by Jane Charles
JaneCharlesAuthor.com
Jane can be contacted at: [email protected]
Aileen Fish
Piper’s Proposal
Copyright © 2020 Aileen Fish
All rights reserved.
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December 1818
Cheshire, England
Miss Piper Farrow drew a length of narrow, pale yellow ribbon through her fingers. It was just the color her cousin Patience would love. Or was it Madeleine who preferred yellow? The twins were so similar in some ways and different in others, she grew confused when it came to buying for them.
She counted on her fingers to determine exactly how many ribbons she needed as Christmas gifts for her Lumley cousins and their daughters.
So many Lumleys! Nine female cousins, and cousins by marriage, plus seven of their children were girls. Oh, dear, what should she buy for the younger boys and girls? She knew nothing of what boys enjoyed, and the smaller girls likely wanted toys rather than ribbons.
Movement drew her attention to a tall, stern looking man whose fine coat and boots were those of a nobleman. He looked down his nose at the pipe he examined, as if even holding it was beneath his station. What would a man like that be doing in Bridgethorpe? Her cousin had inherited the title Earl of Bridgethorpe this year and no other men of consequence lived nearby. The village wasn’t on the Great Road, nor close to it, so passing carriages rarely appeared—at least, not when she was visiting.
A servant rushed in the door and approached the proud man. “Sir, the blacksmith says he won’t have the wheel repaired until tomorrow or the day after. The hosteller says he has no rooms available.”
The nobleman’s lips thinned. “I feared as much.” He set down the pipe but made no move to leave.
Piper motioned to the shopkeeper to have her ribbons cut, and strolled to the confectionary display, which happened to be mere feet away from where the gentleman stood silently. She’d only seen his profile, which was not quite as stern as his stance. A strong jaw and brow, a finely-chiseled nose, as one would expect. What she wanted to see were his eyes. They told one so much about a person’s character, and she loved studying people.
He glanced her way with his features pinched and eyes squinting, then turned away.
Rather than taking offense, Piper grinned and continued to examine the sweets in the jars in front of her. This man would be fun to taunt. How disappointing that they’d go their separate ways at any moment.
Something about him was familiar, but since she lived in London, she could have crossed paths with him any time.
Mr. Kelley, the shop owner, returned from the back room. “Here you are, my lord.” He held out a pair of leather gloves.
He was a member of the peerage. Disappointment made her shoulders slump. She now understood why he might be so full of himself, and the revelation left her even sadder. How fun it would have been to raise his ire. As much as she’d enjoy it, she couldn’t bring herself to tease a stranger of his station. Her mother had raised her better than that.
Surely, she knew the man. Something about him...how frustrating that his name lurked somewhere in her thoughts and she couldn’t find it.
The gentleman tried on the gloves, stretched and fisted his fingers, then nodded to Mr. Kelley. “These will do.”
“Very good, sir. Were you able to make arrangements for a place to spend the night?”
“No. The Rose and Crown is full up.”
Laughter bubbled up in Piper’s throat, but she quickly coughed and covered her mouth. “No room at the inn? And so close to Christmastime. How disappointing.”
The look he slanted in her direction showed he had little sense of humor, if any. Oh, but those eyes! Deep brown and intelligent. And too familiar.
Mr. Kelley chuckled under his breath, then cleared his voice when the gentleman glared his way. “Shall I send a boy to the vicarage? Mr. Cookson’s rooms are as fine as those at the inn. He’d be delighted to accommodate you.”
An idea popped into Piper’s head, which was usually not a good thing. This was no exception. She spoke to the shopkeeper, since she hadn’t been introduced to the gentleman. “Oh, no, that wouldn’t do. My cousin would never stand for such a slight, although I agree the vicarage is agreeably appointed. However, Lord Bridgethorpe would insist we offer our hospitality for as long as necessary.”
Mr. Kelley studied her a moment before speaking. “Ah, yes. Lord Stockbury, may I introduce you to Miss Farrow? As she said, she’s the cousin of the Earl of Bridgethorpe.”
“Miss Piper Farrow?” His face lit. “How did I not recognize you? I’m Jonah.”
Her eyes and mouth widened slightly before she could school her reaction. “I thought I knew you. It’s been much too long since we saw you last.”
“Yes, too long,” he agreed.
She hadn’t seen her brother’s friend in at least eight years. Had she changed as much as he had? “And I’m sincere about my cousin’s invitation. Do I understand your carriage is in disrepair? Please allow us to make your delay as comfortable as possible.”
“Would you like my daughter to accompany you, Miss Farrow?” Mr. Kelley was so sweet to think of her reputation.
“There’s no need. My brother is at the vicarage with his wife and will join me soon. My honor is safe.” She laughed lightly at the idea Jonah would find her enough of a temptation to compromise her. She was quite popular in London but only with men looking for a rich wife. “Aaron will be here shortly.”
“I’m grateful for your offer.” Jonah instructed his valet to collect his belongings from his carriage at the blacksmith.
After paying for her purchases, Piper went out into the cold to watch for her brother.
When Jonah came out, a wash of warm air swept over her and she realized how cold she was. She shivered and shoved her hands deeper into her muff.
“Why don’t you wait inside the shop?” he asked.
“Aaron will be here soon, and we’ll be tucked into blankets with hot bricks inside the carriage, on our way to a hot house overflowing with lively adults and wild children.” Realizing he’d likely turn down her offer upon hearing that, she quickly added, “Of course, I exaggerate. But I do enjoy the fresh air and quiet, for at least a little while.”
No sooner did she finish speaking than a carriage came around the corner and Aaron hopped out. His expression grew confused, then he grinned. “Jonah!”
“In the flesh. Imagine my surprise at meeting your sister in a small village in the middle of Cheshire.”
“I’ve invited Jonah to stay with us until he’s able to travel again. There was no room at the inn,” Piper added, in hopes that someone would recognize her bit of humor, since it had been ignored the first time she said it. Neither man reacted.
“Excellent,” Aaron said. “You likely know most of my Lumley cousins.”
“Yes, I met many of them at Noblegreen’s wedding to Lady Patience.” Jonah’s expression grew sober. “I was sorry to hear of the loss of the elder Earl of Bridgethorpe.”
“The dowager countess is solemn still, of course, but she insisted we celebrate the Christmas season joyously for all the grandchildren.” Piper shivered again when a chilly breeze stirred. “Now, may we please be on our way? I want to be warm again.”
Jonah Truelove, Earl of Stockbury, moaned inwardly with each jostle of the well-appointed carriage belonging to his rescuers, or their extended family, as it carried the crest of the Earl of Bridgethorpe. The motion pained him, his head a const
ant ache and dizziness making his stomach roll.
When his carriage had slid into a ditch outside the village, he hadn’t thought he hit the window terribly hard, but with the movement of the carriage, his pain increased to the point he longed to lie down in the dark until it passed. He’d been lucky that a passing carriage was able to take them into the village, and he was grateful to have come upon friends. His accommodations with them would be much finer than the inn.
Piper had mentioned the lively adults and children. With any luck, Stockbury would have a wing to himself. A day or two of quiet, rest, and a nice meal or two would see him put to rights.
“What brings you to this part of Cheshire?” Aaron asked.
“I was on my way to Neston.” Leaning his head back against the cushioned upholstery and closing his eyes, he held his breath as another wave of dizziness passed.
“That’s a pretty little area,” Piper said.
He couldn’t respond without fear of losing the battle against the nausea spreading in his gut.
Aaron’s wife, Mary, spoke for the first time since they’d set off. “Were you able to finish your shopping, Piper?”
“I’m still not certain what the boys would enjoy. I’ll return to the village later in the week. Perhaps if I spend some time in the nursery, I’ll see what they spend their time doing.”
“Making noise and running,” Aaron commented.
“He’s right,” Mary said. “Anything they can use to cause damage to furniture is sure to please them.”
“Fox and geese,” Jonah offered. “It requires thought and concentration.”
“Qualities not often found in a toddler, I’m afraid,” Piper said from the bench beside him.
He peered through narrowed eyelids at her, but she didn’t appear to be poking fun at him. “I imagine my brother and I were ideal children, so I can’t offer assistance.”
Aaron snorted. “That’s not how I remember—”
“Memories are best left in the past.” The carriage hit a bump, knocking his head against the side and shooting pain throughout his skull. He grimaced.
“Are you unwell, Your Grace?” Mary asked.
“I’ll recover soon enough.”
“Please allow us to extend our invitation to stay as long as necessary for your health,” Piper said.
While he wasn’t looking forward to his original destination, the size of the Lumley family made the prospect of an extended visit not to his liking. But he couldn’t deny the spirit of the offer. “That won’t be necessary.”
The threesome continued talking among themselves, and he continued to wish the carriage would stop moving. He should be grateful that the headache didn’t continue to worsen. As unbearable as it was, he’d likely pass out if it got much worse.
The trip to Bridgethorpe Manor was much shorter than Jonah expected, thankfully. Once he exited the carriage, he squinted at the bright sunlight and strode to the door, where the butler waited to take their outer garments.
Aaron helped his sister and wife down from the carriage and spoke to the butler. “Let Lady Bridgethorpe we have a guest. The Earl of Stockbury will be joining us for a few days. He’ll need a room prepared.”
Piper stopped beside him in the grand hallway. “Come sit in the drawing room until your bedchamber is ready. I’ll call for tea, unless you’d prefer something stronger?”
He’d prefer a bottle of whisky, the only thing likely to end his pain, but he’d be a poor guest if he fell too deep in his cups this early in the day. Well, at any time of day, for that matter. Once Piper sat, lowered himself into a French-style chair that looked sturdy enough to guarantee it wouldn’t move beneath him. His head was spinning enough the rest of the room twirled around.
When he didn’t respond, Piper said, “I’ll have some tea sent in, then.”
Male voices, loud and happy, rang down the hallway, growing louder as they neared the drawing room. Bracing his hands on the arm of his chair, Jonah opened his eyes and prepared for the onslaught.
Sam, the youngest Lumley brother, entered beside second-oldest David. “Lord Stockbury, welcome. Our house is always open to friends of the family.”
“Please call me Jonah.” He couldn’t bear to say any more, each word costing him energy he needed to remain upright.
David sat near Piper. “Did you remember the sweets Joanna asked for?”
“Yes—” Before she could finish, three young banshees raced into the room.
“Piper, Billy said you were only buying him candy, not me.” A cute poppet with ginger curls pouted in front of her cousin.
“Go ask my maid to find the package for you, Emmaline,” Piper said. “And tell her they’re to be shared among all of you.”
After cheering and bouncing and hugging the young woman, the children ran out even faster than they’d entered.
“Forgive my young cousins, Your Grace.” Piper chuckled. “They do have manners, on occasion.”
“No need to apologize.” Jonah closed his eyes again when the chair tipped to his left.
“Jonah, you don’t look well,” Sam said, before calling for the butler. “Dankworth, see if the earl’s bedchamber has been made ready. He needs rest.”
Piper rose and placed her hand on the back of his neck beneath the upped forld of his neckcloth, causing Jonah to jump, then grab the arms of the chair even tighter when his head spun. “No fever. Do you normally suffer from malaise when traveling?”
“I am fine, I tell you.”
She snatched her hand back and glared at him. “I’m only concerned for your well-being. Excuse me.”
As she walked away, Jonah cursed under his breath.
“Don’t mind her,” David said. “I fear her lack of children has led to her caring for all of us like a nursemaid. She means well.”
“She was a mother hen to Aaron and me when we were children, even though we were older. I see she hasn’t changed.”
Before he was forced to continue pretending civility, Jonah was reprieved by Dankworth’s return. “My lord, your room is ready.”
He stood too quickly and regretted it, but grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady himself. “Forgive me, gentlemen, but I must lie down.”
“Of course,” Sam said. “If you haven’t come down before dinner, we’ll have some sent to your room.”
Unable to nod his thanks, Jonah grimaced in what he hoped could pass as a smile. Then he walked as gingerly as possible out of the drawing room.
