Once Amelia departed, Adam turned to Lady Lavinia, who said in her starchy way, “And now, Major Wellworth … or should I call you Mr Wells? How do you come to be escorting my grand-niece across England? Presumably without her parents’ knowledge, but with the hope of marriage as the outcome? And why the pseudonym? Why keep your identity from Amelia?”
“Miss Fortescue and her parents were invited to my home for Christmas, so that I could become acquainted with her.”
“Had you not met her beforehand?” Lady Lavinia was as direct as ever.
“I had seen her before, but her parents would not permit my introduction without a declaration of my marital intentions.”
She pulled a disgusted face. “You surprise me.” Sarcasm dripped like sour beer from her words. “So, before you had any idea of the nature of my grand-niece, you were required to practically sign pre-marital papers. Did you not think that was unusual?”
“I did, but I’m not experienced with the ways of the aristocracy in these matters.” And I doubt I ever shall be. “Shall I continue?”
She waved a hand. “Proceed with your tale.”
“I thought the best way to get to know Miss Fortescue, and allow her to see me as I really am, was in my home, where everyone could be relaxed. My parents were also joining me for Christmas, so there was no thought of impropriety and certainly not of immediate marriage.”
She gave him a long look. “I understand your reasoning.”
He inclined his head. “But it appears that Miss Fortescue’s parents told her during the journey to Wellworth Park that she was to marry me and that meeting me was a mere formality, it was all decided. And it was to be a Christmas wedding to boot.” Damn their interference!
She shook her head. “Aah. They were not subtle, were they? I see now why Amelia has come to me. She has far too much backbone and force of personality to meekly acquiesce to the outrageous dictates of her parents.”
“I believe her behaviour was assisted by your giving her sufficient money to always be able to make a coach ride to you, no matter where in England she might find herself needing to escape her parents’ machinations.” I don’t know whether to condemn you for enabling her run from me or thank you for inadvertently giving us time alone together.
The elderly lady drew herself up very straight in her chair. “Do I detect a note of disapprobation?”
He leaned upon his cane to ease his aching leg. “You do not! Having met the parents and seen how they treat her when it comes to her choice of a marriage partner—the most important decision of her life—I believe you read them correctly and acted rightly,” he said.
Aunt Lavinia gave him the first smile of any warmth in their exchange. “Young man, take a seat. I believe you have been standing on that damaged leg of yours far too long.”
Adam took the chair to which he was directed.
“And why are you interested in Amelia? You’re not short of money, so I’m assuming you want to link your family’s name with that of an old one.”
“I care nothing for that! I can assure you my interest in Miss Fortescue is sincere. I approached Baron Fortescue about courting her after she engaged my interest from afar. She is extremely attractive and unaffected.”
“From afar? That’s hardly plausible.” Scepticism was written on her lined face.
Adam continued with his explanation as though Aunt Lavinia hadn’t interrupted. “But now that I’ve had the opportunity to spend hours in her company, and in some quite unpleasant circumstances, I feel that I’ve seen enough of her character to warrant my attraction. From my brief time with Miss Fortescue, I am in imminent danger of falling in love with her.”
“Hmm.” Lady Lavinia picked up her lorgnette from the table beside her and held it before her eyes to examine him in close detail. He didn’t flinch. She put the eyeglasses down carefully, and said, “Now, Major, tell me how you plan to land the prize trout that is my grand-niece.”
“That is not the way I would talk of her, Lady Lavinia.”
She waved his words away. “You know what I mean. She is a prize—she’s a charming young woman with a brain in her head, unlike so many others with just cotton wool between their ears.”
He suppressed a smile. “I ascribe that state of being to the fact that you raised her, Lady Lavinia.”
“So do I! What it will mean, of course, is that you will have to spend some time wooing my Amelia. She will want to see that you’re genuine in your affections, not just wanting a vehicle to climb the social ladder. Show her that you’re not a gambler like her father. And that you’re—”
“Not an old cripple?”
“She said that, did she?”
“It was the main reason that she fled Wellworth Park.”
“How did you come to meet her then?”
He briefly explained the circumstances of their accidental meeting. “She revealed that she was escaping Wellworth Park as her parents were trying to marry her off to the aging derelict who owned it.”
“Not a pleasant way to find out what your intérêt amoureux thinks of you.”
“Indeed.” He remembered how his heart had sunk at her words.
“However, I can see that she now regards you in quite a different light.”
“Can you?” I find that hard to believe, but I hope you’re right. The beat of his heart pounded in his ears.
“You can’t see it?”
He shook his head. “No, I do not.”
She threw up her hands in disbelief.
“Pardon my cynicism.” A brief nod accompanied his words.
“You don’t know her as I do, so you need to believe me, and you need to act as though I am correct.” She wagged a finger in support of her words.
“Do I pull her into my arms and kiss her, or drop to one knee and propose?”
“Neither, young man. Mark my words. Not yet.”
“So, what ought I do?”
“Spend time with her. Let her see that you are more than your age and your war injury. Christmas is but days away. As I see it, you have two choices—you may spend Christmas here in Bath or we can all return to Wellworth Park.”
He traced his fingers along the smooth length of the cane that lay across his lap. “If we return to my estate, there will be her parents to contend with, who already have pressed her about marrying me. At the same time, if we stay here, it will mean that both my parents and hers are left alone at Wellworth Park at Christmastime, which seems callous.”
“If you explained to your parents your reasons for deserting them this Christmas, would they condemn you or encourage you in your mission?”
“I have no doubt they would excuse me, for the sake of winning Miss Fortescue’s affections.”
“Excellent. And I think you should have no qualms about abandoning Amelia’s parents. I’m sure they will enjoy living the high life over Christmas, at your expense, especially as they’re secure in the knowledge that their daughter is with you. That is more than enough of a seasonal present for them.”
He gave a brief laugh in appreciation of her character assessment. “However, I will need to return home for the New Year’s Eve ball I’m hosting. I hope you and Miss Fortescue will join me on the return journey and stay for some time at Wellworth Park?”
“I would be delighted. But Amelia can make up her own mind. For now, let us plan our Christmas activities. I’m looking forward to it enormously. I’ve missed having my Amelia around this last year. Where are you staying in Bath?”
“At The Christopher.”
“You shall sleep there, but during the remainder of each day you will be here or escorting Amelia around the town.”
There’s nothing I’d rather do. “I look forward to it.” He stood and bowed.
“Return tomorrow morning, Major. You can start your campaign then.”
He had this one chance to win Amelia’s affections. His chest tightened around his pounding heart as hope and trepidation warred inside him. Would he be successful?