In Pursuit of Miriam (8 page)

They went to and fro with arguments for and against such an arrangement, and eventually Miriam agreed to give the matter further thought. She said she would give him a decision the next day.

Lord Chantry took his leave and immediately Aunt Beatrice, looking decidedly speculative, returned to sit beside her. But Miriam didn't give her a chance to launch her questions. She needed some time to think everything through, and pleading a headache, excused herself from the company and made her way to her room. She would give the matter further thought but was worried that he had still not considered fully the consequences to either of them should she accept his proposal. Even though it seemed she had everything to gain, she knew deep down that it would be her, not him, who would be heartbroken when the arrangement ended.

 

After Miss Knightly had turned down his original proposal of marriage, Vincent had left Bath having come to the decision that he would just have to wait it out until he turned twenty-five. On returning home after closing down his London house, he had not been pleased when his mother coerced him to attend his cousin's wedding. Had he known this would happen he would have stayed in London slightly longer, despite the financial constraints.

Vincent was surprised at how pleased he felt upon finding Miss Knightly at Wybourne Manor. She had looked very pretty as she sat at the dining table next to his cousin William, and she had blushed becomingly when she noticed him. He could not quite grasp exactly what his feelings were for her, but supposed that they were largely protective and that, had he any younger sisters of his own, this was how he might feel about them. He found that he wanted to know if she was happy and not hurt in any way; he decided that was why he had sought her out after the meal.

On closer and more honest reflection he was not sure that the sensations he felt as he sat down so close to her on that small settee were what a man would feel for a sister, but he had nothing to judge against. She appeared so small and fragile, but there was nothing fragile about her manner or conversation and until she reminded him of her lameness he had not given it a thought.

He had really enjoyed his conversation with her and now, having discussed the situation at length, he did hope she would give his proposal more favourable consideration. He had been telling the truth when he said that she was the only young lady of his acquaintance that he could imagine himself with. He felt comfortable with her, and unlike the other ladies he knew, there was no falseness or pretence about her.

He had been concerned that he had singled her out for such prolonged conversation, and so on leaving her, he had made sure he was attentive to the other young ladies in the room—most of whom were distant cousins. When his mother called him over he expected some reprimand, but instead she told him how people had been praising his charity and good heart for spending time talking to Percival's poor, lame cousin. It seemed to him that although Miriam was invited to social events, she was not actually included in them, and he wondered how this made her feel. He could not imagine being in such a situation even though he professed to spend all his time trying to avoid undue attention at social gatherings.

 

The next day the weather proved favourable for the wedding. There was a clear blue sky and early autumn sunshine. So pleasant was it that many house guests, Vincent included, walked the short distance from the house to the chapel.

He had hoped to see Miriam at breakfast as he would have plans to make should she decide to accept his proposal, but her aunt said that she had chosen to take her repast in her room. He did not see her when he entered the chapel, and although he searched the pews during the wedding service, he did not catch sight of her. The service seemed was overly long to him, and although some ladies obviously found it moving and dabbed their eyes prettily, he did not know either party well enough to have any strong opinions on their future happiness. His mind dwelled more on his own future.

At last the service ended and he stood and offered his arm to his mother to escort her from the chapel. It was then that he spied Miriam in the back pew of the church on the groom's side. He would have expected her to be seated in the front pew with her aunt.

Everyone milled around outside the chapel for a while before those who were walking set off back to the house and others waited for their carriages. Frustratingly, he did not have an opportunity to speak to Miriam because his mother was ready to leave before Miriam had even left the chapel. He smiled to himself; he was beginning to understand the strategies Miriam used to make sure the fewest people possible were about when she had to walk anywhere.

The wedding breakfast was a sumptuous meal of ham, eggs and hot bread rolls, but he was not seated close enough to Miriam to be able to converse with her. As he predicted, she remained seated when the other guests left the house to see Percival and his new bride set off on their journey back to Charlwood House. He took advantage of this to walk round to where she was seated and offer his arm.

“Do you wish to see the married couple leave, or shall I escort you to find a seat in the drawing room?” he asked.

“I would prefer to sit in the drawing room and wait for people to return; I would not enjoy standing around outside until they leave,” Miriam replied. Vincent offered her his arm and slowly they walked together into the drawing room. He guided her to a chair, then sat down beside her.

“I have not had the opportunity to speak to you so far today,” he began. “I did look for you this morning at breakfast but you did not appear. Have you been avoiding me?”

Miriam reddened slightly. “No, not really, but I am afraid I still cannot give you an answer to your proposal. I am fearful that I may make a wrong decision, and one of us or both could end up very miserable. But I have given the matter a great deal of thought; indeed I hardly slept at all last night. I know that marrying you would solve many problems—I would have a home and a husband and you would have the means to remain in London. I do very much enjoy your company, but how do I know if that is reason enough for me to accept you?”

Vincent was flattered that Miriam had admitted that she enjoyed his company; just because he enjoyed her company he could not assume that she felt the same way. This gave him the confidence to press his suit further.

“I am sure that there would be many more advantages than disadvantages to both of us should we marry. I find you a very attractive young lady, but I will assure you that, as we discussed, I would not press the physical attentions of a true marriage on you.” He added dryly, “Of course should you at a future time want the marriage to be more than in name only, I am sure I would be happy to oblige.” At this Miriam blushed deeply, although he did not know whether this was at his compliment or the intimate nature of his words.

Miriam knew she had reddened. “I…I am most flattered, my lord, and I know I could trust you not to press your attentions on me. I blush because I have never given serious thought to that aspect of marriage. I never thought I would have an offer of marriage to consider.” She remembered her mortification at Cousin Percival's cruel response when he had refused even to consider her father's request that he wed her.

“I apologize if I have spoken too bluntly,” Vincent said as he smiled down at her. “I have determined for my part that marriage to you would well suit my purposes. If I said I would call on you in Derbyshire to press my suit, would you be agreeable to that?” He found he was holding his breath in anticipation of her answer.

“I would not object, but I cannot promise you what my final decision will be. You recall that I am not returning to Charlwood House when we leave here tomorrow. I will be asking my aunt to take me directly to Blackwood Hall to stay with Lucy and her parents.” Miriam was surprised and a little thrilled that he was still pressing his suit.

Vincent was heartened that she had not completely rejected him on this occasion.

“Ah, then I will ask Robert if he wishes to accompany me on my journey to Derbyshire. I am sure he will be most eager to see Lady Lucy again.” The more time he spent in Miriam's company, the more convinced Vincent was that they would deal well together.

Miriam smiled up at him in agreement. Her blue eyes sparkled, and Vincent found his spirits lifting even more. “That would be an excellent idea,” she said. “I am sure Lucy would very much like to see Mr. Bright again, and I will enjoy his company, as well.” She would not discourage the visit for Lucy's sake.

“I am leaving shortly to escort my mother back to Maudley. If Robert is back in Yorkshire, I will ask him to join me and we should, weather permitting, be in Derbyshire by the end of the week,” promised Vincent.

This settled, Vincent stood and bowed and went to join the people outside watching the married couple depart.

When the newly wedded couple departed, most guests started to leave, Vincent and his mother among them.

“It is good to see Catherine make such a good marriage,” the Countess of Chantry said as Vincent assisted her into their carriage. “One day, Vincent, it will be your turn. I am surprised you have not yet settled on one of the many suitable young ladies you have met in the past year.” She arched a well-shaped eyebrow at her son. “You are a most eligible bachelor and can take your pick of the crop, you know.”

Vincent sighed. His mother regularly had this conversation with him, which was one of the reasons he had been reluctant to return to Yorkshire. Should he or should he not tell her of his proposal to Miriam? He decided at this time to say nothing of it, and judging by the way she moved directly on to give him her detailed opinions of all the ladies attending the wedding, she had not expected any sort of response.

Towards the end of their journey home his mother once again raised the question of finding him a wife when they passed the Askern Wheatley Estate.

“The eldest Miss Cloves would make an ideal wife; her family has very good connections and are very wealthy. She is passably attractive, well-mannered and you have known her since childhood. I know that she has always welcomed your attentions and that she, like most girls, would prefer to remain near her family home when wed.”

Vincent now realized he must stop this once and for all. He was not going to be paraded around the marriage mart by his mother, who had obviously given the matter some serious thought.

“Mother, I must tell you that I have already made a proposal of marriage and I am at present awaiting the young lady's reply, which I hope will be favourable.”

“And you have not felt the need to inform me of your intentions before now?” his mother fairly shrieked in surprise.

“I have not, and even now I am not sure I should discuss this with you. As I mentioned, I do not know what the outcome of my proposal will be.” If Vincent thought this would end the conversation, he was to be disappointed.

“I am sure you can see how your news had surprised me. Vincent, pray tell me, who is this young lady and is she of my acquaintance?”

Vincent knew that his mother would interrogate him until she was satisfied that she had all the relevant facts and so he decided he might as well tell her. “You have met the lady in question, Mother. Just this weekend. It is the Honourable Miss Miriam Knightly to whom I have proposed marriage.”

His mother's reaction to this news did rather surprise him. She laughed out loud and snorted in an unladylike fashion, quite unlike anything he had heard from her before. “Do not jest with me, Vincent. If you feel you cannot tell me who the young lady is, do not make fun of me. You know how serious I am about your future and who you will take for your wife.”

“Mother, I do not jest. It is Miss Knightly I hope to have as my wife. I have, in fact, proposed to her twice and was turned down on the first occasion.” Vincent was perfectly serious in his response and he saw his mother's face turn from laughter to shock. The need to defend Miriam surged through him.

His mother, however, was almost apoplectic with rage. “I cannot believe this to be true!” she cried. “You, who have every eligible young lady swooning and throwing herself at you, have chosen this…this poor specimen who can barely walk as your wife! You must withdraw your proposal immediately. I forbid it. Think of the family line. Any children might likewise be deformed!”

Vincent clenched his teeth and forced himself to remain calm. “I have no intention of withdrawing my proposal. To set your mind at rest her lameness was caused by an accident when she was but a very young child and is not a hereditary condition. However, even if this were not the case, it would remain my decision, and my decision alone, whom I ask to be my wife.”

His mother still was not satisfied. “Has she thrown herself at you and you have compromised her in some way? Oh, I know—I have heard about your dancing the waltz with her in Bath. Did you feel obliged to propose to prevent a scandal?”

“Mother, that is not the case and I do not have to, and will not, discuss with you my reasons for asking Miss Knightly to be my wife. You must be content to know that I have asked her because, having given great consideration to all the other ladies of my acquaintance, there is none other whom I would consider to ask to be my wife,” he patiently and honestly explained, keeping his temper firmly in check.

“That is as may be, but I know of many eligible young ladies whom you have yet to meet and I am certain that any one of them would be more suitable,” argued his mother.

Vincent needed to put an end to this conversation. “I will consider other ladies only if Miss Knightly turns down my proposal, so please do not continue to search on my behalf.” He looked up. “Ah, we've arrived. I want to hear no more of this. I shall be leaving tomorrow or the next day for Derbyshire with the hope that Miss Knightly will have decided to accept my proposal. If she does, you must accept her as my wife and treat her accordingly.”

His mother was not to be appeased. “I do not approve of this at all. I am sure she must have trapped you into making this offer of marriage, and you are too much of a gentleman to admit it. If you carry on with this foolish idea, do not expect me to give you my blessing or attend your wedding.”

Vincent stiffened. “I am sorry to hear that. I hope in time you will change your mind.”

As Vincent helped his smouldering mother out of the carriage, he decided that he would call on Robert that evening and hopefully they would set off for Derbyshire the next day. This would give his mother time to calm down. He was angered by her reaction and did not trust himself to hold his temper if he had any further conversation with her on the subject of his choice of wife.

 

After Percival's wedding, as planned, Miriam went directly to stay at Blackwood Hall with Lucy and her parents. She confided in Lucy that Lord Chantry had repeated his offer of marriage, but she was still uncertain as to what answer she would give him.

“I don't know why I'm even worrying about it,” Miriam said uncertainly. “He may well have thought more about the matter and changed his mind. I would not be surprised if he does
not
come to Derbyshire to ask for my answer.”

“I hope he does come—especially if he is going to ask Robert…I mean, Mr. Bright to accompany him. Do you think he still favours me? Or do you think he will have met someone else while I have been away from Bath?” Lucy could not decide whether to be worried or excited.

“Try to not think about it too much,” Miriam cautioned. “I'm not sure that either one will come.”

Miriam was getting no closer to making a decision as the end of the week drew near. She half hoped Lord Chantry would not visit, because then she wouldn't have to make a decision. Eventually, in desperation, she decided to confide in the Countess of Blackwood, who had always given her wise counsel during her childhood in the absence of her own mother. She explained the situation and the proposal of marriage.

“Do you dislike Lord Chantry?” asked the countess shrewdly.

Miriam gave this some thought. “Well…no. We appear to get on quite well with each other in general conversation and I feel comfortable in his company.” She could have added,
And he is impossibly handsome and makes my heart thud when he is near me.
But she kept this thought to herself.

“That would be a good start to any marriage,” said the countess.

“I know that, but it is to be a marriage of convenience. And I think he asked me just because he feels comfortable with me; in fact, he has said as much. I think, too, that he may have chosen me because I am
not
one of the eligible young women who are constantly being paraded in front of him. I fear he is asking me for all the wrong reasons, and if I accepted him, it would also be for all the wrong reasons.”

The countess patted her hand. “My dear, there are very few society marriages that are based purely on mutual love and respect. Most marriages take into account the finances and background of the people involved. My marriage was decided for me by my parents, and when I first met the earl, I found him far too serious and not much to my liking. In time, though, as I matured, I came to admire his considered approach to life and the way he was always so attentive towards me. I found myself gradually coming to love him even though he had not been my choice. I had fancied myself in love with a young rake who, in hindsight, was totally unsuitable, but at the time I was young and did not see that.”

Miriam was surprised by this confession. “I always thought you and the earl were so close!”

“We are, but we were not at first. I admit I am very lucky. It seems my parents knew better than I what was good for me.” The countess smiled.

“But I have no parent to advise me,” Miriam said. She looked pleadingly at the countess. “If you were my mother, what would you advise?”

“I cannot tell you what to do, because there are no guarantees a marriage will be happy whether the couple marry for love or for family connection or for any other reason. You need to consider the future before you. Do you want to live on your own with a house of servants, or do you want to run a large household in Yorkshire. I do not think I speak out of turn when I say that you do not now have any close family ties to keep you in this district.”

“No, I do not. I think my aunt and Percival would be happy to wash their hands of me completely, but here I am at least close to Lucy and your family.”

“I know that, my dear, but do remember that before long Lucy will hopefully be married and starting her own family, and we do not know where that will be. If Robert Bright continues his courtship of her to its likely conclusion, she would be living in Yorkshire and not Derbyshire.” The countess looked a little sad at the thought of her daughter leaving home.

Miriam's brow furrowed. “I worry that if I accept him, it is just because I know that, with my lameness, I am otherwise very likely to remain a spinster. Is this fair to Lord Chantry, who is young, rich and handsome and could have his pick of any number of potential brides?”

“That, my dear girl, is his concern. He does not sound like a man of low intelligence, so I am sure that he has thought everything through. If you do accept, though, consider how you would feel if you found that, because of the agreed platonic nature of your union, he decided to take a mistress.”

Miriam had not even thought of this. “I really do not know. I don't suppose I could object, as I know that men have urges they need to fulfil. I would expect him to be discreet, though, because I would not want people to talk.”

“Many men take mistresses, even those who profess to have a happy marriage, and you do need to be aware that this may happen,” explained the countess. She looked at Miriam's troubled face. “I'm afraid that rather than help you, I have caused you further distress. If he does come to Derbyshire to formalize his offer, I am sure you will know at the time what decision is right for you.”

Miriam smiled wanly, but was not sure that she
would
know her answer. She was beginning to think that no would be the easiest option; there were too many what-ifs if she said yes.

 

Miriam and Lucy were sitting in the drawing room reading and chatting on the Friday afternoon, both feeling a little down in spirits because neither Lord Chantry nor Robert Bright had appeared.

“I know you are disappointed, Lucy, but
I
should be happy because I do not have to see Lord Chantry and tell him I am declining his offer.” Miriam, however, did not feel happy.

“You have made a decision then?” questioned Lucy. “Even if he arrives you will reject him?”

“I do not expect him to arrive now. He said he would come before the end of the week. Your mother says I will know what to do when I see him, but I am not sure that she is right.”

They heard a carriage pulling up outside, and both got up to look out of the window.

“Oh, no,” groaned Lucy. “I was hoping it would be Robert and Lord Chantry. What are your Aunt Beatrice and Cousin Percival doing here? Were you expecting them?”

“I certainly was
not
expecting them. I hope there is nothing amiss at Charlwood House. Let us sit back down. I expect we will find out what they want soon enough.”

After a few minutes, a footman announced the new arrivals, and Aunt Beatrice and Percival stepped into the drawing room, along with the countess.

Aunt Beatrice's first words were, “Countess, Lucy, it is a pleasure to see you both again. But Percival and I would like to talk to Miriam in private if we may.” Her tone was more demanding than polite.

“I am sure that there is nothing you could say to me that cannot be said in front of my friends.” Miriam was reluctant to be alone with them. Judging by their faces, they were not bringing good news.

“As I said, this is a personal matter. If you could oblige us, Countess?” Her aunt was very firm.

“Come, Lucy,” said the countess. “Let us leave them to their business. Miriam, shout if you need me. I will be in the next room.”

As soon as Lucy and her mother left the drawing room, Aunt Beatrice and Percival took seats opposite Miriam.

“Whatever can be the matter that brings you to see me without prior arrangement?” Miriam braced herself for what must surely be bad news.

“It is your reputation that is the matter, young lady,” Aunt Beatrice snapped. “I do not know what you have been doing, but I intend to get to the bottom of this.”