The Heiress of Winterwood

by Sarah Ladd

  “What?” William looked at him through glassy eyes. “I was just trying to amuse myself a bit. Deadly dull evening, I’m afraid.”

  “Then you need not stay.”

  Graham turned to rejoin the men, but William grabbed him by the arm. “Did you speak with her about the money?”

  Graham jerked his arm free. “This is neither the time nor the place to speak of this. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “This cannot wait.”

  “Why?”

  William licked his lips, glancing about as if to ensure nobody was within earshot. His clumsy words slid into one another, making him difficult to understand. “I’m in trouble, brother. Do not make me recount details. Let’s just say my creditors are growing impatient. If you don’t want to give me the money outright, so be it. A loan, then. I will pay you back.”

  “Even if I had the money to give, I could hardly get it tonight.”

  “You had Carrington purchase the west fields back from Littleton, did you not? How did you get that money?”

  “I did ask Mr. Carrington to oversee the purchase—anonymously, of course—but I used my own funds, not Miss Barrett’s.”

  A sneer distorted William’s face, and the effect of drinking wobbled him from side to side. “Convenient for you to be absent all these years, marry a wealthy woman, and return to whatever it is you do without a thought to the family you came from.”

  Graham should ignore him. His brother’s words, if he were in another state, would take on a different meaning. Graham made no attempt to hide the contempt in his voice. “But you forget one important detail. The debt’s not mine. It’s yours.”

  “But what if it had been yours?” A challenge weighed in William’s voice. “What if you’d been the one saddled here? You’ve been free to live your life; I have been bound to this. So I have made a few bad decisions. Am I to pay for them the rest of my life?”

  “You make no sense, William. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

  William grabbed his shoulder, preventing him from turning. “I owe a great deal of money. You have more than enough. Am I to understand that you will turn your back on your own flesh and blood?”

  Flesh and blood indeed. That was where their relationship began, and that was where it ended. If anything, pity described his attitude toward William. His brother was so like his father. Same light eyes. Same light hair. And same bad habits.

  Graham shook off his brother’s hand. “Go home, Will. You’re foxed. We’ll talk in the morning.”

  William grabbed him again. “We’ll talk now.”

  Graham whirled around to face William. “Even if I did have the money, and even if I were willing to give it to you, there is nothing I could do about it tonight. This is an engagement dinner. My engagement dinner. Believe it or not, I have concerns other than the mess you’ve made for yourself.”

  William pointed an unsteady finger at him. “Talk down to me if you will. What kind of man—what sort of honorable man—uses a woman, his late wife’s friend, to further his own interests?”

  “I’m not using Miss Barrett for her money.”

  “You’re using her to ease your conscience, as a means to find suitable care for your Lucy. Explain it to me—how is that different? How—”

  “And what if I am?” At the mention of Lucy’s name, something snapped in Graham. He had to force his fists to remain at his sides. “What if I am using her? What business is it of yours? I can hardly return to the sea without finding suitable care, and you have been no help whatsoever. But then again, I’ve managed to survive the past eighteen years without answering to anyone in this family, and I do not intend to start now.”

  William threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, I forgot. You’re the mighty Captain Sterling, hero of the seas. But the fact is, you are no better than I. We’re cut from the same cloth, are we not? My offense regards money. Your offense regards taking advantage of women. Neither of us is quite as we seem.”

  Graham hissed through clenched teeth. “You are making an idiot out of yourself. Go home.”

  William stepped close. Heat radiated from his intoxicated body. Graham refused to waver or step away. He stared hard at his brother, and he could swear he was staring straight into his father’s eyes.

  William finally spoke, his brandy-laced breath hot against Graham’s cheek. “I saw the way you looked at her. Don’t think I did not see it, that everyone in attendance did not notice. But you are a fool if you think she will ever return the regard, for it is your daughter she wants, not you. You see, we all have an angle, even the charming Miss Barrett.”

  “I’m warning you, William. Step back.”

  But his brother was not willing to let it go. “She is not what she seems either. You are not the only man to sample her charms.”

  Now Graham leaned in at the odd statement. “Make yourself clear.”

  “I’ve held her in my arms myself. Oh, does that surprise you, brother?”

  “You’re a lying drunk.” Graham snatched his brother’s coat by the collar.

  “No need to become so angry.” William’s eyes were now nothing more than slits over his sloppy grin. “It was one kiss. One little, passionate kiss. And she did not mind, I assure you, not one bit. Seems you’re not the only Sterling worth having.”

  Graham released William’s collar with a bit of a shove. The older Sterling stumbled backward, fell to a knee, and struggled to stand. A slack laugh slid from William before he waved a finger in the air. “You will regret not helping me in my time of need, brother.”

  They stared at one another, William swaying slightly, Graham frozen to the ground. Then William broke eye contact and stomped down the path in the darkness.

  Graham watched him, doubting the foxed fool could find his way home in his current state. But then again, he didn’t really care.

  He looked up at the black night. Only a few stars twinkled through the thickening clouds. Strange how the sky looked the same from the middle of the country as it did on the sea. Same sky. Same man. Different trials.

  He turned to a trickle of light spilling onto the path. Strange, he thought he’d closed the door. He looked up and caught a glimpse of Amelia’s retreating form.

  Amelia had not intended to eavesdrop. When she saw Graham and his brother go outside, she should have kept herself planted firmly next to Jane. She shook her head, regretting her indiscretion. But her punishment for curiosity was steep, for now she knew the truth.

  She’d been mistaken when she thought she’d seen a glimmer of affection in Captain Sterling’s eyes when they were alone in the Hammonds’ hall. The captain was marrying her for Lucy’s care. Nothing more. And why should that sting? That had been the plan all along, had it not? A marriage of convenience. But she cringed to realize the captain now knew of the incident between her and his brother. She should have told him before. What must he think of her?

  Amelia nodded to Mrs. Mill’s account of her daughter’s baby and managed to ask perfectly timed questions without paying real attention. She praised the beauty of Mrs. Bell’s silver dress and admired the detailed tambour work on Mrs. Dyer’s reticule. She smiled. Laughed. Performed all of the tasks required to win their approval. After all that Jane had done to protect her, how could she let on that the evening was anything other than perfect?

  On the other side of the drawing room, Captain Sterling, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Hammond, and a handful of other men clustered around a game of whist. Their laughter rose above the ladies’ chatter and the fireplace’s merry crackle.

  Amelia shrank back against her chair and stole a glance at Graham. Again. His sable hair curled over the high collar of his black tailcoat. His military posture and bronzed skin set him apart from the rest of the men in the room.

  Without warning, he turned and looked in her direction. A corner of his mouth tugged upward. She jerked her head down.

  The conversation between William and Graham played once more in her mind. What were the west fields, and wh
y were they talking about Edward? And why had they been talking about her inheritance? Why was William challenging Graham on matters of character and loyalty? And heaven help her, William did remember their kiss. And now the captain knew of it too.

  She’d be a fool not to acknowledge the obvious. She had let her mind go somewhere it shouldn’t, and now her heart would pay the price.

  Amelia wanted to believe the romantic love stories she and Helena had devoured. She wanted to share a love like that of Jane and Mr. Hammond. But perhaps Aunt Augusta had been right. Love didn’t come to a girl whose only asset was her fortune.

  A pat on her hand drew her attention.

  Amelia glanced down at Mrs. Dyer’s hand resting on her own. With great reluctance she met the woman’s eyes. A knowing grin creased the older woman’s puffy face. “You’re staring, my dear.”

  The women giggled like schoolgirls. Mrs. Mill held up her hands to quiet the group. “Now, ladies, who among you could blame young Miss Barrett for not being able to take her eyes off of the dashing Captain Sterling?”

  Fresh snickers circled the group.

  Let them believe it. Let them all believe this is a match made of love. Keep what little dignity you have intact.

  Snow clouds obscured the moonlight, and trees blocked the flickering light from the torches in front of the vicarage as the carriage rumbled down the path to Winterwood. The journey would be a short one and the hour was late, so if Graham was to make his apology, he needed to do it quickly. He needed to speak with Miss Barrett alone. He was uncertain of how long she’d been present for his discussion with William, but her distant expression made it clear she hadn’t liked what she had heard.

  He chided himself for not keeping command of his words. They could have been easily misconstrued. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he was taking advantage of her kindness.

  To intensify his discomfort, he could not shake the memory of William’s words. Had his brother and Amelia shared an intimate moment?

  Before the carriage carrying him, Miss Barrett, and Mr. Carrington even pulled to a complete stop, Graham thrust open the carriage door and jumped down. He cast a warning glance at the footman, daring him to step closer, then extended his hand to Amelia.

  Miss Barrett hesitated, then took his hand and stepped down. The moment her skirt was clear of the door, she tried to pull her hand away, but Graham squeezed it.

  Her eyes widened when he wouldn’t let go. Graham slammed the carriage door closed with his other hand, just in case Carrington entertained a notion to join them.

  “I need to talk about what you heard.”

  She shook her head. “You owe me no explanation.”

  “Then I need to talk to you about what I heard.”

  Amelia diverted her eyes. “I had no business listening to a private conversation.”

  The flurries falling around them increased. Silver flakes danced about her, landing on her eyelashes and melting when they kissed her cheeks. He took her by the arm and directed her closer to the house, away from the footman and driver. “We are to be married in two days, Amelia. I hardly think it wise to begin our union with secrets or doubt between us.”

  She pursed her lips and yanked her hand from his. “Very well.” She jutted her chin out. “What are you buying from Edward?”

  The honesty in her upturned face unnerved him. “Before you broke the engagement with Edward, he bought Eastmore’s west fields from my brother. The west fields are the pastures that join with Winterwood’s northwest corner. I asked Carrington to purchase them back anonymously.”

  She frowned. “Why would he do such a thing?”

  “Why would that man do a great many of the things he does? All I know is I am not comfortable with him owning property next to you and Lucy while I am gone. He’s a rogue, and the farther away he is from you, the better.”

  “Why did you not tell me?”

  “I thought not to burden you with such a detail when Carrington could handle it quickly and discreetly.”

  She lifted her fur-lined cape hood and draped it over her head. Only the tip of her nose and chin remained visible. “I am quite capable of managing any and all issues related to Winterwood Manor, and I wish to be notified of such things, little or great.”

  “I shall keep that in mind.”

  “Good.” She pivoted toward the door.

  He reached out his hand and wrapped his fingers loosely around her arm, stopping her. He could not get William’s words out of his mind. He had to hear her response. “While we are asking questions, I have one of my own.”

  Even through the heavy fabric of her cloak he could feel her muscles tighten. “Very well.”

  He hesitated, realizing full well the indelicacy of his question. “William says that you shared a kiss with him. Is this true?”

  In a sudden burst of motion, she jerked her arm free and removed the hood’s cloak. She looked him square in the eye. He had angered her—or embarrassed her. The tight line of her lips indicated nothing less. He did not regret his question. He wanted to know—needed to know—but he had not anticipated the fire in her response.

  “I did not kiss your brother, sir. He forced himself upon me during one of his all-too-frequent drunken episodes. I managed to escape with my dignity intact. Until now, that is.”

  The instant she said it, he regretted his words. The coldness in her treatment of his brother the afternoon they’d visited Lucy suddenly made sense. He felt like an inconsiderate fool. “I apologize. I should have known otherwise.” He softened his tone. “Why did you not tell me?”

  She cut her eyes toward the footman, no doubt making sure the man could not hear. “Do you really think I would admit such an indiscretion to anyone if I could help it? Your brother humiliated me, and you ask why I never spoke of it?”

  The words were out of his mouth before he could consider the ramifications. “I do not wish to appear indelicate, but we are to be married. I have a right to know of such things.”

  “A right? What exactly are you insinuating, Captain?”

  “I insinuate nothing. But keep in mind that I have known you for less than a month. How am I to know your, well, your—”

  “Is reputation the word you seek?” She did not wait for him to respond. “I assure you, sir, that you’ll find no finer reputation in all of England.” She pinned him with her stare. “Keep in mind that I could ask similar questions of you.”

  Graham shrugged. “Go ahead. I’ve nothing to hide.”

  “Your private life, such as it is, is your business. As I told you the day you arrived at Winterwood, ours is a business agreement. I will care for Lucy, and you are free to do as you have been doing.”

  He raised his hands as if to declare innocence. “What exactly is it that you think I do?”

  She ignored his question. “I have no expectations of you in regard to a romantic relationship. I assure you, I have done nothing to tarnish my reputation with your brother, but in light of our arrangement, I hardly feel the need to defend myself.”

  “Our arrangement, hmm? Is that what we are calling this?” Graham did not know whether he should be angry, defensive, or offended. He stepped away from her. Perhaps he had misinterpreted her intentions while they were in the corridor. He could attribute her anger to embarrassment or exhaustion. Or perhaps he had imagined she had been warming to him because he wanted it to be true. After all, had she not made it very clear from the start that her priority was Lucy?

  He straightened his shoulders. He needed to keep Lucy his priority as well and not get distracted by those lovely blue eyes. “Very well, Miss Barrett. Thank you for clarifying your expectations.”

  She lifted a hand to brush her hair from her face, and her lashes fanned against her cheek as she looked to the ground. “Will we see you tomorrow, Captain Sterling?”

  “Yes, I’ll be by to visit Lucy.”

  “Very well. Thank you for sharing your carriage.”

  She stepped toward the
door, and he followed her. She stopped and looked back at him. “What are you doing?”

  What did she think he was doing? “I’m coming in.”

  “Why?”

  Why? Had she forgotten that just a few hours earlier Edward Littleton had paced these very halls? He wasn’t about to take the chance that he was inside, waiting for her to return. “I need to make sure Littleton’s gone.”

  She looked toward the window. “Everything appears to be dark, and the hour is late. Surely he has departed.”

  “But I don’t think—”

  She raised her hand to silence him. “Allow me to be perfectly clear, Captain Sterling. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf, but I can handle myself.”

  He had no idea how to answer that. So he just said, “Very well, Miss Barrett.”

  She turned, her face impassive, and disappeared inside. James closed the door behind her.

  Graham stared at the empty space where she had been.

  What just happened?

  He turned to the carriage, unlatched the door, and climbed inside. He yanked the door closed behind him and dropped against the tufted leather seat.

  He didn’t look at Carrington nor did he wish to talk about it. But the weight of the older man’s eyes bored into him. He glanced up.

  A smirk crept across Carrington’s withered face. “Don’t worry, she’ll come around.”

  Amelia brushed the snow from her cape and leaned her back against the closed door. She squeezed her eyes shut and exhaled in a slow, steady stream. She had not meant to speak so harshly. And if she’d had any hope at all of a romantic future with her husband, no doubt her words, spoken in the heat of embarrassment, had squelched that hope.

  She opened her eyes to see James standing next to her with a lit candlestick. “Shall I send up Elizabeth, miss?”

  “Yes, please.” Amelia handed him her cape and took the candle. “But tell her to take her time. I am going to go see Miss Lucy for a few moments.”

  “Very well, Miss Barrett.”

  Amelia followed the aging man with her eyes as he withdrew down the corridor. When he was gone, eerie silence settled over the house. To her left was the window. Craning her neck, she watched the carriage disappear into the darkness. Her chin shook, and as hard as she tried to steady her hand, the candle trembled in her grip. Her arrangement with Captain Sterling had seemed so simple when first conceived. Now nothing was simple about it.