The Seymour Siblings (Fiona Miers' Regency boxsets Book 2)

by Fiona Miers

  “I understand,” James answered and sat upright as well. He reached out his hand to her and smiled tenderly. “Perhaps we can speak during breakfast, with Lord and Lady Dunne present, of course.”

  Kitty’s eyes widened and a wave of panic moved through her gut. “To discuss what precisely, James?”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “Not this, my lady. I simply wish to discuss the plans for our wedding.”

  A swarm of butterflies appeared in place of her panic, and the tension in her shoulders eased. “Of course, Your Grace. That would be lovely.” Kitty slid off the bed.

  She dressed herself while feeling James’s gaze on her as she moved about the chambers. Kitty held her shoes in her hands, which were still drenched from the rain, and approached the bed. She leaned closer to him and smiled. “It has truly been a pleasure, Your Grace.”

  “Indeed it has, my lady,” James murmured and kissed her on the lips. “I look forward to breakfast.”

  “As do I,” Kitty whispered, and without another word, she left his bedchamber, hoping her parents would not catch her in the dark hallways, or hear her as she entered her chambers.

  Kitty glanced inconspicuously at James and noticed the smile on his lips. Was he still thinking of their encounter in his chambers last night?

  Did he still feel her touch on his skin, as she most certainly felt his?

  Their eyes met in a brief yet powerful moment, before her mother interrupted.

  “I am delighted to hear you wish to shorten the engagement, Your Grace, but what prompted this decision?”

  “There is no need to wait, Lady Dunne. After your daughter and I went riding in the meadow, we have come to know one another quite well and it only seems fitting that we marry as soon as possible,” James answered.

  “The duke is correct. Why wait?” Lord Dunne agreed.

  “Indeed,” James answered and glanced at Kitty. “Your daughter is a wonderful young woman, and she would make an excellent wife. She has poise and grace, and is a daughter who should fill you with delight.”

  “Your words are kind,” Lady Dunne beamed. “We are utterly proud of her, and the woman she has become.”

  “As you should be,” James smiled.

  Kitty’s heart pounded in her chest as James glanced at her intently, a smoldering smile on his lips weakening her knees.

  “If I may, Your Grace,” her father interjected, “perhaps suggest a wedding nearer to Christmas. Our family normally travels to Somerset and it would be ideal.”

  Without wavering, the duke answered, “It is entirely Kitty’s decision.”

  Kitty’s jaw dropped as she glanced at James in disbelief. From the very beginning of this arrangement, she had no choice, no opinion, and no control over anything, yet James now passed the decision of when they would be married to her.

  Of course, she wished to marry him sooner than anticipated, but she was unsure of how soon.

  “Perhaps an autumn wedding would please my lady?” James suggested.

  Kitty pursed her lips and hesitated. Autumn was her most adored season. How had he guessed?

  Possibly she’d mentioned it in passing and James had remembered that small and seemingly insignificant detail?

  Kitty sighed happily and nodded. “Autumn is my favourite time of the year, Your Grace.”

  James nodded knowingly, which meant the world to Kitty, and she reciprocated the gesture.

  “With all due respect, Your Grace, I understand your wish to marry my daughter at the soonest, but is that not perhaps too soon?” Lady Dunne interjected, a scowl of disapproval on her aged face. “My daughter is still a child.”

  “I am most certainly not a child, Mother,” Kitty corrected.

  “My lady,” James said to the countess and shifted in his seat to have a better view of Lady Dunne. “I understand you and Lord Dunne have raised Kitty from the moment she came into this world, and what a fine woman she has turned out to be. For that, I thank you. As Kitty has mentioned, she is not a child any longer, and despite still being my your daughter, she is free to choose, as she will be even after we are married.”

  Lady Dunne opened her mouth to speak, but then shut it again.

  James’s opinion of her meant a great deal, and she knew she wouldn’t tire of this wonderful man to whom she had given herself.

  The moment reminded her of the tale he had told her about how his mother and father had fallen in love so quickly. She hoped she would be lucky enough to have such a long and happy life with the man she would soon marry.

  There were more moments of silence around the table, until James finally spoke. “So be it. We shall have an autumn wedding.”

  “There is certainly much for which to prepare,” Lady Dunne said.

  “Indeed,” James agreed.

  “Your Grace, could I have a word with my daughter—”

  “Whatever you wish to say, Mother, you can say to both myself and the duke,” Kitty interjected, her voice confident as she gazed at her mother.

  She was not certain if it was due to James giving her the control to decide things for herself, having had enough of her mother’s incessant demands, or perhaps both, but Kitty had not felt as powerful as this before.

  Lady Dunne pursed her lips for a moment and nodded. “Are you certain that you do not want to wait a while longer before you are married, my dear? We have mere months to prepare, and I would not wish for you to rush into this.”

  “You and Father both agreed that there was no need to wait longer. The duke and I have become well acquainted, despite what you think. I cannot begin to describe it, but he and I share something wonderful, something rare. I would not call it love yet, but there is certainly something there,” Kitty explained. “He and I will be wed in the autumn, on a beautiful day between the shedding trees, upon a carpet of leaves in hues of orange, yellow and red. We will be wed and start our life together as the Duke and Duchess of Somerset.”

  Lady Dunne swallowed quietly, as if there was something stuck in her throat, but nodded. “As you wish, my dear. The decision lays with you. Your father and I simply want the best for you.”

  Why was her mother changing her mind now? She had all but forced Kitty into this marriage from the very beginning.

  “I am aware of that, Mother, and that is why you have arranged for me to marry the duke. There is no better man,” Kitty said.

  Lady Dunne glanced at her daughter, a hint of apprehension flickering in her eyes.

  “Your words are kind, my lady,” James said and she smiled confidently at him.

  Urgent footsteps sounded on the pathway outside and Kenneth appeared at the stairs, his face flushed and his eyes panicked-stricken.

  “Your Grace,” Kenneth said. “My sincerest apologies for this abrupt intrusion, but there is something you must see.”

  “What is it, Kenneth? Is everything all right? What has happened?” James inquired.

  “There is no time, Your Grace. Please, you must come with me to the stable,” Kenneth urged.

  “Pardon me, my lord, my ladies,” James said apologetically and stood from the table.

  “I shall accompany you,” Kitty offered.

  James nodded silently, offering his hand to her.

  She took it, and he assisted her from the table and they followed Kenneth down the steps.

  Kitty turned to her parents. “I shall be careful. You have my word.”

  12

  James hastily made his way towards the stable alongside Kenneth, and Kitty followed closely behind him.

  “Your Grace,” Kitty called out to him.

  James slowed his pace, allowing her to catch up to him.

  “What on earth could have happened, James?” Kitty inquired.

  “I am not certain, but Kenneth would not be in such a state if it were not important, or serious,” James answered.

  Kenneth opened the stable doors and waited for James and Kitty to reach him.

  “Is it safe for my lady to enter?” Jame
s inquired.

  “Indeed, Your Grace, there is no danger to any one of us,” Kenneth answered.

  “Then what is the matter?” Kitty asked breathlessly.

  “It is Lord Windsor,” Kenneth answered.

  “Who is Lord Windsor? Is he family?” Kitty asked as they stepped into the stable.

  Lord Windsor, the palomino stallion whom Kitty had noticed was ill yesterday, had been in his father’s possession since James was a young boy.

  He had promised to call a veterinarian to examine the horse after Kitty’s request, which had entirely slipped his mind until now.

  “This,” Kenneth stated as he came to a standstill in front of one of the stalls, “is Lord Windsor.”

  Kitty stepped closer and her eyes widened. A gasp escaped from her throat as she entered the stall. Lord Windsor was curled up in the straw, barely moving as Kitty knelt beside him.

  James approached Kenneth and placed his hands on his hips. “How bad is he?”

  “He is not getting any better, Your Grace. He refuses to eat or drink. I am even surprised he is allowing my lady to enter his stall. His behaviour was troubling last evening, his eyes appeared…”

  James raised his brows expectantly and waited for Kenneth to continue speaking.

  “Demonic, perhaps,” Kenneth said in a hushed tone.

  “Is there anything more we can do?” James asked.

  “Your Grace, this horse needs to be seen by a veterinarian, as I have mentioned before,” Kitty said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

  “My lady,” James sighed and turned to her. “Lord Windsor is an old stallion, and—”

  “And what? Does he not deserve to live?” Kitty asked incredulously.

  “That is most certainly not what I insinuated, my lady,” James proclaimed with a shrug. “You must also understand that there is not much a veterinarian can do. He will most likely have the animal put out of its misery.”

  “How can you be so heartless?” Kitty snapped and rose from the ground.

  James stared at his fiancée, surprised by her aggressive attitude. “I am not heartless, my lady. I am merely being realistic. The veterinarian cannot perform miracles. He is an aged horse. There is nothing more we can do for him.”

  “You do not know this for a fact,” she exclaimed.

  “It is just a horse, Kitty,” he stated, but as soon as the words left his lips, regret followed swiftly. James was well aware of how much she adored horses and his words were cruel.

  Tears formed in her eyes and she pursed her lips.

  “My lady,” James began and stepped towards her, ready to apologise.

  Kitty shook her head and pushed past him. “Leave me alone.”

  The duke grabbed her hand and whirled her around. “Please, my lady—”

  “Unhand me at once,” she hissed.

  In an attempt not to make a scene, James released her, allowing her to storm out of the stable. He glanced at Kenneth with a sigh. “Have the veterinarian come examine Lord Windsor, please, Kenneth.”

  “Right away, Your Grace,” Kenneth answered, then added, “Your Grace is wrong in thinking it is merely a horse.”

  “I am aware, but thank you for reminding me,” James said and speedily left the stables.

  Once outside, he noticed Kitty on her way to the gardens, and he called out to her. As expected, she did not acknowledge him, and continued walking. James was well aware that she was angry and hurt. He wished to make things right, although he was unsure how he would be able to do that.

  “My lady, please wait!” he called out, lessening the distance between them.

  Kitty came to a stop in front of the old wrought iron gate that led to the back garden where no one was permitted to enter, and where James had not been since his father had passed.

  It had been the late duke’s private garden, and James did not possess the courage or emotional strength to visit there. He doubted he ever would.

  Kitty rested her hands on the horizontal bar of the gate and stood silently, staring out into the distance. James carefully approached, but did not wish to come too close at the risk of a possible emotional outburst. Perhaps she would simply ignore him further, which would also be justified.

  “My lady,” James spoke in a calm voice, but only to keep himself composed.

  Kitty remained motionless in front of the gate and he continued, “I am sincerely sorry for what I said. I am aware that you have a deep adoration for horses, and it was cruel and unkind of me to insinuate that Lord Windsor is merely just a horse. He is much more than that.”

  “Perhaps he is just a horse to you, but he is a living, breathing thing. He, too, feels pain and fear and love. Did your father not teach you these things, Your Grace? All living things should be treated with kindness, grace, and mercy.”

  Her words twisted a knife deep in his heart. “I am deeply sorry, my lady.”

  Kitty turned around slowly, her eyes filled with tears and her hands clasped together. “It is now obvious that I do not know you at all. Despite the morning we spent at the meadow, the connection I felt towards you, and last night…”

  James’s brow furrowed as he stepped closer to her. “What are you attempting to say, my lady?”

  Kitty looked straight at him, her gaze connecting with incredible accuracy. “Simply that I cannot marry a man who does not love horses, not even in the least bit.”

  “You’re basing this opinion solely on the fact that I did not engage a veterinarian to examine to Lord Windsor?” James asked incredulously.

  “It is about more than just the horse, Your Grace,” Kitty said, a tear running down her cheek.

  James wished he could wipe the tear away, but he dared not move. Kitty was hurt and upset, and he did not wish to make matters worse than they already were.

  “I understand that you have been emotionally unavailable for some time now, and this arrangement between you and my father was not meant to involve any sort of feelings of love or affection. I accepted that. I accepted that I would be in a loveless marriage with a man who did not feel any affection towards me, despite being his wife. I convinced myself that was what I wanted. What I will not accept is that you showed little sympathy for a horse, despite your promise to me to have him cared for by a veterinarian,” Kitty explained.

  “My lady—” James tried to interrupt.

  This conversation had far exceeded the boundaries of what was polite.

  “You lied to me, and I would rather disappoint my whole family than be married to a liar,” Kitty exclaimed.

  Anger rolled through James’s gut as he stared at the woman before him. A person to whom he had opened up and committed to being married to for the rest of his life. How could she say such a thing?

  He said the first thing that came into his mind. “And I would rather die alone here on my estate than be married to a controlling woman who constantly needs to be reminded to behave accordingly.”

  Kitty glared at him angrily and her breathing became ragged. “My initial impression of you was correct. You are simply a miserable man who no other woman wanted. Perhaps now I understand why you’re still alone, Your Grace.”

  The insult was unwarranted and untrue.

  “And no other man will want a defiled woman!” he shot back.

  It was not his intention to grow as angered as he was at that moment, but Kitty had given him no choice. He was infuriated by her responses, her words, and the mere fact that she wished to end their arrangement due to a horse.

  Kitty’s lips pursed, her eyes boring sharply through him. “I shall inform my father of our decision, and we will leave as soon as possible. I do not wish to be here, where I am no longer welcome.”

  James lifted his chin and looked down his nose at her. “Indeed.”

  “Of all the mistakes I have made in my life, you are the biggest.”

  Before James could utter a response, Kitty turned on her heel and stormed off in the direction of the terrace. James growled angrily to hims
elf, his jaw clenched. Perhaps it was in both their best interests to part ways, as things had become more complicated than he had ever imagined.

  When Lord Dunne had proposed the arrangement, James had assumed he would hold no emotional connection with his betrothed. But as the feelings had risen up inside him, James knew it was only a matter of time before he fell in love with the woman who would only reject him—or worse—only tolerate him for the sake of appearances.

  James had heard tales of married noblemen who despised their wives, and whose wives, in turn, despised them. Of course, they were civil and even affectionate at times while they were in the public eye.

  He was not prepared to keep up appearances simply for society’s sake, and even if he did not despise Kitty yet, not marrying her would be the better option.

  As he walked towards the back of the manor house, he hoped that he would be able to ignore the pain in his heart that had surfaced the moment she was out of sight.

  13

  “I beg your pardon?” her mother exclaimed as she closed the door of Kitty’s bedchambers and glared at her in disbelief.

  “I am not marrying that man, and it is best if we leave now. I do not wish to be here any longer,” Kitty explained and turned to Lady Dunne.

  “Where does this mutiny come from, Kitty? Not an hour ago, you and the duke spoke of moving up the wedding date, and now you are informing me that the arrangement is cancelled.”

  “I have had a change of heart,” Kitty answered as she approached her travelling chest and opened it.

  As Kitty opened the wardrobe, removing her gowns and dresses from inside, her mother inquired, “This does not have anything to do with the letter from Edward, does it?”

  Kitty froze, as the letter from Edward Walsh had slipped her mind entirely.

  “If it does, I do urge you to reconsider, my dear.”

  “It is not because of Edward’s letter, Mother, despite the fact that you hid it from me,” Kitty answered.

  “Don’t be so dramatic, Kitty. I did it for your benefit,” the countess said, throwing her hands in the air.