A Christmas Affair (16 page)

“Nonsense.” He overrode her objections with a cool
smile. “’Tis Christmas; what better time to spoil one’s family? Besides”—his smile widened to become a devilish grin — “I adore cream buns.”

Amanda knew when she had been bested and sullenly surrendered the field to her more able opponent. “Very well, Colonel,” she said, using his title in a deliberate attempt to annoy him, “the inn for luncheon it shall be. You are too good to us.”

“It is my pleasure, Amanda.” Justin inclined his head, his amber eyes sparkling in silent acknowledgement of her attempted set-down. “You must know how much I enjoy doing things for my new family. In fact, I am quite looking forward to our shopping expedition on the morrow. I’ve never really shopped for Christmas before, and you must take pity on a poor bachelor and show me how it is done.”

While the rest of the family exclaimed happily over his offer, Amanda had to content herself with shooting daggers at him. The beast, she fumed, stabbing savagely at the crumbs remaining on her plate. He had done that deliberately! There was no way now she could instruct the others to refuse his presents without appearing the most selfish creature alive.

After the meal was finished, she lingered by the door, intending to let him know of her displeasure in no uncertain terms. Unfortunately for her, he had anticipated such an action and had placed a restraining hand on Amelia’s arm.

“Don’t rush off just yet,” he said, favoring her with his most intimate smile. “I was hoping you might agree to walk about the gardens with me. With your sister’s permission, of course,” he added, turning an innocent face to a silently fuming Amanda. “I trust you have no objection, ma’am?”

Amanda had several objections, as he well knew but she was helpless to utter a single one of them. Sending Justin a look that promised retribution she said, “Certainly I have no objections, Justin. Amelia is your fiancée, and it is only natural that you should wish time alone with her. I only ask that you not stay out of doors overly long, as she is prone to colds.”

“Oh, Amanda”—Amelia gave a pretty pout—“must you always be so sensible?”

Amanda’s eyes met Justin’s. “Always, my love,” she said, her words a veiled threat. “It is part of my feminine charm. Enjoy your outing, and mind you take Belinda with you. I’m sure she’ll prove a more than adequate chaperone for you.” She inclined her head to them both and then departed, her mind already active with plans for revenge.

Chapter Nine

The morning dawned cold and clear, with a brisk northerly wind blowing from the sea. Despite the heavy snowfall of the past few weeks, the roads were surprisingly clear, and it took them less than an hour to reach the tiny village of Godstone. Many of the shops had yet to open, and after glancing around the tiny square, Justin announced they would retire to the inn and wait for the town to come to life.

“This isn’t necessary,” Amanda protested as the opulently appointed carriage turned down the cobblestoned street leading to the town’s best inn. “We can wait in the carriage until the shops open.”

“Nonsense,” Justin replied, his tone genial but determined. He’d already decided that the best way to handle Amanda was to ignore her fiery temper and do as he pleased. “We have no idea how long that will take, and we wouldn’t want the youngsters to become chilled . . . would we?”

Amanda bit her lip, holding back a sharp retort with an effort. After spending much of yesterday afternoon plotting how to avenge herself, she’d decided that the only way to handle Justin was to smile sweetly at his orders, however high-handed they might be, and then to do pre
cisely as she had always done.

“You are quite right, Justin,” she said, gritting her teeth as she gave him her most docile smile. “I wouldn’t wish the younger ones to fall ill so close to the holidays.”

The twins’ ire at being referred to as “the younger ones” vanished shortly after the usually surly proprietor escorted them into his best parlor. Helping themselves to the buns and hot chocolate, they vacillated between stuffing their faces and eagerly exploring their new domain.

“I say, Justin,” Joss exclaimed, wide-eyed as he peered about the room, “this is much nicer than sitting in some drafty old carriage! I think I shall like having you for a brother.”

“Jocelyn Richard Blanchford!” Amanda exclaimed, blushing for her younger brother’s unrepentant greed. “How can you say such things!”

“Well, it’s the truth,” he replied, his bottom lip protruding in a familiar pout. “Whenever we’ve come to the inn before, Mr. Peasey always gives us the parlor off the taproom, and you have to ask him twice to fetch us our tea.”

“And it was never as nice as this,” Jeremey added, loyally supporting his twin.

Not wishing to be excluded from the conversation, Amelia and Stephen began eagerly recounting some of their encounters with the difficult innkeeper. Even Belinda joined in, reminding Amanda of the time Mr. Peasey had kept them sitting in the smoky common room while he prepared a basket for them.

“You remember, Mandy,” she said, delicately licking the icing from her fingers, “he was ever so rude to us. You went all red in the face, and I was sure you were going to pop!”

Amanda recalled the incident all too well; it had occurred less than a month after Daniel had been posted to
the Peninsula. Mr. Peasey had taken her roughly aside, showing her a fistful of Daniel’s bills and demanding to know when he could expect payment. She’d eventually settled the debts, but it was obvious the odious man still bore her a grudge.

“I remember, poppet.” She laughed, leaning forward to wipe Belinda’s mouth with her napkin. “I also remember the way you had those cakes gobbled down before we were halfway home.”

The conversation soon turned to other topics, and Mr. Peasey was soon forgotten. But if the others were willing to let the matter drop, Justin was not. Something was definitely amiss, and unless he was much mistaken, he was fairly certain it involved money. Doubtlessly Amanda was indebted to him, and the fellow was pressing her for payment. Well let him try, he thought, his eyes taking on a dangerous gleam. He would make it obvious to Mr. Peasey and the other shopkeepers as well that the Lawrences and Blanchfords were now under his protection, and any slight of them would not be tolerated.

He’d also inform the tradesfolk to forward any outstanding bills to him. Now that he and Amelia were officially betrothed, it was only fitting that he assume responsibility for their debts, although he doubted Amanda would agree with him. In fact, given the lengths she’d been willing to go to, to avoid such a fate, he’d count himself fortunate if she didn’t screech like a scalded cat and then box his ears! Not that he’d let that stop him, of course. He’d just have to take care that she never learned of it until it was too late.

The rest of the hour passed pleasingly enough, and soon it was time to go. While Amelia was busy putting on Belinda’s coat and mittens, Justin pulled Amanda to one side of the parlor.

“I thought I would take the lads about while you and the other ladies go to the dressmakers’,” he said, giving her a guileless smile. “Provided I have your approval, that is.”

“You have more than my approval, sir, you have my undying gratitude,” she replied with a light laugh, her eyes flashing to the corner where the twins and Stephen were pulling on their coats and arguing among themselves. “I must own I was at my wit’s end wondering what I would do with them. They are not the most patient of souls and tend to make a shamble of things if I keep them waiting overly long.”

“A male failing, I am sad to say,” he replied, his eyes dancing merrily as he studied her upturned face. “Until a man reaches a certain age, he would rather be tied to the rack than venture inside a modiste’s shop.”

“And after he reaches that age?” she teased, feeling greatly daring.

“Then he endures it . . . or tries to,” Justin admitted with a gruff laugh. “But I should not be admitting to such things to you, else I may find myself accompanying you to every tiresome little dress shop in the village.”

“I wouldn’t dream of taking such shameless advantage of your good nature,” Amanda assured him, a soft smile touching her lips at the image of a resigned Justin following her and Amelia from shop to shop, all but hidden by a mound of parcels and hatboxes. “Besides, we shall only be going as far as Mrs. Whistler’s, and perhaps to Mrs. Garthwaite’s if there is time. Amelia ordered a new bonnet, and it should be ready by now.”

Justin made a mental note of the names, hiding his interest behind a pained expression. “And the shoemakers’ as well, I’ll warrant,” he added with a heavy sigh. “I have never known a woman yet who could resist looking at
slippers and the like.”

Amanda’s smile widened at his resigned countenance. “Now that you mention it, Belinda could use a new pair of shoes for Christmas,” she said, placing a thoughtful finger on her lips. “And Mr. Pettiwitte did say he had some lovely kid the last time I saw him. Perhaps we should pay him a visit as well,” and she cast him a teasing look.

“Please, ma’am, no more, I pray you,” Justin said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Only tell me what time the boys and I should meet you ladies back here.”

“One o’clock,” Amanda decided, doing some quick calculations in her head. “And you needn’t think that you menfolk will be free to hang about the town and fall in with bad company, either,” she scolded, digging into her reticule and extracting a list which she then handed to Justin. “Both the twins’ and Stephen’s wardrobes are in sad want of refurbishing, and I shall expect you to see to the matter for me. Take them to the tailor’s shop and see that they are properly rigged out, I will not have them arriving in London looking no better than rag-pickers.”

Justin studied the short list and stuck it in his pocket. “Aye, sir!” he said, executing a sharp salute. “Have you any further orders for me, sir?”

Amanda’s lips twitched in an effort not to laugh. This was the first time she had ever seen Justin in such a playful mood, and she found the spectacle most delightful. A pity he didn’t relax more often, she thought, tilting back her head to smile up at him. He really was quite charming when he smiled like that. . . .

“Don’t let the twins out of your sight for any reason,” she cautioned, giving herself a mental shake. “If you think Napoleon capable of creating havoc the moment your back is turned, he is nothing compared to what those two can do once they put their minds to it.”

“I shall watch them like a hawk,” he promised, fixing both boys with a stern eye. “Although I think I can vouchsafe their good behavior. We have already had a talk about the necessity for following orders. Haven’t we?” His brows lowered in a threatening scowl.

“Yes, Justin!” they chorused, looking so angelical that Amanda burst into delighted laughter.

“Now I am doubly suspicious, sir! Never mind watching the scoundrels; you’d best chain them to your side!”

“Oh, I think we understand each other,” Justin drawled, his tone warm as he reached out to tuck a strand of red hair beneath Amanda’s bonnet. “A pity we have not yet reached such a cordial meeting of minds.”

The touch of his hand as well as the intimacy of his words made Amanda’s heart flutter uncomfortably, and her cheeks were delicately flushed as she turned to where Amelia was waiting for her. “Really, Amelia,” she complained, forcing a light note into her voice, “I protest. You simply must do something about this fiancée of yours; he is growing even more arrogant than ever! Surely you don’t mean to allow him to continue like this?”

“But of course I do, dearest,” Amelia responded, pleased to see that her sister and Justin had finally reached some kind of truce. “He is to be my husband, after all, and ’tis only proper that he should be the one in command.”

“Thank you, Amelia.” Justin sent her an approving smile. “Spoken as befits a proper bride. Now, we had best be off if we are to accomplish our mission. Amanda, ladies, we shall see you at one o’clock, and mind you don’t be late, for we shan’t wait for you,” and with that he turned and ushered the boys from the room, calling out orders and issuing commands as the door swung closed behind him.

Amanda was pleased to note he had left the carriage at
their disposal, although she wasn’t surprised. Despite his uncertain temper, Justin was first and foremost a gentleman, and she knew the boys couldn’t do better for a pattern card on which to model themselves. She said as much to Amelia, and the younger girl nodded her head in agreement.

“Yes, Justin is very nice,” she said, her expression thoughtful as she fingered a length of blue silk the fat seamstress had spread out before her. “I am sure he will make me an admirable husband. I only wish. . . .”

“Wish what?” Amanda asked when her sister’s voice trailed off.

“Nothing.” Amelia shrugged her shoulders. “I’m merely being foolish.” She handed the material back to Mrs. Whistler, a set smile pinned to her lips. “This is lovely, Mrs. Whistler; I believe I shall order a gown, after all. Now, have you any patterns to show us? Something in the new style, perhaps?”

The heavy-set seamstress heaved herself to her feet, muttering beneath her breath as she padded toward her workroom, a chattering Belinda trailing after her. The moment the door had closed behind them, Amanda whirled around to face Amelia.

“All right, what is wrong? And don’t try telling me ’tis nothing, because
I
know better.” Her eyes moved over Amelia’s pale features. “H as this anything to do with Charles?” she asked in a flash of understanding.

“This is his favorite color, you know,” Amelia said in answer to her question. “He loved seeing me in it. He said it made me look like an angel.” Her voice broke on the last word, and she turned her head away, but not before Amanda saw the shimmer of tears in her eyes.

The sight of her sister so obviously distressed made Amanda’s heart clench with pain. She’d been against this
insane marriage from the start, she reminded herself fiercely, fighting against her own tears. If Amelia was now beginning to have second thoughts, then she would do all that she could to put an end to this nonsense once and for all.