Samuel waited until the sound of rustling clothes had finished and then reached out a hand, clasping hers tight as they made their way back through the water garden and up through the woods. This time he looked around at the trees as they walked. Somehow the world looked even more beautiful now than it had earlier. The birds were chirruping, the sun was shining and isolated clusters of primroses and daffodils were bursting up from the woodland floor like a yellow carpet. It was perfect.
He stole a sidelong glance towards Anna. She looked perfect, too. Bright eyed, pink-cheeked and thoroughly bedraggled, her dark hair already starting to curl into ringlets over her shoulders. Tempted as he was, he didn’t dare to put his arm around her. Just the touch of her fingers reminded him of how her body had felt in the pool. He’d managed to let go of her then, though not without a considerable effort, and the after-effects were still wearing off. For the first time since they’d arrived at Staunton he felt almost light-hearted. For the first time in a long time, in fact. From the moment the steward had told him about the water gardens he’d wanted to go and see them for himself, but he’d wanted to go with Anna, to see it for the first time with her. Waiting until the morning had been hard, but it had paid off. He hadn’t expected her to accept his proposal so soon or so suddenly. Maybe they could both belong there, after all?
‘I’ll ride to London this morning.’
‘What?’ Her head spun towards him. ‘Why?’
‘For a special licence. We’re not residents of this parish so an ordinary one won’t suffice.’
‘But you only got here two days ago. You can’t leave without seeing Lady Staunton.’
‘Something tells me she’s not particularly keen to see me.’
‘That’s not the point. Why rush?’
‘Because I don’t want to wait.’
‘Do you think that I’ll change my mind?’ She threw him a suspicious look. ‘Don’t you trust me?’
‘It’s not that.’
‘What then?’
‘I just showed you why. You can’t expect me to keep my hands off you for much longer.’
‘Who said you had to?’
‘I do.’ He felt his body tighten at the implication. ‘If I inherit, then there’ll be enough gossip about the pair of us. I don’t want to provide any more fodder for the rumour mill.’ He edged closer, pressing a kiss into her hair. ‘I shouldn’t have kept you out so long this morning as it is. I might have some explaining to do to your mother.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her.’
‘We’ll talk to her.’
‘All right, we will, but I’d like to be married in Bath.’ Her voice wavered slightly. ‘Your grandparents are there and I’d like for Henrietta to be a bridesmaid.’
‘If that’s what you want,’ he agreed reluctantly. ‘But in that case, we’re going back as soon as possible.’
‘Thank you.’ She squeezed his hand and then released it as they emerged out of the woodland, running her palms over her gown to smooth the creases and then tying her hair back in a loose, though still unruly ponytail. She looked so adorable that he couldn’t resist the temptation to pull her back into his arms as they crept through the front door and into the deserted hallway, kissing her full on the lips.
‘Samuel! Someone will see!’ She giggled, kissing him back and then darting away, throwing a mischievous smile over her shoulder as she started towards the dining room and then froze.
‘What’s the matter?’ He nearly walked into the back of her, following her gaze into the room ahead. Her mother was sitting there, he noticed first, without her usual smile, although it wasn’t that which alarmed him. That was the presence of another woman in the room, a woman he’d never seen before, sitting ramrod straight at the head of the table with an expression that could only be described as ferocious. He’d seen less hatred on the faces of the French sailors at Trafalgar.
‘Captain Delaney, I presume.’ Her voice, when she finally spoke, was clipped and positively dripping with loathing. ‘I see that you’re making yourself at home.’
‘Lady Staunton.’ Samuel made a formal bow, not that there was any point in trying to impress the woman now, he thought with a grimace. That proverbial ship had well and truly sailed. Into the sunset and over the horizon. ‘I’m delighted to meet you at last.’
‘Indeed?’ The Countess’s tone suggested she was a long way from sharing the sentiment.
‘Allow me to present Miss Annabelle Fortini.’ He took hold of Anna’s elbow and steered her into the room. ‘My—’
‘It’s an honour to meet you, my lady,’ Anna interrupted, making a stiff curtsy before he could announce their engagement, though the Countess merely lifted her eyebrows disapprovingly.
‘Have the two of you been for a morning walk?’ Her mother sounded as if she were trying to ease the heavy atmosphere of tension.
‘Yes, Mama.’ Anna took the seat a footman held out for her, appearing not to notice the Countess’s slight. ‘Captain Delaney wanted to show me the water garden. It was quite beautiful. We’ll have to go...’
The sound of a fist banging down onto the table made them all start.
‘My water garden.’ The muscles of Lady Staunton’s throat strained with tension. ‘My husband commissioned it as a wedding present for me.’
There were a few seconds of silence, none of them knowing quite how to respond before Mrs Fortini came to the rescue again.
‘What a charming gift. I’d like to go for a walk there myself later—with your permission, of course, Countess?’
‘You may.’ Lady Staunton twisted her head sharply to one side. ‘I wish I could go myself, but I find myself so often indisposed these days.’
‘I understand. I was always exhausted when I was carrying my children. Your housekeeper told us that you’ve been suffering from headaches, too. I hope that you’re feeling better this morning?’
‘A little, although my head still pains me a great deal.’
‘Have you seen a physician?’
‘A physician cannot heal what I suffer from. It is a malady of the soul and spirits.’
‘Of course, but perhaps you ought to try to get some fresh air for the baby’s sake?’
‘Perhaps, though the water gardens would likely still be too painful. My husband and I used to walk there every day when we were first married.’
Samuel cleared his throat, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. ‘I was very sorry to receive word of his death. I understand it was a wasting disease. My sincere condolences, my lady.’
‘I’ve no interest in your condolences.’ Lady Staunton’s eyes narrowed perceptibly. ‘He would have been horrified by your presence here.’
‘I know it’s a difficult situation, but I assure you...’
‘Horrified!’ she repeated. ‘He remembered your father as a boy and he knew all about him as an adult, too. All about his debauchery and licentiousness. It appalled him that the son of such a man could be his heir! All he ever wanted was to have a son, to be sure that the future of Staunton was in safe hands, but I...’ Her voice trailed away for a few seconds and then returned again, even more vehemently. ‘To think of your whole distinguished family line coming down to a man like you!’
‘Quite.’ Samuel braced his hands on the table, resisting the impulse to get up and walk out. ‘I’ve had similar thoughts myself.’
‘It’s monstrous. A disgrace! You’ll ruin the estate before the year is out!’
‘I’m not my father, Lady Staunton.’
‘No?’ She looked accusingly between him and Anna. ‘Your behaviour seems quite similar in some respects.’
‘I assure you that my intentions towards Miss Fortini are perfectly honourable. In fact...’
‘Captain Delaney is the most honourable gentleman I’ve ever met...’ Anna interrupted again, her voice just as vehement as the Countess’s ‘...and I resent any insinuation to the contrary.’
‘And what exactly would you know about gentlemen?’ The Countess’s gaze flickered. ‘From what I understand you’re in trade.’
‘Yes, I’m a shopkeeper,’ Anna replied before Samuel could say anything. ‘As well as a baker. I make and sell biscuits. Often to gentlemen.’
‘Biscuits?’ The Countess put a hand to her throat with a shiver.
‘They’re quite famous in Bath, actually.’
‘I don’t care for Bath. I spent a winter there five years ago.’
‘No, I believe it’s rather out of fashion now, but it’s home to me.’
‘Then let us hope you can return there soon, Miss Fortini.’
‘Yes, let’s.’ Anna’s tone was now openly belligerent. ‘Believe me, nothing would make me happier.’
‘Well!’ The Countess’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘I seem to have lost my appetite. I shall return to my rooms.’
‘As you wish, my lady.’ Samuel got to his feet with relief, waiting until the sound of indignant footsteps had receded before slumping back into his chair. ‘That went well.’
‘Dear me.’ Mrs Fortini picked up the marmalade spoon with a sigh.
‘“Dear me?”’ Anna echoed angrily. ‘Didn’t you hear what she just said about Samuel?’
‘Yes, that was very unfair of her.’ Mrs Fortini threw him a sympathetic look. ‘But we still ought to make allowances. Think of how the poor woman has suffered. She’s lashing out, but it’s understandable. She’s lost her husband and, if her baby’s a girl, then she might lose her home and position, too. Her whole future is out of her control. Just remember that.’
‘Yes, Mama.’ Anna still sounded aggrieved. ‘But she had no right to talk about Samuel or his father like that.’
‘It’s all right.’ Samuel smiled, touched by her indignation. ‘I’ve heard much worse, I can assure you.’
‘That’s very forgiving of you, Captain, but now perhaps the two of you can explain your behaviour this morning. You must have left the house very early.’ Mrs Fortini looked pointedly at Samuel, her tone faintly accusing, as if she suspected him of having debauched her daughter among the trees. ‘It wasn’t very discreet.’
‘No, it wasn’t.’ Samuel exchanged a quick glance with Anna. She’d stopped him from mentioning their engagement twice already and he had no intention of being stopped a third time. To his relief, however, she smiled excitedly.
‘We really did go to see the water garden, Mama, but we have something else to tell you, too. Samuel and I are engaged.’
‘Engaged?’ Her mother’s eyes widened.
‘Yes. He asked me yesterday and I accepted this morning.’
‘As long as you approve?’ he interjected, alarmed by the sombre expression on Mrs Fortini’s face.
‘Of course.’ She nodded, though with a hint of uncertainty. ‘I would never stand in the way of any suitor my daughter chose.’
‘But surely you don’t have any objections, Mama?’
‘None at all. If you care for each other, then I’m delighted for both of you, but...you know it will be quite a change if Samuel inherits?’
‘We know that and we hope that he doesn’t. But if he does...’ Anna lifted her chin ‘...we’ll deal with it together.’
‘Well then, come here and let me embrace you, Samuel.’
‘With pleasure.’ He walked around the table, kissing her on both cheeks before going to stand behind Anna’s chair. ‘We’ve decided to marry as soon as we return to Bath. Which, given our recent reception, might be sooner rather than later.’
Her mother’s expression turned startled again. ‘But surely you’ll stay for a few days, at least?’
‘I don’t think the Countess wants us here.’
‘Perhaps not at the moment, but give her time. You might regret it later if you don’t try.’
‘A few days, then. Until the end of the week if it pleases you.’
‘Thank you.’ Her answering smile faltered.
‘It’s all right if you want to stay at Feversham for longer, Mama,’ Anna hastened to reassure her. ‘It might be best for your health, too.’
‘I admit I would like to,’ her mother conceded. ‘Your Uncle Tobias invited us both to stay for as long as we wish, but you can’t travel without a chaperon.’
‘Yes, we can. You can send a maid with us, too, if you want, but we intend to marry as soon as possible so there won’t be any scandal. You can trust me, Mama.’
‘I do trust you. Both of you.’ Mrs Fortini looked between them and smiled. ‘And I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when the apple falls so close to the tree. I know there’s no point in arguing once you’ve made up your mind. I wish you both joy.’
‘Thank you, Mama. There’s just one other thing.’ Anna glanced towards Samuel for confirmation. ‘I think that we ought to keep our engagement a secret from the Countess. You’re right about this being a difficult time for her. No matter how offensive her comments, we don’t want to make the situation any worse if we can help it.’
‘Good idea,’ Mrs Fortini nodded. ‘In that case, I shan’t make any mention of your engagement at Feversham either, not until I receive word from you in Bath.’