Chapter 22
Felicity Pelham was blessed with what was called a quiet beauty. While not plain, she did not possess the type of prettiness that would warrant a second glance. Able to blend into the background at any gathering, she was frequently overlooked, something she took advantage of as often as she could. As an only child she had been raised to be a loving and dutiful daughter, and it never crossed her mind to question the influence her parents had over her life. She deferred to their judgment in all important matters, and never more so than on the subject of a suitable husband. It had been a wonderful shock to discover her father thought Liam Connor would be an excellent choice.
Lured by the promise of a generous dowry, along with even more wealth attached to the Pelham name, many suitors had asked for Felicity’s hand. All had been rejected. Charles Pelham loved his daughter and prided himself on being perceptive enough to notice if a young man caught her interest. None did until Liam Connor. A blind man would have seen the flush on her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes whenever his name was mentioned. It was a sparkle he had first noticed when Felicity had been barely more than a child. And so he had taken it upon himself, as a loving father, to take a more active interest in the young man who had turned his daughter’s head.
There was a certain quality about the younger of the two Connor boys. A quality that spoke of a serious bent of mind. One similar to his daughter’s. No one could tell Charles why, at close to thirty, Liam had yet to take a wife, but suspecting it would please his daughter, he agreed to the courtship. Other than his own choice of wife, and fathering Felicity, Charles Pelham soon came to realize it was one of the best decisions he had ever made. So when Liam asked for Felicity’s hand, he was delighted to give it.
News of the Pelham-Connor engagement spread quickly, and the more vicious tongues lost no time wagging. Before long it was generally concluded that the marriage was nothing more than a business venture. The merger of land and money. The gossips would have been most put out if they had only known how single-minded Liam had been in the pursuit of his bride. He would have taken Felicity with no dowry, and no prospects.
But he had been delighted to discover his fiancée possessed a fine brain, and with the proper encouragement, she could converse quite animatedly on a wide variety of subjects. Indeed, when engrossed in a subject she was knowledgeable about, Felicity’s confidence grew, making the quiet beauty very loud indeed. In his heart Liam knew he wanted to share his life with no other.
To Felicity, Liam was the answer to a prayer she had only had the courage to whisper to herself in the dark. She had been ridiculously happy to know he still remembered the timid girl who spent one glorious summer tagging along with him and his brother as they roamed the countryside. Rian, being the eldest, gave permission for her to join them, but it was Liam who took care of her. Offering his hand when she needed help climbing over a stile, carrying her piggyback across a stream so her boots wouldn’t get wet. And it was Liam who gently wiped away her tears and comforted her when she fell and skinned her knees. Was it any surprise she had fallen in love with him?
Emily Pelham, away visiting a sick relative, had been horrified on her return to discover just how and, more to the point, with whom her daughter had been spending her days. Declaring both Connor boys to be totally unsuitable as playmates, she had put an immediate end to the friendship. Sometimes Felicity wished they all could have known each other better growing up, but her mother had spoken and no one was going to defy her wishes.
Through the years, Felicity comforted herself with her daydreams. Sitting unnoticed in the kitchen, she would perk up when a conversation mentioned the latest mischief involving the Connor boys. Usually Rian was the subject of the conversation, but every now and then Liam’s name would be thrown into the mix. It was generally agreed that Liam was the more sensible of the brothers. Rian reminded Felicity of a thunderstorm. Unpredictable and wildly exhilarating but far too exhausting for the likes of her. Liam was the calm that came after the storm. Still, it was said about the village that when riled, usually in defense of his sibling, Liam’s temper was quick to rise, and only a fool would underestimate him. Temper or not, Felicity knew her heart would belong to no other.
Now, with her wedding barely two weeks away, she was experiencing an overwhelming case of premarital nerves. Her parents may have chosen to live most of the year at their country estate, but the Pelham name still wielded respect in the upper echelons of society. Because of this, the wedding of their only child had become one of the season’s high points. Felicity had resigned herself long ago to having a large crowd in attendance. If left to her, she and Liam would have exchanged vows in the family chapel with only her parents and Rian to stand witness. She certainly didn’t need all this pomp, but she accepted that her parents, by virtue of who they were, had to put on such a display. She was just thankful that Liam seemed perfectly happy to let his prospective mother-in-law have her way. He viewed the elaborate planning with all the bemusement typical of a groom.
This did not mean, however, that Liam was insensitive to the heightened anxiety his fiancée was experiencing at the prospect of becoming the center of attention. Taking her to one side, he promised that he would not leave her alone for a single moment on their wedding day and with this reassurance, Felicity felt she could face anything. To prove her newfound confidence, she did not hesitate when Liam told her he wanted to spend a few days with his brother.
“See if you can persuade him to return with you,” she told him with an easy laugh.
“That may all depend on how strong a hold Lady Howard has on him,” Liam responded with a troubled frown, relieved he did not have to conceal his opinion from Felicity.
“So, you believe there is truth in the rumors concerning the two of them?”
“That, my love, I cannot say, but this will be my chance to find out.” He smiled as Felicity took his hand in hers, concern on her face.
“All the more reason to bring him back with you then,” she repeated firmly.
“What a godsend you are,” Liam murmured, brushing the back of his hand lightly across her cheek.
Felicity cast her eyes downward, but did nothing to hide the smile that lifted her lips. Gently Liam placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her face to his and then, with the utmost tenderness, he kissed her fully on the mouth. It was the first time he had ever kissed her like this, and her entire body tingled in response. At his silent urging she parted her lips, dazed to feel the warmth of his breath in her mouth. Her inexperience was evident, and Liam was cautious with his exploration. Gliding lightly across her teeth and the inside of her lower lip, he gently invaded her mouth. And while he playfully danced with her tongue, loving the taste of her, he subtly let his bride-to-be feel the force of his need as he held her to him. His reward was to note her reluctance to release him when he ended the kiss. While moments alone were not unusual for a betrothed couple, Liam did not want to do anything that might make his future mother-in-law regret such lenience.
“I doubt we shall be alone like this again before I make you my wife,” Liam said, refusing to apologize for taking advantage of the unexpected moment.
Still caught in the passion of his kiss, Felicity gazed up at him with shining eyes. Liam kissed her again, but this time it was a more chaste press of his lips to her forehead. Once he was gone, Felicity hugged herself tightly and wondered how it was possible for one person to be so supremely happy.
Now, in the middle of a last fitting for her wedding gown, she received a note from Liam requesting to speak with her privately. As quickly as she could, Felicity scrambled out of the yards of pale blue material and changed into her day dress. She was still tucking away a few stray wisps of hair when she entered the morning room and found her future husband waiting for her. Over tea he told her about Catherine, glossing over the extent of her physical injuries and his own speculations on how she had come by them.
“I have asked Rian to bring the girl to Oakhaven,” he said speaking earnestly, “and I hope that you will find it in your heart to befriend her.”
“Oh Liam!” Felicity exclaimed. “Can you imagine how horrible it must be for her to have no memory of who she is, or where she comes from? Poor girl must be scared to death. Of course she must stay with us, and Oakhaven will be perfect.”
Liam smiled and moved so he now sat next to her. Taking her hand in both of his, he turned it over and tenderly kissed her palm, making Felicity blush furiously. “You’re a wonderful woman, Felicity Pelham, and I have no idea what I have done to deserve you,” he remarked softly, before a look of concern crossed his face.
“What troubles you, my love?” She was still hesitant about addressing him so informally, and she used the endearment shyly.
“I think this girl is having the most profound effect on my brother, more than he cares to admit.”
“Perhaps he sees some special quality in her,” Felicity observed. Liam gave a thoughtful hum. “In any case,” she continued, “one more guest at our wedding will make little difference .”
Liam shook his head slowly. “Oh, my love, I doubt her injuries will permit her to attend, and I cannot imagine she would be comfortable amongst so many new faces.”
Felicity’s face fell as she realized the foolishness of her suggestion.
“I know you only meant well,” Liam told her. “Your heart was in the right place.”
She looked so forlorn however, that Liam decided to spend the next hour or so restoring her good humor by asking about the latest additions to their guest list, and regaling her with tales about the new names. Most of the stories were humorous, a few slightly risqué, but none were told with malicious intent. He simply wanted to put Felicity at ease. He treasured these moments with her. In her presence, he never felt the need to be anything other than himself, and he looked forward to the quiet pools of solitude she offered in response to the sometimes turbulent events of his life. Being accountable for an estate as large as Oakhaven created its own set of demands, and it was a responsibility he took seriously.
He sighed, relishing the moment of absolute contentment. Felicity was the rock to which he would anchor himself for the rest of his days. He wondered if she would ever truly know how much he would depend on her.