6. Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

"I still don't understand why you need to be married so quickly," Caroline said as she watched the seamstress repair the hem of Ruby's hastily altered wedding dress.

"There is no reason for us to wait," Ruby said, her gaze on her profile in the mirror. The dress was one of Caroline's ball gowns and had the most enormous stuffed sleeves Ruby had ever worn. "Dr. Nash's house is large enough to accommodate us, and everyone agrees that he needs help to run his life, which I can provide."

"But you hardly know him."

"We've been acquainted for three months. I know enough to believe he will make me a good husband."

Caroline still looked doubtful. "Has he told his family of his plans?"

"He intends to write to his father once we are married. He has enlisted Francis to write a letter about my good character and family connections, which he hopes will reassure his father as to the suitability of the match."

"Dr. Nash has no need to be ashamed of marrying you, sister. I am more concerned as to his motives."

"He needs a wife and a helpmate," Ruby said. "And I need a home and something to do, which means we understand each other."

"What about love?"

The seamstress stood up and smiled at Ruby. "You look lovely, miss. Can you step down onto the floor and turn around for me?"

"Yes, of course." Ruby enjoyed the rustle of the blush-rose satin as she slowly turned a full circle. "Thank you, Mrs. Smith. You have achieved the impossible in a very short space of time."

"It's my pleasure, miss." She reached over to check the neckline of the dress and then stepped back. "You will make a beautiful bride."

Mrs. Smith gathered her things and exited the room, leaving the two sisters alone for the first time in what seemed like days. Ivy and their mother were expected at any moment. and the ceremony would be performed at midday in the local parish church. The guest list remained small, as neither Dr. Nash nor Ruby wanted to draw attention to themselves or had many acquaintances to invite. Her husband-to-be had returned with the special license late on the previous night, and she hadn't yet seen him.

Caroline came over and took her hand. "Are you certain this is what you want? You know that Francis and I?—"

Ruby squeezed her sister's fingers. "I know you would happily house and feed me for the rest of my days, and I am immensely grateful for that. I want something of my own, and I believe Dr. Nash can give it to me."

"If you are sure…"

Ruby met Caroline's troubled gaze. "I am."

"Then I will support you in every way I can starting with offering you the contents of our attics to furnish your house," Caroline spoke briskly. "The sooner that place is habitable, the sooner you can move in, and start your new life."

"Thank you for everything, sister." Ruby kissed Caroline's cheek.

"I have done nothing that anyone wouldn't do for someone they love." Her sister turned away but not before Ruby noticed the tear on her cheek. Caroline was an immensely strong person and had been like a mother to her younger sisters. "Well, we should get on, or maman will be here to criticize our every decision and bewail your fate."

"Your maid is coming to do my hair, and then I'll be ready," Ruby reassured her. "Why don't you go and make sure the children are all right?"

"I shall do that, and I'll make sure Francis keeps maman and Ivy downstairs." Caroline headed for the door as the maid knocked and came in. "We will await you in the hall."

* * *

Charles checked the time on his pocket watch and glanced down the aisle of the old parish church. The building was nestled in the shadows of the newly built railway station and hotel and had almost no natural light coming through its windows.

"Don't worry, lad. She'll turn up if she's got any sense, and from what I've heard, she's got plenty of that." Elijah Hepworth, who was acting as his best man, nudged his elbow. "Alice thinks very highly of her."

"Miss Delisle is everything a man could want in a helpmate," Charles murmured, his gaze falling on the front pew on the groom's side of the church, where the rest of the Hepworth family was sitting. "I am extremely lucky."

"That's not what I've heard." Hepworth winked at him. "Keep your nerve, Doctor. There's not long to wait now."

Charles turned to the front of the church again and gazed at the stained-glass window of some martyr dying horribly. He kept expecting his father to appear and stop everything. He'd sent a letter to Miss Evans to warn her of his plans and one to his father explaining nothing except that he was now a married man and that he would bring his new bride up to Yorkshire to meet the family when he had time. He'd enclosed the letter from Francis, extolling Ruby's connections and lineage, and hoped it would be enough to tamp down his father's ire at being thwarted.

Would being faced with a fait accompli make his father back down on his threats? Charles still wasn't certain, but anything was better than being forced into marrying an unwilling seventeen-year-old. Ruby Delisle was a sensible woman who was entering into marriage for her own reasons and that was good enough for him.

There was a slight cough from the rear of the church, and the vicar came up the aisle followed by members of Ruby's family. Mrs. Delisle, Caroline, and Ivy and her husband, Ian, took their seats. Both sisters smiled encouragingly at him. He already knew from Ruby that they had their doubts about the marriage. He couldn't blame them but was determined to prove the whole family wrong. Francis had been surprisingly understanding about the news. Charles suspected he had a far greater knowledge of his torrid past than he'd let on and knew it was a good solution for his sister-in-law and Charles's problems. He also had no doubt that if Francis felt he was failing Ruby, his vengeance would be swift.

"Good day, gentlemen." The vicar stepped in front of him and Hepworth.

There was a pause as they waited for the bride and Francis, her escort, to come up the aisle. Charles didn't risk a glance until Ruby was right beside him and then couldn't see her face because of her bonnet. She wore a rose silk gown with an embroidered hem, large, puffed sleeves, and a border of lace around the bodice. The relief that she'd decided to appear was enough to make him giddy.

She spoke her vows in a steady voice, as did he, and when he placed the hastily purchased ring on her finger, she met his gaze with a clarity he could only admire.

As the vicar concluded the final blessing, Charles leaned in and gently kissed her mouth. "Thank you."

"I might say the same to you." The side of her mouth quirked up. "I am now a respectably married woman."

"And I a married man with a respectable profession." He took her hand in his. "I promise I will do my best for you."

"And I you."

She squeezed his fingers and then they turned together to face the congregation. He noted several of his patients and Hepworth's staff occupied the pews, which was an unexpected surprise. Everyone looked very happy for them.

"Shall we go?" Ruby asked. Her composure continued to amaze him. "Caroline has organized a splendid wedding breakfast for us up at the hall."

Charles smiled down at her. "That is very good of her."

The bells rang as they left the church and proceeded down the path to the carriage that had been decorated with white bows on the door handles. It was a working day and there were no gawkers, as the mills had shut their doors earlier and the next shift wouldn't start for hours.

Charles helped Ruby into the carriage and sat opposite her—the width of her skirts took up her whole side. Their guests gathered to wave them off and then quickly dispersed to their own conveyances to make the journey to Grafton Hall for the wedding breakfast.

Charles expected to feel a measure of relief now that his plan had worked, but he wouldn't feel safe until he'd heard from his father, who had an uncanny knack for ruining his life.

"Are you all right?" Miss Delisle asked.

Mrs. Nash, now, he reminded himself. His wife. He found a smile for her. "I suspect I'm slightly overtired after my rush to get the special license from the bishop."

"It has been something of a whirlwind," she agreed. "I do not regret my decision."

"Neither do I." He held her gaze. "I will admit that I am anxious to find out how my father will view this matter."

"I suspect you already know that he won't like to be disobeyed."

"Indeed." He contemplated her calm expression. "He'll be furious. I'm more concerned about how he'll deal with me when I have fulfilled his request to marry—even if it is to the wrong woman."

"As you pointed out before our marriage, you have your profession, a house to live in, and a private income, none of which your father can take away from you. What more could he want for you?"

"Control?" Charles suggested.

Her slow smile left him staring at her mouth. "I doubt he has ever been able to control you, Dr. Nash."

"Charles," he reminded her. "We are legally married in the sight of God."

"Charles, then," she replied, her gaze turning to the window. "How long do you think it will be before we can move into the house? Caroline is very anxious to get rid of her old furniture."

"I'll take you there tomorrow, and you can decide what needs to be done and when we can realistically take full possession." Charles tried to match her calm conversational tone. "I don't think it will be that long. The structure is sound."

"I'm sure Mr. Hepworth made certain it was," she agreed. "If you wish me to help you with your patients, we might need a maid to come in."

He raised his eyebrows. "We'll need a full kitchen staff and a nurse for Nora."

"Hardly. I am quite capable of caring for our needs."

"I'm sure you are, but it isn't necessary," he countered. "I didn't marry you to acquire free staff."

"No, you married me to thwart your father's wishes." She held his gaze. "Will I ever have the privilege of meeting him and your mother?"

"That depends on how he takes the news." There was a certain relief in being able to talk naturally about his strained relationship with his father. "I have suggested we visit him when time allows."

She nodded. "I assume you haven't mentioned Nora."

"That is none of his business." He looked ahead as the carriage slowed for the turn into the long drive leading to Grafton Hall and proceeded up to the house. "We are almost here. Good Lord. The staff are lined up on the front step."

"Then we will smile and thank them for their kindness," Ruby said as she retied the ribbons of her bonnet. "According to the nursery maids, they are thrilled that we fell in love while both staying at the hall."

Charles grimaced. "I am not sure I have the ability to pretend that well."

He surprised a chuckle out of her. "You must at least try. We wouldn't want word to get back to your father that the bridegroom was scowling."

"I can muster a smile." As the carriage drew to a stop in front of the house, he got out and held up his hand to Ruby. "Come along, my dear."

"Thank you." She winked and took his hand. "Chin up."

* * *

Much later, after Ruby had been up to the nursery to supervise Nora's bedtime, she went into her dressing room to find one of the footmen setting Dr. Nash's medicinal bag on the chest of drawers. The wedding breakfast and the rest of the day had passed in a blur as she did her best to be as happy a bride as everyone expected. Everyone seemed delighted for both her and Dr. Nash, which was something of a surprise.

She stopped and stared foolishly at the footman.

"Good evening, ma'am. Her ladyship thought this was the better of the two bedrooms and asked me to move Dr. Nash's belongings in. I'll be finished in just a moment."

"Thank you." Ruby noted that half the drawers now held Dr. Nash's underthings.

She walked back through to the bedroom and contemplated the large four poster bed. She hadn't thought much about the reality of being married to Dr. Nash and the natural assumption that they would share a bed. During their short engagement he'd occasionally kissed her cheek and held her ungloved hand, but that was the extent of their intimacy. Not that he was an unattractive man—she'd seen the way his female patients looked at him—but she hadn't slept with anyone except Sidney.

"Good Lord."

She turned to find her new husband coming through the outer door, his startled expression mirroring her own. He strolled over to stand beside her.

"Don't worry. It's a very large bed."

She swallowed hard. "Indeed, it is. Your… valet is arranging your belongings in my—in our—dressing room."

"I don't have a valet or need one. Francis lent me one of his footmen for the duration of my stay." He looked over her head as the man emerged from the dressing room. "Ah, thank you, Peterson."

"You are welcome, Dr. Nash. I wish you both good night."

"Thank you." Charles nodded. "I won't require your services anymore this evening."

After the door closed, Ruby looked up at him. "Are you expecting me to undress you?"

He frowned. "I'm quite capable of doing that for myself. Peterson helps me shave and makes sure my clothes are laundered." He paused. "I appreciate that this might be… awkward, but I think it best if we share a bed."

"In case your father hears, otherwise," Ruby said. "I understand the necessity. It's just that I haven't slept in the same bed as a man for almost a year."

"You can rest assured that I won't demand my conjugal rights." He held her gaze. "I'm not a complete bastard."

"I appreciate that," Ruby said.

"Good." He awkwardly patted her cheek. "I think I'll take a turn around the gardens before I come up. I'll try not to disturb you when I return."

"As you wish."

He hesitated. "Do you need any assistance getting out of that ridiculous dress?"

"It would be helpful if you could unlace the back so that I don't have to call the maid." Ruby turned around. "I don't normally wear clothes I can't manage for myself, but this is one of Caroline's ball gowns. She wanted me to look nice on my wedding day."

She felt the brush of his fingertips at the nape of her neck and shivered.

"You looked very nice," Charles murmured as he leaned closer, his warm breath on her skin. He dropped a kiss on her shoulder. "It's lucky that I've assisted many women out of their clothing, because these fastenings are absurdly small."

"They are designed for a lady who has a dresser to help her," Ruby reminded him. "I usually stick with much simpler styles." She sighed as he released the back of her gown.

Dr. Nash frowned. "Those sleeves alone must weight five pounds apiece. Fashion is quite ridiculous."

"I agree." Ruby let the silk gown fall to the floor and stepped out of it with a relieved sigh. "Immensely impractical, too."

He smiled as she bent to gather up the gown. "You appear to have the makings of a perfect physician's wife, my dear."

"I'm glad to hear it." She paused. "I do want to help you with your work."

The weeks she'd spent with Caroline had reinforced her belief that she needed purpose in her life. The thought of filling her time with meaningless committees, morning calls, and endless embroidery made her want to scream.

He grimaced. "You'll have no choice. My position in town means that there are knocks on my door all hours of the day and night."

Ruby set the gown over the back of a chair. "Well, we can't have that. You need your rest."

He blew her a kiss as he turned toward the door. "As I said, the perfect wife. I'll be back in a while."

Her smile died as he closed the door behind him, and a yawn shook through her. It had been a challenging day, and she longed for the oblivion of sleep. Yet how could she rest easy when Dr. Nash would return, undress, and climb in beside her? She remembered the small bed she'd shared with Sidney, how closely they'd slept together, sharing warmth, laughter, and love. Until he'd left her…

With a shake of her head, she threw off the past and sat at her dressing table to unpin her hair. There was no point in regretting her decisions. As her mother had so accurately pointed out earlier at the wedding breakfast, she'd made her bed and now had to lie on it. She had no doubt Dr. Nash would keep his word about not consummating their marriage, but that still allowed her room to lie awake and then the doubts would creep in about her decision to marry him in the first place.

Should she have at least attempted to contact Sidney and tell him her plans? And what would that have achieved anyway? Knowing him, he would simply wish her all the best and carry on with his personal crusade against the government, regardless. Nora needed a reliable father and Dr. Nash for all his eccentricities would surely be that. She'd made the best choices available to her and that was that.

She brushed out her hair, braided it down her back, put on her nightgown, and climbed into bed. The clock on the mantelpiece ticked solidly away and the fire only crackled to life when the coal flared red. Ruby stared up at the canopy and willed herself to stay awake, but it was impossible. With a soft sigh, she turned onto her side and fell instantly asleep.

* * *

"I didn't expect to find you down here on your wedding night."

Charles looked up from his contemplation of the fire to find his host standing in front of him, two glasses of brandy in his hands. He'd taken refuge in Francis's study and hadn't expected his friend to appear.

"I am attempting to be considerate of my new wife."

Francis handed him a glass and sat opposite him. "As a gentleman should." He paused. "I am aware that this marriage is one of convenience rather than love."

"Cheers." Charles raised his glass.

Francis returned the gesture and took a sip of brandy before he resumed speaking.

"You know that Ruby had a difficult time when she was in Leeds?"

"Yes, of course."

"I doubt she's told you all of it but suffice to say she was living a very precarious life with a bunch of zealots who were far more interested in the rights of man than in protecting their own women and children."

"I know she was abandoned by the father of her child and had to seek sanctuary here."

His host contemplated his glass of brandy. "I might have said a few choice words to Ruby's lover when I went to collect Ivy from Leeds. I've often wondered if that played a part in his decision to abandon her."

"What exactly did you say?" Charles asked.

Francis shrugged. "I offered to pay him to leave the Delisle family alone."

"Does Ruby know about this?"

"I certainly haven't mentioned it to her or to Caroline." Francis finally looked up. "And I expect the same discretion from you."

"Did he take your money?"

"No, he was offended and claimed to be an honorable man." Francis paused. "In truth, I think he believes that with all his heart. But when I suggested a donation to his cause was hardly the same as a bribe, he became more amenable and said he would think about it."

"Did he collect on that donation?"

"Not yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he does so in the future."

"Then you can hardly blame yourself for his decision to leave Ruby six months ago."

"I'm not so sure about that." Francis sat back. "Knowing that he could call on me for financial aid might have influenced his thinking. I was already paying him a monthly stipend to ensure that Ruby at least had her basic needs met."

"He might have been planning to leave anyway, and you'll never hear from him again."

"Would you care to place a bet on that?" Francis's smile wasn't reassuring. "I am inclined to think that he'll eventually bury his pride and ask."

Charles set down his glass and held out his hand. "I'll wager he won't."

"A guinea for the winner?" Francis asked. When Charles nodded, he shook his hand. "May the best man win. Now may I suggest you return to your bride? I don't want my staff gossiping that the marriage is already a disaster before it has even begun."

Charles went up the back stairs and entered through the dressing room where a single lit candle sat on the chest of drawers. He undressed with some care, making sure his best coat was brushed and put away and that his nightshirt had been freshly laundered. At some level he was aware that he was procrastinating but the last thing he wanted was to frighten his new bride.

Leaving the candle where it was, he opened the door into the bedroom to make sure of his bearings and then blew out the flame. The only light in the bedroom came from the banked coal fire and the bed was in shadow. A faint snoring sound from his wife's side of the bed made him pause and then smile. She was fast asleep. All he had to do was stay away from her for the rest of the night and all would be well.

As he rolled onto his side and stared resolutely into the darkness, he wondered just for a moment how it might feel to turn toward her and be welcomed into her arms… But she didn't want that nonsense from him. She'd already been betrayed by one man's lust. The last thing she needed was him behaving like a fool.