A Christmas Affair (34 page)

Amanda hid her surprise at his off-handed remarks. This was the first time she’d heard him mention his father without a note of bitterness in his voice. Given what Edward had told her and what she’d already deduced, she knew his childhood hadn’t been a happy one, and she was glad he was finally coming to terms with his painful past. She loved him so much that she couldn’t bear to think of how cruelly he had been rejected, and she was determined that he would never know such pain again.

Following the unexpected shopping spree, Justin ordered the coachman to take them to Dover House so that the children could see their new home. While they were off choosing their bedrooms, Amanda and Justin walked through the rest of the house, inspecting the repairs that were underway. The chimney sweeps had arrived and were hard at work cleaning the many fireplaces while a dozen or more maids scurried about dusting and polishing.

“Do you really think it will be ready on time?” Justin asked, his expression forbidding as they made their way toward the back of the house. “I’ve seen sacked towns in better condition.”

Amanda laughed at his analogy. “Really, Justin, don’t you think you are doing it a shade too brown?” she teased, flashing him a bright smile. “I’ll own it’s a trifle messy, but—”

A loud crash from abovestairs disrupted her conversation, followed by a series of other crashes, angry curses, and the sound of running feet. She and Justin raced out into the hall when they saw Belinda tearing down the stairs, Stephen and Joss hot on her heels.

“Justin! Justin!” she wailed, running toward him with her arms outstretched and tears streaming down her face. He caught her easily, cradling her against his broad chest
and gazing down at her worriedly.

“What is it, sweet?” he asked, running a gentle hand over her tousled blond curls. “What’s wrong?”

“T-that man!” She sobbed, her chubby arms clinging to his neck. “That bad man!”

“What bad man?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing with dangerous fury.

“The chimney sweep,” Stephen gasped, his chest rising and falling as he gasped for breath. “There’s a kitten stuck up the chimney, and he was going to burn it!”

“Me and Jeremey told him to stop,” Joss interjected, his small face set with anger, “and he called us guttersnipes and told us to mind our own business!”

“Oh, did he?” Amanda said, her chin coming up and her velvet-brown eyes sparkling in outrage. “Well, we shall just see about that!” She started purposefully toward the stairs.

“Amanda, let me deal with this,” Justin instructed, giving Belinda a quick kiss as he set her down. “I’ll soon set the arrogant fellow to rights.”

“No, Justin” — Amanda’s foot was on the bottom step — “I’ll handle—”

There was another crash, and then a very sooty boy, clutching an even sootier object in his arms, came rushing down the steps, a large, filthy man running after him. “Come back here, ye little devil!” he shouted, shaking a bony fist. “I’ll teach ye to make a fool o’ John Falkes!”

The soot-covered boy ran behind Amanda, the flash of his blue eyes the only clue to his identity. “Jeremey?” she gasped, swiveling her head so that she could study him. “Is that you?”

“I got it, Mandy, I got it!” Jeremey crowed holding out a pathetic bundle of fur and dirt for her inspection. “I climbed right up that old chimney and I got it! Even though
he
said I was too big.” He cast the sweep a trium
phant look.

“Ye’re lucky ye didn’t get caught, but tight,” the sweep responded, his tone modifying somewhat in the presence of the adults. He snatched the cap from his greasy hair and bobbed his head uncertainly. “I meant the lad no harm,” he said, keeping a wary eye on Justin, “but I gots to do me work, and they was plaguing me something fierce about that cat.”

“It was crying.” Belinda sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes and glaring at the man. “And you were going to burn it!”

“Ain’t much else to be done,” he muttered, shuffling his feet awkwardly and refusing to meet the children’s accusing eyes. “And flames is a whole lot more merciful than letting it starve. It’s already half-dead, anyways.”

“No it’s not” Jeremey denied, clutching the kitten to his chest. “He’s purring.”

“Jeremey, that is quite enough,” Justin said, deciding it was time to put an end to the ridiculous farce. “We shall discuss this later. And as for you” — here he cast the sweep a cold look—“you may return to your duties. And if you ever dare threaten a member of my family again, you shall have
me
to deal with. Do you understand?”

“Aye, me lord,” the man grumbled sullenly, and then turned and stomped back up the steps, muttering curses beneath his breath.

The children quickly forgot about the sweep as they crowded around Jeremey. “Can I hold it?” Belinda asked, reaching out a tentative finger to stroke the animal’s head.

“I don’t think that is a good idea,” Justin said, giving the kitten a wary look. “The creature is likely to be diseased, to say nothing of being infested with fleas. Why don’t you give it to me and I will—”

“No!” Jeremey held the kitten closer, his expression frankly suspicious as he glared at Justin. “You’ll destroy
it!”

Justin didn’t attempt to deny the charge. “Jeremey, it would be best for the animal. You really can’t expect to keep it, you know.”

“Why not?” Amanda asked, sending him a quelling look. “The children have had pets in the past, and they’ve always taken excellent care of them. I see no reason why we can’t find some place for the poor thing.”

“But I—”

“Please, Justin?” Twin pairs of blues eyes gazed up at him hopefully. “We won’t ever ask for anything ever again!”

“You won’t even have to take us to the Frost Fair,” Stephen added earnestly “not unless you really want to.”

“And we’ll take the
bestest
care of him, truly we shall!” Belinda assured him with an angelic smile. “Please?”

Justin knew when he was outnumbered. “Oh , very well,” he relented with a low chuckle, “but I shall expect you to keep your word. The first time you neglect Cinders, I shall ship him off to the country. Is that understood?”

“Cinders?” Amanda’s wry question rose above the children’s earnest assurances.

He shrugged helplessly. “What else would one call a cat rescued from a chimney?”

After feeding the starved animal a bowl of milk, the children took him back to the pantry to be bathed. Much to their distress, Justin adamantly refused to allow them to bring the kitten back to Upper Wimpole Street, explaining that Lady Lettita disliked animals.

“But he’ll get lonely!” Belinda protested with an unhappy pout. “He’ll cry and cry for us!”

“Cook has a nice, fat cat that will keep him company,” Justin told her. “And it need only be for a few days. Remember we shall all be moving in next week.”

The children allowed themselves to be mollified and were subdued on the return journey. After they reached Lady Lettita’s, they all trooped upstairs to rest before dinner, leaving Amanda and Justin staring after them suspiciously. “You don’t think they . . .” Justin’s voice trailed off as he turned to grin at her. “They wouldn’t. They couldn’t.”

“Joss and Jeremey?” Amanda gave him a rueful look. “Surely, sir, you jest. You must know they would dare anything. But if it’s any consolation, I am almost certain I heard Cinders meowing as we were leaving.”

“I shall cling to that thought,” Justin said, his mobile mouth quirking in a smile. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said Aunt is afraid of cats. She has a positive terror of the things, and they make her sneeze in the bargain.”

“Then, let us hope they keep it well-hidden,” she returned, thinking how handsome he looked when he smiled. This was the first time they’d been alone in several days and she felt a shyness in his company she had never experienced before. Her love was so strong that she feared he would somehow guess her feelings.

“How is the tea party coming?” Justin asked, sensing her sudden shyness. “I heard Aunt say Lady Jersey will be attending; that is quite a coup, you know.”

“I know.” She managed another smile. “I only hope that between her and Lady Lettita the rest of us will be able to get a word in it sideways. You see? Even in the wilds of Surrey we have heard of “Silence” Jersey.”

“Shrew.” He gave in to the urge to touch her by brushing back a lock of hair that had fallen across her forehead. “I implore that you not repeat that in polite company; Old Sal isn’t known for her sense of humor. And what do you mean the wilds of Surrey? Godstone is hardly the ends of the earth, you know.”

Amanda said nothing, although she couldn’t help but
remember some of the subtle snubs to which she had been subjected on the few occasions she and Justin had ventured out. Nothing was ever said in his presence, of course, but she knew she hadn’t imagined the whispers and malicious laughter that followed in her wake. She had even heard a cutting remark about “the country bride,” and the cruel words had cut her to the heart.

Since her arrival in London, it had occurred to her more and more how much Justin was giving up by marrying her. Whatever he thought of himself, it was obvious the rest of society looked upon him as a prime matrimonial catch, and Amanda knew he could have his pick of any bride. Not only was he handsome and well-born, but he was also a viscount; and when Edward died, he would be Duke of Stonebridge. Never mind that that sad event was doubtlessly years into the future, Amanda knew society well enough to know that many women would willingly wait decades for the chance to be called “Her Grace.” And perhaps Justin could love one of those ladies. The thought was truly depressing.

“Amanda?” Justin placed his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face up to his. “Is there something wrong?” He asked, his worried eyes moving over her face. “You’re rather quiet.”

She gazed up at him, the words of love and longing all but choking her, she longed so to speak them. But knowing he could never return those feelings kept her mute; not for anything would she burden him with the knowledge of her feelings. She swallowed the sweet words and managed a shaky smile.

“In comparison to your aunt and Lady Jersey, do you mean?” she rallied bravely. “Actually, I was thinking about Aunt Elizabeth. I had a note from her this morning, accepting my invitation. She must have sent word the moment she received my letter.”

Justin gave her a sharp look, not believing her explanation for a single moment. He was fairly certain he knew what was troubling her, but he was uncertain how to deal with it. He was only just coming to terms with his feelings for her, and until he had firmer control of his emotions, there was nothing he could say. He only knew that come what may, he would never let her go.

“If she proves too troublesome, feel free to dump a pot of tea over her head,” he said, his fingers skimming the curve of her delicate lips. “I am certain no one would object.”

“Especially if they knew her,” Amanda agreed, her heart racing at his touch. “But I’ll do my best to restrain myself.”

“Do that.” Justin lowered his head, knowing he’d go mad if he didn’t kiss her again. The kiss was brief but filled with passion, and they were both breathing heavily when he finally drew back.

“Five days, Amanda” he said huskily, his thumb whisking over her trembling mouth. “Five days, and then there will be no stopping me. Until then I think it best that I keep my distance, for both our sakes. But once we are man and wife, we will talk. There is much I have been wanting to say to you,” and with a final kiss, he turned and walked out of the door, leaving her staring after him.

By employing all her skill, Lady Lettita was able to arrange the tea party to take place two days before Amanda’s nuptials. As befit a bride, Amanda was attired in a new tea gown of white muslin, the wide sleeves of which were trimmed with ribbons and ruchings of Belgian lace. The dress, while beautiful, was hardly practical and Amanda was shivering as she and Amelia made their way downstairs.

“I hope Lady Lettita has a fire going in the parlor,” Amanda muttered, chafing her arms with her hands. “Or else I’m going to say to devil with fashion and put on my best woolen dress!”

“Don’t do that,” Amelia implored, also looking decidedly bridelike in a gown of pale blue lace. “If you get too cold, have one of the maids fetch the silk shawl Edward sent you. It’s so very lovely.”

“And as impractical as this dress,” Amanda said, thinking of the brightly colored piece of blue Chinese silk covered with colorful embroidery that had arrived yesterday afternoon. The shawl accompanied the box of jewelry Justin had sent her, along with a note that said she was to wear the pear-shaped diamond as her engagement ring. The casual gesture had hurt, but she was grateful that he thought enough of her to bestow the costly gem upon her.

Lady Lettita was waiting in the parlor when they arrived, dabbing at her nose with a lace handkerchief. “How I wish this tiresome event was over,” she said in a decidedly thick voice. “I have the most wretched cold, and my poor head is quite killing me. Ah well, allow me to say that you both look lovely. You are certain to be a success.”

“Thank you, Lady Rayburne,” Amanda said, a vague suspicion stirring in her mind. She was fairly certain the twins hadn’t disobeyed Justin by smuggling Cinders into the house, but she wasn’t completely convinced. Not that it would matter if they had. She had other things to worry about just now, not the least of which was Aunt Elizabeth, who was due to arrive any minute. But once the party was over, was determined to search their rooms, and if she found the kitten, then she would be quite firm with them.

The chiming of the bell announced the first arrival, and Amanda drew a quick breath. Pinning a polite smile to her lips, she took her place behind the huge silver teapot,
praying that she would somehow survive the next few hours. Not that she really had anything to worry about, she assured herself anxiously. As Lady Lettita had said; this was only a tea party. What could possibly go wrong?

“Well, you’ve done rather well for yourself, I must say,” Mrs. Herrick said, her tone as poisonous as her smile. “No wonder you turned down my kind offer when you had this planned all along. Congratulations, my dear, you are indeed your mother’s child.”