The Unwanted Suitor: Regency House Party: Somerstone

by Pennington, Michelle

  Cornelia laughed and glanced out at the couples swirling around to the strains of a lively waltz. “But it is almost over.”

  “Yes, but I cannot wait another instant to have you in my arms.”

  And so, not giving her the chance to deny him, he took her hand and tucked it into his arm, then led her out to the edge of the dance floor. It took some deft timing and footwork, but he managed to twirl her into the throng of dancers without incident. And then there was nothing else in the world but the curve of her waist beneath his hand, the soft blush on her delicate features, and the look in her gleaming eyes—the first stars he had seen tonight.

  They had only a few minutes before the end of the dance. She sighed as he led her off the floor. “Now it feels unwise to have wasted a dance on one that was almost over.”

  Sir James smiled and tried to reassure her. “Don’t worry, my darling. You will not want for opportunities to be in my arms tonight.”

  She looked up at him with an expression so full of surprise and confusion that he laughed. They stood in front of the Countess then, so he bowed to her while keeping Cornelia’s hand pressed to his forearm.

  “Took you long enough, didn’t it?” Her brows were drawn together in slight annoyance."

  “Yes, my lady. You forgot to arrange for good weather this evening.”

  The Countess narrowed her eyes. “Nonsense. There was no rain here. If you were rained on, it was your own fault for not arriving here soon enough. Now, shall we get things moving along? I have other concerns this evening as well.”

  “Get what moving along?” Cornelia asked.

  But Sir James didn’t answer. A crowded ballroom was not the place for this discussion. He led her in the Countess’ wake out of the ballroom and down the hall to a small sitting room. The candles there were already lit, and Sir James smiled as he thought of the Countess’ forethought.

  “I will return momentarily,” the Countess said, smiling as Sir James led Cornelia inside. She closed the door softly behind her, making Cornelia’s eyes shoot to his face.

  “What is happening?”

  Sir James smiled and put his arms around her. “My darling girl, I hope that a miracle is happening.”

  “A miracle? What do you mean?”

  “I mean, Cornelia, that after the way I caused you so much pain and muddled my first proposal, it will be a miracle if you accept this one. But I pray you will because there is only one way I will ever find happiness in this life and that is if you consent to be my wife. Will you marry me, my adorable hoyden?”

  Her face was so still that for a stabbing, gut-wrenching moment, he thought she was going to refuse him. But then her eyes filled with tears and a tremulous smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Yes, James, I will.”

  Suffused with joy, he tugged her to his chest and kissed her glorious lips which were lifted to his. She’d accepted him. She was to be his at last, and his only thought beyond how to thoroughly convince her of his devotion was impatience to tell her about the piece of paper in his pocket. In fact, it was the only reason he was able to break the kiss and put a few inches between his lips and hers.

  “My darling, I must ask you one thing further. Will you marry me tonight?”

  “Tonight? But how? It is impossible.”

  “No, darling.” He pulled the license from his pocket. “My business in London was to procure a special license so that I might marry you here and carry you home as my bride.”

  “Oh, but James, what will people think?” She stepped away from him, pressing her gloved hands to her cheeks, which were suffused with color. “They already consider me a desperate, grasping female. No doubt they will think the worst if we married in such a way with none of my family here to support me.”

  Sir James couldn’t help but acknowledge the force of her argument. He didn’t want to do anything she did not wish. “It is no matter. You can return with me to Buxton and I will marry you there. The license may be used for some time yet.”

  “I cannot travel with you unless we are married—and the journey takes three days. No, I will travel home on the stage and meet you there.”

  “The stage? You will do no such thing.”

  Their argument might have waged for some time if the door had not opened, admitting the Countess and the vicar. She came forward and asked, “Are you ready for the ceremony?”

  Cornelia looked at him with wide, startled eyes, so he answered for them. “Upon consideration, we have decided to be married in Buxton. We have only to decide how best to convey her there.”

  “What is the impediment to doing the thing now?” the Countess asked her question a demand.

  “I have no family here to make the marriage more respectable,” Cornelia said softly.

  “I provide all the respectability you need, but it just so happens that there has been a fortunate turn of events. Any moment, I believe…” The countess turned and looked to the door. Within a few seconds, Mr. Crandall, the old badger from the stuck carriage, entered the room.

  To Sir James' infinite surprise, Cornelia gasped and exclaimed, “Grandfather.” Rushing over to the old gentleman, she fell into his open arms and hugged him. After a long embrace, she stood back. “But why are you here?”

  “I learned a four days ago, I learned of the most astounding circumstance. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that my granddaughter had gone into service as a paid companion. Well, I came to shake some sense into you and take you home again. Tell me, if you please, what nonsense brought you here?”

  Cornelia looked at Sir James, clearly hesitant to pour out their whole history to her grandfather. He took her hand and said, “Sir, suffice it to say that it was due to my stupidity some months back and that I too refuse to let her continue her employment any longer. Indeed, I hope you might help us with that.”

  The old gentleman lowered his brows, looking more like a badger than ever. “And how can I do that?”

  “By either taking her home or giving her away in marriage to me this very moment. I confess, I would much rather it was the latter. I have the license, the minister, and witnesses. I need only Cornelia’s willingness. And for that, she needs you.”

  Mr. Crandall turned to Cornelia. “Here is a good man wanting to give you a happy life. Knowing what I know now, I must tell you that I am impressed with his character. He stopped to aid a stranger even when he must have been anxious to be at your side. What are your concerns, child?”

  She smiled and Sir James knew he would never forget the radiance of her expression in that moment. She hugged her grandfather then and said, “Nothing at all, if you’ll give me away.”

  And so, Sir James had the very great pleasure of being married to his love in the presence of her grandfather and the benefactress who had made it all possible. When their vows were read, the vicar left after reminding them to come and sign the register at the church in the morning.

  Sir James shook Mr. Crandall’s hand and turned to the Countess. “Thank you, my lady. I admit I was not thinking such kind thoughts of you earlier tonight, but I find now that I owe you a debt I cannot repay.”

  “Your happiness together is all I require,” she said, smiling in a very satisfied way. “Now get your bride safe into your room before this ball ends and you are subjected to the attention of dozens of well-wishers.”

  Sir James grinned and turned to receive Cornelia from her grandfather. “Shall we, my darling wife?”

  “Oh, but I hadn’t thought… I never expected…”

  “I know you did not,” Sir James, said as he led her from the room, “But remember how I assured you that you would not want for opportunities to be in my arms tonight? Well, I don’t intend to begin our marriage by breaking a promise to you.”

  As he led her away, the hum of music and conversation followed them. As they turned onto another corridor, it faded away, leaving them alone in their own private world. Unable to keep himself from it, Sir James stopped and kissed her, devouring her until
they were both breathless. And then she broke away with a laugh and stood a few paces away. Her hair had begun to slip from its pins as she stood pulling off her gloves. Then, with an impish grin, she threw them at him.

  He caught them and raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing, Lady Hawkston?”

  She didn’t answer, just laughed and took off running down the hall. He grinned in sheer, heady amusement at the minx he had married, then ran after her. If there was anything he was good at, it was pursuing this lovely, bewitching hoyden. And this time, he knew, she wanted to be caught.

  15

  Fond Farewells

  The morning was bright with sunshine and birdsong as Cornelia walked back from the village with her new husband. She smiled as she thought of him so in her mind. If she had imagined the day before when she had been in such despair that she would wake up in James’ arms as the new Lady Hawkston, she would have considered herself ready for Bedlam.

  Not wanting to be forced to recount their late-night nuptials to all and sundry, she and Sir James’ had been glad of an excuse to escape to the vicarage. It had only taken a few minutes with the vicar to sign the register there, but they were sure to walk slowly back to Somerstone when they were done, waving farewell to all the guests who passed them on the road with their carriages piled high with baggage.

  As they entered the long drive approaching the house, Sir James paused, pulling her to a stop with him. “You’re quiet,” James said.

  She looked up, glad her bonnet blocked the strong sun so she could see his handsome face. Every line and feature called for her careful examination. She reveled in the freedom of being able to study him at leisure. From the slight creases at the corners of his eyes to the shape and movement of his lips, everything about him fascinated her. “I am savoring my happiness before the day gets more difficult.”

  “What is worrying you? Saying goodbye to the Countess?”

  “Yes. I feel so ungrateful leaving her without support.”

  “Without support? Her staff is nearly as large as the Regent’s. She’ll be perfectly fine.”

  “Yes. You’re very right. What about you’re brother? Will this make your relationship with him awkward.”

  Sir James frowned, as if at an unpleasant though. “I suppose it is bound to be difficult to a degree, but it will only worry me if it is uncomfortable for you. If so, I will not expect you to receive him.”

  Cornelia chuckled. “Well, I find that having gotten the husband I truly wanted all along, I do not feel an ounce concern or discomfort.”

  Sir James squeezed her hand. “Nor should you.”

  Though their steps were slow, dragging out their walk as long as possible, they crossed into the shadow cast by Somerstone’s looming wall. As they walked up the steps, Cornelia paused.

  “James, what will people think of me, marrying you in such a way?”

  “What should they think? That I could not wait to claim you for my own? And who could blame me for that?”

  “A great many people.” She clenched her fingers around his and looked down. “I overheard people gossiping about how I was setting my cap at you and how I was a poor, desperate spinster. What if they think I trapped you or somehow tricked you into it?”

  James pulled his hand free and took her by the shoulders. “Cornelia, stop worrying about what others think. You know very well that it is I who have been pursuing you and that you led me on a merry chase. And having been married with both the Countess and your esteemed grandfather in attendance, how can anyone doubt the respectability of the match?”

  Cornelia chuckled. “They wouldn’t dare.”

  James kissed her forehead, then, as if he couldn’t help himself, tipped her chin up and pressed a kiss to her lips. “And after a brief visit to share our good news with your family, I intend to take you on a long honeymoon trip, during which time, the harpies will find some other object for their speculation.”

  “Oh? Where are you going to take me?”

  “Wherever you want, I for one will not care about the scenery when I have you to ogle.”

  “You’re a rogue.”

  “No, just besotted with my wife. Now, though I have no complaints about lingering here with you all morning, we really must get ready to depart if we’re going to make it any distance by nightfall.”

  Since there was nothing she would like better than to get her husband to herself, she smiled and went into the house with him.

  He walked her to her old room and opened the door. As she went inside, he moved up behind her and put his arms around her waist, then paid assiduous attention to the delicate skin just under her ear. Though his gentle kisses made her melt, she was all too aware of the maid across the room, keeping her back carefully turned to them.

  “James,” Cornelia said in firm warning.

  He looked up and saw the direction of her eyes. “Pity. Shall I meet you in the Countess’s drawing room so that we may say our farewells?”

  “Yes,” She said, pushing him out the door.

  She shut the door on his deep chuckle, then pressed her hands to her burning cheeks.

  The maid turned and smiled at her then. “May I congratulate you, Lady Hawkston?”

  Cornelia smiled. “Yes, you may. Thank you.”

  “The whole staff is ever so pleased, my lady. If anyone deserves such happiness, it is you.”

  Cornelia felt her eyes prickle with tears. “Thank you. I see you are getting my things packed. So kind of you. Will you also help me into my carriage dress?”

  “Of course, my lady.”

  Cornelia wondered if she would ever get used to being addressed so. Perhaps it would be easier when she was away from servants who had known her once as being only slightly more elevated than they were.

  When she was dressed, she moved over to her writing desk and packed away a few of her meager belongings there. She came across a letter that she had started for her mother and sisters a few days ago. She had not known what to tell them and so the task had not been a success. She put the letter back into her writing case, smiling as she thought of returning home on Sir James’ arm.

  The ticking of the ormolu clock over her dressing table caught her attention as she picked up her gloves. She smiled at it. Once it had been a constant reminder that her time was not her own. Now, it reminded her how little time she had left at Somerstone. With so many memories here, a part of her was sorry to be leaving.

  But she was also anxious to begin her new life. She turned back to the maid. “Will you please see that my things are put into Sir James’ carriage?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Cornelia closed the door behind her and walked the long, familiar corridors to the Countess’ rooms. She cracked open the door and called, “Come, Wellington.”

  The pug, who had been napping in the pool of sunshine near the bed, raised his head to consider if she was worth getting up for, then yipped and stretched before lumbering his way over to her.

  As Wellington took his time, she looked over at Brimsby who was busy at her work, carefully stitching a torn flounce on the ball gown the Countess had worn last night. The woman was cross and exacting, but Cornelia couldn’t blame her too much for that. With no hope of anything but long days of service to look forward to, Cornelia had no doubt she would have become cross and miserable too. “Goodbye, Grimsby. It’s been an honor to know you.”

  When Grimsby looked up, her expression betrayed her surprise. She nodded and said simply. “And you, my lady.”

  With Wellington lagging behind, it took Cornelia longer than she liked to get to the Countess’ drawing room. Most of the guests had already departed for the day. Cornelia had felt bad at not saying goodbye to some of the friends she’d made but was glad to have the Countess to herself as she said her farewells. Besides, having reclaimed her position in society, she hoped to finally go to London for the next season and renew her friendships there.

  In the drawing room, she was surprised to find James scowling
near the window and her grandfather taking tea with the Countess.

  “Ah, there you are,” the Countess said. “I’ve been anxious for you to arrive and soothe your husband’s ill-humor.”

  Cornelia narrowed her eyes at him and tilted her head questioningly. “He was quite cheerful when I last saw him. What has put him out of spirits?”

  “You need not speak of me as if I’m not here.” His voice was deep with disapproval. “And let me point out that any man would balk at having his bride’s grandfather join them on their honeymoon trip.”

  Cornelia’s mouth gaped slightly before she collected herself. “I have heard nothing about this.” She walked to sit beside her grandfather. “Sir, do you mean to do so?”

  “I thought that it was high-time I went to Buxton to see your family. It has been too long. I am gifting you a large dowry, my dear, and intend to do the same for your sisters, besides seeing what I may do for the boys.”

  “That is very kind of you. But, surely you are in a hurry to return to your businesses. I believe Sir James and I will be traveling quite leisurely.”

  “It will take us a week, at least,” Sir James said. His expression was as uncompromising as his voice.”

  Cornelia almost smiled when her grandfather flinched. He pressed his lips together then said, “A week? For a journey that may be done comfortably in three?” He sighed. “Well, I suppose that will be fine. I do like to rest often along the journey now that I am getting on in years.”

  Sir James let out an annoyed breath. Cornelia thought about teasing him but decided that she would much rather travel with a cheerful husband than a disgruntled one. She did not quite know what to do about this problem without offending her grandfather or upsetting James. She looked to the Countess.

  “Oh, so that’s the way of it, is it?” the Countess asked. Her shrewd eyes sparkled. “Well, I’ll endeavor, my dear. After all, I am quite good at arranging things.”

  Cornelia stood and moved to kneel in front of the Countess. She took her wrinkled hands in her own, careful not to squeeze them too tight even though she was brimming over with emotion. “Oh, how I admire you, dear Countess. You are the best at arranging things. You have brought so much happiness to so many. And I am very grateful to you for mine.”