His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) (11 page)

Her voice faded and her tears overtook her. Stephen pulled her into his arms and held her, shushing her fears, absorbing every shudder that wracked her slight body. His heart broke for her. For what she had witnessed, for what she’d imagined had taken place.

For what he’d awakened when he’d yelled at her in the library at Bridgethorpe Manor.

His eyes burned. His gut roiled. He would never forgive himself.

Jane and her mother sat in the small, private sitting room at the inn while Stephen and Sir Perry were again at the mill. Jane wasn’t certain what she had expected of the mill but was pleased to see the children had been clean and didn’t appear to be starved. It still galled her that they began working at such a young age.

Mama set down her book. “Carr’s Mill is rather unexpected, don’t you think? I had imagined something much darker, dirtier. Mr. Carr seems to truly care for his workers.”

“I imagine so. Still, the workers toil so many hours and have nothing to show for it.”

Shaking her head, Mama smiled. “You should have been born a male. You have always wished to change the world.”

“Have I? I felt content with my lot.” Jane freshened the tea in their cups. “I knew I was expected to marry and raise a family and was quite happy to do so.”

“Was? Is that no longer your wish?”

“It is my desire still. Yet, it seems the closer the time comes, the more uncertain I am. My lot in life seems so pointless.”

“How so? Becoming a wife and mother is a privilege. And I don’t mean we are to be grateful that some gentleman looks upon us and deems us suitable. Being born into a family wealthy enough to assure you will marry well, be able to afford a few servants to clean and cook for you…you are one of the lucky ones. You will not become a spinster, nor will you need to find work.”

Jane sighed. “I am thankful for all of that. Perhaps what I need is to marry a rich man. Then I might be free to do charitable deeds.”

“Charity is not simply handing out money to the less fortunate. You are in a position to help in many ways.”

“If we lived closer to those mills, I might tutor the children.”

“Are you planning to accept Stephen’s offer, then? Perhaps you could buy a second house near the mill.”

Straightening in her seat, Jane’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean that. I wish to get to know him better before I decide.”

“How much better can you know him without marrying the man? I still believe he is as he appears, a kind, gentle and considerate man.”

“Perhaps he is.” Jane set her tea cup down with a sigh. “But I cannot let go of that last bit of uncertainty, and until I do, I cannot accept him as my husband.”

Chapter Eleven

Two weeks after returning from Sowerby, Stephen was once again traveling, this time to Newmarket. He made the journey alone in his curricle with his groom following on Sir Bedivere, since David had already gone to Fernleigh Stables to work with the Bridgethorpe horses. The Spring Meeting would be held in just a few weeks, opening the season for the Jockey Club.

While David supervised his grooms mounted on their thoroughbreds, Stephen planned to improve his skill at the reins of the curricle. He was not yet confident enough to accept any challenges, and their corresponding bets, and he was fairly certain he’d be challenged often once he arrived in London for the Season. He was a Lumley, after all, and the family name was quite prominent in racing circles.

He actually was counting on those challenges to recoup the cost of his investment. Not that he couldn’t afford the expense—he would never put up money he couldn’t afford to lose. Just as he’d never bet money he needed for another purpose, or count on winnings for his necessities.

The win itself was the point of the race. The money he gained from bets simply made winning taste that much richer.

After turning over his curricle and team to one of Fernleigh’s grooms, Stephen sought out his cousin. As he expected, David was in the paddocks timing one of his horses.

“How does he look for the race?”

“Triton will win it. Don’t waste your money betting on any other horse.” David clapped him on the back in greeting.

“I’d never bet against a horse from Fernleigh. Unless I had one of my own in the race.”

“Do you plan to enter Bedivere?”

Stephen watched the long-legged bay eat up the field with his easy gait. “No. I’m going on to London from here and will want to ride him while I am there.”

David shrugged. “It’s your call. He might have a few good races left in him.”

“He hasn’t been training over the winter. I’d more likely do him an injury than win a race.”

“When does Jane arrive in Town?”

Folding his arms across his chest, Stephen said, “I don’t know. I didn’t inquire.”

“How will you call on her? Will she send word when she arrives?”

“I doubt it. I don’t intend to call on her, nor do I think she wishes me to do so.”

David turned to face him. “Hannah said you two were getting on better. Didn’t her family travel to Sowerby with you?”

“They did. And I had a conversation with Jane that convinced me not to renew my offer for her hand.”

“I am sorry to hear this. Although there was a moment after the night of your return when I hoped you would fail, I was certain you would gain her affections. What keeps her from considering you? Surely not that foolish proposal.”

“No. At least not directly. But I don’t have her permission to share her concerns, so forgive me if I remain vague.”

David rubbed a hand over his hair. “I understand. So you will enter the Marriage Market with the rest of the poor saps?”

“I will. And I am not pleased at the prospect. I do not plan to drag the decision out over more than one Season.” He glanced at his cousin. “You wouldn’t be able to make any recommendations, would you?”

Holding his hands up, David stepped back. “I am not about to become involved in any decision as important as that. Ask me about horse flesh and I’ll be quite forthcoming. But you are on your own when choosing a wife.”

Stephen had to laugh at how pale David appeared. “But you will be there, won’t you, with Hannah?”

“Don’t remind me. Knightwick has taken on some of Father’s responsibilities with the Bridgethorpe estates, so I will be on hand when he can’t be.”

“Well then, if we happen to be at the same assembly one evening, perhaps you might see fit to make some introductions.”

David grimaced. “I’d forgotten you haven’t met the important matrons. If you can wait until after the Spring Meeting, I can spend a few days in London. We’ll make some calls and see that you are invited to a few of the early assemblies.”

“I am grateful, cousin. A few of the men in my regiment will be in Town, and I will call on them also. Perhaps they have sisters in need of a husband.”

They grew quiet as Triton passed in front of them. Stephen wished he could spend the Season traveling to the races and put off any decision-making for another year. But the losses he’d seen in the past year had made perfectly clear how brief one’s life could be.

For the next week, Stephen put his team through their paces on the tracks at Fernleigh. His confidence at the reins was growing. He might not be a winning driver yet, but he could maneuver his way through the crowds in Hyde Park without tossing a young lady off the seat. After putting away his team, he went into the cottage to clean up. He reached the first landing on the staircase before David caught him.

“There you are, Stephen. Sir Perry arrived about an hour ago and is waiting for you in the study.”

“Sir Perry? How odd. Did he say why he’d come?”

“No. He’s in Newmarket for the race, but he didn’t state what business he has with you. As he’s such an old family friend, I didn’t press the matter.”

“Of course not. I’ll go to him as soon as I wash off the horse sweat.”

“Not that he’d be offended by the smell of horses, but I understand your wish to appear at your best. I’ll have Thackery let him know he can expect you shortly.”

Stephen found Sir Perry gazing out the window that overlooked the stables. “Sir Perry. I was surprised to hear you’d stopped by. Is something amiss? Are Lady Marwick and Miss Marwick well?”

“They are both well, and arriving in London on the morrow. That is the purpose of my call.”

“Is there some matter I may assist you with?” Stephen stopped a few feet from the man.

“Yes. You’ll go speak with my daughter and put a stop to all this nonsense once and for all.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Sir Perry waved his meaty hands, something he only did when flustered, a state Stephen rarely had seen him in. “You will go to Jane and convince her it’s time the two of you marry.”

Stephen raised a hand to comb his fingers through his hair and caught himself before he could tangle with the eye patch ribbon. “She made it perfectly clear she wished nothing of the sort. I’m reasonably certain the matter is closed.”

“You’re a man, open it again. The girl doesn’t know what is good for her. You are good for her.”

“She no longer agrees. She asked for secrecy, but as it involves your family you probably are aware of the situation. It seems Lady Marwick’s brother by marriage does not tolerate liquor well.”

“Who, Bailey? The bloody bastard can’t control his temper even before he begins to drink. But what has that to do with you and Jane?”

“When I spoke to her while in my cups, memories of this uncle became fresh in her mind. Miss Marwick fears I’m cut from the same cloth. Perhaps she feels all men who drink are.”

Sir Perry stroked his chin, his heavy brows drawn together. “Unless you struck her, which I know you would have told me by now, there is no comparison between you two men. You must let her see she is mistaken.”

“I never raised a hand toward her. And I never would. I have apologized to her…I haven’t even touched a drop of brandy since that night. I thought she was coming round, and then the bit about the mills came up.”

“The mills?”

“Yes. She was upset that my income, or a good portion of it, comes from mills that employ children.”

Shaking his head, Sir Perry paced to the desk and back. “This is all her nerves. There is no other possible reason she would continue to find excuse after excuse not to marry you.”

“Or perhaps she doesn’t wish to marry me. I can see no other reason to find fault with one thing after another. I appreciate your concern, Sir Perry, but I believe the matter is settled. Miss Marwick will marry someone other than me.”

“Settled! Nonsense. But you will settle it. Go to her in London. Tell her you are the best man for the job and you will take no other answer than that she marries you.”

Stephen shrugged. He didn’t wish to seem indecisive, but he had brooked all Jane’s arguments and had no more to say in his defense. In truth, he didn’t wish to marry a woman who didn’t want him. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but neither Jane nor I deserve to end up in a marriage that is forced upon her. My wish for her has always been her happiness. I will not insist she marry me.”

“There is my point, young man. You want what’s best for my daughter. I feel in my heart that is you. Maybe I’m going about it the wrong way. All I know is there is no light in her eye when she speaks of the balls and assemblies this Season. Not like in the past. It’s as though she has to force herself to go.”

The older man turned to face Stephen, his eyes holding both sorrow and frustration. “I want my daughter to be happy again. The way she was when she was waiting for you to come home.”

Knowing there was nothing he could do to return her to that joyous state, as it would mean undoing things that he couldn’t change, Stephen nodded. “I will go to London and speak with her. But the decision of whom she will marry must be hers.”

Sir Perry held out his hand. “Agreed. I imagine that is all we can do.”

After the baronet left, Stephen began to pack. David came to his bedchamber and asked about Sir Perry’s visit.

Stepping aside to let a footman help, Stephen explained. “He feels Jane and I belong together, in spite of what Jane wishes. I promised I would speak to her one more time, but Sir Perry will have to abide by whatever decision she makes.”