‘Yes, of course, and you may do as you please. This is your home now, and if you wish to make any changes, you are free to do so, within reason of course. I leave it entirely up to you and should you need funds for anything, just send a groom over to me with a note. I think you will find that the shopkeepers in these parts will be only too happy to extend you credit and send their bills to me.’
‘Very well. Thank you.’ Amelia didn’t know what else to say, so she folded her hands in her lap and waited.
‘There is one more thing,’ James said. ‘I have asked the children’s nanny to bring them down here to be introduced to you. Perhaps you can oblige me by becoming acquainted with them while I am away?’
As he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door and upon his ‘Enter’, a rather sour-faced woman in her early thirties came in with two little girls in tow.
‘Ah, there you are Miss Downes, children. Amelia, allow me to present my daughters Mathilde, who is six, and Chloe, who is four. This is their nanny, Miss Downes. Girls, this is your new step-mama, my wife. Please come and make your curtseys.’ He sounded stern and Amelia was just beginning to wonder what sort of man she had married, when he added with a smile, ‘And then you may come and give your papa a kiss.’
The little girls obediently curtseyed to Amelia, under the watchful eye of the nanny, but only the older one said, ‘Pleased to meet you, ma’am.’ She was a sturdy, bright-looking child, with straight corn-coloured hair and eyes exactly the same shade of arctic blue as her father’s. She seemed curious, but not unfriendly, so Amelia smiled at her.
‘I’m very pleased to meet you too. I have heard so much about you. Perhaps later on we can have a little chat and you can tell me more about my new home?’ She turned to the other little girl, who was completely different from the older one. A tiny thing with dark curls and huge grey eyes in an elfin face, she looked both scared and wary at the same time. Amelia smiled encouragingly at her to try and put her at ease, but she could see that it would probably take time to win her trust. She decided to take things slowly so as not to frighten her.
Duty done, the girls ran to their father and gave him a hug and a kiss each. He managed to lift them both up at the same time and sat down on a sofa with them on his lap. The nanny, meanwhile, was still looking dour, and as soon as James had finished chatting to the girls, she whisked them out of the room saying it was time for their tea.
Amelia rose to go too, but James halted her with the words, ‘Wait, what did you think of your new daughters?’
‘I think they are delightful and I’m sure we shall deal very well together. Mathilde seems very confident and mature for her age and I think that if I give Chloe some time to get used to me, she will overcome her shyness.’
‘Good,’ he said in a softer tone than the one he had used earlier. ‘I am aware that being a step-mother is not always easy and I shan’t expect miracles, you know. I’ll be happy if you just do your best.’
‘Of course I will, I told you I like children.’ Amelia hesitated. ‘There was one thing though …’
‘Yes?’
‘The nanny, has she been with them long? I mean, it’s probably not my place to say so, but she looked a trifle severe to me.’
‘I suppose you may be right, but nannies have to be a bit severe, don’t they? I know mine always were. Discipline is necessary for children, don’t you think? But you may do as you see fit – if you consider her unsuitable, by all means find someone else.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, feeling unaccountably happy that he trusted her judgement in this matter.
‘Then everything is settled and I must be off if I am to get to Westfield before nightfall.’
‘You are leaving so soon?’
‘Yes, but don’t worry, you will be well taken care of.’
Amelia was sure she would be, but not by the one person she really wanted to be with. A spurt of anger shot through her. Annoying man! She had hoped they could at least share a meal on her first night in her new home. With a sigh she made her way back to her room, where she ordered an early dinner to be sent up on a tray. She couldn’t face eating alone in the no-doubt vast dining room. It was easier to plead fatigue and eat in peace and quiet.
Amelia did not allow herself to feel lonely and bereft for long. Such foolishness did not have a place in an arranged marriage, she told herself, and she ought to be grateful to have this wonderful new home with everything she could possibly wish for and two lovely daughters into the bargain.
She was determined to make the best of everything and to prove to James that she could be an excellent wife and step-mother. Then perhaps he would come back, she thought. The following morning she therefore dressed quickly in another of her new gowns, then sought out the housekeeper, who readily agreed to take her on a tour of the house. This occupied them until lunchtime and Amelia complimented Mrs Flint on her efficiency.
‘You’ve left me nothing to do,’ she smiled. ‘Everything seems to be running smoothly.’
‘Thank you, my lady, I’m glad you think so.’ Mrs Flint looked pleased at the praise. ‘I’ll be sure to ask your opinion now that you’re here. Will you be wanting to make any changes to the rooms?’
Although beautifully furnished in a rather old-fashioned style and spotlessly clean, Amelia felt some of the rooms needed a woman’s touch. ‘Well, I would like to change some of the curtains to lighter, less heavy and ornate, materials, I think, in due course. Perhaps add some cushions and the like to give this place a more homely feel? And there should be fresh flowers in some of the rooms, if possible, don’t you think?’
‘An excellent idea, my lady. I’m sure the gardener will be only too happy to supply you with anything you need.’
‘I’ll seek him out after lunch then. I enjoy flower arranging. Could you be so kind as to find me plenty of vases, please?’
‘Right away.’
Amelia had lunch in the morning room, acutely aware of the servants hovering behind her. They were no doubt wondering why her husband had abandoned her so soon, but she was still determined not to let it faze her. She was, however, happy to escape to the garden afterwards, having fetched a bonnet and shawl.
She walked along the well-kept paths in search of the head gardener. It was a lovely spring day, quite warm for May, and as the sun was strong she was glad her bonnet shaded her complexion from its glare. She finally tracked down the gardener in a remote corner of the rose garden.
‘I’d be very happy to bring you flowers every day, my lady, or however often you need them,’ he beamed, when told what she wanted. ‘I always thought it was a shame not to make use of some of these wonderful blooms.’
‘You’ve done a marvellous job, this is such a lovely garden.’ Amelia meant it, and his smile widened even more at her sincere praise.
Mission accomplished, Amelia retraced her steps slowly, enjoying the sunshine and the feeling that she was free from her aunt and the odious Bernard. Even if her situation here was not yet perfect, it was at least a great deal better than being her cousin’s mistress. It was such a relief to have thwarted his evil plans.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard crying and shouting from behind a nearby hedge. She rushed around the corner, just in time to see Miss Downes slap little Chloe hard on the cheek and shout, ‘You naughty little thing, didn’t I tell you to be careful of your new clothes? Now look what you’ve done, there’s dirt all over your skirts.’ The nanny had Chloe’s arm in a vice-like grip, and although Mathilde was trying to protect her sister by pulling on Miss Downes’ other arm, the woman shook her off easily.
Amelia saw red and stalked over to the little group, fury making her voice strong. ‘How dare you hit your charges?’ she shouted. ‘Chloe is only four, for goodness’ sake, a mere baby.’ She snatched the child out of the surprised nanny’s grip and lifted Chloe into her arms to comfort her. She could feel Chloe quivering with fear and the little girl clung to Amelia as if her life depended on it, sob
bing all the while.
‘But look what she has done to her new clothes,’ the nanny protested, white-faced now with both fear and anger. ‘I can’t have her behaving like a hoyden, she’s forever getting dirty.’
Mathilde, who had by this time grasped the fact that they had an ally in Amelia, piped up. ‘But she only fell down, Step-mama, and she didn’t mean to, it was an accident.’
‘Of course it was,’ Amelia said soothingly, putting a hand on Mathilde’s shoulder as well to reassure her. ‘No four-year old is going to fall down on purpose, that’s a ridiculous notion. I suggest you moderate your discipline a little, Miss Downes, if you wish to retain your position in this household.’
The nanny glared at her. ‘I’m not staying another minute,’ she declared. ‘You can look after them yourself, your ladyship.’ The sneer in her voice as she emphasised Amelia’s title was clear, as if the woman doubted she had a right to it. Amelia said nothing, however, and did not stop Miss Downes from stalking off towards the house.
‘Good riddance,’ she muttered.
‘What does that mean?’ Mathilde asked, looking puzzled.
Amelia smiled. ‘It just means we’re better off without her, don’t you think?’
The little girl grinned. ‘Oh, yes, she was hateful.’
Amelia decided to stay in the garden for a while, in order to give the nanny time to pack and leave before they returned to the house. To this end she sat down on a nearby bench and cuddled Chloe, who was only hiccoughing slightly now. ‘Come and sit by me, Mathilde, and tell me what you do all day. Do you have lessons or do you just play?’
‘Nanny taught us things like how to behave, but we didn’t have lessons, Step-mama. She said she was going to teach me to read and write maybe next year.’
‘Hmm, if you ask me, you’re old enough to learn already. Would you like me to teach you?’
‘Yes please, Step-mama.’
The frequent use of that word was beginning to grate on Amelia as it didn’t have a very nice ring to it. ‘Do you think that perhaps you could call me Amelia instead? Step-mama sounds so … so hard,’ she tried to find the right word for it. ‘Perhaps later you can decide if you would like me to be your new mother, and then you can call me Mama if you wish, but until then we can just be friends and you call me by my name. How does that sound?’
Mathilde agreed readily, and even Chloe was heard to murmur ‘Melia’. ‘I only called you that because Nanny said we had to,’ Mathilde confided.
They walked slowly back to the house, chatting about the various flowers and birds in the garden, and to Amelia’s delight, Chloe began to add her comments as well. She clung to Amelia’s hand all the way, as if it were a lifeline, and it was a touching gesture.
Back in the children’s room, they were met by a frightened looking girl of about sixteen, who said her name was Eliza and that she was Miss Downes’ helper in the nursery. Amelia asked Mathilde in a whisper whether she and Chloe liked Eliza, and when the child replied, ‘Oh, yes, she’s ever so nice to us,’ Amelia came to a decision.
‘Eliza, Miss Downes has left for good and from now on I would like you to assume the role of nanny to the children. I will see about finding them a governess soon, but for now you’re in sole charge. Can you manage that?’
‘Why yes, my lady, I’d be delighted to. I … thank you, thank you so much.’
‘And there will be no physical punishments, is that clear?’
‘No, I would never hit them, I swear.’
‘Good, that’s all settled then. I shall come every morning to give the girls some lessons until I find a governess.’
She spent the rest of the afternoon in the nursery, taking tea with the children and playing with them and reading stories. They all had a very jolly time and she was almost sorry when it was time for her to go and change for dinner.
During the night, Amelia was awakened by a soft knock on her door. When she called ‘Enter’, a very timid-looking Eliza came tip-toeing in, her hand shielding a candle from draughts. She stammered excuses for having woken her ladyship.
‘What’s the matter?’ Amelia sat up in bed, alarmed.
‘It’s Miss Chloe, my lady, she had a nightmare and now she’s crying and keeps asking for you. She says as how she won’t go to sleep without you.’
Amelia put on a wrapper and followed the girl at once to the nursery. Chloe was indeed in a state and would only stop crying if Amelia stayed near. In the end, it seemed easier to simply carry the child to Amelia’s bedroom and let her sleep with her. Mathilde, who didn’t want to be left out, came too.
‘It’s just as well I have a huge bed,’ Amelia muttered to herself before sleep finally claimed them all, but deep inside she was pleased to have won the girls’ trust. Somehow, she no longer felt so lonely.
CHAPTER NINE
The next day being Sunday, Amelia decided to attend the service at the local church with the girls. After a leisurely breakfast taken in her bed amid much joking and giggling, she sent them off with Eliza to put on their Sunday best.
‘You too please, Eliza, I may need your help.’
‘Yes, my lady.’
As she was unsure what kind of reception she would have from her new neighbours, after what James had told her about being ostracised by polite society, she took great care with her choice of outfit. She selected a prim walking dress of dark blue shot silk, with little white ruffs at the collar and cuffs and a matching Spencer and bonnet. It was elegant, but understated, and she thought it would do very well.
In the hall she encountered a worried-looking Mrs Flint, who asked whether her ladyship was really set on going to church. Amelia smiled confidently. ‘Don’t worry, Mrs Flint. His lordship warned me things might be a trifle … difficult, shall we say. It doesn’t worry me in the least. Anyone has a right to worship in their local church, and so I shall tell them if they dare protest.’
‘Oh, well if you’re sure? I wish you luck, my lady. If you should have need of assistance, we’ll all be among the congregation.’
The little party arrived at the church in good time, and Amelia sailed up to the door regally, holding the girls by the hand. She was greeted by a very surprised and flustered vicar, who had no doubt recognised the grand carriage.
‘Er, good morning, ma’am. I’m the Reverend Mr Denning.’
‘And I am Lady Demarr and these are my step-daughters.’ Amelia inclined her head to him, staring him straight in the eyes as if challenging him to deny her the right to enter.
‘Ah, you’re very welcome, my lady. If you will come this way, I’ll show you to the Winholt family pew.’
This proved to be at the front of the church and Amelia swept past everyone, pretending to be unconcerned that they were all staring curiously at them. She sat down and waited for the service to begin.
James, in the meantime, was already regretting his self-imposed exile, and could see that he had nearly driven the grooms and workers at Westfield insane with his demands and counter-demands. His lordship was definitely not himself, he heard them mutter to each other, something was eating the man. If only they knew, he thought. He was sure it was with a sigh of relief they greeted the news that he was going to ride over to Marr Place to see that all was well.
James had begun to feel guilty for leaving Amelia so abruptly and wanted to speak to her to try and make amends. Although he still felt they should spend time apart, he realised now that he should perhaps have stayed a few days first to help ease her into her new role. Whether she was eventually to remain as his wife or not, he owed her an apology.
He arrived at his home early and was greeted by Jamieson as usual.
‘Where is Lady Demarr?’ James demanded without preamble. ‘I wish to see how she is going on.’
‘I’m afraid she is not here, my lord.’
‘Not here? What do you mean?’ James was seized by a sudden fear. Had she left him already, angered by his behaviour towards her? The butler hastened to reassure him.
‘She has merely gone to church, my lord.’
‘To church?’ James almost added, ‘Is she mad?’ but thought better of it. He was astonished that she would brave local society so soon after her arrival, and alone. ‘Good grief,’ he muttered. ‘I’d best go and help her face the tabbies.’
He realised he’d uttered the final sentence out loud when Jamieson gave a small cough and said, ‘Excellent idea, my lord, if I may say so.’
James nodded and headed back out to his horse. Even though he had warned Amelia, he was genuinely concerned over the treatment she might receive from his uncharitable neighbours, who had snubbed him for the last few years. What on earth had possessed her to brave them alone?
He need not have worried though, as he soon found out. He entered the little church, only to stop dead in his tracks. There, in the front pew, was not merely his wife, but also his daughters. They all appeared totally unconcerned with everyone else in the church. Amelia was singing the first hymn in her beautiful, clear voice, virtually on her own, aided only by the vicar’s light tenor and Mathilde in her untrained fashion. Everyone else was staring at her with an open mouth, not uttering a sound.
With a small smile, James walked up the aisle and sat down calmly next to Amelia, who looked up with surprise and almost faltered in her singing. He joined in the second verse with his strong baritone and after her initial astonishment, Amelia smiled at him almost conspiratorially. Together they sang the last verse as if no one else existed. When they had finished, there was complete silence for almost a full minute before Mr Denning cleared his throat and began the service.
Upon leaving the church, the vicar stopped them to thank them for coming. ‘It is not often we have the benefit of such a lovely voice in our congregation,’ he added to Amelia. ‘I hope you will join us every Sunday from now on, your ladyship?’
‘That is my intention, certainly,’ Amelia replied, and James suppressed another smile. He could see that he need not have worried about her in the slightest.
Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay Page 6
