Chosen by the Lieutenant (Regency Brides of Convenience series Book 2)

by Anne Herries

  ‘You have become so much more to me than I could ever have thought. I love you so much that if anything were to happen to you I believe I should not wish to go on living.’

  A happy peal of laughter rang out as she threw herself back into his arms and kissed him, letting herself melt into him as their embrace became more intense and overwhelming. Her body trembled and she knew a desire to lie in his arms and become one with him. Phipps loved her—truly loved her—and she had not thought that it could ever happen to a girl like her.

  ‘Then now you know how I feel,’ she whispered when they could at last stop kissing. ‘I do not care what anyone says or does now that I know you truly love me.’

  Phipps stroked her cheek, then frowned. ‘Did someone speak ill of me to you?’

  ‘He said that you had proposed only for the money—that there was another lady you had loved, but she would not have you, because you were but a second son.’

  ‘It was true that there was once someone I thought I loved,’ Phipps told her. ‘But when she chose a despicable old man for his money and refused my love, I saw her for what she was. I have not thought of her for years—and I never felt about her as I do you, Amanda.’

  ‘Then we shall not speak or think of her again,’ Amanda said. ‘Are you coming with us when we leave, Phipps?’

  ‘I shall escort you naturally,’ he promised. ‘Alex will come to the wedding if he can, and if not, my parents will leave him once they are assured that he is recovering. You must tell your parents to go on exactly as they had planned, for there is surely nothing to stop us now.’

  * * *

  There had been nothing to disturb their plans for the wedding. Amanda had had the happiness of taking Phipps to visit all her friends and neighbours, and the wedding gifts had poured in for days on end. News from Phipps’s home had told them that his brother was well and gaining in health, and her papa was in his element, sparing no expense to make sure that Amanda’s wedding was fitting for the daughter he loved.

  Amanda had been secretly a little anxious about her wedding dress, for Mama expected a creation of satin and lace with yards of skirts and a train behind that would be encrusted with small diamonds and shout its cost at the world. Jane had kept the creation she was making a secret and she did not reveal it until the morning of Amanda’s wedding, when she brought it covered in plain white linen to her bedroom.

  Having breakfasted on two rolls and a little honey with a cup of coffee, and now dressed in her petticoat of fine silk, Amanda felt flutters in her stomach as she waited for it to be unveiled. It was as she had expected: very plain and simple with what appeared to be a seamed, elongated waist, but no waistband or sash of any kind, and a slender skirt with a demi-train behind. There was a swathe of fine embroidery over one shoulder and down one sleeve, and this was sewn with the tiny diamonds that had been on the wide skirt, but no lace or other ornament, the neckline a soft swathe of tulle that skimmed just above the swell of her breasts.

  Gasping in shock and not knowing what to say, Amanda allowed Jane to slip it over her shoulders and then turned to look in the cheval mirror. What she saw there made her stare, unable to utter one word.

  Jane looked pale, fearful. ‘Have I made it too plain for you, Amanda? I thought it would suit you...’ She faltered as Amanda turned to her, tears in her eyes.

  ‘Is that really me?’ she asked. ‘Surely it cannot be? I look...slim and...beautiful. Oh, Jane, thank you so very much for your wonderful gift to me.’

  Jane gave her a kiss on the cheek, but did not hug her because she did not wish to crease the fine silk. ‘I’m so glad you like it. I know it is a trifle plain, but I think you look wonderful—and I think you will set a new fashion. And it is not just the gown or being slimmer, Amanda. Your hair shines with health, your eyes are bright and—oh, it is as if a light shines out of you, my dear friend. I think it must be love—or happiness. I do not think that being thin makes anyone beautiful. Indeed, I should like to have some of your curves—but happiness certainly makes you glow.’

  ‘And my beautiful gown sets it all off. I should imagine I shall be plagued for the name of my seamstress.’ Amanda opened the box on her dressing table. ‘Phipps gave me this simple pearl-and-diamond pendent. I think I shall wear that, for anything more elaborate would look out of place.’

  Jane fastened it about her neck, then helped Amanda’s maid secure a lace veil over a tiara of diamonds that her father had bought her as one of his many wedding gifts. She wore no bracelets, for the sleeves came to a diamond-encrusted point over her wrists and she did not wish to spoil the line, but her shoes of white satin had diamond-studded heels, another of Papa’s presents. On her left hand she wore a ring with one splendid diamond, which Phipps had had made for her.

  Jane picked up her bouquet of white roses and a tiny blue forget-me-not, bound with lace to frame them and a silver posy holder, and placed it in her hands.

  ‘Now you look as you deserve,’ she said softly. ‘You are lovely, Amanda, you always were, but for some reason you allowed yourself to become too plump and then you wore hideous clothes to hide in.’

  ‘It is very strange, but I have lost my sweet tooth, much to Papa’s dismay, but since I shall now be living in Phipps’s house he will not notice it—and though with the years and bearing children I may become plumper, I shall never let it destroy me again. I have learned to value myself for what I am, not whether I am fat or thin—and because Phipps values me I cannot think less of myself.’

  A knock at the door heralded Amanda’s mother. She entered and stood looking at her daughter in silence. ‘Good grief,’ she said at last. ‘I... You look lovely, Amanda. You really do.’

  ‘I hope Phipps will think so,’ Amanda said. ‘But in truth I do not think he much cares. He loves me, you see, fat or thin, and for better or for worse.’

  ‘Men always talk nonsense,’ her mother said. ‘Believe me, allow yourself to become fat again and he may start to look elsewhere. They all have a roving eye, Amanda. Make the most of your honeymoon, for it soon wears off, believe me.’

  Amanda kissed her mother’s cheek, but ignored her. Once upon a time her mother’s careless remarks might have hurt her, but she could no longer be hurt by them—or anyone else’s spite. Phipps loved her as she loved him. She knew it, had felt it to the core when he was making love to her in secluded places, where they had kissed and touched until it had become very hard to wait, but Phipps would not anticipate their wedding night, though both had been tempted to it.

  ‘We must go down,’ Mama told her. ‘Your father keeps checking his watch, and you know what that means...’

  ‘Yes, Mama.’ Amanda laughed and turned to wink at Jane. ‘Be sure to catch my bouquet when I throw it. We shall have you married next if I can arrange it. You shall come and stay once we are back in England, dearest Jane—and thank you so much for my gown.’

  Jane blushed and looked pleased, picking up her own bouquet and following behind the mother and daughter.

  At the foot of the stairs, Amanda’s father was talking to her brother, Robert. He turned to look at her, frowned as if displeased that her dress was not worthy of her—and then his eyes widened and he checked the hasty words on his lips.

  ‘That is an odd sort of dress to get married in,’ he said, ‘but it suits you, puss. I always knew you were a pretty girl—but damn me if you ain’t beautiful in that.’

  ‘Jane made it for me out of the one the seamstress made,’ Amanda said, ‘that fit me ill and so Jane restyled it for me. I think it is beautiful, Papa.’

  ‘You are beautiful,’ he corrected her. ‘I shan’t say it don’t look well on you, for it does, but I should have liked something a bit more showy.’

  Amanda went into a peal of laughter for she had known what he would think: Papa always looked for more for his money, and he would have liked to see her decked out in yards and yards of the most expensive lace money could buy with a stiff underskirt of satin, which, because she could no
t mend her height, would merely make her look plump when she wasn’t.

  * * *

  Phipps heard the music start and could not resist the temptation to turn and look as his bride walked down the aisle towards him. For a moment he was stunned, because he had never seen a gown that was so simple and yet so breathtakingly lovely. It was a few seconds before he took in the fact that his bride was slender, the dress that had a long line skimming her waist and hips in a way he had never seen done before and he admired it. Amanda looked entirely different. Many fashions of the day were caught up beneath the breasts and allowed to fall straight to the ankle, with more fullness for the plumper girl than the slender ones. Amanda had worn hers thus and it had hidden the truth from him—not that he had been looking for it.

  As she took her place beside him, Phipps reached out and turned back the lace veil, smiling down into her eyes. He had been thinking her beautiful for a long time, so was not surprised that her eyes sparkled to rival her diamonds and her colour was a delicate rose, her lips soft and delicious. He was tempted to kiss them, but the vicar was calling them to order so he contented himself with smiling at her and reaching for her hand. Plenty of time to tell her later how beautiful she was.

  * * *

  Amanda was shining with happiness when Phipps led her from the church as the bells pealed out. Young children came to present the bride with posies and a love charm that made her blush, since she was told it would make sure her first child would be a son.

  As they ran for the carriage to take them to the house for the reception, friends and relations showered them with rose petals and rice. Laughing, Amanda held on to Phipps’s hand as he lifted her up into the carriage and told the driver to move off.

  ‘Alone at last,’ he said and reached out to draw her to him. ‘I’ve been wanting to do this since the moment I saw you.’ He bent his head and kissed her deeply, making Amanda laugh up at him and kiss him back.

  ‘Oh, dear, you will crease my lovely gown,’ she said. ‘Do you like it, Phipps? Jane made it for me after the seamstress sent me something that made me look like a sack of potatoes.’

  ‘You could never look like that,’ he murmured in amusement, for she did not change and he did not wish that she should. ‘Brock told me that he envied me—and Alex says that if he had seen you first he would have cut me out.’

  ‘No, he could not do that,’ she said and nestled up to his chest. ‘I am so happy, Phipps. It was wonderful that Alex felt able to come—and your parents looking so proud and happy.’

  ‘They’ve always been proud of him, that is why they could not bear to lose him.’

  ‘I meant proud of you, Phipps. You look so handsome—and no one could have done more for your brother than you did. Most younger sons might be glad to step into their elder brother’s shoes, but you did all you could to make sure that it didn’t happen.’

  ‘Well, I care for him,’ Phipps said gruffly. ‘Besides, Alex knows he owes his life to you.’ He laughed as she raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, he says it and I know I owe mine to you so I shan’t argue with him. I was a feckless fellow before I met you.’

  ‘Oh, no, I never thought so.’

  ‘Well, I cared little for anything but soldiering and then when the war was over I hardly knew what I should do with my life—but it is devoted to you, Amanda, and to looking after your interests.’

  ‘Our interests,’ she said. ‘Money is for making life better, not for hoarding, Phipps—and, if we have enough for ourselves and our family, then we should do what we can for others. Do you not agree?’

  ‘Perfectly, my darling,’ he said and smiled. ‘We shall go to your house this evening and stay for a few days before we leave for Paris—and you shall begin your driving lessons, my love.’

  ‘Oh, lovely,’ she said and put her arms about him again. ‘To think that I might have died that day at the ruins—and now we have so much. You know I want to make sure Jane is not left to slide into her old life, and—do you think Brock and Cynthia are quite happy?’

  ‘What makes you think that they are not?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said, knitting her brows. ‘It was just something he said at our dance the other evening...but here we are. We must look after our guests and I mean the people from the estate as well, Phipps. Papa has set up a marquee in the garden to house all the neighbours and workers who were not invited to the reception, and we must be sure to go and see them, I think, before we greet our other guests.’

  Phipps laughed. ‘I do believe you will keep me on my toes, my love. I shall never have time to be bored.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Amanda was reluctant to change out of her wedding gown, but knew she must for she could not travel in it. The carriage gown of blue velvet became her well enough, but she did not know if anything would ever make her look quite as she had in Jane’s creation.

  ‘Thank you for everything,’ she said to Jane as she kissed her goodbye. ‘I shall see you when we return, I hope?’

  ‘Yes...it is rather unexpected, but Lady Piper has asked me if I will go down and stay with her for a while. We got on very well when I was there, you know—and she admired your dress so much that when I told her I had designed and made it, she wanted me to make some gowns for her and I think I shall.’

  ‘You must not think of becoming a seamstress though,’ Amanda begged. ‘I shall see you wed to a good man one day.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps you will,’ Jane replied and blushed prettily. ‘No, I must not say more, for I cannot be certain...’

  ‘Well, I shall not tease you, but I must be the first to know.’

  ‘I promise you shall be one of the first,’ Jane said and kissed her cheek. ‘Be happy, Amanda.’

  Amanda left her to join Phipps. They ran for his travelling carriage again and were showered with rose petals once more, their friends laughing and waving until they could no longer see one another.

  Phipps lounged beside her in the carriage, his hand reaching for hers as she sat back against the squabs. He smiled down into her happy face and then untied the strings of her bonnet, laying it on the other seat.

  ‘We must not crush such a pretty thing, my love, but I want to kiss you. I think I shall never have enough of kissing and touching you, Amanda.’

  Amanda gave herself up to his kisses, feeling that she had found something so precious that she had never believed could be hers. Mama had prepared her to expect at best courtesy and kindness from her husband, to be complaisant and never make a fuss when he left her to visit town on business. For Mama was of the opinion that few ladies were ever truly happy and few husbands ever entirely faithful. Amanda wondered briefly what had happened between them that led to the breakdown of trust.

  She’d never doubted that her father loved her, for he had always doted on her—but perhaps it was because Mama did not show him the love and trust he deserved that Papa had devoted all his affection to his daughter. She had truly been spoiled and could only hope that now she was no longer at home Mama and Papa would find a way to fill the gap in their lives.

  However, the slight shadow this thought had cast could not blight her happiness, which increased as the miles sped by and Phipps devoted himself to entertaining her in the most delightful ways.

  * * *

  Because Amanda’s inherited estate was but twenty miles distant they arrived long before it was dark. The servants had been warned to expect them and lined up to greet their new master; normally it was the groom’s privilege to take his bride to his home, but they had decided on this alternative, because it was not too far to drive the first night.

  Phipps had had the chestnuts Alexander had given his bride as a gift walked by easy stages to the estate, and promised her they would visit them in the morning. After drinking a glass of the champagne that Phipps had ordered for them, she went upstairs to let her maid prepare her for her wedding night, choosing a diaphanous nightgown of fine silk that revealed as much as it concealed.

  Phipps cam
e to her as soon as he’d spoken with the butler, entering softly and startling her timid maid. Smiling at the girl’s nerves, Amanda sent her away. She herself felt no apprehension whatsoever and got up to go to his arms at once.

  ‘Weddings are all very fine,’ Phipps said as he clasped her to him, ‘but I sometimes think that they go on far too long.’

  ‘Papa likes to be lavish with his hospitality—and he was saying goodbye to his little girl, remember.’

  ‘Oh, I remember well enough and I do not grudge him his moment of triumph,’ Phipps said. ‘When your dress was seen it caused a sensation for it had a look of the medieval about it.’

  Amanda laughed and nodded, looking up at him with love. ‘It was so fitting, Phipps, because I was a maiden locked in an ivory tower and you rescued me, setting me free from the bonds that held me.’

  ‘Ridiculous girl,’ he said, but his eyes sparkled with laughter. ‘I believe you will set a fashion, my love. Everyone was saying how lovely you looked; there was not a little surprise and jealousy, I can tell you.’

  ‘Cynthia told me how happy she was for me, Phipps. She was everything that was kind and begged me not to forget her. She ought to be happy, for Brock is everything that is kind and courteous, but I could not rid myself of the notion that there is something amiss between them.’

  ‘I am sorry for it if it is so,’ Phipps said, looking down at her with a mixture of love and laughter in his eyes, ‘but just at this very moment I am not too bothered by their thoughts.’ He bent down and scooped her up behind the knees, carrying her to the bed. ‘As light as a feather. You won’t disappear altogether, will you, my love? You have become so slender that a puff of wind might carry you off.’

  ‘Now, don’t you start fussing,’ Amanda warned, but with a twinkle in her eyes as he looked at her before setting her down. ‘I had enough of that from Papa. I have never starved myself—but I no longer need the prop of sweet sticky things and somehow it all just melted away without my trying.’