Chapter Twenty-One
The Aftermath of Lord Richard’s Announcement
While Richard slept peacefully through the early morning hours, Fiona had paced since dawn in her elegant bedroom. At eight o’clock, she pulled the bell and asked the housemaid for breakfast in her room. She planned to avoid everyone as long as possible, especially her fiancé.
Betty appeared an hour later to change her, full of excitement and good wishes.
“Oh, Miss Fiona, it’s like a fairytale, isn’t it?” she exclaimed, helping Fiona into a morning gown of rose-pink challis, edged in delicate cream lace.
Fiona inspected her appearance, turning right and left in the large standing mirror. She had no desire to cross Richard’s path without more time to think on her options, but perversely wanted to look her best should that occur.
“Yes, Betty. I suppose everyone knows.”
“Yes, miss.” She threaded matching ribbons through Fiona’s long hair, finishing with a loose chignon at the nape of her neck.
“Are you sure you’re feeling all right, miss?” She picked up the tray of untouched food.
“I’m just tired from all the excitement last night. Are Valentina and Lady Amelia still abed, Betty?”
“No, miss. Miss Valentina took Octavia to the library and Lady Amelia is in the morning room.”
“I have some letters to write before I come downstairs.”
Hopefully, Richard had offered his family a reasonable explanation for their unexpected engagement.
That would only be fair, as the whole debacle was his fault.
After much thought, she had concluded there was little recourse but to wed him.
She sat down at the delicate desk to write a letter to her solicitor in Dublin, informing Mr. O’Cleary of the coming marriage.
A marriage of convenience. She couldn’t bear it if he dallied with women like Mrs. Davenport.
Fiona supposed if she demanded he keep his vows, then it was only right that she performed her wifely duties.
Her cheeks flamed. If they were anything like her experience last night, or in the library, it wouldn’t be much of a hardship, she thought wickedly.
What would Richard look like naked? Just the idea put butterflies in her stomach.
With a groan, she rose and smoothed her skirts into place. Enough of hiding. It was time to face her future mother-in-law.
Lady Amelia was still in the pale-yellow morning room, absorbed in writing.
She glanced up, putting aside her papers with an uncertain smile.
“Good morning, my dear. Forgive me, but I’m rather at a loss for words—the announcement last night took me quite by surprise.
Nevertheless, I’m thrilled to welcome you as my daughter-in-law. ”
“Thank you, Lady Amelia.” Fiona stood twisting her hands, a nervous habit that lingered from childhood.
Lady Amelia led her to the pale-lemon settee by the window, patting the seat beside her.
“You are glad to be engaged, aren’t you?
Richard didn’t go into details regarding the circumstances of your engagement, but he did not…
persuade you to rush into marriage? My son can be somewhat relentless once decided on a course of action. ”
She could not distress her with the truth. “No, he did not coerce me. I’m sorry you didn’t know sooner. I do hope you aren’t too disappointed in his choice.”
Lady Amelia reached up and brushed back a dark curl that had come loose at Fiona’s temple.
“Oh, no. Never think that, my dear. It’s just that I had no expectations of Richard marrying anytime soon.
Since his days at university, he’s shouldered the responsibility for our family and never expressed an interest in finding a wife. I began to despair he ever would.”
“Can you tell me a bit more about him, Lady Amelia? He is such a private person.”
A whiff of lilac drifted through the air as she drew a Dresden lace handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes.
“You are aware his father died in a riding accident. After Cambridge, Richard immediately returned to Merrick—our affairs had fallen into terrible disorder by then—and took charge of everything. At such a young age, too. I’m sure it was disappointing to put aside his plans to travel and to pore over the books and finances instead.
Then, those dreadful headaches began…am I prattling on? ”
Fiona wondered if she was just another responsibility added to his list.
“I must confess when you arrived, I was concerned you and Valentina might compete for suitors, but I have grown very fond of you, Fiona. Your laughter and music are good for Richard. Indeed, for all of us.”
“I promise I shall do my best to make him happy, Lady Amelia.”
Lady Amelia covered her hand. “I know you will. Richard mentioned how tired you were last night. Dear girl, you played sublimely. Was it difficult to perform in front of everyone?”
“I was happy to see Richard,” she admitted.
“His presence put me at ease. Then after the first few minutes, the music took over and I forgot my nerves. The hardest part of the evening was facing everyone when he announced our betrothal.” Fiona studied their clasped hands.
“Was Mrs. Davenport in attendance? I do not recall seeing her there.”
Lady Amelia flashed a sympathetic look. “No, she wasn’t. Have you worries in that direction? I assure you, whatever was between them is past. I do not pretend Richard is a saint, but his affaires have always been discreet and with partners mature enough to play that game.”
“You mean he has had more than one?” she choked.
“My dear, no one wants an inexperienced man as a husband.”
“Were you happy in your marriage, Lady Amelia?
“The answer to that is complex.” She raised a hand to play with the pearl necklace at her throat. On her middle finger gleamed a cluster of sparkling sapphires.
She noticed Fiona’s gaze. “This is my betrothal ring, given to me by the eighth earl. Lovely, isn’t it?
My marriage to Creighton was arranged, but he was so handsome and dashing, I loved him immediately.
Richard looks very like his father, but their temperaments couldn’t have been more different.
Creighton was an avid sportsman and spent the majority of his time at Seldon, our country estate, hunting or racing with his friends.
Richard loved music and books and preferred spending time at home. It frustrated his father.”
A shadow passed over her face. It was clear she had suffered disappointment in her marriage.
“I soon realized Creighton was a gambler; he lost large sums at Brooks’s or White’s whenever he came to town.
That, coupled with bad management of the estates, left us quite at odds.
On the brink of ruin, you might say. Then he passed away…
shortly before Octavia’s birth.” She paused, lost in her memories.
“The riding accident.”
“Yes…quite unexpected. My Creighton always took chances. He had to be the fastest rider, jump the highest fence, cry out first at every hunt, but he was a superb horseman.”
“How dreadful that must have been. But Richard returned home to help.”
“Yes. My husband had hired a manager for the estates and left him completely to his own devices.
He turned out to be a very wicked man, and everything was in terrible disarray.
Richard returned to Merrick, fired the overseer, and set about putting things to right here, and also at Seldon and our other properties.
“I fear those obligations weighed heavily on him. He was always a bit reserved, but then he was forced into adulthood, perhaps too soon. Richard became very focused and driven to excel. He developed a formality to his manner that was not there as a child. But enough talk of the past. Let’s deal with the delightful prospect of your marriage.
I’m sorry you have no family to attend. Are there any friends in Dublin you wish to invite? ”
“No. I had acquaintances at the conservatory, but they have scattered now. I was always too occupied with my music to have much to do with Dublin society.”
“Were there people you felt close to in Barbados?”
Fiona shook her head. “My tutor retired when I returned to Ireland, and our housekeeper moved on when the plantation was sold after Carlisle Merrick’s death. Athair was sailing back to Ireland with the proceeds from that sale when he disappeared.”
Her eyes grew misty. “I think I would know if he were dead; I would feel it somehow. It’s hard just to accept he is gone.”
“It is difficult not to have closure, Fiona, but you have become part of our family, and we all love you very much.”
“Lady Amelia, I know nothing about planning a wedding and less about running a household. I fear Richard will be sorely disappointed in his choice of a bride.”
“Oh, bother. One can always acquire the skills of a hostess. The key is to depend on the right people. Mrs. Talbot is indispensable to me, and so is her husband, who tends the gardens and keeps everything in good repair. I could never run Merrick House by myself.”
“I would never attempt to change anything at Merrick House. It’s perfect.”
“That’s nice to hear, for I do love this house. Richard may want to establish himself at Seldon for part of the year. It’s an impressive estate. But I hope you will both reside at Merrick House.”
The idea of starting their marriage alone in a strange house was unsettling. She would prefer to stay at Merrick House, at least for a while.
“As for the wedding,” Lady Amelia continued, “I am most happy to direct all the arrangements, with your preferences in mind, of course. Richard suggested just close friends and our important social connections in attendance.”
“Oh, yes. I agree.” A huge wedding would be too intimidating to endure. She wondered if he knew she would feel that way.
“But we must have a betrothal ball,” Lady Amelia said firmly. “We’ll make it a grand affair, the event of the London Season to make up for your private wedding.”
Her heart sank. “Lady Amelia, please…a ball like that is completely unnecessary. I’m such a strange choice for an earl’s bride that everyone will stare and wonder why he is marrying me.”
“I fear you must become accustomed to such attention. The ton loves a good mystery even more than a romance, and you’ve given them both.
Something else will come along soon to distract them.
I’ve told Hansen no callers today, as we have so much to plan.
Perhaps this afternoon we will visit Madame Brigitte’s and choose the fabric for your wedding dress.
And a gown for the betrothal ball. Richard has made arrangements for your trousseau, and she will need to know where to start. ”
“Lady Amelia, I will not have Richard buy my clothing. There must be a limit to his generosity.”
“There is no need for such dramatics, Fiona. I think you underestimate the cost of a talent like Madame Brigitte’s.
It’s the custom for a husband to provide for his wife, is it not?
A trousseau is a wedding gift. Richard knows you will need to uphold a certain standard as the new Countess of Seldon, and he expects to assist.” Lady Amelia patted Fiona’s hand.
“I know how independent you are, but I’m here to advise and guide you in whatever way I can.
What are your thoughts on the wedding? Have you a preference for the flowers? ”
As if carried on a tidal wave, she could do nothing but be swept along in the preparations. By noon, there was still no sign of Valentina and Octavia, and Lady Amelia suggested they might have gone to Valentina’s favorite hotel for luncheon. Fiona seized the opportunity to practice.
She chose to work on Haydn’s piano sonata in D major, which was always challenging. During a particularly difficult passage, the doors opened and Richard entered. Her heart skipped a beat, and the tempo fluctuated as he approached.
“Mother says you weren’t at breakfast. Are you not feeling well?”
“I wasn’t well enough to be the first to explain last night’s madness to your family.”
He chuckled, coming over to the piano.
She continued to play, moving smoothly into the largo. “What on earth do you find so amusing, my lord?”
“I thought you might leave that task to me.” Smiling, he sat and stretched his long legs. “And I need not ask about your reaction to the trousseau. Naturally, you have refused to accept one. Isn’t it nice to understand each other so well?”
She couldn’t resist laughing. “Then why do you do these things when you know I shall object?”
Richard didn’t answer, but casually regarded his Hessian boots, which were polished to gleaming ebony.
She stole a glance at him; the long-tailed dark-blue coat he wore was cut to perfection, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He had forgone his favorite buckskin breeches for the snug pantaloons quickly becoming the rage.
This particular pair, in light gray, molded to his thigh and calf in a manner she tried hard to ignore.
The Haydn piece built to the second movement, andante con moto, and he closed his eyes, leaning back against the headrest of the chair.
“Mmm…the melody on this one is quite intricate, is it not?”
“You didn’t answer my question, Richard.”
“Perhaps I like teasing you, Fiona. But I hoped you’d understand it’s a matter of honor, even pride, to take exceptional care of one’s family when you’re blessed with my privileges.
No woman under my protection, whether it be my wife or ward, shall want for anything I can provide.
If I’m not mistaken, the girls are home.
Meet us in the drawing room after you’ve finished.
Meanwhile, I shall attempt to rein in Octavia. She’s anxious to see you.”
She reached the recapitulation of the presto, and her hands moved over the keys to the sonata’s original theme.
His blue-gray gaze flickered to her fingers, then her face. He stood close. Her playing wavered as he bent and lifted her chin, brushing her lips with a gentle thumb. Blue-gray eyes met green, and hers dropped first at the intensity of his gaze. Her fingers paused on the keys.
When he finally spoke, his voice was deep and very masculine. “One day I shall enjoy the luxury of listening to you play in private, just for me.”
She wondered at the heat those simple words produced.