Unexpectedly Wed to the Officer--A Historical Romance Award Winning Author

by Jenni Fletcher

  ‘Not exactly.’ The neighbour looked as if she were suddenly keen to leave again. ‘My boy came back this morning saying David was awake and feeling a bit worse for wear, but sober enough.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘He was muttering some strange things though, my boy said, all about going away and making a fresh start.’

  ‘Going away?’ Henrietta felt as though she’d just been slapped in the face.

  ‘’Course we thought it was just the headache talking so I made him some tea and bacon, but by the time I brought it over, he was gone. So, I checked in his coffer, I hope you don’t mind, and it was empty.’

  ‘Empty...’ Henrietta swallowed, trying to maintain an outward appearance of calm when her insides felt like a butter churn. ‘But... I don’t understand—what about his sons?’

  ‘He did ask where they were, my boy says, so he told him they was with you and...well, David said something about it being for the best.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘But I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. He loves his boys, there’s no doubting that. No matter how much he drinks, he won’t abandon them...not for ever, anyways.’

  ‘Didn’t he give any clue about where he was going?’

  ‘No, but if I hear anything I’ll send word straight to the shop. In the meantime, you take care of ’em boys and I’ll keep an eye on the house. I’ll give it a good clean up, too. Ready for when he comes back again. It’s the least I can do for Alice.’ Mrs Roper gave a loud sniff. ‘She was a lovely girl.’

  ‘She was.’ Henrietta found herself blinking furiously. ‘Thank you, Mrs Roper. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done.’

  ‘And you take care of her—’ Mrs Roper turned fierce eyes on Sebastian ‘—whoever you are.’

  ‘Oh, forgive me, this is Anna’s brother,’ Henrietta murmured, having forgotten about introductions until that moment. ‘Mr Sebastian Fortini.’

  ‘The Countess’s brother?’ Mrs Roper’s expression turned instantly to one of dismay. ‘I do beg your pardon, sir.’

  ‘Don’t mention it.’ He inclined his head. ‘You were absolutely right to be suspicious. I’m sure Mr Gardiner would be most obliged.’

  Henrietta reached for his arm before he could offer it, glad of the support as he led her back towards Belles. Now that the initial shock had passed, she felt as though she were walking through a cold fog, unable to see what was going on around her and feeling numb all over. It was taking all of her energy just to put one foot in front of the other. As for her mind... The same questions kept swirling around her head. Where was David? How could he have got up that morning and just left? Or had he been planning to do it for weeks, simply waiting for an opportunity to leave the boys with her? No, surely he wouldn’t have done anything so calculating? Surely he wouldn’t have done this deliberately to her, to his sons, to all of them?

  ‘Can you think of any place he’s likely to go?’ Sebastian’s voice jolted her back to the present and thankfully out of the fog. They were already turning the corner on to Swainswick Crescent, she noticed, though she had no memory of even crossing Pulteney Bridge. ‘Do you have any other family?’

  ‘No, it’s been just the two of us, and then Alice, for years.’

  ‘It still might be worth paying a visit to Ashley.’ He looked thoughtful. ‘With your permission, I’ll take a ride out there and see. If he’s walking that way, then I’ll likely pass him on the road. If not, I can leave word at the local tavern to contact you if he makes an appearance.’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘There’s no need to involve yourself any more in my troubles. I’ve put you out enough.’

  ‘Not at all. I want to help and it’s a nice day for a ride.’

  ‘You don’t have a horse!’

  ‘But I do have friends with horses.’

  ‘Mr Fortini—’

  ‘Sebastian.’

  ‘Sebastian... I’m very grateful for your help, but you said that you were staying in Bath to catch up with old friends. How can you do that if you’re chasing after my brother?’

  ‘There’s plenty of time for both.’

  ‘Is there? Because I don’t want to inconvenience you or to keep you from your family either. They don’t even know that you’re back in England. They’ll still be worried about you.’

  ‘Ah, but not for much longer. I wrote to both Staunton Manor and Feversham Hall this morning. That should put Anna and my mother’s minds at rest.’

  ‘Good.’ She let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. ‘I’m sure it will.’

  ‘Although I admit it felt slightly absurd to be writing to such addresses, never mind to a countess.’

  ‘But why should it? Your grandfather was a duke, wasn’t he?’

  ‘He was.’ His steps faltered briefly as his brows snapped together. ‘Did Anna tell you that? We hardly ever spoke about it growing up.’

  ‘Ye-es.’ She was faintly perturbed by the stern change in his demeanour. ‘She told me just before her wedding to the Earl. All about your mother eloping with a footman, too. It sounded very romantic.’

  ‘I suppose it was, until her family cut her off without a penny. Or has she forgotten that part?’ He clenched his jaw, his throat working silently for a few seconds. ‘Now, what time do your nephews finish at school?’

  ‘Midday.’

  ‘Then I’d better hurry if I’m going to get to Ashley and back in time. With your permission, I thought I’d take them to Sydney Gardens this afternoon. They need to start cadet training in earnest if they’re going to be captains by the time they’re twenty.’

  She hesitated, still uncertain about accepting his help, but they were friends now, weren’t they? And if it helped to find David... The thought decided her.

  ‘I think they’d enjoy Sydney Gardens very much. Definitely more than whatever jobs Nancy has planned, but I’d like to come, too, if she doesn’t mind looking after the shop. I need to tell them that they’ll be staying with me for a little while and they’re bound to have questions.’

  ‘Good point.’

  ‘I was actually wondering whether it might be better to tell them that David’s unwell? Then if—when—he changes his mind and comes back, they’ll never know that he left.’ She paused. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I can see why you might want to, given the circumstances...’ Sebastian made a face.

  ‘But?’

  ‘But if he doesn’t come back and they think that you deceived them... It might make things worse in the long run. They seem like bright boys and you don’t want to lose their trust.’

  ‘So, you think that honesty is the best policy?’ She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. ‘Maybe you’re right. I just can’t bear the thought of them being hurt any more or feeling they’re not wanted.’

  ‘But they have an aunt who loves them.’ He stopped outside Belles and turned to face her, his dark gaze boring into hers so intently that she could almost feel it like a touch on her skin. ‘Don’t underestimate that.’

  She felt her breath catch, her legs feeling slightly unsteady all of a sudden, unable to think of a response. There it was again, that temptation to lay her head on his shoulder, only not to cry this time, just to be close, to wrap her arms around him and feel his arms around her. What would his shoulders feel like beneath her fingertips? What would it be like simply to be held?

  ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me.’ His gaze dropped to her lips for a fleeting moment before he moved away. ‘I need to go and see a man about a horse. I’ll see you this afternoon.’

  She nodded, feeling oddly disorientated as he bowed and walked away. She still wasn’t entirely sure why he was helping her, but at that moment she was extremely, possibly foolishly, glad that he was.

  Chapter Nine

  ‘So, he’s just abandoned them?’ James summarised, holding on to the horse
’s bridle while Sebastian climbed the mounting block.

  ‘That’s what it looks like. He left sometime this morning.’

  ‘Poor Miss Gardiner, but if he doesn’t want to be found then he’s not likely to go anywhere familiar, is he?’

  ‘Probably not,’ Sebastian conceded, throwing one leg over the saddle. ‘But it’s still worth a try. Thanks for the horse, by the way.’

  ‘Don’t mention it. Dulcie’s a docile old creature, but she’ll get you there all right.’

  ‘Docile is good.’ Sebastian picked up the reins with a grimace. ‘It’s been five years since I last did this. Where are the oars again?’

  ‘The same place as the mast.’ James looked mildly concerned. ‘Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to take the cart?’

  ‘I’d much rather take the cart, but it’ll take too long. I said I’d be back by early afternoon.’

  ‘I’m sure she’d prefer to have you back in one piece, but it’s up to you. Good luck.’ James gave him a pointed look. ‘Try not to fall off.’

  ‘I’ll do my best.’ Sebastian nudged his legs and set off. It was approximately six miles to Ashley, just over an hour’s ride if he took it steady, which between him and Dulcie was probably the only way he could take it. Then he’d need an hour in the village to look around and make friends with the local innkeeper, followed by another hour to ride back. He wouldn’t get back to Bath in time to collect the boys from school, but they’d still have plenty of time to spend in Sydney Gardens.

  He rubbed a hand over the mare’s neck, vaguely wondering what on earth he was doing. He was supposed to be visiting his family and enjoying his newfound freedom, not volunteering to ride around the countryside on behalf of a woman who’d asked him to treat her like a sister, in search of a man he’d never met. It couldn’t just be because it was what Anna would want him to do, could it? He didn’t know, but then he was finding it hard to think clearly about anything involving Henrietta.

  In truth, his mind was still preoccupied with the smile she’d given him that morning. He hadn’t been certain how she’d react to seeing him again, but the way her face had come to life when she had, as if she were genuinely happy, had turned her from beautiful into...what? He couldn’t even think of a word to do her justice. Radiant, exquisite, ravishing, pulchritudinous? It had started with a gleam in her eyes and then the rest of her features had followed suit and before he’d known it, her whole face had lit up as if she were glowing from within.

  The sight had stolen his breath away and apparently addled his senses, too, because he’d volunteered to ride out to Ashley without even asking what her brother looked like! But it was too late to turn back, even if doing so wouldn’t have made him feel just a little bit foolish. All he had to do was keep his eyes open for a man who looked as though he might have a hangover—and probably one with fair hair, too, if Henrietta and the boys were any indication.

  On a more positive note, at least the weather was co-operating. It wasn’t particularly sunny, but the roads were dry and navigable. The views were like a balm to his soul, too, the rolling hills and arable valleys familiar and comforting. They made him want to start quoting poetry or break out into song. He’d missed these views over the past five years, he realised. In all of his travels, he’d never ever seen anywhere to compare, not because the landscape was particularly dramatic or spectacular, but because it was home.

  Not that he’d waxed quite so lyrical two days ago during the interminable stagecoach ride from Plymouth, but now he seemed to be viewing the world in a whole different light and there was only one reason he could think of to account for it. A reason with golden hair and a willowy figure that, despite the unfortunate circumstances, had struck him as even more attractive on the second day of their acquaintance. He wondered how she would look on the third and fourth and fifth...and fiftieth.

  It was tempting to remain in Bath to find out, but they were just friends, he reminded himself sternly, just friends who exchanged long and intense looks on the street—or had he imagined that? Not that it mattered. He was only staying a few more days, no matter how attractive she looked or how poetically inclined he found himself. Hopefully her brother would have turned up by then. Because after that, he really had to go.

  * * *

  It was three hours precisely before Sebastian opened the back door of Belles and raised his hand to his forehead in a salute. Henrietta’s nephews were all sitting fidgeting around the kitchen table, looking ready to burst out of their seats at any moment.

  ‘Who’s ready for some naval training?’

  ‘I am!’ Peter was the first to his feet.

  ‘Not so fast.’ Henrietta came through from the shop, wiping her hands on her apron as she looked at him enquiringly. ‘I need to speak to Mr Fortini in the parlour first. You can be getting your shoes and coats on in the meantime.’

  ‘I won’t be long.’ Sebastian threw Peter an encouraging smile before following her up the stairs. He wished he had better news to impart, but unfortunately all he could do was shake his head the moment they were alone. ‘I’m afraid there was no sign of him.’

  ‘Oh...’ Her eyelashes dipped as she pressed her lips together. ‘I told myself not to hope, but I still wondered...’ She put a hand to her throat and rubbed gently. ‘Thank you for trying.’

  ‘He might just want to lie low for a while.’ He couldn’t resist the impulse to reassure her. ‘I doubt that he’s gone far.’

  ‘Then he’s probably still in Bath.’ She looked hopeful again. ‘Maybe I ought to go and look for him? I could visit a few of the taverns.’

  ‘Absolutely not.’ He closed the distance between them in two strides, putting his hands on her shoulders without thinking. The very idea of her visiting a tavern made him feel suddenly, fiercely protective. ‘It could be dangerous.’

  ‘I have to try.’

  ‘You can let me do it.’

  ‘No. You’ve done enough.’

  ‘Visiting a few taverns isn’t exactly a hardship. I can be more discreet and I’m a lot less likely to be groped.’ He slid his hands over her upper arms, vaguely appreciating the irony as his fingers skimmed across bare skin. ‘Only I forgot to ask what your brother looks like. It would be useful to know.’

  ‘Oh, I never told you that, did I?’ Her voice caught as she glanced down at one of his hands, as if she were uncertain what to make of its presence. ‘Just like Michael, only a larger version. They’re almost identical.’

  ‘Well, that should make life a bit easier.’ He smiled and released her, his fingers still tingling with her body heat. ‘I’ll go tonight with James. If your brother’s still in Bath, then we’ll find him, I promise, but first you and I have an expedition to the park to enjoy.’

  ‘Yes, but please don’t feel obliged. You must be tired after your ride...’

  ‘Any more objections and I’ll make you join in cadet training, too,’ he interrupted sternly. ‘I keep telling you, I want to help.’

  ‘But why?’ Her eyes flashed with a look of suspicion. ‘It can’t just be because of Anna.’

  ‘Actually it can, although not just because it’s what she would want me to do.’ He paused. It was the same question he’d asked himself earlier, but suddenly the answer seemed a lot clearer. ‘The truth is, I wasn’t here when Anna needed me after our father died and I’ve always felt guilty about that. She had to run the shop almost single-handedly. And now she’s married, she doesn’t need me at all and there’s no way I can make it up to her. But I still want to make it up to her. I thought perhaps I could help you and your nephews instead, if you’ll let me?’

  ‘I see.’ Her brows knotted, as if she were thinking the idea through. ‘So, you want to help me to make amends to Anna?’

  ‘Yes.’ He nodded. It was the truth, too, or at least the part of it he understood. ‘And because there was a time in my life when I felt utterly
futile and helpless. It was a horrible feeling and I hated it. Now that I can help, I want to. You’d be doing me a favour, giving me a chance to redeem myself, if that makes any sense?’

  ‘It does.’ Her gaze softened again. ‘In that case, I’d be honoured by your help, Sebastian.’

  ‘As I am to give it.’ He bowed his head, feeling a flicker of heat in his chest at the words, a flicker that built into a glow, then flared into a blaze, until he felt hot all over.

  ‘Well then...’ She turned towards the stairs, mercifully oblivious to the inferno now raging inside him. ‘I’d better fetch my bonnet.’

  Sebastian took a few deep, though not particularly cooling, breaths before following and they were on their way in a matter of minutes, Peter and Michael walking on either side of him, chattering excitedly, while Henrietta walked hand in hand with Oliver. It was a strange feeling, Sebastian thought, to be jealous of a five-year-old, but he was, especially when said five-year-old was also hugged and kissed on numerous occasions. Just one hug would have sufficed for him, he thought, watching covertly, although perhaps he was deluding himself and keeping his hands away from Henrietta was the wiser course of action... Truthfully, there was no perhaps about it.

  * * *

  He insisted on paying their entry to Sydney Gardens and led them inside, past the maze and faux castle to a secluded corner that was more woodland than manicured lawn. At this time of year there were hardly any people on the paths and none at all after the first few minutes, which was exactly what he wanted.

  ‘How are we going to train as sailors here?’ Peter looked confused. ‘The lake’s over that way.’

  ‘Yes, but the oak trees are here.’

  ‘What do oak trees have to do with ships?’

  ‘Aside from the fact that most ships are made from oak?’ Sebastian put his hands on his hips and craned his neck backwards. ‘Ever climbed a mast?’

  ‘Oh!’ Henrietta let out a worried exclamation. ‘That doesn’t sound very safe.’