Chapter 10
I t was at that moment Eddie realized he had made a critical and unforgivable mistake. “You look fetching. I think that gown is my favorite of yours.”
Joanna’s cheeks flushed red, and though she managed to reply, she stumbled over her words. “You said blue is my best color.”
“And I was entirely correct. You look lovely.”
Straightening, Joanna stared at him for a long moment before a hint of color entered her cheeks. Hands smoothing her skirts (or attempting it, as her skirts were still terribly twisted), she smiled. “You think so?”
“Most assuredly. More than just the color, that gown suits you. I like it.” And that was not a truth that required sugar-coating. Joanna often preferred flouncy confections with too many ruffles and lace, which didn’t suit her in the slightest, but this gown was simpler, favoring quality over frippery. It was elegant.
Joanna huffed a laugh and shook her head. “I fear most of our interactions have occurred when my aunt Patricia is staying with us in Town, and she prefers more eye-catching clothing.”
Eddie frowned. “You are a grown woman capable of choosing your gowns.”
“Yes, but it is a little thing that makes her happy, so I usually oblige when she is around. Poor Aunt Patricia had no daughters to dress up, and I am quite willing to be her doll if it makes her happy.” Grinning down at herself, she added, “But this is my traveling dress, which she never sees and had no hand in purchasing. Believe me when I say she tried her hardest to get me into one of her choosing, but she couldn’t deny the impracticality of wearing a frilly gown when we are going straight from the church to the train station.”
With that, Joanna settled into the squabs, a smile on her lips as though dressing herself as she wished was a great pleasure.
Not wanting to make it obvious just how little he knew about her, Eddie hazarded to ask something he was certain she hadn’t spoken of before. “So, your aunt only stays with you part of the year? During the Season, I am guessing.”
Joanna smiled as though to herself. “As my father doesn’t socialize much, it didn’t cross his mind that I might require a lady to guide me through society until I was nearly twenty. When he did, he asked my aunt to undertake my introduction as he was not up to the task and hadn’t the slightest notion of how to marry off a daughter.”
“It would be so much easier if we managed courting like we do the hiring of servants,” said Eddie, forcing a considering frown. “I’ve heard tell of matchmakers, though I’ve never seen any true efforts to establish them as a viable profession. We have registry offices that sift through viable candidates and assist one in selecting the proper housekeeper or footman; why not one for husbands and wives?”
Joanna’s expression brightened, her eyes sparkling with a laugh. “I do believe there are some prospective brides and grooms who advertise in newspapers.”
Eddie chuckled, though he squirmed in his seat as he wondered if she was merely continuing with the jest or teasing him about the unfortunate newspaper that had brought them together. “Ah, but that requires effort on one’s part. Better to hand it over to professionals, who make it their job to find the proper candidate.”
Laughing alongside him, Joanna shook her head. “I am certain my aunt would agree with you. Papa bribed her to assist me in finding a husband, and with three sons establishing themselves in professions and her husband too poor and unconnected to do much, Aunt Patricia was quite willing to take on the position of chaperone in exchange for educations and positions. But then, she didn’t anticipate it taking so very long to fulfill her side of the bargain.”
Eddie stared at her, though Joanna didn’t notice. They swayed with the carriage whilst he struggled for something to say. She spoke as though such goings-on were commonplace in families, but he couldn’t imagine any of his siblings approaching their relationships with a quid pro quo expectation.
For goodness’ sake, his aunt and uncle had willingly housed both their nephews when they’d come to London to study medicine. If Sadie had required a chaperone, Aunt Christiana would’ve done so eagerly and without expectations. Even his mother’s notorious brother, Uncle Isaac, wouldn’t have been so callous; granted, he wouldn’t have the means to do much, but that wouldn’t preclude him from trying.
Forcing a light air, he asked, “So, you are saying your family was desperate to foist you off on me? Had I known, I would’ve negotiated harder during the marriage settlements.”
Joanna’s brows rose as she glanced at him, and Eddie felt her uncertainty concerning his intention, so, curling his lips in extreme dissatisfaction, he added with a put-upon air, “To think your father offered his sister so much to play the chaperone for a few years, but I am to do so for the rest of my life for a pittance. How aggravating!”
Slowly, the lightness in Joanna’s eyes returned, her smile stretching once more. “Is that so?”
Eddie lifted his nose and scoffed as he filled his tone with so much mock offense that it couldn’t be mistaken for anything serious. “I have an education and a profession, so that would’ve done me no good. We can afford to let a house with my income, so I have no need for property. But just imagine what I could’ve gotten from the fellow if I had been more determined.”
“Such as?” she asked with a challenging raise of the brow.
“An elephant.”
Joanna laughed and shook her head at him, but Eddie gaped at her.
“Do not laugh at me, woman! I have wanted an elephant since I was a boy. I am certain your father could’ve procured one from a menagerie if I had pressed the issue.”
“And where would we keep this pet elephant?” she asked.
“In the elephant stables, of course,” he replied with a tone of disbelief as though even a fool ought to have known that. “I would’ve asked for a massive stable to keep the beast as well. And perhaps a few monkeys.”
Joanna mirrored his snooty expression and said in a prim tone, “Then you would finally have friends who match your intellect.”
Gasping like an actress in a melodrama, Eddie held a hand to his chest, but before he could think how to tease her further, he spied the grand entrance of the train station looming ahead of them, the massive Euston Arch reaching to the skies like a Grecian temple of old. In short order, they came to a stop in the carriage yard, and the grooms helped them out.
Leaving the servants to manage the luggage, Eddie offered his arm to Joanna and led her under the grand arch that served as the entry to the station. Though their wedding had been organized in haste, he’d procured tickets ahead of time, making it unnecessary for them to stop by the booking hall, and though Joanna was eagerly examining all the Grecian architecture and grand columns of the building, he guided her through to the platforms.
Sunshine filled the open yard as though fighting to make up for the days of rain that had preceded today. Steam billowed from the engine as soot-covered engineers scurried about the machinery, checking the gears. Though the weather was clear for now, Eddie didn’t envy the fellows overseeing its running or the unfortunate people in the third class, which was little more than open carts; rain was likely to descend before the day was out. Yet he supposed it was no different than so many who traveled on the top of stagecoaches (though with more soot and cinders).
With their tickets checked, they were directed toward their carriage, and Eddie was pleased to see it was empty. For now, at least, and he sent out a silent prayer that they would be granted this little blessing today.
Though the trains were fashioned after the horse-drawn carriages, there was a vast deal of difference between this and the conveyance they’d just exited. With space enough for six to sit comfortably, the interior felt far more open, and the seat was far more plush. And if they could avoid taking on other passengers in their carriage, it would be quite perfect, indeed. After so much anxiety and action during the past few days, he felt his strength ebbing, and he longed for a quiet few hours to himself.
Or rather, themselves , as Joanna would be there, too.
Helping her up the carriage steps, Eddie paid extra attention to her skirts, ensuring they weren’t twisted this time before settling her into the seat.
“So, husband of mine,” said Joanna with a faint smirk. “What other compensation would you have demanded to shoulder the irksome burden of being my lifelong chaperone?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Eddie considered that. “Boxed seats at the Royal Opera House.”
“You do not live in London,” she said, cocking her head to the side with a puzzled frown.
“Yes, but I would know that they are mine, nonetheless.”
Joanna gave that a considering hum. “In truth, that may be too little a price. I am quite vexing at times. You ought to have a title. If one knows the right people and has enough money, anyone can achieve a knighthood at the very least.”
Scoffing, Eddie sneered. “I wouldn’t settle for anything less than a barony.”
“Not a viscountcy or perhaps an earldom?” she asked, her expression pulled into a perfect similitude of seriousness, though her laughing eyes gave the jest away.
Giving that all due consideration, Eddie shook his head. “As I consider it now, a baronetcy would be preferable to a barony. It may not be as high-ranking as the aristocracy, but one achieves a title and prestige without the aggravation of the House of Lords. And in our isolated corner of Yorkshire, a baronet is as good as a duke.”
“I do rather like the sound of Lady Vaughn,” replied Joanna. “But would you prefer Dr. or Sir?”
With another scoff, Eddie shook his head. “My dear lady, why would I choose? I would be Sir Dr. Vaughn, of course.”
Joanna nodded. “Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. But it is a moot point now, Dr. Vaughn. Your opportunity to gouge my father is gone, and you are stuck without a title, boxed seats, or elephants.”
“Probably for the best,” said Eddie with a sigh. “I doubt an elephant would cope with Yorkshire winters.”
“Is it very cold?”
There was an edge of worry to her tone, and he reached for the hand that sat on the armrest between them, curling his own around it. Joanna’s gaze fell to their joined limbs, and then traveled up his arm to meet his eyes; there was such contentment in that single look, and Eddie’s heart lightened at the sight.
“Compared to some places, not very,” he hedged. “What is the coldest place you’ve visited?”
Joanna shook her head. “I’ve rarely stepped foot out of London. Other than a few trips to Richmond, of course.”
Eddie held back a grimace and made a note to speak to his mother and sister about getting Joanna to a seamstress to start on a proper winter wardrobe. “It is not as cold as it was in my youth, but there will be proper snow on the ground come winter. More than flurries that melt away in a few days.”
“Can we go skating?” she asked.
“If you wish.”
For all that they’d jested about grand things a moment ago, Joanna seemed utterly content at the thought of such a simple pastime, and Eddie promised himself to take her out as often as she wished when the rivers and lakes froze over.
Grinding noises rattled through the carriage, followed quickly by sharp blasts of the train’s whistle. Outside, the conductors and porters ushered onlookers back from the edge of the platform as the world began to shuffle past and the train inched forward. The carriage jerked back and forth, jolting forward with each pull from the engine, and though they were moving at a walking pace, Joanna perked up, her gaze swinging to the window.
With a quick tug of her ribbons, she pulled off her bonnet and tossed it on the seat opposite, and Eddie took advantage to deposit his hat and his gloves as well. No sense in remaining formally attired when there was no one about, and there were several hours of travel to come.
Nose fairly pressed against the glass, Joanna watched as they passed out of the train station and along the edge of town. Trees hung over the tracks, and a blast of steam from the chimney knocked several leaves loose, causing them to flutter in the train’s wake as the billowing white vapor dissipated into nothing.
Joanna’s hand squeezed his tight as they approached the edge of town and took to their top speed; the countryside sped by, and though the carriage continued to rock and jerk at times, Eddie couldn’t help but appreciate how much smoother it was than the bone-rattling bounce of a carriage.
Reaching for their hand luggage, he pulled out the luncheon basket Aunt Christiana had packed them. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished,” said Joanna, though she didn’t turn away from the scenery. “I was so anxious this morning that I couldn’t eat a bite.”
“Is that why you looked ready to flee when you arrived at the church?” teased Eddie.
But Joanna didn’t smile at that. With her free hand, she smoothed her skirts, her gaze falling to the swath of blue covering her knees, and Eddie guessed her poor mood had something to do with the only two people who would’ve been on hand before she arrived at the church.
“It is a good thing you didn’t,” he said in a light tone. “Else I would’ve had to chase you down and drag you there like some villain in a Gothic tale. It would’ve raised eyebrows.”
Ever so slightly, Joanna straightened as she peeked at him from the corner of her eye. “Is that so?”
Pulling back the linen covering the hamper, he nodded. “Would’ve been terribly embarrassing for me. People would be speculating for months about what I did to make you flee.”
Try as she might, the lady couldn’t fight her smile, and something inside Eddie preened once more at having lightened her spirits, despite the trying day she’d had. The more he learned about her family, the less he liked them.
“I doubt that greatly, Edward,” she said with a self-deprecating chuckle. Straightening, she turned her attention to him. “But I want you to tell me everything about your family. I am going to meet them tomorrow, and I am desperate to make a good impression.”
“There is no need to worry,” he said, though it was as close to a lie as anything he’d ever said. Not that Eddie anticipated his parents or siblings treating her cruelly—it wasn’t in their nature—but the suddenness of their marriage was bound to make them fret more than they usually did when it came to their middle child.
“I am not good at winning people over,” said Joanna with a frown.
“I feel I should tell you that I have traveled many times from London to Yorkshire, yet Aunt Christiana has never given me a basket of food to tide me over,” he said, handing her one of the napkins tucked into the side of the feast. “That is not for my benefit, so she must adore you.”
Joanna leveled an exasperated look at him, which made Eddie smile; the lady had far more fire in her than she was wont to display. “As I met her briefly at the wedding—after she had the hamper prepared—it has nothing to do with me.”
“Nonsense. The family will be glad that someone has agreed to take me on. No doubt they were all afraid I would be their responsibility for the rest of their days.” Turning his attention to the food, Eddie motioned toward it. “What would you like?”
Brows rising, Joanna grinned down at the sweets. “Are those Chelsea buns?”
The glee with which she spoke answered Eddie’s question readily enough, and he offered one to her, though it took some cajoling to get her to accept dessert before a proper luncheon. Before long, they tucked into their food whilst Eddie began to learn all he could about his wife.