CHAPTER NINETEEN
“I can’t believe you’re here! I’m so glad you’re all right!”
Sarah reached out to clasp Mildred’s hand, and they had an awkward moment where they couldn’t figure out how to greet one another. Then they fell into each other’s arms and hugged as tightly as they could.
They were in the driveway at Wallace Downs, the grand house towering behind them. Mildred had traveled in her ancient, lumbering coach. She probably should have purchased a newer, faster vehicle, but the heavy weight was perfect for weathering bad roads.
“I was so afraid for you,” Sarah said as they drew apart.
“I have to admit I was a tad alarmed myself.”
“Your nephew is insane.”
“I agree.”
Mildred fought off a shudder.
Male relatives locked away their female kin all the time. Usually, it transpired when a husband grew tired of his wife but couldn’t get a divorce. Or when a father ordered his daughter to marry and she refused. A daughter’s decision to defy her father was always ruled to be a sign of madness.
In nearly every case, the woman had no money or power so she couldn’t free herself. Mildred was lucky in a thousand different ways.
She’d viewed Clayton as a silly, pretentious fusspot. It had never occurred to her that he would commit such a heinous act. They had a very small family, with just a few elderly cousins, but that was it. She and Clayton were the only ones of consequence who remained. He’d guaranteed a permanent rift, but how would he survive without her?
Evidently, he hadn’t pondered all the ramifications, but then he hadn’t expected her to ever be released.
Mildred had severed all ties, and even if—in the distant future—she began to feel sorry for him and wished to relent, Nicholas and Thumberton would prevent it.
Clayton was on his own, cut loose into a world without any foundation to hold him up. She wondered how long it would be before he crashed and burned to ashes.
Sarah kept nervously glancing at the carriage, and Mildred knew why.
Young love! It was so exhausting!
“In case you were curious,” she said, “Nicholas isn’t with me.”
“Oh.”
Sarah’s expression was such a mix of conflicted emotions that Mildred laughed. Clearly, she’d been hoping he would and wouldn’t come with Mildred, and she was confused about which ending she preferred. By his staying away, he hadn’t made her choices any easier.
He was very circumspect, but Mildred had managed to pry out enough information to learn that he and Sarah had quarreled and that she, Mildred, was the reason. They were both ridiculous, and she wasn’t about to fix their dilemma. They’d have to fix it themselves or they weren’t destined to be together.
“He’s waiting for me in the village though,” Mildred told her.
“Oh,” she said again.
“He won’t allow me out of his sight, but I convinced him I could ride the last mile or two by myself without suffering a mishap.”
Sarah blanched with dismay. “Are you worried? Is it Clayton? Are you scared of him?”
“I shall always be scared of him, but I’m not worried. Nicholas is simply an overprotective goose, and it aggravates me to death.”
“I imagine it would.”
“I wouldn’t permit him to accompany me all the way. I had to speak to you first. I’ve been apprised that you’ve been bickering over me.”
“Well…yes, we have been.”
Mildred stared up at the manor. “Let’s go inside, and you can offer up your version of it. We’ll see if he’s brave enough to talk to you after that.”
They climbed the stairs, and numerous courteous servants stopped to greet her as they passed. The butler was especially gracious, and they were shown into a magnificent parlor where she was tended as if she were the Queen on summer progress.
“I’m enchanted by this house,” she said once they were alone. “I’m always bowled over by polite treatment.”
“It’s my sister’s doing. Abigail? From her stories, the place was quite a mess when she initially arrived. She’s whipped matters into shape very quickly.”
“Mr. Wallace is obviously wealthy, and she snatched him up.” Mildred smirked. “Smart girl that she is.”
“Yes, she’s very smart.”
“Wasn’t she hired to work as the governess?”
“Yes.”
Mildred and Sarah exchanged a look. It was scandalous for a governess to ingratiate herself, then make off with the owner. It was the stuff of fairytales and novels, and the other single ladies in the neighborhood had to be furious at her for snagging such an eligible bachelor.
“Will I get to meet this amazing temptress?” Mildred asked.
Sarah chuckled. “Yes, you’ll meet her. She’s trying on her wedding gown, but she’ll be down directly.”
“Isn’t she already married? I consider myself to be very modern, but I couldn’t bear to discover that she’s living in sin.”
“They were wed by Special License a few months ago, but they’re repeating their vows at the local church.”
“What a lovely idea.”
“I’ll tell her you called her a temptress. She’ll like that.”
“And what about your other sister. Catherine, isn’t it?”
“She’s here too. Once I staggered in, she raced to Wallace Downs to be with me.”
“She’s fine? She wasn’t imperiled? I know you were concerned about her.”
“She’s married too! Can you believe it?”
“No, I can’t. Who is the lucky fellow?”
“Christopher Wakefield-Stanton?”
“I’m not acquainted with him.”
“He’d just resigned his commission in the army to come home and assume control of his family’s estate.”
“Your sister latched onto him immediately? Is he handsome and charming?”
“Very handsome and very charming.”
“Then Catherine is another smart girl!”
“She and Christopher were wed by Special License too.”
“It seems everyone is in a hurry this summer.”
“They had to get rings on their fingers as fast as they could, and I don’t suppose I need to hint at the reason why.”
“No, you don’t,” Mildred said. “I’m fully cognizant regarding the hazards of amour.”
“But Catherine and Christopher are marrying in the church too. It’s to be a double wedding.”
“They’re marrying in the same ceremony? Both couples?”
“Yes.”
“That is a marvelous conclusion.”
“You’ll have to ask Catherine about Christopher so she can wax on about him. She’s positively obsessed with him, and we’re all sick of listening to her. You’ll provide her with a new audience.”
“I’ll be delighted to hear all the details. I’m a romantic at heart, and it’s been a season of love for the Henley sisters.”
“For two of them anyway.”
Mildred scowled. “No, it was all three of you. I saw you with Nicholas. He’s wild for you.”
Sarah was determined not to talk about him. His name only entered the conversation when Mildred raised it, and she wanted to shake some sense into the stubborn ninny.
Apparently, Sarah thought he was running a scam on Mildred, that he wasn’t really her son. But Mildred had thoroughly examined his claim, and it was valid.
If she completely believed him, it was absurd for Sarah to harbor any doubts, but Mildred wasn’t about to defend Nicholas. It was Nicholas’s burden, and if he couldn’t persuade her, she would never trust him.
“What happened to your nephew?” Sarah asked. “Your letter was so brief.”
“He had moved into my home and was trying to seize my bank accounts, but he could never have gotten past Mr. Thumberton.”
“Good thing. You’ll have to teach me how to be so competent at handling my own finances.”
“I will,” Mildred said. “Every girl should understand money—in case she ever has some.”
“Where is Clayton now?”
“I presume he’s slithered back to his country property where we attended his birthday party. Or he might be gambling in town. I don’t care where he is so I haven’t investigated.”
“What about that traitorous Mr. Winthrop? Please tell me you’ve cut ties with him too.”
“I have.”
“After you were snatched away that day in Bath, I returned from my errands to find him going through your desk with Mr. Farnsworth. They were studying all your papers, and he was snickering over how clever your nephew was in committing you. He’s not your friend.”
“I realize that. It’s one of the lessons I learned from all of this. I have been much too kind to people who didn’t deserve it.” Mildred grinned. “I’m thrilled to report that I’ve obtained my revenge against Winston in the best way ever.”
Sarah grinned too. “What did you do?”
“I used to pay a portion of his rent for him and his sisters. It’s why he was so fawning when he visited me. He had to ensure that I kept being generous, but I’ve stopped the funds.”
“I bet he doesn’t like that very much.”
“No, and he’s been begging to meet with me, but he’ll never be allowed an appointment.”
“Don’t relent in the future,” Sarah warned. “I recognize how nice you can be. Don’t ever start thinking he wasn’t that horrid.”
“I won’t ever think that.” And if she began to forget, she had Nicholas to remind her.
“What is your schedule for the remainder of the year?” Sarah asked. “Will you reopen your house in Bath?”
“I haven’t decided. I’m still recuperating from my ordeal. If I went to Bath, would you come with me? I can’t imagine traveling without you.”
“I might travel with you again someday, but not as your employee.”
“As my friend?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Sarah said, and they both smiled.
“I’d like to take you to Spain once the weather is colder here in England.”
“I can’t right now. I’ve just been reunited with my family, and I feel such a strong need to be with them for awhile.”
“I understand.”
“Maybe after my affairs have calmed?”
“Yes, we can definitely discuss it.”
Yet it would only happen if Sarah and Nicholas reconciled. For the rest of her life, Nicholas would be by her side so Sarah would have to be Nicholas’s wife. Mildred wondered how it would all play out.
She hoped they married. Then she would have a son and a daughter who delighted her. It wasn’t any of her business how it resolved so she wouldn’t interfere. Or perhaps she’d meddle just a tad. She’d have to dawdle in the background and discover how obstinate they intended to be.
“The reason I asked about your schedule,” Sarah said, “is that the wedding is at the end of September, and we’d like you to stay with us until then.”
“Oh, my goodness! Isn’t that the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard?”
Tears flooded Mildred’s eyes. Not counting Clayton, it had been an eternity since anyone had invited her to be their guest.
This was a whole new family filled with young people. It would be a blissful sojourn, and she yearned for it to occur, but unless Sarah and Nicholas settled their differences she couldn’t envision how it would ever transpire.
“I would like to stay,” she tentatively ventured, “but I’d have to change some plans. Let me work on it.”
Mildred wanted to tarry and attend the wedding so badly she could taste it so Nicholas had to muster his courage and get his butt over to Wallace Downs. He would have to flatter and charm and finagle as he never previously had. She wouldn’t miss out on the fun simply because he was too proud to mend their rift.
Just then, two of the prettiest little girls she’d ever seen walked into the parlor. Their aristocratic bloodlines were very prominent so they had to be Henleys, but Mildred couldn’t figure out who their parents might be.
Were they cousins? Nieces? By which sibling? The answer to that question might be too scandalous to ask.
“Who are these beautiful cherubs?” she inquired.
“Girls,” Sarah said to them, “this is my friend, Miss Farnsworth.”
They executed perfect curtsies, then introduced themselves.
“I am Miss Millie Wallace.”
“And I am Miss Mary Wallace.”
“But you have to be Henleys,” Mildred said. “You look too much like Sarah not to be.”
“Mary and Millie are my nieces,” Sarah replied. Mildred didn’t pose the query that was on the tip of her tongue, but she peeked over at Sarah, and Sarah explained, “They are my brother Hayden’s daughters. It was the great surprise awaiting me at Wallace Downs, as well as the reason I can’t leave yet. He sired them before he died, but none of us knew. He’s left us a piece of himself to cherish and watch over.”
It was the most precious statement ever. The tears that had threatened dripped down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold them in. She loved happy stories and happy endings, and she especially loved to hear about dreams coming true.
The twins appeared stricken by her upset, and they climbed onto the sofa, one on either side, and they snuggled close—like two warm puppies. They gazed up at her, their blue eyes kind and wise. They each clasped one of her hands.
“Don’t be sad, Miss Farnsworth,” Mary said.
“I’m not sad, dear,” Mildred responded. “I’m simply so thrilled to meet you. I can’t tamp down all my joy.”
Millie added, “We’re thrilled to meet you too. Aunt Sarah told us that you’ve had a very hard time.”
“I have had a hard time of it,” Mildred admitted.
“It gets better,” Mary advised her. “It always gets better.”
Mildred put an arm around both girls and hugged them tight.
* * * *
Sarah was in the garden behind the manor, and basically she was pacing and fretting.
Mildred was spending the night before she returned to London the next day. She would try to arrange her schedule so she could join in the excitement at Wallace Downs as they marched toward the wedding.
After Sarah had shown her to her bedchamber, she’d decided to nap for a bit so Sarah had been relieved of her duties as hostess. She was free to stew about Nicholas.
According to Mildred, he was at the tavern in the village and had reserved a room. She was wondering if she shouldn’t scoot there and have it out with him once and for all. She didn’t know where they stood and wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Perhaps she should take the coward’s route and hide at Wallace Downs until he departed.
They had many issues to address, but she was terrified to be alone with him. He seduced her so easily, and they’d been apart for such a short period. She hadn’t had sufficient opportunity to buck up and deflect his immense charisma. If they chatted, she was afraid she’d be immediately bowled over and too thunderstruck to rationally assess their situation.
Were they still engaged? Did he still wish to marry her? Did she still wish to marry him? He was rich now and could pick any bride in the world. He didn’t have to choose a penniless spinster. Then again, she didn’t have to choose him either.
Catherine had been very blunt about his antics in London. He’d trifled with her friend, Libby Markham, then had fled without a word. The poor girl had been sent to an unwed mothers’ home, but she’d escaped disgrace when no babe had been planted in her belly.
Should Sarah tell Mildred about Libby? How many other maidens had there been? Was Sarah just one more?
If Sarah intended to sever ties with Nicholas, was there any point to divulging the facts to Mildred? If Sarah claimed there was no betrothal, then Nicholas was none of her business. Why hurt Mildred with sordid information?
There was also the problem with Catherine and Abigail. If Sarah went to them and insisted she would wed Nicholas despite his dubious past, it might cause a breach with her sisters, and Sarah couldn’t bear to distress them. What if she thrust Nicholas into their midst, but they’d rather not have him there? How could such an act ever end in a good way?
And what about Mildred? Sarah planned to maintain a close relationship with the woman. It was already clear from how she’d bonded with Mary and Millie that she would become part of the family. She’d be the grandmother the twins needed and had never had, the mother Sarah, Catherine, and Abigail needed but who had been lost to them in that horrible accident at sea.
Yet Mildred had declared Nicholas to be her son so any connection to her would have to include him. Where did that leave her with Mildred?
Oh, she was such a mess! She was conflicted and confused and wished she’d never met Nicholas Swift. No, that wasn’t correct. She was ecstatic to have met him, but she couldn’t figure out what the conclusion was supposed to be. She felt as if she’d reached a junction, that two roads led off in opposite directions. Which one should she take?
She had no idea.
Up on the verandah, someone suddenly loomed over her. She glanced up and blanched.
Nicholas was standing there. Apparently, he’d grown tired of waiting for her to make a decision, and he’d come to Wallace Downs to speak to her. The servant who’d answered his knock hadn’t bothered to consider if she’d liked to see him or not, and he’d been escorted outside.
He searched the garden, quickly located her, then marched down the stairs. Time seemed to slow, but to speed up too. Destiny was approaching. Catastrophe was approaching. Her strongest inclination was to turn and run, but she was frozen in place and couldn’t move.
He swept up to her like a tempest, like a violent storm, like the best sight she’d ever witnessed. Without pausing, without comment, he swooped her into his arms, then he was kissing her and kissing her, and she was kissing him back.
She might have been drowning and not able to breathe for an eternity. He brought air and light and a happiness she couldn’t resist. Instantly, she was completely mad with desire. Was there no hope for her? Would she ever muster the strength to ward off his significant appeal? Where he was concerned, had she any ability to control herself? Would she ever have it?
He was temptation incarnate, a man who blithely seduced women and took what he craved from them, but they gave it willingly. She was simply another female who couldn’t refuse him, and she was disgusted by her lack of fortitude, by her failure to exhibit even a modicum of moral conduct.
She couldn’t guess how long they continued, but she was surprised the whole house hadn’t come out to observe the torrid display. Who carried on like this? Who grappled and fought as if they had tumbled overboard and couldn’t find purchase? They were acting as if they’d been separated for years rather than weeks.
How could she have thought she didn’t love him, that she didn’t want to keep him for her own?
“You’re mine,” he said as he finally drew away, “and we’re getting married. I won’t argue about it.”
“Ah…ah…all right.”
“I won’t listen to any further complaints about my character or my past. I won’t listen to any nagging about Mildred or her fortune or anything else.”
“All right,” she repeated.
“We will live with my mother, and I will dote on both of you for the rest of my life.” He bent down so they were nose to nose. “Tell me if that meets with your high expectations.”
“Yes, yes, I believe that will be fine.”
She was so overwhelmed by his potent embrace that she couldn’t think straight and might have agreed to any deranged scheme. Luckily, there was no time for thinking for he dipped down and began kissing her again.
Yet they’d barely started in when, from over on the verandah Catherine sternly called, “Mr. Swift!”
It was like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. They leapt apart and spun to gape up at her. She looked furious and aggrieved, and she pointed an accusing finger at him.
“Mr. Swift, you are kissing my sister.”
“I am—and hello to you too, Miss Barrington. Or is it Miss Henley?”
“It’s Mrs. Stanton to you,” Catherine snidely snapped. “Now leave her alone and haul yourself into the house. You and I need to have a private conversation.”
“It won’t alter what I mean to do,” he merrily retorted.
“We’ll see about that,” Catherine countered.
Sarah clasped his arm, and they walked toward the stairs when Catherine said, “Sarah, you’re not invited to participate in this discussion.”
“Don’t be silly, Catherine. Of course I’ll participate.”
“It’s obvious to me that he’s placed you under some sort of wicked spell.”
Nicholas peeked down at Sarah and whispered, “Have I bewitched you?”
“Yes, you cad,” she whispered too.
“You can wait here,” he said.
“No, I’m coming with you.”
“Your sister and I have a few details to hash out. You probably shouldn’t hear what they are.”
“What if she talks you out of marrying me? What if she convinces you to change your mind?”
“Give me some credit,” he scoffed. “How could anyone change my mind about how much I love you? Besides, you know I never listen to women.”
“True.”
“So there’s nothing she could say that would affect me in the slightest.” He stole another kiss. “Let me get this out of the way.”
“Mr. Swift!” Catherine scolded. “Please keep your lips to yourself!”
Nicholas winked at Sarah. “I’ll be back shortly.”
He strolled off, and Sarah watched him go. He was so sure of himself, so agile and lithe, so comfortable in his body and person. She suffered such a rush of gladness that she could hardly stand it.
With a furtive wave, he disappeared into the manor with Catherine, and Sarah lingered in the grass like a fool, like a deaf mute who had no connection to what was about to occur.
What if Catherine declined to grant her permission for them to wed? Her permission wasn’t required, but Sarah would definitely hope to receive her blessing. What if she withheld it?
What if Catherine and Abigail cornered him together? What if Christopher and Alex joined in? Alex in particular was dangerous and stubborn. If he declared Nicholas couldn’t wed Sarah and become a member of the family, how could she and Nicholas proceed?
She was incensed and didn’t want a big ruckus. It would get all of them off on the wrong foot, and they might never be able to get back on the right foot.
It was her future, and she could decide for herself how it would unfold, and she wouldn’t allow her sisters to wreck it for her. She wasn’t about to be locked out of the most important conversation of her life.
She stomped to the verandah and was approaching the stairs when movement off to her left caught her attention. She glanced over, stunned to find Clayton Farnsworth had emerged from behind a bush where, evidently, he’d been hiding. Was he following Mildred? Was he spying on her?
He didn’t look well. His skin was blotchy, his eyes unfocused and very bright. His clothes were askew, his hair not combed.
“Mr. Farnsworth?” she said as he neared. “Why are you at Wallace Downs?”
“Hello, Miss Henley,” he replied.
He pulled his hand from his coat, and she was alarmed to see he was clutching a small pistol. It was aimed directly at her.
“Mr. Farnsworth!” she repeated more sharply. “Have you gone mad?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Henley, but I’m afraid you have to come with me.”
“I won’t. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“My most sincere apologies, but refusal is not an option.”
Quick as a snake, he grabbed her wrist and slipped a rope around it. He had it knotted with a fancy type of noose, and he yanked it tight before she could lurch away. The other end was tied to his own wrist.
He started off across the garden, headed to the woods on the other side, and though she fought and struggled to halt their progress, she couldn’t slow him down.