The St Nicholas' Day Wager (4 page)

“Yes. I do not think my brother and sister-in-law are at all pleased.”

“No, but let us not talk of them. There was something I wanted to ask you.”

“Oh?” Her curiosity was piqued.

“Will you come to Chetfern Estate tomorrow to see my parents? I want to tell them the good news and let them meet you again now you are an adult. I can ask your brother to borrow his carriage or we could ride there. It shall only take an hour or so.”

“Riding will be better. Joseph may not be keen to lend his carriage to the man to whom he shall soon owe ten thousand pounds.”

“I shall not take the money from him,” he assured her. “Or if he insists, I shall insist on him paying in small instalments.”

“That is more than he deserves. Shall we depart straight after breakfast?”

“Yes.”

“I shall see you in the morning.” They had reached her door now.

“I look forward to it.” He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips, his hand coming up to touch her cheek with the birthmark. When he straightened, his hand lingered and Gabriella could feel her embarrassment rising. “My parents tell me that love grows between a man and a woman after they are married. Until I met you again, I was not convinced they were correct. But with you, I see it as a distinct probability.” Then he kissed her forehead, turned down the hall and strode away from her.

Chapter Six

Nick squinted at his bride-to-be, sitting proudly atop her snowy white mare, manoeuvring the beast with ease over the uneven ground. He was beginning to think travelling round by the road had been the less sensible option since the hard frozen ground had deep ruts which made it difficult for both horses to walk easily. As a result, they travelled in single file along the centre of the track, the horses walking more easily over the frosty grass that carriage wheels never touched.

She looked back and smiled, her position on the side-saddle making it much easier for her than it would be for him.

“Are you all right? We’re nearly there.”

“Yes, I know. I recognise this bit of road.”

A quarter of an hour later they were drawing their horses to a stop at the front of the blond sandstone mansion. The old abbey which had been the country home of most of Nick’s ancestors had been pulled down in the middle of the last century and this newer building had been erected in its place. It had only been completed in Nick’s grandfather’s time.

A groom came hurrying up to take the horses, and Nick slid quickly off his horse before placing his hands on Gabriella’s waist and lifting her off her mare. The groom hurried away but Nick did not remove his hands. He bent so Gabriella was forced to lift her head to meet his gaze from beneath her bonnet.

He scowled at the frivolous item of clothing that did nothing to keep the poor thing warm. How much lace and trimmings were on the damned thing and how much was needed? Did any of it make a woman look good? Yet somehow, on Gabriella, it all looked utterly feminine and adorable.

“Thank you for coming,” he said brusquely before pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.

“You are welcome. But I think you should let me go or even your servants will talk.”

“Let them. You shall be Lady Eastden soon—a viscountess—my viscountess.”

She smiled at him then—a shy smile that warmed his heart. Was she worried about the wedding night? Was it that aspect of marriage to him that had caused her cheeks to turn such a delightful shade of pink?

Suddenly the big oak door opened and the butler stood in the entryway.

“Rogers, nice to see you again.”

“My lord.” The butler bowed low then looked questioningly at Nick for some help as to how to address his guest. But as Roger’s glanced at the woman beside him, recognition lit his eyes and his hand moved upwards slightly as if he was moving it towards his face, then he remembered himself. “Lady Gabriella. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

Gabriella’s hand flew to her cheek and Nick glowered at the aging man.

“Please announce us to the earl and countess, Rogers,” Nick said, his tone more brusque than usual. He had been brought up to be polite to servants and to treat them well, but he was not happy with Rogers at this moment in time.

“Of course, your lordship. If I may take your outdoor clothing then I shall show you to the blue drawing room.”

Nick helped Gabriella out of her thick woollen pelisse and removed his own greatcoat. He gave the butler his gloves and hat, as did Gabriella before they followed the old man to the first floor main drawing room for accepting guests. Nick motioned to a chaise, on which she perched her pert bottom, her back ramrod straight and her hands clasped delicately in her lap. She was the perfect lady and suddenly Nick had a number of visions of her doing some very unladylike things in a very unladylike state of dishabille on that very chaise.

Nick sat beside her. As he was trying to think of a polite topic of conversation, his mother appeared in the doorway. She glanced at him then looked to their guest.

“Lady Gabriella, it is wonderful to see you again after all this time.” She came forward and clasped his betrothed’s hands. Gabriella’s features broke into a warm smile as she squeezed the countesses fingers then found herself enveloped in a hug. His mother then took her hands again.

“I am sorry, my dear. I am just so delighted to see you. I wanted so very much to come and check you were well when your parents passed, but I fear our quarrel had left deep wounds. I hope you can forgive the earl and me.”

“Of course. There is nothing to forgive. Please, my lady, think no more on it.”

The countess’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. But they were saved from any further uncomfortable discussion by the arrival of Nick’s father. What little hair the man had left came out in unruly silver tufts above his ears. His brown eyes, the mirror of Nick’s own eyes, glinted as he took in the scene.

“Gabriella, my dear, it is a delight to see you again. Time that blaggard of a son of mine did some fence mending between our families. How are you, boy? Still being a wastrel?”

“Well…” Nick started but stopped as his mother hurried over to the bell pull.

“We must have tea.”

Nick rolled his eyes. Tea could wait a few minutes, surely. But no. Five minutes later tea was served and Nick was more nervous than he had been since his days in Eton when he had not practiced his Greek noun declensions and would have to suffer the ensuing corporal punishment for his laziness.

“Mother, Father,” he started, taking Gabriella’s free hand in his. He noted the chinking of china as the hand holding her cup and saucer shook. “I would like to announce my engagement to Lady Gabriella. We are to be married on Christmas Eve.”

“Christmas Eve?” asked his mother, her expression a mixture of delight and concern. “What is the hurry? Oh Nick, you have not…”

“No, mother what do you take me for?”

“So Lady Gabriella is not… umm… increasing?” his father put in, rather indelicately. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gabriella’s eyes widen.

“Really, Father, if you were any other man, I would call you out for that remark.”

“Adam, that really was not well done of you,” Lady Chetfern remonstrated. “Gabriella, I do apologise for his lordship. He really can be a very rude man on occasions. I would put it down to age but he has always been like this. I fear it is poor breeding. But Nicholas, why the hurry?”

Nick blushed. He could not lie to his parents and now they would think him a cad.

“I want to marry at Christmas,” Gabriella blurted out. “It is so romantic. A time of new beginnings with the birth of our Lord and yet the dark nights will give us ample opportunity to get to know each other better.”

The earl’s jaw dropped before he lifted his hand and coughed to cover his bark of laughter. Nick noticed his mother pursing her lips to stop herself from looking amused at the unintentional suggestion from his innocent bride-to-be.

“Quite so,” Nick remarked, slightly disturbed by his parents’ behaviour. He would have expected this from some of his bawdy friends but not his mother.

“Yes, it is rather romantic. I must say, I never realised my son had developed a tendre for you, Gabriella, but I am glad that he has. And we will be delighted to have you as our daughter–in-law, shall we not, Adam?”

“Oh, of course,” muttered his father, seeming to have come to his senses. “Welcome to the family, my girl,” he added for good measure before turning his attention to his cake.

****

“I am so glad you agreed to stay for dinner and spend the night here, Gabriella, my dear,” trilled the countess as the ladies retired to the drawing room while the gentlemen made their way into the library for a brandy. “I asked my maid to leave a brand new chemise and a nightrail out on the bed for you. I’ve assigned Sally, one of the kitchen maids who has attended a few guests, to be your maid while you stay here. If you bring your own maid when you marry…”

“Oh one of our kitchen maids helps me dress. I do not have a lot of needs as my hair is simply pulled into a knot and my gowns tend to be relatively free of fuss and frills.”

“So I see. And what of your trousseau, Gabriella? Has Lady Thornwich offered to take you to London to be fitted for and to choose your trousseau?”

Gabriella swallowed hard. She had no love for Edna but it felt rather dishonourable to explain to Lady Chetfern exactly what her relationship with her sister-in-law was like and that Gabriella would rather dig her eyes out with a spoon than go shopping with the woman.

“I… We… have not yet discussed the matter,” she answered lamely. “The betrothal happened rather quickly and then today we came to visit you.”

“I see. The reason I ask is that… well, my mother-in-law-to-be was the one who took me shopping for my trousseau. My mother had died and I had no siblings, just an aging great aunt. Adam’s mother stepped into the breach, as it were. We actually had quite a jolly time as she was less embarrassed than my poor mother would have been. Given that you need to choose undergarments and night attire that will…well…that Nicholas will appreciate, it is sometimes easier with ladies to whom you are not so close. Do you think Lady Thornwich would mind awfully if I were to offer to take you to London for a couple of days? I do not have a daughter of my own and part of me would like to turn this into a tradition. Perhaps one day you could do it for your soon-to-be daughter-in-law.”

Gabriella could not help thinking that Edna would be delighted to pass this duty off to Lady Chetfern. In fact she doubted very much whether Edna would even think of a trousseau.

“I am sure Lady Thornwich would not mind in the least but I really do not need such frivolous items, my lady. My night attire and undergarments are serviceable.” Only Nick would know what dire circumstances her family was in. And he only knew because he had been nosy and butted in.

“Nothing frivolous about it. It shall be my wedding gift to you.”

“Oh no, Lady Chetfern. I could not possibly…”

The older woman put her hand on Gabriella’s and smiled. “I do not wish to be indelicate, my dear, but the gossip around town is that your brother treats you abominably and that he has wagered away the family fortune. And while his circumstances are none of my concern, yours are because they are Nicholas’s concern. I…I…” Lady Chetfern’s eyes filled with tears. “I never forgave myself for not trying harder to heal the rift between your mother and me after the cruel things that Nicholas said to you that day. An apology now is worthless, Gabriella, but perhaps you will allow me this. A chance to make it up to you. A beautiful young woman like you should have a beautiful gown on your wedding day. Please come to London with me and allow me to make amends.”

“My lady, there is no need.”

“But there is a need, Gabriella. I will not force you but I would be delighted if you would accept my offer. If you would prefer it, I can always set up the accounts in Nick’s name and he can pay for them, since he was the one who wronged you.” Her smile was mischievous and Gabriella felt her resolve melting. She could not help thinking that Lady Chetfern was manipulating her, but somehow she did not mind. She was being manipulated for the right reasons.

Gabriella nodded her consent and the countess clapped her hands together in glee.

Gabriella sighed with contentment. She needed some new chemises and nightrails. Her old ones were rather old and tatty now. Nick deserved a wife to have nice clean, cotton night attire that had not been hemmed so many times he could see her ankles. He would think her completely wanton.

****

“Father, I need you to have a word with Rogers.”

“Oh?” his father raised his eyebrow as he swirled his brandy in its glass and stretched his booted feet out in front of the fire. “Why?”

“When Gabriella and I arrived, he recognised her and called her by name.”

“It’s a butler’s duty to remember faces, Nick. That’s why he’s such a damned good butler and why much as I feel he should be pensioned off by now, I haven’t quite got round to it.”

“But Papa, he remembered her because of her birthmark and she was embarrassed.”

“Did he? Is that what he said? ‘Welcome Lady Gabriella, I would never have recognised you but for the strawberry birthmark on your cheek and nose?”

“No, but…well he looked like he was about to raise his hand. It was an unconscious gesture, I’m sure, but all the same it made Gabriella uncomfortable.”

“Nick, the girl has not changed an iota since she was twelve years old, apart from the obvious…er…rather delightful enhancements. Had she never had that damned mark, she would still have been recognisable to Rogers since her family was here every month since she was born. Stop trying to offload your guilt about what happened onto my butler.”

“I am not. I accept full responsibility for what happened, as did my backside at the time.”

“Believe me, son, you got off lightly. If not for your mother being soft on you, you would still be locked in the nursery eating gruel. You did a lot of damage with one cruel remark. If Gabriella’s father had wanted justice for his daughter, I could have been staring down the barrel of a pistol at dawn in Hyde Park. Then where would you and your mother have been, eh? Tell me that boy? Ostracised? America? Thank God Thornwich walked away. We could have lost a lot more than the friendship of their family that day, son.”

“I know.” He gulped his brandy. He was sure the only reason he had not remembered was because of the shame he felt. Now it was as clear as day.

His father rubbed his chin and studied him. Nick felt as though he was twelve again and felt absolutely wretched.

“I know that you know. Which is why I wonder at your reasons for marrying her. Why dredge up all these horrible memories? Do not misunderstand me. She is a lovely young woman—accomplished, pretty, clever, demure—but why her, and why now?”