Chapter 15
At supper that evening, Anne’s mind whirled in stunned silence. She stared into her syllabub. What in heaven’s name had she agreed to? Madness! It was the only explanation.
She’d officially lost her mind.
After Cassie and Ellie wholeheartedly accepted Anne into their family, Colin had led them all back inside to inform the rest of the household.
All had offered their felicitations, none more enthusiastically than Miranda and Mr. Grey.
Honoria had embraced her and whispered, “Now we shall truly be sisters.”
No one raised questions as to the rapid nature of their betrothal, and she, Colin, and Andrew all remained silent on the matter. Alice simply offered that one does not count the time when it comes to matters of the heart.
Charlotte, however, continued to side-eye her the entire time at supper, and the hair on the back of Anne’s neck itched in cautionary warning. Anne suspected everyone was well aware of what had precipitated her unexpected betrothal.
As they finished their supper, Honoria said, “Why don’t you request a special license, Colin? You could be married here in a week or less. Just think, Anne, all our friends are already present. What could be more perfect?”
The spoonful of syllabub Anne had managed to get into her mouth lodged in her throat. A week! She forced it down. “What about my mother?”
“I can send for Mother as well as Arthur and Lavinia,” Andrew said as if it were no problem at all.
At Colin’s quizzical gaze, Anne explained. “Arthur is our brother, and Lavinia is his wife.”
Burwood chuckled. “I remember having a conversation with your mother about all those A names. It will be good to see her again. She’s a charming woman, Colin. You will like her.”
Rude though it was, Anne ignored him. “But a week! Why must we rush? What about a gown?”
“It would be my honor to make your wedding gown, my dear,” Mrs. Merrick said. “If you recall, I’m a fair seamstress.”
“More than fair, Mother. You are exceptional,” Burwood said.
Outnumbered, Anne turned to her future husband for support. “Do you wish to marry so quickly?”
Colin darted a glance around to the expectant faces at the table. “All things considered, it would be best. Although it’s doubtful any news will appear in the scandal sheets, if we marry, it will nip any reports in the bud.”
“But won’t people still wonder? I mean, you and I have just met.”
“That’s simple,” Andrew offered. “We can say I suggested the match to Lord Manning with the idea that you two could become acquainted at the house party to see if the match had merit. Then, when you both got on famously, it was settled.”
Was everyone against her? “Juliana? Bea?” Anne cringed at the neediness in her voice.
Juliana shrugged. “Lord Manning has a point. Trust me, you want to stay out of those gossip rags if you can.”
Bea pushed her spectacles up her nose. “It seems a most logical solution to me. Consider that an arranged marriage might counter any suggestion that impropriety had precipitated it.”
True, Bea had a brilliant mind, but Anne failed to see what she deemed logical.
Thank goodness for the Duchess of Ashton, who interpreted. “I believe what Bea is saying, Anne, is that, with an arranged marriage, once you and Lord Manning agreed, there would be no need to wait. And given the . . . circumstances, it would be prudent to expedite the union.”
“Circumstances?” Anne frowned until realization hit her. “You mean my age and Lord Manning’s need for an heir.”
The duchess sent her an apologetic look. “Do forgive me, but yes.”
Charlotte, who had been unusually quiet during the discourse, threw her serviette on the plate. “Oh, stop being a ninnyhammer. Just marry the man and be done with it.”
Even Mr. Beckham’s eyes widened at his wife’s outburst. “Dumpling, that is most unlike you.”
Really? Anne thought it was exactly like Charlotte to be blunt.
Fortunately, the conversation turned to other topics, and when the ladies left to gather in the parlor, Anne excused herself, saying it had been an eventful day, and she wanted to retire early.
She’d barely changed into her nightgown when someone knocked on her door, the forceful rap, rap, rap enough to make her expect Colin or Andrew outside in the hallway.
“I’m coming. I’m coming.” She flung open the door and took a step back.
Charlotte strode in, big as you please. “Well, close the door. What I have to say is private.”
“I beg your pardon?” Anne sputtered while closing the door. “If you’re here to lecture me some more—”
“Sit down and listen.” Charlotte pointed to the chair by the dressing table.
Unsure why she obeyed, Anne dropped into the chair with a plunk.
Charlotte paced before her, her dark brows drawn low over her equally dark eyes.
Fear trickled up Anne’s spine. Charlotte was a formidable woman on the best of days, but when her ire was up, God help the person on the receiving end.
“What I’m about to tell you might be of use.”
Anne’s mouth fell open at the mere idea Charlotte wished to help her.
Before she could utter a word, Charlotte held up a quelling hand. “But you must promise me you will never repeat it to a living soul.” At that, she stopped directly before Anne and delivered a glare that froze Anne to her seat, and she could only nod.
“And trust me, Anne. I shall know if you do divest yourself of this to anyone, and the consequences will be dire.”
Goodness, what in the world was she going to say? Perhaps speculating about haunted mansions or evil-intentioned suitors had filled her mind with dark possibilities. Anne’s throat tightened, and her words came out in a squeak. “Did you kill someone?”
With a roll of eyes Charlotte had honed to perfection, she said, “Don’t be a silly goose. And if I had, how would that be of use to you?”
Anne shrugged. “Some tips when Lord Grumpy-Trousers annoys me too much?”
Charlotte stared blank-faced. Then her lips spread in a slow smile. “Lord Manning annoys you?”
“Well, yes. At times. At least at first, but recently—”
“I don’t need the history of what’s happened. But I suspected there was some animosity between the two of you.” She paused dramatically. “Which will make what I’m about to say all the more useful.”
Anne clamped her mouth shut and waited.
“As you may have noticed, Simon and I did not agree when we first met.”
Anne gave a little snort of laughter. “Anyone with eyes could see that.”
Charlotte ignored her. “Everyone at supper was too polite to discuss it, but it’s clear something happened where Lord Manning compromised you and, like the gentleman he is, he has offered for you.”
Spine stiff, Anne sat taller in her seat, which, given her small stature, didn’t do much good.
Especially considering Charlotte was taller than the average woman.
“Are you suggesting Lord Manning wouldn’t offer for me if he didn’t have to?
” Leave it to Charlotte to take something Anne was trying desperately to envision as a romantic gesture and shine the harsh light of reality on the situation.
Because that’s exactly why the grump had proposed.
“I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling you that men don’t offer for a woman they’ve just met unless they have to, and given that you’ve admitted you and Lord Manning have been at odds, it’s perfectly clear.
However, that’s not my point. And if you would quit interrupting, I will tell you what my point is. ”
Anne made a motion at her lips as if turning a key, which threw her mind back to the locked closet and Colin.
“As I said, Simon and I were at odds, no doubt similar to you and Lord Manning. When that horrible gossip rag, The Muckraker, made it clear to everyone in town and beyond that we were caught in an embarrassing situation, neither Simon nor I wanted to marry each other, but we agreed to a truce. First impressions, made in haste, were dispelled when we spent more time together. Mainly on Simon’s part, as I’ve always been an excellent judge of character. ”
Anne snorted another laugh and received a censorious glare from Charlotte.
“In fact—pay attention, Anne, this is the important part. I find marriage most enjoyable, and I believe that instead of our differences keeping us apart, they’ve balanced us out and drawn us together.
I don’t simply tolerate Simon; I love him.
And if you repeat that to anyone, I will deny it with my last breath.
Give Lord Manning a chance. His reputation as a man who refuses to fail at anything means he will move heaven and earth to please you. ”
Anne blinked when Charlotte moved toward the door. Was that all?
With her hand on the knob, Charlotte turned, a wicked smile sending a warning to Anne. “And remember. Tell no one what I said about my marriage to Simon.”
When the door clicked shut, Anne could only stare. Charlotte’s words turned over in her mind as she tried to make sense of them.
I love him.
If Charlotte Talbot Beckham could find love and happiness in marriage, anything was possible.
Even loving Lord Grump.
Colin understood the wisdom of securing a special license and marrying Anne as soon as possible, but it wasn’t the only reason he’d supported Honoria’s suggestion.
He wanted Anne in his bed, in his life. Years of solitude, even when Margery still lived, forced him to quell his passions and numb himself to life. But that kiss—those kisses—had reawakened the sleeping beast.
The first thing the next morning, he wrote to the archbishop requesting permission to marry immediately with the ceremony taking place at Hartridge House.
Then he dashed off another letter to his parents, informing them of his betrothal and requesting their presence should they be able to proceed with the wedding plans.
His father’s poor health over the last year had not only kept his parents from attending the house party, but it had further shone a light on why Colin needed to remarry and produce an heir. Regardless, they would absolutely wish to be in attendance at his wedding.