Sixteen

“I think it’s quite noble how you spend time with your nephew, my lord,” Lady Judith Grisham told Nicholas with what he considered an excessively high and irritating tone as they strolled in his garden. Ty was sound asleep on his shoulder, since he’d learned that having the baby with him stopped any ideas of romance from whatever lady was visiting him.

“I believe that time spent with your child can only improve their chances of growing up to be an adult of extreme confidence and abilities,” he told her, trying not to wince over having sounded so stuffy.

“Uh, yes, I suppose so. But do you think that some time apart from him would benefit the child as well?” she asked hopefully.

“No.”

“Oh.” Nicholas heard her sigh as they completed their lap around the garden.

The Grishams were the last guests, and he was grateful for that. They’d be leaving today, and that meant he could finally get on with his life.

If she were still willing to marry him, that is. Nicholas had not seen Christina in five days, and he was beginning to worry. Every time he questioned Helen about it, she would only tell him Christina had been very busy and could not come. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it.

To make matters worse, thanks to his aunt, he’d had no time to ride out to the vicarage himself.

And he was becoming worried.

Ty chose that moment to wake up and cry, giving Nicholas an excuse to leave Lady Grisham’s company. “I do beg your pardon, but I believe he must be ready for his nap.”

“Must you be the one to take him to the nursery?” she asked, allowing her exasperation to show.

“I fear I must.” He started to walk away from her toward the side entrance.

“But. . .but will I see you again before my family departs?” she called out.

“Certainly.”

She began to look hopeful again, a smile blooming on her attractive face.

“I shall meet you in the front hall to say my good-byes before you embark on your journey home.”

She stopped smiling.

As Nicholas bolted up the stairs, he felt a sense of relief. All the tedious entertaining was almost at an end, and now he could get back to his life and to Christina.

But first he must go and speak with her father.

Three hours later, Nicholas rode on horseback to the vicarage. Excitement mixed with nervousness coursed through his veins as he thought about speaking to her father.

He couldn’t wait until Christina was his wife. The time spent apart from her these last days only confirmed to him that he could not live without her.

She was everything he could ever imagine in a mate. She’d even seen him at his worst and did not give up on him.

Though he’d committed a social faux pas by ending his engagement to his former fiancée, he could only thank God he’d done it now. He could not imagine spending his life with any woman other than the redheaded, outspoken girl who had climbed his tree and fallen right into his arms and life, changing him forever.

He tied his horse to a post in front of the house and made his way to the door. He did not understand the frightened look that came upon the housekeeper’s face when she saw who it was at the door.

“My. . .my lord!” she stammered. “What can I do for you?”

Nicholas smiled at her. Perhaps it was his title that made her so nervous. “You could call your mistress for starters. I would very much like to speak with her.”

Her eyes darted to a space behind the door and then back to him. “I’m afraid you can’t.”

He blinked. “I beg your pardon? Is she ill?”

“No, it’s just that she is not here, my lord.”

“Oh, I see,” Nicholas replied. He’d not seen Helen today, so perhaps Christina was visiting her. “Well, could I possibly speak to the vicar then?”

The woman seemed relieved he’d dropped the questions about Christina. She stepped back and motioned for him to go to a side parlor. “Wait here, my lord, and I will get him for you.”

Nicholas nodded and went into the room. As he waited, he admired the paintings that hung on all four walls.

“Those were my wife’s paintings.” Nicholas spun around to find the vicar standing in the doorway. The man nodded toward the painting Nicholas had been studying. “She painted that one when she found out she was pregnant with Christina.” It was a portrait of a young woman sitting in a meadow cradling a baby in her arms.

“They are all quite amazing,” Nicholas complimented honestly.

“She was quite an amazing woman. Not a day passes that I don’t miss her.” His thoughts seemed to drift to the past as he gazed at the portrait. Finally, he looked back at Nicholas. “I’m sorry, I’ve drifted off a bit. Mrs. Hopkins said you wanted to see me?”

“Yes, Sir. I was hoping to speak to Christina before I had this talk with you, but she seems to be out and about this afternoon,” he began. The vicar interrupted with a concerned frown.

“I’m sorry, but I thought you knew,” Reverend Wakelin said.

“Knew what, Sir?”

“Christina has left Malbury for a brief holiday at your aunt’s estate in Stafford. I thought perhaps your aunt or even my daughter would have mentioned it.”

Nicholas reached out to grip the back of a chair nearby. “No one told me. When I asked Helen about her, she told me only that Miss Wakelin was very busy.”

The vicar studied Nicholas for a moment, his keen eyes missing nothing. “Perhaps we should sit down.”

“No! I must know, Sir, how this trip came about. When did my aunt speak to her?”

Reverend Wakelin scratched his head as he thought about it. “I suppose it was three days ago. I did not see her, but Christina told me about the visit and about your aunt’s invitation.” He shook his head, his face showing his concern. “I did not like the look of her, my lord. She’d been up for nearly forty-eight hours helping one of our young mothers who’d delivered a child. I could not deny her the trip when she seemed so determined to leave.”

Confused and a little hurt by this news, Nicholas began to pace about the small room. “She mentioned nothing else about the conversation with my aunt? Did she seem upset or angry?”

“No to both questions, my lord.” After a hesitant pause, he said, “You mentioned before that you came to speak with me. To what does it pertain?”

Nicholas stopped and looked directly at the vicar. “I came to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage,” he told him bluntly. “I spoke to Christina a week ago and told her how I felt, but I have not seen her since.”

The vicar did not seem very surprised. “I see,” he said. “And does she return your feelings, my lord?”

“Yes!” he declared. “She knew I would be coming to speak to you after my guests left. I thought it was understood she would be waiting for me.”

“Do you love her?”

“With all my heart, Sir,” Nicholas answered with great feeling as the two men shared an understanding look. “I must go and see her!”

Nicholas started to leave when the vicar stopped him. “One moment, my lord. I believe I have more to speak to you about before you go to her.”

Nicholas bit back his irritation at being delayed, reminding himself he needed this man’s approval if Christina was to be his wife. But it was late in the day and traveling would not be easy. “Yes, of course,” he relented and sat in the chair the vicar motioned him toward.

Sitting across from him, the vicar began, “Christina tells me you have changed a great deal from when she first met you again on your estate.” Nicholas nodded. “The fact you are titled and considered a good catch by all of society, despite your past reputation, does not matter to me in the least. What I am most concerned about is your spiritual condition. Are you a follower of Christ, my lord?”

Nicholas answered sincerely. “Yes, Sir. At times I have blamed God for my circumstances, but not anymore. Christina has shown me what it means to be a Christian, what it means to put my faith in the One who created me.”

“Have you changed your mind only because of Christina?”

“No. I’ve started to believe in God again because I needed Him in my life, Sir.”

“Then you indeed have my blessing,” the vicar replied with a smile, his gaze going to the clock on the mantle. “But if you want to reach Stafford before midnight, I would say you should be on your way.”

Nicholas stood up and shook his future father-in-law’s hand enthusiastically. “That is just what I intend, Sir, and thank you. You shall not regret giving your blessing!”

“Please see that I don’t!” the vicar said with a teasing light in his eyes.

Nicholas wasted no time in riding back to Kenswick and ordering one of the stable boys to ready his horse for the long journey.

“You’re not going to take the carriage, Sir?” the young man asked, aghast.

“No, it will be quicker on horseback. I’ll just need to go inside the house for a few things. See that the horse is ready.”

It didn’t take long for Nicholas to get what money he might need and the betrothal ring that had belonged to his family for six generations. He retrieved both from the safe in his study. It was there he encountered his aunt.

“What are you doing?” she demanded from the doorway.

“I am going to undo whatever damage you have wrought concerning Christina,” he answered coldly.

She grabbed his arm as he passed, looking down at the tiny box in his hand. “What are you intending to do with that?”

He jerked his arm free. “Just what you think I am going to do with it, Aunt. I don’t know what lies you told her, but I intend to convince her to be my bride. When I return, I will expect you to be gone!”

“How dare you speak to me in that manner!”

He stepped close to her, staring her straight in the eyes. “And how dare you try to interfere with my life. You had no right to speak to her.”

His aunt took a wary step back. “I only told her the truth, Nicholas. Marrying the girl will only bring more shame to your name and title. The ton will never accept her!”

“I don’t care what the ton thinks!” he growled.

“You will regret this! Mark my words!”

“I will regret it if I don’t leave right now and bring her back!” With that he left the room, stopping to speak with Pierce before he got to the front door.

“Inform Mrs. Sanborne I will be gone for tonight, but I will return by tomorrow.”

Pierce’s face wore a proud smile. “I will, my lord. And might I say Miss Christina will be a welcome addition to this household.”

Nicholas shook his head with a chuckle. “One of these days, Pierce, your eavesdropping will get you into trouble.”

“You are probably right, my lord.” He opened the door with a bow. “Bring her home safely.”

❧

Hartshorne Castle was a truly amazing place. Having been refurbished over the centuries, the castle was surprisingly lavish and comfortable. But for Christina, it was hard to enjoy any of the beauty or history about the place. For three long days she’d walked up to the tower near her bedroom and sat staring out over the vast countryside. She’d cried, felt sorry for herself at times, but mainly wondered how Nicholas was doing and if he missed her as much as she missed him.

She even imagined he might come and get her, but as the days passed, it became unlikely he would do so. If he loved her, surely he would have come the day she left.

“Can I fix you a spot of tea, Ma’am?” one of the young maids asked from the open door. Christina saw that she was staring at her with worry, much like all the other staff had done since she’d arrived. She’d tried to pretend everything was all right but had been unable to carry off the charade.

“No, thank you,” Christina answered. “I’m just going to sit here for a few moments before I turn in.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” the maid replied, but as she went back down the stairs, Christina heard her murmur, “Poor dear.”

Sighing, Christina looked back out into the dark night from her seat by the window. There was no moon out, but the stars were shining brightly, twinkling like tiny jewels all around her.

She closed her eyes, letting the cool night breeze blow over her features, and she prayed like she had so often in the past few days. She prayed that God would allow her pain to cease, that He would help her to move on with her life.

A life without the Earl of Kenswick.

Weary, she folded her arms on the window seat and lay her head on them.

And dreamed of Nicholas.