"In that case, pray be seated, and keep Miss Hawkesworth entertained."
The girls did as he suggested.
Vanessa tried to suppress a moue of disappointment. Though they were delightful company, she found herself longing to sit beside Clifford and continue their conversation on farming.
But he joined his brother and Malcolm, who both stepped off to one side to smoke a cheroot, and spoke in low tones. She could guess from his expression his mood had altered to a grim one again, and she could hear Malcolm apologizing for his thoughtlessness. She was most curious to know what they were discussing, but could not very well go over to ask.
Vanessa observed them keenly for a time, doing her best to also chat with the other women. As she watched the three handsome men, two so blond, one so dark, she noted that Clifford did not partake of a cheroot. Not that she would have objected, since many men of fashion smoked, but she was finding herself hard-put to find any vices in the man.
She listened carefully as the Jerome sisters discussed the local balls and other entertainments, and eventually asked, "And do Henry and Clifford attend all the balls?"
"Usually only the monthly County ones, and any given in the private houses of his especial friends. They are not overly social, though of course they are handsome enough," Josephine replied.
"Well, they're so busy with the estate, an estate you will one day live upon, Jo, that you don't have the right to sound quite so aggrieved," Emma scolded playfully.
"I'm not, really. As you say, they do marvelously well with their estate, they are both so diligent. But really, if Henry doesn't go, then I can't go without looking like I am a flirt. I do so like to dance. It's wonderful exercise."
"Humph. Try riding Missy the mare a bit more if you find the need for exercise."
Both sisters giggled good-naturedly.
"Do you ride, Miss Hawkesworth?"
"Does she indeed!" Clifford laughed, relinquishing his male companions to rejoin them. "You must have a very poor memory, Emma, if you cannot recall our young centaur here."
Vanessa blushed at the compliment.
"She's undoubtedly the finest rider I have ever seen, male or female. She doesn't know I saw her, but I once came across her in the woods near Stone Court doing the most remarkable tricks riding without so much as a saddle."
"Really, is this true?" Henry asked, wide-eyed with admiration. "I should very much like to see that."
"Oh, I have not indulged in years," she lied.
"What a pity. You obviously loved it so much," Clifford said.
"Well, things got busy once I went to my aunt's. She liked to have me about her in the house, not gadding off until all hours of the day and night."
"So you really love the countryside?" Clifford asked quietly.
She met his warm gaze. "I think I feel most at home outdoors, or on the back of a horse. Not that I don't love studying and domestic pursuits, but riding gives me a wonderful sensation of freedom."
Clifford nodded. "I love the outdoors as well. Every time I attended a ball, I can feel the walls closing in on me."
"Yes, a wonderful way to put it. I feel exactly the same." She smiled up and him, and their gazes devoured each other.
For a moment the other people in the arbor fell away for Vanessa; it was as if she and Clifford were completely alone.
Clifford broke the lengthy silence by saying, "If you would like to start practicing your riding again whenever you are feeling better, I would be delighted to accompany you, Miss Hawkesworth."
"It is very kind of you to offer, but I would feel terribly guilty if you did so. I have already taken up so much of your valuable time, Mr. Stone. Time you could be spending at your estate."
"Our steward can manage without myself and Henry, believe me," he said airily. "He is a most excellent man."
"I am sure he can, but you have all been more than kind and attentive."
"And will continue to be so until the doctor tells us you are well. And thereafter, of course, since you're part of the family now." He bowed over her hand politely, but the warm pressure of his fingers gave her a second, more intimate message.
She blushed at Clifford's words and the sensual contact.
Family. When she had been small, the word had filled her with dread. Now, upon his lips, it sounded like the answer to all her prayers.
"Yes, you're part of the family now," Henry seconded, seeing her looking so uncomfortable.
"As shall I be soon, once we wed, darling, and by extension, Emma," Josephine supplied cheerily.
Henry kissed his fiancee's hand warmly, and there was no mistaking their intense regard for one another.
"We may not be able to choose our family, but we can choose our friends," said Malcolm, with a smile, as he took his sister's hand and put it in the crook of his arm. "I'm proud to have you as a new friend, Miss Hawkesworth, and hope you will grow as close to myself and my sister as Clifford and Henry have. The Stone family supported me when my family nearly lost everything several years ago. It was dashed low water with us all. They were one of the few families who stood by us in our time of need. The Stones, and of course the Jeromes," he said with a smile for each of the two sisters. "I'm more than grateful. I look upon you all as family."
Vanessa caught a look of decided disappointment cross Emma's features. If her own feelings were anything to judge by, perhaps Malcolm might also be able to see Emma in a whole new light if given a chance.
"My goodness, what a touching moment. But now, if you don't mind, the wind is growing rather sharp, and I for one could do with a cup of tea," Clifford said cheerfully, trying to dispel the somber mood which had overtaken the party.
Malcolm offered Vanessa his arm, and his sister took her other side firmly. Once again Vanessa was thwarted in her desire to get closer to Clifford. But there would be plenty of time for that later, she told herself. She would have to convalesce for at least a few more days.
Clifford had assured her that if she did not want to remain at Dr. Gold's, he would arrange for her to stay at either the Jeromes or the Bransons as a guest prior to their wedding, so long as she was not left alone and weak at Hawkesworth House.
But there could be no wedding if Vanessa were not sure in her own mind. She felt as if she were growing more and more certain, but perhaps her feelings of attraction to Clifford were misleading her? Nor would there be any marriage for her unless the solicitors approved of her choice, and were willing to make the appropriate settlements on her behalf. She knew marriage settlements could take quiet some time to sort out to the satisfaction of all parties.
What those settlements would be precisely, Vanessa was unsure. She talked quietly with the Bransons, but all the while her mind was awhirr. She began to formulate a plan in her mind which would test Clifford's character and perhaps finally allow her to put her fears about him to rest once and for all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Once they were back in Dr. Gold's house and Vanessa had removed all of her layers of outer clothing with the aid of the Jerome sisters, she followed the others into the parlor. Rather than sitting, she asked if she could speak with Clifford privately. Clifford looked slightly surprised, and asked if the doctor's study would do for the interview.
She nodded, and proceeded to that chamber. He left the door open and asked Henry to wait outside in the corridor for the sake of propriety, a fact that was not lost upon her, and for which she was grateful.
"This will only take a few moments," she said, debating on how direct an approach to regarding so momentous subject. Vanessa took a deep breath and ventured, "I've been thinking great deal about the circumstances that I have found myself in. I must confess that whilst my half-brother Gerald has done everything he can blacken you in my eyes, despite the fact that our acquaintance has been so brief, I have to admit that I find nothing objectionable about your person, manners, character, nor circle of friends."
"Why, thank you. How generous," he said with barely concealed sarcasm.
"Please, don't make this difficult for me."
He held up one hand by way of apology. "That was not my intention. I ask your pardon for being a trifle piqued at you sounding so surprised to find me unobjectionable." They both grinned at that. "Pray continue with your train of thought."
"Well, given the circumstances, and the fact that I have come to have a high regard for you and your family, I find my mind altered a great deal." She dared to look up into his warm gaze. "Indeed, my mind has changed so considerably, that I have come to the conclusion that our marriage would be not only advantageous to us both, but also, well, quite pleasant and er, well, desirable."
"A nice choice of words. I heartily approve of the word desirable."
"You're teasing me again," she said with a small pout.
He smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "In the nicest possible way, of course."
"Yes, indeed," she said, returning his smile with a warm one of her own.
"So does this mean what I think it means?" he dared to ask hopefully, reaching for her hand. "Yes, I believe it does," she whispered. "Wonderful, just wonderful." He kissed the back of his hand, and the look on her face left her in no doubt of his sincerity. "So now that you have accepted my proposal, at least provisionally, we need to decide what to do next." "Next?" He nodded, and patted her hand. "There will of course be all of the arrangements to make. That is easy. The girls will be only too happy to assist. But I suspect that you're thinking more of what your solicitors are going to say about this whole matter, and whether or not they will give their consent."
She looked at him with relief. "That's exactly it."
"Well, there's only one way to find out. We shall invite them here to discuss the matter further and ask their blessing."
Her brows knit. "I'm a bit concerned at their finding me at the doctor's house, however. We would have to tell them the whole story, and I do not want Mason and Rogers to be unduly alarmed. I'm fine now."
Clifford nodded. "A good point. But you can most certainly stay with the Jeromes. I don't want you on your own at Hawkesworth House, as you know. You're at liberty to tell them the whole story of what took place between myself and Gerald, but I'm not sure that will advance our cause.
"On the other hand, I would never want it to be said that I had kept anything from them if they found out later about the card game. We will also need to give them the opportunity to make the appropriate inquiries regarding my character.
"Finally, we need to make sure that your worldly affairs are settled in a satisfactory manner."
She stirred restlessly in her chair for a moment. "I am sorry to be so blunt, but how much will you be requiring for a dowry?"
He stared at her. "Not a penny. I told you."
She was nonplused, and tried a different tack. "Well, at the very least you should have back the money you bet to win me. I believe Malcolm mentioned the sum of five thousand pounds as being the stake everyone put up to be allowed to join the game."
"That is true, but I do not need the money."
"Everyone needs money, especially in these uncertain times, with the war going on, and cash a hard thing to come by," she said with a touch of impatience. "There is also my pride. I would not have it said that I had come to you with nothing."
Clifford laughed harshly. "No one would ever believe it. They all think you are a walking gold mine, my dear. But do allow me some pride." "Pride?" "I refuse to be seen as mercenary by anyone. I want everyone to know we married of our own choice and free will. Don't you?" "Well, yes, but really--" "So I shall take nothing. But you will want some money for your own wants and needs, little extra luxuries. I am not as wealthy as you, I believe, and I confess that the baubles and trinkets which pass as necessities for a young lady quite escape me. My poor mother's jewels are very fine, but I hope you will not mind that I did pledge Henry half of them for Josephine, and they do have the prior claim. They do not intend to wed until next year, but if you would care to put your heads together and agree on who gets what, I would be most pleased."
She shook her head quickly. "Really, I'm not interested in your mother's jewels."
His brows drew downwards at that. "You most likely have some very fine pieces from your mother and aunt. And I dare say that my mother's might be considered very old-fashioned to a modish young lady. However, some of them are of sentimental value. I would very much like my wife to have some of them, and therefore by extension, shall my daughters, or my sons' wives, receive them."
She sighed. "I did not mean to offend, imply they were inferior in any way. And I care little for fashion. I simply do not wear much jewelry. I am really very grateful for your generosity. If they are of sentimental value, and family heirlooms, then by all means we shall divide them equally, with you and Henry looking on to ensure any favorite pieces you might have will fall to you. But for my own part, I have sufficient jewels for any woman."
He took her hand again and stroked the back of it tenderly. "As I think I may have mentioned before, I plan to divide the estate equally with Henry. It has already been done with the money which Father left us. And of course we are each other's heirs, at least for the time being. Since we have not yet married, we have lived side by side as we have done ever since we were children. But we had planned to divide the house as soon as he and Josephine wed.
"I understand."
"Those plans can go into effect now. He will get the east wing, and I the west. Each has a master suite. If you do not mind, we shall take my parents' old chambers. Again, I am making the request for sentimental reasons. The downstairs reception rooms will be shared in common. It will be a somewhat unorthodox arrangement, but I never want our respective families to compete with one another. As for the land, we cooperate in all things, and divide everything in half equally."
"I marvel at the harmony between you," Vanessa said sincerely. "It is most unusual in my experience."
"I try to live by my Radical principles always. As I have said, it is pure luck and chance that I'm the elder. I have never wished Henry to feel envy, or to lack for anything simply because of a trick of birth. I made that clear to my father as soon as I was old enough to form an opinion upon the matter, and he was kind and radical enough to agree with me. I hope we shall be able to raise all of our children in that manner, and that the sets of cousins I pray will result from our two marriages will get along as famously as my brother and I have."
She held up a hand to forestall him. "Before we talk about children, we need to talk about the disposition of my estate. If you will not take any money from me now, can I at least note you down as the beneficiary of my will?"
He took her hand gently. "Not I, but our children. If you could see your way to dividing the lion's share of the money and property into equal shares for all of our children, with individual bequests for the servants and any friends or family you may wish, that would be most generous of you. But it is your money to do with as you choose. I firmly believe a woman has a right to her own property, even in marriage."
"Thank you. However, we will also need a clause as to what shall happen to my wealth if I were to die whilst we were still childless."
"At the risk of offending you, I will offer my opinion and say Gerald will squander it all within a year, but it is your money to do with as you wish."
"No, I would not wish to leave it all to Gerald," she said firmly.
He nodded. "The Stephenses?"
She shook her head. "To Paul, the youngest, perhaps a small stipend to Toby, but no more."
"You can certainly give the rest to some worthy cause, then."
"I was thinking fallen women, foundlings, prison reform, and the rest to help the unfortunate slaves."
"Admirable, my dear," Clifford said without a trace of hesitation. "I am sure the solicitors shall have no objections to that."
"What of yours?" she asked quietly, astonished that thus far he had not shown the least bit of concern for her wealth. Could she have been so fortunate
as to have found a man who cared about her for herself alone after all?
He considered her question for a moment, and she waited in an agony of suspense for his next words. At length he concluded, "I can't see them having any objections either, since I'm agreeing to it willingly. But to be certain, we can sign a pre-nuptial agreement to this effect, so that they can never challenge my decision at a later date.
"I can also set the terms for my own will. I have already divided up everything legally with Henry. It is simply a matter of leaving my portion to you, with or without children. Though I am sure you will not mind if I leave Henry and some other friends and dependents a couple of bequests."
"Not at all. But-"
"Ah, yes. If we should not prove to be compatible, I will of course offer you an allowance, which shall remain in effect until such time as you remarry. You would have shared custody of the children, provided I did not catch you in any compromising situations."
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 1 Page 19
