Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

A ndrew knocked lightly when he reached the library, then peeked around the open door. "Drew, come in. I was just finishing up. Ready for something to eat." Beecham paused, his gaze taking in Andrew's riding clothes. "Looks like you've already worked up an appetite too."

"I thought I might speak to you before breakfast." Andrew hated the tension in his voice. "It concerns Lady Annette."

"It's about time. I've been waiting for this conversation."

Andrew couldn't tell by Beecham's expression whether he approved. He sat down across from the earl, took a deep breath, and gripped the arms of his chair. "I would like permission to court her."

The earl steepled his hands and stared at Andrew. "Have you considered Nettie's age?"

"Of course, that was one hindrance, but many couples have a greater age difference?—"

"I don't care about that, you nodcock. I mean that she's still of childbearing age and may want children. Are you open to more? She could give you a son."

Andrew sat stunned. This hadn't occurred to him. "I-I would be open to it if that is what she wanted. I'm not averse to increasing my family, though I thought that time had passed."

"Then you have my permission," Beecham said easily.

Andrew opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, then closed it again.

"You look like a fish just pulled from my pond." Beecham's shoulders shook. "Are you so surprised?"

"I-I am. Happily so." He closed his eyes, let out a relieved sigh, and draped his arms over the sides of the chair. "I assumed the speed with which this has progressed might make you leery."

"Drew, you're an old friend and a good man. My daughter hasn't shown interest in courting, let alone enjoy the company of another man besides her family, in five years. I can see she's willing." Beecham blinked, wiped at an eye, then stood, a content smile brightening his round face. "I will speak with her later today. Unless she's put on a tremendous performance, we'll consider it official."

"Official?" As in engagement? He swallowed, finding his throat had gone dry.

"Are you courting her without the goal of marriage?" Beecham's bushy brows drew together. "Isn't that how it goes?"

"Yes, of course. I just didn't expect to announce an engagement this quickly. My daughter doesn't even know I'm considering a wife yet." He swallowed again, then the kiss they had shared came back to him.

The earl boomed out a laugh. "Only jesting you, Drew. The two of you will decide when the banns will be read. Now, let's have a drink, shall we?"

"Henry, I can't tell you how grateful I am. This entire visit has been so… unexpected. If you had told me a week ago that the Earl of Beecham would be my—" Bollocks!

"Your father-in-law! Love it, love it. All those young boys make me feel ancient. You're a man who can hold his own with me. For the most part."

Andrew grinned. He had been nervous, a greenhorn asking for a beautiful young woman's hand. But it was over with, and Christmastide brought joy and mistletoe. "May I discuss the courtship with her today?"

"Whatever you feel is appropriate. We do have one more suitor coming with William today." Beecham scratched his jaw. "Should we give the lad a chance?"

They stared at each other for a moment, then howled with laughter.

* * *

William arrived that afternoon as everyone was preparing to gather greenery and mistletoe. Annette hadn't seen her youngest-older brother in weeks. "Willy!" she cried and threw her arms around him as he stepped from the coach. "Don't you dare stay away so long again."

He had light-brown hair like their father and brother Ambrose, but his eyes were hazel rather than green. Papa always said that his eyes were a mix of his own and their mother's brown.

"I've brought you a surprise," he said. "Charles, come meet my sister."

Her brothers were considered tall, but this man towered over her. He had sandy-brown hair and eyes almost the same color. Not quite brown, not quite gold. When he smiled at her, she knew she would like him.

"Mr. Charles Wilkens, solicitor, associate, and friend. Lady Annette Page, my little sister."

He bowed and removed his hat. "It's a pleasure, my lady."

Annette didn't recognize the gentleman's name. "I thought you were bringing…" What was the man's name?

"It didn't work out. We'll say it's for the best and leave it at that for now." Her brother put an arm around her shoulders, and they made their way up the portico and into the entrance hall.

"This is the surprise?"

"I thought you would be happy I didn't bring another suitor."

Her heart did leap. After this morning, between her fall and that kiss, she was relieved she wouldn't have to pretend anymore. She had made her choice and was certain Lord Weston wanted to court her. He wouldn't have kissed her in such a way if he did not.

"You are not with family this Christmastide?" she asked her brother's handsome friend.

"I shall return before the new year. I've been invited to another party. The widow who sent the invitation owns a coal mine my uncle has been trying to purchase for years. We are hoping to convince her to sell it."

William grinned. "The widow happens to be Lady Winfield."

She gasped. "Does Lucius know?"

"He will soon enough."

Charles's brows furrowed, obviously not knowing the connection between her eldest brother and the countess. Annette grinned back at William.

"Good day, gentlemen," called Lord Weston from the entryway. "Just in time to help us collect pine boughs and such."

William shook his head and held out his hand. "It's good to see you again, Lord Weston. Have you enjoyed your visit so far?"

The viscount beamed. "I don't believe I've enjoyed myself so much in years." He may have answered her brother, but his eyes never left Annette's face.

Annette's cheeks burned, and William arched a brow at her, glanced at Weston, then back at her. She shook her head ever so slightly, signaling for William to keep silent on the matter for now.

"Ah, yes. That's… good," William said, frowning at his sister. "Lord Weston, have you met Mr. Charles Wilkens? He's a solicitor, and we've worked together often."

"It's a pleasure," said the viscount, holding out his hand. He turned back to Annette. "Lady Henney ordered a wagon to be brought round. Shall we go ourselves?"

"Yes, please. I had thought to ride Domino and follow the wagon, but I find I'm a bit sore after this morning."

At William's insistence, she told him of her earlier fall. "No injuries, I just don't feel up to the saddle today."

"Of course," all three agreed at once.

"Besides, it won't be hard work." William added, "Father pays some of the older tenants' boys to collect plenty of pine boughs and mistletoe. We only go out ourselves and gather a bit to continue with tradition. It's something we always did as children growing up."

"It's a ritual I uphold myself when I'm home," said Lord Weston as the butler appeared carrying his greatcoat, hat, and gloves with Annette's maid following with the same.

Once settled on the wagon bench, Lord Weston picked up the reins, gave them a shake, and clucked to the pair of bays. The wheels lurched forward, and they were off. A copse of pine was nearby, and they soon had the bottom of the wagon bed covered with freshly cut boughs.

Annette was longing to ask Lord Weston if he'd spoken with Papa, but she didn't want to seem forward or assuming. As he held out his hand to help her into the wagon, Andrew pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "May I court you, my sweet Nettie?"

She gazed into those dark coffee eyes and could only nod. Their faces were so close his warm breath touched her cheek. He bent his head, their lips brushing, and when he deepened the kiss, Annette's legs turned to butter. She gripped the lapels of his greatcoat as he tightened his hold to keep her upright.

"You taste so good, Nettie," he murmured against her ear, then trailed kisses down her neck. That pounding began in her belly again, spreading lower. It was the beat of desire, she was sure. And now she would have a lifetime of this dizzying feeling, a lifetime with a man she cared for.

"You make me feel… tingly inside and out."

He chuckled. "I thought I had become indifferent to finding love again, hoping to gain companionship with a woman of similar background and likes. Yet, meeting you, spending time with you, has convinced me I could never be happy with that." He cupped her face with both hands. "You have brought my soul back to life, along with all the possibilities life still offers."

Annette's eyes burned with happy tears. She swiped them away, overcome by a sense of belonging. Belonging with this man. They fit together like Christmastide and wassail, like a cup of warm chocolate and a crackling fire, like passion and desire.

She threw her arms around this wonderful man, thanking fortune, or fate, or destiny… whatever or whoever had brought him to her. Annette kissed him again, then hugged him tightly, her cheek pressed against his chest. She could hear his heart thudding beneath his greatcoat.

"Nettie!" called a voice in the distance. "Nettie!"

Over her head, Drew sighed. "It seems reality intrudes again. Your brother is joining us, and it appears to be urgent."

A moment of panic struck, hoping it wasn't bad news. But when she turned to find him galloping toward them, she spotted the grin on his face. "He's happy. I haven't seen him this excited in?—"

Lucius slid off his chestnut horse, dropping the rein and rushing to her. He was panting when he grabbed her by both arms, his face glowing. "Christiana is having a house party, and I have an invitation. I must leave, but I had to tell you goodbye and happy Christmas before I left."

"Oh, Brother, that's wonderful. She invited you for how long? When will you be back?"

The light dimmed briefly in his green eyes. "Oh, no. William's friend, Charles, was invited. I've talked him into letting me go in his stead. I will call her bluff and pursue her like Wellington routing Bonaparte." He pulled Annette close. "Watching your courage these past few days has humbled me. How can I not fight for my own happiness when my little sister has valiantly opened her heart again?"

"This is the brother I've missed so. With such an attitude, and a torch that has burned for so long, I have no doubt you will win her heart." Annette glanced sideways at Weston, breathless with these recent events.

Lucius peered at his sister, then at the viscount. "You spoke to my father today. Congratulations to the both of you."

"Thank you, Lucius. Now go! You have a battle ahead of you and no time to waste."

He kissed her cheek, picked up the rein, and leapt onto his horse. "I will see you for the new year, Sister," he said as he dug his heel into the gelding's flank. "With Christiana by my side."