A real kiss.
His lips barely touched my cheek, but the brush of his mouth and the slight puff of his breath sent an unexplained rush of raised flesh on the back of my neck. What was wrong with me? The man was simply trying to apologize while also demonstrating his supposed devotion to me, but my body betrayed me. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly, but that was a mistake. His earthy scent certainly didn’t help calm the sensations along my skin.
The sooner I found a position and a home for Mama and me, the better. Even if my mind understood David was just being kind and our agreement was extremely temporary, I could not allow myself to become accustomed to having someone care for me like this. Becoming attached to David would be a huge mistake. If I gave him even the slightest hint that I would like to remain engaged, he would be too blasted grateful for that bright, cheerful woman I’d been at seventeen to do anything else but marry me.
W
Chapter 6
“Mama can’t stop him, no matter how much she cries. And so now I am quiet when Father lights his cigars.”
—David Tate, 1835, Age 8
He is such a fine young man,” Mama said for the second time the following morning. We had just sat down for breakfast, and I was certain I would hear it a few more times before the meal was over. Mama had either not noticed the pain Lord Murphy had caused almost everyone under his power the last time we had been here or she had forgotten, so of course she was ecstatic about the match. Not to mention, the scrawny David had grown into a very charming and persuasive man. I wasn’t sure how I’d agreed to this whole hoax, nor did I know how difficult it would be for us to end it. “I don’t know why you didn’t just tell me about him sooner. I have been so worried for us, and for nothing.”
Because the boy who’d followed me around that summer had become a distant memory, and even if he hadn’t, I would never have come here assuming that invitation to marry him would be binding. “We hadn’t seen each other for years. I thought it prudent to spend some time with him before informing you of the attachment. What if he no longer cared for me?”
“I’m quite certain we all saw how much he cares for you yesterday.” Mother hid her smile behind her napkin, but it was of no use,as I could see it in the crinkle of her eyes. It was good to see her so relaxed and happy, but it didn’t change the fact that I didn’t know where we would be living come March.
Mary, the maid whom Mrs. Preston sent to help us at times, also tried to hide her smile. It wasn’t just the company whom we needed to worry about spreading rumors but the help as well. Word must have already spread from the large house to the cottage. Who knew who else knew of the engagement?
There was a knock at the door, and Mary gave a short bow and left to open it. It was early for a morning visit. I pinched my cheeks for color, even though I knew no one would be coming through the door.
Sure enough, Mary returned alone but holding a bouquet of delicate lilies of the valley. She was grinning from ear to ear. “These just arrived for you, miss.” She handed them to me. “I will run and fetch a vase.”
Flowers. I hadn’t received flowers from a man since we’d been in London. And the lilies were perfect. I touched one of the small white bells dropping from the stem. Did Lord Murphy own a hot house? If not, where had Mr. Tate been required to travel to find these blooms? Tucked deep into the flowers was an envelope. I set the flowers on the table and opened the envelope, my fingers quivering slightly.
Anna,
I would be honored if you and your mother would accompany my sister and me on an afternoon walk. The skies are clear, and although it may be quite cold for such an excursion, I have been told engaged couples enjoy walks together. Your mother should wear a thick coat and hat, for I can promise to help keep you warm, but I cannot do the same for her.
Yours,
David
“What does it say?” Mother reached for the note, but I pulled it away.
“It is from David.” My heart pounded, and my face was aflame. His comment about keeping me warm must have been written for Mama’s sake, but surely, he’d taken his role too seriously. She was already quite happily convinced we liked each other. I folded the letter back up. “He’s invited us for a walk this afternoon.”
“A walk?” She looked out the window and shrugged. “I suppose it looks as though the weather will hold, but it is hardly the time of year for it.”
“Yes, he did mention we should wear warm coats.” I tucked the note quickly into my apron pocket.
“Well, you must send a reply.”
Mary returned with a vase and took the flowers from the table. “The man at the door said he would wait.”
I stood up quickly and strode to the little writing table in the corner. Before thinking better of it, I scratched off a reply, leaving out anything remotely flirtatious. If anyone else read it, let them think I was shy. I was not quite as good at pretense as David was. Returning to the dining room, I handed the note to Mary.
“Well,” Mama said. “Will we be joining him?”
“Yes, Mama.”
She nodded with a smile. “Good. I wrote to Cousin Agatha before breakfast this morning. She is going to wish she’d let us stay longer now that we are going to have a viscount in the family.”
I shook my head. “Mama! Please do not send letters boasting about my fiancé’s position in life.” Cousin Agatha would be certain to spread the news in Silverfork. It was going to be a hard thing keeping track of everyone I would need to inform when we called off the engagement if Mama kept writing to acquaintances about it.
“I don’t see it as boasting. It’s not as though he is the heir; he’s the second son.”
