Lord Ravensden's Marriage

by Anne Herries

  — but I was ashamed that I could contemplate such a thing. I have always followed my own code

  of honour in these matters. I knew you to be innocent, and that is the way you shall come to me as a

  bride. Untouched and lovely as you are.'

  'You have not asked me yet,' she reminded him, afraid that she might weep if she did not laugh.

  Harry chuckled, and dropped to his knees. 'On behalf of myself, my mother and all other interested

  parties, I do very earnestly beg you to do me the honour of becoming my wife, Miss Roade. I have

  a very high regard for you, indeed the highest, and should you refuse, I shall be cast down into the

  depths of despair.'

  'Will you never be serious, Harry?' Beatrice asked, giving him a speaking look. 'I have a good

  mind to refuse after such a proposal. Indeed, it would serve you right if I kept you dangling for

  months.'

  'But you do not intend to do so, do you, dear heart?' asked Harry as he got to his feet. 'You do

  know that if you do not this instant consent to be my wife, I shall very likely take you upstairs by

  force and make love to you until you surrender.'

  Beatrice gurgled with laughter. 'You tempt me, sir. If you make such threats, I shall very likely

  hold out just to see...'

  Harry pulled her into his arms and kissed her so thoroughly that she could hardly breathe. She

  gazed up into his eyes as he released her.

  'You are sure you want to marry me?' she whispered, a teasing note in her voice. 'You are not just

  saying this to please your Mama?'

  'Beatrice...' Harry threatened. 'I am counting...'

  'Oh, very well,' she cried. 'If it is the only way to save my virtue, I accept.' She laughed as his eyes

  took fire. 'I accept with all my heart, with my mind and my body...'

  Chapter Ten

  'You look beautiful,' Olivia said as she finished arranging the lace and veiling on Beatrice's

  bonnet. 'And your gown is lovely—as elegant I am sure as Madame Felice would have made it

  herself if she had not been too busy to oblige you.'

  'Lady Susanna was most put out because she could not see me,' Beatrice said and laughed. 'But I

  did not mind. Madame Coulanges was kindness itself, and I am well satisfied with my trousseau. I

  have never owned so many beautiful things. Harry is always buying me something...a trinket or a

  jewel or some little thing that happened to catch his eye.'

  'And why not?' Olivia said, sparkling at her. 'You deserve everything he gives you, dearest. For

  years you had nothing, and now you will have everything money can buy.'

  'And more,' Beatrice said, her eyes glowing with the knowledge that she was truly loved. 'You

  will come and stay with us sometimes, Olivia?'

  Beatrice looked anxiously at her sister. Roade House having been restored, Olivia had chosen to

  live there with her father at their home in Abbot Giles. She had even declined to accompany

  Beatrice and Lady Susanna to London when Beatrice went up to buy her bride clothes.

  'Of course I shall, often.'

  Beatrice smiled as she looked round her old bedroom. She had chosen to be married in Abbot

  Giles, and her wedding was this very morning. Lady Susanna had wanted to give them a grand

  reception in town, but Beatrice had begged to be allowed a quiet wedding in her own village.

  'I should like my friends to see me wed,' she'd said, a little shyly for her. 'Later perhaps, you could

  give a ball for us in town, Mama, and all your friends can attend that?'

  'An excellent idea,' Harry agreed instantly. Beatrice must of course have her way. 'You could not

  deny Ida and Lily the privilege of attending you on your wedding day, could you, my love?'

  'They will naturally want to see me leave for the church,' Beatrice replied, shaking her head at his

  levity. 'And to share a piece of the wedding cake, of course.'

  'Shall you make it yourself, dear heart?'

  Beatrice threw him a darkling glance. 'I shall not have time.'

  'Indeed, you will not. The very idea!' cried Lady Susanna, scowling at her son. 'It will take us all

  our time to be ready, since my impatient son says he will wait no longer than Christmas to claim

  his bride— though how he expects to have everything ready by then, I do not know.'

  'Sooner if I could persuade Beatrice,' Harry said. 'Gowns can wait. Beatrice has the rest of her

  life to visit the seamstress if she so chooses.'

  Beatrice had merely smiled. Her wedding day had seemed an age away then, but the trip to town

  had been as hectic as it was enjoyable, and before she really knew it they were back in Abbot

  Giles.

  And now it was her wedding day, the twenty-second of December. Beatrice glanced at herself in

  the mirror once more. Her gown was fashioned of a soft cream velvet and heavily trimmed with a

  slightly paler lace. Her rather fetching bonnet was trimmed with matching lace and deep blue

  ribbons.

  Harry still preferred her in green, and indeed several of her new gowns had been made in varying

  shades of green. However, she thought that the soft cream was very suitable for her wedding—its

  purity reflecting her innocence. For she was still untouched. Harry had managed to restrain

  himself—though with mounting difficulty.

  They were to spend their wedding night and the first few days of their married life at Camberwell,

  which Beatrice had found a very comfortable, pleasant house despite all Harry had said to its

  detriment. Harry had employed a small army of craftsmen to make the house as comfortable as

  possible for them.

  'We shall visit each of my estates in the spring,' he had told her. 'But I dare say we shall spend

  much of our time in town. Unless you particularly wish to live in the country, my love?'

  'I can be happy wherever you are, Harry.'

  'Perhaps I shall build us a new wing at Ravensden,' he said, and kissed her hand. 'We have our

  whole lives to decide.'

  They did indeed have a lifetime to decide where they would make their home. Beatrice could

  hardly wait for the moment when their life together would really begin.

  'Are you ready, dearest?'

  Olivia's question recalled her wandering thoughts. She glanced at her reflection, touching the

  simple string of pearls that had been Harry's gift to her on their official engagement, besides the

  magnificent ring of emerald and diamonds that he thought fitting for his future wife. She knew that

  there were many precious heirlooms awaiting her in her husband's bank in London, but the pearls

  had been a personal gift, unworn by any other-Ravensden bride.

  'I chose them myself,' Harry had told her as he placed them tenderly about her neck. 'I did not send

  my agent, I promise you.'

  Beatrice smiled at the memory. She looked at her sister and nodded. 'Yes, I am ready,' she said.

  'Let us go down now.'

  In the hall below, family and servants were gathered together to watch her leave.

  'Lor, miss, you do look lovely,' said Lily.

  'Her be a real ladyship now,' said Ida, sniffing. 'Her won't be with us never no more.'

  'You must both stay here and look after Papa,' Beatrice said, smiling at them. 'Do not imagine you

  will never see me again. I shall return now and then to see all my friends, I promise.'

  'You are beautiful,' Nan said, and pressed a posy of silk flowers tied with blue ribbons into her

  hands.

  'I always hoped you would find a good man, my dear, and you h
ave.'

  'Yes, I know.' Beatrice smiled and kissed her cheek. 'And he is not in the least addled in the wits.'

  She turned to her father. 'Papa', shall we leave?'

  He offered his arm. 'Be happy, my dear,' he murmured as they went out to the carriage which was

  waiting to carry them to the church. It was a very smart affair with the Ravensden coat of arms

  painted on its side and was one of Harry's many gifts to his bride. 'But I know Ravensden will

  look after you.'

  'You will come and stay with us often, Papa?'

  'Most certainly. I have almost perfected my idea for gravity heating, Beatrice. I have promised

  Ravensden that I shall make Camberwell as cosy as you could desire. I dare say I shall be ready

  to begin work in a few months.. .just as soon as you two have had a little time alone together.'

  Beatrice smiled. She faced the thought of her father's assault on Camberwell bravely. After all,

  Harry had promised that they would go on a tour of his estates as soon as the weather improved.

  That should take several weeks, and there was always the lovely and comfortable house in town.

  Harry and Lady Susanna were guests at Jaffrey House. When the Earl of Yardley had heard that

  Ravensden and Beatrice were to be married in the church at Abbot Giles, nothing else would do

  for him.

  'I knew your father, Ravensden,' he had told Harry. 'You and Lady Susanna will oblige me by

  staying here for a few days—and I shall be delighted to offer you my house as the venue for your

  wedding reception.'

  Harry had accepted the offer in the spirit in which it was made, bringing in an army of his own

  servants and cooks to prepare the meal that was to be offered to their guests. Beatrice's quiet

  wedding had become rather larger than she had anticipated. However, since the guests invited

  were, apart from Harry's friends, to come largely from the four villages, she could not complain.

  'We shall give food and ale to everyone who comes to ask,' Harry had said when telling her of his

  plans. 'Ours shall be a wedding that every man, woman and child in the four villages may enjoy if

  they wish.' He smiled and kissed her. 'I want everyone to share in my happiness, Beatrice. When I

  first came to this place, I expected to be bored—but I have never known a dull moment since I

  arrived. I am very grateful to the people of the villages for giving me my lovely bride.'

  Beatrice had invited several children from the villages to be her bridesmaids, and Olivia would

  have charge of keeping them in order, something that would take some doing! Beatrice's wedding

  had set the four communities buzzing, and there was sure to be a great deal of talk about this day

  for months ahead.

  There was a large crowd gathered outside the church to watch Beatrice arrive, despite the fact that

  it was a chilly morning. A cheer and then the sound of clapping greeted her as she stepped from

  the carriage. Inside the church there was not one spare seat to be had. Beatrice was more popular

  than she would ever have guessed, and everyone was delighted that she had made such a fortunate

  match.

  Beatrice was vaguely aware of how many people had gathered to see her wed, but once she

  entered the church, her eyes were only for the man who stood waiting for her to join him. He

  turned as the organ music announced her arrival, and the love in his eyes brought her to the verge

  of tears.

  She walked, head high, on her father's arm to join him.

  'So...' Sir Peregrine said to Beatrice at the reception later. 'I must wish you happy, madam.' It was

  clear that the words stuck in his throat. 'At least Ravensden has chosen a sensible woman this

  time. I suppose I may be certain of a decent dinner should I choose to visit you.'

  'Of course, sir,' Beatrice said and smiled. Even his poisonous barbs could not spoil her happiness

  this day. And all of Harry's other friends had greeted her with true pleasure, especially Merry

  Dawlish, who was already planning a long visit in the spring. 'Anyone Ravensden or I choose to

  invite to our home may be sure they will be welcomed in every way possible.'

  She did not add that she would be glad to welcome him, and he gave her a sour look before

  walking off to speak with Lady Susanna.

  Harry came up to her a moment later. 'What did the abominable Peregrine have to say?'

  'Nothing that need make you frown so, my dearest Harry. You need not fear for me. I was

  vulnerable when your cousin stayed with us, but I can assure you, I am well able to deal with him

  now.'

  Harry's eyes gleamed. 'You will oblige me if you can persuade the abominable Peregrine not to

  visit us more than once every five years.'

  'Harry!' she scolded laughingly. 'I hope I know my duty to your cousin better than that—however

  abominable he may be. He shall come and stay when Merry does, later in the spring.'

  'But do you know your duty to me?' Harry asked, his eyes beginning to smoulder.

  'I believe it is to love, honour and obey...' Her eyes met and challenged his. 'I shall try to be a

  dutiful wife, my lord.'

  'Then do you think you could manage to say your farewells and slip away quite soon, Beatrice? I

  should like to be alone with my bride.'

  'I shall do as you bid me, my lord.'

  'I wonder...' Harry laughed. 'This is a new Beatrice indeed. It will be interesting to see just how

  long this meekness will last.'

  She shook her head at him and went away to change her gown, refusing to be drawn. It would

  hardly befit the new Lady Ravensden to admit that she was as impatient as her lord.

  Nan and Olivia were waiting to help her with her clothes. There were hugs and kisses, and good

  wishes, then Beatrice came down to where a little group of young women from the villages were

  waiting to see her leave. They looked at her expectantly as she held her posy of silk flowers out,

  then laughed and threw them in the direction of the young women, but it was Olivia who caught

  them neatly.

  Harry, meanwhile, had been throwing handfuls of coins to the young urchins who had gathered in

  anticipation of the custom, and were now scrambling eagerly on the ground in pursuit of the silver

  and gold.

  Beatrice laughed with sheer pleasure at the sight, then she was being helped inside the carriage, a

  final wave and they were on their way.

  *

  'At last,' Harry said as they stood together in the small, comfortable parlour he had requested

  should be made ready for them. A good fire was burning in the grate, throwing out a welcome

  warmth after the chill of the journey. A cold meal and wine had been laid on the table, and, except

  for Harry's valet and Beatrice's maid, the servants had retired for the night. 'Come here, Beatrice. I

  want to know just how willing you are to serve your lord.'

  Beatrice laughed as she heard the teasing note in his voice. She was wearing a very elegant

  travelling-gown of heavy silk in a deep shade of green, and her hair was dressed into the .loose

  curls her maid had spent so much time arranging earlier.

  'Very willing,' she said, and stood laughing up at him. 'What is it you would have of me?'

  Harry reached out and began to take the pearl-headed pins from her hair. He dropped each one

  carelessly on to the floor, letting each strand fall until it was free. Then he ran his fingers through

  her hair, satisfied only when it became a wild tangle.

/>   'There,' he said huskily. 'That is the vision I saw when I came back from that hell of pain—the

  sickness that would undoubtedly have claimed me had you not saved my life.'

  'I did only what any other woman would have done...'

  'No! You did far more—more than I had any right to expect,' Harry said, a look of tenderness in

  his eyes. 'You gave me so much...even then, when you scarcely knew me. Why? Why did you do

  that, Beatrice? You had no reason to care whether I lived or died.'

  'I would not have had you die in Papa's house— whatever would people have said?' Beatrice

  asked, but the teasing look disappeared from her eyes as she looked into his. 'Or perhaps I loved

  you from the start. The first time I saw you—before I knew your name.'

  'But you tried to send me away...'

  'You had hurt my sister. I denied my heart. I believed you must be the monster who had so

  carelessly destroyed her.'

  'When did you change your mind?' Harry looked at her intently.

  'When?' Beatrice began to smile, the wickedness in her eyes. 'Why, my lord—I believe it was

  when I pulled back the covers and saw you...' She paused and blushed.

  '...naked?' Harry laughed, his eyes taking fire.

  'As nature intended.' She gazed up at him naughtily.

  'I believe I have got me a wanton wench!'

  'I believe you may have done,' Beatrice admitted. 'Are you very hungry, my lord? Only I do not

  particularly wish for supper.'

  'I am hungry only for you,' Harry said, and reached for her. His kiss was both tender and

  passionate, full of an aching yearning. 'I believe I should like to go

  to bed, Lady Ravensden.' He smiled as he released her. 'Go up now, my love, and I will follow

  shortly.'

  'Yes, my lord,' Beatrice replied, her manner so demure that his eyes gleamed with laughter,

  knowing full well that some wicked barb was to come. 'But I pray you—do not be long lest I fall

  asleep.'

  There was no fear that she would fall asleep. Beatrice allowed her maid to help her into the

  gossamer-soft garment she had chosen for her wedding night, before dismissing the girl with a

  smile. She sat before her dressing-mirror, brushing her own hair as she had always done, then

  went to the bed and lay down.

  When Harry entered the room, she closed her eyes. She did not need to see him to sense that he