“I know Althea, as do you. She will be happy in this marriage. Even if she isn’t at first, I’m certain that she will in time. It’s not like she’s marrying a stranger, but someone she likes,” her uncle insisted. “Besides, I’m not giving her a choice. She’s had four Seasons to settle upon someone, nowweare making the decision for her. Besides, I’ve already requested a special license so that the marriage can take place as soon as we’ve all arrived at Clarenbridge Abbey.”
“A wonderful way to begin a new year. A new marriage and a new wife,” Mr. Smith proclaimed with happiness.
Althea turned, rushed back up the stairs and into her chamber, her hands shaking.
Her uncle planned to force her to marry Mr. Smith, and soon.
She’d not have it. She was only three and twenty, not yet on the shelf, and far too young to be married to a man in his sixties. There would be no love, worse, no passion, and possibly not even children.
Even if they did have children…her stomach churned, how much longer would he live, leaving her to raise them on her own, or his sons taking over? She barely knew his sons.
Tears threatened, but Althea blinked them away.
She would not allow this!
Except her guardian had complete control over her life, even who she married. He’d even stated that he wasn’t giving her a choice.
When supper time came, Althea claimed a headache and asked that a tray be delivered to her room. She couldn’t face her uncle. She didn’t want to listen to him explain or try and convince her that this was best while knowing that her opinion meant nothing and that she truly had no choice. Instead, she remained in her chamber and devised a plan.
After darkness fell, and her maid was excused for the night, Althea found the largest valise that she could carry, then packed it with her most sensible dresses, boots, and any other items she’d need, then sat to pen a note to the gentleman who had been her guardian since she was six.
Dear Uncle Clarence,
It is with a heavy heart that I leave you this letter. I should not have eavesdropped on you and Mr. Smith this afternoon, but as I was the topic of conversation, I could not help myself. I apologize for being a burden these past few years in not finding a husband. However, as much as I adore Mr. Smith, I simply cannot marry him. I don’t mean to be insensitive, but I had hoped that when I did marry, it would be to someone younger, with whom I could share a life for many years to come. Though I would have enjoyed evenings of chess, I cannot imagine that I’d be happy as his wife.
I understand that the contracts have been signed and that you intend to see that the marriage take place quickly. I cannot allow it. Therefore, with little choice, I am taking leave of this household. I will contact you again when I am old enough to claim the inheritance my parents set aside for me.
Thank you for taking care of me all these years and I hope that in time you can come to understand why I simply cannot grant you this.
Your loving niece,
Althea
Chapter One
Northumberland,England,December1815
“We should return home,” his oldest niece, and now ward, Delia, said as they walked past the Hemsley Coffee House and Inn. “We’ve already taken up too much of Uncle Preston’s time.”
Preston Ambrose, Viscount Melcombe had brought his nieces into the village today in hopes of bolstering their spirits. “I am the one who asked the five of you to accompany me today,” he reminded her.
Maybe they didn’t want to spend time withhim. That often seemed to be the case. If they didn’t take meals together, he’d hardly see his nieces as they kept to themselves on what had been the nursery floor.
That wasn’t completely accurate because he did encounter the youngest two, Winifred and Lila, as they ran through the house, usually playing hide and seek. They were the happy diversion to his otherwise dull day of running the estate. Winifred’s favorite place to hide was usually under his large desk. When Lila came looking, he always claimed that he’d not seen her, but Winifred’s giggles always gave her away. Preston would then tease that he needed to see about hiring a governess or three. One for the older girls, one for Lila, and one for Winifred. He didn’t mean it of course, which they knew as well.
He’d also thought, even hoped, that today would be as enjoyable as it had been the year before. Then they’d talked non-stop and kept pulling him in one direction and then another. They had wanted to explore every shop. Today, they followed along and barely glanced into the storefront windows. When he suggested they step into what had at one time been a favorite shop, they, in turn, declined because they didn’t want to be a bother and there was nothing that they needed.
Everything had been so much easier a year ago. His only purpose had been doting on his nieces. They also happened to be a handful of females that he could converse with and not stumble over his words. The others had been his sister-in-law and two females that he encountered only with regard to business matters. As for all other females, he was awkward and uncomfortable, but the worst had been his humiliation in not being able to properly engage Miss Claywell in conversation last spring. No doubt she thought him a dolt, as she should.
Preston didn’t understand why his nieces thought they were a bother. They never had been, and they weren’t now. Last year was filled with laughs and teasing. This year, quiet and somber.
The change hadn’t come about because they had matured because, for the most part, they were still children. It had happened because they’d lost their parents nine months ago and their lights seemed to have died along with their parents. Now Preston was at a loss as to what to do.
The most excitement he’d seen from them today was when he suggested sweets from the bakery. Well, other than when Winifred decided to explore, and she had disappeared while he made certain that the boots he ordered were a proper fit.
“Uncle Preston promised that we’d visit the bakery,” Lila reminded her sister.
It wasn’t bread or cakes they wanted. The bakery was also a confectionary, and he knew the girls would spend time looking over the jars of colorful sweets and cases of delights before making a decision.
