“Join me for breakfast, Miss Fortescue, and you will repay me completely.’
Amelia happily complied. Afterwards, Mr Wells insisted on organising for her bandbox to be brought downstairs and handing her into the coach himself. He greeted their fellow travellers as old friends, and conversation flowed during the remainder of their journey.
The coach arrived in Bath later in the morning. Even in the wintery light, the town’s pale stone buildings glowed.
Mr Wells assisted Amelia from the coach and asked, “May I escort you to your great-aunt, Miss Fortescue? Or shall I engage a sedan chair for you?”
“My great-aunt resides in Royal Crescent. I shall walk if you would lend me your company.”
“May I carry your luggage then?”
She looked at the valise and the walking stick in his hand. “I think you have quite enough to carry already, Mr Wells.”
“Then take my arm.”
Mr Wells stepped briskly up the incline away from the coaching inn. After all the hours in the crowded vehicle, he seemed somewhat stiffer in his gait than he had on their first meeting.
“May I enquire how you injured your leg?”
“Ah, you’ve noticed that I’m a little sore in one leg. It’s pesky injury that’s on the mend now, Miss Fortescue.”
She halted them half way around the crescent. They had reached her aunt’s door. He released her arm and climbed the few steps to ply the door knocker.
Her aunt’s butler answered. His impassive face registered no surprise at seeing a strange gentleman before him. “Sir, how may I assist you?” Then his gaze reached her, and his face lit with a surprised but welcoming smile. “Miss Fortescue. Are you expected? I thought you were with your parents in London.”
“I was, Symes, but I’ve come to spend Christmas with Aunt Lavinia. How could I not?”
“I’m sure you will be very welcome.” He held the door wide for them to enter, and led them to ground-floor parlour.
Before Symes could knock and announce them, Amelia said, “Let me surprise her.” Followed by Mr Wells, she hurried into the timber-panelled room and her aunt’s gasp was her reward.
“Amelia, what a pleasure! Are your parents here, too?”
“No! I left them a note.”
“A note?” She blinked at her grand-niece. “What has happened?”
“It was as you suspected. They tried to marry me off. It was all organised—a Christmas wedding to a man I’d never met—an older man, maimed, and a son of a city banker. I escaped as soon as I could.” She nodded towards her accomplice, who stood in the doorway, leaning heavily on his cane and looking uneasy. “With Mr Wells’ assistance, and his escort, I’ve travelled by coach from near Wellworth Park.”
Aunt Lavinia’s eyes travelled to the stranger. The frown of confusion on her brow deepened. Her clear blue eyes traversed from his dishevelled dark hair down his crumpled, but well-made clothes, to his scuffed top boots. “Mr Wells, you say?” Her left eyebrow lifted in question.
“I’m delighted to meet you again, Lady Lavinia.”
Her eyebrow flicked higher. “You have the better of me, Mr Wells.”
“I believe we met last winter at the Bath Assemblies.” He bowed.
Aunt Lavinia’s bearing still starchy, she said, “Ah yes, I recall as much. You were on the hunt for a wife. Were you successful?”
The corner of his mouth lifted to form a crooked smile. “Alas, no. I’ve been singularly unsuccessful in that aspect of my life.”
“And do you think you will be any more successful soon?” Her voice could not have been more emotionless but her face showed open speculation.
“I would like to think so, Lady Lavinia, but as yet, I can hardly hope. Young ladies seem very discerning these days.”
“Hmmm.” She turned her attention back to Amelia. “My dear, you should go to your room and freshen up. I think you’ll find everything as you left it. I’ll send a maid with hot water.”
Amelia turned to Mr Wells. “Thank you and farewell.” Now that they were parting, she was tongue-tied from unexpected timidity. She gave him a small smile and curtsied. If only there was a reason for him to stay longer in Bath than he had planned.
Chapter 4
Once Amelia departed, Adam turned to Lady Lavinia, who said in her starchy way, “And now, Major Wellworth … or should I call you Mr Wells? How do you come to be escorting my grand-niece across England? Presumably without her parents’ knowledge, but with the hope of marriage as the outcome? And why the pseudonym? Why keep your identity from Amelia?”
“Miss Fortescue and her parents were invited to my home for Christmas, so that I could become acquainted with her.”
“Had you not met her beforehand?” Lady Lavinia was as direct as ever.
“I had seen her before, but her parents would not permit my introduction without a declaration of my marital intentions.”
She pulled a disgusted face. “You surprise me.” Sarcasm dripped like sour beer from her words. “So, before you had any idea of the nature of my grand-niece, you were required to practically sign pre-marital papers. Did you not think that was unusual?”
“I did, but I’m not experienced with the ways of the aristocracy in these matters.” And I doubt I ever shall be. “Shall I continue?”
She waved a hand. “Proceed with your tale.”
“I thought the best way to get to know Miss Fortescue, and allow her to see me as I really am, was in my home, where everyone could be relaxed. My parents were also joining me for Christmas, so there was no thought of impropriety and certainly not of immediate marriage.”
She gave him a long look. “I understand your reasoning.”
He inclined his head. “But it appears that Miss Fortescue’s parents told her during the journey to Wellworth Park that she was to marry me and that meeting me was a mere formality, it was all decided. And it was to be a Christmas wedding to boot.” Damn their interference!
She shook her head. “Aah. They were not subtle, were they? I see now why Amelia has come to me. She has far too much backbone and force of personality to meekly acquiesce to the outrageous dictates of her parents.”
“I believe her behaviour was assisted by your giving her sufficient money to always be able to make a coach ride to you, no matter where in England she might find herself needing to escape her parents’ machinations.” I don’t know whether to condemn you for enabling her run from me or thank you for inadvertently giving us time alone together.
The elderly lady drew herself up very straight in her chair. “Do I detect a note of disapprobation?”
He leaned upon his cane to ease his aching leg. “You do not! Having met the parents and seen how they treat her when it comes to her choice of a marriage partner—the most important decision of her life—I believe you read them correctly and acted rightly,” he said.
Aunt Lavinia gave him the first smile of any warmth in their exchange. “Young man, take a seat. I believe you have been standing on that damaged leg of yours far too long.”
Adam took the chair to which he was directed.
“And why are you interested in Amelia? You’re not short of money, so I’m assuming you want to link your family’s name with that of an old one.”
“I care nothing for that! I can assure you my interest in Miss Fortescue is sincere. I approached Baron Fortescue about courting her after she engaged my interest from afar. She is extremely attractive and unaffected.”
“From afar? That’s hardly plausible.” Scepticism was written on her lined face.
Adam continued with his explanation as though Aunt Lavinia hadn’t interrupted. “But now that I’ve had the opportunity to spend hours in her company, and in some quite unpleasant circumstances, I feel that I’ve seen enough of her character to warrant my attraction. From my brief time with Miss Fortescue, I am in imminent danger of falling in love with her.”
“Hmm.” Lady Lavinia picked up her lorgnette from the table beside her and held it
before her eyes to examine him in close detail. He didn’t flinch. She put the eyeglasses down carefully, and said, “Now, Major, tell me how you plan to land the prize trout that is my grand-niece.”
“That is not the way I would talk of her, Lady Lavinia.”
She waved his words away. “You know what I mean. She is a prize—she’s a charming young woman with a brain in her head, unlike so many others with just cotton wool between their ears.”
He suppressed a smile. “I ascribe that state of being to the fact that you raised her, Lady Lavinia.”
“So do I! What it will mean, of course, is that you will have to spend some time wooing my Amelia. She will want to see that you’re genuine in your affections, not just wanting a vehicle to climb the social ladder. Show her that you’re not a gambler like her father. And that you’re—”
“Not an old cripple?”
“She said that, did she?”
“It was the main reason that she fled Wellworth Park.”
“How did you come to meet her then?”
He briefly explained the circumstances of their accidental meeting. “She revealed that she was escaping Wellworth Park as her parents were trying to marry her off to the aging derelict who owned it.”
“Not a pleasant way to find out what your intérêt amoureux thinks of you.”
“Indeed.” He remembered how his heart had sunk at her words.
“However, I can see that she now regards you in quite a different light.”
“Can you?” I find that hard to believe, but I hope you’re right. The beat of his heart pounded in his ears.
“You can’t see it?”
He shook his head. “No, I do not.”
She threw up her hands in disbelief.
“Pardon my cynicism.” A brief nod accompanied his words.
“You don’t know her as I do, so you need to believe me, and you need to act as though I am correct.” She wagged a finger in support of her words.
“Do I pull her into my arms and kiss her, or drop to one knee and propose?”
“Neither, young man. Mark my words. Not yet.”
“So, what ought I do?”
“Spend time with her. Let her see that you are more than your age and your war injury. Christmas is but days away. As I see it, you have two choices—you may spend Christmas here in Bath or we can all return to Wellworth Park.”
He traced his fingers along the smooth length of the cane that lay across his lap. “If we return to my estate, there will be her parents to contend with, who already have pressed her about marrying me. At the same time, if we stay here, it will mean that both my parents and hers are left alone at Wellworth Park at Christmastime, which seems callous.”
“If you explained to your parents your reasons for deserting them this Christmas, would they condemn you or encourage you in your mission?”
“I have no doubt they would excuse me, for the sake of winning Miss Fortescue’s affections.”
“Excellent. And I think you should have no qualms about abandoning Amelia’s parents. I’m sure they will enjoy living the high life over Christmas, at your expense, especially as they’re secure in the knowledge that their daughter is with you. That is more than enough of a seasonal present for them.”
He gave a brief laugh in appreciation of her character assessment. “However, I will need to return home for the New Year’s Eve ball I’m hosting. I hope you and Miss Fortescue will join me on the return journey and stay for some time at Wellworth Park?”
“I would be delighted. But Amelia can make up her own mind. For now, let us plan our Christmas activities. I’m looking forward to it enormously. I’ve missed having my Amelia around this last year. Where are you staying in Bath?”
“At The Christopher.”
“You shall sleep there, but during the remainder of each day you will be here or escorting Amelia around the town.”
There’s nothing I’d rather do. “I look forward to it.” He stood and bowed.
“Return tomorrow morning, Major. You can start your campaign then.”
He had this one chance to win Amelia’s affections. His chest tightened around his pounding heart as hope and trepidation warred inside him. Would he be successful?
Chapter 5
Christmas Eve
Adam arrived at an early hour and was shown into the parlour. A Yule log blazed in the fireplace. He was welcomed by both the ladies, Amelia with surprise, until her great-aunt explained that Mr Wells would be staying in Bath for a few days and had accepted her invitation to share Christmas dinner. Amelia’s smile grew wider as her relative revealed this change in plans.
Lady Lavinia clapped her hands briskly and ordered Amelia in her martial way. “Christmas is almost upon us. Today, you must decorate the house as you usually do and deliver some goods to the parish.”
“I would miss not doing so, Aunt.” She stuffed her needlework into a basket.
“Perhaps Mr Wells will have time to assist you?” Aunt Lavinia gave him an enquiring look.
He gave a brief bow in agreement. “I would be happy to.”
Amelia’s face lit up even more at this news. “Then let us start with collecting holly from the garden.”
“The Christmas boxes from the attic are already in the sitting room. Off you go. I have letters to write,” Aunt Lavinia added.
They spent the morning decorating the public rooms of the house with holly and ivy. Adam acted as Amelia’s assistant in creating long garlands of evergreen branches, then directed their fixing to the balustrade of the stairs running to the first floor. Meanwhile, footmen brought in more greenery from the rear garden for the mantelpieces.
Finally, Amelia created an old-fashioned kissing bough, which Adam hung for her in the parlour. He longed to test its powers—by kissing Amelia thoroughly as she stood beneath it—but he dared not ignore Lady Lavinia’s advice to make haste slowly in winning Amelia’s affections.
In the afternoon, Adam escorted Amelia to the church hall, where they delivered baskets of Christmas fare for the poor of the parish.
When they returned to Royal Crescent late that afternoon, the darkness of the long winter night was closing in. They found Aunt Lavinia in the foyer inspecting their decorations. “Beautiful work, my dears.”
They thanked her and passed on the vicar’s good wishes and gratitude for her benevolence.
“I must be on my way,” said Adam. He picked up his hat and walking stick from the table where the butler had laid them.
“Stay for dinner, Mr Wells. I have only my old friend and yours, Colonel Landon, joining us so we will be a cosy party,” Aunt Lavinia commanded.
His old commanding officer! A lance of anxiety twisted in Adam’s gut. Would that gentleman feel compelled to reveal Adam’s real name?
Adam accepted, as was intended, and gestured at his clothes. “I need to change first.”
“Yes, yes. You must do that,” Aunt Lavinia said. “Amelia, please fetch my paisley shawl, I feel a draft.” She watched Amelia bid Adam farewell and hurry up the stairs then said in a quiet tone, “The Colonel always arrives early. I will forewarn him of your name change.”
Relief washed through Adam. Thank goodness for Lady Lavinia’s foresight. He thanked her and departed.
Adam returned to the house in good time to share a pre-dinner wine with the ladies while they waited for the Colonel. He was exceedingly late! The knot in Adam’s stomach grew as the opportunity for Lady Lavinia to warn Colonel Landon of Adam’s quest and his deception quickly dwindled. If Amelia discovered his deception now, he would surely lose all hope of her seeing him as a desirable suitor, of engaging her affections.
Just as the butler advised Lady Lavinia that her cook was fretting about the delay of the meal, the expected guest arrived. Colonel Landon, a middle-aged gentleman with silver hair and luxuriant side-whiskers, was all gruff apologies, and stepped quickly to offer his arm to Lady Lavinia in what was clearly their practised way.
Aunt
Lavinia was clearly flustered. She pursed her lips in disapproval at his tardiness and said, “Just in time, Arthur. You know my guests, so I will forego introductions. I must avoid revolt below stairs at this busy time of year. Let us go in before my cook resigns in disgust at our lateness.”
Adam tried to gain Lady Lavinia’s attention, but she was in far too much a hurry to begin the meal.
They entered the dining room and took their places at the table, the leaves of which had been removed to make it a more suitable size for their dinner.
After seating Lady Lavinia at the head of the table and taking his own seat opposite her, Colonel Landon boomed at Amelia in his loud manner, “I look forward to catching up with your news, since your departure from Bath last New Year.”
While they ate the first course, Amelia told of the balls and entertainments she had attended during the Season.
With the clearing of the table, conversation lulled until the Colonel leaned towards Amelia and with a nod towards Adam, said in a conspiratorial way, “Dear girl, do you know who this man is? I can tell you some tales about his feats at Waterloo,”
Lady Lavinia said, a look of warning on her face. “Arthur! I think we should let Mr Wells—”
Amelia was already speaking. “Can you? I had no idea that Mr Wells had served in the army.” She gave Adam a confused and speculative look. “We only met two days ago at the coaching inn near Wellworth Park, when he saved me from the attentions of a very unsavoury local.”
The Colonel’s brow formed into ridges and furrows. “Did I hear wrongly? Mr Wells, you say? My girl, this is Major Adam Wellworth.”
“Arthur!” Lady Lavinia emitted a strangled reproach.
Aghast at Colonel Landon’s blunder, Adam’s stomach dropped to the floor as though he again faced Bonaparte’s grande batterie. The Colonel’s words felt like treachery worse than friendly fire!
“That cannot be. Major Wellworth is an older man, an invalid.” Amelia’s words were a hoarse whisper.
Lady Lavinia rapped her fan on the table, but ignoring his lady love, the Colonel ploughed on. “Don’t be silly, m’dear. Major Wellworth is this handsome young man, and if anyone called him an invalid or some such, they would be very much mistaken. I have seen him ride to hounds in the morning, drive his curricle twenty miles to Bath in the afternoon, and dance the whole evening afterwards, and I’m sure he will again after he recovers from the wound old Bony’s Imperial Guard gave him.”
Runaway Christmas Bride Page 3