Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (28 page)

After a moment of silence, Sabrina spoke.
“Let me see if I understand. My uncle told you the money went for
my education, clothing, and seasons. That was his justification for
raising rents and not increasing wages?”

“Yes,” Mr. Harden and Mrs. McGregor answered
in unison.

“I suppose it is possible that a pampered
young lady such as yourself would have been sheltered from the
realities of life. After all, you had important matters on your
mind such as which dress to wear to which ball.” Clearly Mary had
no respect for Sabrina.

Slowly Sabrina turned toward her husband.
“Marius, I have never in my life hated anyone but that is the only
emotion I can feel for Uncle James. Ramsey and I didn’t suffer from
his greed and deceitfulness, but these people have.”

Marius wanted to argue that he believed she
had suffered, but refrained. Perhaps in comparison to the citizens
of this town she hadn’t.

“Oh Marius, how could I have been so
ignorant all these years?”

“You were trusting of a family member,
Sabrina. But, the guilt is not yours and you should explain the
truth to these people.”

Sabrina shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.
He is my uncle and I should have questioned him about the situation
instead of accepting everything he told me.”

Marius was beginning to worry about his
wife. It was if she had lost all life sitting numbly in the chair,
pale as a ghost, blaming herself. Well, Sabrina was not to blame
and he would make sure everyone understood it. “Since my wife won’t
tell you the truth, I will.”

Mary eyed him skeptically and the solicitor
seemed nervous. Slowly and clearly, Marius presented an abridged
version of Sabrina’s life since the death of her father.

The two stood in stunned silence. Finally,
Mary turned to Sabrina her attitude now one of horrified. “You were
a servant?”

Sabrina dismissed the notion. “It wasn’t
difficult. Much easier than your life I’m sure. At least I had
wages, meals, a roof over my head, and a small sense of security.
My uncle stripped much of that from you.”

“I am so sorry for misjudging you, Lady
Sabrina. Can you forgive me?” Tears filled Mrs. McGregor’s eyes
again.

Sabrina smiled weakly. “You aren’t the
first, or the last to be misled by my uncle.”

“I promise to let everyone know the
truth.”

Sabrina stiffened, looking to Marius for
guidance. He searched her face, it was her decision. The answer was
in her eyes. It wasn’t time yet.

“I would appreciate it is our presence was
not announced.”

“But why? We could all use some hope now,”
Mary insisted.

“Chesterfield had my wife’s father killed.
He has since attempted to kill her when our house was set on fire.
We are hiding until we can decide how best to deal with him,”
Marius quickly explained.

Mary had sunk into a chair by the window
while Mr. Harden stared at him, mouth hanging open.

“So you understand. Lady Sabrina and I want
to keep our presence a secret until we have a plan to finally gain
the necessary proof against Lord Chesterfield.” Turning to Sabrina
he bestowed a loving smile. “For now however, my wife and I would
like nothing better than a few days to ourselves. These past day
have been tiring and we have no idea what we will find at the
house. But, I assure you that in a few days I will address the
issue of the rents.” This statement reminded him that he had one
more question. “By the way Mr. Harden, when the tenants can’t meet
the rent, where do the funds come from?”

Mr. Harden sighed heavily. “Before I tell
you, I want you to understand that if I am terminated it was the
only choice I had.”

“Go on, Mr. Harden. I’m sure your reasons
were for the best.”

“The profits. I changed the books and only
took enough for the rents. Never anything for myself, I assure you
sir.”

Marius had already guessed that is what the
man had done and almost positive he would have done the same in
similar circumstances. “May I see those books?”

Reluctantly, Mr. Harden handed them over
which Marius reviewed quickly. Even with the high rents skimmed
off, Lord Chesterfield was becoming extremely rich. “I understand
why you took this action and I hope in the future the same is not
necessary.” Closing the book he placed it on top of the other. “I
would like to take these with me to review so I can decide the best
way to proceed. In the meantime, return the rent to those whom you
trust to keep our secret. Only those you completely trust and take
the rent money from the profits. It galls me to send that man
anything but the rents are due and I am not ready to alert him to
my presence.”

“Then I am still employed, Mr. Parker?” The
solicitor asked as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Yes, Mr. Harden. However, in the future if
anyone runs into any type of difficulty I would like it brought to
my attention. I assure you nobody will be burned out of their home.
Lord knows I know how that feels.

After a few more apologies from Mary and
assurances that their secret was safe, Sabrina and Marius finally
left the solicitors office. Together they walked through the small
town, observing the business, most of which were closed. It seemed
only those who dealt with the basic necessities remained open,
though Marius doubted they were profitable. It was decided they
would purchase a horse and wagon or carriage to take them to their
home. The walk wasn’t overly far but Marius had anticipated that
they would be needing a number of supplies for the long vacant
house.

While he went to the stables, Sabrina went
in the opposite direction, to the modiste at the end of the
street.

*

The bell tinkled over the door as she
entered the small, but bright shop. No one was in the front but
voices could be heard whispering beyond the closed curtain.
Approaching the counter, which held a small selection of gloves,
she called out. “Hello?” directing her voice toward the curtain.
The whispers immediately stopped and she could hear soft footsteps
approaching.

A younger woman entered and took in
Sabrina’s appearance. “May I help you?”

After Mary’s earlier reaction, Sabrina
didn’t give her name and proceeded with the reason she came here.
“Yes, I need some dresses, undergarments, everything. You see, my
home was recently destroyed and the only clothing I own I have now
worn for three days.”

The woman began to smile. “I am sure I have
a few things you can take now. The rest can be made up and
delivered later.”

Sabrina sighed gratefully. Though the dress
she wore wasn’t a poor fit, she longed to be in something new and
clean. “You have no idea how grateful I am to hear that.”

The young woman nodded her head. “Why don’t
you come into the back and we will get your measurements.”

Happily, Sabrina followed her only to find
Mary sitting by a well-lit window sewing. Quickly the woman stood.
“Lady Sabrina.”

“Hello again, Mary. Is this where you
work?”

“Yes. Bridget was kind enough to offer me a
position mending. There isn’t much demand for new dresses but the
bachelors still need a woman to mend their clothing until it is too
worn to mend any longer.”

At the other woman’s instructions, Sabrina
stripped off the offensive gown and stood on the stool to be
measured while engaging Mary in conversation. She learned that her
son was only three and that Mary’s sister took care of him while
she worked. The babe she carried was to arrive in only two months.
Sabrina was warming to Mary but the woman was still uncomfortable,
which Sabrina attributed to her embarrassment from what had
occurred in the solicitor’s office. Sabrina had put it behind her.
How could she blame the young woman, or anyone else for that
matter, for hating her after her uncle’s lies?

The seamstress remained quiet throughout the
measuring and left only to return with some dresses. Sabrina knew
immediately the woman misunderstood what she needed. The gowns were
lovely and made of fine satin and silk. The colors were those of
ruby, emerald, and blue. They were also impractical for her current
needs. Openly she admired the dresses before addressing the
seamstress. “They are very lovely indeed. Unfortunately, they are
not what I need at the moment.”

“You are Lady Sabrina, no?”

“Yes, but I need more serviceable gowns. I
doubt I’ll be doing any entertaining and I suspect much work will
need to be done. I could probably use a few aprons as well.”

“I don’t understand, you can hire others to
do the work.” The seamstress added.

“I have no doubt that my husband and I will
be hiring help shortly. For now though, the cleaning falls to me.
Besides, I enjoy cleaning and hate to be idle.”

The woman left with the gowns to retrieve
more practical items.

“How long ago did you marry Mr. Parker?”
Mary inquired, clearly becoming more comfortable with Sabrina.

“Last week.”

“Oh.” Mary smiled. “That explains why your
husband wants to be alone for a few days.”

Sabrina caught her meaning and blushed.

“Escaping fires and traveling on public
coaches isn’t how most prefer to spend the first days of
marriage.”

Sabrina’s blush deepened. “No. It
isn’t.”

Thank goodness the seamstress returned just
then with half a dozen cotton muslin dresses suitable for working.
“Those are perfect. Do you have the other necessities?”

“Of course, Lady Sabrina. Can I assume you
wish your undergarments to be durable as well.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Sabrina pretended to study the dresses while
Mary watched her curiously. In a few moments the seamstress
returned with everything Sabrina would need.

“Once everything is straightened out, I hope
to have reason to come back for the first dresses you showed
me.”

The woman returned her smile. “Is there
anything else you require?”

Sabrina thought for a moment. “No. I believe
this is everything.”

Mary stood to come stand by them. “What of
night gowns?”

“Oh my, yes. Of course. I have been sleeping
in my chemise.”

Mary looked at her oddly again before
addressing her employer. “Why don’t you show her the non-durable
gowns.” Turning back to Sabrina. “You won’t be working all the time
and should have some nice things.”

Bridget returned shortly with some night
rails. Remembering what Marius had purchased previously, Sabrina
studied these with embarrassing interest. They were far from
modest. There were two she chose before she came to the last.
Gasping, she held the garment out to examine it. Never had she seen
such beautiful handiwork and Sabrina just had to have the item. The
seamstress smiled brightly. “You are a woman of exquisite taste.”
Taking the items Sabrina had selected, she began wrapping them in
paper. “I learn much from my customers based on what they purchase.
It will be easier to design for you in the future, Lady
Sabrina.”

Sabrina simply smiled, waiting for the
purchases to be tabulated. Tonight she would wear the beautiful
night dress. She had no doubt that Marius was ready to proceed onto
their next step. Even though he was up before her in the morning
and hadn’t come to bed until after she slept after the first couple
of nights, she knew he wanted intimacy. Just last night he had
begun kissing her, then caressing. Sabrina thought last night she
would finally learn the truth. But no. Marius had pulled away
groaning. He didn’t want their first time together to be in a
coaching inn and muttered something about having to wait until they
had a home and their own bed. He then promptly sent her off to bed
while he sipped wine by the fire.

Since they had left London he had remained
close to her, constantly touching her, and an arm about her
shoulders while they were crammed into the coach. Sabrina herself
was longing to be closer, physically. His touch made her want him
to touch her more and she couldn’t explain it to herself. She
became anxious to discover exactly what a man and woman experienced
together in the most intimate of ways. The voice of the seamstress
intruded on Sabrina’s thoughts. Surely she had heard incorrectly.
“Pardon me?”

The seamstress named the price of Sabrina’s
purchases again.

She could only stare at the woman. A mistake
must have been made.

“Is the price too high, Lady Sabrina?” The
seamstress asked, becoming worried.

Slowly she shook her head. “No. I expected
to pay much more. Are you sure a mistake wasn’t made?”

The seamstress smiled gently. “No mistake,
Madame. I’m afraid you are used to prices in London. Here we don’t
need to spend near as much to clothe ourselves.”

Sabrina withdrew the funds she had hidden
away and paid the seamstress, very pleased at what she perceived as
a bargain.

Leaving the shop, she strolled the street
toward the stables. Her mind was filled with the gown. Would she
have the nerve to wear it? Part of her longed to expose herself in
such a way. Her more insecure part was scared to death and wanted
to wait for Marius to make the request first.

Marius had spent the time gathering the
items he thought they would need to live and eat alone for the next
few days. A number of supplies were purchased, not knowing the
condition of the house, along with additional clothing for himself.
Never in his life had he longed for a bath as he did now.
Unfortunately, it was still hours away. Who knew what they would
find. He shrugged as he put the last of the materials in the back
of the wagon. It really didn’t matter what they found. As long as
there was a bed and he was finally alone with Sabrina to truly
begin their marriage.

The drive was short and extremely quiet.
When Marius asked about Sabrina’s purchases she vaguely answered.
“A few dresses and such.”