The day drifted by in a dreamlike way, and Maria felt as if a weight had been lifted from her, as if she was floating. By early afternoon, as she sat in the parlour with a book, it was beginning to feel almost real. Then there came a knock at the door, and Ward showed Charles into the room. Lady Chester rose to greet him, smiling broadly.
“Lord Wareham, how kind of you to call. I’ll leave you with Maria – I must go and discuss the week’s menus with Cook.”
“Thank you, Lady Chester.”
Maria stood were she was, having risen from her seat upon his arrival, drinking in his presence. On what was already a wonderful day, having him here made it perfect. He turned, as her mother left the room, and saw her. He stilled, his eyes going wide. She could see, again, in his expression, the love that she had seen there before. And today, she could begin to explore that, today, she was free.
She stepped forward, and into his arms.
~~~~~
Charles had woken early, and his first thought was of Maria. This was the day. The day that they had both been waiting for.
He’d wanted to rush straight to Chester Park, to see her, but had restrained himself until a socially polite hour of the day. Upon his arrival at Chester Park, he had been shown into the house as always, and greeted cheerfully by Lady Chester, who had, as so often of late, immediately left him alone with Maria.
He’d turned to greet her, and completely lost his ability to speak. She was stunningly beautiful, her gown a soft green that somehow made her eyes seem brighter, her hair glowing golden and lit with sparks of red that made it seem fiery, where the sun from the window caught it. It was as if he had never seen her before, never known the reality of her beauty, so strong was the impact upon him.
He had loved her for more than half of his life, today was the day on which he might dare hope to act on that love, and have it reciprocated. Her eyes met his, and were filled with such love, such warmth and joy, that his heart beat faster and his mouth went dry. Automatically, without any thought involved, his hands went out towards her. It was all the encouragement she needed. She stepped forward, fast, as if he might disappear if she delayed, and arrived in his arms. He wrapped her round, cradling her against him, treasuring the feeling, the scent of her, the joy of touching her.
They stood, arms wrapped around each other, simply breathing, both hearts racing in time. When she finally lifted her head, it was the most natural thing in the world to lower his lips to hers, to say with his kiss so much more than could be said with words. They stayed that way, lost in each other, for long minutes, until she pulled away a little, sighing. He waiting, sensing that she would speak, that she searched for words.
“I would stay like this forever, if I could. But I can’t, we can’t, not yet. But today, we can begin, we can make the first small moves towards something more.”
“Yes. Maria, you are so very beautiful - to see you in colour, to know that you are finally free… I have dreamed of this day. But we will do this as you wish it, when you are ready. I want no scandal or distress of any kind to mar your life, to mar what we can have, together.”
“Charles… I… I am afraid. I know that’s silly of me, but, after the Dowager, after what happened at Myniard House… I am terrified of standing before society, and having everyone condemn me… I would not give them any excuse to decide that I have moved too fast, have done anything of which they might disapprove. So… will you spend time with me, but circumspectly? Carefully, so that we do not let the world see our feelings, until some more time has passed?”
“Maria, my darling Maria, I will do whatever you wish, so long as I can spend some time with you. I would delight in taking you driving about the countryside, but if that makes you feel too exposed, then I will simply come here, where we can sit and talk, or walk in the gardens and the Park, away from other prying eyes.”
“Thank you! oh thank you!”
Charles was rocked on his feet as she flung her arms around him again, and he held her tightly to him, feeling the shape of his future, in her form.
~~~~~
A week later, Charles left again, to see to one of Hunter’s estates, promising to be back soon, leaving Maria feeling disconsolate, and lonely. She laughed at herself a little, for nothing had really changed, compared to the months he had been away during her mourning – yet it felt different now. Each day, she delighted in the colours of her clothes, rediscovering her wardrobe, and finding that some dresses were now so far out of fashion that they needed significant alteration.
Such things filled her time, but not her mind. Her heart and mind were focused, always and only, on Charles, on thoughts of what he might be doing, where he might be, when he might return. She found herself eager to hear of his travels, and of the progress of his improvements to Hunter’s estates.
As January approached February, the snows slowed, and the first faint shoots of grass pushed through it, seeking warmth. Maria began to feel braver – she could not imagine hiding from the world forever. She allowed her mother to convince her to go into the closest town with her, and was pleased to discover that no one they met did more than greet her politely. Here, it was as if the scandals and accusations of Myniard House had never existed.
The relief was enormous.
Not long after, Maria was sitting in the parlour at Meltonbrook Chase, whilst Nerissa talked about gardens, and her plans for the future. Maria was still a little overwhelmed by the fact that Nerissa was increasing – a fact which she had shyly revealed a few weeks before. She was not sure how to feel – she was happy for Nerissa, but somehow sad – would she ever have a child of her own?
The thought brought a blush to her cheeks, for it made her think of Charles and her hopes for the future, and think of her time as Edmund’s wife, and what happened in the marriage bed. The two thoughts together were enough to make her feel heated through, and flustered. She turned her attention back to Nerissa, and pushed those thoughts aside.
Moments later, the door opened. Maria looked up, startled to see Charles.
“Good day, Nerissa. Maria – I am glad you are here.”
“Charles…” she looked at him, caught by how handsome he was, how well he looked. He came to her, and dropped to the couch beside her. Nerissa watched, a sparkle of amusement in her eyes.
“Maria…” for the first time, she noticed that he was carrying something. A small flat parcel. She looked at it curiously. “I… it’s your birthday soon and I…”
He held out the parcel, and she took it, pleased, and uncertain at once. That he had remembered her birthday filled her with happiness. Gently, carefully, she unwrapped it, and lifted the lid on the delicately carved box. Inside lay a brooch, of the type designed for pinning on a bonnet or other headdress. It was silver, in the swirled shape of a bird with flowing feathers, each curve of it sparkling with green gems, and from it curved a small cluster of feathers – each a very dark green, yet glittering with a golden iridescence where the light caught them.
“It’s beautiful, so very beautiful…”
He smiled at her, that smile that always made her melt completely.
“I have carried that for more than a year. I bought it last year when we were at Myniard House. I had intended to give it to you for your birthday, then, inappropriate as that might have been at the time – it just seemed so right for you. But then, before I could, the necklace and note from Edmund arrived. I could not, not after that. I put it aside, and vowed to wait. I made sure that, this year, I would be here for your birthday, and… this year, now, to give you a gift seemed more appropriate, more in tune with my hopes.”
Tears rose in Maria’s eyes, blurring the shining green gems of the brooch to a scattered emerald sparkle. He had carried it for a year, awaiting the time when he might give it to her. So long… She looked up into his concerned face, and leant forward, brushing a feather soft kiss to his lips before drawing back.
“Thank you. This means so much to me…”
He cup
ped her hands, where they held the brooch, and smiled, his face full of a happiness she shared. After a few moments, Nerissa cleared her throat, and they jumped a little, having been so caught up in each other that they had forgotten she was there.
“Would you care for some tea, Charles? And, if I can attract your attention away from my sister for a moment…” Nerissa’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she spoke, “I have news – more things you’ve missed whilst away. I am increasing. You’ll be an uncle later this year!”
Charles turned to her, his face filled with genuine delight.
“That’s wonderful Nerissa! And is my mother driving you mad yet, with fussing?”
“Yes… and I am sure that it will just get more so from now on… unless of course, we find something else to distract her with…”
Nerissa looked significantly between Charles and Maria and waited. Maria flushed a bright red, but Charles laughed gently.
“You’ll just have to wait and see what happens, won’t you.”
His tone of voice was as mischievous as Nerissa’s and, suddenly, Maria felt light as air, and full of joy. It seemed that, even before they had allowed the world to see how they felt, their families had already come to their own conclusions, and were happy for them. It was a wonderful, wonderful day.
~~~~~
The distraction that Nerissa had hoped for came sooner than anyone expected, and from a different direction completely. When everyone from Meltonbrook Chase, except Charles (who had elected to stay behind, rather to Nerissa’s continued amusement), left for London to attend the wedding of Miss Isabella Morton, the sister of another of the Hounds, Mr Raphael Morton, they had expected nothing more than a pleasant event and a meeting with friends.
By the time they returned, Charles’ and Hunter’s sister, Lady Alyse, was betrothed to Lord Tillingford, another of the Hounds, and the Dowager Duchess had another wedding to arrange. That very successfully fulfilled Nerissa’s desire for distraction, and left everyone wondering what could happen next.
It had been, Maria thought, when informed of it all by her laughing sister, a year of weddings, while she had mourned.
~~~~~
The weeks before Lady Alyse’s wedding seemed to fly by, and Charles was frequently glad to escape Meltonbrook Chase and the whirlwind that was his mother, to spend far more peaceful time with Maria. They walked in the gardens as the beginning of spring brought the first leaves and the buds of flowers, they rode through the Park, always staying away from anywhere more public, and Maria became steadily more relaxed, happier and, to Charles, more beautiful.
“You look wonderful today. Is that a new riding habit?”
Maria blushed, and nodded.
“Yes, mother insisted. The local seamstress is far more talented than I expected – we have ordered me more new dresses too. It is wonderful to be able to choose rich colours and fabrics, and have no one disapprove of my choices.”
They rode in silence for a few minutes, before Charles asked, cautious, yet needing desperately to know.
“Does this mean that you are more confident about being seen in public, that we might, perhaps, soon allow the world to know of our feelings?”
“I… I am not yet certain of that. I have been to the local towns with Mother, and all has gone well, but… I am not very brave…”
She looked away, flushed, and a little sad. Charles reached across and took her hand as they rode, squeezing her fingers gently.
“Will you come to Alyse’s wedding? And, perhaps, dance? With me? I seem to remember that, some months ago, at another wedding, I promised you dancing, as soon as it might be possible.”
Her eyes lit with delight at the thought of it, and hope surged in Charles’ heart.
“Oh, yes, you did! And yes, I believe that I can do that – if I am to take that large a step back into being active in society, I can’t think of a better place to do so, than on such a happy occasion, surrounded by friends. I very much look forward to dancing with you.”
Her voice had become soft and wistful, as if she wished them already there, and her fingers had tightened on his as she spoke.
“I will be counting the days until I can hold you in my arms, openly, in a room full of people.”
“And dancing is the only socially acceptable way to do that, isn’t it?”
“It is. I will make certain that it’s a waltz – I want to hold you as close as I possibly can… forever.”
Her fingers closed on his again, and her eyes shone with such love that it left him dizzy. They rode on in silence, not needing words.
~~~~~
Lady Alyse’s wedding to Lord Tillingford was beautiful, and Maria, after an initial nervousness, relaxed and enjoyed being out in society again.
She was beginning to believe that all of the fuss surrounding Edmund’s death might actually be forgotten, overtaken by far more interesting new scandals in the minds of the gossips of the ton. She allowed herself to dance with a number of gentlemen, mostly family and friends well known to her, but the part of the day that she waited for was the moment of her dance with Charles.
As promised, he had ensured that it was a waltz. As he gathered her into his arms, she could not imagine a way in which the day might be more perfect. She lifted her face to his, their eyes met, and the music carried them away. It was as if the ballroom at Meltonbrook Chase was empty of everyone but them. She did not care who saw, and what gossip might come from the moment, all she cared for, in that instant, was the feel of Charles holding her.
What might have been minutes or hours later, the music drew to a close, and they drifted to a stop at the side of the room. Gently, Charles took her hand, and drew her out through the doors onto the terrace. The view across the Meltonbrook Chase gardens was beautiful, the moonlight glinting on the small lake in the distance, and the first flowers of spring filling the air with delicate scents.
They stood, completely alone, and a deep sense of peace settled on Maria. It felt so right, to be with this man. She looked at him, suddenly a little shy.
“I must admit that I am finding the fact that widows are allowed so much more freedom exhilarating. Only as a widow could I stand here with you, alone, and not be instantly the subject of utter scandal. They may talk a little, but not much.”
Charles laughed softly, and she thought it a wonderful sound, one full of joy in living, and shared happiness.
“I am equally glad of that fact. I have never been prone to causing scandal, and I have no intention of starting now!”
“I am glad of that – I have had quite enough of scandal in my life. I hope for something far more peaceful and enjoyable from now on.”
Charles paused, and she watched him, watched the play of emotion across his face, and waited, wondering what thoughts ran through his mind. He reached out, and cupped her cheek, his fingers gentle, caressing her skin. She shivered with pleasure, a shiver that ran through her entire body. It was a sensation no other man had ever induced in her, and she revelled in it.
“Maria… can you trust me to protect you, always? Are you willing, now, to let the world see how we feel – may I speak to your father, and formally court you?”
She paused, for, although his words filled her with complete joy, her fear was still there. Then, mentally shaking herself, she pushed the fear aside.
“Yes, I trust you, always and completely. I believe that I can face the world now, with you by my side. I know that I seem hesitant about everything, but the memory of standing in that town square, humiliated… it is hard to forget.”
He leant forward, slowly, bringing his lips to hers, his hand still gentle upon her cheek, and kissed her as if she were the most precious thing on earth.
“I will speak to your father tomorrow.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Good Day, Lord Chester. Might I have a word with you?”
“Of course, Wareham, do come into my study. Is there some problem with the boundaries of our estates that we need to address
?”
Charles followed him down the hall and into the study.
“No, my Lord, nothing of that nature. I have a far more personal question to ask you.”
“Oh?”
“My Lord, may I have your permission to court your daughter, Maria?”
Lord Chester released a bark of laughter, startling Charles, then smiled broadly.
“Wondered when you’d get to the point, my boy. Not that, technically, you really have to ask me. She’s a widow, and as such, can make her own choices. But I thank you for the courtesy.”
“I would do everything I can to ensure that propriety is served, my Lord – she has seen enough of scandal and gossip.”
“True, very true. And that’s only what I’d expect of you.” He looked at Charles’ expression and laughed again, “You’d like an answer, I see. Stop worrying – I heartily approve of you courting her. From the moment of that incident with the highwaymen, I’ve seen it – she’s only happy when she’s with you – the rest of the time, she’s just waiting for the next time she’ll see you. After the fiasco of her marriage to Lord Granville, I’d not deny her something that makes her happy.”
“Thank you, my Lord. I will dedicate my life to making her happy. I’ve wanted to do so since I was a boy, and I’ll not fail now that I have the chance. I was concerned that my lack of significant title would concern you…”
“Once, I might have worried, you’re right, but I think I’ve learned my lesson – Granville seemed everything a girl could want – title, money, position – yet he made her life a misery. You’ll do better, and you’re not without funds, or good family connections to support you. And I’m very aware of your skills with the estates – you’re no wastrel to gamble things away – she’ll never have that sort of worry with you.”
“Again, thank you my Lord, for your faith in me.”
“Just live up to it. I have to ask – have you told your mother of your intentions yet? I suspect that she’ll be planning weddings before you’ve even had a chance to ask Maria, if I know her.”
Rescuing the Countess: Sweet and Clean Regency Romance (His Majesty's Hounds Book 13) Page 14
