by Anne Herries
‘It is beautiful, Rothsay. I am overwhelmed.’
‘It is worthy of you, I think. I have asked for the Rothsay heirlooms to be sent here in time for the wedding. You may take your choice of them and the rest will return to the bank. I think most of them too heavy and old fashioned, but anything you like could be refurbished. I have bought you a wedding gift, naturally. A bride should have her own jewels, though the heirlooms must be preserved for the future.’
‘Thank you so much for my ring.’ Lottie moved towards him impulsively. She reached up to kiss his cheek, then found herself crushed against his chest.
Rothsay’s mouth was soft and yet demanding, drawing a sweet response from her. She could not keep the barrier in place and felt herself melt into him as the heat of desire swirled inside her. A little moan left her lips and she longed for something she had never known—the joining of a man and woman as one, flesh to flesh. Gazing into his eyes, she saw a hungry yearning and knew that he desired her as much as she wanted him. He desired her. He did not love her, though she believed he was coming to respect her and perhaps like her. Happiness pooled inside her, bringing a smile to her lips and her eyes, had she known it.
‘You are everything a man has a right to expect in his wife,’ he murmured huskily. ‘I should not delay you further, Lottie, or you will be late for dinner—but I wanted you to have the ring and to be aware of changes to the contract.’
‘Thank you.’ He seemed to have withdrawn again, yet Lottie was feeling happier as she went upstairs. Hers was perhaps a strange marriage, but she thought it might do well enough. The anger and resentment she had felt at the beginning had all gone and she was anticipating her wedding with pleasure.
How right Rothsay was to say there would be no time to talk once his relatives began to arrive. Uncle Freddie and his son Marcus were amongst the first. Lottie had appreciated his gift and thanked him for it with a shy smile and a kiss on the cheek. She liked him and his rather handsome son immediately and felt that the feeling was returned. Cousin Raymond was a disappointment. His clothes proclaimed him a macaroni and he strutted like a peacock, showing off his finery, seeming to have no interest in anything but his appearance and the latest on-dit in town.
After that, in quick succession, three families arrived that had not been expected until the following day. However, their rooms were prepared and since they had dined on the way and required only a light supper Cook was not much put out.
Lottie might have struggled to remember them all had not Henrietta grounded her well concerning the family.
‘The Cottrells are second cousins but Nicolas rather likes Sir James and his wife. Lady Tilda was the wife of Rothsay’s cousin Rupert. She is a widow but her son Robert is the heir to the title for that branch of the family, though not yet of age. Nicolas oversees her affairs, I dare say, as head of the family. Lord William Stowe is a cousin on his mother’s side, and his wife, Jane, is a silly little thing, but sweet and docile. They have two small children. There are any number of distant cousins, who will no doubt seize the chance to stay at Rothsay Manor, but most of them will be satisfied with a nod and a smile. In time you will know them all by name—that is, if you choose to ask them to visit, my dear.’
Supper was a lively affair in the drawing room, though Henrietta retired soon after the tea tray was brought in. Some of the gentlemen were in a jovial mood and seemed prepared to stay up all night, and at eleven o’clock the ladies decided to leave them to their wine and cigars.
Lottie smiled at Rothsay as she bid him goodnight. He took her hand and kissed it, bringing a little flush to her cheeks, but earning approval from his male relatives.
‘I am sure I wondered if Rothsay would ever marry,’ Lady Cottrell said as she walked upstairs with Lottie. ‘He seemed so set in his ways, but they say reformed rakes make good husbands. I know he is meticulous in matters of honour. I dare say he will give up his mistress and settle down once you are married. They say she is quite beautiful but then, you are lovely yourself, my dear. Besides, we must forgive the gentlemen their little peccadilloes, must we not?’
Lottie could not look at her as she murmured something appropriate and escaped to her room. She was sure that the lady had not meant to be malicious, but until this moment Lottie had not thought about Rothsay’s life in London. Of course he must still have a mistress. Was that lady the real cause of Rothsay’s sudden departure for town?
Lottie supposed that he must have been with her in London all this time…yet the kiss he had given her in the library had seemed so full of passion…
Tears stung her eyes and caught at the back of her throat. How lowering it was to think that she had responded so eagerly to his kiss. She must remember that Rothsay wanted a marriage of convenience. He required complaisance in his wife, but nothing more. If she showed her feelings too plainly, he might feel uncomfortable—or even disgusted.
He had not seemed disgusted when he kissed her, but how could he care for her when he had a mistress he continued to visit?
Lottie had hoped that he might come to feel some affection for her, but now she realised that she had allowed herself to hope for too much. Rothsay was generous and meticulous in matters of business and honour. In having the contract changed to her name, he had safeguarded her from any bother in the future—and there might have been had her sister’s name remained in the contract. Lottie had not even considered the legal side, but Rothsay had left nothing to chance. However, he had given her no reason to think his feelings had undergone a major change.
He might respect her more than he did her sister, but that was not love. He was not in love with her—he might even be in love with his beautiful mistress.
Lottie’s eyes sparkled with tears as she picked Kitty up and kissed her. The kitten was growing swiftly, its fur much softer now that it was well fed and groomed. Rose had been training the pet for her and there were less puddles than at the start.
Lifting her head, Lottie banished her tears. She would not give way to emotion. She had agreed to this arrangement and she would not renege on her bargain.
It struck her then that had she wished to, she could have refused to sign the new contract. At the time the possibility had not even occurred to her—nor would she have refused if it had.
Lottie wanted to live here and be Rothsay’s wife. She just wanted him to be a little bit fond of her.
Oh dear, was she being foolish again? Lottie made a determined effort and succeeded in laughing at herself. She had been through this a hundred times in her mind. She must and would be satisfied with her life in this beautiful place—even if Rothsay’s careless manner caused her pain at times.
What she would not do was to let him guess that she was falling in love with him. She had begun to develop feelings for him perhaps from the very first moment she saw him—and if not then, certainly when he held her close after the accident.
She frowned for a moment as she went to bed. Rothsay had said little about the threat to his life. She supposed that he had keepers watching for Dickon Blake. He would have made his own arrangements now that he was back.
‘Poachers, you say?’ Uncle Freddie looked at him hard. ‘If they come before me I hang ’em or send ’em off to the colonies. Scum, that’s what they are and deserve all they get.’
‘In the case of Dickon Blake I would agree. I think he misled his cousin. If it would not appear weakness, I should be inclined to let Sam Blake off after a couple of months. His wife is an honest woman and, if he were given some employment, he might reform.’
‘Not with his cousin Dickon about,’ Uncle Freddie said. ‘If the man is the rogue you describe, you will not be free of him until you either hang or transport him. All this liberal talk about giving the deserving poor a chance in life is a load of nonsense in my opinion. The deserving poor know their place and cause no trouble—the others are rogues and need to be kept in line.’
‘Yes, that was my father’s opinion,’ Nicolas agreed. ‘I suppose I should
give Blake twelve months and have done with it.’
‘Don’t give it another thought, my boy. Still, it is best not to tell the ladies anything about these matters. They have soft hearts, but they may ease their minds by delivering succour to those who behave themselves.’
‘Yes…’ Nicolas smiled inwardly. Somehow he did not see Lottie agreeing with such sentiments. She might not say it to his uncle’s face, but he believed she would have no scruples in giving him her opinion.
The devil of it was he had begun to wish for Lottie’s good opinion. It was unfortunate that the case should come up on the morning of the ball. If he handed down the heavier sentence, he hoped she would not be too upset to enjoy the evening. Yet his uncle was right. It would be foolish to show weakness. Sam Blake had broken the law and ought to serve his proper sentence.
Nicolas would have to try to keep the news from her, until after the wedding if possible. He would visit Mrs Blake, reassure her that she was safe in her cottage, and ask her not to tell Lottie until after the wedding day. The woman was honest enough and he might give her something to tide her over while her husband was in prison—but the man must serve his time.
His decision was made and he would not change his mind, but it did not sit easily with his conscience. He would have been lenient if he could, but weakness would encourage others to think they could trap game in his woods with impunity and that would not do. Especially as he was thinking of bringing in a herd of deer and some exotic game birds.
‘Lottie…’ Hearing the sibilant whisper behind her, Lottie turned, looking for the source. She was in the shrubbery searching for greenery that she could use to decorate the house and did not at first see the young woman crouching out of sight. ‘I’m here, but I didn’t want anyone else to see me.’
‘Clarice!’ Lottie’s heart pumped madly as she glanced round. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Do not worry, I haven’t come to demand that you step aside for me,’ Clarice told her. ‘Come here so that I can stand properly without being seen. We returned from Paris three days ago and I’ve been trying to get you alone ever since.’
Lottie’s heart sank as she saw her sister’s face and understood why she had come. ‘What do you want, Clarice? If you have come to ask for money, I have very little to give you.’
‘Don’t be so mean, Lottie. You have all this—and it should have been mine.’
‘You ran off and left Papa in the lurch,’ Lottie said. ‘Besides, the estate belongs to Rothsay, not me. As yet I have only a small allowance. I could give you twenty guineas, but that is all I can spare.’
‘I never thought you would be so tight-fisted,’ Clarice said and looked sulky. ‘I suppose it will have to do for the moment—but I shall expect more when you’re married. It wouldn’t look too good if I told everyone what you had done, would it?’
‘Wait here and I will fetch your money, Clarice. I do not mind giving you something when I have money to spare, but do not expect me to give you large sums. Rothsay will give me an allowance, but he will not pay your debts, so do not think I have a never-ending purse.’
‘If I had known how mean you would be, I should have married him myself,’ Clarice said. ‘Make it fifty guineas, Lottie—or I might tell him the truth.’
‘He already knows,’ Lottie said. ‘You cannot blackmail me, Clarice. I will give you twenty guineas now—and, occasionally, I might give you similar sums, but Rothsay is under no illusions and he is satisfied with his bargain.’
Seeing the flicker of annoyance in her sister’s face, Lottie returned to the house to fetch the money. She did not grudge her sister a few guineas, but she was afraid that Clarice’s demands would not end here.
Chapter Seven
Lottie put the unpleasant incident with her sister to the back of her mind. The wedding was approaching so fast that she did not have time to dwell on Clarice’s threats. On the morning of the ball, she was so busy that she hardly noticed Rothsay had disappeared for several hours. She had received so many small tributes from friends and neighbours that she seemed to be opening gifts and admiring bouquets the whole time. Having guests in the house meant that she must be concerned for their comfort and could not go for her usual walk.
‘I never expected all this,’ she said to Henrietta when that lady gave her a pretty little box that contained a diamond pin. ‘You have already given us that lovely painting of Venice and those exquisite lace tablecloths.’
‘This is just for you, because I love you,’ Henrietta said and kissed her. ‘I am so glad Nicolas has you in his life, dear Lottie. I was beginning to think he would turn into a miserable old man and be entirely alone in his later years.’
‘No, how could you?’ Lottie laughed. ‘He has so many friends and relatives. He need never be alone.’
‘One can be all alone in the midst of a crowd,’ Henrietta said. ‘Rothsay was lonely, but he isn’t now. Everyone has been telling me what a change they see in him—and I have seen it from the first. I believe he loves you, Lottie. Truly and with his whole heart, as I had hoped.’
‘Oh…I do hope you are right,’ Lottie said and pressed her hand. Her throat felt tight, but she dismissed the urge to cry. Henrietta meant well, but Lottie knew the truth—her husband would never truly love her. ‘Do you happen to know where he is?’
‘I believe there may be a court session in Northampton,’ Henrietta said. ‘He didn’t tell me, but someone mentioned it. Rothsay may have been asked to sit. No doubt he will tell you if you ask.’
Lottie nodded. She wasn’t sure Rothsay would wish to discuss his business with her or that she ought to ask. They had been getting on so much better and she did not want him to be angry because he thought she was interfering. She hoped he would be lenient with Sam Blake, but she would not ask.
She was still determined not to ask awkward questions when Rothsay joined them after nuncheon. Chairs had been set out under the trees and some of the gentlemen were playing a game of quoits on the grass. Others had walked to the lake, while the ladies took their ease before changing for the evening.
‘Is everything all right?’ Lottie asked when Rothsay came up to her.
He nodded but she thought his expression strained, his manner slightly reserved. Lottie decided that she would say nothing that might precipitate a quarrel that evening. Perhaps tomorrow when the ball was over, though it might be better to be discreet and not mention the fact that Henrietta had let slip about the court session.
It was, after all, none of her business what Rothsay chose to do in his position as a magistrate. She might privately wish that he had let Sam Blake go with a reprimand, but she could not expect her opinion to matter. Rothsay was not alone in his opinion that poaching was a crime that needed to be punished severely.
When it was time to go up to change for the ball, Lottie had managed only a few words alone with Rothsay. She held her curiosity in check. Lily Blake was coming that evening to help her dress, just in case any last-minute alterations needed to be done. No doubt she would tell her what sentence her husband had received that morning.
However, Rose brought the news that Lily was feeling unwell and could not come that evening.
‘She has apologised and says she will definitely be here for the wedding, Miss Lottie, but she has a terrible headache and cannot come tonight.’
Lottie looked at her reflection in the mirror. ‘Well, there is nothing for her to do so it does not matter. I hope she is not truly ill?’
‘I think it was just a headache,’ Rose said, but Lottie had an uncomfortable feeling that she was hiding something. ‘You do look a proper treat, miss. That dress suits you well.’
‘It is my usual style, but Lily made a few changes that made all the difference. I do not think the stylist in Northampton would have done better.’
‘No, miss, nor half so well in my opinion.’
Lottie smiled as the girl fastened Aunt Beth’s pearls about her throat. She was just about to go downstairs when so
meone knocked the door. Rose answered it and gave a little squeak of apprehension.
‘It is his lordship, miss.’
‘Oh, please come in, Rothsay,’ Lottie said and turned to face him as Rose escaped into the dressing room and shut the door. ‘I was just about to come down.’
‘I see you are wearing pearls. I thought you might like these…’ He handed her a box, which, when opened, revealed a pair of pearl-and-gold bangles.
‘How pretty! Thank you, yes, they will go well with Aunt Beth’s pearls.’ She slipped them over her long gloves and fastened them, smoothing out the skirts of her pale green gown. ‘Shall I do, Rothsay?’
‘You look beautiful, as I am certain you know.’
‘I am well satisfied with my gown. Lily Blake helped me style it a little. She is very clever with her needle.’
‘Yes, so I understand.’ He offered his arm. ‘Shall we go down? We must be the first so that we can welcome our guests.’
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Your gift was another lovely surprise. You will overwhelm me with presents, Rothsay. I assure you they are not necessary.’
‘I wish my wife to have pretty things.’
Lottie was aware of how very handsome Rothsay was as he stood by her side to receive their guests. Tall, powerful and with clean-cut features that told of his noble lineage, he drew the eyes of all the young women. She saw envy and even jealousy show briefly in their faces, before their mamas drew them away. The more protective mothers might feel he was not good husband material, but as far as breeding, position and wealth was concerned he must be one of the matrimonial prizes of any Season.
Lottie felt both proud and happy to be wearing his ring, which was much admired by everyone. They opened the dancing together with a waltz, and his hand at her waist sent sensual tremors winging down her spine. She gazed up at him, at his mouth, which she knew could arouse such delicious feelings in her, and saw that it was set in a thin line.