Miss Peterson & The Colonel (17 page)

Neither of them could settle to a game of billiards and it was soon abandoned. 'Simon, you must speak to Lydia when she returns from the park with the children. I'm sure she would like to know exactly what happened after she returned here.'

'She's not out with the boys. They're in the nursery and my man saw her heading for the stables a good while ago. I'm sure her groom will have given her all the details.'

Edward frowned. 'She should not be on her own. When Ellen was so desperately ill after the boys were born she was devastated. She kept a vigil at her bedside. Short of carrying her from the room there was no way to persuade her to rest. By the time Ellen recovered Lydia was more poorly than her sister.'

'I shall go to her at once. You know how it is between us? I love her and I believe she feels the same for me. However, we parted on bad terms. I mishandled the matter appallingly. I have many fences to mend before I can tell her how I feel. But I can promise you one thing, I intend to make her my wife.' Simon expected his brother to congratulate him, to at least smile and wish him well.

'I'm afraid that she has made her feelings very clear to Ellen. She will not even consider you as a possible suitor unless you resign your commission. She has no wish to be a soldier's wife, even one as high ranking as yourself.'

Simon's stomach roiled. How could he have got it so wrong? Lydia did not love him. His dreams were over. Misery made him speak harshly.

'I have no intention of being manipulated by anyone, and especially not by a young woman with far too much to say for herself and no idea of the meaning of respect.' He scowled at his brother. 'Forget everything I've said. If your sister is not prepared to take me as I am then that is the end of the matter. I've managed very well without a wife so far. No doubt I can continue quite happily to do so now.'

All thought of going to find Lydia was pushed from his mind. He needed to be on his own, to adjust to having his happiness destroyed. Why had he spoken so forcefully? He'd burnt his bridges, left no room for manoeuvre. By the time he had the opportunity to speak to Lydia in private, it would be too late. She would have been told what he'd said. He was a numbskull; had he not just been considering doing the very thing she wanted him to?

He hesitated in the entrance hall, not sure where to go. Was the library still unusable after the damage done by the traitors? He would go out in the grounds. The sun was almost gone and the wind cold again. No doubt a brisk walk would clear his mind.

Chapter Seventeen

It was far colder in the garden than Lydia had expected but she was not prepared to return to the house to collect the cloak Ellen had lent her. Time enough to face reality when she'd regained her composure and come to terms with the loss of both her home and the man she loved.

There was a delightful folly at the far end of the lawn. This would be ideal to shelter in until she was ready to return and offer whatever support and comfort might be needed. The folly was also a peaceful place, somewhere she could pray for her sister and the babies. Tucking herself into the furthest corner of the marble building, she bent her head in reverence.

Her turbulent thoughts would not let her settle to commune with the Almighty. Abandoning all hope of finding comfort in prayer, she raised her head. Her eyes widened. She pressed herself into the corner, wishing she was anywhere but here. Standing not one yard from her was Simon, his face etched with concern, his eyes gentle. How could she remain firm in her resolution when he looked at her like that?

'I saw you come in here. I wanted to see that you were all right. I'm sorry if I disturbed your meditation.'

Her throat was clogged and her mouth refused to form the words to answer. Dumbly she shook her head, intending that he leave her. Then her eyes spilled and she was too slow to hide her tears from him. One stride and he was beside her. A strong arm looped under her knees and the other around her shoulders as he lifted her from the floor.

'Sweetheart, please don't cry. Let me comfort you. You should not be alone like this.'

She buried her wet face in his shoulder. She had no resistance left. He was offering her something she could not refuse: his strength and kindness. He tightened his hold and set off towards the house. She should protest, demand to be put down, but she felt protected, enjoying the notion that someone else was making the decisions for her.

'I thought we'd be better here for the moment. I don't want to take you inside until you're composed.'

Her eyes flew open. Good heavens! They were not at all where she'd expected to be. They were in what looked like a storeroom for abandoned furniture and other oddments. This would not do. She should not have allowed him to march across the garden in full sight of everyone with her in his arms, but this was a breach of etiquette and she would be thoroughly compromised.

She struggled and hammered on his chest. 'Put me down, Simon. We cannot be in such a place alone.'

To her consternation, he laughed. She felt the vibrations beneath her hand. 'Darling girl, however much you fight it, you know as well as I do that we are meant to be together. This is exactly the place to convince you that you cannot live without me.'

Drawing the shreds of her dignity together, she attempted to glare frostily at him. This was somewhat difficult whilst being held firmly in his arms. 'Kindly put me down, sir. This is beyond a joke.'

Still chuckling, he set her on her feet but remained within touching distance. 'My love, I know that you told Ellen you would never marry a serving soldier.'

Words tumbled from her lips. 'I did not mean it, not really. I thought you would be safer without having me to worry about.'

He stared at her as if she was fit for Bedlam. 'Are you telling me that you were prepared to make us both wretched because of such a nonsensical notion?'

How could he treat her sacrifice with such derision? 'I don't like you, not at all. I believe that we will make each other miserable if we are together. We have never been in each other's company for more than a quarter of an hour without arguing.'

His rueful smile melted her irritation like frost beneath the sun. 'Ours will not be a calm and peaceful union like that of Edward and Ellen. But it will be a loving one and never dull.'

'I believe that you are under a misapprehension, Colonel Westcott. Unless I am much mistaken I have not agreed to marry you.'

'How true! And I have not yet asked you to be my wife. That can be soon remedied.'

He dropped to one knee and clutched his chest in a ridiculous fashion. She was hard pressed not to laugh out loud at his antics, not entirely sure if he was serious or jesting. 'Kindly get up, sir. You are making a cake of yourself.'

He did no such thing but persisted in his tomfoolery. 'Miss Peterson, would you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife? Make me the happiest of men, I beg you.'

She was uncertain if he was playacting, and did not wish to reply until she was sure his offer was genuine.

'If you do not agree to take me, Miss Peterson, I shall pine away from a broken heart and become a pale shadow.'

'You are ridiculous, sir, and as likely to become a pale
anything
as I am to eat my best bonnet.'

With one smooth movement he was upright, his expression serious. There was no mistaking the love in his eyes. 'Will you marry me, my darling? I fear I cannot live happily without you. In two short weeks, I have fallen irrevocably in love with you. Finally I understand why my brother is prepared to indulge your sister. I would do anything for you. I want you to be happy and shall go to Horse Guards and resign my commission immediately.'

She stepped closer and tenderly touched his face. 'I will marry you. I love you absolutely. However, if you are certain I shall be no distraction, that you will be in no danger because of me, then I insist you remain in the military. It's your life and I wish to be part of it too.'

His roar of delight sent a flock of roosting pigeons spiralling into the sky. 'Then shall I tell Edward we are to be united?'

The mention of Edward's name brought reality crashing down on her. 'We cannot say anything today. It would be quite wrong to celebrate our happiness until...until...' She could not bring herself to speak the words.

'Exactly so. Come, sweetheart, we must go in and be strong for both of them. Whatever happens tonight will not change things between us. I shall not return to my regiment without you at my side.'

With his promise held tightly in her heart, she took the hand he held out and together they walked back to the house. They were met by Edward, his face grey with fatigue.

'Where have you both been? Ellen...Ellen...' He could not continue. Tears ran unchecked down his face.

Without hesitation, Lydia ran forward and threw her arms around him. 'Edward, I'm so sorry. We should have been here.'

He pushed her away, shaking his head in bemusement. 'Sorry? Good God! Everything is wonderful, I was overcome by relief and happiness. Ellen and the babies are well. I have two beautiful daughters to complete my family.'

'I thought...oh, Edward, I'm so pleased for you both. Two girls. What could be better? Have you told Arthur and George?'

'They were the first to know. A short while ago they were with their mother and sisters. I came to find you. Ellen wishes you to go up as well.'

Lydia was away up the stairs before he had finished his sentence, leaving her betrothed to slap his brother on the back and no doubt give him their good news as well. She burst straight into the parlour and ran across to pause at the bedchamber door. It would not do to arrive pell-mell and startle the new arrivals.

She stepped into the room, not sure what to expect. The scene that greeted her filled her heart with joy. Ellen was propped up on a froth of white pillows, the boys cradled beside her. She looked tired but radiant.

'Lydia, where have you been? I knew how worried you must be and wanted you to know immediately that all was well.'

'I'm so pleased, I can't believe how blooming you look. I expected the room to be full of people. Has the doctor gone already?'

'Indeed, he has, my dear. In fact, he has been wrong at every point in this confinement. There were no complications and both my daughters are a healthy weight. They shall be brought down from the nursery and you can be introduced.'

Lydia knew the babies would be with their wet nurse. Her sister, like most fashionable ladies, did not feed her babies herself. A warm glow of happiness enveloped her at the thought of being in a similar situation sometime in the future, but she would not hand her baby over to anyone, she would take care of him herself.

The sound of male voices approaching sent the two boys scrambling off the bed to greet their papa and uncle. Whilst they were in the parlour, she took the opportunity to kiss her sister. 'Do you have names for your daughters? I suppose you and Edward had only selected one of each as you were told you were not to produce twins this time.'

'We have decided to name them after our mothers – Charlotte and Isabelle. Do you approve of our choice?'

'I think them perfect. I cannot wait to see my nieces.' Noisy voices in the parlour indicated she had a few more minutes of privacy with her sister. 'Ellen, I must tell you that Simon and I are to be married. I am to return with him when he leaves in two months.'

'Two months? You cannot replace your wardrobe and do all that must be done in so short a space of time. I cannot leave my chamber for two weeks at least and not go out in public for several weeks after that. How can I organize your wedding when I am incommunicado?'

Lydia had no time to reply as Simon appeared, flanked by the boys and his brother. She sprang from the bed and rushed to his side. His smile brought colour to her cheeks. 'I've told Ellen our good news. Now we have a double reason to celebrate.'

Arthur grabbed her hand, his face split by his smile. 'It's three reasons, Aunt Lydia. One for each of my new sisters, and one for you and Uncle Simon.'

Amidst the general excitement of congratulations, the new arrivals were proudly brought in by Nanny and the nurse. The babies were perfect in every detail. Although small, they were wonderfully healthy, their little faces pink. Lydia and Simon took the boys back to the nursery, leaving their parents to spend time alone with the babies.

An hour later, she and her beloved were able to escape. Simon led her back to the drawing room where they could be alone. As they were engaged to be married, she thought it permissible to join him on the
chaise longue
. She had so much to ask him, so many plans to make she scarcely knew where to begin.

'Simon, I know nothing about the life I shall be leading. In fact…'

'Hush, darling, we shall have plenty of time before we are wed to talk about that. I have something far more important to do.'

There was no time to protest before he drew her into his arms and placed his lips on hers. Shocked, she sat back certain such activities were only permitted between married couples.

'I love you, Lydia Peterson, and intend to kiss you again.'

And he did.

THE END

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