by Anne Herries
‘I did not give you permission to use my name.’
‘You did not, but it is foolish to stand on ceremony, especially as I have promised to give Matt his heart’s dearest wish.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Does you brother not hanker after a commission in the cavalry—one of the best regiments?’
‘Yes, a commission in the army is his dream, but it would be expensive, for now we are not at war the officers are on half-pay. At the moment, Papa could barely afford to buy the colours, let alone give him a sufficient allowance to live comfortably. He wants Matt to enter the church, for there will be a vacant living at my uncle’s estate...what? Why do you look at me that way?’
‘Can you imagine your brother being happy as a parson?’
‘No, I think it a foolish idea of Papa’s—but what else is there for him? He must find work of some kind...unless he marries well.’
‘Yes, and when he leaves the army in a few years I shall help him find work as an estate manager or some such thing, but he may find a way of making his fortune. I believe he hopes to serve in India.’
‘But Papa cannot afford—’ Charlotte gasped. ‘No, you cannot...why should you? Papa would never accept charity.’
‘Who mentioned charity? Besides, I believe your father may agree that it would suit Matt down to the ground, when I have had the chance to speak to him at length.’
‘How could he? You are not related to us by any chance?’
‘Not to my knowledge...but I do not see that as a drawback. Indeed, it might be awkward, since I intend to become a part of your family through marriage.’
Charlotte gaped at him, her mouth falling open. ‘You will sanction Julia’s marriage to my brother? I am not at all sure that she truly wishes it...’
‘And her parents would never agree. No, Charlotte. I am intending to make your father an offer for you.’
‘No!’ The refusal sprang to her lips. ‘No, I won’t—I cannot... Why should you want to marry me? After what I’ve done— If it ever came out...’ His expression made her gasp and pause, waiting for his answer. There was amusement in his eyes, but also something more, a command that took from her the power of speech.
‘Of course, it must not become common knowledge, which is why Matt is leaving almost immediately. Harding is the sort that will not let go once he has his claws into a man. Matt will go down to my estate for a visit until I have purchased his colours. Indeed, I have to visit relatives myself quite soon—next week, I think—and we shall travel together. I shall insert a notice of our engagement in The Times before I leave.’
‘How dare you? I have not agreed and Papa will not... We hardly know you.’ She stared at him in bewilderment. ‘I cannot believe this is happening. I thought you might cut the connection—politely, of course—but you cannot want to marry a girl like me. Why should you?’
‘As well a girl with spirit as one with only milk and water in her veins,’ Jack murmured softly. ‘I shall be honest with you, Charlotte. Left to myself, I would not bother with marriage at all, for I have no great opinion of it, but my grandfather needs me to provide him with an heir. I am very fond of him and minded to oblige him. You need a fortune to clear your father’s debts and give your brother a good start in life—why not mine as well as another’s?’
Charlotte digested this in silence for a moment, then looked at him hard. He had brought the curricle to a halt and was looking at her expectantly. He knew the truth, for she had hidden nothing, yet she still felt that he could not have considered fully.
Honesty made her speak out, ‘But surely...there must be a girl more suited to the honour of being your wife and the future marchioness. Why me?’
‘Since I am being honest, I have no idea, but I think it is because you amuse me. If I married my cousin—not Julia, but another I’m being asked to inspect—or indeed any other society miss, I should be bored within a couple of weeks.’
‘How do you know it wouldn’t be the same married to me?’
‘Of course I don’t,’ he admitted but there was a gleam of mischief in his eyes now. ‘However, none of the very correct girls I’ve met would dream of climbing into a house to steal a diamond necklace...nor would they have the courage.’
‘It wasn’t truly stealing. I had to retrieve the wretched thing before Lord Harding realised it was a fake. Just think of the scandal if it had come out—’ For a moment she forgot herself as she looked at him innocently, her eyes wide and appealing to his sense of the ridiculous.
‘Enough of that, you foolish girl,’ he said and caught his breath. ‘Did it never occur to you that it would mean a far greater scandal if you were caught?’
‘I did not intend to be caught.’
‘Yet you almost were.’
‘Yes, and I have you to thank for it that I escaped.’ Charlotte drew a shaky breath. ‘I know it’s wrong to steal. I am ashamed of what I did—do you think me sunk beneath reproach?’
‘Not at all. Harding cheated your brother and therefore got his just deserts. However, if you ever try to steal from one of my friends, I shall put you across my knee and thrash you. You will not sit down for a month.’
‘How dare you!’ she cried loud enough to make a passer-by stare at them. She felt the hot sting of colour in her cheeks and lowered her voice. ‘I wouldn’t. You know I wouldn’t—how could you think it?’
‘I don’t. It was just a friendly warning.’
‘I did not need such a warning.’ She was smarting with indignation but there were people all around them, walking or driving in open carriages, and she dared not raise her voice again.
‘Well, then, we shall not fall out over it again,’ he murmured, but the challenge in his eyes made her bite her lip in frustration.
‘I wish we were alone so that I might tell you just what I think of you, sir.’
‘Call me Jack,’ he invited and smiled at her in a way that made her catch her breath. ‘After all, we are practically engaged.’
‘We are not!’
‘Oh, I see. You would prefer to marry Sir Percival or Mr Cavendish? I don’t think either of them would understand what you did the other night.’
‘You wouldn’t tell them?’
‘Would I not?’ He arched his eyebrows at her. ‘Can you be sure of that? I can be ruthless when the occasion demands.’
‘Wretch!’ Charlotte was forced to laugh. ‘I believe it would not sit well with your notion of fair play.’
‘You begin to know me,’ he murmured throatily. ‘So—do we have an arrangement? You marry me in order to please my grandfather and give me an heir—I for my part give your brother all the help I can to make his fortunes, and assist your papa to sort out his finances.’
‘Papa owes a great deal of money.’
‘Not so very much according to your brother, though he may not be privy to the whole. But I dare say it will not ruin me. Besides, there are often ways to improve a man’s fortunes without recourse to paying all his debts, but this is your father’s business and you do not need to know it all.’
‘I still do not see why you chose me. You could have any girl you wished.’
‘Then I must wish to have you, mustn’t I?’ he said with a mocking look. ‘Do not disturb yourself, Charlotte. Once engaged to marry, I shall be free of the constant plaguing of my family and, when we marry, you will have a title, as much pin money as you can spend and everything else that goes with marriage. All I ask is that you treat Grandfather kindly and give me the heir he so desires—can you do that?’
‘I... Yes, I can do that,’ Charlotte said, but avoided looking into his eyes, because she was not sure she could trust herself. This was all wrong, and yet her heart told her that she would regret it if she refused him. ‘It is very good of you, sir.’
‘Is it? I sha
ll expect you to provide heirs and entertain my friends, so the obligation is not all on your side,’ Jack said and shook his head at her, a question in his eyes. ‘Come, you must try to look like an adoring bride you know. I have proposed marriage, not an execution.’
Charlotte was provoked into laughter. ‘I am happy, sir. I think we shall be...comfortable together, but I must point out that you did not propose—you gave me an ultimatum.’
‘Not quite that,’ he murmured. ‘Forgive me, it did not occur to me that romance would be appropriate, but it was remiss of me. I shall make it up to you another day, Charlotte.’
Averting her gaze, her cheeks burning, Charlotte wondered just what she had let herself in for. It was true that she would prefer marriage to Captain Delsey to any other gentleman she knew, but could she really be happy with the arrangement he offered?
Well, she had no choice now. She had agreed to the idea, though he’d left her little choice, but how could she draw back when it would mean so much to her family? If she had doubts for her own happiness in the future, she could conceal them. After all, she must marry to suit her family, and as well a man she liked rather more than she was comfortable with as one she disliked.
As long as she did not like him too well, for if Charlotte were unwise enough to give her whole heart to this man, she might very well find it broken in a few years.
Chapter Six
‘Well, that was quick work,’ Julia whispered as she and Charlotte walked a little apart from the others at the balloon ascension. The girls had linked arms and gone a little closer to watch the preparations to prepare the large, brightly coloured bag and its basket to float into the air. ‘I knew Jack liked you, but you could have knocked me down with a feather when he came round to tell Mama and Papa the news. My eldest brother looked most put out.’
‘Oh, why? I do not think I’ve met Mr Handley, have I? Does he dislike the idea of Captain Delsey marrying beneath him?’
‘Oh, no, it would be the same whomever Jack married—and you are not beneath him, do not be silly, Charlie. You may not have a fortune, but everyone is pleased, except Reginald, because he hoped that he might inherit the title if Jack were to die before he had an heir.’
‘But surely— I thought your brother was older than Jack... He is your father’s son by his first marriage, is he not?’
‘Yes, and it was only that Jack enlisted and went off to war—he was always such a daredevil that we lived in fear of his being killed. At least most of us did. Reginald would have benefited, of course, because he is the next in line, through his mother, who was the marquis’s eldest daughter—but I should hate it. I’m fond of my cousin.’
‘Good, I’m hoping we shall see lots of each other.’
‘Yes, I also...’ Julia pulled a face. ‘I don’t know why Jack has to take your brother off to his estate. And Matt says he’s going to join the army and hopes to go out to India.’
‘It will be a good thing for him,’ Charlotte explained. ‘I know he admires you very much, Julia. I dare say he is a little in love with you, but he knows that he has no chance until he is older and has made some sort of life for himself. Your parents would never let you marry someone like Matt.’
‘I might not ask them,’ Julia said and threw her a challenging smile. ‘I could simply elope. I’ve always wanted to have adventures. I wouldn’t mind being a soldier’s wife.’
‘But India is not good for English complexions,’ Charlotte pointed out, ‘and a lot of women who do follow their husbands out there die of fevers—especially if they have children. Matt’s hope is that he can make his fortune and come back as a man of substance.’
‘But it will take years.’ Julia pulled a face at her. ‘I could never wait all that time, Charlie. I’m not patient enough. Why couldn’t Matt just be content to serve here or on the Continent?’
‘Because in peacetime he would be paid far too little to take a wife. Don’t you see, Julia—he can’t ask you to marry him yet, even if it breaks his heart to leave you behind.’
Julia pouted, a look of mutiny in her eyes. ‘If he loved me, he would not go and leave me—just when we are getting to know one another.’
‘Would you truly wish to be a serving officer’s wife? You are used to the best of everything, pretty clothes, jewels, your horses and dogs...could you give them up for his sake?’
‘I wouldn’t have to. I have a fortune in trust waiting for me when I marry. Matt doesn’t have to go away at all.’
Charlotte gave up the struggle and managed a look of sympathy. ‘It’s his pride, I suppose.’
Julia laughed and hugged her arm. ‘I know I’m being selfish,’ she said. ‘I do like him, Charlie, but it’s too soon to be sure. Are you sure you want to marry Jack?’
‘Oh, yes,’ Charlotte replied, though she did not meet Julia’s questing look. ‘It is all settled, you know. Captain Delsey asked Papa yesterday and a notice of our engagement will go into The Times next week. Mama will give a dance for me in two weeks and Matt will come up for that—and then he will join his unit.’
‘It is all happening so fast,’ Julia complained. ‘When are you to be married?’
‘I think September,’ Charlotte replied. ‘We haven’t settled the exact date yet—at least I haven’t been told.’
‘You haven’t your ring yet either.’
‘Jack said he was going to give me one of the family heirlooms for the time being and will buy me something of my own when he returns to town after his visit to the country.’
‘Well, I’m glad you’re happy,’ Julia said and sighed. ‘I just wish Matt wasn’t going away so soon.’
Charlotte could add nothing to what she’d already said, contenting herself by pointing out that the balloon was about to let go its anchor ropes.
‘Should we return to the others?’ she suggested. ‘I don’t know if anyone will want to follow the flight.’
‘Oh, I don’t,’ Julia muttered. ‘I’ve seen it before and it’s always the same. You chase the silly thing for miles and then it plops down in the middle of nowhere. I came merely to be with you and Matt, and now all he can talk of is the cavalry regiment he is to join.’
Charlotte shook her head, a ready smile on her lips. ‘There is no understanding men, is there?’
Glancing at the balloon once more, she became aware that two men were staring at her fixedly. A little shiver went down her spine as she realised that she knew them: Lord Harding and Mr Patterson. Mr Patterson appeared to be talking earnestly to his companion and they both looked at her intently.
Could Mr Patterson have recognised her? Surely not, she thought, trying to quell her sudden surge of fear. It had been dark in the park and even when he’d caught her briefly, before she kicked his shin and escaped, he could not have seen her clearly. He could not know that Miss Charlotte Stevens was the urchin that he’d seen climbing down from the window of his friend’s house, then chased into the park and across it to the far side.
She felt herself shudder, for had she not been as quick and determined, she might have been in serious trouble that night—and she still might if the truth came out. Yet it would not, because no one but Captain Delsey had seen her arrive home that night and he would not tell.
‘Are you cold?’ Julia asked, looking at her oddly.
‘No, not at all,’ Charlotte replied. ‘Someone just walked over my grave.’
‘Oh, what a horrid thought,’ Julia exclaimed. ‘I’ve heard the saying, of course, but I do not like it. I am losing Matt, I cannot lose you as well.’
‘I have no intention of going anywhere just yet,’ Charlotte said and laughed. ‘Until my marriage, of course. I do not know where we shall live then.’
‘Jack hasn’t said? He normally prefers living in town, just visits the country every now and then, his grandfather’s estate mostly. H
is mama lives there with the marquis, of course, though she has her own house in Bath. I may have told you before?’
Charlotte nodded thoughtfully. ‘I believe we are to go on a visit to Ellingham when Jack returns from his trip out of town.’
‘Yes, his maternal uncle invited him to visit, I believe, and he was promised to go—before he met you.’ Julia looked at her in awe. ‘I just cannot believe he asked you so quickly, unless it was because he was afraid he might get pushed into marrying his cousin Celia. His mama’s family, you know...she is quite an heiress, though of course Jack doesn’t need to consider money. He is quite rich enough already.’
‘Oh, perhaps that was it,’ Charlotte agreed, glancing across to where Jack sat talking with his sister, Lady Sally. His gaze was looking beyond her—at Lord Harding, she realised with a glance over her shoulder. The two men were still watching her and talking earnestly.
‘Of course it wasn’t that, silly.’ Julia squeezed her arm again. ‘He fell madly in love and was afraid you might take someone else while he was gone.’
Jack was frowning. She watched as he rose from where he’d been sitting on a rug and walked unhurriedly to meet them, her heart lurching as she looked at his face. He looked so stern. Was he wondering as she had whether Patterson had recognised her, perhaps regretting his hasty decision to ask for her in marriage?
‘Would you like to follow the balloon?’ he asked, as he came up to them. ‘Or would you prefer to drive home?’
‘Whatever you prefer,’ Charlotte said, but a collective gasp from the assembled watchers made her look towards the balloon in time to see it lift off from the ground. ‘Oh, how magnificent it looks. It must be wonderful to float through the sky like that...so free...’
‘It is a pleasant sensation,’ Jack agreed. ‘I’ve been up a few times. The landing is sometimes uncomfortable, but while you’re up there it is a good feeling.’