The Earl's Reluctant Bride: A Sweet Regency Romance (Brides of Somerset Book 1)

by Karen Lynne

  Mary answered the light knock at the door. A young maid bobbed a curtsy. “Lord Malmesbury is here for you, miss.”

  “Tell him I will be down shortly.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  She picked up her bonnet and adjusted it in front of her looking glass before taking a deep breath. “Let us get this over with, Mary.”

  James was talking with his mother as Susan descended the stairs. He was dressed conservatively in a brown waistcoat and tan breeches that fit his muscular legs. His face lit with admiration as he caught sight of her. She offered a dazzling smile, determined to keep her feelings in control.

  James tucked her hand in his arm as he usually did. Uncomfortable at his nearness, she tried to pull away, but he held on tighter. It struck her how well they fit together as she looked at his profile. He seemed unconcerned about her struggle as he helped her into the waiting carriage. It did not go unnoticed that they were using James’s most fine carriage with the Malmesbury crest painted boldly on the doors or that four liveried outriders accompanied them.

  Mary settled beside her while James seated himself across from them. She sat glaring at him.

  “You are giving me such a severe look. What have I done now?”

  “Really, James, why did you not hire a hackney? Everyone will know we have visited the solicitor. I shudder to think what Mr. Howton will think.”

  “He will think you are a grand lady. As my future wife, you will have the respect you deserve. What-ever Lord Coventry put in his will, you will be respected.”

  If her maid had not been present, she would let him know what she thought about his ideas of being respected. For now, she watched out the window, keeping further thoughts to herself. His future wife indeed. Her heart jumped at the thought. If only this engagement were real. How had she let her feelings for him change from friendship to love? Love, it must be.

  The carriage pulled up in front of an old building in a clean middle-class neighborhood. She read the placard over the door, Mr. Howton, Esquire, and sons. James and Mary followed her into the office. Law books lined the small wooden shelves while two clerks worked, bent over papers. The bell over the door caused them to pause. One got up and disappeared down a dark hall. Mary settled on a chair by the door before a stout man appeared.

  “Miss Hamilton?” He smiled through thick whiskers.

  Susan stepped forward. “Yes, I’m Miss Hamilton. We got your letter about my grandfather Lord Coventry.”

  “Ah, yes, Miss Hamilton. Come back to my office.”

  She and James followed and settled into chairs facing Mr. Howton. The solicitor watched James as they sat. “Mr. Howton, may I introduce Lord Malmesbury. He agreed to accompany me to give support.”

  “My lord it is good to meet you.” Mr. Howton bowed before seating himself.

  James nodded. “Miss Hamilton and I are betrothed, so naturally I am here to see to her welfare.”

  “That is good news indeed Miss Hamilton, I offer you my best.”

  Susan tried to keep her countenance neutral. The solicitor did not need to know her relationship with James.

  “Well, Miss Hamilton, I will not keep you long. I have been trying to locate you these past months. I am glad to finally meet you. As I told you in the letter, your grandfather has died. I will only let you know what part of his will affects you, Miss Hamilton.” He shuffled through his papers.

  Susan looked at James. He took her a hand and gave it a squeeze.

  Mr. Howton continued. “The late Lord Coventry specified Lady Coventry’s dowry was to go to you, her daughter, upon your marriage.”

  “My marriage… But what if I do not…” She felt James squeeze her hand again. Swallowing her words. “I am sorry. I just did not expect anything, considering his feelings for my father.”

  “I can assure you, your grandfather has left you a dowry. If, for some reason, you do not marry, the sum will go to you upon reaching the age of four and twenty. But we do not need to worry about that,” Mr. Howton replied, looking at Susan and James.

  Susan’s stomach tensed as she gave the solicitor a tight smile.

  “Your grandfather wanted you to have choices, so he has given you five thousand pounds. Which is in your name, Miss Hamilton, and cannot be touched by any male members of your family, including your husband.” Mr. Howton raised his head and gave James a look.

  Susan couldn’t think of why her grandfather would do this. “Mr. Howton, I am having a hard time with this. Why me? I have never even met my grandfather.”

  “I could not say, Miss Hamilton. I just execute the will. You can have your solicitor go over the papers. Until then, you may access funds through Baxter Bank.”

  “We will have our man call. Good day Mr. Howton.” James replied.

  She was in a fog and could not remember what was said after Mr. Howton mentioned Baxter Bank. Susan was feeling numb, trying make sense of it all, while James led her to the carriage.

  Chapter Sixteen

  James escorted Susan to the carriage while her maid followed. She had not said a word since they left the solicitor’s office. The carriage rocked gently as they headed back to his town house. This meant Susan would be independent by the end of the year. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. This is what he wanted, was it not? For Susan to be able to marry whom she wanted? To be secure in her future?

  He leaned forward and took her hand in his. “Susan, I know this is a little unexpected, coming from a grandfather you didn’t know, but it is an answer to your problem. I will have my solicitor meet with Mr. Howton tomorrow. We can go to the bank and get the signatures in place so you have access to your funds.”

  He touched her hand as she blinked and her eyes focused on him. She gently pulled her hand from his, tucking it into her skirt. Some warmth went out of him as she pulled away.

  “You are right James. It is just a shock. My parents have always had to watch their spending. I wish my grandfather had been kinder to my mother. Our lives would have been so different. I do not mean to complain. My parents were happy with each other.”

  James thought of George Hamilton, trying to see the man Susan described against the one he had met. Her father had been eager to let her go for a price. He was glad she would never know.

  He left her with his mother. He needed to speak with his solicitor today.

  Susan could hear talking from the countess’s private parlor as she approached. The countess came into the hall. “Susan, you are back. Mrs. Simpson, the dress maker has your fitting ready, in here dear. I will be back in a moment.”

  The room had fabric samples, books, and two helpers were scurrying around getting supplies in order. Mrs. Simpson looked up and saw Susan. “You must be Miss Hamilton. Come, we will start with your measurements.”

  Soon she was stripped down to her chamois and while the two helpers wrote as Mrs. Simpson did her magic with the tape measure. “Such clear skin and beautiful hair. You will be a sensation this Season. I promise my clothes will set you off,” Mrs. Simpson raved.

  Susan wrapped her-self in a silk robe and sat down to pour over the sample books. Tea was brought in, and for the next two hours, she was absorbed in adding to her wardrobe. The countess helped with sage advice when needed.

  Susan curled her legs up under her and warmed her hands on her tea cup. Mrs. Simpson and her helpers had left, and the maids were clearing the room. The countess joined her in a cozy chair beside her. “I could get used to this. Having the shop come to us is so much more enjoyable and less tiring,” Susan commented. “Although I did not need any more dresses.”

  “Being a countess has its advantages, dear, and you always need more clothes.”

  Susan agreed with a nod as the countess watched her. “You probably want to know how the visit to my grandfather’s solicitor went.”

  The countess put her cup on the table. “I would not ask, but yes, I am wondering.”

  Susan leaned forward and put her cup down. “Julia, my grandfather gave
me my mother’s dowry. The one he refused to give her upon marriage to my father. I don’t understand, but there it is.”

  “Oh, my.” The countess put her hand on her chest.

  “That is not the half of it. He has made arrangements for me to receive my dowry in full if I am still unmarried by the age of twenty-four.”

  The countess had no words as Susan waited for her to respond.

  “But this is wonderful, Susan. You are an heiress now.” the countess finally replied.

  “James said the same thing. His solicitor will go over the papers to be finalized. I do not even know how much the dowry is. I was so stunned I did not think to ask.”

  Susan felt a warm rush of confidence. She enjoyed ordering new gowns today. The thought that she could now afford them herself gave her new assurance that she could be in charge of her future.

  The countess rose from her chair. “I need to rest before our party tonight. I will send my maid to yours to help pick your dress and get ready.”

  Susan left her to rest.

  Her maid was waiting when she entered her rooms. “Miss, I have picked some gowns for your party.”

  Susan fingered the gowns Mary laid out on her bed. “They are lovely. The countess is sending her maid to help us get ready for Lady Palmers dinner party.” Susan watched Mary. So much had changed for both of them. “Are you satisfied with her help?”

  Mary lit up. “Oh, yes miss. She has been so helpful and kind. I didn’t expect it. The rest of the staff as well. They are all so loyal to his lordship.”

  “I know things have changed. I was afraid it might be too much for you.”

  “Oh, no, miss Susan. It has been exciting, not like back home. Here I am learning to be a proper lady’s maid. Besides, I would never leave you, miss Susan, not as long as you will have me.”

  Susan relaxed. “Thank you, Mary. Everything is so strange. I need someone I can trust.”

  Mary continued to prepare Susan’s things. “I have not talked to you about your wages, Mary.”

  “His lordship has taken care of that, miss.” Mary waved her hand. “The housekeeper came to me the night we arrived here. Already gave me my quarterly pay, and quite generous it is. She set down all the household rules. Very strict, no gossip to leave the house, as if I would.” Mary bristled.

  Susan did not know what to say or think. James was taking over her life. He should have discussed this with her. She would need to set some ground rules with him. Things were getting out of hand.

  “Mary, do you like the earl?”

  Mary stopped what she was doing. “I do, miss. He is so kind to you and handsome to look at. How could I not like him?”

  Susan laughed. “So, all a gentleman needs is to be nice and good to look upon.”

  Mary put her hands on her hips. “No. Besides his good looks, he pays his staff well, and they all speak highly of him. If he were a bad sort, his staff would not be so loyal.”

  Susan stifled another giggle as she watched Mary defend the earl. “I believe you are right. He is all those things. I am glad you like him, Mary, I like him too.”

  She thought it best to leave and went to find a book to read. She would talk to James and put him straight about taking over her maid’s wages. She needed to maintain some control in her life.

  James walked in to the front hall of his town-home and handed his hat to his butler, while tucking the London Times under his arm. “Howard, I would like to talk with Miss Susan. Is she home?”

  “She is in the library, my lord”

  He entered the dim room, passing old oak shelves lined with books. As his eyes adjusted to the light, the warm smell of paper and leather filled his nostrils. He loved this room. When he found time to read, he liked to come here. He heard a slight rustle of paper and caught sight of Susan sitting in the window sill, the heavy brocade curtain partly hiding her.

  Her head was bent over a book, legs curled up under her dress, shoes discarded on the carpet. She made a pretty picture. She had not heard him, so he admired her a minute longer before rustling his paper to catch her attention.

  Her head snapped up. Her face lit up for a second on seeing him before her brow furrowed. She closed the book and dropped it on the window sill. “James, how could you arrange my maid’s wages without talking to me?”

  He opened his mouth to speak than closed it again. “I did not think.” His mind went blank as she stood there with her hands on her hips, challenging him. Pieces of auburn hair had fallen from its pins. He wanted to hold her in his arms and kiss her moist pink lips. The thought surprised him.

  “You did not think? Is that all you have to say? My life has been turned upside down. I should at least be in control of my own maid.”

  She was right, of course. He was not used to asking people for permission. He just took charge and made things happen. His heart warmed as he continued watching her. She was irresistible when she showed spunk.

  “Well, have you nothing further to say?” She narrowed her eyes, lifting a brow.”

  He shrugged his shoulder, lifting his hands in the air. “When you stand there, with your pretty eyes glaring at me, I am speechless.”

  She deflated and sank back onto the window sill. “Really, James, how can we have a serious conversation when you say things like that? This is no time for flirting.” Her eyes held his.

  He dropped his hands and walked over to the window, sitting beside her. “I am not flirting. You do have pretty eyes.”

  Susan glared at him. “Do be serious, James.”

  “Well, you do.” He lowered his head, not willing to see her glaring at him. “I am sorry. I should have talked with you first. I promise to never leave you out of these decisions in the future.”

  He thought of the deal he made with her father concerning her home, Fyne Court and squirmed. He would tell her, but now was not the time.

  He took her hand and ran his fingers over her knuckles. “I will talk to the housekeeper and tell her that you will manage your maid’s wages. I hope Mary was not put out at our assumptions.”

  “Mary is quite pleased with the arrangements and thinks most highly of you. But I cannot keep letting you pay her wages now that I have money.” She smiled at him as she pulled her hand away.

  “But what about you, James?” Susan replied. “Now that my fortune has turned, we can stop this engagement. This is no longer fair to you; things have gotten out of hand.”

  She surprised him. Most girls would be vying for his attention, dangling whatever wares they had to get him to notice, wrangling him into marriage. But here she sat looking at him with a glowing warmth and concern that sent his senses reeling. She was a mystery and he was losing his head. He realized he did not want to let her go.

  Susan’s breath caught as he moved in closer with steel in his eyes. Before she could think, his lips came down to claim her mouth in a kiss so intoxicating that she felt it through the breadth of her body. He pulled back just as quickly, leaving her breathless.

  “Now, Susan, I know I cannot stop you from breaking our engagement, but if you will give me a chance, I promise to make you happy.” He held up his hand. “Do not answer me yet. Think about it. I will see you tonight.”

  She watched in a stupor as, his retreating figure left the room.

  She raised her fingers to her lips, his words echoing in her head. She had given him a chance to be free, but he did not take it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Susan’s stomach fluttered with butterflies while her maid finished her hair with help from the countess’s expert maid. They had picked a gown with a soft yellow under skirt. She looked in the mirror one last time. The white gauzy dress had silver threads woven through the fabric, making it sparkle in the candle light. It was perfect. She would give James her answer. She wanted to be his wife.

  She did not want to keep James waiting, so she took one last look in the mirror before picking up her fan and shawl. It promised to be a cool evening and she was determined to
enjoy herself.

  The front parlor door was open and she heard James and his mother talking. Her hands trembled as she tapped her fan on her skirt, waiting for him to notice her presence. He turned and came towards her, his dancing eyes taking her in from head to toe and his crooked smile melting her heart.

  “It seems I am going to have to keep you close tonight. To protect you from the hordes.” James took her shawl and wrapped it over her shoulders.

  “I dare-say you will have to fend off the fortune hunters when word of our new heiress gets out,” his mother teased.

  Oh, dear, thought Susan as she climbed into the carriage. She settled her gown as she sat beside the countess. James sat across from them just as the footman was shutting the door.

  “I hadn’t thought of fortune hunters,” Susan replied.

  “Don’t worry, my lady, I will protect you like a knight in shining armor.” James swept his hat from his head, placing it over his heart, his familiar lopsided smile making her dizzy.

  She tried to suppress a laugh but it came out.

  “Miss Hamilton, you laugh. I am devastated.”

  “I am picturing you in clucky armor while trying to set on a horse.” Susan smiled.

  “It is only a metaphor. I am glad us noble men are no longer required to don armor for king and country.” James replaced his hat.

  “It is a small dinner party, Susan. I am sure you have nothing to worry about.” the countess reassured her. “Besides, it will take a week for the news of your inheritance to spread.”

  “I think you are being optimistic, Mother. You forget every mother of an impoverished son will sniff her fortune out like a bloodhound, baying at her heels to win the trophy.” He raised his brows while looking at Susan. “It was fortunate your father announced our engagement. He may have preempted the hordes unwittingly.”

  Susan watched his eyes, taking in his meaning. He must be teasing. She sure hoped he was.