Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Once Margaret was settled in her coach with the other ladies they looked at her expectantly.

All during luncheon she had been wanting to tell someone, other than him, of course, her thoughts. She could not hold back now. “He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. His light blond hair, his strong lean cheeks, his wide, but well-defined lips, and those eyes! Especially with his skin darkened by the sun. I feel as if he can see right into me. I never expected him to be so very handsome! If I was not a gently bred lady, I would have lept into his arms.”

Meg smiled and Amanda burst out laughing.

“I knew you would like him,” Amanda said.

“He is the most handsome of all the brothers,” Meg opined. “Except for Hawksworth, of course. I believe it is because Septimus has his mother’s complexion which is more of a cream than a pearl white.”

Now that that was out, Margaret must have her most pressing questions answered. She focused on Meg. “Why the secrecy? It is not as if our fathers do not want this match.”

“It is the duke,” Meg stated flatly.

Margaret still did not understand. “His father? The Duke of Somerset?”

Meg’s dark brows rose. “Indeed. His only goal, the only reason he attempts to arrange matches for his children is to increase the wealth of the dukedom. He wants this marriage because there is apparently a piece of land that runs along one of the dukedom’s properties. If he cannot have it it will not matter what you and Septimus decide, he will do his best to stop the marriage.”

Margaret still did not comprehend. There was only the estate. Unless . . . he could not possibly want the estate she inherited from her mother? She would never give up that estate. It was her refuge. It was where she was closest to her mother. Would he have a holding near Skegness?”

“Yes.” Meg nodded. “We did not know which property it was, but Septimus stated that he would not take anything from you. Ergo, we had to all leave Town before the duke sent men to watch our houses.

Margaret could not believe what she was hearing. “He would actually do that? To his sons?”

“Absolutely.” Meg gave an emphatic nod. “Thus far, he has tried to compromise one son, imprisoned two of his daughters, and tried abducting three sons. We, Hawksworth and I, with help from friends and later the other brothers and sisters, have assisted all of them to wed the people they chose to marry.”

Margaret could not imagine a father would behave in that way. “Does he have no concern for his children at all?”

“No,” Meg said flatly. “None at all.”

“For the love of God. The man must be mad.” No wonder they had engaged in such subterfuge. “If Lord Septimus and I decide we suit, what is your plan to see us safely married?”

“We are in the process of obtaining a special license that will be delivered to Maryville Manor.”

Margaret considered the scheme for a few moments but knew it would not suffice. “I will have my father at my wedding.”

“I must say that I agree,” Amanda said. “It is only right that he be there.”

“I would also like to be married at Sutton Hall if at all possible.” Margaret had her dependents to consider. They would be terribly disappointed if she married without them present.

“I must think.” Meg folded her arms over her chest. “From what I understand, with a fast carriage the distance between Maryville Hall and Sutton Hall could be less than two hours.” She tilted her head back against the plush cushions for a minute or more before suddenly sitting straight again. “We can make it happen.” She glanced at Amanda. “Your husband said that he has a solicitor in Grantham who can draft the settlement agreements.”

“Yes,” Amanda nodded.

Meg glanced at Margaret. “You said your father has been ill. It seems to me that he would, like many elderly people, go to a spa town to take the waters. It would make sense for him to travel to Harrogate for the treatment.”

“But why if we are to have the wedding at my home.”

“Because we do not want the duke to discover that you and your father are there. After he leaves, he will double back to Sutton Hall. Where are you supposed to be?”

“With my aunt Sperry. She lives near Nottingham.”

“Yes. I believe my plan will work.” Meg smiled. “All you have to do is decide if you will accept Septimus.”

Accept him? Even though they had been discussing the mechanics of a wedding, it suddenly seemed so fast. “I have only just met him.”

“That may be.” Meg grinned. “But he was extremely smitten with you. I have never seen him struck dumb or forget his manners with a lady. I know him very well. He is the brother we see most often because of his position.”

This was happening very rapidly. “It is possible to fall in love so quickly?”

“Indeed, it is,” Amanda said. “The instant I saw Maryville I knew I would spend my life with him.”

“Hawksworth said the same about me,” Meg a blush colored her cheeks. “It took me a bit longer to come around.”

“I do like the way he listens to me.” Margaret could not think of a gentleman who did not like the sound of his own voice more than hers. And, as shallow as it seemed, she loved his appearance. Although, that was a very poor reason to wed. She covered her face with her hands. “I do not know what to do.”

Her friend reached across and patted her knee. “I have a feeling you will soon know if you wish to marry him or not.”

She dropped her hands back to her lap. “You are probably right. It does seem as if it will happen swiftly or not at all. How will I know if he wants to marry me? Will he simply declare himself?”

Both her friends smiled widely.

“Hawksworth kissed me, then told me that a marriage must have passion.” Meg chuckled. “Then he said that he could not marry a lady who did not love him. Ergo, I was left to decide how I felt. Although, I must say, his continued kisses did help.”

“Maryville treated me as if I was a different species that he’d never seen before. Or a porcelain object that would break.” Amanda shook her head. “I finally kissed him, and he got the hint.”

That was interesting. Kissing seemed to be the deciding factor. She wished she knew more about the act. “So, I should expect kisses or initiate them myself?”

Both ladies regarded her until Meg said, “I believe it is time to ask what, exactly you know about relations between men and women.”

“Nothing. I only know a little about breeding the animals.” If only her mother had not died when Margaret had been so young.

Amanda and Meg exchanged glances, then Amanda’s forehead wrinkled. “As you have most likely realized, kisses play a part, but there are other things a gentleman can do to make you want to be with him in an intimate way.”

What intimate way? “I do not understand.”

“What she is attempting to say is that touching is very important. Your body is sensitive to the right man’s touch. If Septimus is the right gentleman, you will want him to continue to touch you. You will feel a need for something more. That is when you are ready to make love with him. If you do not feel something physical. A tingle or other sensation when he touches even your hand, he is not the right one for you.”

Margaret had felt something when he had handed her into the coach. She just had not known that it could signify anything important.

“We can have another conversation later,” Amanda said. “After you are betrothed.”

About what? Surely they had told her everything. “Why?”

Meg shrugged lightly. “There is more.”

Margaret was about to ask what it was, but the coach came to a stop in front of the house, and footmen poured down the steps.

Septimus had barely taken his seat across from his brother and Maryville when the former said, “Well?”

“I have never seen a lady, or any female, that so appealed to me.” The first thing Septimus had wanted to do was pick her up and carry her off. “She did not appear to be nearly as smitten as I am.”

“You must remember,” Maryville said. “She was never out. She has never been courted. In short, she has no experience with gentlemen. I imagine she is a bit cautious about the whole thing.”

“I had not considered that.” All Septimus thought about was how soon he could have her as his. “How long do you think it will take to bring her around?”

Hawksworth leaned back his head and laughed. “She is not a partner in a negotiation. At least not until she agrees to marry you. I assume that she will want to love you before she agrees to join her life to yours.”

Septimus scowled at his brother. “That is not helpful. I have never actually been in love.” Although he might be now. He felt differently about her than he had any other woman.

“Lust is a beginning,” his brother commented.

“I agree. The first time I saw my wife I wanted to take her home with me.” Maryville frowned. “I asked her father to arrange a match, and he refused telling me that if she didn’t want me then I really didn’t want her.”

“Meg wanted nothing to do with me.” Hawksworth grinned. “Until I kissed her.”

Septimus couldn’t believe she had been so easily convinced. “She fell right in love with you?”

“No, but she was willing to be persuaded. I told her I couldn’t marry unless the lady loved me.”

This time Maryville burst into laughter. “I was much more fortunate. My wife was as fascinated with me as I was with her.”

“I think Miss Sutton might be interested in me at least a little.” He hoped she was. They did not have a great deal of time to decide. Septimus was determined to have her wed before the duke discovered their plan. He would begin courting her immediately upon their arrival. He prayed he didn’t have to go too slowly.

It wasn’t long before the coach turned onto a private drive indicting that they had reached their destination.

Once the vehicle stopped, he jumped out and hurried to the carriage in which the ladies were riding. Laughter floated from inside the conveyance, and Margaret appeared in the open door.

“My lord.”

“Miss Sutton.” He held out his hand. “How was your journey?”

She placed her fingers in his, stopped for a moment, then smiled at him. “Extremely illuminating.”

What on earth had the ladies told her? He hoped they were helping him. Both his sister-in-marriage and Miss Sutton’s friend desired the match. “How so?”

“Oh.” She waved her free hand airily. “We discussed how they met and married their husbands and things like that.”

That sounded promising. He sent a brief prayer to the deity and thanks that the weather was not bitterly cold or snowing. “After you have had a chance to refresh yourself from the travel, would you like to take a walk. I am certain we can find a garden somewhere.”

Her laugh was like the tinkling of the chimes the Indians in Canada had that were made of shell and wood. “I have not traveled nearly as far as you have. I will, however, change my gown.”

The servants should have already arrived with the trunks. He smiled at her. “Shall we meet in a half hour?”

She smiled back. “I suppose we must first wait to be told where our rooms are.”

“Yes.” Septimus couldn’t believe he was acting like a green lad. “That is an excellent idea.”

They didn’t have long to wait. The butler approached them. “Miss Sutton and Lord Septimus?”

He inclined his head. “We are.”

The servant motioned to a footman. “Jacobs will show you to your chambers. Your servants have arrived. You will find warm wash water and tea to refresh yourselves.”

“Thank you.” Margaret nodded gracefully.

“Now we may plan to meet as we wished.”

“Yes. We may.”

They followed the footman first to her bedchamber, then he was taken to his which was, unfortunately, not in the same wing, but not too far away. He supposed even if Lady Maryville and Meg decided to help him, the appearance of propriety must be observed.

As the footman stopped before a door, Septimus turned to the man and slipped him a vail. “Can you tell me where the best garden for strolling is?”

“Yes, my lord. If you go out the front, it is on the right side of the house.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” The footman bowed. “Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.”

“I shall. Thank you again.” Although the duke would never thank a servant, his mother had told him he would receive much better service and more loyalty simply by being pleasant.

Grimsby was waiting for Septimus when he entered the room. “I must wash my face and hands. Then I am going to take a lady for a stroll.”

“Everything is laid out on the wash basin. Would you like to wear your brown jacket and trousers with shoes?”

“An excellent choice. I have thirty minutes.”

His valet bowed. And he went behind the screen.

His ablutions were soon completed, and he dressed. The only problem was that his damned cravat did not want to be tied. He never had problems with his neckcloths. For some reason, his hands were shaking. That hadn’t happened since the last time he’d been called into his father’s study. Septimus stopped, took a large breath, and reached for another cravat. He’d try something less elaborate this time.

Finally! It was done. “What is the time?”

“You have five minutes yet.”

“Excellent.” He’d go to her chamber and wait. But what if she’d already left? He hadn’t specified where they would meet. Would she think it was in the hall? Yes. Better to go to the hall and hope he met her along the way.

As luck would have it. She was turning the corner onto the landing when he arrived.

“Lord Septimus. You are prompt.”

He held out his arm. “Always, Miss Sutton. Aside from that. I would never keep you waiting.”

She took his arm and paused for an instant. “Thank you.”

“Being with you is always a pleasure. And I am quite certain I have never said that to another female.”

A bit of color painted her cheeks. “Again, I must thank you.”

“Come. I asked the footman where the best garden for taking a stroll was.”

“That was enterprising of you.” Her smile made him want to kiss her.

“I strive to please.” Perhaps she was interested in him. He’d soon find out.