Annabelle's Courtship

by Lucy Monroe

  Robert stared at his wife. “Is that wrong? To desire a suitable wife?”

  “No, of course not, but your requirements for suitability are so high. Lord Graenfrae desires many things in his future wife, but is willing to accept a flawed specimen.

  Annabelle is not a patterncard of propriety and that does not matter to him.” Annabelle did not take insult at her friend’s words. Diana spoke the truth. Annabelle did test the limits of acceptable behavior on occasion and Ian did not seem to mind, except for the fact that sometimes it put her in danger, which was quite understandable really. She had come to realize that Ian was far more concerned with loyalty than respectability.

  The knowledge pleased her considerably.

  “Annabelle is highly regarded and comes from very good family,” Robert replied defensively.

  “There.” Diana pointed an accusing finger at her husband. “That is exactly what I mean. Annabelle associates with people that are not accepted in society on behalf of her cause, spends time doing things that some might criticize and yet you refuse to admit it.

  You require perfection from those you love.”

  “I do not expect you to be perfect.”

  Diana’s look of disbelief said it all. “You were the only one for me. Had you been the base born son of a rakehell, I would have married you.” Ceddy let out a shocked gasp. Diana smiled. “It’s quite true, you know. Love can make one quite shameless. I only hope someday you know what I mean.” She turned back to her husband. “I knew that my greatest attraction to you was my suitability. When Mr. Thorn first told me about the letters, I was terrified. I was certain that if you found out about them, you would stop loving me.”

  “Do you have so little faith in my love for you?” Robert frowned at his wife. “I assure you, my love is not so shallow as you seem to think.” Diana sighed. “Tell me that when Mr. Thorn publishes the letters.” Robert swore. “Thorn could post the letters in The Times for all I care. I will never stop loving you.” Taking his wife’s face between his two hands, he said, “Diana, you are more precious to me than my own life.”

  Diana’s eyes burned with hope. “Truly?”

  “Truly.”

  Ian pulled Annabelle to other side of the small room. She smiled. From the silence that followed them, she assumed that her brother was giving Diana proof of his devotion.

  Ceddy accompanied them.

  “Have to find this chap Thorn and deal with him, don’t you know?” he said.

  Ceddy had Annabelle’s complete agreement. Thorn deserved to be horsewhipped for what he had put Diana through. Now, there was a man that she would not mind Ian facing with a pistol. She gasped. “There is something I forgot to tell you.”

  “What is it, lass?”

  “I think Mr. Thorn and Squire Renton are in league.”

  “They are both blackguards to be sure, but ’tis no reason to believe that they are in league.”

  “I know.” She told him about the coach she had seen when following Thorn and then about recognizing the horses on the squire’s carriage. “They are quite magnificent beasts.

  I am not mistaken.”

  Ceddy nodded. “Squire Renton’s been accused of thinking more of his horseflesh than he thought of his first wife.”

  Annabelle shuddered. “I can believe it.”

  Ian slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. It suddenly occurred to her that Ian was being entirely too familiar in front of Ceddy. She felt heat steal into her cheeks. She squirmed. Ian would not let her go. She protested. “Ian.” He ignored her. “When Hamilton is finished making up with his wife, we will make our plans.”

  A soft laugh alerted them that Diana had heard Ian’s words. “He is quite finished and we thank you for sitting through our little melodrama.” They joined the reunited couple.

  Diana’s face was radiant and around her neck, over her pelisse and traveling gown, a magnificent strand of pearls glistened.

  Annabelle turned to her brother. “How did you manage it?” Diana did not let him answer. “He went to the jeweler to pick up a gift he had commissioned for me and saw them in the display case. Recognizing them immediately, he repurchased them and had every intention of taxing me with how they came to be there when the message arrived about Annabelle.” Diana smiled softly at her husband. “I have promised never to sell them again.”

  She then lifted her wrist and Annabelle saw a matching bracelet made up of four strands of pearls with a diamond-studded clasp. “This is the gift he had commissioned.” Diana hugged her husband’s arm. “However, the most magnificent gift he has given me is assurance of his never ending love.”

  Robert smiled down at his wife and gently caressed her cheek. “I could do no less for a woman made so eminently worthy of my love by her kind and generous heart.” Annabelle smiled. “From the look on your face, I must assume you are now ready to make the return journey to Town.”

  Ceddy went to order the carriage and horses readied. He kindly offered to ride his horse, so the carriage would not be crowded, but Ian would not hear of it.

  “’Tis a long ride we’ve both had and I’m thankful for your company. I’ll no have you riding back.”

  They all crowded into Robert’s carriage. Robert and Diana sat on one side of the carriage. Diana scooted over to make room for Annabelle. When Annabelle went to sit next to her, Ian pulled her by the waist toward him.

  He settled her into the tiny spot left open between him and the wall. He and Ceddy took up the rest of the carriage cushion. He tucked his coat around her and settled his arm over her shoulders. Although it was anything but proper, Annabelle felt cared for and safe.

  She was too tired to give Robert the accounting of her adventure that she promised.

  Her eyes slid shut almost immediately. She heard Ian’s voice telling what he knew through a sleepy haze.

  Belle did not wake up until Ian nudged her gently when they arrived at her aunt’s townhouse. In the dark carriage, he could not see her face, but he could feel the way she clutched at his arm while orienting herself. She was not completely recovered from her ordeal.

  Ceddy and the others had already alighted from the carriage. Diana, ill again, insisted on going into Lady Beauford’s home for a cup of tea before making the journey home.

  “Are we home already?” Belle’s voice, groggy from sleep, melted Ian’s insides. She sounded exactly like an innocent child. His anger burned at the thought of what Renton had tried to do to his pure Belle.

  He swung her down and kept his arm around her as he guided her past a satisfied-looking Creswell. “I knew you would take care of the matter, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

  The butler’s voice, rife with approval, brought a smile to Ian’s lips. He’d have a talk with the man later about allowing his mistress to embark on such journeys again.

  Belle gave a huge yawn and stumbled over the doorstep. Ian righted her and tightened his hold. “Be careful, lass.”

  “Oh, excuse me. I am just so weary.” She sighed. “It has been a trying day.”

  He would let her sleep, just as soon as she told him what had happened with Renton.

  He led Belle into a scene of chaos in the drawing room. Lady Hamilton bent over a chamber pot and retched. Hamilton demanded that a doctor be called immediately. Lady Beauford demanded an accounting of the recent events.

  Belle came erect at his side. “I thought she was over this sickness now that she told Robert all.”

  Lady Beauford’s head turned toward them and she gave Ian an eagle-like stare. He felt like he was in leading strings again and had been caught sneaking a biscuit from the tea tray.

  “Would you care to explain why my niece is wearing an article of your clothing and you have kept her out well past the dinner hour?” she asked austerely.

  Belle gasped. She would have taken off his coat, but when she shivered he forced her to put it back on. She fought silently with him for several seconds. Giving him a frown, she finally conced
ed and kept the coat around her shoulders. She faced her aunt.

  “Ian did not keep me out, Aunt Griselda. Surely, you remember that I went for a drive with Squire Renton.”

  The dowager gave a stately nod. “That was hours ago. You are not going to try to convince me that you have been in that milksop’s company all this time. Laird MacKay would not stand for it. Anyone can see that he is a terribly possessive gentleman.”

  “No, of course I wasn’t in the squire’s company all this time. I have been with Ian the past several hours.”

  The eagle-like stare returned to him. “What do you have to say for yourself, young man? Do you realize the terrible damage you may have done to my niece’s reputation?”

  “For Heaven’s sake, Aunt Griselda, now is not the time to be concerned about Annabelle’s consequence. My wife is ill. Have a doctor sent for,” Hamilton demanded.

  Lady Beauford dismissed her nephew’s words with a wave of her hand. “A few biscuits and a rest on the settee should set her. It worked with all four of my children.” Hamilton called loudly for some biscuits and carried his wife to the settee. He laid her on it. “Then you know what is wrong with her?” His aunt stared at him. “Don’t you?” Turning to the pale woman lying against the cushions, she admonished, “You should not keep such news from your husband, my dear.”

  Lady Hamilton’s wan face took on a puzzled expression. “What am I keeping from him?”

  “Why, that you are increasing, of course. Nausea’s quite normal in the first few months. What Robert was thinking about dragging you out at night, when you should surely be resting in your bed, is beyond me. The younger generation is nothing like what it was in my day. Your uncle knew just how to pamper an expectant mother.” The older woman went silent, clearly enjoying fond remembrances of her considerate spouse.

  Lord and Lady Hamilton looked as if they had been turned to stone. Lady Hamilton spoke finally. “What do you mean, Aunt Griselda?” Ian smiled at the look of disgust on Lady Beauford’s face. “Why, gel, it’s perfectly obvious that you will be in confinement by the winter.” Hamilton looked down at his wife and asked, “Is it true?” She chewed on her lower lip. “I don’t know.”

  The dowager snorted. “Education certainly isn’t what it was in my day. If I had married without knowing how to count my monthly flux…” She let her voice trail off.

  Lady Hamilton’s pale face turned pink. “I well, I… Yes, actually, Robert, it is quite possible.”

  Hamilton had the look of a man who had taken a punch to his midsection from Gentleman Jackson. “You. I. We. I cannot believe it. We must get you home to bed as soon as possible.”

  Lady Hamilton laughed. Belle broke away from Ian and rushed across the room to throw her arms around her friend.

  “This is wonderful news. I am to be an aunt.” Ian sighed with contentment at the sound of Belle’s delighted voice and happy laughter. The news of Lady Hamilton’s pregnancy had dispelled the remaining shadows from her eyes.

  “I’m not going anywhere until I hear what happened to Annabelle and that terrible Squire Renton,” Lady Hamilton said.

  The time had come for Belle to explain herself. She looked at Ian. He saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He didn’t care what caused it. He did not like it.

  Putting out his hand, he silently bid her come to him. After the briefest hesitation, she did. He pulled her down onto another small sofa next to him. The rest of the occupants of the room took their seats, except for Finchley.

  He cleared his throat, “Perhaps I should wait in the hall, eh what? Family business and all.”

  Belle said, “Do not be ridiculous. You are practically family and it is twice now that you have aided Ian in rescuing me. Sit down.” Ian squeezed Belle’s shoulder to let her know he approved of her treatment of their friend. Finchley sat down and Ian waited for Belle to begin.

  She twisted her hands in her lap. “Actually, it’s all connected in some way with that blackmailer, Mr. Thorn.”

  Lady Beauford demanded an explanation about the blackmailer. Hamilton explained.

  “Hmmm, from all that you’ve said, I would have to say that I’m glad this happened,” was Lady Beauford’s final comment on the imbroglio.

  Ian could feel Belle’s body tense next to his. “What? You cannot mean it, Aunt,” she exclaimed.

  “Yes, dear.” The dowager gave her niece a look of complacency. “I know the young are always so outraged. However, Robert has always been just a tad bit too concerned with his place in society.” She gave her nephew a smile, implying no insult was intended.

  Hamilton nodded and Ian had the impression that Belle’s brother wished he had learned the lesson before his wife went through such hardship.

  “I’m not propounding your father’s views by any stretch, but it did always seem to me that Robert had gone a shade too far in the opposite direction. Now he has settled in his own mind his priorities and both he and Diana will be happier for it in the years to come,” Lady Beauford finished.

  Belle sighed and cuddled closer to Ian. Did the lass realize how easily she turned to him for comfort?

  Lady Hamilton tried to stifle a yawn. “Now tell us about what happened with Squire Renton today before I fall asleep. I still cannot believe that you were abducted.”

  “You aren’t going to credit this, but somehow the squire learned of my inheritance,” Belle said.

  Ian felt all the tension that had drained away over the past hours come back in rushing force.

  Lady Beauford said, “It was just a matter of time, gel. We knew that.”

  “Yes, well, it happened and he decided that marriage to me would solve his financial problems.” Ian felt her looking at him and turned to meet her gaze. “Somewhat like you, my lord.”

  Fury coursed through him. He was nothing like Renton. He did not want to use Belle. He wanted to wed her. He would be a good husband, better than that lecher. He glared at her to let her know what he thought of her reasoning.

  She smiled slightly and went on. “Ian put play to his plans by courting me.”

  “You wouldna have married him regardless, lass.” He couldn’t believe she might believe otherwise.

  Belle grimaced. “Actually, the squire is quite disbelieving that I chose you over him and thinks that a bluestocking spinster like myself should be most grateful for his interest.”

  Although she spoke lightly, Ian could tell that the blackguard’s words had hurt her.

  He caressed her arm. “The daft man doesna ken your value.” She shrugged. “He knows it all right. He knows to the groat how much I am worth and counted on my money to save his hunters from sale at Tattersall’s.” Ian looked around the room. Lady Beauford nodded as if it made perfect sense for a crazy Englishman to kidnap her niece. Hamilton tugged at his neckcloth with an expression of extreme discomfort on his face. Lady Hamilton appeared to be dozing for all of her protest about hearing Belle’s account. Finchley wore a look of dawning comprehension.

  Ian felt close to shouting. It seemed everyone in the room understood Belle’s words.

  He removed his hand from her shoulder, crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.

  “Explain.”

  Belle sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.” He wanted to shake her. “Now.”

  She looked into his face with an expression of earnestness. “When my parents died, we discovered that although Papa had left Robert very well off with two-thirds of his funds and all of his estates, he left me a sizable fortune as well.”

  “No one in the ton knows?” He asked it as a question, but knew it to be fact.

  “No. There was concern I would become prey to fortune hunters if the facts became known, so we kept it as a closely guarded secret.” Her eyes asked him a question, but he did not have the answer.

  Betrayal sliced through him like a sharp rapier. She had lied to him. Did she think he was a fortune hunter like the squire? The very idea that she might compare him to the squire sent Ian’s
insides churning. “You dinna think to tell me?” She shook her head. “You made it clear that you were not interested in securing a fortune with your wife, so I did not think it would matter to you.” He saw the lie in her eyes. Something about her explanation did not ring true. He would not find out what it was this evening however. He had spent enough of this day exposed. Finchley had been there when he had rescued Belle and since then he had endured the company of the Hamiltons as well. He would not discuss Belle’s betrayal with her in front of others. He longed to shout at her, but even in his pain at her deception, he could not bring himself to humiliate her before her family.

  He stood up. “I see.” He turned to Finchley. “Are you ready to leave, then?”

  “Certainly.”

  Finchley made a very nice leg to Lady Beauford and said his good-byes to Hamilton and Belle.

  Ian turned to go. Everyone in this room had withheld information about Belle’s fortune from him. They had let him believe that she was just what she seemed, a moderately dowered spinster. Even as he had the thought, he rejected it. Belle was nothing as she seemed. She presented a façade of ordinariness to the ton, but underneath beat a heart of fire and passion. And a heart of deceit.

  Her voice made him pause at the doorway. “Will I see you soon?” The worry was there.

  He inclined his head. “It is inevitable. We are after all betrothed.” He turned to go and she called after him again. “You have forgotten your coat.” He shrugged without turning. “’Tis of no import.” He left.

  Annabelle stared at the door to the drawing room, unbelieving that Ian had just walked out. She met her aunt’s gaze and then Robert’s. Dazed, she barely registered their looks of concern. Ian had left. She didn’t realize that she had spoken the words aloud until her aunt replied.

  “Just a bit of gentlemanly ego, Annabelle. He’ll get over it in time. I’m sure it was a great shock to discover that he was engaged to an heiress. For a gentleman like MacKay, that could be a difficult obstacle to overcome.” That is exactly what she had feared. She stood up, pulling Ian’s coat tightly around herself. “I believe I will go to bed. I am very weary.” She turned to leave. Tears blurred her eyes and she wanted to leave the drawing room before her brother or aunt noticed she was crying. Robert’s voice followed her out the door. “Do not worry, Annabelle, MacKay will get over his pique quickly enough.