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

by Jenni Fletcher

  She must have had children at a very young age, Sebastian had teased her, but he’d agreed readily enough, telling the boys that it was all part of a game. Consequently, every evening after dinner, he left the chamber to allow them to wash and change into their nightclothes before coming back and settling himself into either a spare truckle bed or an armchair by the fire. It was an eminently practical arrangement, but one that had left no opportunity to talk privately, something she really wanted to do before they reached Feversham, if only to work out how they ought to behave.

  And all this thinking was giving her a headache...

  She was just attempting to adjust her position when the carriage swung sideways abruptly, lurching to a halt in front of a small coaching inn and jolting Peter and Oliver awake at the same moment.

  ‘Here we are.’ Henrietta gave them both a squeeze, letting the middle-aged couple and their daughter descend first before climbing out of the carriage and stretching her arms above her head with relief.

  ‘I’m hungry,’ Michael grumbled beside her.

  ‘We’re all hungry.’

  ‘I don’t know about you, but I could eat a cow.’ Sebastian jumped down from the roof, landing with a heavy thud beside them. ‘Only let’s start with something smaller, shall we? Some stew, perhaps?’

  ‘I like stew.’ Oliver grinned.

  ‘Excellent!’ He reached down, scooping her youngest nephew up under one arm before grabbing hold of their travelling bag with the other. ‘Now let’s go and find a room, shall we? You boys can carry that chest between you, I hope?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Henrietta watched with amazement as Michael and Peter transformed into young cadets before her eyes, trotting behind Sebastian as he led them first into the taproom and then up a creaking staircase into a cosy, wood-panelled bedchamber.

  ‘I’ll order some dinner before it gets too busy.’ Sebastian dropped a giggling Oliver on to the bed and the bag on to the floor alongside.

  ‘Let me do it.’ Henrietta showed the boys where to put the chest. ‘You should warm yourself by the fire. You must have been frozen on that roof.’

  ‘I’ve felt worse, believe me, although I have to admit the wind was bracing. I have no cobwebs left, but at least we’re done with stagecoaches now. Feversham’s only a few miles from here. If it wasn’t so late, I’d hire a cart to take us there tonight.’

  ‘Just a few miles?’ Henrietta’s voice emerged as a croak. Suddenly she wished they had a week of cramped carriages ahead of them. ‘But I thought we were still in Derbyshire?’

  ‘Only just. Yorkshire’s over the next hill.’

  ‘So we’ll arrive tomorrow?’

  ‘Before lunch, I should think.’ His smile faltered briefly. ‘Now, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Stew all round!’

  ‘Wait...!’ Henrietta hastened into the corridor after him, pulling the door half closed behind her to block out the chorus of cheers from within.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Sebastian turned around at once. ‘Would you prefer something else?’

  ‘No, it’s not the food, it’s about tomorrow. I’ve been thinking—perhaps it isn’t such a good idea our coming with you to Feversham, after all. Maybe we could just stay here for a few days? Or somewhere close by? I don’t want us to be in the way.’

  Sebastian’s brow furrowed. ‘If you think I’m just going to abandon you here, then you’re very mistaken. We’ve come this far together and that means we stay together.’

  ‘But it’s not your house. It’s your uncle’s. He might think that you’ve taken a liberty by inviting us.’

  ‘He might. In which case, our visit will be a short one.’

  ‘Sebastian.’ She adopted the stern voice she used occasionally with the boys, exasperated by his refusal to see any problems. ‘What I’m trying to say is that if you’re having any second thoughts about any of this then I would understand. I don’t want you to feel any obligation.’

  ‘Obligation?’ He mused over the word. ‘No, I can’t say that I do.’

  ‘Especially considering what your family might think of us travelling together. I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong impression.’ She was starting to think that she might need to hit him over the head with a stick to make him understand. ‘They might think there’s more between us than friendship.’

  ‘Probably.’

  ‘Probably?’ She blinked.

  ‘It’s the likely conclusion.’ He looked remarkably unbothered by the idea. ‘And it’s the truth, isn’t it?’

  ‘I...’ She hesitated. ‘I don’t know. We haven’t talked about what happened. We’ve been so busy...’

  ‘Ah.’ He looked faintly relieved, reaching for her hands and twining their fingers together in a way that made goose pimples rise on her skin. ‘The truth is, I was afraid you might change your mind if we talked too much. And I suppose I’ve been preoccupied, too. I’m not thrilled about the idea of meeting my family. Seeing my mother, yes, but her mother and my uncle?’ His brows contracted. ‘I can’t help but feel as though I’m betraying my father.’

  ‘Oh, Sebastian.’ She slid her thumbs around so that they were on top of his hands. ‘Surely if your mother can forgive them...?’

  ‘Then I should, too, I know. Even Anna seems to have made peace with it all, but if it wasn’t for them...’ A muscle tightened in his jaw. ‘My father spent his whole life trying to make up for what my mother lost by marrying him. He never wanted her to regret their elopement. She didn’t and she told him so often enough, but the worry was always there underneath. I think it’s part of the reason he worked so hard. I’m not saying that her family were responsible for his death, but it’s hard not to resent them. And now it’s as though my mother’s gone backwards, as if my father never even existed. I know that’s not fair, but all of this has happened so quickly.’ He shook his head as if to clear it of unpleasant thoughts. ‘But I’m glad that you’re with me. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be with. Truly, Henrietta.’

  ‘Then I’m glad to be here, too.’ She caught her breath, her chest feeling too tight all of a sudden.

  ‘But I don’t want you to feel any obligation either.’ He looked serious again. ‘If you’re not happy or you want to leave for any reason, just say the word and I’ll take you back to Bath. You have my word on it.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She jumped at the sound of a loud thud from the chamber behind her. ‘In that case, while we’re staying with your family, I think that we ought to remain as just friends. I might not care what the shopkeepers of Bath think of me any more, but I do care about your mother.’

  ‘Just while we’re staying there?’ He quirked an eyebrow.

  ‘Until we can talk about things...properly.’

  ‘Ah.’ He glanced at the partially open door behind them, his expression inscrutable. ‘As you wish. Now I’d better let you go. It sounds like a herd of cattle in there.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was a perfect winter morning, Sebastian thought, the kind you might get only once or twice in a season. The December sun was blindingly low, gleaming off the river that ran behind the inn and bathing the trees alongside in bright yellow light. Aside from their bare branches, however, there were almost no signs of winter, just a light frost gilding the scattering of stones beneath. He stood by the window, admiring the scene for a few moments before turning around and clapping his hands together enthusiastically.

  ‘Shall we go for a stroll?’

  ‘Right now?’ Henrietta gave him a surprised look. They’d eaten breakfast and she’d just finished repacking their chest. ‘I thought you wanted to go and hire a cart?’

  ‘I do, but it’s such a lovely morning and the boys could do with some exercise.’

  ‘Of course, if you like.’ She appeared to bite her tongue as she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. ‘That would be ver
y pleasant.’

  He watched as she bundled her nephews into their caps and jackets. Just friends. The words had rankled and rattled around his brain all night. They weren’t exactly what he’d been hoping to hear, though perhaps she had a point about not scandalising his family. Still, he was starting to regret his friendly behaviour over the past few days.

  After what she’d told him about her previous romantic experiences, he hadn’t wanted her to feel under any pressure, especially when they were sharing a chamber, or to change her mind about accompanying him, but now it appeared, ironically, that he’d been too well behaved. She’d got used to them being just friends again. His only consolation was that she hadn’t said she never wanted to kiss him again...only while they were in Yorkshire, until they could find some time to talk...which made him want to get this visit over with quicker than ever.

  They were halfway down the staircase when Michael let out a yelp and a small tin fell from his fingers, spilling marbles all over the corridor below.

  ‘Oh, no!’ Michael and Peter immediately sprang after them.

  ‘Careful!’ Henrietta kept a firm grip on Oliver’s hand. ‘Don’t slip!’

  ‘Do you know how many you had?’ Sebastian went to help, crouching on his haunches.

  ‘Twenty altogether.’

  ‘All right. Where’s the tin?’ Quickly, he scooped up a handful of marbles and dropped them in one by one. ‘That’s eight.’

  ‘I have another five!’

  ‘I’ve only got two.’

  ‘Keep looking.’

  ‘I can’t find them!’ Michael wailed after a few minutes. ‘Maybe they rolled outside?’

  ‘Are these what you’re looking for?’ A grey-haired gentleman with a round, friendly face and wispy hair appeared in the taproom doorway, holding the last five marbles. ‘Wouldn’t do to lose them.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ Michael darted forward with a grin.

  ‘Here. I’ll carry them in my pocket from now on.’ Sebastian gave a nod of thanks and reached for the tin. ‘So that we don’t have any more accidents.’

  ‘Sorry, Sebastian.’

  ‘Come on.’ He ruffled Michael’s hair. ‘Let’s go for that walk. Good morning.’

  He tipped his hat to the gentleman, surprised when the man only stared quizzically back, and went outside. The stagecoach had already departed and the courtyard was relatively peaceful now, most people preferring to stand in the sunshine of the main street. That was wider than he’d given it credit for the previous evening, with several shops interspersed with neat-looking grey houses. A number of shoppers were out and about, too, milling around and chattering. Altogether it was a pleasant place for a stroll, he thought, made even pleasanter by the touch of Henrietta’s hand on his arm.

  He couldn’t help but watch her out of the corner of his eye, wondering whether she was having regrets about kissing him at all. Her words the previous evening implied it. Or maybe she was simply having more doubts about whether or not she could trust him. Or maybe she was genuinely worried about what his family might think? Or was it about his intentions in general? And what were they anyway?

  He tipped his hat to a group of ladies as they walked by, considering the question. He probably ought to have thought about it sooner, especially after the way Miss MacQueen had chided him, but everything had happened so quickly. What were his intentions? Honourable, yes, but how honourable? Marriage? Was he really prepared to tie himself down just when he’d become a free man?

  He sighed. Whatever his intentions, he was back in friends territory just when he wanted to kiss her more than ever.

  * * *

  They had made their way through the town and along a path to the river. The water was fast, but not particularly deep, and there had been stones to throw, branches to race under the bridge and stepping stones to jump across, after which the boys had been so hungry that Henrietta had had to pop into a bakery for some bread for them to share. All of which meant that it was past noon by the time they headed back to the inn to collect their bags.

  ‘Sebastian?’ Henrietta lowered her voice as they wandered back.

  ‘Mmm?’ He liked the way she said his name. Sebastian...with an emphasis on the B. Nobody else said it like that.

  ‘You know it might just be better to get it over with?’

  He gave her arm a small nudge. ‘Are you suggesting that I’m delaying the last leg of our journey on purpose?’

  ‘It crossed my mind.’ She nudged him back. ‘Although I wouldn’t blame you if you were.’

  ‘I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I’ve run out of excuses anyway. I’ll go and ask the innkeeper about that cart n—’

  ‘Sebastian!’

  He stopped mid-stride at the sound of his name, looking up to see two women emerging from an apothecary’s just ahead of them. Quickly, he let go of Henrietta, opening his arms just in time for one of the women to launch herself at him, moving faster than he’d ever seen her move in, well—ever. If he hadn’t taken a moment to brace himself, they would surely both have been sent sprawling into a puddle.

  ‘Sebastian!’ the woman repeated, pummelling him in the face with her bonnet as she tightened her grip on his neck. ‘I thought you were still in Bath. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’

  ‘It was a last-minute decision.’ He tipped his head back with some difficulty and smiled. His mother had a few more wrinkles and grey hairs than the last time he’d seen her, but her face was just as kind and loving as he remembered. ‘It’s good to see you again, Mama.’

  ‘You’ve no idea how good it is to see you.’ There were tears in her eyes now. ‘It’s been so long!’

  ‘I know, but I’m here to make up for it now.’

  ‘Yes, you are. I can hardly believe it. Oh!’ She noticed his companion finally, a surprised expression passing over her face. ‘Henrietta? How lovely to see you, my dear.’

  ‘Miss Gardiner and her nephews accompanied me,’ Sebastian announced, deciding to dive straight in before anyone could start asking questions. ‘We decided we were all in need of a holiday. Mama, meet Peter, Michael and Oliver.’

  ‘What fine-looking young men.’ His mother gave them all a wide smile. ‘Now, let me introduce you to my mother, Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Messingham.’

  Sebastian tensed as he looked towards that formidably titled personage. Small and white-haired as she was, it was impossible to doubt the family relation. She looked so much like his mother they might as well have had mother and daughter stamped across their foreheads.

  ‘My friends call me Ottoline.’ The woman smiled. ‘I’m so pleased to finally meet you.’

  ‘Your Grace.’ He bowed politely, unable to agree with anything resembling honesty, though fortunately he was saved by the arrival of the gentleman from the inn.

  ‘Tobias!’ His mother waved. ‘Look who we found.’

  ‘My nephew, I presume?’ The man beamed as he shook his hand. ‘I wondered when I heard your name, but I couldn’t be sure. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

  Sebastian exchanged a quick glance with Henrietta. She and the boys were standing off to one side, huddled together and looking faintly bewildered by the number of greetings being exchanged. He was experiencing a similar feeling himself. As first meetings after long estrangements went, it was frankly bizarre. Everyone seemed so...happy.

  ‘Would you do me the honour of introducing your companions?’ His uncle turned towards Henrietta, still beaming.

  ‘Of course, forgive me. Lord Tobias, this is Miss Henrietta Gardiner.’ He paused, rebelling at the thought of referring to her as just a friend. ‘She’s the current manager of Belles.’

  ‘Miss Gardiner, I’m delighted.’ His uncle bowed over her hand. ‘I hope that you’re coming to visit us at Feversham Hall, too? And I presume these young marble-players belong to you?’

&n
bsp; ‘Yes, they’re my nephews.’

  ‘Then you must all come to stay. How jolly!’

  ‘I...’ She looked somewhat overwhelmed. ‘Thank you. If it’s not an inconvenience?’

  ‘Balderdash! Where are your bags?’

  ‘At the inn.’

  ‘Then let’s go and fetch them! Ah.’ Lord Tobias took a few steps before stopping and clucking his tongue. ‘It occurs to me, we’re not going to fit everyone in one carriage.’

  ‘Sebastian was going to hire a cart.’ Michael found his voice again.

  ‘What a splendid idea!’ Lord Tobias snapped his fingers. ‘In that case, why don’t we fellows go and organise that while the ladies go ahead?’

  ‘If that’s all right with Henrietta?’ Sebastian threw her a questioning look.

  ‘Ye-es...’ She looked from him to her nephews and back again. ‘If you think it is?’

  ‘I’ll collect the bags and keep an eye on the boys.’ He gave her a reassuring smile. ‘And I’ll see you soon. Very soon.’

  ‘Well, that’s settled. Come along, my dear.’ His mother slid her hand through Henrietta’s arm. ‘The carriage is just over here.’

  * * *

  It was the first time Henrietta had ever been in a private carriage, but despite the cosy leather interior and silk cushions, she fervently wished that she might have got out and walked—or at least travelled in a cart with Sebastian and the boys. Mrs Fortini and her mother were both perfectly pleasant, but she found herself answering their questions in awkward monosyllables, far too aware of the questions behind the questions. They were both much too polite to ask outright, but they had to be wondering what on earth she was doing there, never mind her nephews! They had to be wondering about her relationship with Sebastian, too, but it wasn’t as if she had any answers to give them, not yet anyway. It was a huge relief when the carriage finally drew to a stop, less so when she climbed out and saw a grey brick manor house roughly twice the size of the Bath Assembly Rooms.