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Authors: Sally Quilford
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pretty
dresses.”
“Sometimes your heart wants what it
wants, darling.” Catherine stroked Alyssa’s fair curls.
“But he doesn’t think Mr. Oakley will
give his permission, because Andrew is broke, like we are.”
“Would you like me to speak to Mr.
Oakley?”
“Would you?” Alyssa sat up, her glum
expression dissipating in moments. “But I thought you wanted me to marry
someone rich, Cat.”
“I wanted you to marry someone who could
take care of you, and whether Mr. Harrington has money or not, I’ve no doubt
he’ll do that.” Catherine knew what Alyssa did not. That Harrington was one of
the Captain’s men, and therefore just as brave and noble as Mr. Oakley. She had
no doubt that he’d guard Alyssa with his life. She was also realistic enough to
know that an upper classed man’s idea of being broke was not quite the same as
the poverty to be found in the darkest parts of England. It merely meant one
could not afford horses and expensive balls, or to have an army of servants.
Even when the Willoughbys fortunes were at their lowest ebb, they somehow
managed to put food on the table. Only Jimmy’s death, and the annuity that died
with him, left Catherine and Alyssa in such dire straits. Whether Alyssa would
understand that, when she wanted pretty dresses that Harrington could not
provide, was another matter. But that she loved him was unquestionable, and
Catherine realised that she did not want her sister to be subjected to a
loveless society marriage any more than she would want one for herself.
“But I won’t be able to look after you
as I wanted to,” said Alyssa, breaking into Catherine’s reverie.
“Forget me, and think of being happy.
I’m sure Mr. Oakley won’t let me starve.” Catherine spoke with a certainty she
didn’t really feel. Once she’d confessed all to him, he might well do that. She
was wise enough to know that men could forgive sins in other men that they
would not accept in a woman.
She lay awake whilst Alyssa slept,
waiting for the sound of Mr. Oakley returning. When she heard hooves on the
ground outside, she dressed quickly and went downstairs, bracing herself for
the battle ahead.
Chapter Six
She found him in his study, sitting
behind his desk in the dim candlelight. In front of him was a platter of food
he hadn’t touched, and a glass of brandy.
“I hear you have a new maid,” he said,
gesturing to a seat opposite him.
“Erm … yes, I thought Kitty would be a
good maid and I need one for London and…” She was tempted to tell him about Mrs.
Somerson, but her feelings for him prevented her. She was forced to admit that
she might not have entirely pure reasons for lowering Phoebe in his estimation.
“I hope that’s acceptable to you.”
“Nothing happens in Oakley Castle
without my learning of it,” he said, “so I’m aware of the … scene … today.
Griffiths was quite emphatic that nothing like that ever happens to one of the
servants again. I quite agree with him that Mrs. Somerson’s behaviour was
scandalous. You have my assurance that neither Kitty, the staff here, or staff
in any of my other houses will be subjected to such treatment again.”
Was he telling her that he had no
intentions of marrying Mrs. Somerson? Her heart felt lighter briefly, but then
she wondered whether he just planned to extract a promise from the lady that
she would not abuse the servants again.
“Thank you. But that is not why I came
to speak to you.”
“Is this where you tell me how you’ve
unearthed my brilliant disguise?” he said, sardonically. “Because I can assure
you that there’s a young man in London more than happy to swear that I dueled
with him last night.”
“It is not about the Captain. At least
not yet. It’s about Alyssa and Mr. Harrington.”
“Yes, I’m aware of their growing
feelings for each other. I’d have to be blind not to see it. But you’re the
dresses.”
“Sometimes your heart wants what it
wants, darling.” Catherine stroked Alyssa’s fair curls.
“But he doesn’t think Mr. Oakley will
give his permission, because Andrew is broke, like we are.”
“Would you like me to speak to Mr.
Oakley?”
“Would you?” Alyssa sat up, her glum
expression dissipating in moments. “But I thought you wanted me to marry
someone rich, Cat.”
“I wanted you to marry someone who could
take care of you, and whether Mr. Harrington has money or not, I’ve no doubt
he’ll do that.” Catherine knew what Alyssa did not. That Harrington was one of
the Captain’s men, and therefore just as brave and noble as Mr. Oakley. She had
no doubt that he’d guard Alyssa with his life. She was also realistic enough to
know that an upper classed man’s idea of being broke was not quite the same as
the poverty to be found in the darkest parts of England. It merely meant one
could not afford horses and expensive balls, or to have an army of servants.
Even when the Willoughbys fortunes were at their lowest ebb, they somehow
managed to put food on the table. Only Jimmy’s death, and the annuity that died
with him, left Catherine and Alyssa in such dire straits. Whether Alyssa would
understand that, when she wanted pretty dresses that Harrington could not
provide, was another matter. But that she loved him was unquestionable, and
Catherine realised that she did not want her sister to be subjected to a
loveless society marriage any more than she would want one for herself.
“But I won’t be able to look after you
as I wanted to,” said Alyssa, breaking into Catherine’s reverie.
“Forget me, and think of being happy.
I’m sure Mr. Oakley won’t let me starve.” Catherine spoke with a certainty she
didn’t really feel. Once she’d confessed all to him, he might well do that. She
was wise enough to know that men could forgive sins in other men that they
would not accept in a woman.
She lay awake whilst Alyssa slept,
waiting for the sound of Mr. Oakley returning. When she heard hooves on the
ground outside, she dressed quickly and went downstairs, bracing herself for
the battle ahead.
Chapter Six
She found him in his study, sitting
behind his desk in the dim candlelight. In front of him was a platter of food
he hadn’t touched, and a glass of brandy.
“I hear you have a new maid,” he said,
gesturing to a seat opposite him.
“Erm … yes, I thought Kitty would be a
good maid and I need one for London and…” She was tempted to tell him about Mrs.
Somerson, but her feelings for him prevented her. She was forced to admit that
she might not have entirely pure reasons for lowering Phoebe in his estimation.
“I hope that’s acceptable to you.”
“Nothing happens in Oakley Castle
without my learning of it,” he said, “so I’m aware of the … scene … today.
Griffiths was quite emphatic that nothing like that ever happens to one of the
servants again. I quite agree with him that Mrs. Somerson’s behaviour was
scandalous. You have my assurance that neither Kitty, the staff here, or staff
in any of my other houses will be subjected to such treatment again.”
Was he telling her that he had no
intentions of marrying Mrs. Somerson? Her heart felt lighter briefly, but then
she wondered whether he just planned to extract a promise from the lady that
she would not abuse the servants again.
“Thank you. But that is not why I came
to speak to you.”
“Is this where you tell me how you’ve
unearthed my brilliant disguise?” he said, sardonically. “Because I can assure
you that there’s a young man in London more than happy to swear that I dueled
with him last night.”
“It is not about the Captain. At least
not yet. It’s about Alyssa and Mr. Harrington.”
“Yes, I’m aware of their growing
feelings for each other. I’d have to be blind not to see it. But you’re the
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