by Anne Herries
His rage had mixed with fear, making him unable to think clearly as he ordered the marquis to let her go. Jenny’s own quick thinking and bravery had provided him with the opportunity and he’d shot the moment she was out of range. After that he’d been overcome with anxiety for her—and then relief in the carriage that she was not badly hurt, followed by euphoria when she accepted his proposal.
Adam had not had a moment to understand his feelings before he was being attacked by Lady Dawlish for a reckless proposal—which he admitted it was, for had Jenny had no money of her own it would have been a struggle to maintain a wife and save the estate.
Adam found to his horror that his cheeks were wet. He was crying in the street! He had not cried since his parents died—even for the comrades that had died fighting the French. That was too bitter a wound to weep for and Mark’s death had been too hard to bear.
Suddenly, tears, which were also partially tears of happiness, had released his grief for his cousin. What a fool he’d been to agonise over Jenny’s fortune. He was a man, not a mouse. He would use the money to save his grandfather and to build up the estate—and then he would repay Jenny every penny, which she could spend as she pleased or keep for their children. He would find ways to make them both rich and when he did he would shower his beautiful wife with jewels and fancy clothes—though in his heart, he knew that all Jenny wanted or needed was to be loved. Yet he would give them to her all the same.
Adam laughed out loud, then turned his steps and began to make his way back to Lady Dawlish’s house. He must explain to Jenny—tell her how he felt.
He had been walking only for a few moments when he stopped once more and shook his head. Much as he wanted to tell her of his love and his decision, he knew she had been through enough that day. He must allow her to rest and recover. He would send her a note and call to see her in the morning.
* * *
‘Jenny—are you awake?’ Lucy asked, coming tentatively towards the bed. ‘Mama said not to disturb you—but there is a letter for you and I wanted to talk to you. Are you feeling better now?’
‘Much,’ Jenny said and sat up. ‘I did not truly need the doctor because the drink your mama sent up made my throat much easier.’
‘That terrible man!’ Lucy cried and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. ‘I am so glad Adam shot him. Paul said he would have done so, but you were in his line of fire.’
‘It is all over now,’ Jenny said. ‘Did you say there was a letter for me?’
‘Yes. It is from Adam. I think he wants to apologise for going off like that...’ Lucy gave her the note and Jenny ripped it open. She read the few lines and nodded at her cousin, unable to keep from smiling. ‘Oh, I am glad, because I know you love him.’
‘Yes, I do. He was just shocked and upset because he felt I had not told him the truth. He wishes to know why I felt the need to keep it a secret, but he has forgiven me and says he loves me very much.’
‘That is all right then,’ Lucy said and smiled. ‘Paul did not tell me he loved me—but he asked me to forgive him for being such a bear of late. He apologised for shouting at me at the ruins—and of course I have forgiven him.’
‘Did you tell him how you feel?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘No, I could not. We are friends again, as you suggested, Jenny. I think that is all we should be for a while. I do not think that either of us would feel right if we...we could not marry or be engaged for months, Jenny. I do not mind now that I know he doesn’t hate me.’ She laughed. ‘He thought I blamed him, but of course I never did—it was just all so horrid that I did not know what to think.’
‘I am glad you have settled it between you,’ Jenny said and reached for her hand. ‘I am sure that in time you will reach an understanding.’
‘Yes, perhaps.’ Lucy sighed. ‘It is such an odd feeling, Jenny. Mark is still there between us. We are both aware of him—and neither of us knows how to act. I think it will take some time before we could think of falling in love with each other—even though it is very hard not to wish for it.’
‘I think you are being very sensible, Lucy. Your mama wishes to take you abroad for the winter. You should go with her, dearest. The time spent travelling will help to clear your mind. When you see Paul again you will know how you truly feel.’
‘Yes, I know you are right,’ Lucy said. ‘I was desperate for him to tell me he loved me—but now we are friends and it no longer seems to matter. I am content to wait and see what happens. It would be terrible if I made a mistake again.’
‘I am sure you will not,’ Jenny said. ‘Are you going out with your mama this evening? I do not think I wish to come. I should rather stay here and rest, if you do not mind?’
‘Mama has sent her apologies to Mrs Morton, with whom we were engaged. We shall dine quietly here—and if you do not feel like coming down I shall have a tray up here with you.’
‘You must dine with your mama,’ Jenny said, settling against the softness of fresh linen pillows delicately edged with lace. ‘I want only some soup and bread and butter—and another drink of honey and lemon. If you would like to sit and talk after you dine, bring a book of poems and you can read to me for a while. I should be glad of your company, but I shall not get up this evening.’
‘Yes, of course I will come.’ Lucy bent to kiss her cheek. ‘I am so glad you were here with me for this difficult time—and I am pleased that everything is as you would wish it with Adam.’
‘I have still to explain to him,’ Jenny said with a tremulous smile. ‘But I hope he will understand...’
* * *
Jenny was sitting alone in the parlour when Adam arrived the next morning. She was wearing a morning gown of jonquil silk that floated and rustled as she moved and had dressed her hair in soft waves back from her face and swirled loosely in a knot at her nape. Around her throat, she wore a row of tiny seed pearls that had been her mother’s and matching pins were scattered through her hair. As Adam was shown into the room, she rose to her feet shyly and greeted him with outstretched hands.
‘Adam, I am glad to see you. Thank you for forgiving me—you must know that I never meant to hurt or lie to you. It was a misunderstanding at the start that I did not know how to correct. I knew that you despised heiresses and I did not want you to despise me.’
‘Despised heiresses...?’ Adam frowned, then remembered. ‘Did you overhear something that night in London?’ He smote his forehead with the palm of his hand as she nodded. ‘What a coxcomb you must have thought me! I was jesting with friends—but it was a protest because I felt that I was being pushed towards making a match that I could not stomach and not meant personally against any particular young lady. It was my situation I disliked, not the unfortunate heiresses.’
‘I have since realised that,’ Jenny said and laughed. ‘When I saw you at Ravenscar—your caring and your strength—I knew I had been wrong to think you arrogant. You were so kind to me even though in terrible distress over your cousin. I believe I fell in love with you instantly. After that it became impossible to explain.’
‘Yes, of course I see.’ He took her hands and held them, looking down at her, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. ‘I have been in such a fret, Jenny. I knew that I ought to marry money for Grandfather’s sake, but I could not bring myself to do it—and I also knew that you were the woman I wanted above all others, though...’ his hands held hers tightly ‘...I did not realise how much I loved and needed you until I thought Fontleroy might kill you.’
‘Oh, Adam...’ She moved towards him, lifting her face for his kiss and then she was in his arms. ‘I do love you so very much. I was afraid that if you knew I had a little money you would not—’ Her words were lost beneath a passionate kiss that left her breathless. His tongue demanded and she opened to him, allowing his teasing entry, such a deep, intimate kiss that when at last they dre
w apart she was well aware of the effect it had had on his body and her own. His need was so apparent that she had felt his heat and the hardness of his arousal as he held her pressed against him. ‘I see I was foolish to worry...’ She laughed up at him, confident now that he wanted and loved her as much as she loved and desired him.
Adam’s fingers moved down her cheek, stroking her white throat above the pretty neckline of her gown and then he bent to kiss the tiny hollow at the base of her throat. Jenny gasped, her head going back as she felt herself surrender to the growing need inside her. He trailed his fingers across her throat and kissed the V above her swelling breasts, of which a glimpse was possible beneath the dip of her gown.
‘I adore you,’ Adam muttered huskily. ‘Never doubt it, my darling. I cannot wait to have you as my wife and, if you will consent, shall post up to town and arrange a special licence. We can be married anywhere we choose then—here or from your uncle’s home in London.’
‘My uncle and aunt are my only true relatives,’ Jenny said. ‘Although I would never wish to live with them again, I think I owe them the courtesy of being married from their home. I hope that Lucy and Lady Dawlish will come up for the wedding—but perhaps we could arrange a little dinner here before we leave and invite the friends I have made in Bath?’
‘It will take me five days to purchase the licence, arrange the wedding and speak to your uncle,’ Adam said. ‘I should return by the evening of the last day and we could hold a small dinner and informal dance six days from now—if that would suit you? I know Hallam will see to things here while I arrange the wedding in town for...say, three weeks? Does that give you enough time to gather a trousseau, my love?’
‘I have several new gowns and perhaps we may purchase more in Paris. I shall need a gown for my wedding day, but—’
Adam placed a finger to her lips. ‘That will be my gift to you. Give me your measurements and the name of the seamstress you would favour and I shall see to it.’
‘Thank you.’ Jenny smiled shyly. ‘Please do not be offended, Adam—but I should consider it a favour if you would call on Mr Nodgrass while you are in town. He had the intention of selling all Papa’s investments—and, if it would not trouble you too much, I should like you to discover what he has done and to decide if it would be better to keep some of them. It has occurred to me that you might manage them and do better than the five per cents, which is where he intended to invest the money.’
‘You would like me to be your agent?’ Adam frowned and her heart caught. Would he be angry again? ‘I think that is a wise decision, Jenny. Much as it pains me to speak of money at such a moment, I think I should tell you that I shall with your permission use a little of your capital to secure the earl’s estate. It will be repaid when I am able and I intend that the marriage contract will secure the rest of your fortune for your use and that of our children...’ He smiled and touched a finger to her lips. ‘Yes, I know you would willingly give me every penny, but, though I am prepared to borrow a portion of it, and to manage your assets for you, I shall not take all your money. I have various ideas and I believe the bank will be happy to frank me once it is known I have married an heiress. It is an odd thing, but when one has money banks are only too happy to lend one more.’
‘Oh, Adam...’ Jenny giggled. ‘It sounds so strange to hear you say that when I had accustomed myself to thinking I had very little.’
‘Your fortune is substantial and we shall use it for the benefit of our family, dearest. The earl’s estate is a fine property and it would be a pity to lose it when with the proper management we could save it for our sons.’
‘Yes, it would,’ Jenny said and looked up at him lovingly. ‘I am looking forward to seeing the earl’s estate—but may we forget business now? I should really like to be kissed again.’
‘And I am very happy to oblige you, my love,’ Adam said and drew her close. ‘So very, very happy to oblige...’
Chapter Fifteen
‘Are you looking forward to this evening?’ Lucy asked, coming into Jenny’s bedchamber wearing a gown of the palest-lilac silk edged with silver lace. She wore a diamond pendant set in silver and suspended on a silver chain and her hair was dressed high on her head and curled in little ringlets. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she looked at Jenny. ‘Mama has said that I may dance three times this evening, providing that I behave with decorum and choose only family members—which means I may dance with Hallam and Paul and Adam—if you will spare him to me for one dance?’
‘Yes, of course I shall.’ Jenny laughed at her pleasure in the evening. ‘I do not think anyone could fault you for dancing with family, dearest. Besides, Adam and Paul have both decided that they will wear only token mourning for the celebrations. It is our wedding dance after all, and though we have invited only our closest friends and relatives, it is meant to be a joyous occasion.’
‘Yes, I know.’ Lucy handed her a small box. ‘This is a little gift from Mama and me—just something for this evening, dearest Jenny, because we are both so very fond of you.’
‘Thank you so much...’ Jenny opened the velvet box and saw a pretty diamond-and-pearl pin in the shape of a bird. It was small and exactly the kind of thing she liked, not at all ostentatious. ‘It will pin to the shoulder of my gown. I love it, Lucy. I shall always treasure it.’
‘Mama will give you silver for your wedding gift and I have a surprise for you, but we wanted you to have this. I know you have family jewels in Mr Nodgrass’s safe, but this is yours and never worn before.’
Jenny pinned the little pin to the shoulder of her gown. Her dress was yellow silk and trimmed with soft tulle at the bodice and the flounce to her skirt. Her hair was waved back from her face and piled high into little curls and ringlets, with one swathe of shining hair left to fall over her right shoulder. As yet she had no engagement ring, but knew that Adam was bringing it with him that evening.
Her heart was racing with excitement. Adam had travelled hard to reach town and return in time for their dance, wasting no time on the journey, yet the five days they had spent apart had seemed for ever. It was almost six days now and she’d wondered if he would call during the day, but he’d merely sent her a posy of flowers with his love.
Jenny felt as if she were walking on air as she went down the stairs with Lucy. Soon she would be with Adam again, and then she would return to her uncle’s home for a few days before their wedding.
* * *
Jenny’s heart caught as she saw Adam was waiting for her. He had been as impatient as she and arrived some fifteen minutes before they were due to leave. He came towards her, his eyes seeming to devour her as they moved over her hungrily, absorbing every line of her face and figure.
‘So lovely...’ he breathed. ‘I have been on fire to see you, dearest. You had my note? Your aunt is delighted with the match and your uncle claims the privilege of giving you away. I think he feared you would not invite him and is pleased that you have forgiven him for his stupidity. He understands the error of his ways now.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Much as I hate to mention business at such a moment I must.’ Adam frowned. ‘Suffice it to say that your papa was an astute businessman. I was in time to stop the sale of your assets, which are worth several times the sum your uncle achieved for your father’s estate. The income they generate each year is alone enough to solve any problems I might have had developing the mine had the bank been unwilling to advance me what I need, which they are not. Not surprisingly in the circumstances, they could not do enough for me. We shall hardly need to touch your capital and we shall certainly not sell your assets. You see, Grandfather uses the same bank as your father and they knew more of his assets than I had dreamed... I am given to understand that he may be almost, if not quite, a millionaire, on paper at least.’
Jenny stared at him, hardly comprehending what he
was telling her. ‘Are we so rich?’
‘Yes, my love, and like to become more so,’ Adam told her and laughed. ‘I have been told that a rich seam of tin has been found in the old mine and, if we go deeper in the newer mine, there is copper also. It seems that fortune has decided to favour us, Jenny.’
She shook her head in wonder. ‘Oh dear, I had no idea that Papa was so wealthy. I am glad that you will have the bother of it all and not me.’
Adam laughed. ‘That is what a husband is for, my love. I shall make more money for us in time and you may spend it as you wish.’
‘Oh, I can do that well enough,’ she said, giving him a teasing look. ‘Papa was, it seems, something of an entrepreneur—shall you be the same, Adam?’
‘You know, I think I might. Mr Hastings’s example has inspired me and all I needed was the capital to set up the ventures I had in mind—but enough of this, Jenny. Tonight was meant for pleasure—and I must give you this...’ He took a box from inside his coat and opened it. ‘Your left hand, please, my love.’
Jenny held out her hand and he slipped a lovely solitaire-diamond ring on to the third finger. The shoulders were silver to set off the stones supporting the large perfect diamond in the centre and suited her finger to perfection.
‘I was not sure of your favourite stones,’ Adam said. ‘But there are several rings amongst the earl’s family heirlooms and other trinkets, besides those that belonged to my mother—and your own mother’s jewellery, of course. I have a surprise for your wedding gift, but I thought it best to let you decide which of the various family jewels you would like remodelled for your use.’