Annabelle: A Regency Romance (The Four Sisters' Series Book 2)

by Audrey Harrison

  “Who’s the head of the household, Caroline?” Frederick asked with a growl, but there was a sparkle in his eyes.

  “As eldest, I do hold some authority, dear brother,” Caroline said with a smile.

  “Looks like you’re holding it all from here,” Annabelle could not resist adding, to which Caroline burst into a loud laugh.

  “Oh, I do like you, Annabelle!” she said gleefully, as Frederick glowered at them both.

  *

  The travellers arrived mid-afternoon to much excitement. William was tall, standing over six feet. To the surrounding family, he seemed to have filled out during his tour, no longer a gangly youth, but, at nineteen, a handsome young man. His hair was as blonde as his brother’s, although it had been bleached lighter by the sun. His skin was tanned and emphasised laughing green eyes that shone at the assembled family.

  “I have missed you!” he said embracing Caroline. “How is young Andrew faring?” he asked after Susan’s child.

  “He, like you, has grown inches since you saw him last. He is walking and getting into all manner of mischief,” Susan said proudly.

  “I shall be over to visit him before the day is out,” William promised. “I’ve been promised a few days relaxation before we go through everything we’ve gathered on our travels, isn’t that so, Stuart?” William asked the gentleman who was standing a little to the side of the melee.

  Stuart smiled at his charge, “If you insist,” He was an older man, mid-thirties, with black hair and dark eyes. He looked almost foreign with his tanned complexion, but Annabelle could detect the likeness to his mother.

  “I do; he’s a dragon when making me study,” William confessed with a good-natured smile.

  “Thank goodness for that!” Caroline said with feeling. “We hope you are tamer now than when you went away.”

  “Never!” William said, sweeping Caroline into a waltz, moving her around the hallway. “This is the most common dance on the continent, holding one’s partner the closer the better. Are you shocked Caroline?” he teased.

  Caroline managed to extract herself from William, and stood still, catching her breath, but laughing at William’s antics. “I have missed you, you wayward boy!”

  “And I you,” William said seriously, leaning in and kissing Caroline on her cheek, which made her beam with pride. “Now can we have some cake?”

  The party moved to the drawing room, and William, aided occasionally by Stuart, told the ready listeners about some of their adventures while on their Grand Tour. Stuart was keen to talk about the sights they had seen in every City, whereas William entertained the family with tales of the escapades he had been involved in. Everyone noticed the regular mention of too much wine and far too many pretty girls from William, which resulted in sympathetic looks being aimed in Stuart’s direction.

  After numerous cups of tea and endless supplies of cakes, William leaned back, rubbing his stomach. “I think I need a long walk; shall we visit young Andrew?” he suggested.

  The party split, a group walking to the farm to witness the reintroduction of William to baby Andrew, while Harold and Lord Stannage retired to the study. Mr Adams asked if he could have a word with Miss Latimer, so they remained in the drawing room, while Annabelle joined the party visiting the farm, assuring Frances that she would be back before too long.

  “I hope you don’t mind me separating you from everyone, but I was keen to hear news of my mother,” Stuart explained. He was delighted at the unexpected surprise of seeing Miss Latimer and wanted to spend a little time with her.

  “Not at all,” Frances replied.

  “I receive regular correspondence from her, but it’s usually full of local news not how she is doing. She dismisses any questions from me about her health as unnecessary worrying and increases my worry by not telling me either way how she is faring,” Stuart said good-naturedly.

  “She is very well,” Frances supplied with a smile. “When at home, I see her most days; she spends a lot of time at Sudworth Hall with the new Duchess and Annie.”

  “She wrote of the Duchess, saying she wholeheartedly approved of her.”

  “Yes, they’re good friends, even with the age difference,” Frances supplied. “I don’t think you have any cause to worry; she’s in good health and more than happy keeping us all in order!”

  Stuart laughed but then became serious. “She informed me that Lady Joan had moved out of the area; you must miss her.”

  Frances blushed a little, “I care a great deal about Joan, but she hurt people with her ways; I hope she will be able to find herself a husband who makes her happier than she has been recently.”

  “That’s the Frances I remember!” Stuart said with a smile. “Always looking for the best in people.”

  Frances’s blush deepened. “I would not claim to be so good; I have faults enough that a long absence has made you forget, although I am vain enough to be grateful for your poor memory.”

  Stuart laughed. “I hope our paths will be crossing more in the near future. I’m hoping to spend some time at home once I’ve finished here.” His lighthearted words hid his real thoughts; he had been delighted to see the young woman who filled many of his thoughts.

  “Oh, are you leaving?” Frances asked.

  “I am surplus to requirements. William wishes me to stay on for a short while, although he doesn’t need me, really. He is perfectly ready to embark on life without a tutor in tow; my job here is done. I wanted to spend some time at home before I decide what to do next. I have spent many years travelling; I have a longing to set down some roots and spend time with mother.” He thought it prudent not to mention that he had a yearning to settle down permanently. He did not wish news to reach his mother that he was looking for a wife. She would have a line of ladies waiting for his arrival if he gave her an inkling of his thoughts, but it was more than that: Stuart had the intention of pursuing Miss Latimer on his return to his home, but he seemed to have been blessed by her appearance in Carlisle.

  “I look forward to seeing you when I return home,” Frances said. She liked Stuart; in fact, as she had grown she had always preferred his company to anyone else’s. He was less cutting than his mother, more gentle, but Mrs Adams always said that age gave her the privilege of being caustic.

  Her son always seemed very sophisticated to the quiet Frances. He was a lot older than the group she had grown up with, but theirs was a small enough community that there had been a substantial amount of interaction between the pair before Stuart left to commence his role of tutor.

  Frances guessed why Stuart intended on staying in his locality for a while; she might be quiet in comparison to others of her acquaintance, but she was not stupid. He was at the age that he would be looking to settle down, although she was not aware of the affection that she stirred in him.

  Frances tried to think of women who would be eligible when Stuart returned home. A frown creased her forehead as she pondered. In her opinion the woman who secured Mr Stuart Adams would be a very lucky woman indeed.

  Chapter 5

  The ball came around all too soon for Frederick. His family home was full of people who accepted him unconditionally, and it satisfied his social desires; he would always consider that a ball opened him up to be the freak that he was so often seen as.

  Since William and Stuart arrived, days and evenings were full of activities. He had actually not spent such an enjoyable time anywhere in a long time. It could have been improved, of course; he could be sharing a bed with his wife, but he was aware that life sometimes did not give what was wished for.

  Frederick shook himself. He was becoming maudlin and had no excuse for it. He had a pleasant relationship with his wife as long as there was no threat of intimacy. She seemed more relaxed around him during the day, even seeking him out. He puzzled over why she was making an effort with him, but resigned himself that he should no longer pressure her to be a real wife. He wondered how many more marriages existed in a similar vein and regrett
ed he had a most beautiful wife, but their life was far from the perfect idyll that it could have been.

  The number of families invited to the ball had been restricted with Frederick in mind. Twenty families from the locality who had been friends rather than tormentors had been invited. The ballroom would not be full, far from it; but there would be enough to make up a long set for dancing, and that would satisfy Caroline, who always longed to hold parties.

  He stood in front of his cheval mirror while his valet helped him into his frock coat. He cursed his eyes; if they were to be differing colours, why could they have not been just slightly different? The extreme colour variation meant it could not be overlooked; it was the first thing anyone saw and very often the only characteristic they noticed.

  It had resulted in him becoming excellent with his fists; it had been the only way to survive at school, although his early years had been taught by tutors. His parents had been unwilling to let him into the wider world until he was big enough to protect himself. They had been realistic with regards to the treatment he would receive. Even having a Lord as an uncle did not give him protection; children needed their victims, and his weakness was very visible.

  He nodded in dismissal to his valet, straightening his waistcoat to his satisfaction. It was made of a pale peach silk. It felt delicious to touch and was the same material as his wife’s dress. Touching the fabric of the waistcoat would be the closest he would get to touching the dress of his wife, and it frustrated the life out of him.

  He was married to the most beautiful woman he knew, and she would not be alone with him. The thought would always sadden him: he was clearly destined for a lonely marriage; he had no idea how they would fare when they returned to Stannage House.

  Frederick entered the drawing room in plenty of time to enjoy a glass of brandy before the family moved to the entrance hallway to welcome their guests. Annabelle smiled at him from across the room, a gesture which he returned. One highlight of the night would be the two dances they would share at the start of the evening.

  The family lined up in the hallway to greet the first guests entering the house. Invitations were few from the Hedley home, the result being that everyone receiving one had accepted.

  Annabelle was nervous: this was her first large event since becoming Lady Stannage, and she worried that she would let the family down. She stood next to her husband as he performed the introductions to families she had not yet met.

  Standing by Frederick caused mixed feelings for Annabelle. He was a very handsome man, and she was not unmoved by his presence. After all, she had kissed him willingly in the study at Sudworth Hall on that fateful night. She was also aware he was not normally comfortable in social settings, and her natural compassion stirred.

  Annabelle heard Frederick sigh after the first guests had been ushered in, and she slipped her arm through the crook of his. It was the first contact she had willingly instigated, and Frederick looked at her surprised.

  Annabelle smiled slightly. “We are a fine pair: I’m nervous; you wish yourself a thousand miles away. At least we have an hour of dancing to look forward to.”

  Frederick cocked an eyebrow; it was the first time she had admitted looking forward to being in his company: suddenly the evening was looking far brighter. He squeezed his arm to his torso, acknowledging her support and turned to carry on greeting the guests. He would mull over her action later; for now he was going to enjoy her touch.

  Once the guests had filed into the ballroom, the family followed, most of the group appreciating the noise a gathering generated. The musicians started at Caroline’s nod, and the first set took their positions. Annabelle curtsied to Frederick’s bow as they honoured each other at the start of the dance. She knew many eyes were focused on them: the ball was partly in their honour, and they were the top couple in the set. She would not normally like so much attention on herself, but she forced herself to concentrate on Frederick rather than the onlookers.

  “You are looking beautiful tonight; that colour suits you,” Frederick said as they circled each other in the dance.

  “Thank you! My mother trained all her girls well in the art of dressing to their best advantage; she would be pleased at your comments,” Annabelle said lightheartedly.

  “I’m not sure it is my colour though,” he said indicating his own waistcoat.

  “You are an indulgent husband then, which can only raise you in the esteem of the gathered party.”

  “I regret that the party is not bigger to increase my standing with more people,” Frederick responded.

  “I don’t! I always seem to overheat in ballrooms; a smaller party suits me perfectly,” Annabelle said with feeling, recollecting the escape she previously sought because of the oppressive heat.

  “You go against all those who think it a success only if there is barely room to breathe.”

  “I’ve never been under the illusion that I would be one of the fashionable people; I know the limitations of my background,” Annabelle said easily. It was true: she had never aspired to greatness, unlike her father.

  “That’s fortunate with you being married to me,” Frederick said drily.

  It was unfortunate that Annabelle was separated from her husband by the dance at that moment. She did not like the fact that Frederick so easily aimed derogatory comments at himself. She was not aware of when the change had happened, but she had started to become very defensive of her husband. When she had first met him, she was mortified at the attention their first dances had brought onto herself. It had not been because of any reason other than she did not like such focused attention on herself and had not been a reflection of Frederick in any way. She had been outside her normal social sphere and had wished to blend in.

  Now that she knew her husband’s nature, she saw what a good person he was and felt grieved at what he had to face. It was not pity she felt, although she did wonder if, because of her recent experiences, she now had more of an inclination to understand what it felt like when on the receiving end of cruelty. She knew only too well how cutting society could be and felt angered that it was so fickle. But there was something else; she had found him attractive at their first introduction, the shock of seeing his eyes making her fail to notice the strong feeling that the attraction caused. More and more she felt an unsettling feeling when she was in his company.

  It suddenly became more important to her that they spend time together; she found herself sitting next to him in a room full of people, enabling her to talk to him at every opportunity. She tried to make him laugh when they were speaking, her insides curling with pleasure to hear his deep rumble. She could tell he had been wary of her to start with, but he was too decent a man to reject her because of their other problems. If Frederick was not in the room with her, the space seemed dull and lonely.

  It was a dilemma: she felt more relaxed around him but was still wary of any suggestion they would be intimate. She had no idea how to become a real wife, but it was becoming more important to her as the days passed.

  When they joined in the dance once more, Annabelle decided she would clear up one thing. It probably was not appropriate for it to be discussed in a ballroom, but for her, the surrounding people offered protection.

  “With regards to your last comment, I do consider myself fortunate in being married to you,” Annabelle said with a blush.

  Frederick almost misstepped. “Really?”

  “Yes! You are very considerate and care about those who are dear to you. If you weren’t, we wouldn’t be having this ball tonight. You are here because it is making Caroline happy.”

  Frederick grimaced slightly, “I may regret it by the end of the evening.”

  Annabelle smiled, “I expect you will, but that proves how good you are.”

  “Thank you.” Frederick was a little taken aback at Annabelle’s words, but they were not unwelcome. He wondered if this was an indication that she was warming to him, ironic when they had no physical contact. He decided that, fo
r once, he would be patient and try and encourage her but let her dictate the pace.

  *

  Stuart noticed Frances sitting out the dance. She was always reserved in company, especially when she was unknown to the guests. He smiled to himself as he walked over; she had always seemed the pretty little girl who would rather hide than bring attention to herself. It seemed she had turned into a pretty woman, but one who still hid. He decided he was not going to let her hide; she should be dancing.

  Frances looked up as Stuart approached, a smile on his face. She smiled in return, but her stomach fluttered a little. She was always worried when anyone as well travelled and well educated as Stuart engaged her in conversation; she was well aware of her lack of ability to entertain or amuse such a cultured person.

  “You are not dancing, Frances,” Stuart said, sitting next to her.

  “You are correct,” Frances replied.

  “That will never do; I suggest you dance the next two with me: it is against the law to have young ladies sitting out.”

  “Is it, indeed? But not unusual when they are strangers to the company,” Frances reasoned.

  “As am I, so we shall be an oasis of togetherness amidst this throng of strangers,” Stuart said with a grin.

  Frances laughed, “Very poetic; I feel you have missed your calling, Mr Adams.”

  “Stuart, please; I always feel like the decrepit tutor that I am when referred to as Mr Adams.”

  “Decrepit and well-travelled; it isn’t all bad,” Frances said with a smile.

  “Come my lady, time for us to grace the dance floor,” Stuart said, standing and reaching out his hand to Frances. She placed her hand in his and was led to the set.

  Stuart faced Frances and enjoyed how her blush coloured her cheeks. She was very pretty with her pale blonde hair and dark blue eyes. Her features were gently rounded; Stuart remembered he had always noticed the contrast against Lady Joan’s sharp, pointed features. He knew Frances had not forged a friendship to look her best against Lady Joan’s failings, but their differences had been obvious to anyone who knew the pair.