The spinster and the wastrel (16 page)

"What is it?" she asked.

He faced her, suddenly at a loss for words. She stood very straight in her serviceable wool coat with a practical bonnet tied firmly on her head. Wisps of hair strayed loose

underneath it after her early morning ride. A dark-colored dress peeked beneath the hem of her coat. Heavy leather gloves protected her hands when driving. He had seen those same capable hands at work relieving the misery of others. Annette Courtney was not a society woman, but her spirit shone through her plain trappings like a white light. Probably no one else recognized it.

But he did.

And it drew him to her like an enchantment. He wanted to tarry near her. Almost without realizing it, he said, "Annette, I want to marry you."

Her jaw dropped open. "What?"

"I want to marry you," he repeated, knowing even as he spoke that it was the truth.

She was not the type of woman he had ever planned to wed, yet he now knew how small-minded his list of wifely attributes had been. This was the woman he wanted. Her heart was so big, so full of love for all, that he wanted to share in it for the rest of his life.

"Why on earth would you want to marry me?"

Even as he fumbled for the words to express his deep admiration, the bewilderment in her eyes hardened to anger.

Annette wrenched her hand free from his grasp. "I understand now, sir! And it is a despicable plan! Unworthy of you."

He stared at her. "What plan?"

'To use these people's tragedy in such a manner. I understand your scheme," she declared. "First you make promises of help you are unable to finance, and then you expect to gain control of the fortune through marriage to me. You thought to use my concern for your tenants to force my agreement to your proposal."

"Force? I had no intention of forcing you to agree." The accusation stung more acutely because he had not even considered the money when he proposed. His misreading of her clear generosity had lured him to speak rashly. "It was an honest proposal made to a woman I thought I admired."

"Admired?" There was a wealth of disbelief in her voice.

"Yes, admired," he said bitterly. "Although at present I could not state why. The money has so twisted your perspective that you see everything through it."

She paled. "No, I do not want to believe that."

"Then how else do you explain how my proposal leads you to immediately suspect a sly trick?"

He spun around to remount Silver Shadow, but she reached out a hand to stay him.

"What can I suppose except a trick? You are not the first man to recently offer for me. I am well aware which of my features attracts them, and it is a fiscal one not a physical one. Even at our first meeting, you promised to regain the fortune." Her voice softened. "I believe you meant that."

"I did mean it." Turning away from the horse, he looked at her. "Yet, this morning I forgot about the money. My offer is a sincere one."

She attempted to smile. "Made to a woman you admired?"

"One whom I still do." Realizing his words spoke truly, he took her hand in his.

Her rueful gaze met his squarely. "Please forgive my mistake."

"You well know that I am very familiar with making

mistakes. I appreciate the opportunity to not be the transgressor for a change."

She laughed at his rejoinder.

At her humor, the hurt of her rejection eased. "I still expect to see you and Mrs. Downes at Hathaway Hall tonight for dinner."

"You are very generous, but—"

"I do not want to hear any excuses."

When she opened her mouth in dispute, he leaned towards her. She became motionless, waiting. He silenced her protest with a kiss. She stood still within his embrace, and he felt her lips cool and smooth beneath his. Her touch lured him onwards. Unable to stop himself, he deepened the kiss, trying to understand this woman who attracted him so. What was it about her that fascinated him? Attempts at logic disappeared when she began to return his kiss. He pulled her closer as if his grasp could hold all of her soul and felt her body mold to his.

Silver Shadow's head butted him in the back, staggering his balance and recalling him to his whereabouts. Looking up, but still keeping his arm around Annette, Sir Gerard realized how quiet the farmyard had become. Except for the muted burning roar from the smoldering fire and the stamp of his horse's hooves, no sound broke the silence. The crowd watched them with great interest.

"It seems we have an audience," he told her.

"Oh, no!" She flung her hands before her face in mortified horror. "What have I done?"

"Shall we do it again?" He reached for her, but Annette pushed him away.

"I have never been so humiliated."

"Don't be," he assured her and put one arm around her.

"How can I face them?"

"With confidence. Like this." Turning to the crowd, he swept off his hat and bowed deeply to them. His arm around her shoulders caused her to join his gesture. A scattering of claps and shouts replied. The sounds crescen-doed when he bowed to Annette and kissed her hand. Jauntily replacing his hat, he mounted Silver Shadow. "I shall expect to see you tonight with your answer to my proposal."

After a wink at her, he guided his horse away from the farmyard.

(Ofoaplez (S/evesi

Confusion filled Annette as she watched Sir Gerard trot gaily away. Humor, embarrassment, and exasperation whirled within her. Upon which emotion should she fasten? It infuriated her at how that man could mix her up.

Resolutely she turned her gaze away from watching his departure. She would not act like some lovesick fool! Yet when she faced the avidly curious eyes of her neighbors, she knew that was exactly the label they pinned on her.

No one had moved, but approving grins and sly smiles painted their faces. An unwanted flush stole over her. To counteract it, she called out in a dictatorial manner, "I still have some supplies here to be unloaded!"

Her abruptness did not bother the crowd, and they moved to help. If anything, the smirks grew more pronounced, just like the heat she could feel radiating from her face.

"Mrs. Farmer," she said, "you should point out where you want these items set. It would save time rearranging later."

"Thank you, Miss Courtney. I'll do that."

Feeling even more embarrassed at telling such a com-

petent woman her business, Annette tugged at her gloves. "If you want to keep Jack home from school for the next day or so, I will understand. Just do not make his absence extend too long. He is doing very well in his studies."

Surprised, Mrs. Farmer paused in refolding a blanket. "You will be keeping on with the school then?"

"Keep it on? Of course. Why would I close down the school?"

The farmwife cast a significant glance down the road. "It looks to me like you're going to be busy with a husband."

Annette also looked down the lane. "I am not marrying the baronet. And even if I did, the school would remain open."

"When a woman marries, her husband's wishes come first." Mrs. Farmer pursed her lips. "I heard tell the baronet weren't too pleased about your school."

Since that was the truth, Annette could not argue against it. "I am not marrying Sir Gerard."

Mrs. Farmer shrugged. "So you say. But I always figured you to be a woman who didn't spread her kisses around lightly."

Annette could only gape in helpless frustration. She did not kiss every man in sight, but protesting would only further confirm the other's supposition. Drat that man! She wished he was still within earshot so she could tell him what she thought of him. Naturally he had made good his escape—after kissing her in front of every man and his wife.

Gathering her skirts in one hand, Annette climbed into her landau. Attempting to regain her dignity, she said in a regal tone, "You may rest assured that the school will re-

main open. Please be sure to pass that word among the others who may wonder."

"I'll do it." The woman's tone was respectful, but Annette suspected its deference.

"If you need more food or other supplies, let me know. I will see about obtaining them."

"Thank you kindly, Miss Courtney. We shouldn't need too much, since the baronet will so quickly rebuild our home."

There was no mistaking the admiration Mrs. Farmer displayed for Sir Gerard. Annette tightened her lips. She suspected how that project was to be funded. She must take the matter up with the baronet at dinner tonight.

She managed to reply graciously. "I am glad he is taking care of his tenants so well."

"It must be your influence." Mrs. Farmer nodded at the thought. "You're a good woman, and he's a good catch. You've done well for yourself, but it's no more than you deserve."

Annette controlled herself with what she considered to be admirable forbearance. "I think you are a trifle premature."

The woman smirked. "We will see."

"Good day, Mrs. Farmer." Annette slapped the reins across the horse's rump, and the landau wheeled out of the yard.

While she drove home, she had plenty of time to reflect on Sir Gerard and his maddening actions. How dare he kiss her so boldly! He must have known it would mark her as his in everyone's eyes. She most certainly did not want to be his. Did she?

Annette remembered how good it felt to be in his arms. For a moment, everything else had faded away. Not even

her concern for those burned out of their home had crossed her mind. Only Sir Gerard had dominated her senses.

When she had accused him of using the fortune to rebuild the cottage, his surprise seemed genuine. Now she wondered how he intended to pay for everything. Was she misjudging him?

A tiny bit of optimism burgeoned within her as she admitted to hoping she was wrong. A man with a compassionate nature was one she could care for. Lulled by the steady beat of the horse's hooves against the frozen road, she drifted into a daydream where she married Sir Gerard and together they eased the needy misery in Upper Brampton village and its countryside.

She was picturing the thanks from a family for a new well, when she remembered she had yet to answer Sir Gerard's proposal. She shook herself free from the fantasy so fiercely that she tugged on the reins, causing the horse to slow.

With a cluck and a slap of the reins, she urged the animal forward. This inattention was plain foolishness. She needed to carefully think about Sir Gerard's offer.

The crowd at the farmyard expected her school to close. She would never permit that to happen. And then there was the money-lender. What did his presence indicate about the baronet's character?

When Annette entered her dining room, her inner tumult must have appeared on her face, for Lucille dropped her slice of toast.

"Oh, Annette, what happened out there? Don't tell me someone was hurt."

"No, no one was injured, but the Farmers lost their entire cottage."

"How awful! What are they going to do now?"

Annette seated herself at the table and began to fill her plate. All the morning's excitement had sharpened her hunger. "They are going to live in their barn until Sir Gerard rebuilds their cottage."

"The baronet? What was he doing there?"

Annette told her about his plans.

"That's news well worth smiling about," Lucille said. She eyed her friend carefully, but Annette concentrated on smoothing jelly on her toast. "So why are you so upset?"

"I am not upset."

"Something is certainly bothering you. I should think you would be glad the new baronet is taking such an interest in his tenants. It's what you've always demanded."

With an exasperated sigh, Annette set down her food. "I might as well tell you. You will certainly hear about it from everyone else."

Lucille's eyes rounded with curiosity. "Hear what?"

"Sir Gerard kissed me in front of everyone in the farmyard."

"He did!" Lucille clapped her hands in delight. "How wonderful! Annette, he will make you a wonderful husband."

"I have not said I am going to marry him," Annette reminded her. She had known that kiss would put such notions into people's minds. She'd known it.

"But you will. After all, you like him, and he apparently cares about you."

"No mention of love, I see."

"Pooh!" Lucille waved her hand in dismissal. "He is titled and handsome. How could you not love him?"

These qualities attracted Annette just as much as his character did. After all, she was a woman as well as a spin-

ster. She wanted to accept Lucille's statements, but hesitated in believing her friend. "Maybe he is just after control of the fortune."

The other woman frowned as she considered this reminder. "You said he intended to rebuild the burned-down cottage. That shows he's a good man."

Since Annette agreed, she brought up the doubt that Mrs. Farmer had provoked, "But what about his opposition to the school?"

"You surely were not planning to teach once you married. That was only a temporary thing."

"I never meant for the school to be temporary."

"If you are so set upon it," Lucille soothed, "it can be one of your charities as the baronet's wife. You can still oversee its running."

It was the daily interaction with the children that Annette enjoyed so much. "You are assuming a whole marriage on the basis of one kiss," she muttered.

"A very public kiss."

Seeing she would get no support from her companion, Annette abandoned that topic. Pouring a cup of tea, she said, "It bothers me that Sir Gerard promised so much to the Farmers."

"/ think it's wonderful of him to do so."

"But what if he cannot fulfill his pledges?" Annette tore her toast into pieces. "He will leave them worse off because their hopes will be dashed."

"Why would he not rebuild their home?"

"Since I have known him, Sir Gerard has always informed me about his lack of money."

Lucille offered hopefully. "Maybe he found some."

"Maybe, but he never said where he was going to get the funds." Annette stirred the sugar into her tea. "That

money-lender bothers me. I do not know much about money management, but I do know one should avoid the cent-percenters at all costs."