In Pursuit of Miriam (9 page)

Miriam was taken aback. “Aunt, I truly do not know what you are talking about. I have been staying here with Lucy and have done nothing amiss.”

“It is not here I am concerned about. It is what must have occurred during your time in Bath to which I refer,” her aunt explained, but Miriam was still no wiser.

“Aunt, you were with me in Bath and nothing occurred. If you are referring to the occasion when I waltzed with Lord Chantry, you already knew about that. I did not do anything else untoward that I am aware of.” Miriam looked at Percival to see if he could shed any light on the matter.

Percival got to his feet and crossed to stand in front of her. “I have had a visit this morning from Lord Chantry. He came to me asking for your hand in marriage. What I want to know is what you have done to compromise yourself in such a manner that he feels obliged to wed you? A single waltz would not be enough for a man in his position to feel the need to offer for your hand. What other liberties did you let him take, Miriam?”

Miriam's shock turned to anger. She was surprised that Lord Chantry had spoken to Cousin Percival before coming to see her. She was even more shocked and angry that her aunt and her cousin thought so little of her that they believed she had tricked Lord Chantry into offering marriage.

“Did Lord Chantry say that he had been forced to offer for me?” Miriam asked, wanting to understand the full circumstances.

“No, he was most proper,” Percival replied, “and of course I could do no other than give him my permission. But why would he choose you above all others? What I do know is that whatever happened to make him offer marriage will come into the open eventually, and we will all have our reputations tarnished.” Percival was clearly agitated.

Miriam gathered herself and tried to speak calmly. “I am shocked that you have such a low opinion of me. I can assure you that I have never behaved in any manner that would compromise Lord Chantry or indeed any other person of my acquaintance. The fact he has asked permission to offer for my hand is not a surprise to me, as he made his intentions clear in Bath and again when I met him again at your wedding. If, as you say, you have given approval for this, then it is now my decision to accept or not.”

For a moment Aunt Beatrice turned pale. “He…he what?” she spluttered.

Miriam stood on wobbly legs, indicating it was time for them to leave and willing them to do so before she collapsed. She needed some time to digest what she had just been told. Fortunately, this turn of events put her relatives off balance, and they headed for the door.

However, Aunt Beatrice made a parting shot under her breath. “It would not surprise me, Percy, if we are to have an early wedding and a very premature baby soon after.”

Miriam heard this, as was intended, and fell back into her chair, face aflame and tears in her eyes. What a low opinion they had of her!

When they heard the guests leave, Lucy and her mother returned to the drawing room to find Miriam in tears. Miriam, still sobbing, gave them an outline of the conversation, and the countess and Lucy were indignant on her behalf.

“How could they think that of you? Your own relatives,” commiserated Lucy.

“What am I to do now?” wailed Miriam. “I know Lord Chantry is here. I can only imagine what Percival may have said to him. How shall I face him?” As she said this a footman came to the door and said that Lord Chantry and Mr. Robert Bright had arrived and were asking for an audience.

Miriam knew that her face would be red and blotchy from crying and asked if Lucy and the countess would give the gentlemen her apologies, while she went to her room to freshen up.

“I will, but you must come down shortly to see the gentlemen as they have come a long way,” the countess said firmly. “You must be fair to Lord Chantry and give him a decision. Whatever you decide to do, Lucy and I will support you.”

Miriam murmured a thank-you and went up to her room. She dabbed her face with cold water until it returned to its normal colour and straightened her dress, then after taking one or two deep breaths, prepared to go down and face Lord Chantry. She was still uncertain about the answer she would give him; her mind was in turmoil.

As she entered the room the men stood and bowed; she nodded in acknowledgement and sat down next to the countess. She noticed that Lucy was sparkling at being back in Robert Bright's company, and he appeared as attentive as ever and could not seem to take his eyes from her. Miriam could not bring herself to look in Lord Chantry's direction; she was too unsure of what her reaction would be.

“Countess, I wonder if it would be possible for me to have a brief private audience with Miss Knightly,” the young earl requested formally. “I assure you there is nothing dishonourable in my attentions.”

Miriam looked at the countess, desperately hoping that she would refuse him permission. Instead, the countess patted her hand and looked at her sympathetically as she suggested that she take Lord Chantry into the library where they could talk in private.

“Mind you,” she cautioned Lord Chantry, “I will be entering the room within ten minutes if you have not returned Miriam to me in that time.”

Miriam took the countess's arm as they walked to the library; she was aware that Lord Chantry, who was following them, would clearly be able to see how badly she limped. Perhaps he had reconsidered and now wanted to withdraw his offer. As the countess closed the door to the library behind her without shutting the door entirely, Miriam could feel herself panicking and sat down on the first available chair. She still had not looked Lord Chantry in the face. She did not know what to say.

“Miriam, why are you so nervous at seeing me?” he asked. “I said I would come—did you not believe me?”

He spoke so quietly that Miriam felt compelled to raise her head and look at him for the first time since he had arrived. He was half smiling at her as if a little amused or confused by her reaction to him. Miriam was still speechless.

“I have spoken to your cousin, Lord Percival,” Vincent went on, “and he has no objection to my proposing marriage to you—although he did express his surprise in a somewhat un-gentlemanly fashion. I recall him uttering an oath or two, although why he did, I've no idea.”

He was trying to tease Miriam into a response.
What was wrong? Had he blundered again?

At last Miriam spoke. “I have every idea. He thinks that I have ruined my reputation and compromised you to such an extent that you now feel obliged to marry me.” She again felt very close to tears.

“Why should he think that? I gave him no cause to whatsoever.” Shocked, Vincent went over the conversation with Percival in his head and assured himself that he was blameless on this count.

“He…he came here with my aunt this afternoon and told me as much,” Miriam murmured. “I cannot believe that they think I would do such a thing.” Now her eyes were filling with tears, but she hoped if she kept her face averted, Lord Chantry would not notice.

“Do not upset yourself,” Vincent said gently as he drew up a chair to sit next to her. “We both know you've done nothing wrong, and I promise you that if anyone ever says such a thing in my hearing, I will call them out immediately.”

Vincent was a little uncertain as to how to deal with Miriam in tears, for she was usually so composed. He placed one finger under her chin and raised her face so she had to look at him. “You know why I have asked you to marry me, and after what you have told me today, I think that you may be happier in Yorkshire with me than among relatives who think so little of you.” He continued to hold her gaze. “I truly believe that we can make marriage work for us for all the reasons we have discussed, but if your answer is no, I will pressure you no further.”

When Miriam still seemed upset he attempted humour again. “I am sure that my mother can find me a suitable young, money-grabbing, fashionable lady who cannot hold a sensible conversation for me to marry, as there seem to be plenty of them about.”

A stab of pure jealousy ran through her at the thought of his walking down the aisle with one of these—as yet unnamed—beauties, but she quelled it instantly. She knew he had only been trying to cheer her up, and she managed a weak smile.

“There,” he said. “I knew you would not want me to suffer such a fate; you are not that cruel.” He studied her closely for a moment. “Please let me know your thoughts?”

Miriam decided to be honest with him. “I believe that you could find someone far better than me to marry, someone with whom you can have a proper marriage, with whom you can dance and raise a family.”

Miriam saw that he was about to interrupt her, so she put out her hand and stopped him. “If I marry you it will be to get away from my aunt and cousin, as it upsets me to see them in my childhood home.” She paused and decided she would be totally honest. “I also think that if I do not accept you, I will never marry and end up an old maid.” There she'd said it. She waited for his response.

“Do you dislike me in any way, Miriam?” he asked gently.

“No, of course not. I always enjoy your company,” she answered truthfully.

“In that case, I think that you should take your chances with me; you seem to have little to lose.”

He took her hand. Miriam could feel the heat from his burning into hers, and at that moment she knew that she had very much to lose; if she did not protect herself, she could easily lose her heart to him. She must remain cautious.

“I am tempted to accept,” she said “but what if other people think like my aunt and cousin—that I have tricked you into marrying me?”

Vincent laughed a low, delicious laugh and kept hold of her hand as he replied, “As I told you, I will call them out. Our reasons for getting married are our own concern, and if people ask we can say quite truthfully that we are marrying because we both wish to do so.”

Miriam knew then that she would accept. She squeezed his hand shyly and whispered, “Yes.”

Sudden, fierce satisfaction shot through Vincent.

“I will do all I can to see that you never regret this decision,” he answered softly, and he meant every word.

“As I will for you,” Miriam replied. Then, suddenly aware of what this would mean for her, added, “Please, may I ask a favour? Might we be married at the church on the Charlwood Estate so that all the estate families can be invited? You see, I may never see these people again?”

“It will be as you want. I will apply for a special licence and we can be married as soon as next Saturday if you wish.” Now that she had at last agreed, Vincent was eager to get the deed done.

“Will people talk if we marry in such haste?” she asked, and then laughed and answered herself. “Does it matter? I think people will talk anyway.”

“Shall we go back and tell Lucy, Robert and the Countess our news?” he asked.

“I must confess that the countess and Lucy are aware of the nature of your proposal of marriage, but I have confided in no one else,” Miriam said.

“Robert, too, is in my confidence regarding this matter, but him only,” Lord Chantry assured her.

Miriam took Lord Chantry's arm and returned with him to the drawing room to tell their news. Everyone was delighted for them and more than pleased that they planned to marry in the local church. When the countess found that they intended to marry the following Saturday, she offered to let Robert and Vincent stay at Blackwood Hall as her guests for that time. Lucy and Robert were clearly delighted with this arrangement.

The following week was chaotic. Percival agreed that the wedding could take place at the Charlwood Church, and he was to give Miriam away at the wedding ceremony. Lucy was to be bridesmaid and Robert was to stand for Vincent.

The countess and the girls were in a flurry being fitted for outfits, and ensuring that these, as well as being beautiful, were warm enough for the late-October weather. The countess insisted they have their wedding breakfast at Blackwood Hall, and Aunt Beatrice was only too happy to let her do this.

Vincent obtained the special licence and the wedding was scheduled for the third week of October. He arranged for a rider to go ahead to Maudley Castle and inform his mother of his impending marriage, as well as when to expect him to arrive with his new bride.

The morning of the wedding dawned fair and bright. Miriam awoke early and took a light breakfast in her room. Once she had made the decision to accept Lord Chantry's proposal, she determined not to look back and be positive about her future. She knew she must start calling him by his first name, but was finding this hard to adjust to.

Her personal maid, Susan, was to accompany her to Yorkshire, and she seemed more excited about this than Miriam herself. After bathing and drying Miriam's hair in front of the fire, Susan laid out the wedding dress for her.

The beautifully made dress was of the palest blue satin fabric and trimmed with white Nottingham lace; it was cut in the high-waisted empire style, which suited Miriam well. It had a low cut, but not immodest, neckline and short, puffed sleeves; long, white gloves and white satin pumps completed the outfit. Susan dressed Miriam's hair with pearls and placed the string of pearls Miriam's mother had left her around her neck. The Countess of Blackwood lent her a fine lace veil for her head. As Miriam gazed at herself in the looking glass, she hoped that Lord Chantry would be happy with her appearance. She pinched herself to make sure this was not a dream.

Soon afterward, Lucy joined her in her room. Lucy wore a cream satin dress of the same style as Miriam's, and the trim on hers was blue to match Miriam's gown. She had a bonnet made from matching material.

“Oh, I do hope Robert will think me attractive,” she said.

“He couldn't possibly think otherwise, Lucy,” Miriam assured her. “You look beautiful.”

Lucy smiled at her friend. “As do you, Miriam. You're almost glowing. The earl is lucky to marry you.”

Lucy shushed any protest Miriam might make, and then the pair put on thick cloaks to keep them warm. Lucy was excited and Miriam a little nervous as they walked arm in arm to join the Countess and Earl of Blackwood, who had a carriage waiting to take them the short journey to the church.

Cousin Percival was standing outside the church where a small crowd had gathered, and he informed Miriam that the groom was already waiting inside. By now, Miriam felt sick with nerves. Was she making a big mistake? She looked back at Lucy, who smiled encouragingly at her.

“I shall be hanging on to your arm firmly,” she told Percival. “Please make sure you don't let me fall or trip during the walk down the aisle.”

Unlike Lucy and the countess, Percival gave her no encouragement. “I am still sure there is more to this hasty wedding than meets the eye,” he growled. “If I find out in the future that you have behaved in any way to shame me, you will no longer be welcome at Charlwood House.” He extended his arm for her to take. “Now come. Smile and let us get this done with.”

Miriam did not respond. She was fighting back tears. How different it would have been if her father had still been alive to give her away, but then, if he
had
still been alive, she would not have considered agreeing to this marriage.

As Miriam entered the church from the bright morning sunshine outside, she was temporarily blinded in the dimmer light. She then saw that autumn leaves and gold ribbons festooned the ends of the pews as she walked down the aisle. The church was teeming with local families who had come to see her married, but Aunt Beatrice was the only family member to occupy the front pews. Percival walked at a faster pace than she was comfortable with, and she knew that this was making her limp more pronounced. She looked to the front of the church, and there was Lord Chantry with Robert Bright beside him watching her progress towards them.

Lord Chantry was attired in tight fitting brown breeches, superfine jacket and boots that shone from polishing. Miriam's heart quickened and she wondered anew at how she came to be marrying such a handsome man. Robert Bright, who stood next to him, was also dressed very finely, and Miriam could understand why Lucy was attracted to him.

She was pleased to see that Lord Chantry was looking into her face as she approached and not watching her legs as she limped along. He smiled at her reassuringly and she tentatively returned his smile.
It seemed he did not have any doubts.

Vincent did not have any doubts. Miriam looked beautiful and he could not wait to take her hand from Percival's arm. The damn fellow was almost dragging her down the aisle. He, Vincent, would cherish and protect her.

When Miriam joined Vincent at the front of the church, Percival, abruptly pulled his arm free, causing her to lose her balance. Seeing this, Vincent quickly and gently took her arm.

A hush fell over the congregation.

“Dearly beloved.”

The clergyman began the short service, and before long the vows had been exchanged and they were man and wife. When Vincent bent and brushed a kiss against her mouth, Miriam was surprised and her breath caught in her throat.

For a moment, like a fool, she had imagined that the kiss had been a genuine show of affection, but then she realized he had kissed her because the congregation expected it. Recovering herself, she played her part and smiled up at him before taking his arm to leave the church. She found Lord Chantry far kinder than Percival, as he matched his pace to hers while they slowly walked back down the aisle and into the autumn sunlight.

Vincent was smiling. He had noted Miriam's surprised reaction to his kiss and was looking forward to finding the next opportunity to repeat the experience.

Once outside the church Miriam was surrounded by people she knew and liked, all local families wishing her well. She was eventually drawn away by the countess, who said that it was time they got into the carriages to return to Blackwood Hall for the wedding breakfast.

Rose petals rained down on Miriam and Vincent as they made their way to the waiting carriages. The first carriage was for them; it was an open carriage so the crowd of people could see them and wave them on their way. By the time they were ready to climb into the carriage, Miriam's legs were aching so badly she was not sure if she could manage the step. She was aware that she was leaning quite heavily on Lord Chantry, but he did not appear to have noticed, or if he did he did not show it.

Vincent
had
noticed, however, and to Miriam's surprise, instead of giving her his hand to help her ascend as she expected, he put his hands around her waist, picked her up and lifted her into the carriage. She was not heavy and he enjoyed the feel of her—his wife—in his arms. He jumped up nimbly behind her and guided her safely onto the seat before seating himself next to her.

Miriam was grateful for this kindness but felt suddenly shy and did not know how to express her gratitude, so sat quietly. The onlookers, however, appeared to enjoy this display and clapped and whooped their approval.

“I think people will expect us to wave and return their greetings as we leave,” Vincent gently prompted, and for the crowd's benefit—and his own pleasure—he planted a sound kiss on Miriam's cheek.

Flustered and blushing, Miriam breathlessly answered, “Yes…yes. I am sorry, my lord, I am so tired I was not thinking.” Removing her hand from the kissed cheek she joined him in waving and smiling at the people lining the road to shout their congratulations. Vincent produced a bag of coins, which he threw to the well-wishers.

“You really must practice calling me by my first name now that we are married,” Vincent gently chided her. Miriam did not really hear this as she was still pondering the kisses; how soft his lips had felt and how she hoped he would kiss her again.

When they arrived at Blackwood Hall, Vincent handed Miriam out of the carriage in a more conventional fashion. The countess had a wonderful wedding breakfast prepared for the small gathering of close friends and family who had returned to the Hall. Miriam and Vincent did not linger following the meal, as Vincent hoped to manage the journey to Maudley Castle in two days.

Lucy became quite tearful as the time came for her friend to leave. “I will miss you, Miriam. Please take good care of yourself and write to me often,” she said between sobs.

“I will miss you, too,” Miriam told her, and her own eyes were now full of unshed tears.

“Will it be possible for Lucy to come and visit me in Yorkshire?” Miriam asked of both Vincent and the countess. “I will not know anyone and I would so look forward to it if she could come,”

“I think that would be a splendid idea,” Vincent responded. “I will have to return to London to reopen my house before Christmas, and it would be good for you to have some company.”

“I would love to come!” Lucy exclaimed. She turned to Robert. “Will you be in Yorkshire?”

Robert smiled as he gave Lucy the answer she wanted to hear. “If I know you will be there, I most certainly will make the journey home. My mother is always lamenting my absence and I am sure she will be pleased to see me.”

“I would be pleased to see you, also,” replied Lucy, who blushed prettily as she realized how forward she was being. The countess looked at her daughter and raised an eyebrow, causing Miriam to smile.