Jenny was surprised that Andrew was not here to meet them. Forrester bowed before her. He was momentarily fazed by the animal in Beth’s arms, as she introduced him. “Ladies. Welcome home, Miss Harrismith.” His expression remained as impassive as ever, but she caught a twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps the footman can take the dog to the stables for now?”
“Yes, Beth. Until Horace is bathed he must remain there,” Jenny said.
“You will give him a good meal of meat first?” Beth asked, clutching the dog to her breast.
“Rest assured it will be done, Miss Beth.”
Forrester snapped his fingers, and the footman took the dog from Beth’s reluctant arms. “We shall take good care of him, miss,” George said.
Forrester cleared his throat. “Miss Harrismith, an upstairs maid, Susan, will attend you and awaits you in your bedchamber. Mrs. Pollitt has placed you all in the guests’ wing. I trust you’ll find it satisfactory.” He signaled to the footman. “Take the ladies up, Jeremy.”
“We will go to the schoolroom, Forrester,” Jenny said, pulling off her gloves and handing her coat and bonnet to a footman. “Are the children there?”
“With the new governess, my lady.”
“I shall go directly to my room,” her aunt said. “I need to wash off the travel dust.” She cast a frown at Beth. “And I trust it is only dust.”
“Certainly, Lady Naughton,” Forrester said smoothly. “Your maid has been sent to the servant’s quarters. She will join you directly.”
When Jenny and her sisters entered the schoolroom, a small, neatly dressed, red-haired woman leaned over the table as the children wrote in their books. William and Barbara looked up and saw her. Barbara squealed.
William pushed back his chair and greeted Jenny with a formal bow. The young heir had adopted an air of consequence, which she suspected hid the hurt he suffered at what he must feel was her betrayal. Her heart went out to him, but aware of his pride, she must deal gently with him.
“Jenny!” With a sob in her voice, Barbara cast herself onto Jenny’s breast.
Jenny kissed the little girl’s cheek streaked with tears. “Now, is that the way to behave, Barbara? You must introduce me to your new governess.”
“I should like you to meet Miss Wagstaff, Miss Harrismith,” William said stiffly.
The governess’ smooth round face bore a pleasant expression. She came forward to greet them. “How do you do, Miss Harrismith?”
“I am sorry to interrupt your lessons, Miss Wagstaff. We shan’t stay above a few minutes. Please meet my sisters, Miss Arabella Harrismith and Miss Elizabeth Harrismith.”
After the introductions, Beth bent and whispered to Barbara something that made the little girl giggle. William overheard her and edged closer. “You brought a dog with you, Miss Beth?”
“Yes, Horace is a new member of the family. I shall introduce you to him when he has had his bath.”
“And has your hedgehog left home?” William had begun to look more like the young William, Jenny knew, as his stiff formality dropped away.
“Yes, Heggie has returned to the woods. But I must tell you about Geoffrey when we meet again. Geoffrey is my otter cub.”
“An otter? Oh yes, I should like that,” William said, grinning.
“If Miss Wagstaff will please bring you to the yellow salon at four o’clock, we shall have tea and a lovely long chat,” Jenny said. “I must speak to your father.”
“Will you come and visit the kittens, Jenny?” Barbara asked. “They’ve missed you.”
“Have they, poppet? I am sorry. Shall we go to the stables after tea and you can meet Horace?” She hoped the dog would not upset the kittens.
“You and the duke must not meet, Jenny,” Bella said as they were shown to their bedchambers. “It’s bad luck when the wedding is tomorrow.”
Jenny laughed. “I don’t hold with superstition, Bella.”
“Oh? Then why did you sew a blue ribbon onto your best petticoat and borrow my pearl hair comb?”
“Oh, very well.” Jenny laughed and tucked her hand into her sister’s arm. “I don’t see how we can avoid Andrew at dinner. Must we eat in the kitchen?”
“I hadn’t considered that,” Bella said.
“And I need to discuss the wedding guests with him. He must accompany me when I meet the staff.”
“But haven’t you met them?” Beth asked in surprise.
“Not as their new mistress.” The prospect unnerved her. She needed Andrew at her side before she faced them. Where was he?
The question was answered as she was directing Susan with the unpacking of her trunk. Andrew knocked and strode in. One gesture sent the maid scurrying from the room. “Jenny, I didn’t expect you for another hour.”
“You can thank your coachman, fine horses and postilions for a swift journey,” she said with an impish smile. She gazed up into his beloved face. “Bella will disapprove, I am not supposed to see you until tomorrow.”
“Did she? Then we shan’t tell her.” He drew her into his embrace and nuzzled her neck. “My best man, John Strathairn, and Lady Sibella arrive today, as does my cousin, Raymond, and his mother, my Aunt Augusta who wishes to meet Lady Naughton. With your pretty sisters, we shall enjoy a lively pre-wedding dinner party.”
“Beth is only thirteen,” she said sternly. “And Bella is not yet out.”
He planted small kisses across her cheek and took her mouth in a passionate kiss, leaving her breathless. “We have no such rules at Castlebridge,” he murmured huskily.
She laughed and drew away from him while attempting to ignore her desire to draw him close. “You are in my bedchamber, sir. I believe it shall be required of me to set a few rules.”
A smile tugged his lips. “And here I am thinking I’m marrying an angel, when it appears I’ll get a strict schoolmarm instead.”
She placed her hands on his waistcoat and gazed up into his smiling eyes. “We shall see, Your Grace.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Will we? I find I can hardly wait.” He cast a brief glimpse at the bed. “A few steps and we might find out now.”
“Andrew!” She grinned and pushed at his chest.
He sighed heavily. “Very well. I am a patient man. Or will have to be at any rate.”
“Yes. Especially with my Aunt Leonora in the next room.”
He held up a hand. “I am leaving. But first tell me, have you seen the children?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “It might take William a while to forgive me.”
He smiled. “An hour or two, perhaps.”
“I do hope so. He was beginning to thaw a little,” she admitted. “And I like what I’ve seen of the new governess.”
“Yes, she isn’t you, but the next best thing, perhaps. And William’s tutor begins in a few days.”
“And Nurse Green?”
“She has mellowed, a little nervous at first, I suspect. The children will grow accustomed to her, and of course, they have a mother’s love to protect them.”
And she would be checking on Miss Green to make sure the children were happy and contented with their nurse. In fact, she would be there so often, Miss Green would undoubtedly lose patience with her.
“You have yet to introduce me to your staff, Andrew.”
“You shall meet them all tomorrow, after the wedding. As my Duchess.”
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed. “Yes, of course.”
“You shall make a very lovely and regal duchess.” He lowered his head for another brief kiss, then stepped back away from her. “I am leaving, Jenny.” He pulled open the door, threw her a kiss, and was gone.
Jenny sank down onto the bed as warmth flooded through her. She dwelt for several pleasurable minutes on her betrothed before Susan returned. If he’d stayed much longer, her defenses would have weakened, and then where would they be? Such a devastatingly attractive man she was marrying, could she hope to be everything he wanted in a wife?
She shook her head, ann
oyed with herself for woolgathering, and rose when Susan knocked. There was much to do, her father and the boys would be arriving this afternoon. She must ensure their needs were well taken care of although she had little doubt they would be.
After tea, Beth, Bell, and the children walked to the stables. When they entered they were met with a surprise. Horace was lying on the straw with a kitten clinging to his neck and another playing with his shaggy tail. “It seems he’s being made welcome,” Bella said with a laugh.
*
As Andrew made his way down the great staircase, through the long window, a carriage drew up at the door. Two young lads, and the eldest boy, Jarred, alighted with their father. The Baron gazed around as he unbuttoned his coat. Andrew continued his descent determined to make him welcome.
He was greeted first by Charlie. “I’d like to visit the stables, Your Grace,” he said without preamble. “I bet you’ve got some prime bloods.”
“Indeed I do, Charlie.” He held out his hand to Baron Wetherby. “Welcome to Castlebridge, Baron. I trust you had a pleasant journey?”
The baron shoved his gloves in his pocket and shook Andrew’s hand. “Good day, Your Grace. Carriage journeys are never what one might call pleasant, but here we are without mishap.”
“Your daughters arrived an hour ago. They will be taking tea in the yellow salon at four. But a footman will direct you to them should you wish to see them now.”
Wetherby shrugged out of his greatcoat and handed it and his hat to a footman. “Might we first have a word in private, Duke?”
“Certainly.” Andrew turned. “George, take Master Charles and Master Edmond to the stables. I believe William is there and I know he’s eager to meet them.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jarred said, revealing a shared interest in horseflesh.
“Please come this way, Baron.”
In the library, Andrew poured them both a glass of claret, and directed the baron to an armchair. It appeared the man had something to say.
Wetherby accepted the glass of wine with a nod of thanks. “I took my sons to London for a treat before we came here,” he said. “Put up at Kirkham’s Hotel, in Brook Street for a couple of nights, quite enjoyed it, as did the boys. I visited Bow Street Magistrate’s Court and made a few inquiries.”
“Learn anything?”
“Indeed I did. I discovered the truth of your claim concerning Judd.” He took a long swig of his wine and his pale face warmed a little. “I was appalled, and must apologize to you, for doubting you. I simply had no idea, Judd was always so obliging, I’d never seen any evidence there was violence in the man.”
“No need to apologize to me, Baron, but you might wish to do so, to Jenny,” Andrew said.
“Yes, I will, of course. After the wedding. Such discussions have no place here.”
He took another deep sip. “It’s relieved my mind that my heir will attend Oxford. In fact, I’ve changed my opinion on a number of matters.” He drank the last dregs in his wine glass and put it down. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will freshen up and then seek out my daughters. They are all at the stables?”
“Yes, meeting the new acquisition?”
“A horse?”
“No, a dog. Rather a ramshackle animal, apparently. Beth saved it from being run over and brought it down from London.”
“Oh, good heavens!” The baron threw back his head and laughed. “I do apologize for my daughter, Your Grace!”
Andrew grinned. “No need.” He rose with a half bow. “I will see you at dinner. We have quite a party.”
“Oh?” Wetherby nodded with a pleased smile. “I shall look forward to it.”
Chapter Thirty
As she arranged the shawl collar on her new morning gown of white muslin with pale blue dots, and tied the frilled cuffs, Jenny gazed out the window of her bedchamber. Her view took in the stables, and part of the carriageway where it emerged from the park, bordered by the fringe of home wood. She gasped when Bella hurried into sight. Carrying a portmanteau, she ran across the lawn and crossed the carriageway. A moment later, she disappeared into the trees.
Jenny’s heart sank. She quickly finished dressing and left her bedchamber. Ten minutes later, she hurried across the lawns after her sister. Where was Bella off to? Had she left them without a word? Jenny refused to believe her sister would do such a thing. They had always been close; why keep this from her?
She reached the trees, and holding up her skirts, dashed along the bridle path. Voices reached her. When Jenny emerged into a small glade, Bella stood with Glyn, their handsome brown-eyed neighbor from Yorkshire, his arms around her.
Over Bella’s head, Glyn met Jenny’s angry gaze with a look of dismay.
Bella swung around.
“You are eloping,” Jenny cried. “You would leave the day before my wedding? Without a word? Don’t you trust me, Bella?”
Bella left Glyn and ran to her. “No, that’s not how it is, Jenny! We plan to go tomorrow after the wedding. I didn’t want to upset you before then. I’m just here to give Glyn my bag.”
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Bella?” Jenny asked, fearing for her sister.
“Yes, we…”
Loud voices erupted from the direction of the carriageway. Bella turned to Glyn. “You must go!”
His face set, Glyn shook his head. “I won’t leave you, my love.”
Moments later, Charlie, Edmond and William appeared.
Charlie hurried up to them. “What has happened? We saw you from the stable yard.”
“It’s not important, Charlie,” Bella said impatiently, “I just wanted to talk to Glyn.”
“But you have a portmanteau with you,” Edmond observed. “Are you going away with Glyn, Bella?”
“She is not,” came an angry voice. They all spun around as Papa emerged into a shaft of sunlight.
“Papa…” Bella took two steps toward him. “It’s not Glyn’s fault. I had to see him.”
Glyn gently moved her aside. “Milord, we wish to marry, and because you refuse, we plan to elope.”
“Arabella has not come of age. I could have you thrown into jail.”
“Oh, Papa, you wouldn’t,” Jenny said. “You must understand their feelings. You were in love once.”
He blinked at her. “Once? Once? I will always love your mother, girl, and don’t you forget it! But we did things in the proper manner.”
While he stood scowling at them, Bella returned to stand by Glyn. She held his arm. “You won’t stop us, Papa.”
He shook his head. “I certainly could if I chose to, Bella. Come to the house, Glyn. We need to talk.”
Astonished, Jenny gazed at her sister, then they followed their father through the trees, the boys running ahead.
An hour later, when Andrew joined them in the salon for tea, the matter had been settled. Bella and Glyn would marry next year, on her eighteenth birthday. Glyn was to stay at Castlebridge for the wedding and then return home to tell his parents the news. Bella was floating on air.
Jenny couldn’t wait to tell Andrew. It seemed as if Castlebridge had wrought some magic. Something of great importance had happened to her family. But it was ultimately Andrew who brought it about. The miraculous change in her father could only be put down to his improved finances, and the heavy burden removed from his shoulders. Papa accepted that Bella would soon be gone, and Beth would remain here with her. He also gave them details of his plan to employ more staff and improve the lot of his tenants, so the estate would be in a sound position when it came time for Jarred to inherit. In the meantime, Jarred would return home during the long university holidays to learn the many things he would need to know.
That evening, Bella preferred to dine with Glyn, Jarred, Beth, and the boys, while the guests ate in the dining room, an elegant room with walls painted pale green with scrolling vines, and the floor covered in a patterned Axminster carpet. A chandelier sent down dancing lights from the high ceiling, the long table cover
ed in starched white linen and laid with sparkling crystal, porcelain, and silverware and flowers. A merry fire crackled in the marble fireplace, footmen and the butler standing ready to serve them.
Jenny’s father appeared to enjoy the company of the amusing guests, which he had long denied himself. Jenny finally met the Marquess of Strathairn and his beautiful dark-haired wife, Sibella, who had the most beautiful emerald green eyes Jenny had ever seen. What a delightful couple they were. The big, fair-haired man exuded a calm strength. Jenny was so grateful to him for saving her life, but he swept away her attempts to thank him. Aunt Leonora and Lady Augusta seemed to get on famously. The French Baron was warm and charming, his wife, Hetty, a vivacious red-head, had invited Jenny to one of her poetry readings in London. The Montsimon’s quite obviously still very much in love.
Then the covers were brought in, bringing delicious aromas to blend with the scents of beeswax and the floral arrangements placed about the room, and Andrew caught and held her gaze from where he sat at the head of the table, flanked by the two older ladies. Jenny had worn her new evening gown of light green silk with alternating bands of satin and taffeta, cut in a low square at the neck with a tight bodice, and her diamonds. When Andrew’s eyes conveyed his impatience to be with her, Jenny lost the thread of her conversation with the vicar who expressed how delighted he was to be marrying them in the Castlebridge chapel, which had always been a wish of his.
“And I look forward to many baptisms,” he said, slightly flushed from the wine and champagne, and earning a frown from his wife.
The morning of the wedding dawned cool and fine. Beyond Jenny’s window, the sky was a wide expanse of gray-blue. The rattle of another guest’s carriage arriving at the stable block, sent excitement, and a quiver of nerves down her spine.
Surprisingly, she had slept well. She sat at her dressing table and drank her chocolate and nibbled on a warm roll, her mind on the wedding. The preparations for the ceremony and the wedding breakfast were swiftly accomplished as if by invisible elves, the servants slipping out of sight into the many passages in the old house. Susan described the delicious food Cook had prepared for the wedding breakfast as she laid out Jenny’s wedding gown. “Your dress is very pretty, Miss Harrismith, it will suit you.”
Regency Scandals and Scoundrels Collection Page 70