by Sue London
Reeves greeted him with an austerity that immediately told him his father was in residence. Well, then supper would be as good a time as any to announce his plans. Although his mother had been supportive, he had no illusions that meant his father would be similarly inclined. As his allowance was reliant on his father's largess, it was a rather large risk. He could easily find himself with a residence and no way of feeding them until they were able to set up shop. He could, he supposed, lease out the shop while they lived above it. That might save them the stigma of being tradesmen. A gentleman could always own property and receive rents from it. That was, quite honestly, the better part of some earldoms.
Arthur went upstairs to bathe and dress carefully. His father was a stickler for the proprieties. His mother was a woman of exquisite taste and breeding, of course, but she also had a wild streak that his father simply didn't possess. Once sure that his form and clothing were perfect, he went downstairs for drinks before supper. In many households that tradition only held when entertaining guests, but at the Grahams it was expected every night and all the family in residence were expected to attend. If you had asked Arthur even a fortnight ago if it bothered him, he would have said no. Now he realized he really rather detested the practice. Life didn't need to be an endless parade of social duties. Had he essentially been sleeping his life away by never noticing the things that bothered him? Or had he simply felt that with no way to change his course there was no reason to consider what he did or didn't like? He owed Teddy more than he'd originally realized.
When he entered the drawing room Reeves almost immediately handed him a tumbler of whiskey. The reason for this alacrity became obvious when his father looked up and pinned him with a gaze. Norbert Graham was not a young man, but he had a vitality to him that belied the decades.
"What's this I hear about you and the Minett girl?"
Arthur took a sip of the whiskey. God bless Reeves. "I've asked her to marry me."
"You didn't consult me."
Arthur's brows rose. "It isn't to be a marriage of three." He wasn't usually one to talk back to his father, but he shouldn't really be surprised that defending Teddy came as natural to him as breathing. He couldn't help but see Reeves' satisfied smirk where he was lingering in the corner.
"Don't be disrespectful, Arthur," his father ordered.
"I don't mean to be," he answered honestly enough. Staring down into his tumbler he thought drinking more of the whiskey might lead to undesirable consequences.
"And your mother says you are considering trade."
Arthur tried not to be annoyed that his mother had already spoken on his behalf, as though he were a boy in short pants who needed protection and guidance. "I need to consider whatever I can to support myself and my wife."
"If you do that your allowance will be cut off. I'll not have a son no better than a butcher or baker."
There it was, then. The thing he feared all along. He tossed back the remainder of the tumbler. "Well, I suppose there comes a day when every gentleman must learn how to make his way on his own."
When his father's lips turned white from anger Arthur knew his barb had hit its mark. The greater part of Norbert Graham's fortune had been his wife's dowry. "You've lived doing nothing but suckling at the teat of this family for years, and now you think yourself capable of doing something else?"
Arthur felt his back go rigid. "I've only done everything you've ever wanted me to, and now that I'm showing some self-determination you think your demands and insults will stop me?"
"Choose a different woman. One with a dowry. Then you won't need to find a way to make money."
Of course his father expected Artie to solve his problems the same way Norbert himself had. Artie wouldn't even mention the fact that he loved Teddy and would rather live destitute than without her. It was probably an idea that beggared his father's imagination. "I've chosen, made my offer, and cannot rescind it. I was going to ask your preferences for wedding plans over supper, but perhaps you would prefer to send them to me in writing through your man of business."
"Arthur!" his mother cried.
"My apologies, maman," he said bowing to her. "But I'm afraid I must beg off for the evening. I seem to have come down with an ague."
Chapter Twenty-One
Teddy snuggled under the blankets, so content with her lot in life she was surprised she wasn't glowing. She was sore and aching in places she'd never felt before, but that just seemed to enhance her overall sense of happiness. Pellinore slept on the pillow next to her, breathing in a tiny kitty snore.
"I hope you and Artie get along well," she whispered to him, trailing a light finger over his paw. "He saved you so you should try to be nice to him."
Pellinore twitched and then flicked the paw she'd stroked, tucking it under his chin and rolling a bit before going back to sleep.
"Sorry," she said. "Soon I'll have Artie to talk to and won't bother you so much."
She frowned suddenly. Would Pelly be happy in a small flat in town? Would she be able to let him outside, or would that be too dangerous? She hadn't thought about that at all. She loved Arthur with all her heart, she really did. But she loved Pelly, too. And Pellinore had been here for her over the past fifteen years when Arthur hadn't even noticed her. She owed him a fine kitty retirement.
She wished she could ask Arthur his opinion. Would it be better to take Pellinore to town? Or leave him here with her parents? He was used to the house, the countryside. But he was also used to a mistress who spoiled him. Her contentment faded quite a bit as she considered how difficult the decision was going to be.
Artie had warned her that their decision to marry had practical consequences. She just hadn't considered that Pelly's happiness might be one of them. It was unacceptable to have the cat punished when he'd done nothing wrong. But neither option seemed ideal.
She turned on her other side and stared out the darkened window, fretting.
***
In what he estimated to be between the second and third courses, Artie heard a familiar knock at his door.
"Come in."
Reeves entered with a tray, silently taking it to the small table Artie had near his window.
"Thank you, Reeves."
The butler straightened his sleeves, as though they might have been rumpled. "Don't listen to your father in this. Love is important, the most important thing."
Artie was surprised. "I'd not thought you a romantic."
"When you speak of me, you must speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well." A sad smile flickered on the butler's face.
It sounded like Shakespeare, but Artie couldn't quite place it. "Thank you, Reeves. You always were a good friend."
The butler raised a brow. "Is that what I am? I thought I was a servant."
Artie chuckled. "Not mine. Now go back downstairs before your absence is noted or we shall both lose our pay."
The butler bowed and withdrew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
This time Teddy was ready when the Graham's footman arrived with the small package from Artie and she handed him the return packet immediately. When she opened the box she found a short note from her betrothed.
Dearest Teddy,
I need to speak with you and hope that you will be in during visiting hours today.
Yours truly,
Artie
She wondered what that was about. Should she be worried? Or was he simply setting the stage for another assignation? She bathed and dressed carefully. When she saw the Graham carriage arriving she wondered if he was going to take her to town again, then she saw him assist his mother in stepping down. It was to be an audience with Lady Graham. She flew down the stairs so that she could hope to look calm and collected when they were shown into the drawing room.
They all easily fell into the tradition of their former teas, with Mrs. Minett pouring and handing out the cups after murmured greetings, although Teddy perhaps smiled at Arthur more than she did before. When they were settled with tea,
Lady Graham finally broached the topic at hand.
"We are delighted that Miss Minett will be joining our family."
Teddy's mother smiled. "We are beyond pleased."
"As we plan the wedding it is my hope that you will consider my brother's schedule. His Grace is, of course, very busy, but Arthur is one of his favorite nephews."
Teddy felt a thread of fear in her heart. How long would they have to wait for the duke to come to Aylsham? She wasn't even sure precisely where he lived. Somewhere to the west, she thought, although he spent a good deal of time in London. She remembered that Artie had visited with his uncle in London a number of times. Was Artie truly a favorite nephew? Or was that just something Lady Graham said to ensure that they accommodated him? How frustrating! Teddy wanted to be married to Arthur now. She had already waited fifteen years, hadn't she?
"I've already written to him," Lady Graham continued, "so that we may know as soon as possible what date to reserve at St. Michaels."
That made it sound like it could take forever. What happened to the idea that Lady Graham would see them married before the vesper bells? It was all Teddy could do not to cross her arms and slump back in a huff.
"Of course we would make all efforts to accommodate His Grace," her mother was saying.
Teddy decided that she didn't care for dukes at all. Imagine making everyone wait for your every little convenience!
"Mrs. Minett," Artie said, "do I have your permission to stroll with my fiancée?"
"Oh yes!" her mother agreed immediately.
Teddy stood perhaps a bit more abruptly than a girl of her breeding should, but the idea of leaving the room sounded capital. Especially as she needed to talk to Arthur anyway.
In the front hall he helped her don her pelisse and bonnet, and shortly they were stepping out for a turn in the frosty air.
***
Before they were three steps from the door, his sweet little Teddy put rest his belief that she never talked.
"We have to wait for the duke? How long will that be? Are you sure he will even want to come? How many nephews does he have? Does he go to all of their weddings? It will be a good deal longer than we planned to wait, I'm sure of that. And St. Michaels? Why on earth? Who will we invite? And yes, you can say everyone of consequence in the county, but what is the purpose of that? Few of them are our friends nor care about us very much. I thought perhaps Miss Haste was my friend now, but I wrote to her days ago and she's yet to reply. And sweet Heavens, what if that odious Mr. Kellen were to come? It would be best not to have a fist fight at our wedding, I hazard to say."
At this rate he was fairly sure he'd not get a word in edgewise for an hour. He stopped and took her face in his gloved hands. She wrapped her little hands at his wrists and looked up at him earnestly.
"Arthur, what are we to do?"
Perhaps she would let him talk, but now what he wanted was a kiss. She tipped her face up to his and met his lips with a pleased hum. She tasted of tea and sugar, but the sensation was so heady it was possible he would only ever sip his tea from her lips now. He had his own concerns over waiting for the duke. What if Teddy were already pregnant? And by the gods, if they had to wait very long he couldn't promise to stay away from her. Even now, knowing that their mothers could very well be watching them from the windows, he longed to put his hand under her skirts. She was, for him, an addiction more powerful than opium. Before their first kiss he would have sworn that he was a man that could be trusted to treat a lady with the respect she deserved. And the Lord knew, he thought Teddy deserved every respect. But he wanted the right to demand that of others while himself having the pleasure of bedding her every night.
With regret he broke off the kiss before it became more heated. She still looked at him expectantly.
"I've other news," he said. "My father has cut off my allowance."
Her expression was pained. "Oh, Artie, I'm so sorry. You tried to warn me. I'm so sorry."
"It's all right. We'll figure it out. I can't say that I was completely surprised."
"I was wrong, wasn't I? We shouldn't be married."
Her statement sent a flare of panic through him. "Don't say that. I was wrong. I don't think I can live without you." He rested his forehead against hers. "I'd not realized how much I detest my life until you made me consider something else."
"Oh, Artie." She slipped her arms around his waist and snuggled up against him.
"Unfortunately, I have little of value to sell." He set his chin on her head and smiled into her hair. "There are always my jackets, of course, but I doubt they would fetch much."
"We could sell the shop and live here."
He went still. "Is that what you want?"
"Not at all. I relish the idea of our own little domain. But I'm trying to be practical since we are suffering from my encouragement that we not be so."
He held her tighter. "I want you and I want us to have our own home, so let's work from there." He felt her nod against his chest. "I've a horse. Spent better than two quarters of last year's allowance on it, in fact. But I bought it to help a friend and promised that I'd sell it back to him if I couldn't keep it. Sadly, I don't think he could afford to buy it back already. I still have most of this quarter's allowance, so at least we have that."
"How much?"
"I've about twenty pounds."
It surprised him when she fought her way free and stepped back. "Twenty pounds?"
"Yes."
"We could live better than a year on that."
"Could we, now?"
"It would require some economy, but yes."
He put his hands on his hips. "How shall we economize, Teddy? We will have to eat at tea houses, which is quite expensive. If we hope to earn money we will either need to get the shop ready and stocked, or lease it to a shopkeeper, which would mean having people downstairs from our home all the time. I assure you that twenty pounds will hardly make a dent in all we need to accomplish."
Her brown eyes had that haunted look again. "Well, you don't have to be mean about it. Twenty pounds is more money than I've ever seen in one place."
He sighed. It wasn't like he wanted to argue about it, but why couldn't she see how many challenges they had in front of them?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Teddy hated it when Arthur was put out with her. If she disliked conflict in general, she especially hated it with Artie. Perhaps a million times more.
"And I don't know what to do about Pellinore," she said. Oh drat, now the tears were coming.
"What about Pellinore?" He sounded confused.
"Should I leave him here or take him to town?"
Artie shrugged. "Do you think he will care?"
"Well of course he will! And so will I."
"Teddy, he's just a cat."
He might as well have struck her. "How can you say that?" she asked, her voice harsh. "He's Pellinore! You saved him from the Questing Beast!"
Arthur still looked perplexed and irritated. Teddy wanted this horrid day to be over. Would there ever be a day again where everything was easy? When she and Artie weren't arguing or worrying?
"Well, of course you can bring him with you if you like," he ventured.
"I know that! It bothers me that it could even be a question. But would he be happier out here at the house he's used to, or in town with me?"
"Teddy, that's the least of our problems."
"How can you say that?" The tears were really falling now. Artie stepped forward to touch her face, but she backed away from him. "I can't even speak to you right now," she declared, and stomped back towards the house. She immediately went upstairs and curled up on her bed with Pellinore. Lady Graham could think what she liked about her rude future daughter-in-law.
***
Artie was quite stunned when Teddy stormed away. First she said they needed to think of practicalities, and then she had been crying over where her cat should live. It made no sense whatsoever. Was this an augur for what their
lives would be like? Or was it simply the upset of so many changes and problems all at once? Artie desperately hoped for the latter.
Upon returning to the drawing room he saw that Teddy was absent. He collected his mother and they left for home. None of his problems had been solved, and it was possible new ones had been added to them.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next morning Teddy waited for the Graham's footman to arrive. By noon she had to admit to herself that he wouldn't be coming. She set her package on the front hall table, containing a delicate stem of lily-of-the-valley now painted white and green. Perhaps tomorrow.
It was three days before she heard from Arthur again. This time the footman delivered a letter and looked surprised when she shoved her package into his hands with a request he give it to Mister Arthur Graham. She rushed upstairs with the letter because she wasn't sure what it might contain and didn't want to have to explain it to anyone else in the house before she understood it herself.
Dearest Teddy,
I've decided to move into the flat above the shop in advance of our wedding, which has kept me busy these last few days. Please accept my apologies for not being attentive to you. In case you've wondered, my mother has not received a letter from His Grace yet.
Yours truly,
Artie
Oh, for heaven's sake! That was just silly. First he worried about practicalities like money, and now he might as well throw it in the street. At his parent's home he had free food and a toasty fire. And servants. Teddy wasn't even sure how many servants the Grahams employed, but it was more than she had ever been able to count on their visits. She was forever seeing a footman or maid she would swear she'd never seen before. Now he had to pay for food and firewood, not to mention building and stoking his own fires. Having lived such a privileged life she wondered if he even knew how to do such things. If Teddy didn't know how to tend a fire she would have frozen to death long ago.
Was his letter meant as a tacit invitation? She had to admit that the opportunity to spend time alone together sounded promising, although she didn't know how she would explain sneaking off by herself for a few hours. It had been surprising enough that she had been able to make that one trip without chaperone. But because of that trip perhaps she also knew why chaperones were so important. For a moment she considered how she would feel if she had a daughter who had done what she had, and found herself having to sit down. Clearly she had to make sure her parents never found out. Heavens! She couldn't stand the thought of having a child who would do something so foolish.
