An hour before midnight on New Year’s Eve, James managed to spirit Ellie away from the gathering in the drawing room. It wasn’t difficult as his mother and Ellie’s father were rather occupied with each other – which was an interesting development – and all the Bonners were here again. He now accepted that they were a part of Ellie’s life and, truth be told, he had come to like them – or most of them.
‘Where are we going, James?’ Ellie complained as he towed her along the passage. ‘It will be twelve o’clock soon.’
‘To the library.’ He opened the door, urged her in and closed the door behind him. He spun her round to face him, and then dropped to one knee. ‘Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
She didn’t laugh this time, but just stared at him. ‘Oh, James, do stop messing about and stand up. You’re taking this joke too far.’
He rose to his feet, placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her towards him.
‘What are you doing?’ Ellie made to step away.
James didn’t allow her to. The kiss he gave her was long and passionate. He hadn’t intended to let his feelings get out of hand, but once she was in his arms he couldn’t seem to let go. Her lips were soft and slightly parted – in surprise he guessed – but she didn’t push him away. Realising that she had never been kissed before in this intimate way, made him come to his senses and step back. ‘Do you now believe that I love you?’ His voice was husky and he swallowed before speaking again. ‘Will you give me your answer?’
She appeared to be slightly nonplussed, which was unusual for her. ‘You shouldn’t have done that. And I’m too young to marry.’
‘In a little over two weeks you will be nineteen …’
Ellie shook her head firmly, stopping James in mid-sentence. ‘We would not suit at all. And does my Father know you have this silly notion in your head?’
‘You don’t believe I would be foolish enough to ask you without his permission, do you?’ James grimaced. ‘I’m not that brave.’
Ellie was astonished. ‘Are you telling me that my father approves?’
‘Well, I wouldn’t go as far as that. He gave me permission to approach you, that’s all.’
Tipping her head to one side, her composure now fully restored, her eyes gleamed with mischief. ‘Did he give you permission to kiss me like that?’
‘No, that was my idea. The first time I proposed you laughed in my face so I had to try and convince you that I was serious.’ James removed the little book from his pocket and waited, pencil poised. ‘You haven’t given me your answer.’
Ellie stifled a giggle. ‘The answer is still the same – no.’
James wrote the figure two in the book and put it back in his pocket, not allowing his disappointment to show. He only had one more chance. He would wait until her birthday.
The Montagues had stayed for the birthday celebrations, and as Ellie stood with her father and waved them off, she felt sorry to see them go. It had been lovely having them around. Father clearly enjoyed the company of Augusta – as she had insisted Ellie call her – and it had been lovely to have James with her. Philip was so determined to get to university that he was studying every spare moment. Even the holiday hadn’t stopped him pouring over his studies whenever he could. She missed him being around, but understood how much this meant to him.
Her party last night had been a great success. Everyone who’d been with them at Christmas had returned, even Fred and Hilda. They had appeared much more relaxed this time and not in such awe of their surroundings, though Hilda had kept a sharp eye on her husband to make sure he didn’t do anything to disgrace them.
Ellie pulled her coat around her as a blast of cold wind caught her straight in the face. The carriage was almost at the gates when James leant out and waved madly. She grinned and waved back. He had proposed again last night, but she’d refused, not quite so quickly this time, though.
Her father ushered her indoors and into the warmth of the library. They sat in front of the roaring fire warming their cold hands and feet. The maid immediately appeared with tea and cakes, so they settled down to enjoy a quiet time together.
‘How many times has James proposed to you?’
Ellie glanced up from pouring tea. She handed him a cup and sat down, a wry smile on her face. ‘Three, and I’ve refused each time.’
Albert sipped his tea and nodded. ‘Ah, that’s the end of it then. He won’t bother you again.’
‘What do you mean, Father?’ She frowned.
‘I told him he could ask you three times only, and if you refused, he was to give up trying to persuade you to marry him.’ He selected a piece of cake from the tray. ‘I didn’t want you to be pestered, Eleanor. If you refused him that many times it would show you were not interested.’
‘I see.’ Ellie twisted the bracelet James had given her and wondered why she wasn’t feeling happy about this. Now she understood why James had made such a show of writing down each proposal. He’d known he only had three chances. If only he’d told her. But would it have made any difference to her answers? That was something she didn’t know, and it would need a lot of thought.
‘Why the worried expression?’ her father asked. ‘If you’re having second thoughts then it is too late, for James will not break his promise to me, I’m sure.’
‘Oh, no, he wouldn’t do that. He has a strong sense of honour … and I do believe he’s frightened of you.’
‘I don’t think he is. Cautious, perhaps, but not frightened. So tell me how you really feel about him.’
She gazed at the fire for a moment, and then said, ‘I like James and enjoy his company, but that isn’t enough to base a lifelong commitment on, is it?’
‘No, it isn’t,’ Albert agreed. ‘The foundation of any marriage should be love and mutual respect. There will always be difficult times in any union, but those two qualities will help you to weather any storm. I wouldn’t want you to marry unless you truly love someone.’
Ellie knew her father was talking from experience. The deep love her mother and father had shared had been the unshakeable foundation of their marriage. That had been the atmosphere she’d grown up in, and she wouldn’t want anything less for any children she might have. ‘I wouldn’t consider marriage for any other reason.’
‘Good.’ Albert picked up a book, flicked through a couple of pages, then tossed it down again. ‘I’m concerned about Nanny. She was not at all well last night and only stayed at your party from sheer willpower, determined not to miss it.’
Ellie nodded. ‘I saw her this morning and she told me she was much better, but she is very frail now.’
‘We must prepare ourselves to lose her soon, I fear.’
‘That will be hard.’ Ellie’s eyes clouded. ‘She has been an important part of my life. I can’t imagine what it will be like when she is no longer with us.’
‘I know, my dear. It’s hard to lose someone we love, but that is all a part of life.’ He looked gently at his daughter. ‘But we have gained much over the last year, have we not?’
She smiled. ‘We have gained a whole new set of family and friends.’
Over the following weeks, Ellie discovered that she missed one of those new friends more than she could ever have believed. James wrote regularly but never mentioned marriage again, or that he loved her. She should have told him that she would think about it, and that would have left the door open. But she hadn’t done that, and now regretted her hasty action. The realisation that her feelings for him were stronger than friendship, had come as quite a shock in the middle of one sleepless night. She didn’t want him to forget the idea of marrying her just because her father had decreed it that way. But what on earth was she going to do about it? Very little, she thought, with him in London and her in Kent.
Walking into her father’s study she sat in front of his desk, waiting for him to finish what he was doing. When he looked up, she said, ‘Father, spring is just around the corner now, so do you think Augusta and James would like to come and stay before they return to Yorkshire?’
Albert sat back. ‘Why don’t you write and invite them. I’m sure they will come if they can.’
‘Thank you, Father.’ Ellie stood up. ‘I’ll do that straight away.’
Albert watched Eleanor leave the room. Could he have been wrong about her feelings for James? She had certainly seemed restless since he’d returned to London, and he noticed that she wore his bracelet all the time, even when out riding. His own emotions were also in turmoil: He loved Augusta, and was sure that she felt the same about him. She was a charming, intelligent companion – but she was more than that – she was a desirable woman. When Mary had died, he’d believed that he would never love like that again, and it was true, but the feelings he had for Augusta were different. He now knew that it was possible to love more than once, and for each time to be special and unique. If Augusta and James stayed with them again it would give him a chance to try and persuade them not to go to Yorkshire this year. It was almost certain that James would accept the invitation, and he sincerely hoped Augusta would as well.
Seven days later Ellie was agitated and pacing up and down the library, shoes tucked under a chair. ‘They’re not coming, are they? We’d have heard by now. James is never going to speak to me again.’ She headed for the door. ‘I’ll go to London and see him.’
Albert caught her before she hurtled out of the room. ‘Calm down, Eleanor. They might not have received your letter yet. They have other friends and could be staying with them. Be patient.’
Ellie pulled a face. Patience was not a quality she had been endowed with in any measure. ‘I never thought of that. You know how I jump at things without giving them proper thought.’
‘That’s true, hence my restrictions on James.’ Albert chuckled as he led her back to the chair. ‘Try and sit still for a minute. James told me that he loves you, and I believed him. He won’t disappear from your life because you have refused his proposal of marriage.’
‘Three times.’ Ellie chewed her bottom lip, eyes wide with worry. ‘I insulted him, Father. I took it as a joke and laughed at him.’
‘That was more or less what he expected you to do.’
‘What!’ Ellie was on her feet bristling with anger now. ‘Was I right? Has he been playing games with me? Am I feeling guilty for nothing?’
‘Will you stop jumping to conclusions?’ Albert shook his head. ‘If he gives up now then he’s not the man I believe him to be’
Ellie sighed. ‘I didn’t realise how much I enjoyed being with him, or how strong my feelings were until he left. He hasn’t mentioned marriage again in his letters, so will you remove the restrictions you’ve placed upon him, please?’
‘No, I will not. If he cares enough for you he will find a way round that. It isn’t James I’m concerned about, Eleanor. If he’s prepared to abandon his dream of owning land to marry you then he loves you. It’s you I’m worried about. I don’t want you making a hasty decision. You must give this a great deal of thought. It’s the rest of your life we’re talking about here.’
‘I’ve done nothing but give it thought since he left. And I can’t see how he can possibly propose again.’
Sitting back, Albert grinned. ‘I’ll watch with interest to see what he does, and making you wait for a reply to his letter might be a part of his strategy. Do I understand that you wish to marry him?’
‘I haven’t decided yet, but I don’t want him leaving me until I have sorted out my feelings. And I really ought to apologise for not taking him seriously.’ A mischievous grin tipped up the corners of Ellie’s mouth. ‘I’m having as much trouble making up my mind as you are about Augusta.’
She left the room with her father’s laughter echoing in her ears. She’d go and talk to Nanny. The dear woman was feeling much better, much to everyone’s relief.
Two days later a letter arrived from Augusta accepting their invitation. Ellie rushed into her father’s study, waving the letter. ‘They’re coming tomorrow. I must see that the rooms are prepared and tell Mr Rogers. He’ll be so pleased to see Maggie again.’
‘He will, but what about you Eleanor, are you as happy as you look about seeing James again?’
‘Of course I am. Will you be pleased to see Augusta again?’
Albert waved her away. ‘You just concentrate on sorting out your own romance. That appears to be in quite a mess. And I don’t know where you ever got the idea that I might be looking for another wife. I have no intention of doing any such thing.’
Ellie stifled a laugh. ‘No, of course you haven’t.’ She hadn’t missed the looks that passed between Augusta and her father. He might deny it, but it was obvious there was something between them.