In Pursuit of Miriam

by Helen A. Grant

  Miriam knew then that she would accept. She squeezed his hand shyly and whispered, “Yes.”

  Sudden, fierce satisfaction shot through Vincent.

  “I will do all I can to see that you never regret this decision,” he answered softly, and he meant every word.

  “As I will for you,” Miriam replied. Then, suddenly aware of what this would mean for her, added, “Please, may I ask a favour? Might we be married at the church on the Charlwood Estate so that all the estate families can be invited? You see, I may never see these people again?”

  “It will be as you want. I will apply for a special licence and we can be married as soon as next Saturday if you wish.” Now that she had at last agreed, Vincent was eager to get the deed done.

  “Will people talk if we marry in such haste?” she asked, and then laughed and answered herself. “Does it matter? I think people will talk anyway.”

  “Shall we go back and tell Lucy, Robert and the Countess our news?” he asked.

  “I must confess that the countess and Lucy are aware of the nature of your proposal of marriage, but I have confided in no one else,” Miriam said.

  “Robert, too, is in my confidence regarding this matter, but him only,” Lord Chantry assured her.

  Miriam took Lord Chantry’s arm and returned with him to the drawing room to tell their news. Everyone was delighted for them and more than pleased that they planned to marry in the local church. When the countess found that they intended to marry the following Saturday, she offered to let Robert and Vincent stay at Blackwood Hall as her guests for that time. Lucy and Robert were clearly delighted with this arrangement.

  The following week was chaotic. Percival agreed that the wedding could take place at the Charlwood Church, and he was to give Miriam away at the wedding ceremony. Lucy was to be bridesmaid and Robert was to stand for Vincent.

  The countess and the girls were in a flurry being fitted for outfits, and ensuring that these, as well as being beautiful, were warm enough for the late-October weather. The countess insisted they have their wedding breakfast at Blackwood Hall, and Aunt Beatrice was only too happy to let her do this.

  Vincent obtained the special licence and the wedding was scheduled for the third week of October. He arranged for a rider to go ahead to Maudley Castle and inform his mother of his impending marriage, as well as when to expect him to arrive with his new bride.

  Chapter Twelve

  Matrimony

  The morning of the wedding dawned fair and bright. Miriam awoke early and took a light breakfast in her room. Once she had made the decision to accept Lord Chantry’s proposal, she determined not to look back and be positive about her future. She knew she must start calling him by his first name, but was finding this hard to adjust to.

  Her personal maid, Susan, was to accompany her to Yorkshire, and she seemed more excited about this than Miriam herself. After bathing and drying Miriam’s hair in front of the fire, Susan laid out the wedding dress for her.

  The beautifully made dress was of the palest blue satin fabric and trimmed with white Nottingham lace; it was cut in the high-waisted empire style, which suited Miriam well. It had a low cut, but not immodest, neckline and short, puffed sleeves; long, white gloves and white satin pumps completed the outfit. Susan dressed Miriam’s hair with pearls and placed the string of pearls Miriam’s mother had left her around her neck. The Countess of Blackwood lent her a fine lace veil for her head. As Miriam gazed at herself in the looking glass, she hoped that Lord Chantry would be happy with her appearance. She pinched herself to make sure this was not a dream.

  Soon afterward, Lucy joined her in her room. Lucy wore a cream satin dress of the same style as Miriam’s, and the trim on hers was blue to match Miriam’s gown. She had a bonnet made from matching material.

  “Oh, I do hope Robert will think me attractive,” she said.

  “He couldn’t possibly think otherwise, Lucy,” Miriam assured her. “You look beautiful.”

  Lucy smiled at her friend. “As do you, Miriam. You’re almost glowing. The earl is lucky to marry you.”

  Lucy shushed any protest Miriam might make, and then the pair put on thick cloaks to keep them warm. Lucy was excited and Miriam a little nervous as they walked arm in arm to join the Countess and Earl of Blackwood, who had a carriage waiting to take them the short journey to the church.

  Cousin Percival was standing outside the church where a small crowd had gathered, and he informed Miriam that the groom was already waiting inside. By now, Miriam felt sick with nerves. Was she making a big mistake? She looked back at Lucy, who smiled encouragingly at her.

  “I shall be hanging on to your arm firmly,” she told Percival. “Please make sure you don’t let me fall or trip during the walk down the aisle.”

  Unlike Lucy and the countess, Percival gave her no encouragement. “I am still sure there is more to this hasty wedding than meets the eye,” he growled. “If I find out in the future that you have behaved in any way to shame me, you will no longer be welcome at Charlwood House.” He extended his arm for her to take. “Now come. Smile and let us get this done with.”

  Miriam did not respond. She was fighting back tears. How different it would have been if her father had still been alive to give her away, but then, if he had still been alive, she would not have considered agreeing to this marriage.

  As Miriam entered the church from the bright morning sunshine outside, she was temporarily blinded in the dimmer light. She then saw that autumn leaves and gold ribbons festooned the ends of the pews as she walked down the aisle. The church was teeming with local families who had come to see her married, but Aunt Beatrice was the only family member to occupy the front pews. Percival walked at a faster pace than she was comfortable with, and she knew that this was making her limp more pronounced. She looked to the front of the church, and there was Lord Chantry with Robert Bright beside him watching her progress towards them.

  Lord Chantry was attired in tight fitting brown breeches, superfine jacket and boots that shone from polishing. Miriam’s heart quickened and she wondered anew at how she came to be marrying such a handsome man. Robert Bright, who stood next to him, was also dressed very finely, and Miriam could understand why Lucy was attracted to him.

  She was pleased to see that Lord Chantry was looking into her face as she approached and not watching her legs as she limped along. He smiled at her reassuringly and she tentatively returned his smile. It seemed he did not have any doubts.

  Vincent did not have any doubts. Miriam looked beautiful and he could not wait to take her hand from Percival’s arm. The damn fellow was almost dragging her down the aisle. He, Vincent, would cherish and protect her.

  When Miriam joined Vincent at the front of the church, Percival, abruptly pulled his arm free, causing her to lose her balance. Seeing this, Vincent quickly and gently took her arm.

  A hush fell over the congregation.

  “Dearly beloved.”

  The clergyman began the short service, and before long the vows had been exchanged and they were man and wife. When Vincent bent and brushed a kiss against her mouth, Miriam was surprised and her breath caught in her throat.

  For a moment, like a fool, she had imagined that the kiss had been a genuine show of affection, but then she realized he had kissed her because the congregation expected it. Recovering herself, she played her part and smiled up at him before taking his arm to leave the church. She found Lord Chantry far kinder than Percival, as he matched his pace to hers while they slowly walked back down the aisle and into the autumn sunlight.

  Vincent was smiling. He had noted Miriam’s surprised reaction to his kiss and was looking forward to finding the next opportunity to repeat the experience.

  Once outside the church Miriam was surrounded by people she knew and liked, all local families wishing her well. She was eventually drawn away by the countess, who said that it was time they got into the carriages to return to Blackwood Hall for the wedding breakfast.


  Rose petals rained down on Miriam and Vincent as they made their way to the waiting carriages. The first carriage was for them; it was an open carriage so the crowd of people could see them and wave them on their way. By the time they were ready to climb into the carriage, Miriam’s legs were aching so badly she was not sure if she could manage the step. She was aware that she was leaning quite heavily on Lord Chantry, but he did not appear to have noticed, or if he did he did not show it.

  Vincent had noticed, however, and to Miriam’s surprise, instead of giving her his hand to help her ascend as she expected, he put his hands around her waist, picked her up and lifted her into the carriage. She was not heavy and he enjoyed the feel of her—his wife—in his arms. He jumped up nimbly behind her and guided her safely onto the seat before seating himself next to her.

  Miriam was grateful for this kindness but felt suddenly shy and did not know how to express her gratitude, so sat quietly. The onlookers, however, appeared to enjoy this display and clapped and whooped their approval.

  “I think people will expect us to wave and return their greetings as we leave,” Vincent gently prompted, and for the crowd’s benefit—and his own pleasure—he planted a sound kiss on Miriam’s cheek.

  Flustered and blushing, Miriam breathlessly answered, “Yes…yes. I am sorry, my lord, I am so tired I was not thinking.” Removing her hand from the kissed cheek she joined him in waving and smiling at the people lining the road to shout their congratulations. Vincent produced a bag of coins, which he threw to the well-wishers.

  “You really must practice calling me by my first name now that we are married,” Vincent gently chided her. Miriam did not really hear this as she was still pondering the kisses; how soft his lips had felt and how she hoped he would kiss her again.

  When they arrived at Blackwood Hall, Vincent handed Miriam out of the carriage in a more conventional fashion. The countess had a wonderful wedding breakfast prepared for the small gathering of close friends and family who had returned to the Hall. Miriam and Vincent did not linger following the meal, as Vincent hoped to manage the journey to Maudley Castle in two days.

  Lucy became quite tearful as the time came for her friend to leave. “I will miss you, Miriam. Please take good care of yourself and write to me often,” she said between sobs.

  “I will miss you, too,” Miriam told her, and her own eyes were now full of unshed tears.

  “Will it be possible for Lucy to come and visit me in Yorkshire?” Miriam asked of both Vincent and the countess. “I will not know anyone and I would so look forward to it if she could come,”

  “I think that would be a splendid idea,” Vincent responded. “I will have to return to London to reopen my house before Christmas, and it would be good for you to have some company.”

  “I would love to come!” Lucy exclaimed. She turned to Robert. “Will you be in Yorkshire?”

  Robert smiled as he gave Lucy the answer she wanted to hear. “If I know you will be there, I most certainly will make the journey home. My mother is always lamenting my absence and I am sure she will be pleased to see me.”

  “I would be pleased to see you, also,” replied Lucy, who blushed prettily as she realized how forward she was being. The countess looked at her daughter and raised an eyebrow, causing Miriam to smile.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Maudley Castle

  They travelled to Yorkshire in a covered carriage, and Vincent’s valet, Mason, and Miriam’s maid, Susan, followed in a separate carriage with their luggage. Miriam wore a warm cloak and kept her feet warm on heated bricks. A travelling blanket over her knees provided additional warmth.

  Vincent planned to reach the town of Bawtry by the early evening and spend the night at the White Swan Inn. If needed, they could have a short break somewhere along the way to refresh themselves and rest the horses. At Vincent’s request, Miriam told him a little about her childhood and home life, and how close she and her father had been right up to day he died. Vincent sympathized with the loss of her father, as he, too, had lost his father recently.

  “How both our situations have altered in the last months!” sighed Miriam. Vincent solemnly nodded his agreement.

  They stopped at a local hostelry about three hours into their journey to stretch their legs and have a drink and some cake before continuing on their way. It wasn’t long before darkness began to fall.

  Miriam pulled the travelling blanket more tightly around her as the temperature dropped. She looked across at Vincent, seated opposite her, and saw that he had fallen asleep. This gave her the opportunity to study his features without embarrassment. His wavy, light-brown hair fell just short of his shoulders, and his eyelashes were thick and brown. His nose, she noticed for the first time, had a slight bump in the middle, but did not distract from his looks in any way. His mouth was relaxed and his lips were parted slightly as he breathed. Her gaze next travelled down his body, and she admired his broad shoulders and muscular arms. His thighs were well defined through his tight breeches. Just looking at him made her pulse quicken. It still seemed incredulous that she had become the wife of such a fine man. What a pity the marriage was to be in name only.

  Miriam quickly averted her eyes when he shifted his body, but listening to his gentle breathing, she realized he had not awoken. She let her thoughts wander through the recent, remarkable events in her life, what the future may have in store and drifted into sleep herself. The next thing knew she was awakened by Vincent softly calling her name. They had arrived at the White Swan Inn in Bawtry, and she was surprised to find it was almost nine o’ clock.

  Vincent had sent Mason and Susan on ahead to ensure their rooms were ready prior to their arrival. When they were introduced at the inn as Lord and Lady Chantry, the enormity of what she had done suddenly struck Miriam. She began to panic about the sleeping arrangements their servants had made on their behalf. She tugged at Vincent’s sleeve to attract his attention.

  Vincent had anticipated her concern. “We’ve had a long, tiring day, Miriam, and so I have arranged for us to have separate rooms tonight. I thought it would be better if we shared our first night together as man and wife in the comfort of Maudley Castle.” He met her gaze. “Do you agree to this, my love?” The endearment was added for the benefit of their onlookers, as was the way he took her hand and, with a flourish, raised it to his lips in an extravagant display of affection.

  “I think that is an excellent plan,” Miriam replied, “especially since it is late and we have to make such an early start tomorrow.” She gave him a shy smile for the benefit of those watching.

  Susan accompanied her to her room and helped her to wash and get ready for bed before finding her own accommodation. Miriam did not think she would sleep a wink that night with so much having happened that day, but she fell asleep almost the moment her head touched the pillow. In what seemed like no time at all, it was time to get up, dress and eat breakfast, then set off on the last leg of their journey.

  The weather was equally chilly that day. About two hours into the journey Vincent noticed that Miriam was trembling with the cold.

  “Take my blanket—I am warm enough,” he offered, giving up his own travelling blanket.

  Th-th-thank you,” Miriam replied through chattering teeth.

  Vincent took his time carefully tucking his blanket around Miriam’s knees. When he saw her cheeks redden, he wondered if she was blushing at his touch or just feeling warm from his blanket.

  “We will have the bricks reheated when we stop for lunch,” he promised.

  “Tell me what Maudley Castle is like,” Miriam said. She was now feeling more comfortable and wanted to become acquainted with some facts about her future home.

  “You may be disappointed,” Vincent said. “It is not as gracious and well-appointed as Charlwood House, although the lands and estate are probably about the same size, maybe a little bigger. The castle was first built in the 1400s to enable the first earls of Chantry to defend their lands. Over the year
s successive ancestors of mine added to the castle in a fairly ad hoc style as the fashions and trends of the times dictated. Some parts are almost Gothic in appearance; inside though, the rooms are comfortable. We keep large fires alight in each room for most of the year, as the Yorkshire climate can be somewhat harsh.” He saw that Miriam was paying close attention to all these details.

  “I hope I’m not painting a bleak picture, even though I prefer my time in London,” continued Vincent. “I do love my ancestral home, and the grounds and surrounding countryside are particularly beautiful. I just did not want you to be expecting the castle to look like those described in romantic novels.”

  When Vincent told her about his mother and his younger brother, Charles, who was studying at Oxford University but came home during the holidays, Miriam asked, “How do you think your mother will find me? I need you to tell me the truth about this. It is only fair that I know what to expect.” She was beginning to feel a little anxious about meeting her mother-in-law.

  “My mother did know before I left Yorkshire that I had asked for your hand and that if you accepted me, we would be married. I cannot pretend that she was happy,” warned Vincent. “I think she always felt that she would choose my intended, and to this end, has been parading eligible young ladies in front of me for many months. When my father died she expected that I would settle for one of our neighbour’s daughters, but the particular young lady she had in mind did not appeal to me.”

  “So did she try to dissuade you from marrying me? Did you tell her the true nature of your proposal?” asked Miriam.

  “She had a similar reaction to your aunt and cousin, and seemed to think I had been obliged to offer for you. Rest assured, I put her straight on this and made it clear that I had offered because I simply wished to marry you,” explained Vincent. “She certainly does not know the nature of our arrangement and she will not find it out from me. I intend that, other than Robert and Lucy, who know otherwise, people will believe we married because of our affection and regard for each other.”