Unwrapping a Rogue: A Christmas Regency Boxset

by Samantha Holt

  Jean let out a tiny sigh beside her, and Marianne had to admit it was a deeply romantic sentiment. Alexander’s intense blue gaze was making her feel a little uncomfortable, though, so she only murmured, “Indeed, you are correct,” before turning her head and looking out at the streets.

  Mr. Coutts was a rather elderly gentleman, Marianne discovered, in his late seventies, but as professional and charming as Marianne could wish. He listened while Alexander verified her identity and then turned his full attention to Marianne.

  “My bank is at your disposal, Lady Creighton. Your funds are at the present time lodged in an account which attracts only minimal interest; I would not recommend keeping more than the amount you would require in, say, a twelve-month period there at any one time.”

  “I am not presently decided on what, if any, investments I wish to make,” Marianne admitted.

  “When you are, my lady, we stand ready to assist. Do you wish to withdraw any funds for your own use at this time?”

  “It’s up to you,” Alexander said when she hesitated. “You might wish to have some small amount on hand for expenses - a few pounds, perhaps? Remember, there is more to come when the rest of the sales are concluded, and you can return on any day the bank is open to make a further withdrawal if you wish.”

  “Ten pounds,” Marianne decided. “That is a sufficient sum for any small purchases, I believe. If I wish to make a larger purchase than that, it would be as well to meditate on it a day or two anyway.”

  “A very prudent attitude, my lady,” Mr. Coutts approved. “Small notes would be best, I think? A few moments, and I will have one of my tellers complete the transaction.”

  Within minutes, Marianne was tucking a small roll of pound and ten-shilling notes into her reticule, along with a small pouch containing a pound in coins. Taking their leave of Mr. Coutts, they collected Jean from the anteroom where the maid waited and returned to the carriage.

  “Would you like to return directly to Cavendish Square, or may I convey you elsewhere?” Alexander enquired.

  It took Marianne a few moments to reply. She was still too accustomed to having her every move dictated by others, she realised; the need to ask permission to go anywhere or do anything had become ingrained.

  “I would like to go somewhere, yes,” she said finally. “Would you perhaps have time to take a walk with me?”

  “I should be delighted,” Alexander replied promptly. “Though it is cold today, it is quite dry. St. James’s Park isn’t far from here, just along The Strand?”

  He was asking, not telling, her where they should go, his hand extended to help her up into the carriage and his driver awaited her instruction.

  A heady feeling enveloped Marianne, a rush of lightness, almost as though she was floating. “I should love to go to St. James’s Park. Could we perhaps make a stop by a baker’s shop to buy some bread? I have ever been fond of feeding the ducks there.”

  “You heard Lady Marianne,” Alexander said to his driver as he handed Jean up after her mistress, “a baker’s shop and then the park. Hungry ducks await!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Arriving back at the Havers’ townhouse with muddy shoes and cheeks pink from the cold Marianne could not wipe the broad smile from her face as she accompanied Jean upstairs to change.

  “You look pleased with yourself,” Ellen said as they met on the landing. “Did you enjoy your outing?”

  “I fed the ducks!” Marianne said, laughing as she realised she sounded like an excited child.

  Ellen’s expression was both puzzled and amused as she tilted her head slightly and said, “That does sound like fun. Are you coming with me this afternoon?”

  “Oh, why not. Lady Jersey will only turn up here to see me if I do not, and probably bring a selection of potential suitors with her. At least if I go, I can impress on her the need to see Diana well-settled.” Still in a good mood, Marianne shrugged off her earlier concerns. “When do you wish to go?”

  “Will a half hour be enough time to refresh yourself?”

  “Easily!”

  Ellen smiled, obviously delighted by Marianne’s happy mood. “I’ll have Cook send up a little luncheon for you - some soup perhaps?”

  “Begging your pardon, m’lady, but I sent the instruction to the kitchen already.” Jean bobbed a curtsey.

  “Good girl, Jean. I’m glad Marianne has someone so devoted to her comfort.” Ellen praised and Jean blushed, ducking her head shyly.

  “Jean is wonderful, and I fully intend to steal her from your employ,” Marianne said. “Now I have control of some funds of my own, I hope she will accept the position of my personal maid on a permanent basis.”

  Jean’s eyes shone with unshed tears as she curtseyed again, deeper this time. “Oh, m’lady. I’m that honoured. But don’t you want one of them proper French lady’s maids?”

  “A fine English girl is more than good enough for me,” Marianne told her.

  “Then you should accept Lady Marianne’s offer, with my blessing,” Ellen declared.

  Jean wasn’t the type to repeatedly babble thanks, for which Marianne was quite grateful as they proceeded to her rooms. The fire was soon built up, Marianne’s muddy boots and damp gown removed, fresh things laid out for her to change into, and a tray arrived from the kitchen with a light snack to sate her hunger.

  “I used to take such service for granted, perhaps because of how grudgingly it was offered,” Marianne murmured as Jean took a brush and began attending to her hair, “yet now, I am almost overwhelmed with gratitude for Lady Havers’ kindness and your good care of me, Jean.”

  “Lady Havers has naught but good to say about you, m’lady,” Jean said, tucking in a stray curl, “and as for me - well, it’s a pleasure to look after you and all your lovely things. You’ve only kind words for everyone. Believe me, servants notice who ain’t so sweet-tempered.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Marianne hesitated, then thought she might as well ask. “Did any of the servants at Havers Hall speak much of Lord Glenkellie? I know he was only there a few days, before he had to return to London, and he brought his own manservant with him, so perhaps they didn’t have much to do with him.”

  “Not so much, you’re right, my lady, but everyone as did serve him said he was right civil, ‘specially for bein’ so high a lord, you know. And his man Simons was fair devoted. Said as how Lord Glenkellie is the best master he could ask for, and everyone who serves him thinks the same. Me, I think anyone Lord and Lady Havers choose as a friend must be one of the finest people in England,” Jean insisted. “They chose you, didn’t they?”

  Marianne chuckled. “Well, one could say I rather thrust myself upon them, in fact, but I will accept your compliment at face value, Jean. For I too think Lord and Lady Havers are excellent judges of character.”

  LADY JERSEY RECEIVED their little group in her fabulously overdecorated Indian parlour. Marianne, who had been there once before, stifled laughter as Ellen and the Creighton ladies looked around agape. Catching Sarah Child Villiers’ eye, she had to look away to compose herself.

  Ellen finally pulled herself together to present Lavinia, Diana, and Clarissa to Lady Jersey. Though Clarissa had not technically been invited, Lavinia had insisted she come along anyway, and received exactly what she deserved for her presumption. Lady Jersey looked Clarissa up and down once and said, “Should you not be in the schoolroom, child? There are some kittens in the mews, I believe; go with Frost to see them and Cook shall give you a glass of milk after.”

  Clarissa was quite obviously laughing as she left in the wake of the imperious butler, and Diana’s longing expression said she would far rather be going with her sister than sitting down to take tea with one former and three current countesses.

  Marianne didn’t blame Diana. She would rather be going to the stables too than face another Lady Jersey interrogation, but the arbiter of the Ton was a very perceptive woman who had seen past the aloof face Marianne had been forced to present t
o the world by her husband, had been kind to her and invited her into her circle of friends. It was a debt of kindness Marianne could never repay, so she settled herself on a chaise, pasted on an attentive expression, and accepted a lemon biscuit.

  “So you’re Diana.” Sarah inspected the quaking debutante with a gimlet eye. “What’s your dowry again, girl?”

  “Ten thousand pounds,” Lavinia said smugly, “and Clarissa will have as much next year.”

  Lady Jersey turned her gaze on Lavinia. Not a word was said, but Lavinia shrank back into her seat and clamped her lips shut.

  “What do you like, Diana?” Lady Jersey asked, and Diana gulped, glancing at her mother. Lavinia nodded.

  “I am accomplished on the pianoforte and sing tolerably well,” Diana said in a small voice. “I enjoy needlework and drawing with pencils. I speak French and some Italian...”

  “Same as every other young woman of your rank this season, if not a little less,” Lady Jersey said with a sniff, and Diana looked as though she might cry. Sarah’s tone softened. “I mean, what do you like? What do you enjoy doing, if you have nobody to please but yourself?”

  “Oh,” Diana said, obviously surprised. “Well... I really do like drawing. Animals in particular. I drew Father’s dogs, Apollo and Ares, and Father liked it so much he had it framed and hung it on the wall of his study.”

  Lady Jersey nodded encouragingly. “Animals are good. Many young men are very fond of their dogs and horses. If you are able, for example, to draw each of his horses well enough to show its distinguishing features, he will very likely declare himself in love with you on the instant.”

  Diana let out a laugh before recalling herself and turning it into a ladylike giggle behind her hand. Sarah winked at Marianne, and she let out a sigh of relief. Diana had managed to endear herself to Sarah, and the influential countess would throw her in the path of not only eligible young men, but ones whom she might like and respect.

  “Well, I think you’ll take very well, my dear,” Lady Jersey said, giving her stamp of approval. “I hope you’ll take my advice, which is to always let young men know what you’re really thinking. Girls who pretend they’re hanging on an idiot’s every word tend to find themselves married to the idiot in question.”

  Ellen laughed at that; Lavinia was staring pop-eyed and indignant, but still too intimidated to speak.

  “I must agree,” Marianne said, drawing Diana’s eyes to her. “A man who will not respect your opinions and your wishes is not a man you would want to become more closely acquainted with. Do not wait until you are already committed to let him know who you truly are.”

  “I will endeavour always to keep that in mind,” Diana said. “Thank you for your advice, Lady Jersey. Aunt Marianne.”

  “Speaking of advice,” Lady Jersey said, “I understand you have spent very little time in London, Lady Creighton?”

  Lavinia flushed and looked a little angry to be called on so, but she answered. “Yes, my lady, that’s so. My parents did not care to travel much from Durham, where our home was, and where I met my husband.”

  “You should listen carefully to your aunt.” Sarah indicated Marianne. “She has successfully navigated the dangerous waters of London’s upper society for years now. Allow her to guide your daughters and they will do very well.”

  Lavinia spluttered. “But - but - Marianne isn’t married!”

  “You make an excellent point.” There was a familiar, wicked glint in Sarah’s eye. “Do you have any suitable candidates in mind, Marianne?”

  “I think your ladyship knows perfectly well that I do not wish to remarry.” Marianne remained cool and composed, her hands folded in her lap.

  “You cannot let one bad experience put you off for life. ‘Tis rather like riding a horse; you fall off, you must get right back on!”

  “Nevertheless,” Marianne said levelly.

  “Well, we shall see. I shan’t press you, not this year, but I think ‘twould be a shame if you closed yourself off from the possibility entirely.” Sarah’s voice was quite gentle. “You have a great capacity to love, my dear. I would not like to see you wasted as a lonely widow forever.”

  Marianne looked down, tears pricking at the back of her eyelids. “Thank you for your concern, my lady, but I pray you do not trouble yourself over me. I am very content as I am and wish only to focus on seeing my dear nieces well-settled.”

  There was a long moment of silence, and Marianne finally lifted her eyes to glance at Sarah, finding the other woman studying her with a slight frown. Essaying a small smile, Marianne prayed her friend would accept her decision.

  “Very well,” Lady Jersey said finally. “Lady Creighton, I am pleased to advise your application for subscription at Almack’s is approved for this year.” Leaning forward, she slid open a drawer in the small occasional table before her and removed a stack of pasteboard rectangles. “Three vouchers, for yourself, the Earl and the Lady Diana.” She counted out three of the tickets and handed them to Lavinia, who gushed her thanks.

  “Yes, yes.” With an irritated wave of her hand, Sarah cut Lavinia off. “And here are yours, Ellen.” She handed three more over.

  “Three?” Marianne asked.

  “One is yours, of course.” Ellen pressed it into her hand.

  “Oh... but I did not apply.” She did not have the ten guineas for the subscription, or had not until that morning. She would have to visit Coutts again to pay Ellen back.

  “I applied on your behalf. I could not possibly do without your company in my first full season trying to fit in with the Ton, Marianne. Besides, I shall quite depend on you to rein in Thomas’ Americanisms, lest he offend someone unintentionally!”

  Marianne smiled fondly at her friend. “I’m not sure Lord Havers is capable of offending anyone; he is far too nice!”

  “Unless you mention the slave trade,” Sarah remarked. “I rather thought he and Portland might come to blows when the topic came up at the Fulton dinner party! Portland was convinced he would be anti-emancipation, ” she added to Marianne, who almost choked. She’d heard Thomas rage about the inhumanity of the slave trade on more than one occasion.

  “Oh, please don’t mention that again,” Ellen begged. “I had rather hoped everyone forgot it.”

  “Quite the opposite. Castlereagh has spoken of it often with great admiration. I believe he is rather hoping Lord Havers will speak as eloquently on the topic in the House of Lords this year.”

  “Have no doubt of it.” Ellen acknowledged Lady Jersey’s approval.

  Sarah nodded before reaching for a bell-pull beside her chair. “I shall have Frost fetch your other daughter, Lady Creighton. Pray excuse me; I am promised to a soiree at the Drummond-Burrells this evening.”

  “Thank you so much for your time, Lady Jersey.” Taking her cue, Lavinia rose and offered a curtsey; Diana quickly followed suit. Ellen and Marianne made their farewells a little more leisurely, confident Lady Jersey’s favour was not about to be withdrawn if they made the slightest misstep.

  Clarissa met them in the entrance hall, taking her sister’s arm and whispering to her. Diana still looked pale and nervous, but managed to respond to Clarissa’s questioning with a small smile. Marianne was confident Diana would be fine, though it might take her some time to find her confidence among the London crowd. At least she had plenty of people looking out for her, unlike Marianne herself. There had been no one at all to speak for Marianne when her father had forced her into a hasty marriage, nobody she might have run to for help.

  What could anyone have done, anyway? Marianne mused as she sat opposite Ellen in the Havers carriage on their way home. She’d been eighteen and legally under her father’s control. If Arthur decided to marry Diana off to some crony of his, there was little anyone could do about it legally. Outside the law - well, Marianne was quite certain she could smuggle herself and Diana onto a ship bound for the Americas, if it came to that. With her newfound wealth, opportunities presented which had never been
open to her before.

  “You look very thoughtful; what is on your mind?” Ellen asked from the other side of the carriage.

  Marianne answered unthinkingly. “Running away to the Americas.”

  “Good God, not really?” Ellen looked shocked.

  “Not really.” Marianne gave her a reassuring smile. “Not for myself, at any rate, though should Diana find herself in an untenable situation due to Arthur or Lavinia’s machinations, I would not hesitate to take her beyond their reach.”

  “Good for you,” Ellen said. “I was in an untenable situation myself after my parents died and before Thomas took me in as part of the Havers family. Knowing there is a possible escape route would be a great comfort to any young woman, I think. I hope you will assure Diana, and Clarissa of course, that they may call upon Thomas and me as well as yourself should they need advice or assistance in anything.”

  “I shall, and thank you,” Marianne said. “It’s not that I think Arthur would do anything as terrible as what my father did to me, of course, but... well, Lavinia is very socially ambitious. I wouldn’t put it past her to arrange a convenient compromise. I intend to take my chaperoning duties very seriously and attend every event to which they are invited.”

  “I will be right there beside you,” Ellen promised. “It will be good practice, after all, for if I have daughters of my own one day!” Her hand slid to her stomach.

  Marianne’s eyes widened. “Are you expecting?” she gasped, excited for her friend.

  “Perhaps.” Ellen leaned close and lowered her voice, though they were quite alone. “I feel dreadfully queasy in the mornings. Susan has taken to bringing me tea and dry biscuits while I am still in bed, to stave off the nausea. I’ve made an appointment for the doctor to come tomorrow morning, while Thomas will be out. Will you attend me?”

  “You haven’t told him yet?”