Gypsy Legacy: The Earl, page 16
Amanda gasped. “Tainting my—"
"Very well,” Eliza interrupted. “You will, of course, receive an invitation. It is your choice whether you attend."
Eliza's voice was clipped and Amanda realized she was holding on to her composure with difficulty. It was unfortunate her aunt didn't.
Lady Althorpe sputtered. “You would choose her over your own family?” she asked Amanda in a shocked voice.
"Cassie is my sister, Aunt. If you cannot understand that, I see no reason to continue this discussion."
"And what of his lordship? Does he, or his family, not object to her presence?"
Amanda knew she shouldn't have laughed at her aunt, but she couldn't help it. “Of course not. Lady Thanet pronounced her a perfect angel and can't wait for Cassie to meet her own daughter."
"Hmmph. I should have known. What else should one expect from gypsies?"
Amanda stood abruptly and stared daggers down at her aunt. “This conversation is at an end. I will not continue to listen to you malign my betrothed's family. I am sorry you cannot see past your petty prejudices, but I am not sorry not to have either Sonya or Cynthia in my wedding.” She turned to go, but looked back at Eliza. “Please excuse me.” Then hurried from the room before Eliza answered.
As she reached the front hall, she realized she didn't know where she was headed. She hadn't thought about what she was doing when she left; she'd just needed to put some distance between herself and her aunt's hateful presence.
Barrons looked at her quizzically as she stood in the spacious foyer and she felt her cheeks warm under the butler's scrutiny.
Glancing down at her attire, she made a quick decision and hurried up the stairs.
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Chapter Eleven
Jon arrived at Thane House that same morning promptly at ten and was shown into the small green and yellow breakfast parlor where Tina sat, a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. Hiding his relief at not finding Felicia also in attendance, he took a seat beside his sister and let the footman pour him a cup of coffee before Tina directed the man to leave the pot, and the room.
He had spent most of the night going over in his head what he would say to his sister about choosing to marry Amanda. Short of declaring his undying love for her, he had come up blank. So it was with carefully concealed pleasure he realized she did not want to talk about his statuette at all.
"Since you have only recently returned from the Continent, would I be wrong to assume you are not planning to take Amanda back there on a honeymoon?"
"I hadn't thought that far ahead yet,” he admitted. “But the truth is I would prefer we spend the summer at the Abbey."
"I see."
Jon watched her pour herself a cup of tea. He studied her as she sipped the fragrant brew, careful to keep his expression neutral as she studied him in return.
"I thought I might make a suggestion of where to spend a short honeymoon before you repaired to the Abbey for the summer."
"You don't think I ought to just take Amanda to the Abbey? Hopefully the neighbors would not disturb us."
"I think the Abbey a wonderful place to spend the summer, or fall, or any other time of the year. But, Jon, it will be your home. At least for some period of time, the two of you ought to go somewhere alone where you can spend time with each other without the demands of responsibilities."
"And where would you suggest that be? You do have such an idyllic place in mind?"
She laughed. “Of course I do. I wouldn't have started the conversation if I didn't have someplace in mind."
"And are you going to tell me where?"
"You could just remove to the Dower House at Collingswood when you are ready to leave the ball. I do not think you want to stay in the house with all the guests, but you would not want to travel all the way to London at that time of night, either. Besides, you would not have any time together if you returned to London right away. The Dower House is perfect."
He should not have been surprised his ever-practical sister had taken on not only planning his wedding, but his honeymoon as well.
"It is not far from the main house,” she continued, “but far enough that we would not bother you. It can be separately staffed and has recently been completely aired and cleaned. There would be plenty of room for just the two of you. And those gossips who seem to make it a habit to pop up where they are not wanted would never find you."
Jon leaned back in his chair, staring past her at nothing in particular. She had a good point, he conceded. These past few weeks had been little more than a whirlwind courtship. Although he knew Amanda better now than he had before, a few weeks alone after their marriage was a very good idea.
They would be alone at the Abbey, but there they would be lord and lady and other things would command their attention. It would be better for them to get to know each other on neutral ground, so to speak.
Jon left Thane House in good spirits. In typical male fashion, he had not thought about anything past the wedding night. It occurred to him once that Amanda would like to travel, but having just returned to England he did not feel it prudent to leave again. Perhaps next summer they could take a trip to Paris. Or maybe he'd borrow Jay's yacht and take her to the Mediterranean. He had the feeling she'd love Italy and Greece.
Amanda caught her breath at her first sight of Collingswood. Set in a wooded valley bisected by a wide river, the area was lush and fertile. The woods consisted of trees of every kind, elm, oak, birch, beech and teemed with life. Birds flew overhead and the occasional small animal scampered across the perfectly manicured lawns and well-kept drive.
As the house came into view, she studied it. Built of golden cotswold stone, it stood three stories, plus attics, and was built in the Elizabethan style in the shape of the letter “E". The late afternoon sun reflected off rows of windows in ornately carved frames and she could see the pennant flying from the corner of one of the end sections below which, she would later learn, was the master suite. It looked warm, welcoming and inviting.
"It's a lovely little place, isn't it?” The dowager spoke to her.
Turning to look at Jon's grandmother, she agreed. “It's beautiful."
"Although I am partial to the Abbey myself."
"Then you must come to visit often,” she offered.
The dowager chortled. “I think I will content myself in the city for at least the next few months."
Amanda blushed, but managed to say in a calm voice, “Then perhaps for Christmas?"
"Perhaps,” was all the dowager would say as the coach came to a stop.
Jon was waiting as the door opened. Fitting his hands around her waist, he lifted her down, then turned to help out his grandmother and Letty.
Letty had been a pleasant surprise. It transpired that, after her discussion with Jon at the Mathesons', he suggested to his grandmother a companion might be a good idea and Letty would make an excellent one. His grandmother had, to his surprise, agreed. Letty had been sent for, interviewed, and hired within the day. In addition, after Aunt Barbara's ultimatum concerning Cassie's participation in the wedding, Amanda asked her to be her bridesmaid, to which Letty also agreed.
Catherine and Doyle were delighted. Catherine's husband even agreed to come for the wedding. Her cousin, Lord Hickham, sent his regrets along with a gift. Now, if Aunt Barbara would only ... No, she wouldn't think it. She wouldn't wish Aunt Barbara and her two cousins would just decide not to come, but she knew she did. It was highly unlikely to happen, so she kept those thoughts to herself. Aunt Barbara might not want her girls in the same wedding party as Cassie, but she would not invite speculation by not appearing at all. Those same girls would eventually have to make their own debuts and memories were long among the gossips.
As Jon escorted the ladies into the front hall, Tina hurried to meet them. While she greeted her grandmother, Jon took the opportunity to invite Amanda to go riding with him as soon as she had a chance to change.
Shown by the housekeeper to a pretty room decorated in turquoise and white while Tina took care of her grandmother, Amanda found her maid, Mary, already there.
"'Tis a lovely place, m'lady,” she said as she helped Amanda out of her traveling dress of dark green cambric.
"It is, isn't it?"
She washed the travel dust from her face and hands, then changed into a dark blue habit trimmed with light blue frogging before hurrying back downstairs to meet Jon.
A short time later, mounted on a frisky grey mare, Jon led her away from the house and stables.
The afternoon was warm, the sun shining brightly in a nearly cloudless blue sky.
The scent of wildflowers, grass, and earth mingled in the air. Birds and other small animals were present in abundance as they entered a small forest. Riding along a sun-dappled path, Amanda watched one squirrel chase another from one tree to another until they were lost from view.
"It's lovely,” she told him, eyes alight at the activity all around her. “I don't know why Tina bothers with London."
Jon chuckled. “There are times when she doesn't know either. She insists she's a country girl at heart, but she also loves the theatre, museums and other sights to be found in the city."
Amanda allowed him to move slightly ahead of her as the path narrowed, giving her the chance to admire the way he sat on his horse. The dark brown riding jacket fit across broad shoulders with nary a wrinkle, and the muscles of his thighs were clearly visible as he controlled his horse with an easy grace. He wore no hat and the midnight dark silk of his hair invited her to touch it. If she had been closer, she might have given in to the impulse to reach out and do so.
She allowed her thoughts to drift for a moment, smiling giddily as she reminded herself of why she was here. Four days. In four days she would finally achieve her destiny. She would marry her prince. Nona's promise had come true. She wasn't sure how it happened without Jon knowing about JoJo, but she would not decry the fates who saw fit to ensure it had.
Eventually she would have to tell him about JoJo. How would he react? What would he say? She closed her eyes momentarily and tried to picture his reaction when she presented the statuette to him. It would be easier to guess at his reaction if she knew what Nona had told him regarding it. But she didn't. She could only hope he'd be happy to have it.
Three years ago she would not have believed it could happen. After the scene in the library at the Abbey, she had thought her dreams lost forever; her heart broken beyond repair. Yet she had persevered, moving on with her life while waiting for him to return.
The path widened and she moved up beside him as they emerged from the wood into a meadow. Climbing a steep path to the top of a rise, they drew to a halt near a lone oak tree and she caught her breath at the vista before her. Undulating fields in a checkerboard of brown, green and gold spread out as far as the eye could see. Occasionally a hut or cottage sat on the edge of a field, and here and there she could make out a road or fence dividing the parcels. A broad river meandered through the area, the sun glinting on the surface.
Looking back in the direction they had come, she could see the house in the distance. The formal gardens were extensive and dotted with at least three small pavilions. A grassy area beyond them sloped down to a small lake.
Jon dismounted and moved to her side. Leaning forward, she put her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down, acutely aware of the tensile strength in his arms. Once on the ground, however, he didn't seem inclined to let her go, so she remained still, unsure of what to do.
"This is my favorite spot at Collingswood.” Jon spoke above her head. “There have been times when I have spent hours up here just sitting and looking out over that small valley."
She turned to look at the view. “It's quite beautiful."
Jon moved behind her and slid his arms around her waist, anchoring her against him. For a moment he allowed in the sense of satisfaction at having achieved a goal.
You'll never be one of us. He could still hear the sneer in Aaron's voice as he made it clear what he thought of Jon. Just a gypsy brat trying to get above himself. The first time he'd heard those words, he hadn't even understood them. At six, he hadn't understood that having a great-grandmother who was a gypsy was a bad thing; hadn't realized that many would consider him tainted. Go back to your own kind. Aaron's words had hurt. But more than that, they'd spurred him to prove that he could be one of them.
And when he began to understand what it was about him that caused Aaron's disdain, he vowed he would fit in. That, regardless of his gypsy heritage, he was still English, and a Peer of the Realm, and no one would take that from him.
He wondered if that was the reason he was attracted to Amanda. If deep down he wasn't still trying to prove that he could have something that Aaron would have denied him? That, despite his dark hair and slightly swarthy complexion, he could be desirable to someone as perfect and beautiful as Amanda. Was his attraction to her based on the lure of forbidden fruit?
Amanda's honeysuckle scent reached him and he closed his eyes as he breathed it in. It soothed him in a way few things did. He'd been restless and unsettled for so long, he hadn't realized until now that in Amanda's presence he did not feel on edge or wary. When had she become a safe haven for him without him being aware of it?
Apprehension wormed its way into his heart. He would not rely on Amanda for comfort. Reliance would lead to dependence, and dependence might lead to love. He could not love her. They were just friends. They enjoyed each other's company. What more did he need?
She didn't have his statuette, so he knew whatever feelings he might have for her could only be friendship or respect. He was only supposed to love the person with the statuette. He had no worries that that person might be Amanda.
The Duke and Duchess of Westover were the first guests to arrive at midmorning the next day, followed by a steady stream of family and a select circle of friends. Jon, who had not been privy to the guest list, except to be asked if there were any particular friends he wanted added, was surprised to see Charity Bascomb and her parents among the guests.
"It's because Felicia wanted to invite Martha and David,” Amanda explained. “Besides, she's harmless."
Jon wasn't sure, but merely replied, “If you say so."
Amanda laughed outright at him then. “Felicia said you'd be skeptical, but she assures me she will keep Charity in line."
Jon grinned. “It is hard to believe that my hoyden of a little sister is now such a grand dame that she can keep anyone in line."
"Being a duchess has its privileges."
"Obviously."
The next three days were filled with activity. Tina had planned a variety of entertainments to fill the days prior to the wedding which included a picnic, archery, croquet, boating on the river, horse racing for the men and sedate rides about the countryside for the ladies. With near perfect weather every day, everyone enjoyed the various outdoor offerings. Evening entertainments included cards, billiards and a musicale in which she and Felicia entertained the assembled company, inviting some of the men to provide voices. Jon and Amanda provided a duet as well.
The arrival of the Earl of Kirkton, his wife and sons, was noted chiefly by Trent and Amanda, pleased to see that their Scottish cousins were able to make the journey. Arriving the day before the wedding with apologies for his brother, whose wife was expecting and too close to her time to travel, the earl and his wife greeted the rest of the family warmly, especially Aunt Marian.
All in all, it was a delightful three days, and soon Amanda found herself soaking in a tub of water delicately scented with honeysuckle in her room the morning of her wedding. It was as she sat before the fire, brushing her golden tresses dry that she realized that she knew nothing of what was to happen this evening.
Tina had planned an early afternoon wedding so an informal luncheon and reception could take place between it and dinner, giving time for guests from London who had not been invited to the wedding to arrive. After an early dinner, the grand ball was scheduled to begin around eight. Once she and Jon opened the ball with the first waltz, the evening was theirs. Of course, she expected to dance at least once with her father and other assorted relations before she would truly be free.
Eliza had already spoken to her about what to expect on her wedding night, but it was Felicia who had told her that, no matter what Eliza said, the reality would be indescribable. It was the way Felicia had said it, while looking at her own husband across the room, which had Amanda looking forward to the evening, despite that Eliza's description had sounded uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Rising from the stool, her hair now dry, she crossed the room to stand before the window. Sunlight spilled into the room through the open portal, enveloping her in its warmth. Hugging herself, she savored her anticipation of the afternoon and evening to come.
Nona would have told her she had attained her destiny. She would have said she was marrying her one true love. That he was also her best friend's brother was a bonus. Remembering that long ago conversation with Jon and Felicia's great-grandmother, she chuckled at the other statement she had made. Felicia was, indeed, about to become her big sister.
She often wondered why she loved Jon so much. That he was handsome, titled, and rich was important to society, but not necessarily to her. One of her earlier suitors had been a marquess, handsome in his own way, as well as rich. Yet he had not possessed Jon's strength of character, or his gentleness. He had not seen her as a person—an educated person with whom it was possible to carry on a conversation. Jon, however, seemed not only to enjoy that about her, but also encouraged her intellectual pursuits. It was that knowledge which now caused her to reevaluate the encounter at the Abbey in a different light—and place blame for it squarely in her own lap. If she had been truthful with Jon about the reason for her presence in the library, none of it would have happened.
She still felt a twinge of guilt regarding JoJo. Maybe she'd tell him once they settled in at the Abbey.
