His mother was not to be appeased. “I do not approve of this at all. I am sure she must have trapped you into making this offer of marriage, and you are too much of a gentleman to admit it. If you carry on with this foolish idea, do not expect me to give you my blessing or attend your wedding.”
Vincent stiffened. “I am sorry to hear that. I hope in time you will change your mind.”
As Vincent helped his smouldering mother out of the carriage, he decided that he would call on Robert that evening and hopefully they would set off for Derbyshire the next day. This would give his mother time to calm down. He was angered by her reaction and did not trust himself to hold his temper if he had any further conversation with her on the subject of his choice of wife.
After Percival’s wedding, as planned, Miriam went directly to stay at Blackwood Hall with Lucy and her parents. She confided in Lucy that Lord Chantry had repeated his offer of marriage, but she was still uncertain as to what answer she would give him.
“I don’t know why I’m even worrying about it,” Miriam said uncertainly. “He may well have thought more about the matter and changed his mind. I would not be surprised if he does not come to Derbyshire to ask for my answer.”
“I hope he does come—especially if he is going to ask Robert…I mean, Mr. Bright to accompany him. Do you think he still favours me? Or do you think he will have met someone else while I have been away from Bath?” Lucy could not decide whether to be worried or excited.
“Try to not think about it too much,” Miriam cautioned. “I’m not sure that either one will come.”
Miriam was getting no closer to making a decision as the end of the week drew near. She half hoped Lord Chantry would not visit, because then she wouldn’t have to make a decision. Eventually, in desperation, she decided to confide in the Countess of Blackwood, who had always given her wise counsel during her childhood in the absence of her own mother. She explained the situation and the proposal of marriage.
“Do you dislike Lord Chantry?” asked the countess shrewdly.
Miriam gave this some thought. “Well…no. We appear to get on quite well with each other in general conversation and I feel comfortable in his company.” She could have added, And he is impossibly handsome and makes my heart thud when he is near me. But she kept this thought to herself.
“That would be a good start to any marriage,” said the countess.
“I know that, but it is to be a marriage of convenience. And I think he asked me just because he feels comfortable with me; in fact, he has said as much. I think, too, that he may have chosen me because I am not one of the eligible young women who are constantly being paraded in front of him. I fear he is asking me for all the wrong reasons, and if I accepted him, it would also be for all the wrong reasons.”
The countess patted her hand. “My dear, there are very few society marriages that are based purely on mutual love and respect. Most marriages take into account the finances and background of the people involved. My marriage was decided for me by my parents, and when I first met the earl, I found him far too serious and not much to my liking. In time, though, as I matured, I came to admire his considered approach to life and the way he was always so attentive towards me. I found myself gradually coming to love him even though he had not been my choice. I had fancied myself in love with a young rake who, in hindsight, was totally unsuitable, but at the time I was young and did not see that.”
Miriam was surprised by this confession. “I always thought you and the earl were so close!”
“We are, but we were not at first. I admit I am very lucky. It seems my parents knew better than I what was good for me.” The countess smiled.
“But I have no parent to advise me,” Miriam said. She looked pleadingly at the countess. “If you were my mother, what would you advise?”
“I cannot tell you what to do, because there are no guarantees a marriage will be happy whether the couple marry for love or for family connection or for any other reason. You need to consider the future before you. Do you want to live on your own with a house of servants, or do you want to run a large household in Yorkshire. I do not think I speak out of turn when I say that you do not now have any close family ties to keep you in this district.”
“No, I do not. I think my aunt and Percival would be happy to wash their hands of me completely, but here I am at least close to Lucy and your family.”
“I know that, my dear, but do remember that before long Lucy will hopefully be married and starting her own family, and we do not know where that will be. If Robert Bright continues his courtship of her to its likely conclusion, she would be living in Yorkshire and not Derbyshire.” The countess looked a little sad at the thought of her daughter leaving home.
Miriam’s brow furrowed. “I worry that if I accept him, it is just because I know that, with my lameness, I am otherwise very likely to remain a spinster. Is this fair to Lord Chantry, who is young, rich and handsome and could have his pick of any number of potential brides?”
“That, my dear girl, is his concern. He does not sound like a man of low intelligence, so I am sure that he has thought everything through. If you do accept, though, consider how you would feel if you found that, because of the agreed platonic nature of your union, he decided to take a mistress.”
Miriam had not even thought of this. “I really do not know. I don’t suppose I could object, as I know that men have urges they need to fulfil. I would expect him to be discreet, though, because I would not want people to talk.”
“Many men take mistresses, even those who profess to have a happy marriage, and you do need to be aware that this may happen,” explained the countess. She looked at Miriam’s troubled face. “I’m afraid that rather than help you, I have caused you further distress. If he does come to Derbyshire to formalize his offer, I am sure you will know at the time what decision is right for you.”
Miriam smiled wanly, but was not sure that she would know her answer. She was beginning to think that no would be the easiest option; there were too many what-ifs if she said yes.
Miriam and Lucy were sitting in the drawing room reading and chatting on the Friday afternoon, both feeling a little down in spirits because neither Lord Chantry nor Robert Bright had appeared.
“I know you are disappointed, Lucy, but I should be happy because I do not have to see Lord Chantry and tell him I am declining his offer.” Miriam, however, did not feel happy.
“You have made a decision then?” questioned Lucy. “Even if he arrives you will reject him?”
“I do not expect him to arrive now. He said he would come before the end of the week. Your mother says I will know what to do when I see him, but I am not sure that she is right.”
They heard a carriage pulling up outside, and both got up to look out of the window.
“Oh, no,” groaned Lucy. “I was hoping it would be Robert and Lord Chantry. What are your Aunt Beatrice and Cousin Percival doing here? Were you expecting them?”
“I certainly was not expecting them. I hope there is nothing amiss at Charlwood House. Let us sit back down. I expect we will find out what they want soon enough.”
After a few minutes, a footman announced the new arrivals, and Aunt Beatrice and Percival stepped into the drawing room, along with the countess.
Aunt Beatrice’s first words were, “Countess, Lucy, it is a pleasure to see you both again. But Percival and I would like to talk to Miriam in private if we may.” Her tone was more demanding than polite.
“I am sure that there is nothing you could say to me that cannot be said in front of my friends.” Miriam was reluctant to be alone with them. Judging by their faces, they were not bringing good news.
“As I said, this is a personal matter. If you could oblige us, Countess?” Her aunt was very firm.
“Come, Lucy,” said the countess. “Let us leave them to their business. Miriam, shout if you need me. I will be in the next room.”
As soon as Lucy and her mother left the drawing room, Aunt Beatrice
and Percival took seats opposite Miriam.
“Whatever can be the matter that brings you to see me without prior arrangement?” Miriam braced herself for what must surely be bad news.
“It is your reputation that is the matter, young lady,” Aunt Beatrice snapped. “I do not know what you have been doing, but I intend to get to the bottom of this.”
Miriam was taken aback. “Aunt, I truly do not know what you are talking about. I have been staying here with Lucy and have done nothing amiss.”
“It is not here I am concerned about. It is what must have occurred during your time in Bath to which I refer,” her aunt explained, but Miriam was still no wiser.
“Aunt, you were with me in Bath and nothing occurred. If you are referring to the occasion when I waltzed with Lord Chantry, you already knew about that. I did not do anything else untoward that I am aware of.” Miriam looked at Percival to see if he could shed any light on the matter.
Percival got to his feet and crossed to stand in front of her. “I have had a visit this morning from Lord Chantry. He came to me asking for your hand in marriage. What I want to know is what you have done to compromise yourself in such a manner that he feels obliged to wed you? A single waltz would not be enough for a man in his position to feel the need to offer for your hand. What other liberties did you let him take, Miriam?”
Miriam’s shock turned to anger. She was surprised that Lord Chantry had spoken to Cousin Percival before coming to see her. She was even more shocked and angry that her aunt and her cousin thought so little of her that they believed she had tricked Lord Chantry into offering marriage.
“Did Lord Chantry say that he had been forced to offer for me?” Miriam asked, wanting to understand the full circumstances.
“No, he was most proper,” Percival replied, “and of course I could do no other than give him my permission. But why would he choose you above all others? What I do know is that whatever happened to make him offer marriage will come into the open eventually, and we will all have our reputations tarnished.” Percival was clearly agitated.
Miriam gathered herself and tried to speak calmly. “I am shocked that you have such a low opinion of me. I can assure you that I have never behaved in any manner that would compromise Lord Chantry or indeed any other person of my acquaintance. The fact he has asked permission to offer for my hand is not a surprise to me, as he made his intentions clear in Bath and again when I met him again at your wedding. If, as you say, you have given approval for this, then it is now my decision to accept or not.”
For a moment Aunt Beatrice turned pale. “He…he what?” she spluttered.
Miriam stood on wobbly legs, indicating it was time for them to leave and willing them to do so before she collapsed. She needed some time to digest what she had just been told. Fortunately, this turn of events put her relatives off balance, and they headed for the door.
However, Aunt Beatrice made a parting shot under her breath. “It would not surprise me, Percy, if we are to have an early wedding and a very premature baby soon after.”
Miriam heard this, as was intended, and fell back into her chair, face aflame and tears in her eyes. What a low opinion they had of her!
When they heard the guests leave, Lucy and her mother returned to the drawing room to find Miriam in tears. Miriam, still sobbing, gave them an outline of the conversation, and the countess and Lucy were indignant on her behalf.
“How could they think that of you? Your own relatives,” commiserated Lucy.
“What am I to do now?” wailed Miriam. “I know Lord Chantry is here. I can only imagine what Percival may have said to him. How shall I face him?” As she said this a footman came to the door and said that Lord Chantry and Mr. Robert Bright had arrived and were asking for an audience.
Miriam knew that her face would be red and blotchy from crying and asked if Lucy and the countess would give the gentlemen her apologies, while she went to her room to freshen up.
“I will, but you must come down shortly to see the gentlemen as they have come a long way,” the countess said firmly. “You must be fair to Lord Chantry and give him a decision. Whatever you decide to do, Lucy and I will support you.”
Miriam murmured a thank-you and went up to her room. She dabbed her face with cold water until it returned to its normal colour and straightened her dress, then after taking one or two deep breaths, prepared to go down and face Lord Chantry. She was still uncertain about the answer she would give him; her mind was in turmoil.
As she entered the room the men stood and bowed; she nodded in acknowledgement and sat down next to the countess. She noticed that Lucy was sparkling at being back in Robert Bright’s company, and he appeared as attentive as ever and could not seem to take his eyes from her. Miriam could not bring herself to look in Lord Chantry’s direction; she was too unsure of what her reaction would be.
“Countess, I wonder if it would be possible for me to have a brief private audience with Miss Knightly,” the young earl requested formally. “I assure you there is nothing dishonourable in my attentions.”
Miriam looked at the countess, desperately hoping that she would refuse him permission. Instead, the countess patted her hand and looked at her sympathetically as she suggested that she take Lord Chantry into the library where they could talk in private.
“Mind you,” she cautioned Lord Chantry, “I will be entering the room within ten minutes if you have not returned Miriam to me in that time.”
Miriam took the countess’s arm as they walked to the library; she was aware that Lord Chantry, who was following them, would clearly be able to see how badly she limped. Perhaps he had reconsidered and now wanted to withdraw his offer. As the countess closed the door to the library behind her without shutting the door entirely, Miriam could feel herself panicking and sat down on the first available chair. She still had not looked Lord Chantry in the face. She did not know what to say.
“Miriam, why are you so nervous at seeing me?” he asked. “I said I would come—did you not believe me?”
He spoke so quietly that Miriam felt compelled to raise her head and look at him for the first time since he had arrived. He was half smiling at her as if a little amused or confused by her reaction to him. Miriam was still speechless.
“I have spoken to your cousin, Lord Percival,” Vincent went on, “and he has no objection to my proposing marriage to you—although he did express his surprise in a somewhat un-gentlemanly fashion. I recall him uttering an oath or two, although why he did, I’ve no idea.”
He was trying to tease Miriam into a response. What was wrong? Had he blundered again?
At last Miriam spoke. “I have every idea. He thinks that I have ruined my reputation and compromised you to such an extent that you now feel obliged to marry me.” She again felt very close to tears.
“Why should he think that? I gave him no cause to whatsoever.” Shocked, Vincent went over the conversation with Percival in his head and assured himself that he was blameless on this count.
“He…he came here with my aunt this afternoon and told me as much,” Miriam murmured. “I cannot believe that they think I would do such a thing.” Now her eyes were filling with tears, but she hoped if she kept her face averted, Lord Chantry would not notice.
“Do not upset yourself,” Vincent said gently as he drew up a chair to sit next to her. “We both know you’ve done nothing wrong, and I promise you that if anyone ever says such a thing in my hearing, I will call them out immediately.”
Vincent was a little uncertain as to how to deal with Miriam in tears, for she was usually so composed. He placed one finger under her chin and raised her face so she had to look at him. “You know why I have asked you to marry me, and after what you have told me today, I think that you may be happier in Yorkshire with me than among relatives who think so little of you.” He continued to hold her gaze. “I truly believe that we can make marriage work for us for all the reasons we have discussed, but if your answer is no, I will pressur
e you no further.”
When Miriam still seemed upset he attempted humour again. “I am sure that my mother can find me a suitable young, money-grabbing, fashionable lady who cannot hold a sensible conversation for me to marry, as there seem to be plenty of them about.”
A stab of pure jealousy ran through her at the thought of his walking down the aisle with one of these—as yet unnamed—beauties, but she quelled it instantly. She knew he had only been trying to cheer her up, and she managed a weak smile.
“There,” he said. “I knew you would not want me to suffer such a fate; you are not that cruel.” He studied her closely for a moment. “Please let me know your thoughts?”
Miriam decided to be honest with him. “I believe that you could find someone far better than me to marry, someone with whom you can have a proper marriage, with whom you can dance and raise a family.”
Miriam saw that he was about to interrupt her, so she put out her hand and stopped him. “If I marry you it will be to get away from my aunt and cousin, as it upsets me to see them in my childhood home.” She paused and decided she would be totally honest. “I also think that if I do not accept you, I will never marry and end up an old maid.” There she’d said it. She waited for his response.
“Do you dislike me in any way, Miriam?” he asked gently.
“No, of course not. I always enjoy your company,” she answered truthfully.
“In that case, I think that you should take your chances with me; you seem to have little to lose.”
He took her hand. Miriam could feel the heat from his burning into hers, and at that moment she knew that she had very much to lose; if she did not protect herself, she could easily lose her heart to him. She must remain cautious.
“I am tempted to accept,” she said “but what if other people think like my aunt and cousin—that I have tricked you into marrying me?”
Vincent laughed a low, delicious laugh and kept hold of her hand as he replied, “As I told you, I will call them out. Our reasons for getting married are our own concern, and if people ask we can say quite truthfully that we are marrying because we both wish to do so.”
In Pursuit of Miriam Page 9