Eugenie heard Lady Jane sigh, and turned towards her as they passed on to the largest drawing room. 'A promise made before friends is far better than any hole and corner so-called romance,' she said, and Lady Jane nodded.
'Yes, I think this sort of wedding would be nice.'
It would, Eugenie thought, be far more than nice, so long as the bridegroom was the one she wanted. She would have to marry some day, her relatives would be unbearable if she did not give way to their pressure, but any man they suggested would be second best.
She had to push these thoughts aside and make conversation with the other guests. Lady Emily had said it was to be a small affair, relatives and close friends only, but there were at least fifty people in this and an adjoining drawing room, and as many again still waiting to greet the bridal pair. Many were young, and presumably most of these were friends. Lady Emily could not have so many cousins. The Earl had been detached by an older man, and she recognised a few people she had met in London, so began to introduce Lady Jane to them. The girl would, she had confided, be going to London for the Little Season, to prepare her for the main Season the following year.
'Hugh thinks I am too young to go this year,' she said with a wry pout. 'And I know he will only permit me to stay in London for a few weeks in October.'
'That will be enough,' Eugenie said. 'You cannot imagine how exhausting it is to be out every night until four in the morning. And trying to remember all the people you'll be introduced to is real test. I used to make a note of everyone I'd met each day, and hope that would enable me to recall their names the next time we met.'
'I'll do that. Oh, Eugenie, how I wish you could be there with me! I'm looking forward to it, really I am, but I'd feel so much more confident.'
*
By the time the bridal pair had left on their way to the Lakes, where they were to spend a month, and guests who lived nearby had departed, it was late afternoon, and Eugenie wanted to be outside, to breathe fresh air. When Sebastian appeared, all apologies for his bad temper earlier, and suggested they explore the gardens, she and Lady Jane readily agreed. As they went to a side door the Earl joined them, and together they wandered across a formal lawn to what looked rather like a war-torn village, with ruined buildings scattered amongst the trees.
When they came closer she could see that these were the grottoes and mock ruins Sebastian had mentioned.
'My grandfather went mad, I think,' Sebastian said with a laugh. 'But at least he confined his fantasies in one area. He apparently spent all his time out here, directing the people, and often joining in himself if he thought they were not doing it as he wished. But then, having known my grandmother for a few years, until happily she passed away when I was ten, I cannot blame him for wishing to be elsewhere than her company.'
Eugenie tried not to look amused. Did many husbands avoid their wives? She supposed that in the days when people had to endure arranged marriages, and had no choice over their partners, it was inevitable. At least Sebastian's grandfather had confined his ruins to a distant part of the gardens, and not scattered them all around as many landowners had when they adopted this gothic style.
As they went further into the group they came across a small but fast-flowing stream.
'This is diverted from the river, makes a loop through the ruins,' Sebastian explained. 'It was designed, I think, to touch as many of them as possible, but at least it is narrow enough to step across, and in a few places where it is wider there are antique stepping stones, and in one place a rustic bridge. We'll go that way. It is perfectly safe,' he said, laughing at Eugenie's look of dismay, 'even if it does look like another ruin. Mama insists the gardeners make sure of that.'
'I suppose the stream isn't big enough to drown in,' she said, 'but I shall hold you responsible if I get wet.'
The bridge, when they reached it, looked dilapidated, but Sebastian leapt onto it and jumped up and down, swinging on the rails at the sides, to demonstrate how safe it actually was. They crossed, and found more ruins, rather wilder this side. There were miniature hills, craggy mountains, another loop of the stream diverted from the main flow, which passed through a steep, narrow gorge. It was all, in a way, interesting, but Eugenie felt she would prefer to be able to see the real mountains and gorges. She said this in an aside to the Earl, and he smiled at her.
'You will,' he replied, and was about to say more when Lady Jane gave a shriek and pointed to the top of one of the crags which closed in the gorge.
'Look, that poor little kitten, it can't get down.'
There was a half-grown kitten huddled against the rocks of what appeared to be a cliff. It was a smoky grey, difficult to see against the grey rocks, and when it saw them it began to mew piteously.
'I'm going to rescue it,' Lady Jane said, and before they could prevent her, she tucked up her skirts and began to clamber up the side of the cliff. It was about ten or twelve feet high, and the kitten was almost at the top.
'Leave her,' the Earl said, sighing. 'She was always a tomboy.'
'She'll fall!'
'No, Eugenie, not unless she steps on a loose rock, and the way this was built, I doubt if there are any loose rocks.'
Lady Jane had reached the kitten, and stretched out to it. The small creature snarled and began to spit, and her would-be rescuer drew back. In so doing one foot slipped, and she was left clinging to a spur of rock while the kitten leapt higher, out of reach.
'Oh, do go and help her,' Eugenie urged.
'And ruin my best pantaloons!' Sebastian said. 'I'm sure she can get down herself.'
'She'll manage, she's as sure-footed as that wretched cat.'
'Oh, men! I suppose you care more for your pantaloons too, than for your sister. Well, I'm going to help her.'
So saying, she tucked up her skirts and began to clamber up the rock face. Lady Jane, she could see, was frightened, and Eugenie saw what hadn't been apparent from below, that the piece of rock she was clinging to was about to give way, and detatch itself from the rest. The way Lady Jane was situated, she could not reach to find another handhold. Eugenie was now alongside her, and stretched out a hand which Lady Jane clasped just as her other support gave way and crashed down into the stream below. Eugenie strained to hold the girl's weight, and was thankful she was small and slender.
'Start climbing down. I'll hold you until you have a firm grip.'
Lady Jane nodded. 'Thank you. But what about the kitten? Look, he's just there, but I can't reach him. We can't leave him here!'
She was beginning to sound hysterical.
'I'll get him, don't fret.'
Lady Jane nodded, took another step down, found a handhold, and released Eugenie's hand. Then, and Eugenie did not see how it happened, she began to fall, and landed half in the stream, half supported by her brother. She began to weep, complaining about the cat, how cold she was, and silly, stupid mock ruins.
The Earl yanked her to her feet. 'It was your own fault. Sebastian, will you take her back to the house and hand her over to one of the maids? I'll stay and make sure Eugenie gets down safely.'
Eugenie watched them go, then turned as she felt a furry body rubbing against one of her hands.
'You little monster,' she said, and tried to pick the kitten up. It spat and hissed, and scratched her hand, but she managed to wrap her skirt round it, to imprison it. Then she began to climb down. It was almost impossible, but she descended a few feet. Then she felt a hand on her foot.
'Let go, I'll catch you. You're only just above me.'
Thankfully, for it was amazingly difficult to manoeuvre on that rock face with only one hand, and a struggling feline clasped to her, she did as directed and found herself, seconds later, clasped in the Earl's arms.
'Thank you,' she gasped, but he did not let go of her. 'I'm all right. Let me get this animal free, and I can have my skirt back!'
He loosened his hold sufficiently for her to unwrap the cat. As it jumped to the ground it slashed out again and Eugenie received
another scratch on her hand. Then the ungrateful animal promptly began to climb back up to its former perch. Eugenie began to laugh, while the Earl inspected her scratched hand.
'This needs some attention,' he said, but did not release her. Instead, he pulled her closer and bent to kiss her.
*
'It's no good,' he murmured against her lips. 'I've tried to stay away from you, but I cannot endure it any longer.'
He kissed her, deeply, satisfyingly, until she was breathless and he released her.
She drew back slightly then, feeling supremely happy, but puzzled. 'Why should you stay away?'
'You knew no one. The sort of life you led in Switzerland, you were still just a child. Then in France, you had no opportunity of meeting suitable men you might have married.'
'Well, I met one or two handsome waiters and grooms,' she murmured. 'They might have been suitable for a chambermaid such as I was!'
He grinned. 'Minx! I had to give you an opportunity of meeting other men, in England, men of rank and fortune who would be fit husbands to you.'
'Husbands? Plural? Or did you mean I had to take them one at a time?'
'You know what I mean.'
'Why?' It seemed a ridiculous notion to her.
'Oh, my love, I rescued you, helped you reach England. We were together for some days, in greater intimacy than most couples enjoy. It was probable that you would think yourself in love with me. Girls are supposed to fall in love with men who rescue them from dire situations.'
She was beginning to believe, to hope, that what she had never expected was in fact happening, but was still not entirely convinced. Perhaps she had fallen from the cliff and concussed herself, and this was only a dream.
'But, Hugues, are you saying you fell in love with me? Making me a declaration?' She needed to hear it in plain words.
He laughed. 'It sounds unlikely, I know, but I fell in love with a valiant, lost child in a Paris back street. And then again with a scruffy ruffian in boy's clothes! But how could I tell you, situated as we were?'
Eugenie considered, her head on one side. It was true, if they had not behaved in the accepted fashion society demanded, it would be said he would have been taking advantage of her. His code of honour would not permit that. Then she sighed. 'I suppose so, under the manners society expects you to follow. But it was a waste of time to let me meet other men. I like some of them, but I don't love any of them.'
'Have you not had offers? I cannot believe none of the young men hovering about you in London did not fall in love with you. But it was a risk I had to take, that you might love one of them.'
'Yes, I had offers, and refused them. I didn't feel a scrap of love for any of them, just perhaps a little liking.' She pulled away from him and put her hands against his chest to push him further away so that she could look into his eyes and judge his sincerity. Then she nodded and smiled. No man who wasn't in love could look so lovingly at her. 'Are you proposing to vanish again, or make me an offer?'
He laughed and pulled her close. 'We are doing this in the wrong order. I should first ask you to marry me, then when you accept my offer, dare to plant a chaste kiss on your cheek, not devour your lips. Am I forgiven?'
'Have you made me an offer?'
He chuckled. 'My dear Miss Daubney, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? There, does that satisfy your requirements?'
She went to put her hands round him, and discovered that the scratches on her hand had been bleeding, and left smears of blood on his shirt.
'Oh dear, what will people say when we go back in with you looking like this?'
He shook her slightly. 'Pay attention, wench! I have just made you an offer, in the accepted manner. Are you going to accept?'
She put her head on one side. 'Surely you need to go down on one knee? But the grass may be wet. I quite understand if you prefer not to stain your pantaloons!'
'If you are not careful I will toss you into the stream. That will wash the blood from your hand!'
'And you will dive into a few inches of water to rescue me? Oh, stop, I can't breathe!'
'Will you marry me?' he asked, punctuating each word with an extra squeeze.
'Yes, yes, of course I will! I fell in love with you when you threw me into that attic room! Now please let me go, you are breaking my ribs!'
He slightly released his hold, and bent to kiss her. 'When? Do you wish for a wedding like Emily's? Or shall we run away to Gretna?'
'Isn't it possible to obtain a special licence, and get wed at once? I don't want a fuss. I just want you.'
They were once more exchanging kisses when Sebastian appeared.
'I came back in case you were in some difficulty,' he explained, 'but I see it's not the sort of difficulty I envisaged. Will you make your announcement at once?'
***
THE END
Marina Oliver has written over 75 novels, all are now available as Ebooks.
For the latest information please see Marina's web site:
http://www.marina-oliver.net
More Regency novels by Marina Oliver
The Chaperone Bride
When Joanna finds herself destitute after her gambler father's suicide, unable to find work, and is offered instead a marriage of convenience, she sees no other option.
Sir Kenelm needs a wife as a chaperone, since governesses are reluctant to live in a widower's household.
The twins, children of his first wife, refuse to accept her as a new mama. The governess, having thought she too was applying for the position of governess, resents her.
***
Lord Clifford's Dilemma
Lord Clifford meets Elizabeth when his ward Annamarie announces she means to marry her brother Sir Henry.
Not only is Henry under age, Elizabeth controls his fortune. And sixteen-year-old Annamarie has been falling in love with unsuitable men for several years.
Until he can resolve this complication he cannot turn his attention to courting Elizabeth.
She, in turn, is wary of love after being cruelly jilted when she was just seventeen.
***
THE MARRIAGE GAMBLE
Luke, Earl of Frayne, is determined to recover Frayne Caste, even if it means marrying the present owner, Damaris Hallem, a girl he has never met.
Luke's father, an inveterate gambler, lost the Castle fifty years earlier to Damaris's grandfather, an innkeeper. As it was the first estate the Frayne family obtained, Luke feels a need to regain it.
Damaris, unwillingly obeying her grandfather's wishes, comes to London for the Season with her friend Mary, Lady Gordon, and her two young children. She will be twenty-one in July, and is looking forward to gaining control of her inheritance. Until now it has been in the charge of a distant cousin, Humphrey Lee, and Damaris is convinced he wants to marry her. She doesn't want any husband, to deprive her of control.
Luke's friend Francis tells him Damaris is a little dab of a girl, but already there are men looking with interest at the heiress. If he is to win her and the Castle he needs to make haste.
***
My Lord Tremaine
When their father, the Rector, dies Elinor and her elder sister Jane Darwen are left with very little money.
But Jane is betrothed to wealthy Edmund, Viscount Tremaine. When Napoleon escapes from Elba Edmund returns to his regiment.
After Waterloo news arrives of Edmund's death and his cousin William inherits the title, and soon marries Jane.
Meanwhile Gervaas, helping to bury the dead, finds a live body, but the man has lost his memory.
***
Louise
Persuaded by her grandfather to supervise the coming out of Matilda, his great-niece, Louise reluctantly goes to London to take part in the season for the first time since her soldier husband was killed three years before.
Matilda is difficult and rebellious, but Louise finds she can enjoy meeting old friends and the balls and parties.
******
Marina Oliver, Eugenie and the Earl
Eugenie and the Earl Page 17
