Lord Atherton's Ward (11 page)

‘Sit down, Sarah. We need to talk. Now, more than ever.’ She looked at his face. It was implacable, she had no choice and resumed her place by the fire.

‘I’m not the monster you imagine, my dear. I have a shockingly bad temper, but then so do you. You do not find me repulsive to you?’

She raked in from head to toe and saw a flash of anger in his eyes. ‘No, you are an attractive man. It is not that side of things that bothers me.’ He had still not resumed his seat and was too tall to be perambulating about the room. ‘Kindly be seated, Atherton. You are making me dizzy.’ He snatched the chair from the carpet and sat down with such force she was surprised it didn’t collapse under him.

 ‘I shall speak to the vicar later today. My mother is correct: we must get married immediately. My sister will have word of what she saw around the area by tomorrow. At least if people think it is a love match and we are about to be wed, the damage should be limited.’

‘Good grief! Am I expected to fawn over you in public in order to save my reputation?’

She wished the words back at that as they were spoken. Why did she always behave like a shrew? She must stop feeling sorry for herself. After all his life, as well as her own, had been ruined - the least she could do was be civil.

Her eyes filled. It was too much to comprehend. ‘I am so sorry, this is all my fault. You have done everything that is correct, none of this would have happened if….’

He stood up, coming to her side and the next thing she knew she was in his arms being carried to the sofa. Once there he sat cradling her in the shelter of his arms, allowing her to sob into his jacket. After a considerable time he gently turned her face towards him and mopped it with his handkerchief.

‘Sweetheart, you must not cry. I promise you, things will not be as awful as you think. Many marriages start without love, that often comes later when a couple know each other better.’

She blew her nose noisily, for some reason had no wish to remove herself from his lap. It was too late to think of propriety now. She flopped back, resting her head on his shoulder. It felt right to be there; he was murmuring soothing words, stroking her hair, rubbing her back as if she was a child in need of comfort. This should have annoyed her, instead she felt the tension draining away and snuggled closer.

‘I think, my dear, if you are feeling better, you must sit elsewhere.’

 She glanced up to see him smiling down, his eyes tender. It was then was only then she understood that in spite of their hasty betrothal she should still not be languishing on his lap in this fashion. Flushing furiously she stammered, ‘I beg your pardon, my lord…..’

‘Enough of that, my dear. My name is Perry, I think it is time we were less formal with each other, don’t you?’

 ‘Perry? You don’t look like a Perry, but then, we have no choice in the names we are given.’

 His bark of laughter filled the room and unceremoniously he tipped her from his knees. ‘You are a baggage, my love, I rather think our life together is going to be interesting to say the least.’

Not sure what he meant by this cryptic comment, or whether she wished to be referred to as a baggage, Sarah for once remained silent you.

‘I suggest you go and speak to your sister, and Miss Read, and tell them the good news.’ He gave her a gentle push towards the door, when she hesitated, reluctant to go out and face her hostess after her deplorable behaviour, the push was followed by a sharp slap on her posterior.

‘That was uncalled for; I am now going to add physical violence to your many faults.’

She could hear him laughing at her. She ran from the room, pausing a few yards from the door to straighten her skirt, check that her hair was in place; she was not going to give the servants anything further to gossip about.

Chapter Ten

Sarah was able to reach her rooms without being accosted by Lady Atherton, however Jane was waiting for her in her parlour.

‘I have such news to tell you, Lord Atherton is the kindest man.’ She paused, staring at Sarah’s red rimmed eyes. ‘Whatever’s the matter? My news can wait, sit down and let me hear what has upset you.’

She explained what had happened and her sister sat quietly making no comment until she had finished her sorry story. ‘So, you see, Jane, I have managed to ruin two lives.’

‘It is unfortunate that Lady Atherton came in at that precise moment, but even if she had not he would have been obliged to offer for you anyway. Think about it, Sarah, a gentleman does not take such liberties unless he has marriage on his mind.’

‘I am sure it was something quite different; however, as usual you are correct. The fact that my future mother-in-law walked in is neither here nor there, I see that now. It has just precipitated matters.’ Her right eye flickered and she knew it heralded the onset of a sick headache. ‘Quickly, Jane, what was it you wish to tell me?’

‘Lord Atherton has said that he wishes me to have my season, but if I am still of the same mind at the end of it then Lord Mainwaring may speak to me.’

‘That’s wonderful, my love. So we are both to be married. I wonder if Papa had this in mind when he persuaded Atherton to take us on?’

‘When is your betrothal to be announced, do you know?’

‘Tomorrow, at the supper party.’ Sarah’s stomach lurched, she had to find a basin urgently.

Three days of misery passed before she was well enough to get up. She could not remember having been so unwell before. Relaxing in a warm bath, her head clear for the first time since she had returned from her disastrous meeting in the library, she was able to consider her future.

Atherton was a most eligible
parti
and no doubt there were dozens of young women who would envy her having captured him. Her tears mingled with the steam from the water and she was too dispirited to try and hide them from Sally who was waiting to help from the bath.

‘I should come out now, Miss Ellison. I have a lovely warm towel waiting.’

Being cosseted by her maid only made her feel worse; she didn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy. It was her betrothed they should feel sorry for - it was he who was being forced to marry a woman he must surely dislike. She shivered as a cold draught whistled under the door.

‘I am not feeling well enough to go downstairs, I shall put on a morning gown and remain by the fire in my sitting room.’

‘Very wise, miss, if you don’t mind me saying so. You’ve eaten nothing these past days and need to build your strength up first.’

Sarah would much prefer to have climbed back into the security of her bed, to hide there until the nightmare went away. She was not ready to face anyone at the moment, even Jane. Her sister’s happiness made her own misery so much harder to bear.

Emerging into her parlour some time later she stopped, gripping the door frame to hold her up. ‘Good heavens! Where did all these flowers come from? It is the middle of winter, but in here it looks like summer.’

‘Lord Atherton brought them up himself. Very concerned about your welfare, he has been twice a day to enquire how you did.’

Sarah felt the weight in her chest ease a little. He might not love her but he obviously cared. ‘I think I could eat this morning. Could you send down for some tea and toasted bread?’

‘I shall run down and fetch it myself, miss, if you are sure you shall be all right on your own until I return?’

Sarah smiled, how had it come to this? She was being nursed by a girl hardly old enough to be working. ‘Thank you, Sally. I shall stretch out on the
chaise-longue
and watch the flames.’

She was dozing when she heard the rattle of crockery. ‘Put the tray on the table beside me, I shall have something in a little while.’

‘You shall have something now, my dear. I did not carry this upstairs for you to ignore it.’

Her eyes flew open. ‘Lord…Perry, you should not be in here. We are unchaperoned.’

He grinned, unrepentant. ‘A little late to be worrying about that, my love. I am your future husband and have as much right to be here….. well, I’m here and intend to stay until I have seen you eat everything on this tray.’

Pushing herself upright and viewed the loaded table with disfavour. ‘Then, I am afraid, my lord, that you are in for a very long wait.’

His chuckle warmed her. ‘Admittedly there is a great deal of food here. Shall we share it instead?’

Unable to resist his charm she placed her feet on the carpet and took the cup of tea he poured her. ‘I must thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful.’

He nodded his mouth to full to speak. She was amused to see he was attacking the tray as if it was
he
that hadn’t eaten for three days. She studied him closely, his cheeks did look thinner and he had an anxious look about him. It was her fault they were both laid so low; she was going to promise to be the best wife she could. It was the very least she could do to make a amends.

He entertained her with amusing anecdotes about his travels and by the time he had finished the tray was cleared and she realised she had eaten a substantial portion of it herself. She wiped her buttery fingers on her napkin and smiled. ‘Perry, how was the news of our sudden betrothal received by your guests the other night?’

‘It wasn’t. I cancelled the arrangement, and all the others until Christmas.’

Shocked she stared at him. ‘But Lady Atherton had gone to so much trouble, and your sisters were so looking forward…’

‘There will be plenty of time for them to enjoy themselves. I shall have nothing done in this house that will discommode you further.’ He removed the side table with the remains of their meal, returning to stand in front of her, his face serious. ‘There is something I have yet to do.’

 Before she could stop him he dropped to his knees taking her hands in his. ‘My love, will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?’

The warmth from his fingers was melting her resistance. She smiled as if this was a genuine proposal. ‘Thank you, sir, I am delighted to accept your kind offer.’

His eyes flashed and then he was beside her, her hands still lost in his. ‘I have something for you, Sarah. If you don’t like it, then I shall buy you another.’ He released his grip to delve into his waistcoat pocket and produce a small, velvet box. He flipped it open to reveal a ring, the central stone an emerald with diamonds on either side.

‘It’s beautiful. I love it, I want no other, this is perfect.’ As if she was a true bride-to-be she held out her left hand and he slipped it on; it fitted as if made for her.

‘There it is done. The banns will be read on Sunday, and we shall be married on Christmas Eve.’

She recoiled. ‘So soon? I had thought we would have a long engagement, and be wed after the season. I scarcely know you; it would make things so much easier between us if we were better acquainted, would it not?’

‘Possibly, but we have no choice in the matter. We must be man and wife before the season starts. Word will spread around the neighbourhood of what took place in the library, by keeping my mother and sister away from social gatherings I can contain it for a time. However, unless we have tied the knot…. well, surely I do not need to tell you the consequences?’

‘Then I must follow your lead. Fortunately I have no need to prepare a trousseau, I already own enough clothes to wear something different every day of the month.’ She hesitated, there was something she must know. ‘Where shall we live? Do you have other estates apart from Highfield?’

‘My principal seat is in Hertfordshire, I had thought, my dear, we could live there or in London during the winter months, and at Kesgrave during the summer.’

‘I should like that above anything. Jane told me why you didn’t wish them to be betrothed until the end of the season, that was kind of you. I humbly apologise for…’

‘Enough. The matter is closed. We must accept what cannot be changed. Mainwaring and your sister will make a match of it, I’m certain of that, but they shall do it after the season.’

The three weeks leading up to the wedding sped by. After Perry’s proposal he had become remarkably elusive. He had been at her side to escort her into dinner, had accompanied her when she rode, but at no time insisted that they be alone together. As Christmas Eve approached she became more and more withdrawn. She tried to appear cheerful, but it was difficult when her heart was in pieces.

‘My dear are you unwell?’ Lady Atherton enquired the day before the ceremony. ‘I swear you do not look like a young woman about to be wed to the man of her dreams. In fact, I believe I can safely say, I have never seen two people look more miserable.’

Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Madam, I am deeply honoured to be marrying Lord Atherton, I believe he is quite satisfied with the union. Pray excuse me, I have several errands to run before dinner.’ She knew it was impolite to run away, but had no wish to discuss her relationship with his mother.

She was tempted to refuse to marry him regardless of the consequences, but doing so would also taint her sister’s reputation. She had no intention of doing that. Her foolishness was not going to ruin anybody else’s life. She shuddered, that wasn’t true, she was ruining Perry’s as well.

* * * *

‘Dickon, I cannot go through with this. How can I marry her, when she is looking more miserable and apprehensive each day?’

‘You have no choice, old fellow, you compromised her and you must marry. Have you told her how you feel? Would it not make it easier if she knew you loved her?’

Perry stiffened, was about to deny it, then his shoulders slumped. ‘How did you guess? I thought I had hidden it too well.’

‘You would have found a way out of this, in fact wouldn’t have got yourself in the situation in the first place, unless you intended to marry the girl all along. You are ideally suited, old fellow, I could see that as soon as I met her.’

‘But she is so young, has seen nothing of the world. I am taking away her opportunity to experience the excitement of a London season as a debutante.’ He sighed. ‘I shall make her happy; somehow I shall turn this disaster into a triumph.’