Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Until she had heard Meg speak, Margaret had not actually comprehended what would occur. The Duke of Somerset was truly a horrible, terrible, evil man. She would not allow him to harm anyone she loved. Or almost loved. “I heard most of what Meg said. We have a week possibly less before the duke’s men arrive at Sutton Hall then my aunt’s.” Margaret slid her arms around Septimus’s neck. Heat rose in her face as she did. Never had she been so bold with a gentleman. And she was about to be even bolder. She gazed at his ice blue eyes that somehow were incredibly warm. “Would you mind terribly marrying a lady who is not quite sure she is in love but would very much like sharing her life with you?”

Septimus leaned back his head and laughed as if he wanted to dance a jig. “Is that a proposal Miss Sutton?”

She tilted her head from left to right before giving him a grin. “I believe it is Lord Septimus.”

He appeared to study her for a bit. “Would you like me to propose to you as well?”

What did he have in mind? “Only if you wish to.”

Stepping back, he took her hands and lowered himself to one knee. “My beloved Margaret. Will you be my wife. Share our trials and tribulations, and accept me into your life?”

“Well, that was much better than my proposal.” Yet he did not laugh. He gazed up at her with a seriousness in his eyes. “Yes. I would be proud to be your wife.”

Septimus rose and wrapped her in an embrace that was so warm, so loving, so strong she almost melted into a puddle. Then he kissed her as if he would die if he did not. “We should tell the others.”

“I suppose we must. There is a great deal to plan.” She was glad Meg seemed to have it all in hand. Or, Margaret prayed, she did.

They strolled slowly, hand in hand, to the drawing room. She might not love him yet, but when she had reached her room, she realized that she might never have another opportunity to marry a gentleman who lived up to the title. She knew she could not risk the chance that it would all be taken from her. Marriage, children, her father’s wishes for her, and to have the estate pass into someone else’s hands who was not her heir. She also knew she had to be honest with Septimus. She could not tell him she wished to wed and lie about not loving him. Yet. She was certain she would love him. Margaret hoped it would not take her long.

They reached the door of the parlor and exchanged a smile.

“Shall we?” he asked.

“Yes. This will probably be the last quiet moment we have until we are married.”

“Hmm.” His eyes warmed. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that.” He lifted the latch. “This is it.”

They strolled in and four sets of eyes turned to them.

“Well?” Hawksworth asked.

Margaret took a breath and looked at Septimus who nodded. “We have decided we will suit.”

“Excellent!” Meg almost jumped up from her chair. “I am so happy for both of you.”

A large grin graced Amanda’s countenance. “I knew he would be perfect for you!”

His brother and Maryville slapped Septimus’s back.

“Congratulations,” his brother said. “I wish you the happiness that Meg and I have.”

“And I.” Maryville grinned. “Wish you the same bliss that Amanda and I have.”

“And children,” Amanda said. “Children are wonderful!”

“Madding at times,” her husband murmured. “But absolutely worth it.”

Meg pressed a glass of wine into Margaret’s hand. “You look as if you might need this. Welcome to the family.”

“She took a sip and savored the light taste. “Thank you.”

“I wish the rest of our family could be at the wedding,” her betrothed commented.

He sounded so melancholy that at that moment she truly despised his father. No. The duke. She would not even think of him as a father. Papa could be a father to them both. “Is there no way to arrange it?”

Hawksworth glanced at Meg and raised a questioning brow.

“Let me think. I might be able to come up with a scheme of some sort. What we require immediately, or as soon as possible, is a solicitor. Hawksworth can represent Septimus and Maryville will represent Margaret during the negotiations. Do we have all the information?”

She knew what her inheritance was, but she had no documents. “As long as you do not need proof, I can tell you the property name and description of what I inherited from my mother and what I will inherit from my father.”

“I think your father will have to be here to sign the contract,” Maryville said.

Hawksworth groaned. “You’re correct. He must be present.”

That would be easy. She could write a letter and send the coach back to collect him. “I can take care of that. He will arrive tomorrow.” She glanced around for a writing desk and found one in a corner of the room. “If I may.”

“Of course.” Amanda accompanied Margaret to the small writing desk. “Here is the paper, pen, and ink. And the sealing wax. We can have the coach leave at first light tomorrow.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Better that they return this evening. I do not want to take a chance we are off by a day or two.” She dipped the quill into the ink. “Aside from that. It will be better if he leaves early in the morning.”

Her friend nodded. “As you wish.”

Margaret began to write.

Dearest Papa,

I have met Lord Septimus and have decided to marry him. Due to events which I will explain when I see you, I need you to travel to my friend Amanda’s estate. William Coachman knows the way. Please leave early tomorrow morning.

Your dutiful and loving daughter,

M.S.

Dear Whittle,

The program is proceeding apace. Papa must to travel to meet me in the morning. Please ensure that it happens.

M.S.

She sanded, folded, and pressed her seal into the wax she had dripped on the letters. “They are ready to go. I will speak to my coachman.”

Amanda tugged the bell-pull. Her butler entered and bowed. “Miss Sutton requires her coachman.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Several minutes later, her coachman knocked on the open door. “Miss?”

“Come here please. I have a mission for you.” Well, that was rather dramatic.

He glanced around nervously as he entered the room. She held out both missives. “I know it has been a long day, but I hope you are up to returning to Sutton Hall and fetching my father. I have an urgent need of him as early in the morning as you can bring him.”

“You may use our teams that are stationed along the road from Grantham,” Maryville said.

“Yes. miss. I’ll get Jerry and go straight away.”

“Thank you so much. I know you were expecting a relaxing evening here. That will be tomorrow. You have my word on it.”

“Ain’t no trouble, miss. You and Lord Sutton are very good to me.” A twinkle entered his eyes. “All this is a bit o’fun.”

“Away with you. I shall see you in the morning.”

He pulled his forelock and left the room with what she would swear was a bounce in his step.

“Well, one fence taken.”

“If you would allow me to take the desk.” Maryville chuckled. “I have a letter to write as well.”

“Naturally.” She smiled at him, then at Septimus who wrapped his arm around her waist. “This is really going to happen.” Then a thought occurred to her. “You do not need your f. . . er the duke?”

“No. I inherit nothing from him, nor do I need to.” He kissed her lightly. “I am a wealthy man in my own right. Do you want me to tell you about my holdings now or wait until the morning.”

“I can wait.” Margaret sounded absolutely certain, and why would she not? Her friend would never have recommended a fortune hunter. Dear God. He’d not thought of that. The number of gentlemen vying for her hand would have been ridiculous. “That is not nearly as important as working out our respective roles.”

“I agree.” Thankfully, he was used to taking direction. “I expect it will take time and trial and error, but we will accomplish it.”

Maryville stood with a note in his hand and tugged the bell pull. It was again answered by the butler. “Have this taken to Mr. Wilkenson in Grantham. He must to call on me tomorrow. Tell him to bring a clerk. We do not have time to go back and forth.”

“Yes, my lord.”

When the butler left the room, they all glanced at each other. Hawksworth lifted a freshly opened bottle of claret. “More wine?”

Amanda held up her glass. “If we are not to have champagne, wine it is.”

“We can celebrate when the contracts have been signed and they are wed,” Meg remarked drily.

Amanda nodded. “Indeed. We do not want to tempt fate.”

Septimus and Margaret had their glasses refreshed as the other two gentlemen.

He turned to her. “I would suggest a toast, but I too do not want to test our luck.”

She sighed lightly. “I know what you mean. I feel as if I need to tiptoe around.”

That was it precisely. Damn the duke. “I feel the same.” He tugged her closer. “It will all be fine.”

“I sincerely hope you are right.”

She appeared almost frightened. He must try to cheer her up. They were getting married after all. “Thank you for mentioning my siblings. It would mean a great deal if they were there. On the other hand, only a few of us have been lucky enough to accomplish that. They will understand.” Margaret still looked concerned. “Aside from that. I wouldn’t want the number of them to frighten you.”

She tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “How many of you are there?”

“Fifteen in total and their spouses. The duke named my two oldest brothers and the youngest. The rest of us he assigned numbers to. Three of my sisters are named after the three graces. The youngest had a normal name.”

“Does your mother have no say at all?” Margaret appeared surprised.

“None. She tells us he used to be different. In any event, she straddles a line attempting to support us and not defying him.” He wondered if he should say what all his brothers and sisters had decided. “We believe that if she did, he would take the younger children away from her.”

Her eyes flew wide, and she covered her mouth. “How-how horrible.”

She would eventually be told the other things the duke did. That could wait. “We agree. We do not press her. It isn’t fair to her or our youngest siblings.”

Margaret straightened. “I am certain my father would love to have you as a son.”

Septimus wanted to take her into his arms. Take her to his bed. He’d really have to consider that. He wanted to make love to her, but if they did engage in marital relations, and somehow, his father prevailed, she would be ruined. “Thank you. I would like that.”

“Dinner should be ready soon,” Amanda said. “I do not see any reason why we must change.”

Meg lifted her head from the back of the chair where it had been resting. “Thank you. I know how to get most of the family here.”

“How?” Other than Margaret as his wife, that was what he wanted most.

“I need to send out missives.” Meg rose from the chair. “I also require messengers to carry the notes.” She went to the desk. “I will explain later.”

In less time than he’d thought possible she had several letters ready to be delivered. She handed them to Maryville. “Please have these taken to the directions shown.”

“Hawksworth frowned. “There are only four.”

“The girls are all with Aglaia,” Meg said. “Fortunately, the estate they are visiting is not too terribly far.”

“Catherine?” he asked.

“I have asked Aglaia to write to her. I would be too suspicious if I did it.”

Margaret glanced at Septimus, her brows drawn. “Who are Catherine and Aglaia?”

“Catherine is my mother, and Aglaia is one of my sisters. She is married to the Duke of Bolton.”

“Is Catherine not Hawksworth’s mother as well?”

“No. His mother was a Greek princess who died riding a horse.” Septimus shrugged. “It is a long story.”

Margaret’s nose wrinkled adorably. “I would like to say that I see, but I really do not. She must have raised him at least a little.”

“It all happened before I was born. The short story is that he remembered his mother and would not call my mother Mama. Although, he does love her. As it happened, when he eventually visited his mother’s family, he discovered that he is a prince.”

“Goodness. Are there any other surprises?”

“Quite a few I should suppose.” He blew out a breath. “We are hardly a normal family even for dukes.”

“Margaret.” Meg was regarding her. “Does your family have a tradition of a Christmas fest for the immediate area or your dependents?”

“We have not done it since my father took ill. But before then, yes.”

“I suggest that this year would be an excellent time to resume the celebration. When does it usually take place?”

“On the second day of Christmas.” Now she was focused on Meg. “Why is that important?”

“I want as many people as possible going to and fro from your estate in order to hide the wedding.”

Margaret slowly smiled. “What an excellent scheme.”

The butler came in to announce dinner, and they all escorted their respective spouses or in his case, prospective, spouse, into the dining room.

In short order, all the dishes were set on the table and the servants dismissed.

Meg sat next to Margaret. “The wedding will be still be held as soon as possible. However, since the organization will take some work there will be a sufficient number of people and vehicles going to your house not to cause any talk. I have instructed the siblings to use unmarked coaches. It also would not be unusual for you to have a house party around the time of the fest.”

Margaret appeared to consider what his sister-in-law had said. “We used to have house parties when my mother was alive.”

Meg nodded. “Again, this is the perfect time to revive them.” She glanced around the table. “We will make this happen.”