She flushed and bit her lip. “It was wrong of me to leave. I should have stayed, matched my wits against Judd’s.” She began haltingly to describe the scene which occurred between her and Judd, which had frightened her so much she knew she could not marry him. “There was violence in his eyes,” she said in a low voice. “And what he said was so disgusting, I felt sick. I couldn’t allow Bella to marry Judd in my place.” Her eyes grew troubled. “I had to come home straight away and put a stop to it.”
He narrowed his eyes, wanting to get his hands on the man. “I’m aware of Judd’s cruelty.”
Unspoken pain darkened her eyes. “You are?”
“Let us talk no more of this, sweetheart. We have more pleasant matters to discuss.”
“Yes. Tell me more about William and Barbara?” Jenny asked. “Is William behaving himself and riding Lavender? Is Barbara visiting the kittens?”
“As to William, he was, and I can only hope he’s behaving in my absence, although Ben and the stable staff will watch him like hawks. Barbara has become very protective of the kittens. They both miss you.”
She bit her lip. “I miss them so much. I can’t wait to see them.”
He told her of his attempt to appease Barbara when she objected to the squire’s daughter taking the ginger kitten.
Jenny giggled. “You compared a cat to Cinderella?”
“I’m afraid I lack your skill in handling my daughter,” he admitted, with a shake of his head.
Jenny’s eyes grew amused, and she looked so adorable, he had to kiss her.
“Now.” He reluctantly drew away before he lost himself in her perfumed softness. “The wedding. Shall we be married in London?”
She flushed. “Not Westminster Abbey?”
“No. Or the chapel at Castlebridge?”
“Oh yes, that would be perfect, and then William and Barbara can attend.”
“I’ll acquire a special license from Doctor’s Commons. We can be married in three weeks if that doesn’t rush you too much. And should your father agree, I would be delighted if your family and friends were to stay at Castlebridge. Until then, you might stay with your aunt in London while you shop for your trousseau.”
“My trousseau?” She frowned. She was worried about the cost. How might he tactfully suggest paying for it?
“I have accounts at several London stores, which would be expedient given we have so little time.”
“O?” It just happens that I purchased a bolt of fabric this morning,” she said, in her earnest manner, her gray eyes searching his. “It won’t take me more than a week or two to sew a wedding gown.”
He had guessed right. She doubted her father would pay for her trousseau. He didn’t doubt Jenny’s expertise with a needle, although he wanted to see her dressed in the finest gowns made by the best modiste in London and Paris. “I am sure my great aunt’s dressmaker could fashion you a wedding gown, should you prefer it,” he suggested, wanting to give her the world, while understanding how she had been forced to economize.
She bit her lip. “Do you think my dress would look too… homespun?”
“Did you make this dress?” He ran his eye over her slim figure in the straw-colored morning gown.
She nodded.
“You sew as beautifully as any dressmaker. If that is something you wish to do, then by all means make it, Jenny, I have every confidence it will be a beautiful dress. But if you’d rather spend the time gallivanting around London with your siblings, order a wedding dress from Madam De Launay as well as your other requirements.”
“That is exceedingly generous of you, Andrew,” she said flushing. “London would be such fun. We shall see Jarred. I hope he can get time off to come down for the wedding.”
“Let me know the chambers he works for, I’m sure something can be arranged.”
A smile lit her eyes. “Could you? That would be perfect.”
“Would you like the navy to send Colin home for the wedding?”
She giggled. “Oh you are teasing me. I imagine Colin would be annoyed to be singled out from the rest of the sailors, and for a wedding! But Charlie would love to come to London to visit the London library where he may study Wellington’s battle formations. Bella and Beth will visit the park with me and we’ll see the sights. Edmond will like Castlebridge excessively too, he expressed a great interest in the chapel.”
“Then I am pleased for them all,” he said solemnly, while a smile flirted with his lips.
He walked with her to the door. “There is something I must do this afternoon, my love. I shall take my leave of you.”
She smiled shyly. “Then we shall see you at dinner.”
He kissed her hands. “I look forward to meeting the rest of your family.”
The fact that his family had grown somewhat larger in the space of a few hours, appealed to him, as he ordered his coachman to take him into York where he would seek direction to the residence of Walter Judd. He found himself looking forward to their meeting with relish.
