A Charming Lady for the Intriguing Baronet: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Bridget Barton

  “Yes, he saved us both.”

  A knock at the door brought her mother in carrying a tray with what looked like chicken soup.

  “Oh, good, Ophelia, you are awake. Selina, Sir Russell is downstairs in the parlour. Now is the time to thank him for saving my girls. I will be down with you in a moment.”

  Moments later, she was walking down the stairs, self-consciously tucking strands of escaped hair behind her ear. She entered the parlour to find her uncle and father shaking hands with him, muttering ‘good man’ several times. Aunt Dorothy took him by the arm and pushed him into a chair, plying him with tea.

  “Tea, Sir Russell? It is the least that we can do for the man that saved our girls.”

  Alex saw her first, standing with the cup of tea in his hands.

  “Miss Seymour,” he said.

  She was horribly shy all of a sudden as she looked at him.

  “Good day, Sir Russell.”

  Her mother appeared behind her, pushing her forward.

  “Come, dear, do not stand by the doorway.”

  Her mother immediately held out her arms and went to Alex, hugging him.

  “Thank you, Sir Russell, thank you. If not for you ...”

  Her mother sniffed, dropping her hands and looking away.

  “It was nothing, Mrs Seymour. I did what any other decent person would do.”

  Her mother started to howl, her shoulders shaking as she covered her face. Her aunt put her arms around her and led her away.

  “We will return shortly, Sir Russell. I am afraid that my sister is quite overcome with emotions.”

  For some reason, the men followed soon after, giving a weak excuse as they exited the room. Alone, they stared at each other across the room. He cleared his throat and put his cup of tea on the small table beside him.

  “Would you like some biscuits to go with that tea? I’m sure that our cook has baked some ...” her words trailed off as he walked to her.

  Alex reached out his hand and tucked a strand behind her ear, allowing his fingers to brush against her cheek. She didn’t move, but only stared at him, unable to look away.

  “I am glad that you are well, Selina.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “And your sister? How is she?”

  “She has come down with a cough, but she is growing stronger by the hour.”

  “Good, good.”

  She looked down, trying to find the words to thank him.

  “Alex, what you did for my sister and I ... I could never thank you enough. You saved us from certain doom. We are forever in your debt.”

  He gently lifted her chin until she looked at him once more.

  “Seeing you in that water ... it did things to me. I don’t know what I would have done had I not been able to save you. Or your sister.”

  The tenderness in his eyes was almost too much to handle. Here was a man that she had rejected and even insulted on more than one occasion, and yet he could still look at her like this? She opened her mouth to speak, only to jump away from him when her aunt and mother returned. Alex was soon bombarded with more tea and biscuits, the women fawning over him in their need to show their gratitude. Selina took her seat and simply stared at him.

  Chapter 12

  No sooner had Alex left than her aunt had marched her into the parlour, shutting the door behind her. Selina felt jostled and more than a little upset at her aunt’s sudden change in behaviour. Aunt Dorothy walked some paces away, keeping her back turned away from Selina. I cannot think as to what I have done this time. One would think that a brush with death would be enough to soften even the hardest of people.

  “Selina, Selina, Selina,” her aunt said.

  Oh, this certainly does not bode well for me. When her aunt turned back to face her, lips pursed and brow knitted together, Selina braced herself for what was to come.

  “Yes, Aunt Dorothy?”

  “It seems that you did not learn your lesson. Do my words have such little bearing on you? Do you mock me?”

  “Aunt Dorothy? I’m afraid that I do not understand.”

  “Oh, you will just in a moment. I just need to know where I stand with you.”

  Selina didn’t know what to make of this. Why was her aunt being, well, odd? She kept quiet, allowing her aunt to continue with her showpiece.

  “When I asked you to put more effort into being a lady, did you think that I said it in jest?”

  “Of course not. I take your words seriously, Aunt Dorothy.”

  “Ha! You say this now, but your actions prove another thing altogether.”

  “My actions?” Now she really was confused. “What have I done?”

  “You know what you have done!” her aunt bellowed.

  Selina’s temper shot up. Just remain calm, do not work yourself up.

  “If you would explain what it is that I did–”

  “It was your fault that your sister nearly died!”

  She sucked in her breath, staring at her aunt in shock. Her fault?

  “But how? I would never hurt my sister, Aunt Dorothy! Why would you say such a thing?”

  “Because it’s true! What were you doing in the woods? Why did you take your sister there?”

  “I thought to only talk to her, to explain to her that she had to maintain propriety at all times, especially when alone with Thomas.”

  Her aunt deflated a bit. “But why by the river, Selina? That should have been the last place that you ventured to. What is wrong with the garden on this estate?”

  “It wasn’t done purposefully, I assure you. We were walking and talking and eventually wound up at the river. Ophelia fell into the water by accident. I fell in because I tried to save her. It never occurred to me that I’d be putting my own life at risk because that didn’t matter to me. The only person on my mind was Ophelia. Trust me, Aunt Dorothy, if I had known what would happen, I would have never gone near the river.”

  “Too little too late, my dear. Both you and your sister could have perished, and where would your mother have been after that? The both of you are her whole world, her pride and joy. She has been trying to act strong, but her nerves have been badly bruised by this near-death accident.”

  Selina felt ashamed. She had not stopped to think about how her mother felt about this accident. Her attention had been focused on her sister, making sure that she pulled through the night.

  “I had not thought about that, Aunt Dorothy.”

  Her aunt sighed. “Yes, I gathered that you had not. You, young people, are so impulsive. It’s always now for you without thought of the future. When will you grow up?”

  Her aunt’s words cut her deeply. Had she really been as selfish as her aunt claimed her to be? Her throat became thick with emotion, and she swallowed hard, trying to get the lump down.

  “There is only one solution for this madness of yours.”

  Selina just nodded her head, resigned to accept whatever it was that her aunt told her.

  “You must get married.”

  Marriage? Why would this be a solution?

  “Married, Aunt Dorothy?”

  “Yes, child. You must get married. A husband is sure to sort you out in no time. He will tame that wild spirit of yours.”

  Tamed? Her aunt would wish her spirits to be crushed?

  “I can change, Aunt Dorothy. I do not need a husband for that. Please, grant me another chance to prove to you that I can change. No more wandering around or going to rivers, or … or sketching if you so wish it.”

  A part of her ached at the thought of giving up her passion. Sketching was a creative outlet for her. A way to express herself without the need for words.

  “I do not think that you are capable of change, Selina. Not by yourself, that is. You need someone to guide you and lead you along the right path. A good husband will be sure to do that.”

  Selina closed her eyes, conjuring up the image of her as a wife. Her life would be dull and boring. How could she bear such a monotonou
s life with a man that would suck the joy out of her life? She would need to give him heirs. No, it would be one heir and a backup. Isn’t that what they always say? Selina knew of the type of man that her aunt would recommend. He would be someone that she was likely to loathe on sight. She shuddered at the thought.

  “Is there no way that I can change your mind?”

  Her aunt shook her head. “I spoke to your parents, and they are of the same mind. You are a danger to yourself, child, as well as to your sister. Just look at what happened yesterday! Had you not initiated that walk with your sister, the fall in the river would not have happened.”

  She may not have pushed her sister into the river, but she was not completely absolved of the guilt either.

  “I am not a danger to my sister, Aunt Dorothy. I love her and wish for nothing but the best for her.”

  “That may be, child, but I do not think that you realise the trouble you have caused everyone. It is best that you resign yourself to marriage and raising children. You are certainly not getting any younger. Look, your sister is being courted by a good young man. Isn’t it time that you follow in her footsteps?”

  Selina knew that the subject of her sister finding a suitor before her would eventually be raised. After all, she was older than her sister by four years. It was only natural for people to compare them, but it didn’t mean that she had to like it. But what choice do I have? Aunt Dorothy will likely remove us from her house if I do not consent to this. An image of Alex came to her mind. What would he think about me getting married? Would he set his cap at her?

  “But I have no suitors, Aunt Dorothy.”

  Surely that would stall her aunt’s plans? When she saw her aunt’s satisfied smile, she knew without a doubt that her aunt already had someone in mind.

  “Do not worry your pretty head about that, Selina. What I will ask of you is to look your best this evening. We have a guest coming for dinner.”

  Some hours later, Selina sat on her sister’s bed. Their guest was to arrive at any moment, but she was not ready to go down yet.

  “Are they forcing you to get married because of me?” her sister asked.

  “No, so put that notion out of your head. They are just worried about me, that is all.”

  “You do look beautiful, Selina. The guest will not know what hit him.”

  She wore a gold dress with an embroidered bust and sleeves. It was not something that she would have chosen to wear, but Selina thought to keep her aunt happy by wearing the dress that she had purchased for her birthday last spring. It was not her best colour, but neither was it terrible.

  “Thank you, Phee. To tell you the truth, I am not concerned about the guest. I will be polite and as friendly as I can possibly be, but I know that there will be no sparks.”

  Ophelia smiled. “Would that be because you already have someone in your heart?”

  She narrowed her eyes at her sister. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Ophelia shrugged her shoulders. “Have it your way. My lips are sealed.”

  Selina playfully swatted at her sister’s leg. “You must be feeling well if you can tease me so.”

  “Mrs Albermarle’s chicken soup has done wonders for me. But I am feeling tired. Will you come back to my room later? I wish to hear all about our guest. I do hope that he is good looking, just like my Thomas.”

  “Provided that the dinner does not run for long, I am sure that I can visit you once more. And I have little use for a man who is handsome but has nothing between his ears.”

  Ophelia laughed. “At least give him a chance before you judge him harshly.”

  “Oh, I plan on doing that, but I do not trust Aunt Dorothy’s preference in suitors. He might just be an absolute horrid man.”

  “Or a good man,” her sister countered. “Be positive, Selina.”

  She sighed. She was positive, positive that this dinner would not go in her favour. A servant knocked and entered the room.

  “Miss, the Mistress would like you to come down.”

  Selina stood up. “Our guest must be here.”

  “Oh, how exciting. I do wish that I could accompany you.”

  “If we could swap positions, I would be there lying in bed while you go downstairs to meet our guest.”

  “I guess that I have all the luck.” Her sister chuckled.

  “That you do. Let me go; they will be waiting for me.”

  Selina gave her sister a peck on her brow and left the room.

  She was not enjoying her dinner. It had less to do with the food and more to do with their guest. How could Aunt Dorothy have thought to bring such a terrible man into her home?

  “Mr Willoughby, it is an absolute joy to have you here,” Aunt Dorothy said. “Isn’t it, Selina?”

  She pasted a smile on her face. “Yes, quite.”

  “Yes, Mrs Crauford. You were lucky to have caught me at such short notice.”

  Selina’s hands itched to tip his soup onto his lap, but instead, she stuffed more soup into her mouth. Mr Simon Willoughby had to be the worst sort of man that she had ever encountered. From the moment she had stepped foot into the parlour, she had wanted to run out. The man was tall, but not as tall as Alex. He was as fair as Thomas, but his potentially handsome face was marred by the permanent sneer on it. Right off the bat, he had come across as a man used to getting whatever he wanted and had no problem with stepping over people to get it. So far, all he had done was talk about himself. His self-glorification was a sight to behold, and yet everyone at the table continued to pander to him.

  “Miss Seymour, I must say that your gold dress is lovely.”

  She was about to thank him when he continued, “But your colour is green, am I right? All that red hair clashes with your gold dress. And you look rather washed out. Gold should be worn by people who have a little colour in their skin.”

  The table was silent. Selina was not insulted in the slightest, but she did not know how her aunt felt as she was the one who had purchased her dress.

  “You have good fashion sense,” Selina finally said. “Not many men are so outspoken about women’s clothing.”

  “I make it my business to take an interest in everything, Miss Seymour. When you have superior knowledge to those around you, is it not charitable to share it?”

  She dabbed her mouth with her napkin, hiding a smile behind the cloth.

  “Does this superior knowledge come with a certification of some sort? I would be happy to see where you have studied to have such knowledge.”

  She saw his jaw twitch. Had she hit upon a nerve?

  “Of course, women should know their place. Am I right, Mr Crauford?”

  The nerve of the man!

  “I believe that a woman’s place should be where she feels most at ease, Mr Willoughby,” her father commented.

  Selina smiled at her father. She could trust him to come to her defence.