Miss Amelia's Mistletoe Marquess

by Jenni Fletcher

‘Of course I came.’ Millie staggered briefly and then hugged her sister back. ‘As soon as I got Mother’s note. When did you arrive?’

  ‘Yesterday afternoon, but Mama said you were holding a ball so we didn’t want to disturb you. That’s why she sent that bizarre message about being indisposed. I knew you wouldn’t believe it for a second, but it was the best we could think of.’ Lottie paused for breath. ‘How did it go?’

  ‘Very well, but never mind that.’ Millie extricated herself from her sister’s embrace long enough to pull off her bonnet and cape. ‘Mama’s note said that you were engaged?’

  ‘And you’re married to a marquess! I can’t tell you how surprised I was when she told me. And here I was thinking I was going to be the one to shock you!’ Lottie laughed and then looked expectantly past her. ‘You must be my new brother.’

  ‘Otherwise known as Cassius.’ He took her hand and kissed it. ‘And you must be Lottie. Millie’s told me so much about you.’

  ‘Oh, dear.’ Lottie rolled her eyes dramatically. ‘That sounds ominous.’

  ‘Not at all. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.’

  Millie looked between the two of them with a growing sense of agitation. It wasn’t jealousy, she was certain of that, more like discomfort, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

  ‘Mama’s note mentioned something about trouble at the Foundation, too,’ she said, trying to distract herself.

  ‘Oh, yes, it’s all quite shocking, but Jasper and I will tell you all about that later.’ Lottie caught hold of her arm and dragged her into the drawing room. ‘First we have some more, even better news.’

  ‘What else can there be?’

  ‘Can I tell her, Mama?’

  ‘Go ahead.’ Their mother stood up from her seat by the fireplace, her face already beaming.

  ‘A letter from Silas!’ Lottie burst out excitedly. ‘It arrived here this morning! He thinks his letters to the Foundation have been going astray somehow so he wrote to Alexandra instead.’

  ‘Silas?’ Millie felt her stomach lurch with relief. ‘You mean he’s all right?’

  ‘Even better than that! He says he’s about to make his fortune and he’s on his way home!’

  ‘Oh!’ Millie clasped her hands together, all her discomfiture forgotten. ‘You’re right, that is wonderful!’

  ‘And just in time for Christmas,’ Lottie declared happily. ‘We’ll all be together again soon.’

  ‘Speaking of together...’ their mother interrupted gently ‘...allow me to make some introductions. Lord Falconmore, this is my daughter’s fiancé, Mr Jasper King. Jasper, you remember Millie?’

  ‘Of course. It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Falconmore.’ A familiar, dark-haired gentleman stood up and walked towards them. He had a slight limp, Millie noticed, one she didn’t remember from their previous meetings, though his smile was as charming as ever.

  ‘Mr King.’ She offered him her hand. ‘Congratulations. I’m delighted for you and Lottie.’

  ‘Thank you. I’m quite pleased myself.’ He threw an affectionate glance towards her sister before turning towards Cassius. ‘Lord Falconmore, I’m honoured to make your acquaintance.’

  ‘As am I to make yours.’ Cassius shook his hand enthusiastically. ‘Especially since we’re going to be family.’

  ‘Then you must call me Jasper. I expect Charlotte’s already told you about our recent adventures?’

  ‘No, actually...’ Lottie laughed as she threaded an arm through his ‘...but only because I haven’t had a chance yet. Now sit down and I’ll tell you everything.’

  * * *

  ‘Now it’s your turn!’ Lottie grabbed hold of Millie’s elbow as they made their way upstairs. ‘Tell me what happened.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Millie twisted towards her sister in surprise. ‘I thought you said you had something to show me in your bedroom?’

  ‘Oh, that was just an excuse to get you alone. If anyone asks, I have a new bonnet or something.’ Lottie waved a hand dismissively and then pulled her into an alcove on the landing. ‘I want to know what’s been going on.’

  ‘Hasn’t Mother told you?’

  ‘She’s told me the official version, but I want to hear the details from you. He’s very handsome. If it wasn’t for Jasper, I could be quite jealous. Is it true that you turned up on his doorstep in a snowstorm?’

  ‘Ye—es, but nothing untoward happened. It was all perfectly respectable.’

  ‘You don’t have to tell me that.’ Lottie gave a snort. ‘If anyone can be trusted to do the right thing then it’s you, but what was a marquess doing in his gatehouse in the first place?’

  ‘It’s complicated. He wanted to be alone.’

  ‘Then what were you doing out in a snowstorm?’

  ‘I was being adventurous.’

  ‘You?’

  ‘Yes.’ Millie lifted her chin. ‘I can be sometimes, you know.’

  ‘I know you used to be.’ Lottie gave her an approving look. ‘So he was feeling reclusive and you were feeling adventurous and he ended up offering you shelter?’

  ‘Yes. The snow was so heavy that I couldn’t go anywhere else so we were trapped together overnight. Unfortunately a maid saw me leaving the next morning and we were compromised.’

  ‘So he was forced to propose?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And that’s it? Nothing else happened at all?’ Lottie made a clucking sound. ‘No, of course not, silly question.’

  Millie’s chin jutted higher. ‘Actually he kissed me.’

  ‘I knew it!’ Lottie’s eyes lit up. ‘What was it like? Was it very romantic? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.’

  ‘It was...good.’

  ‘Good?’

  ‘Very good.’

  ‘But how did it happen?’

  ‘Well, I told him that Gilbert had never kissed me and then...’ she felt her cheeks start to burn ‘...he asked me if I’d like to be kissed just to see what it was like and...well, I agreed.’

  ‘You told him about Gilbert?’

  ‘Yes. Why is that a surprise?’

  ‘Well, that’s not like you for a start. You wouldn’t even speak to Mama and me about him.’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry. It just seemed easier to speak with someone who didn’t know him and I felt comfortable with Cassius. It’s ironic really. He told me I shouldn’t feel compelled to marry anyone and then ended up having to marry me himself.’

  ‘I’m sorry that you were forced into it. I thought with me marrying Jasper I could be the one to take care of you and Mama for a change.’

  ‘It’s all right.’ Millie smiled reassuringly. ‘I do like Cassius. He’s kind and thoughtful and decent. There’s no need to worry about me, truly.’

  ‘All right. If you like him, then so do I. And so does Jasper, I can tell.’

  ‘But there’s one thing I don’t understand. How did you and Jasper meet again? Was it by chance?’

  ‘Not exactly. It was a bit of a madcap scheme to be honest.’ Lottie looked faintly shame-faced. ‘The truth is, I went to find him for you.’

  ‘For me? What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, I knew you were on the verge of marrying Gilbert just to protect Mama and me. Not that I didn’t like Gilbert, but I knew you weren’t in love with him. Then I remembered how much you liked Jasper when you danced with him that time.’

  ‘What ti—?’ Millie’s jaw dropped. ‘Lottie, that was eight years ago!’

  ‘Yes, well, I just agreed it was mad. Anyway, I went off to find him.’

  ‘I thought you said you were sick when we left?’

  ‘I did have a small cold. Only I might have exaggerated a little.’

  ‘Lottie!’ Millie exclaimed in consternation. ‘You didn’t!’

  ‘I did it for you.�
�

  ‘Did Mama know about this?’

  ‘Oh, no, she would never have agreed.’ Lottie shrugged. ‘Anyway, Jasper and I met and one thing led to another and, well, here we are. And it turned out that you didn’t need my help in finding an alternative husband, after all. So it’s all worked out for the best, hasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes.’ Millie reached out a hand and drew it slowly along the banister. ‘I admit I had reservations about our marriage at first, but now...well, I’m happy.’

  ‘It’s true. You do seem happy.’

  ‘You say that like it’s a bad thing.’

  ‘No, but considering it wasn’t a love match...’ Lottie gave her a shrewd look. ‘Isn’t it strange, though? Two weeks ago, we were worried about being homeless and now I’m engaged and you’re a marchioness! It seems too incredible to be true. I actually wondered if I ought to curtsy when I saw you.’

  ‘Stop it, Lottie.’

  ‘But you seem so different already! Holding balls, wearing silk gowns...’ Lottie rubbed her fingers admiringly over the bodice of Millie’s green-muslin day dress. ‘Which looks beautiful by the way. You’re even wearing your hair looser.’

  ‘Ye—es...’ Millie raised a hand to her head self-consciously. ‘But I’m still the same person underneath.’

  ‘Oh, I know. There’s just a lot to catch up with, but I suppose a lot of things will be changing now so we’ll just have to get used to it. There’s the Foundation for a start. Mama’s going to have a hard time finding someone to replace you.’

  ‘I suppose so...’ Millie felt a pang of guilt ‘...but I can still help.’

  ‘Not when you’re living here, you can’t, although you could be a patron or something. But I can help more and, now Silas is coming home, we’ll work something out. We’ll definitely need a new embroidery-and-crochet teacher, though. I’m hopeless at anything like that.’

  ‘Yes, but...’

  ‘Of course you’ll have to come back to say a proper goodbye. Everyone’s going to miss you so much.’

  ‘I’ll miss them, too.’

  ‘Not that they won’t all be thrilled. A marchioness...’ Lottie grinned and then started back downstairs. ‘Who would ever have thought it?’

  Millie waited a few seconds and then followed. The drawing room was filled with cheerful voices and happy chatter, but she felt detached from the scene suddenly, as if a glass window had descended between her and the other inhabitants. She wished that she’d never gone upstairs with Lottie at all. Not that her sister had meant to upset her, she knew, but their conversation had left her feeling uncomfortable. She and Cassius had agreed to stay for dinner, but now she had no appetite for food or conversation. Had she really changed so much in two weeks? Lottie’s observations bothered her. Not to mention what she’d said about the Foundation...

  She took a seat by the window. Somehow the realisation that she wasn’t going back to London hadn’t fully sunk in before. She’d been so busy enjoying her honeymoon and planning the ball that she’d deliberately not thought about the future, but Lottie was right. Her mother would have twice as much to do from now on and she’d only be a visitor to the Foundation. It wasn’t her home any more. Home was here, with Cassius, the husband she loved, who might or might not love her back.

  She glanced towards him. He was deep in conversation with Jasper, his expression smiling and animated. The sight filled her with a confusing blend of yearning and guilt. She wanted him to love her and yet if he did then she’d have everything she ever, could ever, have wanted. She’d be really and truly happy. But what about duty and sacrifice? What about her role as little mother at the Foundation? What about her father’s legacy? How could she live with herself if she just abandoned all of those things? Her transformation from Amelia into Millie would be complete.

  The honeymoon was definitely over.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  ‘Are you sure you’re feeling all right? You look pale.’

  Cassius unwound his cravat and tossed it carelessly across a chair. It was the third time he’d asked the question since they’d left the Malverlys, the third time, too, that he’d received a placid nod and strained smile in reply. He hadn’t truly expected the answer to be anything different even though something was very clearly not all right.

  They’d come straight up to their chamber on their return home that evening, not wanting to interfere with the party going on below-stairs. Millie had thanked the maid who’d brought up a tray of wine and biscuits and then dismissed her for the evening, much to the girl’s evident relief. Now she was simply standing by the window, her posture stiff, lace net curtains swept back in one hand as she stared out into the gathering darkness over the lake.

  He made a move towards her and then stopped, something in her body language warning him not to go any closer. After the intimacy of the ball, the sense of distance between them felt strange. Last night he’d almost told her he loved her. He’d meant to tell her, only the hour had been so late and she’d fallen asleep after their lovemaking. Now he wished he’d woken her up and told her anyway, unable to shake the uncomfortable feeling that he’d missed his chance. Something had happened during the course of the afternoon, nothing obvious or dramatic and yet something that had caused the bright, happy, albeit somewhat nervous, woman he’d accompanied that morning to transform into a monosyllabic wraith, as if some light inside her had suddenly, for some inexplicable reason, gone out. Now that he thought about it, it had been after she’d gone upstairs with Lottie, though surely her sister wouldn’t have said anything to upset her? Whatever the cause, she’d seemed to withdraw deeper and further inside herself on the carriage ride home, turning her head so that he couldn’t see her face.

  At this point it was clear that whatever the matter was, she wasn’t going to tell him.

  ‘Your sister and Mr King seem very happy.’ He decided to try a new subject instead, removing his jacket and depositing it on top of his cravat.

  ‘Yes.’ That subject at least provoked a small smile. ‘Jasper was always very pleasant. I’m happy for both of them.’

  ‘Your sister says that they’re planning to wed soon.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And that she asked you to be her matron of honour.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Would you care for some wine?’ He gestured towards the tray, struggling to think of anything else to say.

  ‘No.’ She moved away from the window, her expression guarded. ‘Thank you, but I thought I might just read tonight.’

  ‘Then I’ll join you.’

  ‘To be honest, I don’t think I would be very good company.’ She glanced at his waistcoat as it fell on top of his jacket. ‘If you don’t mind, I think I’d like an evening on my own.’

  ‘I see. As you wish.’ He fought the urge to argue. Since their first night together, he’d come to think of her room as his, too. Their room, in fact. Except that now she was effectively throwing him out. ‘In that case, I’ll see you in the morning.’

  ‘Goodnight, Cassius.’

  ‘Goodnight, Millie.’

  He made an awkward bow and went to his own chamber instead.

  * * *

  ‘Good morning, sir.’ Kendrew, for once, made a somewhat elaborate show of announcing his presence, closing the library door with an audible click behind him and then clearing his throat.

  ‘Good morning.’ Cassius leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin, regarding his butler enquiringly. ‘How was the party?’

  ‘I believe the staff enjoyed it a great deal, sir. The presents were particularly well received.’

  ‘Good, and what about you? Did you enjoy it? Anything of note to tell me, Kendrew?’

  ‘As a matter of fact...’ The butler’s throat appeared to need clearing again. ‘There is something, sir.’

  ‘Really?’
r />   ‘Regarding myself and Mrs Turner.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘She’s done me the great honour of agreeing to become my wife.’

  Cassius stood up, smiling for the first time that day. ‘She forgave you, then?’

  ‘Eventually. I’m sorry to say it required a substantial amount of grovelling.’

  ‘Good for you. Out of interest, did you use any of the phrases I suggested?’

  ‘One of them, although I’d prefer not to say which.’

  ‘Then don’t. Let me congratulate you instead, Kendrew. I hope the two of you will be very happy together.’

  ‘I hope so, too, sir. It’s something of a change at my time of life.’

  ‘But a positive one, I’m sure.’ He reached for his butler’s hand and pumped it up and down vigorously. ‘Have you told Lady Falconmore the news yet?’

  ‘Mrs Turner has just gone to inform her, sir, although I understand Lady Falconmore is still in her chamber.’

  ‘I believe so.’ Cassius tried not to flinch at the statement. After waking up alone and decidedly unrested in his own bed that morning, he’d briefly considered going through to see her and then discarded the idea, uncertain about what to say if she still didn’t want to talk to him. He could only hope that she’d tell him what the matter was in her own time, though waiting made him feel somewhat queasy. On the other hand, now there was some good news to discuss with her...

  ‘My lord?’ Kendrew’s voice jolted him back to the present.

  ‘Forgive me, I was just thinking...’ he shook the butler’s hand one last time ‘...about your wedding gift! I insist on your taking a honeymoon. Anywhere you like.’

  ‘A honeymoon?’ Kendrew’s expression was horrified. ‘You mean more time off, sir?’

  ‘Exactly. How about the seaside? Bournemouth or Brighton, perhaps?’

  ‘I’ll have to discuss it with Mrs Turner, although surely you couldn’t manage without both of us?’

  ‘We’d muddle through somehow.’ Cassius flung open the library door. ‘It’s a new era, Kendrew. Christmas presents are just the start. I intend for us all to take as many holidays and be as happy as we can from now on. Those are the new house rules.’