A Christmas Affair (14 page)

He caught the direction of her gaze and smiled grimly. “You needn’t look so fearful, Miss Amelia, I am in perfect control of my faculties.”

“I didn’t mean to imply otherwise, sir,” she answered, her dainty chin coming up in a gesture that was strongly reminiscent of her sister. “But you must own this is all rather unexpected. We scarce know one another.”

“That is so,” he agreed, pleased to see she was behaving so reasonably. “And if I were offering you a love-match, your reticence would be understandable. However, that is not what I am offering.”

She didn’t pretend not to understand him. In light of his earlier remarks, his meaning was all too obvious. She raised her chin a notch higher, her heart pounding with trepidation as she faced him. “What are you offering, then?” she queried, steeling herself for his reply.

“A marriage of convenience.” His clipped response verified her worst fears.

Amelia flinched, but other than clenching her hands tightly, she gave no indication of her inner turmoil. She thought of Charles, of the life they had planned to share, and then she thought of Amanda and the others. As Colonel Stockton had so succinctly put it, their situation was desperate, and she did not see how they could survive without assistance. Charles would do what he could, she knew, but he was hardly in a position to support her entire family. How could she ever know a moment’s joy, knowing her happiness had been purchased at their expense?

Justin watched her through narrowed eyes, attempting
to gage her response. Instead of flinging his offer back in his face as Amanda had done, she actually seemed to be giving the matter careful consideration, and that gave him heart. He knew a wrong word or gesture on his part could tip the scales against him, but he was nonetheless determined to be honest with her.

“I don’t want you to misunderstand me,” he said, taking her hand gently in his and forcing her to meet his eyes. “This will be a real marriage, in every meaning of the word. I am past the age where I ought to be giving some thought to an heir, especially as my elder brother seems in no hurry to marry, and this seems the most sensible way of going about it. I shall honor and respect you, Amelia, and I give you my word I will never do anything to cause you to regret the terms of our marriage.”

“What-what are the terms?” Amelia asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“If you agree to become my wife, I shall provide a home for your family and yourself,” he said, expounding on the offer he had already made to A manda. “The boys will go to school, and if they so choose, I shall purchase them a commission in the army. I shall also bestow a dowry on Belinda and Amanda, so that they might make a good marriage. None of you will ever lack for anything; that much I can promise you.”

“That is very generous of you, sir.” Amelia’s heart sank to her toes at his words.

“Thank you, but it is no less than I intend to do regardless of your answer.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that even if you decide that we will not suit, I still intend providing for your family,” he answered bluntly, resisting the impulse to keep the truth from her.
“Amanda and I have agreed that should you refuse, I will become guardian to you and the others. I will provide financial assistance and any other aid I deem fit to see that you are all well cared for.”

Amelia swallowed painfully, watching the dreams she had had since childhood fading away. “And if I accept?”

“We will become a family,” Justin replied, his lips relaxing in a gentle smile. “We’ll retire to my country estate, and there live out our days. It will be a good life, Amelia, and I swear on my honor I will do my best to make you happy. Now what is your answer? Will you marry me?”

Chapter Eight

Amanda scrambled to her feet, her eyes widening with shock as she stared at her younger sister. “You did
what?”
she gasped, praying she hadn’t heard aright.

“I-I accepted Golonel Stockton’s proposal,” Amelia stammered, shooting her a troubled frown. She’d been expecting a warm hug of congratulations, and was more than a little puzzled by Amanda’s reaction. “You did know he meant to ask me?” she queried anxiously, wondering if she’d misunderstood the colonel.

“Yes, but it never occurred to me you would accept,” Amanda muttered, brushing back a lock of dark red hair from her cheek as she sat back down.

“Well, of course I accepted,” Amelia answered, genuinely mystified. “We must live somewhere, and if the colonel is willing to support us, I don’t see that I have any other choice.”

“Is that what he told you? That if you didn’t marry him we would all be thrown in debtor’s prison?” Amanda demanded, her temper flaring to life. She might have known the wretch would pull something like this, playing on dear Amelia’s love for her family in order to get his way. Oh, just wait until she got him alone, she vowed, her eyes darkening with plans for revenge. She would
make him rue the day he had dared cross swords with her!

“Oh, no, Amanda!” Amelia seemed quite shocked by her sister’s allegation. “He made it quite clear that regardless of my answer he should always have a care for us! It was all my idea to accept, I promise you.”

“But why?” Amanda wailed, struggling to comprehend the younger girl’s actions. “If he didn’t bully you, why did you accept?”

Amelia was silent, searching for the right words to explain that which even she didn’t fully understand herself. “I admire the colonel,” she said at last, her voice firm as she met Amanda’s troubled gaze. “He swears he will make me a good husband, and I believe him. This is what I want, Amanda.”

“But what about Charles?” Amanda asked, realizing that Amelia seemed determined to go through with this insane marriage. “Don’t you love him?”

Amelia turned away, her eyes misting at the mention of her beloved. “I shall always love Charles,” she said quietly “but it changes nothing. I am marrying Colonel Stockton, and that is the end of it.”

Amanda blinked at the firmness in Amelia’s voice. She was so accustomed to the younger girl’s sweetly obedient nature that it had never occurred to her she might have a will of her own. The realization was faintly unsettling, and Amanda made one last effort to change her sister’s mind.

“Does Justin—Colonel Stockton know about Charles?” she asked, silently praying that his sense of honor would prevent him from taking another man’s chosen bride.

“No”—Amelia whirled around to face her—“and you aren’t to tell him either. I mean it,” she added at her sister’s incredulous stare. “I don’t want him to know . . .
ever. Promise me you won’t tell him.”

“But—”

“No.” Amelia shook her head, her blond curls brushing against her shoulders. “It would only upset him, and in the end what good would it do? We have discussed this at great length, and I am certain I am doing the right thing. It is all for the best, Amanda,” she added, holding out her hand in silent supplication. “Please believe that and wish us happy.”

Amanda’s fingers shook as they closed around her sister’s hand. “Very well, dearest,” she said, making no effort to wipe away the tears flowing down her cheeks, “if that is what you wish. You and Colonel Stockton both have my heartiest best wishes. Although I take leave to warn you that if he does anything to cause you a moment’s pain, he shall have
me
to answer to!”

“He already knows that,” Amelia responded with a warm laugh, throwing herself into her sister’s embrace. “He says it is the very thing to keep him firmly in the traces! Now, let us go and tell the others. I can’t wait to see Jeremey’s expression when he learns the colonel is soon to be his brother!”

“Our brother? I say, sir, that is beyond wonderful!”

Jeremey’s reaction was all that Amelia had hoped for as he leapt to his feet, pumping Justin’s hand with obvious enthusiasm.

“Aye, that it is,” Joss seconded, his blue eyes bright with excitement as he followed his brother’s lead. “Although it seems a dashed shame you have to get leg-shackled in order to do it. Not that Amelia ain’t a capital female” he added, belatedly realizing he may have given offense.

Justin’s lips twitched, but other than the twinkle in his eyes, he gave no other indication that he was amused by the lad’s reaction. “Thank you, Joss,” he said, reaching out a hand to ruffle his hair. “As it happens, I also consider her to be a . . . capital female.” And he sent the pretty blonde standing beside him a warm smile.

It was early Monday morning, and at Amelia’s request they had made their announcement over breakfast. He would have preferred waiting for a more auspicious occasion, but she had been gently adamant, insisting that the sooner the others were told of their pending marriage the sooner they could become adjusted to the fact. As he was feeling particularly benevolent, he had agreed, and now that the deed was done, he had to admit he felt better. The boys, at least, seemed delighted to have him in the family. Which was more than could be said of his soon-to-be sister-in-law he thought, shooting Amanda a thoughtful frown.

He’d spent most of last evening in his sitting room, waiting for her imperious summons. He was certain she would kick up a dust at her sister’s acceptance and had been prepared to use every argument at his disposal to persuade her to accept the match. When it became obvious she wasn’t going to send for him, he had toyed with the idea of going down and confronting her himself, but unfortunately he’d given Amelia his word not to interfere.

“Congratulations, Colonel.” Stephen was standing before him, shyly offering him his hand. “I know this marriage would have made Daniel very happy.”

“It is kind of you to say so, Stephen,” he said, gravely accepting the youth’s hand. “That is what I like to think.”

“When are you posting the banns?” Jeremey asked, displaying a heretofore hidden streak of practicality. “It takes
a month, you know.”

The banns! Amanda brightened as inspiration dawned. Of course! Charles would be certain to learn of Amelia’s pending marriage once the banns were posted in the village church, and when he did, he would come riding directly to Lawrence Hall to demand an explanation. And once he did that, Justin would in all honor have to retract his offer! She was busily plotting how she would handle the young officer when she heard Justin say, “Actually, we are to be married by Special License in St. George’s Cathedral, London. I have written my brother requesting that he handle the matter for me.”

“St. George’s!” Amanda exclaimed, dismayed at the thought of her scheme dying a premature death. “But, Amelia, you can’t possibly want to be married in that drafty old pile of stones!”

Amelia, who was shocked to hear one of the loveliest churches in all of England described so disparagingly, said, “Justin and I have already discussed this, Amanda, and we have decided that it will be better for all if the ceremony takes place in the city, and as quickly as it can be arranged.”

“Better for some, maybe,” Amanda muttered, then blushed at Justin’s dark look. She knew he was waiting for her to make some kind of scene, and she was determined not to oblige him. At least not until she had figured some way of putting a halt to this nonsense, she amended, hastily pinning a bland smile to her lips. But even as she raised her glass of sherry in a toast to the betrothed couple, her mind was spinning with plans.

The staff reacted to the news of the engagement with mixed emotions. On the one hand they seemed genuinely pleased for Amelia and Justin, but on the other they were obviously apprehensive about their own futures.
Justin sensed as much, and after accepting Linsley’s congratulations, he took Amanda aside and quietly asked her if there were any servants she wished to take with her when they removed to his country estate.

“Isn’t that something you ought to be asking of Amelia?” she asked, frowning up at him as she considered his question. “After all, she is to be mistress of your establishment.”

“Yes, but you are mistress here, and you are most familiar with their abilities,” he replied, wishing that just once Amanda would do as he asked without quibbling. “Also, I was hoping you would agree to instruct Amelia as to her new duties. You are an excellent household manager.”

“Thank you, sir.” Amanda wasn’t taken in by either the compliment or the fawning smile that accompanied it. “But as it happens, I have already instructed Amelia in the domestic arts. I’m sure youil not find her wanting.”

“I’m sure I shan’t, either, but that still doesn’t answer my question!” Justin snapped, resisting the urge to give her a good shake. He’d never met a more argumentative person in his life, and he questioned his ability to share his home with her with anything approaching tranquility. Thank God she’d had the good sense to refuse him, he thought, struggling to control his temper. Lord only knew what would have happened had they actually been forced to marry.

A sharp retort rose to Amanda’s lips, but she managed not to utter it. She knew Justin was being more than generous, and she was instantly ashamed by her childish baiting of him. “All of them, I should think” she said after a thoughtful pause. “I’m sure Aunt will be bringing her own staff with her when she takes possession.”

“See to it, then,” he instructed, grateful that for what
ever reason, she had decided to cooperate. “Any servant who wishes to do so may come with us, and I will guarantee them a position.”

“Will there be anything else?” Amanda asked, deciding it might be prudent to ignore the authoritative tone in his voice. She could see her brothers and sisters out of the corner of her eye and knew they were probably waiting for her and Justin to come to blows.

“For now.” Like Amanda, Justin was aware of the others’ amused scrutiny, and he was no more anxious than she to provide them with entertainment. He turned to go, only to be stopped by Belinda, who ran up to his side.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” she asked, gazing up at him with wide, blue eyes.

“I was considering it, yes,” he replied bending down to give her blond curls a playful tug. “Why? Do you want to show me another of your dolls?” Since recovering from his illness, he’d been introduced to a number of her precious dolls, and despite the twins’ obvious disgust, he’d made a great show of being impressed.