The Accidental Marriage

by Sally James

  What further arguments could he employ? She was not mercenary. She would not accept him merely for the life he could provide, and to avoid the need to earn her own living. He respected her for that. He admitted he both respected and liked her. In other circumstances, if he had not met Angelica, and had been anxious to marry, he could easily have settled for her. Julia would not treat him to tantrums and the vapours whenever they had some disagreement.

  He recalled her remark that she would find ways to punish a wayward husband, and smiled in amusement. He had no doubt she would have some ingenious notions. But even though their marriage would be a business affair, he would never subject her to the sort of gossip her sister had to endure.

  Where was Sir Frederick? Was he still with his new mistress? Had they reached Russia, and what did he make of that country? It was not an easy country to understand, and he doubted Sir Frederick had the mental capacity to see beneath the surface of the Russian people, with their almost childlike ability to express their emotions without any reserve.

  He supposed, if he married Julia, he would be expected to take an interest in her sister. That would not be impossible. He thought Fanny a pleasant, if weak woman, but the little girls were well mannered, easy to be with.

  He cast aside yet another cravat. Why could he not tie one properly? Surely he was not nervous! He had not been nervous when he proposed to Angelica. But he’d known she would accept him, she’d shown her liking for him from the moment they’d met. Her father had welcomed the match, saying bluntly she was a giddy chit and needed a sensible older man to control her starts. It was her mother who, Sir Carey suspected, wanted a higher title for her daughter.

  Julia’s acceptance could not be taken for granted. She had not appeared in any way pleased at his proposal, and perhaps it served him right for introducing the matter so abruptly. But he was anxious to get home, and surely she was too. They could be married here, and set off within a few days. He must, somehow, persuade her of the sense of his proposal.

  * * * *

  Mr Podger was tall and thin, not at all as his name had suggested to Fanny. Mr Pryce had asked him to call at the house to advise Fanny. She had not met him before, and although he was never less than professional, she had the impression he was sympathetic to her and condemnatory towards Frederick.

  She had refused to see him while she was in bed, and despite Elizabeth’s reassurances that it would not be thought at all improper, she insisted on donning a loose robe and meeting him in the small but well appointed boudoir attached to her bedroom. Elizabeth, at Fanny’s pleading, sat with her and held her hand encouragingly.

  ‘Lady Cunningham,’ he intoned. There was no other word for it, she thought, striving not to giggle. Somehow her spirits lifted, and she smiled without any effort as she bade him take a seat.

  After carefully inspecting the comfortable chairs scattered about the room he chose the hardest, which had been set before a small writing table. He turned it round and placed it six feet away from Fanny, then sat down.

  ‘I have to inform you I have not heard anything from your husband,’ he said. ‘However, in the circumstances I feel it my duty to ensure you and the children are not placed in a difficult situation. I am sure that is what Sir Frederick would wish, if his wishes could be known.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Fanny said. She was not at all sure what Frederick’s wishes would be, in his present state of infatuation with his Russian lover.

  ‘I intend to make you a quarterly allowance, to cover all your expenses, and those of the children. The bills for your household and Greystones will, of course, continue to be sent to me, and I will deal with them. The allowance is comparable to what you were accustomed to receive as pin money, enlarged in order to allow for any unforeseen charges you might face.’

  He named a sum which left Fanny gasping. It was twice the pin money and dress allowance she had received from Frederick. She gave him a puzzled look, and he smiled briefly.

  ‘You will have unexpected expenses which, in normal circumstances, if Sir Frederick were here, he would pay. Such as hiring a carriage, when you can drive out, or to go to Greystones. However, if it is insufficient, you need only ask and I will arrange for the allowance to be increased.’

  ‘It’s too much,’ Fanny began, but Elizabeth interrupted.

  ‘Much too good of you, Mr Podger, and Lady Cunningham is most grateful. If there are any problems you do not care to bother Lady Cunningham with, my husband will be only too pleased to do whatever is needful.’

  Fanny saw them look each other in the eye for a silent few moments, and then Mr Podger smiled.

  ‘I think that is all, ladies, so I will take my leave.’

  * * * *

  Julia, feeling horribly conspicuous in Anna’s brightly coloured clothes, went swiftly downstairs and into the parlour. When Sir Carey looked up and smiled, she detected amusement in his face.

  ‘I can’t help it!’ she exclaimed. ‘My gown had coffee stains on it, and isn’t fit for polite company. Anna, one of the other maids, lent me this.’

  ‘So at least you admit I am polite company,’ he said, and laughed aloud. ‘You look charming, my dear. Come and sit here beside the fire. It grows chilly tonight. I think we can expect a frost.’

  Julia went where he indicated, and he sat on the chair opposite, the table between them.

  ‘Do you have just the one gown?’ he asked.

  ‘All my luggage was lost in the river,’ she reminded him. ‘Fortunately I was wearing my cloak, which the nuns cleaned and dried for me.’

  ‘Of course, I hadn’t remembered. That must be making life very difficult for you.’

  She shrugged. ‘Yes, but many peasants have only one gown. I have grown accustomed to it.’

  He looked at her steadily for a few moments, then walked towards the door.

  ‘Excuse me one moment. I need to speak to Herr Ritter.’

  It was several minutes before he returned, followed by two maids bearing several platters and dishes. They set the table briskly, and then, bobbing a curtsey to Julia, retreated.

  She felt embarrassed. Until two days ago she had worked alongside these girls. They had been wary of her at first, until they realized she worked as hard as any of them.

  ‘This looks like an excellent chicken. Will you have some?’ Sir Carey asked. ‘Or do you prefer some of the pie? It’s rabbit, I think. Have you developed a taste for the German sausages? I cannot say I appreciate them.’

  ‘A little chicken, please,’ Julia managed. They would eat first, apparently, and not introduce the matter between them. Later, she would tell him all her reasons. He had been honest with her, and deserved her own honesty. Apart from one thing, she hastily amended. She could never admit to him that she had any softer feelings for him.

  Somehow she managed to eat what he gave her, and drink a glass or two of wine, though she refused most of the dishes. He ate heartily, and all signs of his recent indulgence in brandy had vanished. Herr Ritter himself came in to clear the table when they were finished, and bring a pot of coffee. Sir Carey waved away the decanter.

  ‘I don’t want that,’ he said. ‘Can you see we are not disturbed again?’

  ‘Of course. Ring the bell if you require anything else.’

  Julia clasped her hands together in her lap. She had to make him understand.

  ‘Well?’ he asked softly. ‘Have you considered my suggestion?

  ‘I cannot accept,’ Julia burst out. ‘It would not be fair to you. One day you might meet someone else you might love, and then I would stand in your way.’

  ‘I did not think there was anyone else you had a tendre for,’ he said. ‘You need not be concerned that I will ever fall prey to the softer emotions again. And I promise you I will never mention Angelica again. It would be churlish to keep reminding you, but I had to explain. It isn’t as though reminders would distress you, since we are not young lovers, but it would not be fitting. That part of my life is over, and I want us to
make a fresh start. We seemed to have interests in common while we were in Vienna, did we not?’

  Julia nodded, unable to speak.

  ‘I admire and respect you, and I do not think you have some antipathy to me?’

  He looked a question, and she shook her head.

  ‘Then could we not make a success of a business arrangement?’

  Julia could remain seated no longer. Impetuously she rose to her feet and began pacing the room. ‘Don’t you understand?’ she cried. ‘I would be ruining you! What would people say, when you marry a penniless girl so soon after being jilted? You must take time to consider, you must!’

  He stepped in front of her and grasped her arms. ‘Quietly, Julia! Do you care what people say? It’s no one’s business but ours. We met in Vienna, and got to know one another there. That is the truth, and all people need to know.’

  The door opened and he turned round, about to tell whoever it was to leave. The words died on his lips as a couple he had met in Vienna, Mr and Mrs Webber, entered the room. Herr Ritter hovered anxiously behind, muttering that the gentleman did not wish to be disturbed.

  ‘La, no wonder! What have we disturbed? Is this a rural idyll?’ Mrs Webber asked and tittered. ‘Gregory’s valet met yours upstairs, and we were told you were here. There isn’t another private parlour to be had, so I told Gregory you would surely not object to sharing yours with benighted travellers.’

  Sir Carey’s hands had tightened on Julia’s arms as she tried to pull away. She belatedly recognized the woman as the one who had been at Fanny’s party when Paula had been unable to sing, and she was almost certain she had been one of the women who had not bothered to conceal their laughter.

  Mrs Webber came into the room, and peered curiously at Julia. ‘What a pretty costume, dear. Is it fancy dress? But don’t I know you? Aren’t you - let me see, don’t you teach Lady Cunningham’s children? Of course, you’re the girl they were all talking about in Vienna. I suppose they’ll all have forgotten whatever you did in England to cause such a stir, and it’s possible for you to return there. Is Lady Cunningham here too?’

  ‘I have nothing to fear, and never did, in England, Mrs Webber. The gossip in Vienna was all malicious lies, and I think I know who started it. As for my sister, she is, I hope, in London by now,’ Julia said through gritted teeth.

  Mrs Webber smiled, and it reminded Julia of a cat’s sly glance. ‘And she has left you alone with Sir Carey? Doesn’t she care about your reputation, child?’

  ‘Julia’s reputation is perfectly safe with me,’ Sir Carey said, putting one arm round Julia’s shoulders and pulling her towards him. ‘We are betrothed, and are to be wed in the morning.’

  Chapter Nine

  Julia opened her mouth to deny it, but Sir Carey’s hand on her shoulder gripped her in warning.

  Mrs Webber looked startled, then smiled in comprehension.

  ‘I see,’ she said, her voice full of insinuation. ‘The gentleman has noble instincts. I don’t know how you came to be here alone with him, but he is doing the right thing to protect your name. Or is he? Is this just a pretence to put me off? We’ll soon see when we all get back to London.’

  ‘Allow me to tell you that you are being offensive, ma’am,’ Sir Carey said. ‘And now, perhaps, Herr Ritter will make sure you are served dinner in your bedroom, as this parlour is reserved for me and my guests.’

  ‘Well, really! Allow me to tell you, sir, that I shall make it my business to let everyone know how this penniless trollop managed to snare a wealthy husband!’

  With that she swept out of the room, her husband meekly following. Herr Ritter gave them an apologetic shrug and closed the door.

  Julia moved away from Sir Carey and sank onto a chair. ‘She will, you know, she’s an odious gossip. What are we to do?’

  ‘Get married, as I said. I’ve made enquiries and there is a pastor willing to perform the ceremony tomorrow.’

  ‘But I don’t want to!’

  ‘If your reasons are the ones you stated before that wretched woman interrupted us, then they don’t hold water, my dear. I shall never again allow myself to fall in love. It was a mistake, and I have come to accept that a business arrangement with someone who is pleasant, capable, and calm, is preferable to one where the initial violent attraction is likely to fade, leaving nothing in its place.’

  Julia sighed. ‘You think that now, but you would regret it in a few years.’

  ‘I promised not to mention Angelica again, but I must, in order to convince you. She is pretty, and lively, and could have married anyone. She had plenty of offers. For me it was an instant attraction, and I was like a green boy again, in thrall to her, overwhelmed when she showed a preference for me. However, since I have been away from her I have gradually, without really understanding it, begun to think she is rather shallow, and does not care for any of the more serious concerns.’

  ‘She’s very young,’ Julia interrupted. ‘She will come to care for them, if she wants to please you. You cannot judge her solely by her letters. Many girls find it difficult to express themselves adequately.’

  ‘You forget, she will be out of my reach by now, so this is not a possibility. I think she has saved me from making a big mistake. I’ve no doubt she has been trained to run a house efficiently, or at least to order the servants to do so, but I am becoming more and more convinced that we would never have been companions, in the way I would wish to have companionship with my wife. It is not just the letters, I have been thinking back to when we were together, remembering, and trying to ignore the unease I felt, telling myself it would be all right once we were married or when she was older. If I face the truth, I know it would not have been.’

  ‘But you can’t know that you and I would deal well together!’

  ‘I’m now convinced we would have a more successful marriage than I and Angelica ever could have done. My dear Julia, you will not change my mind.’

  ‘You’re not taking heed of my wishes!’

  ‘You have no prior attachment. Your life, without a dowry, would be a succession of unsatisfactory positions living as a dependant in other people’s houses. Unless you found an indigent curate,’ he added, and Julia felt her heart beating rapidly at that devastating smile. ‘I can give you a position in society, a country house, a hunting box, a house in London, and ample pin money. All I want in return is your companionship, your help in managing my houses, and your guidance for my sisters, who will be married and away from Courtlands within a few years. Is that not a better prospect than being a companion to elderly, probably crotchety old ladies, or a governess to spoilt children?’

  It was so tempting. Julia knew it would not be a complete marriage, but just to have his company would be enough.

  She sighed. ‘I trust I will not prove you wrong. Very well, Sir Carey, I will accept your proposal.’

  * * * *

  Sir Carey breathed a sigh of relief. He was sincere in his arguments, but he also knew that if they did not wed her reputation would be in tatters. Julia would probably insist she took no heed of what the world said about her, but he found he cared enough for her to protect her from society’s condemnation.

  He walked across to the table and poured out two more glasses of wine. Handing one to her he lifted his own high. ‘To us, Julia.’

  They drank, and found there was little to say. They were both, he decided, somewhat astonished at the speed of events. Then Julia, rather hesitantly, took a deep breath and spoke.

  ‘Tell me about your home, please. It is named Courtlands, I believe?’

  ‘Yes, it is in Oxfordshire. It started as a small Norman castle, then another wing was built on in the 1670s after the Restoration. They knocked down most of the medieval buildings. My grandfather put on a new frontage and two wings, in the classical style. It’s an architectural disaster, but we all love it.’

  Julia laughed. ‘It sounds fascinating.’

  ‘You’ll love it too,’ he said, and watched her ey
es cloud over.

  Was he doing the right thing, forcing her in this way? If she had any realistic opportunity of a suitable marriage he’d have hesitated. He thought they would deal together admirably, but had he taken her feelings sufficiently into account? He’d used the opportunity presented when Mrs Webber came into the room and found him holding Julia’s arms. She had misinterpreted the situation, probably imagining they had been embracing. Chivalry would have demanded he offer Julia his hand, but he’d already done that.

  They had to go through with it now, ready to face the gossips when they returned to London. He’d drive through the night, and make sure he reached England and made his marriage known by sending a notice to The Times before the malicious Webbers reported the facts with all the inaccurate embellishments they were capable of.

  ‘We’ll be up early tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Can you pack tonight? I’d like to set off as soon as the ceremony is over. We should try to reach London before the Webbers.’

  Julia smiled rather grimly, and nodded. Yes, he’d not underestimated her intelligence. She had clearly seen the wisdom of this at once, and having accepted the situation, seemed determined to make the best of it.

  ‘I’ll say goodnight, then, sir. As to packing, all I have is my coffee-stained gown. I’m afraid I shall not do you justice in my wedding dress!’

  * * * *

  Anna was in Julia’s room, and turned to her in excitement when Julia went in.

  ‘This is only a small town, but I managed to find a few gowns and nightclothes, and a fur-lined pelisse and hat. I even found some oil of jasmine Sir Evelegh said he particularly wanted you to have, as you lost yours in the accident,’ she said proudly, holding out a small glass phial.