Read Online Love Sneaked In (Montgomery Family Trilogy) by Vikki Vaught - Free Book Online
Authors: Vikki Vaught
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the Earl of Collingswood.”
Matthew shook hands with Lord Hastings. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” Then he addressed Lady Hastings, “Lady Helen has mentioned you on several occasions. I know she values your friendship greatly.”
Helen spoke up. “Susan, I’ve agreed to marry Lord Collingswood, and we’re getting married on the thirtieth of June. I hope you’ll be one of my attendants. We’re getting married at St. Nicolas in Cranleigh. Please say you’ll come.”
Susan grinned and gave her a hug. “Oh Helen, I’d be honored. I hope you’ll be as happy as my husband and I have been. You never said a word to me, you sly thing! I had no idea you were even thinking about getting married. Have you picked out your colors for the wedding yet? I’m sure your mother is thrilled.”
“No, Susan, I haven’t picked out anything yet, and my mother doesn’t know about my engagement. Lord Collingswood just returned from speaking with Henry today. I’m going to Sanderford Park the day after tomorrow, and Melody and I will plan everything then. I’ll send word to you as soon as I make my plans.”
“I’ll be happy to help you. Just let me know what I can do.”
“Thank you, Susan. Well, we need to go to our box. The opera is getting ready to start. I’ll tell you more tomorrow, when we go to the orphanage. See you then.” Matthew and Helen turned and made their way to the ducal box they were using.
They had a pleasant evening at the opera, and when he returned her to Lady Helton’s, he tenderly kissed her lips. “I’m pleased you’ve agreed to be my wife. I know we’ll get along splendidly. I’ll take my leave now, and I’ll see on the twenty-ninth.” As she watched him leave, she wondered what it would be like if he did kiss her with passion.
Oh well, that wasn’t what she needed.
All she wanted was a nice, safe, unemotional marriage.
She would save her love for her children.
Chapter 5
Late May 1820
The next day, when Helen arrived at the orphanage, Susan rushed over to her and hugged her. “Helen, I can’t believe you’re getting married. You’ve only known Lord Collingswood for a couple of weeks. How in the world can you be in love with him this quickly? You told me you’d never fall in love again. I’m happy for you, but I must say I’m shocked.”
Helen hesitated before she spoke, wondering how much to say, but since Susan was really her closest friend, she decided to tell her everything. “Susan, it’s not a love match. You’re right. I don’t want to fall in love again. I’m marrying Matthew because I’m ready to be a mother, and I can’t do that without a husband. We’ve decided that we would suit, and since he already has children, I’ll be a mother right away. We actually have quite a bit in common, and I know I’ll be very content. Please, just be happy for me.”
Susan looked disappointed, but then she smiled. “I had hoped you would meet someone and fall in love. I know how hurt you were over the dastardly thing the Duke of Somerset did. I just wish you were in love with Lord Collingswood. Of course, he’s deliciously handsome, so I can always hope that love will grow between you. He seemed to be a very pleasant gentleman. Of course, I wish you happy.”
Helen was relieved that Susan had capitulated so quickly. She hoped she would get the same reaction from Melody, but she doubted it. “I promise you, this is what I want. He lives in Devonshire next to the sea, and I feel that I’ll love that, and we truly are very compatible.”
“That does sound fascinating. I’ve been to the sea with Arthur, and I found it quite exhilarating. I do wish you knew him a bit better.”
“I know that two weeks doesn’t seem like much time to get to know one another, but we saw each other two times a day, and since we had already decided to see if we would suit, we intently focused on whether we would be compatible. Now, help me decide on the colors for my
Matthew shook hands with Lord Hastings. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” Then he addressed Lady Hastings, “Lady Helen has mentioned you on several occasions. I know she values your friendship greatly.”
Helen spoke up. “Susan, I’ve agreed to marry Lord Collingswood, and we’re getting married on the thirtieth of June. I hope you’ll be one of my attendants. We’re getting married at St. Nicolas in Cranleigh. Please say you’ll come.”
Susan grinned and gave her a hug. “Oh Helen, I’d be honored. I hope you’ll be as happy as my husband and I have been. You never said a word to me, you sly thing! I had no idea you were even thinking about getting married. Have you picked out your colors for the wedding yet? I’m sure your mother is thrilled.”
“No, Susan, I haven’t picked out anything yet, and my mother doesn’t know about my engagement. Lord Collingswood just returned from speaking with Henry today. I’m going to Sanderford Park the day after tomorrow, and Melody and I will plan everything then. I’ll send word to you as soon as I make my plans.”
“I’ll be happy to help you. Just let me know what I can do.”
“Thank you, Susan. Well, we need to go to our box. The opera is getting ready to start. I’ll tell you more tomorrow, when we go to the orphanage. See you then.” Matthew and Helen turned and made their way to the ducal box they were using.
They had a pleasant evening at the opera, and when he returned her to Lady Helton’s, he tenderly kissed her lips. “I’m pleased you’ve agreed to be my wife. I know we’ll get along splendidly. I’ll take my leave now, and I’ll see on the twenty-ninth.” As she watched him leave, she wondered what it would be like if he did kiss her with passion.
Oh well, that wasn’t what she needed.
All she wanted was a nice, safe, unemotional marriage.
She would save her love for her children.
Chapter 5
Late May 1820
The next day, when Helen arrived at the orphanage, Susan rushed over to her and hugged her. “Helen, I can’t believe you’re getting married. You’ve only known Lord Collingswood for a couple of weeks. How in the world can you be in love with him this quickly? You told me you’d never fall in love again. I’m happy for you, but I must say I’m shocked.”
Helen hesitated before she spoke, wondering how much to say, but since Susan was really her closest friend, she decided to tell her everything. “Susan, it’s not a love match. You’re right. I don’t want to fall in love again. I’m marrying Matthew because I’m ready to be a mother, and I can’t do that without a husband. We’ve decided that we would suit, and since he already has children, I’ll be a mother right away. We actually have quite a bit in common, and I know I’ll be very content. Please, just be happy for me.”
Susan looked disappointed, but then she smiled. “I had hoped you would meet someone and fall in love. I know how hurt you were over the dastardly thing the Duke of Somerset did. I just wish you were in love with Lord Collingswood. Of course, he’s deliciously handsome, so I can always hope that love will grow between you. He seemed to be a very pleasant gentleman. Of course, I wish you happy.”
Helen was relieved that Susan had capitulated so quickly. She hoped she would get the same reaction from Melody, but she doubted it. “I promise you, this is what I want. He lives in Devonshire next to the sea, and I feel that I’ll love that, and we truly are very compatible.”
“That does sound fascinating. I’ve been to the sea with Arthur, and I found it quite exhilarating. I do wish you knew him a bit better.”
“I know that two weeks doesn’t seem like much time to get to know one another, but we saw each other two times a day, and since we had already decided to see if we would suit, we intently focused on whether we would be compatible. Now, help me decide on the colors for my
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