Jilted in January (7 page)

“There are a thousand things that might have detained him in London, ma’am.” Rose placidly ate her breakfast. “I wouldn’t worry about him for a day or so.” In truth, she wasn’t missing him at all.

“Hmmph! I suppose he
is
old enough to take care of himself.”

“And a dashing soldier to boot,” Rose added. “He hasn’t been on these shores for quite a while, so he must have many calls to make.”

“Indeed.” Great-Aunt Maude finished her coffee. “I wonder if he’ll bring Lieutenant Woodford back with him?”

“I do hope not. I’ve seen quite enough of him to last me a lifetime.”

Her aunt cackled with laughter. “At least he came to apologize, my dear.”

“He came to reclaim his betrothal ring. That is all.”

Rose pushed back her chair. She was no longer surprised that the thought of Henry’s betrayal meant little to her. Her sister had always said she lacked sensibility. Over the years Henry’s image had faded and the tone of his infrequent letters to her had smacked of duty rather than of affection. Somehow the man of her imagination had turned out to have feet of clay. She was guiltily relieved that she hadn’t married him at seventeen and found that out with no ability to escape him. Or would she even have noticed if he had strayed? Unless she’d chosen to follow the drum, she might have ended up at Beckworth anyway but with a husband who was in love with another woman. Thanks to Mr. Ford’s quick thinking, her present circumstances were remarkably better than that.

“Do you wish to sit in the back parlor, ma’am? The light would be perfect if you intend to continue your embroidering.” She paused at the sound of approaching voices. “I believe my errant brother has returned.”

Before her aunt could frame a reply, David appeared in the doorway, his cloak splattered with mud and his cheeks reddened from the cold.

“Ah, Rose! I have someone I wish you to meet.” He stepped back to allow an older man to progress into the breakfast room. Something about the almost familiar cast of the man’s face made Rose’s stomach flip over.

“Great-Aunt Maude, may I present the Earl of Schull? He is Mr. Ford’s father and was more than willing to accompany me to Beckworth to see his son being wed.”

“My lady.” The earl bowed. He had a faint Irish accent. “It is a pleasure.”

Great-Aunt Maude beamed at him. “A pleasure
indeed,
my lord. Welcome to Beckworth. How fortunate that you were in Town at this joyous moment.”

“Thank you for the welcome, my lady.” The earl smiled and turned to Rose. “And this, I assume, is Miss Leyton? My son’s intended?”

Rose could only nod and curtsey as he took her hand and brought it gallantly to his lips. “My son is a very lucky man.”

She licked her dry lips and glanced over at David. “I… was not aware that the marriage was
imminent
. Surely we need to have the banns read, and—”

“Not if you have obtained a special license.” David patted his pocket. “Which I did on your behalf, my dear sister.”

“Is that quite legal?” Rose croaked.

“It will suffice.” David rubbed his hands together. “Now. I’ve sent for Mr. Beebumbler at the vicarage, and if he is agreeable I’m sure we can get this matter settled before dinner!” He smiled at them all. “Isn’t this wonderful?”

Rose sat down abruptly in the nearest chair as David took the earl to meet the butler who would show him to a guest room for the night. She’d been outmaneuvered by a master. Her only chance was to warn Mr. Ford so that he could run away. How many women were jilted twice in one month?

“Are you all right, Rose, my dear?”

Great-Aunt Maude’s voice seemed to come from a long way off.

“Don’t you want to change your dress? I suspect the vicar will be here soon. I’m sure you have something far finer than that muslin to wear, and if not, we’ll raid the duchess’s wardrobe and find you something pretty. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all. Rose?”

She finally managed to stand up, one hand gripped on the back of the chair for support. “I… need to speak to Mr. Ford.”

“It’s unlucky for a bridegroom to see his bride before the wedding. I’m sure David will be speaking to him very shortly.”

“But—” Rose gulped.

Great-Aunt Maude grasped her elbow rather firmly. “Come along, my dear. Let’s go upstairs and make sure you look your best.”

Colin handed the reins of his horse to the waiting groom and headed out of the stables, whistling as he walked. It was a cold but clear January day, typical for this time of year when little was growing in the fallow fields and all the animals were kept inside for the winter. It was almost impossible to believe that spring would eventually arrive and change everything for the better.

He desperately hoped that the estate would have a good year under his care. He wanted the new duke to confirm his appointment as land agent, and bringing in a good harvest and healthy profits from the local markets would surely improve his chances of success. The song died on his lips as Lieutenant Leyton beckoned to him from the kitchen door of the main house. He reluctantly turned his footsteps in the other man’s direction.

“Good morning, Lieutenant.”

“Mr. Ford. May I speak with you?”

“Of course. Does this have something to do with marriage settlements or the like? I confess I will have to consult my father’s solicitors as to the exact nature of my portion and other pecuniary matters. It may take some time.”

The lieutenant’s smile was far too smug for Colin’s liking.

“I believe we can settle those matters later. What I need you to do now is prepare yourself for the wedding.”

Colin stiffened. “I beg your pardon?”

“I took the liberty of procuring a special marriage license for you when I was in London. Mr. Beebumbler is awaiting you in the chapel.”

“Hold on a moment—what on earth gave you the right to do this?”

Lieutenant Leyton shrugged. “I don’t wish my sister to be stuck in another long engagement. From what I understand, there are no immediate reasons why you should not get married today.” He paused, the hint of a threat hanging in the air. “Are there?”

Colin stood his ground. “Why are you so determined to push this matter through —a matter of great importance to both your sister and myself?”

The lieutenant raised an eyebrow. “Do you not
wish
to be employed here?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“If you refuse to marry my sister today, I will make damn sure that Great-Aunt Maude has you dismissed with no reference or good character.”

“You can’t do that. I am employed by—”

“You are employed by
my family
. I will take my case to the duchess herself in London to ensure you never work at this estate again.”

“Why are you so desperate to see your sister married off? Is it because you fear the duke will sue your friend for breach of promise?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“It will be if I marry your sister.” Colin advanced a step closer, his hands fisted at his side. “Do you fear the financial consequences of such an action for your friend or for yourself?”

Lieutenant Leyton smiled. “My, you are a sharp one, aren’t you? I suppose there is no harm in you knowing the truth—seeing as we are going to be related. I owe Henry money. He has agreed to forgive my debts if I can extricate him from this unfortunate betrothal.”

“So you will sacrifice your sister for your own selfish gain?”

“If I must.”

Colin stared hard at the other man as the coldest of rages shook through him. For the first time in his life he wanted to hurt someone very badly

Instead he put all the contempt he felt into his words. “You don’t deserve a sister such as Miss Leyton.”

Lieutenant Leyton shrugged. “If you don’t choose to marry her, I’ll still terminate your employment, and I’ll force her to marry Mr. Potter.”

“She will never voluntarily marry that man.”

“She will—eventually.” Lieutenant Leyton took out his pocket watch and studied it. “So, what’s it to be, Ford? Marry my sister or lose it all?”

For a few seconds all Colin could do was breathe and exist. His shoulders slumped.

“But I haven’t even informed my family.”

“Then I’m sure you will be delighted to hear that when I called upon your father he gave his blessing to the marriage and insisted on accompanying me back to Beckworth to support you.”

“He did?” Colin just about prevented his jaw from dropping. “My father is
here
?”

“Yes, so get a move on, old chap, and get your best rig on.” Lieutenant Leyton slapped him on the back. “I’ll meet you in the chapel in a quarter of an hour.”

“And Miss Leyton?”

“She will be there, don’t fret.”

Colin was left standing on the doorstep, his thoughts in chaos as his whole ordered world collapsed around him. He could run… turn back to the stables and be away before anyone realized. But could he do that to Miss Leyton? A woman who had already been discarded through no fault of her own? She deserved so much better. But the thought of her being forced to marry Mr. Potter wasn’t an image he wished to dwell on either.

He wished that he could just
talk
to her…

He doubted anyone would allow that to happen, including his father, who had obviously decided that an alliance with the Duke of Beckworth’s family—however tenuous—was well worth the sacrifice of his fifth and unwanted son.

Everyone and everything was conspiring against them. If they wished to break free, he would lose his job and reputation, and Miss Leyton would be confirmed to a life of spinsterhood—or worse.

He took several deep slow breaths, squared his shoulders, and went slowly up the stairs to his bedchamber.

“You look beautiful, my dear.”

Rose managed to smile at Mrs. Pemberley, who was helping arrange her skirts as they waited at the rear of the family chapel. The duchess’s closet had provided an ice blue satin dress with a double flounce of Brussels lace at the hem and a low-cut bodice, which Great-Aunt Maude had deemed respectable enough for a woman about to be married.

Mrs. Pemberley had come to help Rose and had dressed her hair in a series of curls that were most unlike her usual smooth braids. She felt quite odd, which was perfectly fine, seeing as she appeared to be living in some kind of fairy tale anyway.

Would Mr. Ford be waiting for her at the front of the church? Part of her hoped he’d escaped. The rest of her breathlessly wished he’d decided to stay, which was terribly selfish of her.

“Good Lord, Rose, you look very nice! Never thought you had it in you!”

She turned to find David in his full regimental uniform staring at her in some surprise.

“Thank you.” She curtsied, suddenly aware of how tight her stays were and how shallow her breathing.

He offered his arm to her. “Ready?”

“If you are sure this is necessary.”

He raised his eyebrows and patted her gloved hand. “Don’t worry, sis. I made sure this one couldn’t get away. If he isn’t waiting at the altar, I’ll chase him down and shoot him.”

“Wonderful,” Rose said faintly as Mrs. Pemberley opened the door into the chapel and slipped inside. Within moments, she and David were heading down the aisle toward the three men who awaited her. A hysterical desire to laugh blossomed in her bosom as she saw that Henry had been pressed into service as Mr. Ford’s best man.

The only other people present were Great-Aunt Maude, the Earl of Schull, and various members of the Beckworth household, including the upper servants.

The local vicar, Mr. Beebumbler, smiled as she approached, but she only had eyes for Mr. Ford. He looked rather pale, but his blue gaze met hers with a steady determination that gave her some much-needed courage.

Ignoring both the vicar and her brother, Mr. Ford leaned toward her and whispered. “Are you all right?”

“If you are.”

He smiled into her eyes. “Unless you want to take my hand and run away together into a life of ruin and disgrace?”

She shook her head. He didn’t deserve that.

“Then mayhap we’d better proceed.”

David loudly cleared his throat and eased Rose away from Mr. Ford. “Shall we get on with it then, Vicar?”