A Bride for Christmas (Sweet Regency Novella) Page 2

  As she moved to step down from the rocks, he blocked her path. "No, don't go. At least, not on my account. I would enjoy some quiet company."

  Smiling, she took a moment to study his features. His chestnut hair fell in long waves over his collar. He was more handsome than his brother, but he smiled less, which gave Geoff the advantage. Mr. Sinclair had the dark hazel eyes his family was known for, and the strong jaw. The lines on his face made him appear older than four-and-thirty years. How many of those years were spent in battle? The extremes of weather alone would age a man too soon. She shuddered to think of all he'd seen.

  Realizing she had stared at him for far too long without responding, she said, "Shall we walk, then?"

  He motioned to the path around the pond and fell in beside her, with his horse following. "In the spring and summer you will find all sorts of animals coming to the pond to drink. The woods are full of deer, and I'm sure Father hasn't hunted his last fox on the grounds."

  "Your childhood must have been quite rich, growing up in a place like this. So many wild animals and interesting places to explore."

  "Your father's estate isn't the same?" he asked.

  "The house is quite grand, but the grounds are not as extensive. There are no woods, and the only water is on the other side of the village."

  They continued to compare their early lives, most of the stories being Mr. Sinclair's, which kept her laughing. By the time she realized how long they'd been strolling around the pond, the sun was high in the sky and her stomach rumbled with hunger. She pressed a hand to her middle in embarrassment.

  "Forgive me," Mr. Sinclair said with a twinkle in his eye. "I have rambled so long you are growing faint with hunger."

  "Don't be silly. I skip breakfast many mornings with no threat of withering away." Still, she did wish to eat soon. "But perhaps we should return to the manor. My mother has likely missed me by now."

  "Hmmm. I highly doubt anyone has noticed I'm not there. I'm not sure if that's a blessing or a curse, but it is common in large families, I understand." He steered them in the direction of the path through the woods.

  "Do you plan to have a large family one day?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Julianna bit the inside of her cheek. What had made her ask such a question? Now he would think she had marriage on her mind. Nothing could be further from the truth, she told herself. And almost believed it.

  "I never thought much about it. I suppose it was understood I would marry, and until Edward was born there was a chance providing the heir could fall to me. However, I confess that while on the Continent I had very little time for such thoughts."

  She nodded, and for a short distance they walked in silence. Again, the war rose up to remind her how bacon-brained she was to plan her future as a spinster by choice. She'd turned down two offers of marriage before her aunt had spoken to her about becoming her companion. Both men had decent livings and promised comfortable lives. But was it fair to marry where her heart was not involved? Would she love her own children without blaming them for keeping her at home? And her husband…would she grow jealous of his freedom to come and go as he pleased?

  "And what of you, Lady Julianna? Have we Sinclairs shown you the blessings to be found in a large household?"

  She feigned a smile. "As I said last night, I don't intend to marry."

  "So you said. I've never met a young woman so determined to avoid the parson's mousetrap."

  A large animal came bounding through the brush and Julianna instantly stepped closer to Mr. Sinclair. A loud bark gave away the beast's identity just before he broke through the trees. Mr. Sinclair called to him. "St. George! I left without you this morning, old boy. Will you forgive me?"

  The giant black and white dog lurched up and planted his forepaws on his master's shoulders, his slavering tongue bathing Mr. Sinclair's face. Oddly enough, the man laughed. "I take that as a yes." With both hands, he pushed the dog's head away. St. George dropped his paws to the ground and stood with his tail wagging.

  "I've never seen such a large dog. He must weigh more than you do."

  "He's from Newfoundland. A man convinced father this dog was related to Boatswain, Lord Byron's beloved dog. I have my doubts, but he is by far the best dog we've had. The children think of him as another playmate, or a piece of furniture."

  The dog looked up at her as if deciding whether to lick her face or not. She raised her hands to ward him off. "You mustn't dare jump on me, St. George. I fear I wouldn't survive it."

  "Well, if he hurts you, he can carry you back to the house."

  "I'd be much more comfortable on Caesar, if given the choice." She ran her fingers over the horse's velvet muzzle and earned a nicker in return. Then the horse's ears pricked and he called out to whatever he heard in the distance.

  "Someone must have followed St. George," Mr. Sinclair said.

  His brother trotted up the path on a sleek black horse, his face showing his surprise. "Well, good morning to you, Julianna. Nash."

  "Good morning, Geoff. We were just on our way back." Julianna caught a questioning tilt of his head directed at his brother. She knew immediately what he assumed. Surely Geoff knew her well enough to not suspect any threat of an attachment forming between his brother and her.

  Mr. Sinclair explained their outing. "I found Lady Julianna by the pond and confess to boring her well beyond what a guest should be expected to endure. I've been trying to think of a way to make it up to her."

  Geoff raised a brow. "Have you? And what have you devised?"

  Mr. Sinclair turned to search her face. "The lady is difficult to discern. With our sisters, an offer of a pretty ribbon or favored sweet should suffice. But I fear your sister-in-law is not so easily diverted."

  When both men continued to study her, even in jest, her cheeks grew warm. She didn't enjoy being the focus of anyone's attention. Why couldn't they leave her be? Clemmie had warned her about the brothers' teasing way, but she'd hoped they directed it towards the children.

  Geoff nodded at his brother's comment, but his eyes narrowed. "Quite so. And were I discussing this with, say, Millingham or Bradford, I might feel inclined to offer a suggestion. Given it is you, brother, who seeks her good opinion, I find I must ask why it is so important to you."

  Chapter Three

  Questions about Lady Julianna danced about Nash's head throughout the afternoon, first while he evaded his mother's quest to reacquaint him with the vicar's two daughters, Miss Gilly and Miss Milly Collingwood. The glimpse he had of them as he tiptoed past the drawing room told him both young ladies were even rounder than when he'd seen them two years past. Miss Milly's shrill giggle echoed through the open doorway and bounced off the walls, chasing Nash as he hurried his pace towards the back stairs.

  Nash instructed the butler, Rhimes, he would not be joining the others at cards, and if asked, to say he'd not been seen since morning. He then retreated into his bedchamber. Doing so was an unwise choice. With nothing to read, and owing no one a letter, he paced the floor. Of course, he again found himself reflecting on Lady Julianna.

  Leaning on the window frame, he stared at the barren rear lawn and leafless trees. Try as he might, he couldn't quiet the notion his life was in just such a state. He wasn't given to poetics, yet the comings days, perhaps years, would dawn bleak and grey if he didn't do something. Go into business. Become steward over one of his father's properties. Marry. Anything.

  He continued to ponder on it during dinner, which was rather light fare given they were all to attend the Christmas Eve ball at the assembly rooms that evening and would be eating again there. Clementina, sitting on his left, mentioned the visit by the vicar's daughters.

  "I believe they called here to determine if you would be in attendance this evening," she said.

  He bit back a groan. "And what did Mother tell them?"

  Clementina licked her lips and smiled. "Your mother was quite certain you would be fully rested from your travels and ready to dance the night throu
gh."

  The bite of fish in his mouth grew very dry. He choked it down and took several swallows of his wine before he could speak. He cleared his throat. "How delightful. I must remember to thank Mother for ensuring my entertainment."

  "You're her only unmarried son, Nash. It's not quite the same as the joy she gets matchmaking for her daughters, but you must understand she'll feel her life is incomplete until you take a wife."

  Allowing his gaze to circle the happily married young people around the table, he couldn't prevent himself from stopping on the one other person who remained single well past the expected age. Lady Julianna sat between her father and one of Nash's brothers-in-law, and was deep in conversation with those seated nearby. Her deep green gown made her skin look like fragile porcelain.

  Clementina must have noticed where his attention lay. "You are determined to make the step difficult, are you?"

  "What?" He turned his head to look at Clementina. "How is that?"

  "If you are hoping to capture her heart, you'll have a rough time of it."

  He considered her words. "Do her affections lie elsewhere?"

  "She has intentionally avoided allowing herself to feel any affection towards any man." Clementina leaned closer and kept her voice low. "I cannot explain it. I'm certain she never had her heart broken. I can think of no reason for her to feel this way, and she refuses to speak about it."

  They stopped conversing while the next course was served. Nash ate several spoonfuls of the delicious celery ragout while waiting for her to continue. He didn't want to appear too eager to learn more of her sister's character. Clementina had broached the subject, giving him the opening, but discretion would still be wise. He wasn't even certain why he needed to know everything about Lady Julianna, so he didn't want to draw attention to his curiosity.

  "If you wish it, you may visit us in the spring and I will introduce you to some of my friends. We'll throw a house party, so it won't be matchmaking. Geoff can invite a few of the single young men he knows to round out the numbers. I've been longing to see several of my particular friends. It will be perfect."

  Perfectly dreadful, in his opinion. While a house party wasn't as painful as spending an evening with a new acquaintance who hoped for an attachment, the accumulation of many brief moments of awkwardness was equally uncomfortable. He smiled in spite of his consternation. "I should hate to put you to any trouble."

  "It's no trouble. What else is a sister for, but to introduce her brother to his future wife."

  She meant well, but he could picture her beside his mother as they mapped out their strategy. Even the Duke of Wellington would quake in his Hessians when faced with such a foe. Was there any chance Nash might meet someone at the assembly rooms that very evening and declare himself passionately in love, thus putting an end to the madness?

  Having grown up at Renford Abbey, he knew the answer to that question. He also knew all the young ladies, married and not, likely to attend the dance. None were remarkable enough to tempt him into making any poetic declarations. Still, when he followed his family inside the large inn, the festivity of the night promised an enjoyable time.

  He reminded himself many marriages were built on less than a passionate love. But he wanted more. If he had to spend the rest of his life with a woman, he damned well wanted to care about her. His parents love was the backbone of his family. He expected the same from his own marriage.

  Geoff and Father immediately made their way to the card tables, but Nash remained with the rest of their party. A cotillion was already in progress at one end of the crowded room. His sister Marianne and Clementina squeezed through the press of townspeople to sit with some of Marianne's friends. Mother and Lady Carrington found the wife of the local solicitor as well as Mrs. Collingwood, the vicar's wife. Their cackled greetings reminded Nash of the henhouse early in the morning. With a roll of his eyes, he continued onwards.

  Evie dragged Lady Julianna to meet some of the younger ladies who were not dancing this set. Nash followed. Perhaps some of Evie's friends would be more desirable now they were ready to make their come-out. More genteel, circumspect.

  He should have known better. Their cackles rang out equally loud, if higher in pitch than his mother and her friends. He attempted to make his escape before they noticed him, only to be stopped by a hand on his arm.

  "Mr. Sinclair?"

  Relief washed through him when he recognized the sweetest of voices. He smiled and turned back, bowing his head slightly. "Lady Julianna."

  "Am I keeping you from joining your friends?"

  "No. Quite the opposite. I'd thought to speak to Evie, but don't wish to intrude," he hastily explained. He placed Julianna's hand on his sleeve and moved away from his sister. "Are you dancing this evening?"

  "Clemmie says I should."

  "But you don't wish to? I assure you the local young men would be delighted to have a new partner for a change."

  "Yes, but everyone reads too much into a dance. One cannot simply enjoy the music and steps. One must speak at the proper times, and only on the proper subjects, while managing to appear witty and gay. With all the rules to observe there is no room for enjoyment."

  He laughed. "I thought you weren't worried about what others say."

  She offered him a tremulous smile.

  Couples gathered in the center of the floor as the trio of musicians prepared to play the next piece. Nash pushed through the bystanders, taking Lady Julianna with him. "Well, then, you shall dance with me and not worry about any rules."

  Before she could argue, the music began and they moved in step with the others. Nash refrained from making casual comments, instead just watching her enjoy herself. The small curls framing her face bounced with each light step and her cheeks glowed. By the end of the second set they were both laughing and breathing hard.

  Nash led her to the refreshments and handed her a small cup of lemonade. "I hope you'll give me the honor of a second dance later in the evening. Although I'm certain I'll have to fight my way through your admirers."

  Her bubbling laugh delighted him. She took a sip of her drink, and her fine violet eyes were still laughing when she spoke. "With all the young ladies present, I'm not likely to draw anyone's attentions."

  As if to disprove her point, Mr. Michael Upton walked up to Nash. "Sinclair, how are you? It's been three years since I last spoke with you. Will you be staying long at Renford?"

  "A few weeks at most. Father tells me you opened a second mill in Beckbury."

  "Yes, three months past." He gave Nash a rather pointed look in Lady Julianna's direction.

  "Ah, Lady Julianna Dowsett, may I present my childhood friend, Mr. Michael Upton," Nash began. "Lady Julianna is my sister-in-law's sister."

  "How do you do, Mr. Upton?"

  He bowed. "Quite well, thank you. I met your sister two years ago, I believe."

  Lady Julianna blinked and threw Nash a pleading glance. "Oh. Well, how…delightful?"

  Mr. Upton offered his arm. "If you are not otherwise engaged, may I have this dance?"

  "I, uh, that is, I hadn't—"

  "She would love to," Nash said, giving her a slight push. He winked when her eyes narrowed. Upton was harmless and Lady Julianna did appear to enjoy dancing.

  The third time Mr. Upton trod on her toes, Julianna cursed Mr. Sinclair and contemplated her revenge. There must be something he loathed as much as she did dancing with sweaty-palmed men of little consequence. Now that she thought on it, men of any consequence with sweaty palms or foreheads made poor partners. She longed to pull her handkerchief from her reticule and scrub her hands, but couldn't gracefully do so until after the dance ended and she had gracefully escaped his company.

  When she and Mr. Upton promenaded up the line of dancers, she noticed Mr. Sinclair standing between the Misses Collingwood, who were both talking at the same time. How wonderful! Julianna must make sure he danced with each of them. And if she could manage it, he'd dance with them twice, or more. Wou
ldn't that be scandalous, breaking the rules with the vicar's daughters.

  She doubted that last would be possible. She would have enough difficulty arranging the first offers. Unless she enlisted the aid of Lady Renford.

  Mr. Upton trod on her toes one last time before the music ended. Julianna curtsied, made an excuse to avoid his escort and hurried to where her mother and Lady Renford sat before Mr. Upton could offer refreshment or a stroll around the room. Mama noticed her approach. "Julianna, dear. I am so happy to see you enjoying yourself."

  "Yes," Lady Renford added, the large peacock feather on her head bobbing. "That was kind of Nash to dance with you, although I doubt the gentlemen here needed any help in seeing what an excellent partner you are."

  Julianna offered an imitation of her sister's sweet smile. "Yes, I had another offer as soon as the first song ended. But poor Mr. Sinclair hasn't danced again, even though he has two very eligible partners at hand." She turned in his direction, as did the two older women.

  "Why so he has." His mother adjusted her bonnet. "He can't ask one sister and leave the other standing alone. I believe we can assist him. Shall we?"

  Lady Renford led the way around the dancers with Mama directly behind her. Julianna hurried to keep up, so she wouldn't miss a moment of the conversation.

  The countess greeted the three young people before taking the arm of Miss Milly. Or was she Miss Gilly? "I hope you don't mind, Nash, but I noticed your cousin Peter was in need of a partner for the Scotch reel. I'll escort Miss Collingwood to his side. You may dance with Miss Gilly in the Scotch reel, and Miss Collingwood in the next dance."

  Mr. Sinclair's eyes flared momentarily, but his smile never wavered. He nodded. "Capital suggestion. But who will dance with Lady Julianna?"

  "Now, don't you worry, dear boy. Her mother and I will find her a partner, too."

  Julianna kept her groan to herself. She hadn't anticipated that turn of the cards. Mr. Sinclair was proving to be a worthy adversary.