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SELENA STARED OUT THE window at the bleak street scene below. The viscount and his cousin had been absent from Bath for a week. No more unexpected meetings on the streets, or morning calls. All contact was ended. It had been a bleak week, full of tears for Selena and an unusual case of the dismals for Barbara.
The baroness marched into Selena’s bedchamber. “Come, enough of this pining. We must be brave and fulfil our social duties. We subscribed to attend the Assemblies this season, and we will do it. No more moping.”
Selena turned to face her friend. Her heart still ached, but she shrugged agreement.
Several hours later, they entered the Assembly Rooms. They circled the ballroom, arm in arm, attempting to look and feel at ease, but Selena felt nothing but sadness. She scanned the room for their acquaintances.
A crowd of gentlemen parted and she saw him. Flinging away all her social etiquette, she hurried to him, hoping that he wouldn’t give her the cut direct. From behind him, she said, “Mr Westaway.”
His back stiffened, and slowly, so slowly, he turned to face her. “Mrs Hartnell,” he said. “How may I assist you?” His tone was formal, emotionless and stiff.
This was not a good beginning. “I wish to speak with you.”
He circled the space around him with his arm. “Feel free to do so.”
She glanced around at all the gentlemen watching them, either openly or covertly. “If we could talk alone, there is something I wish to say to you... to confess to you.”
He hesitated then offered his arm and escorted her into the tea room.
Once he had seated her and provided her with tea, he looked at her with cold eyes and raised eyebrows. “Yes, Mrs Hartnell?” He was not encouraging.
Her voice, when she spoke, cracked, and she took a sip of tea. “My husband, Ralph, was a kind man, and I loved him dearly.” She faltered.
“Yes, I was acquainted with him. A good man indeed.”
She gave a tight smile of thanks and continued, “But he had no great financial ability. His early death has left our five children and me with only enough funds from the jointure and my parents’ bequest to put food on our table. I teach the children myself. There is nothing for the boys’ education or the girls’ dowries. To start my eldest sons, Harry and George, in the navy, I had to borrow money.”
Edward Westaway remained silent.
She drew a ragged breath. “I am hopelessly in debt.”
He frowned.
Oh no, now I’ve gained his contempt.
“May I enquire how much you are in debt?”
She named the exorbitant figure of five hundred pounds, which it had taken to fit out Harry and George with uniforms and paraphernalia to learn their naval profession, plus provide them with spending money. Not to mention the enormous interest that had inflated the amount so high. The prick of tears started. "Barbara has lent me the money to pay off the moneylender, but I cannot pay her back!”
Edward rolled his lips into a firm line. “Is that all? There are no other debts?”
“Good grief, no! Is that not enough for a woman with scarcely a penny to spare?”
His body seemed to relax just a little. “It might surprise you, Selena, but there are citizens in that room”—he pointed to the card room over his shoulder—“who are right now losing that amount of money and do so every week.”
“Well, I’m glad I’m not one of them!” A tear escaped onto her cheek.
“And so am I.” He handed a crisp, white handkerchief to her. “Dry your eyes. I am more than happy to pay young Harry’s and George’s debt.”
You are? “Why?”
He ignored her interruption. “But surely there will be more blunt to be outlaid for your lads? They need an allowance every year, and they’ll outgrow their uniforms with a rapidity that you may not have considered.”
“I... I expect so.”
“I’m willing to pay all the boys’ costs. They sound like enterprising lads if they’ve entered the navy at so young an age.”
“Yes, yes, they are. It was all their idea. But Edward, I cannot allow you to pay for their expenses!”
“You can and you should. And for the education of your other children.”
Selena drew a stabilising breath. “You’re not making any sense. You’ve found out my deception about my lack of wealth. Most of my other suitors wanted a wealthy widow as a wife—they would be angry if they knew. You should be filled with disgust, not offering me financial assistance!”
He laughed in his deep-voiced way and took her hand in his. “My dear Selena, I am neither in need of a wealthy widow, nor of any wife—”
A sob burst from her constricted throat, cutting him off.
He squeezed her hand. “but you,” he finished.
She gasped in surprise. He cares about me still, despite all my mistakes!
“What an extraordinary response to my proposal, Selena.” There was a trace of amusement in his voice, but not enough for her to think he was happy about her response.
Pull yourself together, Selena. “Was that an actual marriage proposal?”
“It certainly was, though I could have hoped to have put it better. This is my first attempt, so I hope you will forgive my lack of finesse.” Now there was true amusement in his voice.
She stared at him. Her heart beat in time to the music of the spirited country dance being performed in the ballroom.
“Now I am getting quite concerned, Selena. Silence is also not a good response to a proposal. Shall I make myself clearer, in case you’re confused?”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed each of her gloved fingers, then turned her hand over and kissed her wrist. “My dear Selena, will you make me the happiest of all men and marry me? I have no title to give you, only my love, and my wealth. But I’ve waited more than fifteen years now. Surely that is long enough for any man to wait for the woman he loves?”
He’s loved me all this time! Her insides turned into warm syrup-covered treacle pudding. He had waited so long for her, even though she had hurt him with her indifference all those years ago because she had fallen in love with Ralph Hartnell. She stroked his cheek with her free hand. “I’m overwhelmed. I treated you so badly. I can’t apologise enough. How you can forgive me, how you can wish to marry me I don’t know, and yet you do. In the past few weeks I have come to love you so very much. But it was my destiny to marry Ralph, and I have my children, who I would never wish away. I believe that my time with Ralph—the good and the bad—will make me appreciate you more.”
“Selena, that seems to be a very long-winded way to say you agree to marry me. Am I correct?” There was that amusement in his voice again.
Thank goodness he’s diverted. He’ll need every ounce of his good-natured humour to cope with my ready-made family. “Yes! As soon as you wish it.”
He raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Thank God,” he muttered. “I think it had better be soon.” He leaned across the small table and kissed her. Her heart skipped a beat, then another.
A gasp from the nearest table brought all eyes in the vicinity in their direction. How foolish of us. “Oh dear, there is no turning back now.”
“And of course, you have no intention of doing so.” He grinned at her. “After such a public declaration of our intent, let us find the Master of Ceremonies and inform him before a scandal brews. If you’re agreeable, we can marry as soon as the banns are read. I don’t want to wait any longer than I have already.”
Oh my. He was surer of his feelings than she had ever imagined possible.
He stood, drawing her to her feet with him, then tucked her hand into his arm. “I hope you shall invite me for a celebratory nightcap this evening, my love,” he whispered in her ear.
She looked into his eyes and smiled at the wicked intent she saw there, which more than matched her own desires. “And I thought you were always a gentleman.”
“I am.” He winked and drew her closer to his side. “As you will soon find out.”
Warmth crept across her cheeks. “We must tell Barbara.”
He nodded towards the foyer where the baroness, her waist encircled by Lord Rushcroft’s arm, was exiting through the double doors of the Assembly Rooms. The viscount glanced over his shoulder and gave them a slow wink. Edward responded with a nod of acknowledgement.
Selena turned on him in shock. “Are the two of you in league?”
“No... just giving each other moral support. Come, we have a Master of Ceremonies to inform, if we don’t wish to be expelled from Bath’s social circle.”
***
BARBARA LET SELENA hurry away from her to confront Edward. She had interfered too much already. Time for Selena to work out her own future. Lord Rushcroft would again be actively pursuing a new wife, most likely a debutant. That knowledge had left her strangely cold and discontented for the last week. Barbara turned to the fireplace, hoping to soak up some of its warmth.
“My lady, may I have this dance?” The viscount’s gruff voice broke through her thoughts.
She spun around. There he stood, formal, stiff and somewhat grim, and oh so handsome. “You may.”
“And afterwards I would like to talk with you.”
Confused, she nodded her agreement and danced the Roger de Coverley with him.
As soon as the last notes sounded, he led her to the foyer where he obtained their cloaks. A little breathless from dancing, she waited until he placed the cloak around her shoulders, then, still curious, accompanied him outside into the lamplight just beyond the doors. She filled her lungs with cool night air.
“I wish to have your opinion on my options for a future bride.”
The words were like a medicine ball thrown at her stomach, robbing her of air.
“You know I need a wife. I have six children, and I’m lonely. I need a special woman capable of mothering my children, but unburdened by children of her own.”
Barbara’s heart contracted. “Then who could possibly fit your needs, but a debutant from a large family?”
“That is the furthest thing from my thoughts and desires. Can you imagine me with a simpering schoolgirl?” His frown was ferocious, his mouth set.
“Then who?” She couldn’t keep the astonishment from her voice.
“Someone who loves romping with children. Who organises them and anyone else who comes into their orbit. And who would be willing to organise me.”
She was even more bewildered now. “I know of no one who fulfils those requirements.”
“Do you not?” He pulled his quizzing glass from his waistcoat pocket and held it up to observe her face.
“Indeed, I don’t.” Such close scrutiny was uncomfortable. She tapped his arm with her folded fan.
He dropped the glass, letting it swing mesmerizingly on its black ribbon. Her eyes followed the black line up to his grey patterned waistcoat, moulded to his body. She remembered the hard muscles that had played across his abdomen beneath his linen shirt as he had assisted her from the ground during their cricket match.
“Never would I have thought you to be so lacking in self-awareness,” he said, his voice bemused and a touch annoyed.
Her gaze snapped up to meet his own in an effort to understand his meaning. Realisation exploded in her brain. She gasped, and covered her mouth with her jewelled fan. “You mean me?” Has he lost all attachment to reality? “But I have no experience with children. None at all.”
“My observations show me you don’t need any. You have more than enough empathy with them and ability to organise them without the years of experience.”
She shook her head. “But I have no wish for another husband.” Why was her heart racing at the thought?
He took her hand and leant towards her until his lips were poised above hers. “Not even if that man is me?” He kissed her, softly, slowly, thoroughly. Her heartbeat ratcheted up to a gallop. The music and laughter from the Assembly Room faded.
Maybe he could convince her to take on him and his brood? There was much to commend about his boisterous family. Maybe, just maybe, he could convince her if he kept on doing what he was doing... and more.
His arms encircled her. She didn’t withdraw. Couldn’t!
He stroked his tongue against her soft lips, enticing her to join his dance. The feather of her headdress teased her cheek. He deepened the kiss. They stood encircled in each other’s arms—toe to toe, hip to hip, her breasts flattened against the hard wall of his chest.
She wanted to stay entwined with him in this moment of bliss forever.
“Enjoying yourself, gov’nor?” called a rough voice—a sedan chair carrier. His partner responded with a snicker and a ribald comment.
Rushcroft released Barbara and stepped away from her. She swayed slightly from the loss of his supporting arms.
“Now will you marry me, my lady? Before I embarrass you any further by making you more of a public spectacle.”
Warmth flooded her body. Her mind was a blank. She gaped at him.
He sighed and his mouth straightened from its smile. “I have only duties and responsibilities to foist on you... especially the care of my children. However, I have admiration, respect and love to give you. And wealth. Could those things possibly be enough to warrant your giving up your name, your peace, and your independence?”
She drew a deep breath to de-fog her brain. “They could be... but I do think there is more you could do to convince me.” She walked her fingers up his chest and gave an encouraging smile. “Perhaps we should proceed to my townhouse and investigate those possibilities.”
Old-fashioned lust lit his eyes.
Her heart pounded loud in her ears from anticipation and hope.
“And then you’ll agree to marry me?”
“We’ll see,” she teased.
His shoulders sagged and he took a step back.
She relented. “Of course, it’s yes.”
He closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he murmured, and tugged her back into his embrace. “I love you, Barbara. You make me the happiest man in Bath.” He dipped his head to kiss her.
A few blissful minutes later, she said, “I never thought to marry again. Now I can’t image life without you and helping raise your children. A pity Selena is not to be so happy.”
“I think she will do very well. Edward means to marry her. He warned me away, but realised that I felt I had compromised her and she might believe an offer was required from me to make amends.”
“So, he will offer for her? Even though he felt deceived by us?”
He nodded. “He’s got over that. I advised him to find out why Mrs Hartnell and you felt you needed to deceive the town about her finances.”
She frowned. “We had good reason—”
“I’m sure you did, but I’ve no wish to hear of it now.” He kissed her hand.
“And I think by falling in love with Edward she’s made a better choice than I did for her!”
He inclined his head. “And I by far prefer my choice of wife than yours.” He tucked her hand into his arm. “Come, let us go home and see if I pass your last test for a satisfactory husband.”
“I’m sure you will.”
He gave a smug smile. “I’ve had no complaints in the past.”
“We shall see.”
“And if so, in the morning we’ll tell the children our good news.” He patted her hand and led her towards his carriage where it waited in the neighbouring street.
Barbara halted. “But what about Selena? I can’t abandon her.”
“I believe my cousin will look after her from now on. He came here to propose, and I hope she’s sensible enough to accept him. He has certainly waited long enough for the woman who broke his heart all those years ago.”
They reached the carriage.
She smiled. “Having lived with Selena for a week while she thought she would never see Edward again, I’m quite sure she will accept him.”
Guy gave one of his rare smiles. “Good. Then let us think no more of them. I have far more important things for your attention. Let me show you.” And he drew her into his arms and kissed her.