‘I’m glad you like her. She’s yours.’
Linnet stared at him, almost speechless with pleasure. ‘Mine? Oh, Christian. No one has ever given me such a wonderful gift. I—I can’t possibly accept it.’
‘Yes, you can—unless you wish to offend me.’
She smiled a little shyly. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’
‘Good. Let’s walk a while.’
They were on the edge of a wood which gave way to fields. It was late morning. Sunlight slanted through the boughs of the tall trees, making patterns on the ground, flecks of sunshine alternating with shadows. Harvest was well underway in the fields full of men and women working together; the smell of freshly cut corn was heavy on the air. Although he had a very efficient bailiff and a number of assistants, Christian took his duties seriously. He took an interest in all the families of the tenant farmers. Linnet smiled at him and he slung his arm casually across her shoulders. They walked slowly along the edge of a field, the stubble crunching beneath their boots. Watching the workers stack the sheaves of corn, some paused and gazed at them, curious to know the identity of the unknown woman by Lord Blakely’s side. He made no attempt to approach them, but waved good naturedly.
‘When will you tell everyone we are to be married?’ Linnet asked.
‘Soon.’
‘Would you mind if I told Mrs Marsden? She gave us both a peculiar look when you came to the nursery—which I suppose is to be expected. It’s not the normal procedure for the master of the house to take his daughter’s governess riding.’
‘I suppose not. Feel free to inform her. I think she’ll be relieved to know that as my wife you won’t be going anywhere.’ He looked at her. ‘You know I would never ask you to leave or hurt you, Linnet.’
‘Not intentionally,’ she said.
‘I want to give you the world.’
She stopped walking and looked up at him, the sun making her squint her eyes. ‘I don’t want the world,’ she told him. ‘I don’t want wealth, a title or a grand estate. The things that matter to most people aren’t important to me.’
‘You’re all that matters to me.’
* * *
Later, Linnet bathed Alice and put her to bed, where she quickly fell asleep after Linnet had read her a story.
Mrs Marsden, who was putting away some sheets brought up from the laundry, looked up and smiled.
‘Is she asleep?’
‘Pretty much straight away.’
‘I’m not surprised. I took her outdoors when you went off on your ride so she’s had plenty of fresh air. The country air agrees with her. You won’t hear a peep out of her until morning. She’s such an angel.’
‘She’s much too quiet, though. It would be good for her to mix with other children, Mrs Marsden. Were there any children for her to play with in Egypt?’
‘No, bless her. Being in a hot country, her mother was always afraid she might contract some disease of some kind and kept her indoors.’
Linnet glanced at her sharply. ‘But I—I thought her mother died in childbirth.’
Realising she had unthinkingly divulged something Lord Blakely wanted kept secret, mortified, Mrs Marsden sank into a chair. ‘Oh, dear. I seem to have forgot myself. Lord Blakely will never forgive me.’
‘Lord Blakely won’t know, Mrs Marsden—at least, not from me.’
‘It’s good of you to say so, but he’ll find out.’
‘I will not speak of this, Mrs Marsden,’ Linnet assured her, having no wish to upset her. ‘Your secret is safe with me.’
‘Thank you, my dear. It’s so difficult trying to keep something so important to myself.’
‘What happened to Selina? Where is she now?’
‘Please don’t ask me.’
Seeing she was becoming agitated, Linnet declined to ask further questions about Christian’s former love. But it left her wondering. If Selina did not die in childbirth, why had she left her daughter?
Selina had been a woman who had borne Christian a child—a woman he might have loved, a woman who had abandoned him along with her child. Where was she? Who was she? Was she likely to come back into his life? The thought was so immediate, so dreadful, that Linnet didn’t even want to think about it, for she couldn’t bear it. She felt she had just awakened from a glorious dream to a nightmare.
Chapter Nine
Christian and Linnet agreed that it would be more convenient for everyone if they were married in London. Linnet wrote to Toby to give him the news that she was to marry Christian. She also wrote to Aunt Lydia.
The society columns were full of the impending marriage. Aunt Lydia was pleased at the prospect of Lord Blakely marrying into the family, but many of those in society, eager for fresh gossip, could not believe that the extremely wealthy and powerful Earl of Ridgemont should take for a wife a dowerless daughter of a deceased businessman, especially one who had been of such little account when he had been alive.
Linnet found herself in some kind of indeterminate state, suspended not only in time but in emotions as she was swept along on an unfamiliar path towards her nuptials. She could hardly believe how deep her feelings were running, and the joy coursing through her body melted the very core of her heart. She was falling in love with Christian. She knew that now and that perfect certainty filled her heart and stilled any anxiety she might otherwise have had.
* * *
When they reached London, Linnet went to Birch House, where she was to remain until her marriage to Christian. Mrs Marsden along with one of the maids had resumed full charge of Alice. The child was so excited about the wedding that she could talk of little else. Toby had been taken by surprise when he had received Linnet’s letter telling him of her betrothal to Lord Blakely, as Linnet barely knew him, but nevertheless, he wrote to say he was delighted that his sister was settled.
* * *
When Lady Milton met Lord Blakely at Birch House she was determined to take the credit for the marriage.
‘I’m so pleased you have seen the error of your ways at last and that you are to do the right thing by my niece after exposing her to a public scandal.’
‘Not at all,’ Christian said, his patience with Lady Milton wearing thin. ‘Linnet and I were of the same mind when we parted after your daughter’s betrothal party. We neither of us saw any reason for us to marry then and she came to no harm.’
Lady Milton opened her mouth and when she spoke her voice dripped icicles. ‘That may be so, but you could have ruined her just the same.’
‘Not necessarily. There was some gossip, I grant you, but it did not amount to much and was soon forgotten. If anyone can make a scandal out of a young woman being kissed, they need their minds examined.’
‘Not when that young lady is my niece.’
‘A niece who is twenty-two years old and answerable to no one when it comes to choosing who she will and will not marry. We have both had time to get to know each other better and decided marriage is what we want, so I hope you will come along and witness our union.’
His remark rendered Lady Milton momentarily speechless and then she appeared to relent, her attitude softening enough to accept the glass of sherry Toby handed to her.
‘I was hoping we could enlist your help, Lady Milton,’ Christian went on in an attempt to placate Linnet’s formidable aunt, thinking it conducive for their future relationship to have her on side than against them. ‘Since Linnet’s mother is not here to take on the task of preparing her for her wedding, I was hoping we could rely on you and your experience on protocol and the fashions of the day and such things to assist her.’
Lady Milton straightened her back and positively purred. ‘Of course. I shall be delighted. I was going to offer my expertise in any case.’
Linnet shot her future husband a look that he could not determine—was it one of relief for mollifying her aunt or was she put
out because she would have preferred to arrange her own wedding? Whatever her expression was trying to tell him he merely smiled in the face of it, hoping for the best.
* * *
Over the days that followed, although she was busy with the arrangements for Louisa’s marriage, Lady Milton, true to her word, took on the responsibility of making sure Linnet was well turned out.
‘But what will you wear for all these events Lord Blakely insists upon attending?’ she remarked, flitting about Linnet’s bedchamber like a restless wind, looking thoughtful as her eyes moved over her niece, clearly absorbed in dressing her in only the finest since Lord Blakely insisted on footing the bill.
Christian, looking on, smiled his encouragement, his eyes appraising his future wife. ‘Whatever you come up with, with that hair and those eyes, you cannot fail.
* * *
And so Linnet became firmly fixed under Aunt Lydia’s wing as, with the help of Christian’s instruction, she arranged Linnet’s vast wardrobe, employing modistes who enjoyed her own patronage.
Linnet was extremely nervous about appearing in society beside Christian for the first time. Christian was the personification of the doting swain as he escorted her to all the stylish gatherings, accompanied by Lady Milton or Toby. There were strolls and carriage rides in the park, visits to the gardens at Marylebone where they drank tea, or visited the Pleasure Gardens at Ranelagh. Linnet particularly enjoyed the evenings when they went to see a play at the theatre at Covent Garden or Drury Lane. Like a bird set free, she was surprised to find herself revelling in the fun of it and most of all she was happy because she was with Christian. He was always politely attentive and considerate, and her days became a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions.
In all of this Alice was not to be forgotten. She was so excited about the prospect of Linnet marrying Christian that when he visited her in the nursery she gave him a hug, her pretty face shining with happiness as he lifted her off her feet and hugged her back.
‘Linnet will look lovely in her wedding dress,’ the little girl whispered, her mouth against his ear.
‘And so will you, Alice,’ he replied. ‘You are going to look like a fairy princess in your new pink dress and carrying a posy of flowers.’ After gently kissing her plump cheek, he put her down. He watched in amused silence when the little girl immediately began playing with Pol and telling her all about the forthcoming wedding.
Entering the room, Linnet watched Alice scamper off. She went to sit across from Christian, who had come to see his ‘two favourite ladies’. Already so perceptive of his mood and able to read every nuance in his dark eyes, she knew he was impatient for their wedding day.
* * *
Christian continued to watch Alice as she played with her dolls and was moved to an emotion that was happening all too frequently when he was with the child. The resentment he had felt when he had learned of her birth had nothing to do with the child, but towards her mother and his father. He had tried to distance himself from her, but when her mother had abandoned her she had no one, apart from Mrs Marsden. He was glad he had done the right thing by her and was grateful that Linnet, who seemed to have a talent for motherhood and was warm and loving and never afraid to show her feelings, had helped him to embrace Alice.
* * *
When Linnet attended her first ball, it seemed as if everyone in London was there. When Christian arrived at the house, she was just coming down the stairs. She paused and looked down at him. With a stunned smile of admiration, he took in the full impact of her ravishing cream-silk gown. High waisted, it fell from beneath her breasts into panels that rested gently on her graceful hips and ended in a swirl at her feet. Her hair was drawn back in a sleek chignon, its lustrous simplicity providing an enticing contrast to the sophistication of the gown.
Smiling his approval, Christian stepped forward, taking her hand to help her down the last step. ‘You look positively enchanting, Linnet. After tonight you’ll take the shine out of all the London belles.’
* * *
Contrary to Linnet’s expectations, the evening was a success. Every pair of eyes seemed to shift to them as their names were announced. Having read the announcement of the betrothal in the newspaper, heads turned, fans fluttered and whispers began. But on the arm of her future husband, with her head held high, Linnet was a new distraction, drawing admiring glances from males and females alike.
When the orchestra struck up a dance and began to play a waltz, Christian proudly led his betrothed into the centre of the floor and took her into his arms. Gazing down into her upturned face, he whirled her around in the dance. He was a superb dancer, and as he spun her round she seemed to soar with the melody. It was as if they were one being, their movements perfectly in tune. Linnet could feel his long fingers splayed across the small of her back. All the while he was looking at her, and she at him, as if there was no one else present.
An unbearable sense of joy leaped in Christian’s heart. The yielding softness in her eyes, the gentle flush that bespoke her untainted innocence and youth, brought faint stirrings of an emotion he thought long since dead.
‘Thank you,’ he murmured.
‘For what?’
‘Agreeing to be my wife. If at times I have seemed indifferent in my behaviour, it is because I found it difficult coming to terms with how I feel about you. Are you nervous?’
‘Terrified,’ she amended, pinning a smile to her face. ‘Everyone is looking at us. Don’t they know it’s impolite to stare?’
‘You look radiant and very beautiful,’ he said, studying her upturned face closely. ‘You appear to be very happy with the situation.’
‘I am—very happy—but I am also apprehensive,’ she confessed.
‘You are? Why?’
‘Because I’m afraid it might all go terribly wrong.’
‘And why should it do that?’
Her gaze fell from his and she looked at his frilled white shirt front. ‘I’m being silly, I know, but it’s a feeling I have.’
‘Put it from your mind. Nothing will go wrong. In just four days you will be my wife. You dance divinely, by the way. You are as light as thistledown in my arms.’
Linnet laughed. ‘I feel as if I’m floating on a cloud.’
A wicked, devilish grin stretched across Christian’s lips. ‘I hope that’s the way you will feel when I make love to you on our wedding night,’ he said, having made up his mind after their shared night of love at Park House that he would not make love to her again until their wedding night.
Before she could reply to the risqué remark, he had spun her round so that her feet almost left the floor. There was a warm, underlying excitement within Linnet that Christian had kindled, a promise and a tingle of anticipation of that moment when she would be alone with him as his bride.
* * *
Just four weeks to the day that the arrangement had been struck, Linnet and Christian were married.
There was a small assortment of guests made up of a handful of Christian’s close friends and Lady Milton, William and Louisa, having travelled from Richmond for the occasion. Aunt Lydia seemed well pleased at the way everything had turned out and that a connection had been formed between her own illustrious family and that of Lord Blakely’s. She was also no doubt thankful that the marriage was a low-key affair and not the grand wedding she was planning for Louisa. At least she had been spared the expense.
Louisa had taken Linnet aside to speak to her privately at the first opportunity.
‘I can’t tell you how surprised I was when I learned you were to marry Lord Blakely, Linnet. I did not expect it. What you did—at my betrothal party—the gossip—was it so very bad that you were left with no choice but to wed?’
‘Be assured, Louisa, that my decision to accept Christian’s proposal had nothing to do with that.’
‘Are you telling me that you are in love with him—aft
er such a short time?’
Linnet laughed. ‘As to that I cannot say—not yet.’ Her tone was light, her manner unconcerned, but Louisa was not convinced and inclined to argue.
‘You have been persuaded, I can see that.’
‘Christian can be very persuasive, Louisa. My circumstances do not permit me the luxury of choice. I am a woman in need of a husband and yet I have no dowry. Christian is a wealthy man. He does not care about that. What I care about now is having a home of my own. This is a very good match for me. He is to take me to Park House in Sussex to live. I welcome that.’ She looked at her cousin and when she next spoke her tone was quiet and pleading. ‘Be happy for me, Louisa. Please.’
Louisa smiled and reaching out clasped her hand. ‘I am happy for you, Linnet. If this is indeed what you want then I pray you find happiness—and love—together. And when I am married I shall look forward to visiting you with Harry in Sussex.’
* * *
The short ceremony took place late morning at St George’s Church in Hanover Square. It was a swift, solemn affair, seeming totally unreal to Linnet, whose feelings see-sawed between excitement and apprehension. Holding a small spray of white flowers at her waist, she wore a high-waisted gown in lemon satin with a tulle overskirt sewn with tiny seed pearls. Her hair was swept up and artfully arranged in curls, and threaded through with narrow ribbon the colour of her gown. With all the radiance in the world shining from her large tawny eyes, they were drawn to the groom.
Overwhelming in stature, he wore a superbly tailored claret coat that accentuated his lean frame and enhanced his ebony hair smoothly brushed and gleaming, his dove-grey trousers hugging his long legs. His crisp white cravat was simple but impeccably cut. Her mind wiped clear of everything but the moment, Linnet’s heart gave a joyful leap at the sight of him. Unable to contain his desire to look upon his bride, his clean-cut profile was faced towards her, waiting for her in watchful silence. To her at that moment he was pure perfection.
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