’d not have that for myself, or you.”