A Friendly Alliance: A Regency Romance (Heirs of Berkshire Book 1)

by Johanna Evelyn

  Her uncle sat next to the fire, his smile catching. “She has all but joined our ranks, my dear. Do not fuss.”

  As if on cue, Peter stepped into the room. His eyes softened as they landed on her neckless. He knew the importance of her wearing it. He moved to her, placing a kiss to her cheek. He whispered into her ear before pulling away. “You are breathtaking. I cannot wait until I have you all to myself.”

  She swatted his lapel, her face turning pink. “You will never have me all to yourself. We will visit my father every day.”

  The room laughed, and she turned her attention to her family. Peter’s mother stepped in, giving Juliana another kiss. “Welcome to the family. I am sorry I could not be with you while you shopped for your wedding attire, but I am planning a large ball to be held in your honor as soon as you return from your wedding trip.”

  Peter’s eyes went wide. “Mother that was a surprise.”

  His mother just smiled, her eyes dancing.

  Dinner was announced and Peter tucked her arm into his. Juliana was surprised when her father offered for Peter’s mother’s arm, escorting her into dinner.

  Juliana smiled at the intimate picture they created. She could get used to keeping their evenings small.

  As the dessert was placed in front of them, Peter took his full attention to her.

  “Are you sure you must leave for the week?” she asked him.

  “It will fly by. I am sure my mother will keep you busy enough that you will hardly notice my absence.”

  “Imagine if you had not followed me to London.”

  “It would not have taken me long to discover my feelings. You are looking radiant; I would have noticed, no matter where we ended the summer. Besides, it was the thought of you being set upon by so many admirers that had me scurrying to London. I was jealous even if I only realized it after.”

  “I was always so jealous of you heading to London without me. Especially when I came of age and father still would not let me go.”

  Peter looked ashamed. “I have a confession to make.” Juliana wasn’t sure if she wanted to know. “I am the one who convinced your father to delay your come out.”

  Her mouth popped open before she remembered her manners. She pursed her lips together, calming herself. This felt like a betrayal somehow.

  “Why?” she questioned, pushing back the lump in her throat.

  He touched her face gently, stroking the edge of her jaw. She took her eyes to her family, but they didn’t seem to notice Peter’s closeness to her. “If I could take it back I would, just to erase the hurt behind your eyes. I promise never to cause you pain again.”

  She gulped, pulling his hand from her face. “I do not think that is a promise you can keep. We are like brother and sister at times. And siblings quarrel.”

  He smiled. “It has been some time since I considered you as a sister, my dear.”

  She pushed back her smile. He always won an argument. “You are stalling. I might have to go back to addressing you as Lord Seton.”

  “I suppose it is fitting. You can call me by my formal title when you are cross with me whilst I shall try to chase away your anger.”

  This was a lopsided bargain. Peter would always succeed in coming out the victor.

  He turned serious. “I noticed your father seemed agitated whenever my father would bring up your going to London. I knew you would be snatched up as soon as you entered society. I suppose I was prolonging your time with him for both your sakes. Maybe even then, I was jealous of my competition.” He smiled lazily at her.

  She took her eyes to the ceiling. A definite original Juliana trait, as Peter always pointed out.

  “I will forgive you is you hurry back to me.”

  He took her hand to his lips before turning to his dessert. “That, I cannot promise.”

  Juliana brought her attention to her father. “How was your summer. I did not write as often as I should have.”

  “Long.” Her father dipped his spoon into the jellied fruit, taking his first bite.

  “Do not worry yourself over him. I kept his spirits up while you were away,” Peter’s mother interjected.

  The evening finished off in the same jovial manner. Her family let her be alone while Peter said his goodbye. She leaned her head on his chest as he pulled her to him. “Mother will keep you busy. She has been orchestrating the bedroom changes ever since she found out of our engagement. She would like your input on the decorations in your new bedchamber.”

  She brought her eyes to his as a new desire hovered below the surface at his mention of their living arrangements. He saw it too and caught her lips, the passion seeping into the touch. He pulled back and she breathlessly stepped out of his reach. “On second thought, I think it a very good thing that I will not see you again until my wedding day.”

  Peter just laughed, before catching her again and placing another lasting kiss to her lips.

  ***

  Peter was right; she did not notice the week passing. Besides meeting formally with Peter’s mother, she orchestrated her packing. She did not think she would finish in time. Though it would not matter in the end. She would be so close; she could come after the festivities to complete her task.

  The day of her wedding was here, and everything was in place. She moved down the stairs in her new gown, made special for the day, a luxury, she knew. Sarah had placed flowers in her hair before handing her a cluster of roses, peonies, and herbs from the garden, all tied together with love knots made from ribbons. She caught her father’s adoring smile before landing her eyes on Peter. Her breath caught at seeing him dressed to the nine, more put together than she had ever seen him before. As she stepped onto the tile with her silk-stocking slippers, Peter took her arm.

  “You are perfect,” he whispered to her.

  “Are you ready for the walk to the church father?”

  Her father just smiled as Peter led her out the front entrance of her home. She took her eyes to Peter, then to the new carriage that was waiting in front of them.

  “It is your first wedding present.”

  “You are giving me too much,” she breathed.

  “Nothing is too much for you, my dear Juliana.” He helped her into the open carriage, followed by her father.

  The drive was short, and they were greeted by what seemed like half the townspeople standing in the churchyard. She looked for Patience to no avail. She knew it would have taken a miracle to get her here, given their last parting, but Juliana still hoped she would respond to the letter she sent, inviting her.

  She did not have long to be upset as Peter helped her from the carriage, giving her arm to her father before disappearing inside the church.

  Her aunt and uncle were waiting when they entered, along with Peter’s mother, and a man she had never seen before. Her father gave her to Peter as they stood in front of the vicar.

  The ceremony was brief and before she knew it, she was being ushered into the vestry. After all interested parties signed, the vicar reverently handed her a copy of the lines. She took in her breath at this formality. For one of her class, it was just a symbol. No one would question her marriage to Peter, but it was something she would cherish forever. She was officially Lady Seton. Now it seemed silly, caring so much for societies ceinture. The only people who truly mattered were the people here, those who came to wish them well. Her community, her family.

  She looked again at her new ring. It was brilliant, with small diamonds encased below the gold. But this was a little thing as she took her eyes back to Peter. He smiled on her as he guided her out of the church, the bells ringing as their neighbors cheered their well wishes.

  They were off in their new carriage, looks of envy coming from a few faces. She did not have the inclination to care, so happy she was to be Peter’s wife.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “We are not leaving straightaway on our wedding trip?” Juliana looked concerned as they drove out of the churchyard, leaving everyone behind the
m.

  Peter smiled lovingly at her. He could not believe this day had finally come. Juliana was well and truly his, and he would never lose her again. “No. I promised your father I would not take you off until after the breakfast.”

  “I think he has you wrapped around his finger already.” She smiled at him, leaning into him as she wrapped her arm through his.

  “I cannot resist something I know will bring you happiness.” As he brought her closer, he felt as if she always belonged here, nestled in the crook of his neck with his arm wrapped safely around her.

  “We will be taking a slight deviation from our plans though.”

  She looked at her surroundings before taking her eyes to his. “Your home?” An adorable questioning look marred her features. It was better than any of the angry fiery contempt’s she had so often bestowed on him in their youth.

  “Our home.” He corrected.

  When the carriage came to a stop, Peter helped her out. His driver knew what to do, but Juliana turned surprised eyes to him as it left the drive, leaving them alone. She followed him into the house, darting her eyes to the waiting maid, then back to him. She gulped before turning a delightful shade of pink, one that matched the flowers she had been married with. “She will show you to your room.” Peter gestured to the maid.

  Juliana widened her eyes. “Peter, this is scandalous even for you. It is still morning!”

  Peter threw his head back with a laugh. He could not help teasing Juliana, but he didn’t intend for her to come up with the idea that had floated through his mind at being alone with her for the first time, as his wife. And he certainly never intended to act upon the idea. He pulled her to him, kissing her nose. “I have left a present for you on your bed. Change quickly and meet me on the landing. I will not move from this spot; rest assured my love.”

  She pulled herself from his embrace and scurried up the stairs. He wished he could see her reaction to her newly decorated room but knew that would be too much a temptation for him.

  She was next to him before he could think more fully on the matter, her eyes shining. She knew exactly where he intended to take her just by his second present. She was too clever for her own good.

  “I could have produced my own walking boots, you know. One’s that matched my dress better. I am going to need to change again once we reach my father’s house.”

  “I have many surprises for you this day. Come.” He tugged her out the door and they walked hand in hand up the path to the lake.

  The walk was short, and as they picked their way up the slope, he heard something rustle in the water. Juliana glanced up, peering between the trees. “Is someone there already?”

  “There shouldn’t be.” Peter hoped no one was, it would interrupt his surprise.

  With a grin, Juliana made her way up the slope until she stood at the edge of the lake, right next to the dock. Peter moved quickly behind her. A flock of ducks were splashing in the water. The family looked as they always had every year, flopping around and poking at each other. When they were spotted, the ducks stopped their playing and glided over to the bank. Juliana had trained them well. He had to admit to himself that she had a strong claim to the lake because these ducks knew her. He moved to the bank and pushed a small rowboat into the water, tying it to the small makeshift dock.

  “I missed this lake.”

  “I think the lake missed you, as well as these little feathered friends of yours.” The ducks swam away as he jumped off the dock, reaching her side again. Peter grinned, taking her hand. “I had this boat built for you. Would you like to try it out?”

  She looked skeptically towards it, then to her new dress and finally his finery. “I’m happy to see it is nothing like the rowboat I painted in London.”

  Peter laughed as he guided her onto the dock, jumping into the boat, making it rock on the still water. He reached for her hand and she stepped down, shaking awkwardly when the boat tilted. “We’ll capsize!” she laughed as she collapsed into her seat.

  “Nonsense. It is quite safe.” He untied the boat and took up the oars, pulling them further onto the lake.

  Juliana breathed in the warm air, absorbing the beauty of their surroundings. “Your mother captured this lake in a way I never could.”

  He saw a sudden excitement blossom in her. “What are you thinking?”

  “Your mother is now my mother. Perhaps she can teach me how to paint, now that we are so intimately acquainted.”

  Peter rested back, eyeing her with a smile. “She is in much better spirits than when I left her. It is because of you.”

  “What have I done?”

  “She has been waiting for my marriage, even though I am not old enough for her to be concerned. She always loved you. You were not just a sister I never had; you were also a daughter to her in a way.”

  “I thought you no longer think of me as a sister.”

  He shook his head at her grin. “Believe me when I tell you, you hold a much higher regard in my heart.”

  That seemed to please her as her smile broadened. She took her eyes to the ducks that were now following them, and her smile fell. I wonder why Patience did not come to the wedding. I wrote to her and asked if she’d come.”

  “I’m not sure how willing her parents were to let her come.”

  Juliana cast her gaze out to the lake she loved so well. “I feel that Patience’s situation was all my doing.”

  Peter reached for her hand, squeezing it. “Do not blame yourself, Juliana. You couldn’t have known the outcome.”

  “I feel guilty all the same. I will need to see Patience again before I can gain any kind of closure.”

  Peter nodded, releasing her hand and setting back to rowing. “I am sorry, as well,” he said after a long silence. “In that moment when her parents told her they were taking her away early—I should have said something. But they were already so angry at me. I feared making things worse.”

  “You did the right thing. Nothing you said could have changed their minds.”

  Peter nodded solemnly, wondering how the conversation had turned so quickly. “Wounds will heal.” He fixed his gaze on Juliana. “I count ourselves lucky. Who knew the rambunctious girl of my youth would one day be my wife?”

  Juliana gave him a smirk. “Who knew the conceited boy who always made time to tease me would become my handsome husband?”

  Peter tilted his head. “You thought I was conceited?”

  Juliana laughed. “Yes! You bragged, showed off your archery skills whenever I was around, and constantly told me to behave my age.”

  “It sounds like I was in love with you even then.” He paused his rowing and reached for her face, stroking her chin with his thumb. She leaned into his touch, and he relished the way she looked at him.

  “Perhaps you were,” she said quietly.

  He leaned forward, parting the distance between them. He pressed his lips against hers. When she closed her eyes, she hummed in pleasure. They broke away and he smiled at her breathless state, though it caused his pulse to quicken. He pushed down thoughts of her, to tell her his biggest surprise yet.

  “Are you ready for your next wedding gift?”

  “You are not done yet?”

  “I will never be done.”

  “I had no idea you were such a romantic.” Her smile told him she was happy of the fact.

  He cleared his throat, trying to concentrate on his objective. He had thought being alone with her before their marriage was hard, but that was nothing against this new pull they shared. “Our wedding trip.”

  “Yes,” she coaxed when he paused.

  He hoped he was doing the right thing. He might be getting her hopes up for nothing if Patient’s parents refused them an audience. “We are going to be traveling to the ocean.”

  Her eyes widened as her smile stretched. “There is more. I have arranged to stop in Wallingford to visit Patience on the way.”

  Juliana squealed. “Truly!”

  “Yes,
but do not get your hopes up. I have arranged a stay at the inn near their home but have not talked to her parents. I do not know how they will take us visiting unannounced.”

  She clapped her hands together, unable to contain her excitement at seeing her friend again. “I am sure it will turn out well!”

  Peter chuckled as he pulled the boat back to the dock, jumping out and tying it up. It was time to join their party. They would be missed if they didn’t appear soon. He held his hand to Juliana, helping her from the boat. When she was safely on firm ground, she cast her gaze over the lake as it glittered under the rising sun. “I suppose this really is your lake now that we are married.”

  Peter laughed, taking her hand. “Why are you so intent on insisting this lake is your property?”

  Juliana took her eyes to his. “It was one of the few memories I have of my mother. She would bring me here, just her and I. I remember toddling down the slope, my mother always holding my hand firmly so I would not fall. I always pictured bringing my children to this lake, just as she did, to feed the ducks by its edge. A new happy memory for me to treasure.”

  Peter caressed her cheek before turning and pulling her in the direction of his home. She dug her heels into the soft ground, and he turned back to her with a smile. “What is it, my love.”

  She took her eyes heavenward and he had to work hard at not taking her into his arms and kissing the irritation from her lips. “The wedding breakfast is the other way!” He just smiled before pulling her back down the slope. “Peter,” she scolded. “What is in that head of yours?”

  He stopped, turning to her again. “You are getting much better than you think at painting pictures, for the image stuck in my head of our children playing by your side by our lake. I thought we should start right away in making that canvas a reality.” He smiled mischievously at her before guiding her down further, wrapping his arm around her waist so she could not fall.