With this settled in her mind, she went down to the stillroom and set to work. She was so engrossed that it was a surprise when Walter came in some time later. She was huddled over her little fire, stirring a mixture, so he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Mmm, you taste good,” he murmured, kissing her bare neck.
She shivered in delight. “Finished so soon? So, is it all settled?”
“It has been almost two hours, and yes, it is all settled.” He kissed her again, more lingeringly.
“Stop that, silly boy. Can you stir this for me while I fetch some more water? It is getting a bit too thick.”
With a sigh, he released her. “What evil potion are you brewing here? It smells revolting.”
“It is a purgative. Do you want to try it?”
He shuddered. “Heavens, no! Do you not want to know what was agreed?”
“About the money? No, I leave that to the men to decide. It will not be enough, that is all I need to know.”
He was silent for a moment, stirring the pot as she carefully added more water. When she reclaimed the spoon, he said, “I should have thought you would have wanted to know when we may be able to marry.”
She looked up at him in sudden terror. “If it must be years and years away, I had sooner not know.”
“What would you say to next month?”
She squeaked and almost dropped the spoon. “Are you teasing me? That would be unkind in you.”
“No tease. We shall have an income of almost two thousand pounds a year and—”
“What?”
“—and somewhere to live in town. Father has said we may live in Grafton Street, if you should not dislike it.”
“Two thousand a year! Walter, how is that possible?”
“Your Uncle Alfred is to put up twenty thousand for you. We will have over a thousand a year in interest from your money, and my father is to give me the same allowance he promised me if I had married Bea. He wanted to give me a sum of money rather than an allowance, but so much of his estate is entailed or tied up in some way, so Uncle George has concocted some ingenious scheme of an allowance and small sums spread over several years, and eventually the allowance will stop and I shall be independent.”
She stared at him, almost uncomprehending. “Two thousand a year! That is as much as Papa has.”
“It is not quite two thousand, and your father has two thousand five hundred, but it is a very good income, certainly. And it means we can be married in a month, and I can take youto town with me as my wife. Do you think you will mind living in Grafton Street? There is plenty of room, and Father keeps a full staff there, so it will suit us very well to start with. Then we can look for a property at our leisure, when we know better what we want. But if you dislike it—”
“I must talk to Uncle Alfred.”
He laughed. “Of course. He is in his office. I shall be glad to get out of this room. That brew of yours stinks.”
Leaving the mixture to cool down, she went upstairs with Walter to see Uncle Alfred, who greeted her effusive thanks with hands raised in defence.
“Now, now, you must not make more of this than it is, Winnie,” he said, smiling at her. “Since I have no children of my own, you and your brothers and sisters are my family now. I have watched you all grow up, and I long ago set aside enough to do something for you girls when you marry. It was supposed to be five thousand apiece, but Hebe and Mabel had no need of it, and very likely Lily will not, either, so I am disposing of it where it will do some good. Walter should have been a very wealthy man, and it is not right that he should be left to count every penny now.”
“But Uncle, I had no idea you were so rich! This will not leave you counting pennies yourself, will it?”
“Lord bless you, no! I have done very well over the years. I had a fortunate inheritance… no, I will tell you the truth, I think. I was married once, Winnie, many years ago.”
“But she died.”
“She died, yes, but it was expected. She had consumption, you see, but she wanted to experience matrimony before she died. It was my great privilege to allow her that experience. We had but six months together, but they were happy months for both of us. Her father settled a great sum on her, to be mine afterwards, although I would have done it for nothing. Still, ithas been a useful cushion, and if ever I had married again… but that did not happen, and so my expenses were few. I lived here for a part of each year and in bachelor lodgings in town, before Sofia married and offered me a home. My investments have proved fruitful and so there we are. I am still very comfortably situated, should I ever be so fortunate as to marry again.”
“Might you do so?” Winnie said curiously.
“Well… I am not averse to the idea. I can see how happy Kitty makes your father, so if I should ever find a love as strong as that, I should be very willing. One never knows what the future may bring. Shall we have a small glass of something to toast your future happiness? But you will have to see Dewar soon to call the banns, for we must be in town by the middle of October.”
