Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay

by Christina Courtenay

  The vicar introduced his wife, and after a slight nudge from her husband, Mrs Denning asked Amelia if she would care to come to tea at the vicarage one afternoon.

  ‘I’d be delighted, thank you. Just send a note round to inform me which day would be suitable.’ With a gracious smile, she swept back to the waiting carriage, again holding the little girls by the hand. She ignored everyone else, who stood in groups whispering and nodding in their direction. James handed them into the carriage, but when Mathilde begged to be allowed to ride on his horse, he let her sit in front of him in the saddle instead all the way home. Amelia wondered what local society would make of that – the reviled viscount showing himself to be a kind and caring father, as well as a supportive husband. No doubt there would be much speculation about this turn of events.

  Amelia was uncomfortably aware of James’s presence next to the carriage and whenever he looked in her direction, she felt overheated. She wondered what had brought him back so soon, but dared not ask.

  ‘That was very brave of you, my dear,’ he commented as he handed her down from the carriage. ‘I think you were a success and if Mrs Denning invites you to tea, then the rest might follow. I congratulate you. I can see that there was no need for me to worry that you would come to regret our bargain.’

  ‘Thank you, it was kind of you to come and lend me support. And of course I don’t regret it. You told me what to expect and it is a great deal better to be a shunned viscountess than an unpaid housekeeper.’ He nodded, acknowledging the truth of that. ‘Have you tired of life at Westfield already?’ Amelia couldn’t resist asking.

  ‘No.’ He frowned. ‘If you must know I came to see how you were getting on and to apologise for leaving you so abruptly the other day, but I see you are doing splendidly, so there was no need for me to come after all.’

  ‘Well, I hope you will find time to join us again next week. It was much nicer to sing a duet with you than with the vicar.’ On impulse, Amelia stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you, James,’ she added, before turning to mount the stairs.

  As she reached the top, she glanced over her shoulder and saw James standing transfixed, staring after her, with one hand holding the cheek she had just kissed. Mathilde had to pull on his coat sleeve twice before he came out of his trance enough to say goodbye to the girls, and Amelia smiled to herself.

  She rather thought she had given him something to think about.

  The next few days were very busy. Amelia went to the nearest town to choose the materials for the new curtains and cushions she wanted to have made, and work began almost straight away. There was furniture to rearrange and the girls to teach, as well as such things as flower arranging and choosing the daily menus. She also went to have tea with Mrs Denning, and impressed this lady to the extent that some of their other neighbours began to leave their cards at Marr Place. Amelia decided to let them remain curious for a while and merely left her card in return instead of inviting them in, but there was one neighbour who was not content to be fobbed off in such a manner.

  On the Friday morning, a booming female voice echoed round the hall. ‘I demand to be taken to Lady Demarr at once. I am reliably informed that she has not gone out, so don’t try to bamboozle me, my good man.’

  Jamieson came to find Amelia, who was just taking tea in the morning room, and informed her that the local squire’s wife and son would like to see her. Amelia, who had heard the loud exchange in the hall, smiled and asked him to show them into the small salon.

  She tidied her hair quickly, then went to join her guests, a young man who looked to be a year or two older than Amelia herself, and a rather large matron. She noticed the young man first as he was wearing an embroidered waistcoat of a particularly loud shade of turquoise. This was teamed with an impossibly tight coat, high starched shirt points sticking out at the top and a cravat tied so intricately it must have taken him hours. Amelia deduced that he was trying to ape the fashionable dandies, but with his sandy hair and youthful features, he didn’t really carry it off. Hiding a smile, Amelia turned to his mother instead.

  ‘Lady Briggs, how nice of you to call.’

  ‘Not at all, it was the least we could do after you regaled us with such fine singing last Sunday. This is Justin, my firstborn,’ Lady Briggs announced grandly. ‘Quite a nice boy, really, but a deplorable taste in waistcoats. Don’t mind him.’

  Young Mr Briggs did not look at all discomfited by his mother’s remarks and Amelia guessed he must be used to them. He managed to bow over her hand with some grace, despite the tight coat, and as he smiled up at her she decided she rather liked him. He had a frank, open countenance, and the look of admiration in his eyes, although blatant, was not in the slightest bit lecherous. Relieved, she felt herself relax.

  ‘Will you take some refreshment?’ Amelia asked.

  ‘A dish of tea would be very welcome, thank you. I am pleased to find that you are not at all high in the instep, my lady,’ Lady Briggs confided, making Amelia smile inwardly again at her frankness. ‘It’s been many years since there was a viscountess hereabouts, but I remember hearing that the last one was an insufferable snob. I am referring to your husband’s late mother, of course, not his wife. I don’t believe she ever set foot here.’

  This was an interesting snippet, but Amelia resisted the temptation to enquire further. She resolved instead to ask James about his mother at the earliest opportunity, but made no comment. She rang for tea, which soon arrived accompanied by scores of different cakes and some scones. It would seem that Cook was trying to impress her new mistress, as well as their guests, and young Mr Briggs in particular was very pleased with the offerings.

  ‘I say, your cook must be a capital fellow,’ he commented before tucking in with gusto.

  ‘I believe “he” is actually a “she”,’ Amelia replied with a smile, ‘but yes, she is indeed very good.’

  Mr Briggs beamed at her and said over a mouthful of sponge cake, ‘Do let mama know if you ever wish to part with her.’

  ‘Really, Justin, there is nothing wrong with our cook,’ his mother protested, ‘and we didn’t come here to discuss food.’ She turned to Amelia. ‘I came to discuss parish business, your ladyship. Have you heard about the church fête next week?’

  ‘No, I haven’t. I take it this is a yearly event?’

  ‘Yes, indeed. I am used to organising it, since my husband is the Squire, but now that you have taken up residence here, perhaps you would like to take over?’ Lady Briggs looked as if this last sentence had had to be squeezed out of her and Amelia concluded that she didn’t like her lofty position being usurped.

  ‘Oh, no, Lady Briggs,’ she said smoothly, ‘I would be very happy if you could continue to run things. Everything here is very new to me, but perhaps you could be kind enough to assist me to learn, become my mentor as it were? I would deem it a great kindness.’

  ‘Why of course, I would be only too pleased to offer you a few pointers.’ Lady Briggs visibly preened herself. ‘I’m sure you’ll soon find your way around our little community.’

  ‘I hope so. Tell me, do you think perhaps I ought to invite all the local ladies for tea one afternoon in order to become acquainted with everyone? If so, could I ask you to draw up a list of those I should invite?’ Amelia felt sure that if Lady Briggs ordered them to come, then come they would.

  ‘I say, why don’t you have a regular dinner party?’ put in Justin, who had by now managed to consume a considerable quantity of cake.

  ‘Don’t be a sapskull, my boy,’ his mother told him roundly. ‘I’m sure her ladyship needs some time to settle in before entertaining on a large scale. You’re just trying to get yourself invited for dinner, aren’t you?’ Shaking her head, she added to Amelia, ‘Honestly, I don’t know where he puts it all. He’s forever eating.’

  ‘Perhaps he leads a very active life?’ She smiled at Justin again.

  ‘Well, I ride a lot and hunt of course. I say, do you ride Lady Demarr? Would you
care to go for a ride with me one morning? I could show you the countryside hereabouts, there are some lovely views, you know.’

  He looked so hopeful, Amelia didn’t have the heart to disappoint him. ‘Perhaps one morning,’ she replied hesitantly, ‘although I do have a lot to do at the moment.’

  ‘Now don’t go pestering her ladyship, Justin,’ his mother cut in. ‘Of course she doesn’t have time to go junketing about with you.’

  ‘It would only be for a short while,’ he cajoled, looking at Amelia with puppy-like adoration.

  ‘Very well,’ Amelia capitulated. ‘You may escort me on a short ride tomorrow morning, Mr Briggs. Would ten o’clock suit you?’

  ‘Splendid!’

  ‘I hope you don’t regret your kindness, Lady Demarr,’ his fond mother muttered darkly. ‘But now we had better leave your ladyship in peace.’ She rose and beckoned to her son with an imperious finger. ‘Oh, there was one more thing, Lady Demarr. Would you mind very much honouring us with a small impromptu concert at the fête? A voice like yours should be heard singing more than hymns.’

  ‘Well, I would have to ask my husband. I’m not sure he would approve.’ Amelia was unwilling to risk putting James in a temper again. ‘But I will see what he says.’

  And with that Lady Briggs had to be satisfied.

  Justin Briggs proved to be an amusing companion, full of youthful high spirits, and Amelia had an enjoyable ride with him. If she found his frequent adoring gazes a bit of a trial, she did not let on, but simply chatted about the scenery until his thoughts were diverted in another direction. They found that they had many opinions in common, but although he told Amelia he was two years older than her, she felt much more mature than him, perhaps because of all the trials she had been through. Nevertheless, they parted the best of friends, and now that she knew she had his support, and that of his mother, Amelia felt much better about going to church again the following day.

  As she readied herself on the Sunday morning, Amelia had to suppress a slight flutter of excitement. She was looking forward to seeing James again, and although she told herself this was silly, she couldn’t help it. It was obvious that he was not in a hurry to see her, since he had stayed away all week, but she still hoped to persuade him otherwise one day.

  He was standing at the foot of the stairs, waiting to hand them all into the carriage. To Amelia’s surprise, he jumped in after them, saying, ‘I have decided to travel with you. It will present a better picture for the neighbours, don’t you think?’

  ‘Why yes, to be sure.’ Amelia was more disturbed by his sudden nearness than she cared to admit and felt slightly breathless. As he was sitting next to her, with the girls facing them, their thighs brushed against each other as the carriage bumped along. Amelia couldn’t understand why his simply being close to her should have this strange effect on her. It was positively indecent the way she kept remembering how wonderful his kisses had been. How she wished he would do it again …

  Had she but known it, James’s thoughts had been running along the same lines and he was feeling thoroughly frustrated. A week away from his wife had not given him the perspective he had craved, and he was no nearer to solving the problem of whether to trust her or not. He wanted Amelia to be his wife in every sense, but he knew he must first find a way of establishing her innocence once and for all.

  ‘Are you ready to face the dragons?’ he asked, striving for some light conversation to relieve the tension.

  ‘With you for protection, I can face anything, Sir Galahad,’ she replied with a smile. James felt himself nearly drown in her violet blue gaze and turned away abruptly. This was not going at all well.

  The church service was a penance as he struggled to keep his emotions under control. It was a relief when it was over, and he was pleasantly surprised when a few people actually came up to speak to them afterwards. He realised that Amelia had worked her magic on the neighbours as well and had broken the ice. When Sir John and Lady Briggs greeted them loudly, he knew that his wife had achieved an absolute miracle in a very short space of time.

  ‘Did dear Lady Demarr tell you about our little fête?’ Lady Briggs demanded without preamble.

  ‘I haven’t had a chance to speak to my husband about that yet,’ Amelia put in quickly.

  ‘Oh, but really, my lord, you must help me to persuade your wife to sing for us, I’m sure everyone would enjoy it immensely. Such a lovely voice. Do say you will add your entreaties to mine?’ Lady Briggs was obviously nothing if not determined when she was on a quest.

  James, who could guess why Amelia had been reluctant to broach this subject with him, hastened to put her at ease. ‘But of course she must sing for you if she wishes. I’m sure you’ll be only too happy to oblige, won’t you, my dear?’ He looked at Amelia and smiled so that she would understand that it was his way of atoning for his actions in London. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

  ‘I can only give in with good grace, Lady Briggs. Let us discuss it in more detail at my tea party.’

  James stared at Amelia in surprise, but refrained from asking any questions until they were back in the carriage.

  ‘Tea party?’ he enquired with raised brows.

  ‘Oh, it is nothing really. I’ve invited a few of the local ladies in order to become better acquainted with them. Lady Briggs was kind enough to give me a list of names.’

  James nodded appreciatively. ‘That was very clever of you, my dear. With Lady Briggs on your side, you’ll soon win everyone over.’

  ‘That was my intention.’ Amelia smiled. ‘Would you care to come?’

  ‘Me? Good lord, no! A room full of women taking tea and chattering like hens is not my idea of fun. I will leave that to you.’

  James turned to his daughters and began to chat to them instead. He felt altogether too happy with his wife’s achievements and decided he was at risk of forgetting his misgivings if he talked to her for much longer.

  ‘Tell me what you two have been up to this week,’ he invited.

  ‘We’re doing lessons with Amelia,’ Mathilde informed him, looking very proud. ‘I can read some words already and Amelia says I’m a fast learner.’

  ‘Me too,’ put in Chloe, not wanting to be outdone. ‘C-A-T,’ she pronounced the letters in an exaggerated fashion.

  James smiled. ‘I’m glad you’re all getting along. What’s this about lessons?’ He looked to Amelia for an answer.

  ‘I decided it was time the girls learned their alphabet and such things, and with Miss Downes no longer there, I thought it best if I gave them lessons myself.’

  ‘Miss Downes is gone?’ James remembered Amelia’s comments about the nanny and wondered if he had given Amelia too much power since she had seemingly dismissed the nanny straight away. Chloe’s next words made him think again.

  ‘She hit me,’ the little girl told her father, her eyes big and grave in her tiny face. ‘Lots of times. And shouted at me. But Melia told her to stop and go away.’

  ‘Yes, and all because Chloe fell down. It wasn’t even her fault,’ Mathilde added.

  ‘I see. Well in that case, I’m glad she is gone. So who looks after you now?’

  ‘Eliza and Melia,’ Chloe said.

  ‘Eliza was the nanny’s helper,’ Amelia explained hurriedly. ‘The girls told me she was kind to them, so I thought in the circumstances …’

  ‘That sounds like an excellent solution.’ James only vaguely remembered employing the young girl, but if Amelia thought her suitable, then no doubt she was. ‘But will you want to continue teaching the girls?’

  ‘Well, I was thinking that they probably need a proper governess, and as it happens, I heard recently that my old governess Miss Keyes is available. Would you consider her for the position? She was very kind to me, but firm.’

  ‘She sounds ideal. By all means, write to her.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  James could see that Amelia had everything in hand, but he could not shake the thought that she was to
o good to be true. It was a relief when he could finally take his leave and go back to Westfield, where he could think clearly again without Amelia’s nearness disturbing his senses.

  He simply had to find a solution to his problem, and soon, or he would go mad.

  CHAPTER TEN

  James had his worst fears confirmed only two days later. Riding through the woods of his estate, he spotted a pair of riders in the distance at the top of a ridge. As he rode closer, he realised that one of them was Amelia and she was leaning over to whisper something in the ear of her rather handsome escort, a young man with sandy-coloured hair and a blindingly green jacket. The two of them appeared to be alone, with no grooms in attendance for the sake of propriety.

  James saw red.

  Spurring his horse into a gallop, he soon reached the laughing pair, and skidded to a halt next to them.

  ‘I say, watch out, sir, or you’ll have us all over the precipice,’ the young man protested, his horse having taken exception to James’s abrupt arrival. James ignored him and scowled at Amelia.

  ‘Hello, James,’ she said, looking at him with a slight frown. ‘Is something amiss? It’s not the girls, is it?’

  ‘Perhaps if you were at home, instead of gallivanting around with your beau, you would know the answer to that yourself,’ James replied, his voice hard. He saw Amelia flinch, a look of hurt entering her eyes.

  ‘They were perfectly fine when I left for my short ride with Justin,’ she said. ‘They were playing games with Eliza.’

  ‘Justin, is it?’ James turned to the young man and fixed him with a glare. He had no idea who he was, but vaguely recalled seeing him at church the previous Sunday. The man bowed in the saddle.

  ‘Justin Briggs, at your service, my lord.’

  ‘And my wife’s, it would seem,’ James murmured. He did not bow back, but turned pointedly to Amelia instead. ‘I was coming over to see how you were getting on, but I see you’re doing just fine, so I’ll take my leave. Good day to you.’