by Jane Charles
“It’s difficult to truly come to know someone until you’ve lived with them,” Ashton pointed out.
“True, but a longer courtship, especially out of sight of the ton, at least gives the couple an opportunity to become better acquainted than say, a turn about a room, a waltz, stroll through Hyde Park, or any of the other, chaperoned occasions available to couples, with limited time spent in the presence of the other. How can anyone come to know another when most time is limited to no more than half an hour at a time?”
“Such as strolling along a beach in Barbados without another person in sight.”
Hannah stopped and glanced around. They were very much alone. As alone as they’d been last night. She couldn’t even see Sam’s house that sat upon the hill.
“You must think poorly of me,” she finally answered. Most misses would never consider being alone with a gentleman for fear of what may come to pass, but Hannah was not concerned. At least not in this setting.
“On the contrary. I do not. Though perhaps you are a bit bolder than most.”
She turned and continued to walk away from where they’d come and let out a sigh as her toes sank into the wet sand, and enjoyed the coolness on her feet as the sun beat down from above. Most would return to the shade, but Hannah didn’t want to return just yet, to be chaperoned by Jillian as she and Wingate took tea in a proper setting. She was so tired of proper and she’d not force herself into a London set of mind while in paradise.
“I’m four and twenty, Lord Wingate,” she announced. “I’ve been in Society long enough to know that if a miss wishes to be happy in her future then she must be circumspect in the present. For those reasons, I’d not so quickly jump to marriage though most would remind me that the shelf looms if I don’t take action soon.” Comments had been made about her age when well-meaning matrons urged her to find a husband before it was too late.
“You have no fear of being placed on the shelf?” he asked, almost in a most curious manner.
Did he think she was shelf-bound? If so, why was he bothering to court her at all? “My only fear, Lord Wingate, is an unhappy life, or worse, a miserable marriage, and I shan’t make the rash decision as my friends have done.”
“I admire your conviction. My parents’ marriage was arranged, and they were quite miserable,” he offered, much to her surprise. “Their fighting was so disturbing that my sister, Eve, announced that she was putting herself on the shelf, straightaway, on her sixteenth birthday.”
Hannah gasped. “It was so bad?”
“It was, and wretched for anyone living in the same household.”
How horrible that must have been for him growing up. No wonder he’d not married, nor any of his siblings. It was likely they never would. However, Wingate did have the duty of producing an heir, thus he would need to marry one day.
“I shouldn’t confess such to you, but I doubt that it was a secret in Society how the two got on. Some of their arguing spilled over into ballrooms on occasion, much to my embarrassment.”
“I’d not been aware,” Hannah admitted. In fact, she knew nothing of his parents, other than his father was killed only a few months ago.
“You wouldn’t have, I suppose. Mother passed away eight years ago, before you would have had your first Season.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” he muttered.
“Though it does shed some light on your sister.”
“How so?” Wingate asked.
“We are the same age and often found ourselves in the company of mutual friends. She was the only one who didn’t laugh or tease when I had no desire to rush into a marriage.”
“She wouldn’t have.”
“Though, she never claimed to be on the shelf herself, Lady Eve showed absolutely no interest in any gentlemen who approached at any ball.”
He stiffened. “None? I thought she was simply being cautious.”
“She was, and decided quickly if one was worth any consideration,” Hannah answered.
“Or, she was too afraid to give them any consideration,” Wingate muttered.
“You mustn’t worry about your sister,” Hannah insisted. “She’s fully capable of making decisions of what is best for her.”
“As you are for yourself?” he asked.
Was Wingate condescending to her? If so, that would never do.
“I am. Do you not think so?” she demanded.
He pulled back and held up his hands in defense. “Of course. However, by your reaction, I can only assume others have tried to dictate to you.”
Not others, simply her great-Uncle Danby, but at least she had until spring to come up with a way to avoid his matchmaking. There was also one other. “My mother, which is why Barbados is so welcoming.” She couldn’t help but laugh because as much as she loved that woman, it was so freeing to be away from her these past weeks.
Chapter 10
Her melodic laughter sank into Ashton’s soul, warming him in a way that the sun never could.
Hannah was so much more than he expected. He’d glimpsed her intelligence and confidence in London last spring, and had been delighted each time he’d been in her presence. Knowing that she’d become a spinster before succumbing to a miserable marriage just for the sake of being married pleased him. It meant that when she did marry, it was because she knew it promised to be a happy union.
The only problem was, what if she determined he was not the gentleman who could make her happy? Her brothers might not allow her to escape.
But that was a worry for another day and if all went as he expected, they’d both be happy in the end, as she’d yet to show a characteristic that he didn’t adore. He had learned as much last evening when they had had hours to converse on a number of topics and not once was weather commented upon, other than the raging storm, nor did they gossip. She had seemed genuinely interested in his thoughts, as he was in hers, and Ashton was fairly certain that he learned more about Lady Hannah last evening than he would in a full Season of courtship the likes of which she described.
“Is your mother the reason I didn’t see you at many balls last Season. I believe I ran across you in Hyde Park or shopping more than at any Societal event.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “Mother feared bringing us to the attention of my great-uncle, so she was determined to avoid any place he may be, thus I attended few balls.”
“The Duke of Danby?”
“She feared he’d arrange matches that she did not approve.”
“Isn’t that up to your oldest brother, the Earl of Kenley, to make the determination?”
This time she snorted. “Danby believes he rules all of us, and we are to do his bidding without question.” She shook her head. “It’s the reason I’m in Barbados in the first place. He is the one who informed me that I was to be a companion to Lady Whitley for her ocean crossing. He did not ask, he informed, and I was given no choice.”
“Do you not want to be here?”
“You misunderstand. I am happy to be in Barbados, especially since I’ll be able to avoid Danby Castle at Christmas, thus any marriage His Grace might have already decided upon. I did not like being told what I must do.”
Ah yes, her brothers had warned Ashton of Hannah’s stubbornness, and she had readily admitted to such.
“Had Danby bothered to ask, I would have happily agreed since it also gave me the opportunity to visit with my brothers and see where Samuel makes his home. But I wasn’t asked. I was told, and that is what I find the most irritating.”
Odd that! As Danby was inviting Ashton and his family to Danby Castle for Christmas, he was sending Lady Hannah away. Could Danby know of Ashton’s interest in his great-niece? Did he wish to put an ocean between them to avoid such a match?
According to Chadburn, Danby knew everything, so it would stand to reason that perhaps the duke did know. If that were the case, His Grace would not support a betrothal or marriage since he’d attempted to keep the two separated.
It wasn’t possible for Danby to have known of Ashton’s plans before he’d made them, and as Hannah had arrived at least a sennight before Ashton, it was clear Danby had intended to keep them apart. Further, if that were the case, why would Danby have invited Ashton and his family in the first place. It certainly would have been easier than sending Hannah away. Unless, his hate for Eldridge was so strong that it was more important to do the one thing that would irritate the now deceased duke. More important than having his great-niece with him at Christmas.
Or, Chadburn was wrong, and Danby didn’t know everything, therefore it was simply fate that had brought them to Barbados at the same time.
However, regardless of what Danby knew or didn’t know, or his potential plans for Lady Hannah’s future, or revenge against the former Eldridge, it was best that the two marry before they returned to England, or both the mother and the great-uncle could force an end to the union.
“I find it strange that your mother wouldn’t trust in Danby’s judgment when arranging marriages.” He was a duke and didn’t everyone wish to keep the head of the family happy?
“Mother will only accept a gentleman with a home in Northumberland,” Hannah advised. “It is her opinion that we can’t possibly get on without her, when in truth, Mother needs to meddle.”
“That explains her objection to me and why she yanked the dance card out of my hands.”
Hannah winced. “Unfortunately, your estate is not suitable—for mother.”
“What of you? Do you find it unsuitable as well?” He nearly held his breath in waiting for an answer.
“Your plantation here is the most suitable given the distance,” she laughed. “However, the location of Maywood Manor in Oxfordshire is quite pleasing.”
This took him back. “You do know where I live.” They’d discussed their homes the night before, but he never said where he lived, just the name of the estate.
The blush stained her cheeks.
“When I attended my first Season, I made a list of gentlemen bachelors and the location of their homes. If it was within two days travel by carriage, they were immediately stricken from the list. And, given that my mother needs to stop more often than horses need to be changed, I’m quite confident that any estate south of Northampton is quite safe from her constant intrusion in my life.”
Ashton nearly choked on her explantation. Did she really wish to avoid her mother so intensely?
“What if a gentleman who could make you happy lived in Northumberland, or did you not give any of them a chance.”
Hannah laughed. “I’m already aware of potential husbands within a day of my home. Mother has been quite diligent in discovering all there is to know, often inviting them to dine and visit. I’m also quite confident that none of them could possibly make me happy.”
If anything, Lady Hannah knew what she wanted. Or, at least, didn’t want.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have confessed as much as she had, but Hannah preferred to deal honestly. She’d not be unhappy and she certainly wasn’t ashamed that she’d researched the location of the estates where potential bachelors resided. Perhaps it was short-sighted, but Hannah also knew that she’d not have a happy marriage, if she ever married, if her mother remained a constant interference in her life. She’d seen it enough with her older sister, who lived less than a day from the family estate. Mother visited Abigail so often that sometimes Hannah’s sister wondered if their mother hadn’t taken up residence in her home.
When Mother wasn’t with Abigail, she was supervising Mary, the wife of her oldest brother. Though Mother didn’t call it as such. To her it was giving advice on how to run a household and have a happy marriage. Ben had sometimes wondered if he should concentrate more on seeing that their mother married again instead of his sisters so that they’d all have peace.
Hannah stopped and looked around, her back to the ocean. “I suppose we should return,” she offered with reluctance. They had wandered far from Sam’s plantation and she wasn’t familiar with this part of the beach.
“I believe Roxburg’s plantation is just over that hill,” Wingate offered.
Hannah brightened. “It is?” She’d not visited the home. “Is it very grand?” He was a duke so it would stand to reason his home would be fine.
Ashton shrugged. “It’s really no different than your brother’s. Only a little larger.
Grell Hill wasn’t all that different from Sam’s either. “I suppose it is a style suited for Barbados.’
Wingate turned back to her, but then his eyes widened at seeing something behind her. As Hannah turned, he lifted her by the waist and quickly walked back. She anchored her hands on his shoulders for balance, uncertain as to his reason for doing so until a wave struck her lower legs. Even though he’d tried to shield her, the lower portion of Hannah’s dress became soaked as did his trousers before he stumbled back falling and taking Hannah with him.
She landed soundly on his chest and was too stunned to react. It wasn’t the first time that waves had knocked her off her feet, but this landing was far more pleasant than the sand.
“Are you alright?” She started to pull away.
Instead, Wingate’s arms tightened about her. “Are you?”
Her body heated as she realized that when her body came to rest, her legs were on either side of his, her pelvis and breast against his stomach and chest. The only place they weren’t touching was from the shoulders and above. Though quite unseemly if they were to be seen by anyone, Hannah couldn’t bring herself to disengage from his arms as the most delicious heat swept through her body.
“I am more than simply alright,” Wingate assured her as his blue eyes darkened.
Hannah’s pulse sped and she feared breathing might become difficult, but it had nothing to do with anxiety, which produced some of the same reactions. Odd that.
“You should kiss me,” he said, studying her lips.
Hannah blinked. “Kiss you?” She’d never been kissed, let alone instigated a kiss.
“Yes, don’t you wish to?”
“I…er…” She wanted to tell him yes but was too shocked and uncertain how to respond.
“Very well.” He started to loosen his hold and Hannah feared she’d lost her one opportunity and, in a panic, pressed her lips to his, uncertain what exactly to do. When she pulled back, she looked down at him again.
The side of Wingate’s mouth quirked, and she was quite certain he was humored by her attempt, which was not only embarrassing but irritating as well. With that, she pushed her hands into the hot sand so that she could rise. In response, Wingate tightened his hold about her and rolled until she was beneath him.
Goodness!
Now she was the one staring up at him and all laughter had fled his eyes as his gaze focused on her lips. Hannah sucked in a breath before he lowered his mouth to hers.
So gentle, so sweet, and so much more than the simple kiss she’d given him. She’d simply puckered, as she did when kissing her nephew’s cheek. Wingate’s kiss stirred something within her heart. Warmth and giddiness intertwined.
He pulled back only for a moment before he returned, pressing further, the tip of his tongue against the seam of her lips. Uncertain what to do, Hannah opened, and he delved.
Goodness! The effect was almost dizzying. Thank goodness she was not standing, or her knees would give way. Still, she grasped onto his shoulders and held as he plundered. Heat pooled in her belly as her breasts swelled and tightened. On and on he kissed and drank from her, marveling that lips could be so pleasant, so wonderful, so…perfect, and could also cause the oddest sensations throughout her entire being. Was this passion that the poets wrote of? If so, it was no wonder that so many verses had been written in praise of the emotion.
He shifted so that he was no longer between her thighs, or not entirely as his hand rested on her abdomen, burning her skin through the muslin gown as he caressed upward, over her ribs but stopped just short of her breast that ached to be touched. She held h
im close, kissed him deeply and hoped that he would touch her and relieve the discomfort, but instead, he ended the kiss and rolled away from her until he was lying on this back in the sand and staring up at the clear blue sky. The same sky that had been blocked from her view only a moment earlier.
His withdrawal left her achy with need from the tips of her breasts to her more private areas. She’d never experienced such in her life and once her breath and pulse were more under control, she might analyze what had just happened to her, though in truth, she wished Wingate would return to what they were doing and it was all she could do not to roll onto him.
Thank goodness nobody was about or she would be well and truly ruined, yet Hannah had no regrets and was beginning to understand how her friends had fallen so quickly after succumbing to kisses, or perhaps desire.
But she’d not fall so quickly, Hannah reminded herself, even though it would be easy to do so.
“I’m glad I waited to kiss you here, and now.”
“Waited?’ she asked.
“I wanted to kiss you last night, many times but feared doing so.”
Such an odd statement. Now that she had been thoroughly kissed, Hannah could find no danger in the activity.
“I feared where it might lead given our circumstances of being alone through the night.”
A rush of heat came to her cheeks. He meant that matters could have become more intimate. Given how this kiss had affected her, Hannah might not have denied anything of him, especially since her body still ached and begged to be touched.
“Yesterday I may have questioned such a statement, however, I believe I now understand,” she admitted to which Wingate chuckled.
He sat up, resting on one elbow. “I fear you’ve ruined yet another gown.”
