Chapter 16 #2
He raced from the hall, uncertain as to whether she was in distress or greatly excited.
He raced into the adjacent room and found her in a library, standing beside the terrace doors.
Two walls were lined with shelves and filled with books.
A very old, faded Oriental rug was on the floor, a single simple desk in the midst of the room, an elegant carved chair behind it.
One wall had a door which opened onto a slate terrace, a gazebo in the distance beyond.
A fireplace with a beautifully carved wood mantel was on the other wall.
Amanda whirled, facing him, her eyes wide. “Look at this room!” she cried, and he saw her eyes shining with unshed tears.
He hurried to her. “Dar…” he began. Realizing he had almost called her darling, he began anew, in consternation now. “Amanda, have no fear. This house will not do. I was misled, as was my agent. We will find you another estate, one in far better condition.”
“But you didn’t see the rose garden!” she cried, pointing out of the glass door. “Cliff, look!”
He stared past her and saw an overgrown and neglected garden, one filled with rose bushes, many of which were in bloom.
“Cliff!” she begged, seizing his hands. “I don’t want another estate…I want Ashford Hall! I love it!”
AMANDA WAS ONLY VAGUELY aware of Cliff behind her as she went up the stairs, which were covered with a torn and worn red runner.
She did not see the holes or tears, she saw the red wool, her favorite color, the wool terribly expensive and fine.
She saw the beautifully carved banister, the wood so smooth beneath her hand from a century of use.
Her heart had been racing uncontrollably for the past hour, ever since she had arrived at the hall, and she felt faint.
The manor was so beautiful! It was the most beautiful home she could imagine.
Her favorite part was the library and the rose garden outside.
She prayed Cliff would approve.
She paused on the threshold of the first bedchamber, where a bed with thick ebony posters, beautifully carved, was made up in dusky gold covers and pillows.
Darker gold draperies fluttered at the single window, and a single chair in faded bronze brocade was in the corner.
Amanda bit her lip, instantly in love with the room, hoping it would be hers.
Cliff walked past her, over a rug so faded it was nondescript beige, and he pushed a velvet drape aside. Dust billowed. A piece of the drapery came apart in his hand.
Amanda knew he hated the house. She hurried to his side and peered out at the back lawns, terribly overgrown but lush and green, and at the charming gazebo, which had probably been white once upon a time and now matched the rug under her feet. “There’s a pond,” she cried in delight.
Cliff sighed. “Yes, there is, and I have little doubt it is but muck and scum.”
She faced him defensively. “It can be filled with fresh water—and fish!”
His face softened. “Of course it can. Amanda, do you really prefer this estate?”
“Yes, I do,” she cried.
He studied her. “Don’t you think it wise to view a few other choices?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Cliff, you said it was a good price. And there are three farms. I love it here. It’s so quiet, so peaceful…so English.” She thought of the rose garden again, and couldn’t help it, she thought of her mother.
The hurt roiled and she told herself, don’t. She wasn’t going to let Dulcea Belford ruin this wonderful moment. She was becoming a lady now and this was exactly the kind of home she envisioned for herself.
She stared down at the blooming roses, some pink, some white, others red and yellow. She could not wait to take a chair and go outside to sit there and read a new book.
Cliff touched her arm. “We can sit together before supper and make a list of necessary repairs and the furnishings we will need to buy.”
Amanda jerked, her gaze flying to his, and when he smiled at her warmly, she felt herself melt. “Does this mean you will purchase the estate for my dowry?”
“If you still insist, after our discussion, then, yes, I will.”
She threw her arms around him and hugged him hard.
Instantly, she was acutely aware of his hard male body.
Being in his arms still felt dangerous and worse, it still felt so right.
She would never forget the waltz they had shared, either.
She had replayed it a hundred times in her mind since the other day.
I love you so much, she thought, and had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from saying the words aloud. Instead, overcome with emotion, she looked him in the eye. “Cliff, how will I ever repay you?”
He pulled away so that she did not continue to grasp his arms. “The only repayment I wish, is for you to be happy,” he said, appearing uncomfortable.
“I am happy. You have taken me into your home, your family has been kind and welcoming, and I was even a success in society. And now, dear Lord, there is this house.” She beamed. “A home of my own.”
But she felt her smile fade. Yes, Ashford Hall would be hers if she insisted—Cliff had made that clear—but she was going to have to marry one day, probably sooner rather than later.
She didn’t have to think about it to know that she would miss Cliff terribly after she was wed.
But she would have this house—a home of her own.
And eventually, there would be wonderful children.
She wanted a son just like Alexi and a daughter just like Ariella.
And whenever Cliff was in London, she would call on him.
London was only a half day’s coach ride away.
Cliff slowly walked away from her, appearing as if he had something he wished to say.
When he did not speak, she went to the bed and sat down on it, just to test the mattress.
It was far too soft and would have to be replaced, she realized, but her dismay had more to do with her marriage than the mattress.
Then she looked up and saw him staring, his blue eyes bright.
Instantly, she felt his virile interest and she was fiercely glad that that had not changed between them. At least she had his friendship and his desire, even if he wouldn’t act on it.
“I want to ask you something,” he said quietly.
Amanda realized he was uncomfortable, but not because he was grappling with his wayward male nature. “You can ask me anything,” she said, bemused. She slipped off of the bed, turning to reshape the pillow she had leaned on.
“Amanda.”
His tone was so serious and so odd. She faced him, some concern beginning. “What is it?”
He forced a smile, then it vanished. “Do you wish to see Garret MacLachlan again?”
She was surprised by the subject. “Of course I do,” she said, bewildered. “He is very gallant, and like you, he is kind.” She thought about his call. She had genuinely enjoyed his company, even if she had felt as if she were somehow betraying Cliff. “And he is handsome,” she added.
Cliff was flushing. “I denied him the right to call on you, Amanda,” he said tersely, “but he is an eligible bachelor. He is also the son of an earl—the eldest son. He has no real means, but his character is upright and he has that title.”
Amanda became afraid. “What are you asking me?” She hugged herself. “Are you thinking of choosing him as a husband?” Panic began. She couldn’t marry yet—it was far too soon!
“He hasn’t stated that his intentions are matrimonial ones,” Cliff said, his face set in a grimace. “But I suspect he is very taken with you, and his intentions might become such.”
She realized she was trembling. Garret MacLachlan was so like Cliff, but he wasn’t Cliff! “I don’t even know him,” she managed, her knees useless now.
Cliff crossed the room and caught her, supporting her weight.
“I am trying to be honorable,” he ground out.
“The man is a Scot, with a title, and he could take care of you. You would have to live very modestly, but you would be safe for the rest of your life. A man like that would always take care of his wife.”
She clasped her flaming cheeks. “Scotland is far away, isn’t it?”
“It is far away, yes, and MacLachlan lives in the west. By ship, however, I believe you could reach his estate in days.”
Amanda began shaking her head. “I don’t want to live in Scotland,” she whispered. “I want to live here, close to London.” And close to Harmon House, she thought, close to Cliff.
Relief appeared in his eyes. “It is a barbarian, backward land,” he said. “You are certain?”
“I have never been more sure of anything!” she cried.
He put his arm around her and she leaned against his body, overcome with relief. “Good,” he said, sounding as relieved. “It is settled, then.”
Amanda closed her eyes, her cheek resting against the very fine blue wool of his jacket. She was breathless from the fear she had been afflicted with, but now, she became aware of being pressed completely against Cliff’s hard, powerful body and that he had one arm around her. Slowly, she looked up.
He stared down, his blue eyes far too bright. For one instant, she knew he was going to bend over her and kiss her. He shifted his weight, his eyes flamed and he leaned closer.
But she was wrong.
He released her instead and walked out of the room.
AMANDA HAD BEEN GIVEN the gold bedroom after all.
Michelle had found six servants and they had transformed the manor, cleaning every speck of dirt, waxing the furniture, mopping and polishing the floors.
The difference was miraculous, making her love Ashford Hall even more.
While they had taken their supper at the village inn, they had returned to the Hall to pass the night.
Everyone had retired an hour or so ago and the house was now achingly silent.