Page 16 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

“If you warn our son she is not an acceptable bride, he will abide by your decision.” Anthony had always obeyed his father, albeit more reluctantly of late. Their elevation in status had made him even more arrogant toward everyone, as if he truly could do whatever he pleased without repercussions.

“Oh, I have no doubt about that. Anthony is nothing if not shrewd about a business deal. No, I don’t fear that he will marry her.” William scowled, his lips in a twisted snarl. “I fear he will seduce her. He’s never had any scruples about who occupied his bed. The more the merrier has been his motto since he was sixteen.”

Margery bit her lip, but could say nothing. It was not a charge she could deny. “I understand that, but she is a widow, although not yet quite out of mourning.” She shrugged. Hers was not the place to censure what a woman did for her own pleasure. “Still, if she is a willing partner, what would be the harm?”

“Every harm in the world, Margery, if she began to increase.” He blew out his breath contemptuously. “Anthony’s string of bastards is long enough as it is. Those girls were bought off with trinkets. This one he would have to marry. And our hopes for a strategic marriage would be crushed to dust. No,” he said, shaking his head and turning away. “She will go and soon. The question is, should it be before or after the Christmas party? I am afraid news of her dismissal might put a damper on the festivities, but every day she stays she is a temptation for our son.”

“Not necessarily, my dear.” If Margery had learned anything in her twenty-five years of marriage to this man, it was how to reason with him. “It’s not as if the dowager countess were staying under our roof and therefore would be a constant enticement. Anthony might very well not see her again until the party. You know he cannot seek her out nor visit her at the house without my presence. He’s not a fool, you know.”

“Perhaps.” William stood at the door, gazing down at her, massaging his chin as he always did when mulling over something. “It might not become us in Society’s eyes to turn her out on the eve of the season of Christian charity.”

“I agree wholeheartedly, my dear.” If Margery could keep Maria close by for even a short time, perhaps she could confide in her about William’s concerns regarding Anthony. Once the widow was on her guard, surely she would avoid him at all costs, if it meant she could remain at Francis House. And in the meantime, Margery could subtly suggest to James that the dowager countess might be a good match for him. If he married Maria, not only would he have gained an excellent wife whom his brother would not dare touch, but she would have gained a daughter-in-law she could cherish as both kinswoman and friend. “I think it best to wait until after the Christmas party is over.” Smiling into her husband’s face, she took his hand and drew him toward the bed. She always caught more flies with honey. “One never knows what will happen in a new year.”

Chapter Six

The next afternoon Maria sat in the cozy downstairs drawing room, bouncing little Jane on her knee, making the baby laugh and coo as she blew bubbles and slobbered all down her chin.

“You will be quite unpresentable, darling, and Nurse will have to come and change you.” Maria made a buzzing sound with her lips and the baby shrieked with laughter.

Little Jane had grown so much in the past six months, Maria could scarcely take it in. Her daughter could sit up unassisted, played incessantly with a particular doll she’d had since birth that was therefore quite grubby, and had begun to babble, repeating the “b” sound in short, staccato bursts, then switching to “m.” She repeated that sound so often Maria had gotten quite excited several times, believing she’d actually spoken the word “Mama.” False hope, but so exciting nevertheless.

The door opened.

“Come see what your namesake is doing now, Jane.” Maria laughed as the baby stuck out her tongue and blew, making a sputtering sound that Maria found hysterically funny. She looked up to find Saunders, the butler, standing just inside the room, Mr. Granger in the doorway.

“Mr. Granger, my lady.” The servant bowed swiftly, trying valiantly to maintain his decorum, then turned and fled past the steward, who had stepped inside.

“Mr. Granger.” Grasping Jane in her arms, Maria struggled to look at his face. Of all people to appear when she was so disheveled, the steward was absolutely the last one she would have wanted. Her hair was straggling around her face where the baby had grabbed it. Her gown was rumpled from where Little Jane had bounced incessantly while they waited. She certainly didn’t want to know what she looked like, although Mr. Granger must be getting an eyeful. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She glanced around the room, but nothing came to mind save, “Won’t you please take a seat?”

Again, the last thing she wanted with her appearance so ragged, but it was out now.

“I didn’t mean to intrude, my lady.” His smile was genuinely kind. “I see you have your hands full.”

“We are waiting for Lady John for tea. I thought to include the baby would be a welcome surprise.”

At that moment little Jane let out a wail, pushing her legs against Maria’s leg and leaning precariously as though she would launch herself backwards onto the floor.

“Oh, gracious.” Maria tried to grasp her child, but the squirming infant was like so much quicksilver. Any moment she would likely wriggle out of Maria’s grasp and fall headfirst onto the Persian carpet. Panic shot through her as her grip on Jane began to loosen.

“Here we go, Lady Jane.” Mr. Granger stepped neatly in, seized the little girl around the waist, and carried her harmlessly to rest against his chest.

Wide-eyed, the baby stared at him, the surprise on her face turning Maria’s fright into laughter.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Granger.” Maria sagged with relief. She needed to find more time to spend with her daughter so she would become accustomed to handling her on her own. Her cousin had frowned on the suggestion, but Maria had stood up to her. She wanted to take care of her child as much as she possibly could.

“Not a’tall. I’ve always had a good hand with babies.” He shifted Jane to his other shoulder, jogging her slightly. It must be working because her wailing and struggling had ceased. She seemed in awe of Mr. Granger. “I’ve had my share of taking over with them when I’ve visited tenants.” He smiled and Jane burbled in delight. “They seem to like me.”

“Well, this one does at least. Will you come to me, darling?” Maria held out her arms and the baby eagerly leaned out and put her arms around her mother’s neck. “There we go.” Bouncing the child slightly, to hopefully keep her contented, Maria turned her attention to Mr. Granger. “Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Granger?”

“No, my lady.” Shifting from one foot to the other, he shook his head. “I came to tell you that I rode out to the Tates’ farm this morning.”

“Oh.” Frowning, some of the joy went out of Maria’s heart. Poor Mrs. Tate would be so distraught at having to move from their comfortable home at this time of the year. The weather had held off the past week or so, but when Maria had visited Kersey Hall yesterday she’d been chilled to the bone by the time they’d returned. “I am so sorry for her. How is she faring?”

“As well as can be expected. Timothy, the oldest boy, is trying his best to do as much as possible for his mother. He’s only eleven years old, but hereabouts that’s considered almost a man. With help he could possibly run the farm come the spring.” Mr. Granger stared at her, then looked away. “If they are still there in the spring, that is.”

Something in his glance gave her pause and she peered at him more closely. “But Lord Kersey ordered you to replace them with an able-bodied tenant.”

“And I told him I would advertise the tenancy in Wickford.” His deep blue eyes flashed with a wicked gleam. “However, everyone in Wickford knows that farm was leased to Jonathan Tate. I’ll lay a wager with you, my lady, that no one in Wickford inquires about that property. And as I did not suggest sending an advertisement to London, or any other large town, I think it’s fairly safe to say that Lord Kersey won’t even think about the Tates until the new year.” Mr. Granger’s grin reminded her of her William’s smile as a boy when he had been up to something. “When he finally realizes there have been no inquires, I can plead some confusion about the instructions. If I manage this correctly, young Tate and his mother will have the crops half in the ground by the time Lord Kersey is aware they are still on the farm. Hopefully, by then, we will be able to convince the earl that keeping the Tates on the land will be the best course of action.”