He left the door wide open but checked there were no lurking footmen and then turned her round and took her hands. 'Sweetheart, am I so formidable that you are fearful of being alone with me? I promise you I'll never do anything to harm you.'
'I'm sorry, I'm not normally so faint-hearted. For some inexplicable reason I don't wish to be in your bad books.' She managed a hesitant smile.
'I was incensed when you shoved me over but only for a moment. I'm glad you like Rufus but I now owe you an apology. Sit down, I'll explain why.'
She flopped onto the nearest chair as if her legs would no longer hold her upright. 'I think I can guess what you're going to say. The fact that Lord Sawsbury bought Miss Burgoyne a thoroughbred will be the main topic of conversation everywhere in the square by this evening. Even though you gave the bill to my father so he can reimburse you, the damage is done.'
Without allowing her a chance to protest he dropped to one knee. 'Miss Burgoyne, will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife? Please make me the happiest of men.'
'If I thought for one moment you'd orchestrated this disaster in order to trick me into marrying you I should refuse however dire the consequences.' Her expression was sad – hardly the reaction one would hope when having made an offer.
'Then you're saying yes?' He smiled, but it wasn't very convincing. 'Can I get up now and stop making a cake of myself?'
'You can, I accept your kind offer. However, I believe you should have spoken to my papa first. I wonder how many other rules we're going to break over the next few weeks.'
He grabbed the nearest chair and moved it closer to her. 'I'll accompany you when you return home and speak to him then. I think we should announce our betrothal tonight and put a stop to any possible gossip.'
'Very well, but I don't want anyone thinking it's anything but an arrangement that suits us both. We have only known each other for two days so how could it be anything else?'
Her colour had returned and she looked more like herself now. 'Why don't we take your new mount out to Rotten Row? I'd like to see how he goes with you. I assume you're an expert rider.'
She was already on her feet her eyes alight with excitement. 'I should like that above anything. I can be changed and ready in half an hour. Speak to Papa when we return.'
'Emily and Mrs Featherstone are riding this morning and have yet to come down so we can go out together.'
*
'I believe that I can call you Simon now we're to be wed.'
His eyes flashed and before she could escape she found herself in his arms. 'And I believe that I can now do this without fear of scandal.'
He tilted her chin and pressed his lips against hers. She'd expected to find this experience somewhat unpleasant but to her surprise it was the reverse. A delicious tingle travelled from her mouth to a most unexpected region of her anatomy.
She was released just when she had been enjoying her first kiss. He was looking at her quizzically and she smiled. 'That was quite pleasant, I look forward to doing it again.'
His laughter followed her as she ran through the house eager to get back and change into her habit. She dashed inside her own residence and told the footman who had opened the door for her to send word to the stables that Rufus should be saddled.
The house was still quiet. How could so much have happened and it was still only a little after eight o'clock?
She settled herself into the saddle and the gelding looked round and nudged her knee as if to tell her she would be safe with him.
'Good boy, I'm certain we are going to be the best of friends.' She told the groom that he would not be wanted as she would be accompanied by the Sawsburys.
On emerging through the arch she was met by her husband to be astride a magnificent black stallion and her future sister and another lady, presumably Mrs Featherstone, also mounted on handsome animals.
'Bella, allow me to introduce you to the newest member of our family. She is to be my adopted aunt, Aunt Jemima.'
'I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, ma'am.'
'That horse of yours, my dear, exactly matches your hair. You will turn every head in the park.'
Simon guided his stallion so he was next to her. 'Do you like him?'
'I love him. He's a gentle giant and I can't wait to see how fast he can go.'
'You cannot gallop in the park, Bella, it's not safe with so many other riders around,' Emily told her.
'Then I must bring him there at dawn tomorrow. I shall content myself with a collected canter today.'
As they were moving towards the far end of the square a carriage pulled up outside her house and her father got out. He hurried inside, head bowed, and a sick dread settled over her.
'I apologise, Simon, Emily, Mrs Featherstone, but my ride will have to wait. I must go back. I fear something catastrophic has occurred to have kept my father out all night.'
He leaned over and took the bit of her horse preventing her from turning. 'No, sweetheart, whatever it is, it's better that you let him converse to your mama first. A brisk canter around the park will do us all good. Remember, I'm coming to see him after breakfast.'
Her pleasure in the excursion had gone, but he was right. Rushing back would do nobody any good. Rufus proved as willing and obedient to the bit as any horse she'd ever ridden. Soon she was enjoying the ride. After they had cantered around the park she was happy to be introduced to a dozen or more members of the ton. Mrs Featherstone was apparently well thought of and knew more people than Simon. It wasn't until she was turning into Grosvenor Street that her earlier anxiety returned.
'I don't think this morning is the best time for you to ask for my hand…' Unfortunately, Emily overheard this remark even though Bella had spoken quietly.
'Have you come to an arrangement so soon? I'm delighted, of course, but somewhat surprised by the speed with which you've come to this decision.'
Simon dropped back to explain their reasoning which allowed her to increase her speed to a trot and leave them behind. A groom was waiting to take her horse. She didn't need handing down as she was quite capable of dropping to the ground without mishap despite the fact Rufus was over sixteen hands high.
On arriving inside she went at once to look for her parents even though she was still in her habit. She tried the breakfast parlour, the footmen were only just putting out the food, but they were not yet down.
It was unheard of for her to intrude into their private quarters but she was too worried to bother about that today. When she approached their shared sitting room, she could hear voices. She tapped but didn't wait to be invited in. She pushed open the door and put her head around it.
'May I come in? Tell me if I'm de trop.'
Her father had changed his raiment and was his usual elegant self, however, her mama was still in her nightwear and looked as if she hadn't slept at all last night.
'Come in, Annabel, we've grave matters to discuss and they concern you too.'
She joined her mother on the daybed and waited for Papa to explain.
'Lord Danbury invested heavily in my last fleet and he heard yesterday that my ships are lost. They were caught in a typhoon somewhere in the Far East and all sank. As far as we know there were no survivors.'
'Are we ruined?'
'No, but Lord Danbury is. He borrowed heavily against the profits he would have made if our ships had sailed safely back to port. I've done what I can to help him and his family but they will have to leave Town as they can no longer afford the expense.'
'And what I have to tell you will make things easier. Lord Sawsbury and I have come to an arrangement. He made me an offer and I accepted – he will be coming to speak to you shortly.'
Her mother wiped her eyes. 'Oh, I wish he had not done so. Don't you see he is no longer in a position to marry you?'
'But you said that we're still wealthy…'
'That's true, but my money is now tied up and you're no longer the heiress able to save Sawsbury's family. I'll tell
him that you release him from his promise so he can look elsewhere. We too are going to return home.'
'But this house is rented until the end of June. We will lose money rather than save it if we depart early.' For a moment she was too stunned by this revelation to think clearly. Then something occurred to her. 'I don't know exactly how much Simon needs to clear his family's debts – surely there's still some fluidity in our finances to give him some of what you originally intended?'
'From your vehemence am I to assume that you wish to marry Sawsbury after having only known him for a day or two?'
The conversation was interrupted by a footman come to tell Papa that Simon was downstairs. Her father stood up, his expression serious. 'I shall talk to him but first you must answer my question.'
'Yes, yes I wish to marry him. In fact, I cannot think of another gentleman who would do as well as he.'
'Then I'll explain the situation to him and see if we can come to some arrangement. Don't be disappointed, my dear girl, if he decides he will jump at your offer to release him.'
'There is something I've yet to tell you. He selected my horse for me and paid for it. He will want reimbursing.'
Her father nodded and marched out. He was still a handsome man despite his advancing age and held himself as upright as he had always done. She got her height from him, but her colouring must have come from a distant relative. Her mother had fading brown hair and hazel eyes, he was darker and with brown eyes.
'Don't look so worried, Bella, we will not founder under this storm. Your father is a clever businessman and has substantial interests in manufactories as well as shipping. The problem is that he doesn't have funds available at present as he has transferred as much as he could to Lord Danbury.'
'Are we still to go there for dinner tonight or is that cancelled?'
'I don't know and I doubt it was anything your papa or Lord Danbury discussed during the night. We shall assume it's going ahead unless we receive a note to the contrary.'
*
Simon took one look at Burgoyne's face and knew he was going to receive unpleasant news. He bowed politely but the gentleman ignored this and waved him to a seat.
'I'll be brief, sir, and then you may depart if you so wish.'
His heart sunk to his boots. Something had occurred that meant he was no longer considered a suitable candidate for Bella's hand. When he'd heard the whole, he had not given up hope entirely.
'I will be frank, my lord, as my daughter seems set on this union if possible. How much do you need to settle your pressing debts and how long would you be prepared to wait for the remainder of the dowry?'
This was plain-speaking indeed. He named the sum and waited to be told this was no longer available. To his astonishment Burgoyne jumped up and slapped him on the back.
'Good God, young man, I thought you wanted four times that amount. I can clear your debts and give you the same again – the remainder will come once I have liquidated some of my assets. You do understand that keeping Danbury and his family afloat is my priority at the moment?'
Simon was speechless. Until that moment he'd had no idea his future father-in-law was so wealthy. 'Then, sir, do I have your permission to become engaged to your daughter?'
'You do, you do, my boy. I can't think why my little girl is so keen to marry you when only yesterday she was decrying the aristocracy. However, in my opinion you're everything I wanted for her. I know you'll make her happy.'
'I shall do my best, sir. I want you to know that I shall consider you and Mrs Burgoyne to be my parents once Bella and I are married. If you wish to make your home with us I should be delighted to accommodate you. There is an excellent and substantial Dower House in the grounds that could be refurbished and restored to make a perfect second home for you.'
His future father-in-law blinked and cleared his throat before answering. 'I bought a vast estate a few years ago and have regretted it ever since. I'll be happy to sell the place and accept your kind offer.'
'This might be an arranged marriage, sir, but I can assure you the moment I set eyes on Bella I wanted to marry her. It was just fortuitous that she also happened to be an heiress.'
'She's an original. I know my wife and I have given her too much leeway, but she's a good girl and there's no malice in her. I'm sure you'll be able to curb her wildness once you're married.'
Chapter Eight
'Daughter, I don't appreciate having you in my boudoir smelling of the stables. I suggest you return to your rooms and do something about it.'
'I apologise for coming in here in my dirt, but the circumstances were unusual you will admit. Do you think Simon will still want to marry me without the vast fortune he was promised?'
'I don't believe the amount of your settlement has ever been mentioned. I hope that your papa will come to some arrangement with him as he seems to be the ideal gentleman.'
Bella hurried back to her apartment and completed her ablutions in record time. 'I'd like something both warm and pretty – I'm sure there's an ensemble in my closet that will suit.'
Once dressed she paused for a moment to view her appearance in the long glass. Her hair was tidy, the gown was a becoming shade of gold and the spencer that accompanied it was a lighter colour with the trimmings in the same material as the gown.
She paused outside her rooms not sure if she should return to her parents' apartment or go downstairs to discover her fate. Her heart was pounding, her palms clammy, and she knew at that moment if Simon had walked away she would be devastated.
How could this be? She was a sensible creature, not given to flights of fancy, but here she was halfway to falling in love with a gentleman she scarcely knew. This was quite ridiculous. It was a business arrangement – nothing more.
As she made her way down the stairs she heard footsteps approaching. She froze and was about to scamper back when Simon arrived in the hall. If he had taken the opportunity to break the engagement it would be easier for both of them if she wasn't there.
'Bella, don't run away. Nothing has changed between us.'
Her feet moved of their own volition and she all but fell down the stairs and into his waiting arms. He held her close and she could feel his heart beating as heavily as hers. She looked up at him and his smile made her toes curl.
'I'm so pleased you've been able to come to an agreement with my father. Otherwise this would have been the shortest betrothal ever.'
'Come, we cannot talk here. Shall we go into the drawing room?'
He kept his arm around her waist and she didn't complain. She was too agitated to sit so suggested they stroll around the room whilst they conversed.
'My debts…'
'No, Simon, it's none of my business. All I care about is that you're still prepared to marry me. Are we to have a long engagement? Shall we take a wedding trip? I don't even know where your estate is.'
'I know you don't wish to be involved with the financial arrangements, Bella, but I wish to be open with you. Your father has generously agreed to settle my debts immediately as well as transfer more than sufficient funds for our future. Therefore, there's no urgency for us to marry. If you wish to have a long engagement then that is your decision.'
'I should like to enjoy the Season now that I'm here. Perhaps we could marry in June? As we will be spending most days together over the next few months that's more than enough time to get to know each other better.'
'We can make Emily's ball a double celebration. Please can we stop perambulating about the room and take a seat?'
This time she was happy to settle beside him on a comfortable padded sofa. 'Is your sister serious about finding herself a husband this year?'
'No, she's in no hurry to give up her independence. Also, it might be a year or more before I have enough to provide her with a decent portion.'
There was no need for him to elaborate – he was referring to the fact that the remainder of Emily's dowry was dependent on how soon Papa could replace the loss of one of his fleet
s.
'Now, I'll answer your other questions. My estate is just outside Oxford and the journey takes no more than a day and a half. As to a wedding trip, I haven't given that much thought. Have you ever visited the Lakes or Scotland?'
'I haven't but I should love to do so. Now you have Mrs Featherstone, Emily will not be left alone when we go away.'
When he told her that her parents intended to make their home with them she flung her arms around him and his reaction was inevitable. Somehow she found herself on his lap and by the time he raised his head her hair was tumbling around her shoulders and she was quite dizzy with excitement.
'I hope my performance was more than pleasant this time,' he said with a wicked smile.
When she recovered her breath and her composure she scrambled off his lap and moved a safe distance away. 'Fishing for compliments, my lord?' She shrugged and put her finger on her lips as if considering her answer. 'I would describe it as enjoyable – but I'm certain you shouldn't be taking liberties with my person even though we're now betrothed.'
'I'm certain that you're correct. However, I believe it was you that initiated…'
'That's as may be, sir, but I am a naïve and inexperienced young lady whereas you are a man about town.'
He rose smoothly to his feet but did not approach. 'I am indeed and have taken shameful advantage of you. I give you my word nothing so reprehensible will take place until after the knot is tied and…'
She rudely interrupted him. 'Fiddlesticks to that! I've no wish to forego such a pleasurable experience until June. Have we settled on the date or a place for our nuptials?' This time she sat on a chair not a sofa or chaise longue and he folded his long length on a similar chair opposite to her.
'It's the bride's prerogative to make those decisions. However, in the unusual circumstances surrounding our betrothal your father and I decided the most convenient place for the service would be in the family chapel at my house across the square in the second week of June. That should give you ample time to prepare your bride clothes and…'
A Season of Romance Page 30