The Stranger She Married (15 page)

Alicia consented and allowed him to lead her out to the gardens.

He reached for her hand, but then stopped himself. His arm dropped. “It's not too late. Leave with me now. We'll go to Gretna Green and marry. I'll give your uncle all the money promised him. And I'll provide a trust for Hannah's dowry. My Aunt Livy has agreed to sponsor her the next Season. She has connections and can ensure Hannah is invited to Almack's, and is presented to the queen.” The intensity and desperation in his eyes chipped at her resolve.

She stared in amazement. “Why would you do this, Lord Amesbury?"

"Because I...” he paused. “I desire you for a wife."

His words rang of sincerity and Alicia blinked at the admission. “I can't imagine why."

He hesitated. “I do admire you. And I want to help you and your family, and—"

"Don't.” She held up a hand. “I would never wish to mislead you, so I will speak plainly. I will not marry you. Not now. Not ever."

He looked stricken. “Because of Armand."

She made no reply. None was necessary.

He nodded, his face hardening. After a stiff bow, he turned away. She watched his broad back and shoulders as he left. Some of the usual grace in his walk had faded. He mounted his stunning white stallion and cantered away. A white stallion. Like her dream knight. All he lacked was the armor.

And honor.

Alicia smothered the tiny voice whispering she'd made a terrible mistake. She sank down on a stone bench. How could she marry the man who had destroyed Armand?

She couldn't. She would marry a man whose face she may never see. A man who frightened her.

Hannah joined her. “I thought he'd come to propose.” Disappointment laced her voice.

Alicia forced a laugh. “Whatever gave you that idea?"

"He seems the gallant type who would rescue a lady from marrying someone she does not wish to wed. He rose to your defense at the races and—"

"Hannah, marriage is a much greater commitment than merely giving the cut direct to a rude man!” Alicia spoke more sharply than she'd intended. “Sorry, dearest.” She put her arm around Hannah. “I'm just nervous about my wedding day."

"I don't blame you. The man was simply terrifying.” Hannah pulled her shawl more closely around herself, her face thoughtful. “He did speak like a gentleman, though, didn't he?"

"Yes, he did. I'm sure I will fare better with him than some ladies do with the men they marry. Think of all those arranged marriages that happened for centuries. At least I had the opportunity to say no."

"But you didn't really have a choice, did you?"

Alicia did not reply.

They went back to the house and began preparing for the wedding. Her new French maid, Monique, helped her change out of her clothes. Monique dressed her in new silk undergarments and stockings, all trimmed with delicate lace. Alicia had never seen such fine things.

After months of caring for herself, with only Hannah to help with her stays, being waited upon seemed a strange luxury, but her hands had begun to shake so badly, having help today was necessary. Just the companionship and touch of another human was comforting.

As Alicia sat at a dressing table, Monique dressed her hair, deftly piled it on top of her head, and pinned it in place, allowing a few tendrils to hang down against her neck. White roses nestled among the curls in a more beautiful arrangement than she had ever seen.

After the maid had finished with her hair, she carefully lowered the wedding gown over Alicia's head and fastened tiny pearl buttons down her back. Monique had altered it after she arrived until the gown fit Alicia perfectly. Monique stepped back to allow Alicia to admire it in the mirror. Despite the gloom hanging over her, her solicitous maid had raised her spirits. A little.

Alicia eyed her reflection. The dress was silk satin, set with pearls and tiny ribbon rosebuds. Matching slippers completed the ensemble. Alicia remained still while Monique arranged every fold of her dress. She had to admit, she had never looked so well. The veil added the finishing touch.

Hannah gazed at her in breathless adoration. “Oh, Lissie, I've never seen its equal."

"
Voilá
.” Monique wore a pleased smile. “
Magnifique
."

If only she felt ‘magnifique.’ Instead, she felt only empty. Frightened. There was nothing to do now but wait. To marry a stranger. A scarred cripple. A man who would soon have the right to demand anything of her.

Alicia feared she might become ill. She interlaced her fingers in an attempt to stop her hands from shaking.

The footman scratched at the door. “The bridegroom is waiting, Miss Palmer."

Alicia rose on unsteady legs. “Tell his lordship I am coming."

Hannah hugged her, her lower lip trembling.

Alicia summoned courage for Hannah's sake. “All will be well,” she said, her voice choking on her tears. “
Maman
used to say, ‘there is good in everything if you look hard enough.’ Good will come of this, you'll see."

Hanna visibly tried to brighten. Voices led them to the study. Alicia paused at the threshold. Robert stood at the sideboard table wearing a black superfine. He glowered at her soon-to-be-husband, whose masked face allowed him perfect neutrality regarding his thoughts. Robert tossed back what appeared to be the latest of many drinks and shot another red-eyed glare at Lord Amesbury.

"I assure you, young Mr. Palmer,” her betrothed said in measured, muffled tones, “I have no intention of mistreating her in any way. I was raised with the belief that a man should treat his wife with dignity, respect, and kindness. It is a philosophy I embrace."

Robert poured another drink and gulped it down.

Uncle Willard intervened. “We don't mean to be ungrateful. And thank you for your advance, my lord. Things have been much more comfortable."

The masked head inclined. “I'm happy to have been of assistance."

"Those were all the papers to sign, then?” Willard asked. “Everything is settled?"

"All but the wedding, Mr. Palmer.” A hint of humor laced the baron's voice.

Uncle Willard noticed Alicia and Hannah then. “Ah! Well, you turned out all right after all, eh?"

Robert looked up and offered a sickly smile, his eyes bloodshot and tortured. “I have never seen a more beautiful bride.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek, his breath so strong with drink that Alicia's eyes watered.

Poor Robert, who would take care of him now? At least now they could afford to have a full staff of servants again. She hoped one of them would look after her cousin, who seemed bent on drinking himself to death.

The baron limped to her, leaning on his cane. Alicia stood unflinching before him. “Stunning, my dear. The gown suits you well. May it be the first of many."

He was dressed in the same manner as before with a large billowing cloak, loose mask, and kidskin gloves.

He took her hand and pressed it to his mouth, protected by his mask. “Any man would be pleased to have a beauty such as you by his side."

Alicia could not look at that featureless black head. “Thank you, my lord,” she whispered, unable to find her voice.

He tucked her hand into his arm and led them outside. The waiting coach appeared new, embellished with carvings and a family crest. Four perfectly match black horses stood as if at attention. An immaculately liveried footman waited at the door.

They all climbed in and seated themselves wordlessly. Inside the carriage, the cushions were red velvet, matching the curtains at the windows. She had never ridden in a more luxurious coach in her life. It traveled smoothly over the rain-rutted road and through the cobblestone streets of town.

Outside the church, they stopped. The baron helped her out and led her to the stairs of the church. At the bottom step, she stopped, her heart pounding like a wild bird flinging against the bars of its cage.

Who was this man? What if he proved to be a man like Mr. Braxton, who had tried to force his advances upon her? She would have to allow it. As her husband, he would have the right.

Seized by panic, she cast about for avenues of escape, all thoughts of cooperation fleeing.

"This way.” The baron placed his hand under her elbow. She stumbled along next to him up the steps to the front door strung with flower garlands.

Alicia glanced back outside toward her only hope for freedom, but the baron, coachman, and footman all remained nearby, preventing an escape. Alicia gulped.

Inside, the vicar and his wife greeted them. “Lord Amesbury,” they said in turn, their voices hushed.

Alicia started. Could she ever speak to, or even think of, her husband without images of Cole coming to mind?

The vicar's wife turned to her. “I'll show you where you may touch up first, Miss Palmer."

"A moment.” The baron held out his hand to Alicia and waited.

Alicia reluctantly placed her hand in his gloved hand. The others drew back to a respectful distance. Hannah looked pale with fear.

"Alicia.” He spoke in a gruff, gravely voice muffled by the mask. “You still have a choice in this. It's not too late. Do you wish to go through with this marriage? I know that there are others who—"

"I agree to this marriage.” Her voice sounded thin in her own ears. She prayed that he would have gentler hands than the last man who touched her.

The cowled head nodded and he stepped back. The vicar's wife led Alicia, Hannah and Monique to a small room down a hallway until they reached a dressing room. Monique and Hannah fussed over her, touching up her hair and smoothing her wedding gown.

They made a small procession as they went into the chapel. Two witnesses stood nearby to legalize the hasty wedding. Dully, Alicia mused that the baron must have important connections to secure a special license so quickly. A few others had come as well, but Alicia suddenly had difficulty seeing. With her hand on Uncle Willard's arm, she mustered up what she hoped would be an adequate amount of dignity and walked down the aisle.

The baron's masked head nodded once and he held out his arm to her. She placed her trembling hand on his glove.

She heard little of the ceremony except the pounding of her heart. As she battled tears from forming, she barely found enough voice to repeat her vows. The black monstrosity at her side slipped a wedding band on her icy, shaking fingers. They were pronounced man and wife.

A condemnation akin to death.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she found it ironic that, although she had rejected Cole Amesbury, she would take the same name when she married his kin.

The vicar blessed them and read several verses and they had communion. Then it was over. They signed the papers, her hand trembling so badly that she could barely hold the pen.

The wedding breakfast took place about noon on the church lawn in the shade of a grove of trees, and though the meal looked wonderful, Alicia could not swallow anything. There were toasts, but the guests were subdued, as if unsure how to act around the masked groom. Elizabeth smiled, trying to appear supportive and encouraging, but only managed to look as though she were about to burst into tears. Robert drank grimly until he passed out. Then the baron rose, thanked their guests in his soft, slightly gravelly voice and bid them farewell.

Elizabeth hugged her and wished her well. “You're a titled lady now, you know.” Alicia knew Elizabeth was trying to be positive for her sake. “I'll write to you every week."

Alicia nodded and hugged her. Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Hancock, drew her into an embrace, whispering words of encouragement and affection. Then Hannah was there, weeping and clinging so desperately that Elizabeth had to take Hannah into her arms. Alicia's new husband led her away.

The coach that had brought her here still waited in front of a second, smaller one. Her husband handed Monique into the smaller coach before escorting Alicia to the larger coach and then climbed in after her. He sat with his right leg extended, as if bending it caused him pain. Alicia glanced at the man in the seat across from her, but quickly looked away, feeling his steady gaze on her, even if she couldn't see it. She kept her eyes fixed outside the window, afraid to look at the hulking form in front of her.

"We're going to Northumbria. My home lies northeast of Hadrian's Wall. Have you ever been there?"

She shook her head, unable to find her voice and realized that she had not even thought to ask of their destination. She found it difficult to think at all.

"I hope you like it. It's a bit isolated, I'm afraid, but it's beautiful country with rivers and a lake. The gardens are expansive. A number of renowned artists have painted them."

"It sounds lovely.” Her voice sounded dull.

"Have you any desire to travel?"

She drew a breath, and forced herself to look at him. He was her husband. He deserved her courtesy. “I'd like to go to France. My mother was French."

"I've spent time there. It's worth seeing. If you wish to go there, we shall."

She attempted a smile. “You're very kind, my lord."

The carriage went over a bump and Alicia had to shift in her seat. The silence grew uncomfortable.

"Tell me about your family, Alicia."

"What do you wish to know, my lord?"

"Whatever you wish to tell me."

She glanced at the masked face, but its featureless appearance unnerved her too greatly and she looked back out the window. “It is my understanding that most men wish for a silent, obedient wife."

"We are going to spend the rest of our lives together, Alicia. Perhaps we should learn a little of each other?” There was a chuckle in his voice.

She gulped.
The rest of our lives
sounded ominous. She dropped her eyes and tried to think of something to say.

He came to her rescue. “What was your mother like?"

She paused.

"I saw the portrait in your home the day we met in person. You bear a strong resemblance. Were you close?"

"Yes. Very."

He waited.

She took a breath but continued looking out of the window. “
Maman
had a gentle quality about her that made everyone love her.
Papá
would do anything for her. We all would. I even learned to play the pianoforte because it pleased her, although I have no talent for it. Later I learned to enjoy it. She was also an excellent horsewoman."