CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

C HAPTER T WENTY -T WO

L ady Stern requested a table in the back corner of the tearoom. Oriana noticed how Charlotte, who outranked her ladyship, deferred to Lady Stern and decided it must be because of their long relationship and her ladyship’s superior age. Even her husband had no objection to her taking the lead. Yet there was something else on her mind to which she desired an answer. “I understand it is something of a tradition in your family for ladies to retain their property, but how did that come about? Was it always a Carpenter tradition?”

“Not at all.” Sir Henry snorted. “Worthington started it. I was extremely surprised when he told me about the marriage contract he had drafted for our daughter Dotty.” She was now the Marchioness of Merton. “Apparently when he approached Grace’s uncle to negotiate the marriage agreement he was made to feel as if the uncle thought he wished to wed her for her fortune.”

Lady Stern, as they apparently did, took up the story. “As you can imagine, he was extremely offended and stated that Grace would keep everything that was hers. Ever since then that is what has happened.”

“Interesting,” Charlotte said, then stopped as a server approached the table. Charlie arrived as well. Once they had given their orders, she continued, “I had no idea that was how it occurred. I do remember Merton was angry, but he wanted to marry Dotty enough to agree.” Charlotte grinned. “I think Matt told Con that if he wanted to wed me, he had to agree as well.”

“He has never wavered,” Theo added. “Even the Duke of Cleveland refused at first, though he ended up doing what Matt wanted.” She glanced at Oriana. “He’s our sister Alice’s father-in-law.”

“Well, it certainly is benefitting me.” The server returned and placed the plates and pots of tea on the table. “Perhaps it is time to discuss our initial plan.” She included Charlie’s sisters with a glance. “And ask for your opinions as well.”

“May I begin with what we learned from the solicitor?” Charlie asked.

“Of course.” Oriana smiled at him.

Charlotte pulled a face. “Could we actually start at the beginning? Theo, Mary, and I have only an idea of what happened.”

Oriana nodded. “Charlie?”

“Yes, very well.” He explained everything as he had at Stern Manor. “Then Sir Henry and I went to Harrington, our solicitor, and received a fuller picture. Apparently there had been an attempt to make the match, but Papa was absolutely against it.”

“Based on what you have said, that does not surprise me.” Charlotte’s brows wrinkled. “I remember when Mama died. She reiterated that marrying for love was what she wanted for all of us.” Charlotte pressed her lips together for a moment and her eyes misted. “She wanted the happiness she had found with Papa for us.”

“And that,” Lady Stern said, “cannot be gained with an arranged marriage unless one is immensely lucky.”

Sir Henry reached over and covered her hand. “As we know, my dear.” All of Charlie’s family appeared to know the story. One day Oriana wanted to hear it as well. “In any event Stanwood and I decided that you ladies would have a much better idea than we as to how to handle this situation.”

Charlie’s jaw firmed. “My way of settling it would be to go straight to the gentleman and call him a liar.”

Oriana, Charlotte, and Lady Stern all exchanged glances. Without saying a word they knew that would be the worst method of dealing with it.

“Even Mary and I know that would not be well done,” Theo said. “I have met the other lady. I might be able to discover what she thinks about the idea.”

“That is an excellent idea, my girl.” Lady Stern inclined her head sharply. “Stanwood and Miss Ognon thought it would be best if they spend much more time together.”

Unfortunately Charlotte did not seem as convinced, and she had more experience in the ton than the rest of them. “I know that was my original suggestion. However, we must be careful that neither Oriana’s nor Charlie’s honor is called into question.” Charlotte glanced at Oriana. “Spend as much time as you wish at Stanwood Place, but do not always be seen traveling between the houses.” She looked at her brother. “You as well must be careful.”

That was not what Oriana wanted to hear.

“Charlotte’s right,” Mary said. “You do not want to give his lordship a reason to call you out.”

Charlie raised his chin in a supremely arrogant fashion. “If he does, the one challenged has the choice of weapons. I will choose swords. Physically he’s no match for me.”

Oriana wanted to roll her eyes. Charlotte did. “That is not helpful.”

“What if Matt and Grace spoke with him?” Theo asked.

Charlie suddenly got a stubborn look on his face. “I appreciate that they and the rest of the family will want to be here to support me, but I cannot rely on them for everything. It undermines my authority.”

“He has a point.” Oriana glanced at him. “But we must think of something workable.”

“Wait.” He looked around the table. “I almost forgot. The letter sent to Papa addressed him as the sixth earl. He was the fifth earl.”

He really was brilliant. “And you did not make the contract.”

“I could not have made the contract. I was a minor.” He sat back and grinned.

“So, even if he did something underhanded such as proffer a document purporting to have Papa’s signature, it would not matter,” Mary mused loud enough for them to hear her.

“Where on earth would you get an idea like that?” Lady Stern asked.

“I have been reading some gothic novels. That is a tactic used by some of the villains.”

Once again Mary seemed like an adult in a child’s body. “I wonder if his lordship has been reading them as well.”

“Yes,” Charlotte said. “I agree, but we still do not have a definite plan. And I am not one to leave all this to chance.”

By the agreement around the table, none of them were. Theo gave them all a disgruntled glance. “We have a partial plan. I have been invited to the vicarage for a dancing afternoon. It is for those of us coming out next year. Not everyone will have a London Season, but everyone must become accustomed to dancing in a group of people. I will suggest to Mrs. Taunton that all the young ladies be invited if she had not done so already. Then I can make my discoveries.”

“It is a place to start.” Mary was obviously supporting her sister.

“I agree. It will be the first step in our plan.” Oriana fervently prayed that they would come up with a more complete one before the wedding.

“It is a shame that our rector is not married. That reminds me. Do not forget that my ball is to be held in just under two weeks.” Lady Stern finished her tea and set down the cup.

“Ball?” Oriana did not remember a ball being planned.

“I addressed the invitation to your aunt, as is proper,” her ladyship replied.

Charlie glanced at Charlotte. “Did you forget to tell me?”

“You know, I must have. With everything else going on, it slipped my mind.”

“We must have a scheme before then. I would not put it past a certain person to make an announcement when he has such a large audience.”

They all murmured their agreement, and Lady Stern looked at her brooch watch. “Oh my goodness! Look at the time. Madeline and Harry will be arriving soon.”

“Are they staying with you?” Theo asked.

“They are.” Her ladyship patted the girl’s hand. “But I am sure they will spend a great deal of time going back and forth from our house to yours.” She rose. “I would invite you to dinner this evening, but we would like some time alone with them and our newest granddaughter.”

“Who is Madeline?” Oriana whispered to Charlie.

“Theo’s sister. She was a Vivers.”

“Ah. That explains it. She married the Sterns’ eldest son.”

“Yes. They now have a daughter who is about sixteen months old. She, Alice, and Eleanor, my sisters by blood, all came out together. Now their children are all within a month of each other. Alice and Eleanor are twins and both of them had twins.” They followed the others to the inn’s yard. “I’ll drive you home.”

“Do you think that is wise after what Charlotte said?” Oriana did not want to make this more difficult for them.

“I know a back way.” He probably knew all the “back ways” in the county , Oriana thought. “Aside from that, we need to plan for our meeting with the tenants. As soon as you decide how to manage keeping watch for the next event, I will have a good idea how many of my people might be needed.”

Once again he made sense. They also had to find a way to wed without causing a scandal. About fifteen minutes later, when she thought they were close to her property, he stopped the carriage.

She glanced around. All there was were trees, a small stream on one side of the lane, and meadows and hedgerows around them. “Why are we stopping here?”

He tied off the ribbons and took her into his arms. “For this.” Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers. “I am going to perish if I can’t kiss you.”

She still was not certain kissing was a good idea. “Are you sure this is wise?”

“There’s no one around to tattle.” He kissed her lips again, then fluttered kisses on her cheek down to her neck. “I am going to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Oriana slipped her arms around his neck. She was going to combust. How had she thought she could live without this for even a day? “I vow to spend all my days with you.”

“My secretary departed today to purchase the special license. We can be wed any time after he returns.”

That was what she needed to hear. Solid plans for them to marry. She drew his mouth back to hers, and their tongues tangled as they explored each other’s mouths. Her breasts swelled and she pushed them against his hard chest. This was wonderful! Then he brushed his thumb across one nipple and she moaned. “Again.”

“I know a place not far from here. A glade.”

He cupped her other breast. “Take me to it.”

He jumped out of the carriage, then lifted her out. After leading the horses and curricle to a copse of trees, he lifted her into his arms and walked a short distance to a place next to a stream where the grass was high and green. His arms tightened as he lowered himself to his knees and gently placed her on the cool ground. He removed her bonnet, then her gown. Before taking off his jacket.

With a jolt, she realized he was preparing to fully undress both of them. “What if someone comes by?”

A silly grin appeared on his lips as if he knew a secret she did not. “No one will, but if it makes you uncomfortable, we will leave on some of our clothes.”

“That would be better.” Oriana watched for any displeasure he might show, but there was none. Why could she not completely accept that he was unlike any other man she had ever known? Was it what had happened earlier?

He took off his vest and lay beside her, lazily drawing designs on her body with his fingers. Then he kissed her again. Slowly the hem of her chemise rose above her knees, and his questing fingers found the place where she was most sensitive. She rubbed against his hand until he moved over her and entered her. Quickly she put her legs around him. Heat spiraled as she lifted her hips to meet his. Just when she thought she couldn’t take any more of the need she flew apart. Charlie came to his completion a moment later. They lay still, hearts pounding together as the air cooled them. Oriana held on to him, not wanting him to move.

“Am I not crushing you?” His breath caressed her ear.

“Only a little.” It was becoming slightly harder to breathe.

“I have an idea.” He rolled to his side and cuddled her next to him. “Better?”

She took a deep breath. He was a lot larger than she was. “Yes. I am still afraid.”

He stroked her hair. “I refuse to allow anyone to scare either of us.” He turned her face to his. The sharp planes of his face made him look like an ancient warrior. “You are my mate. My equal. Believe that I will never allow anyone to come between us. Only you can accomplish that.”

Oriana put her hand on his hard cheek. He was right. Only she could break them apart with her fear. She had fought before and had always won. She could have no more fear. They would win this battle too. “I am your mate and your equal. Nothing will tear us apart.”

“We need to get it,” a childish voice shouted.

Charlie groaned and put his forehead against hers.

“You said no one would see us.” Oriana started to laugh. “We are about to be discovered.”

“Hugh.” Charlie raised his head. “Do not come any closer.”

She glanced at the stream, but there was nothing there. “Whatever it was, it is gone.”

“Probably a paper boat.” He jumped up and reached out her hand. “We need to dress.”

“You told him not to come.” Oriana grabbed her gown from a branch and pulled it over her head.

“You have met Hugh.” Charlie had pulled up his trousers and buttoned the falls. “Turn around.” She did as he said, and he fastened the back of her gown.

“Where is my bonnet?”

“Here.” He swiped it off the ground.

Oriana had just finished putting it on her head when Hugh came into sight. “Were you not supposed to remain where you were?”

“I told you not to go anywhere,” his twin sister said as she followed behind him. She glanced at Charlie. “I am not to leave him alone.”

“Perfectly understandable.” How he kept a straight face Oriana did not know.

She placed a hand over her mouth and turned around, trying to hide her laughter. This was what her life would be like from now on. She could hardly wait to officially start it.

Hugh glanced at the stream and frowned. “It’s gone.”

Poor little boy. “We did not see it at all. Is there a chance it did not make it this far?”

“Come on, Hugh. We will search for it. If not, we can make another one. A better one,” his sister assured him.

“All right.” He looked at Oriana and bowed. “It was a pleasure seeing you again.”

She curtseyed. “It was a pleasure seeing you, my lord.”

“We have to go.” Constance tugged his arm. “Leave Uncle Charlie with Miss Ognon.”

“But I want to ask if she’ll wait for me,” Hugh protested as his sister dragged him off.

“Oh, dear.” Oriana dropped her head into her hands after the children were out of sight. “Do you think he means he wants me to wait to marry him?”

“I wouldn’t be at all surprised.” Charlie chuckled. “He’s the right age to develop an infatuation with a much older woman. And you are very kind to him. You even offered to let him give you frogs.”

“I had forgotten that.” Hugh had been so happy when he offered her the frogs.

Charlie started to laugh so hard she hit him. “Stop that. Now I am going to have to explain to him that I am going to marry you.”

“And break his heart.” It took several seconds before he stopped laughing. “I believe it is my place to make the explanations. Man-to-man, you see.” He held out his arm. “We should take you back to Rose Hill.”

“My aunt will be wondering what happened to me. Oh, Lord! Now I am going to have to explain everything to her.”

This had to be sorted soon.

“Maybe she’ll have some ideas.” Charlie lifted her into the curricle, and she realized that there was much less tingling than before. Did making love have something to do with that?

“She might. She’s a very resourceful person.” Unless it had to do with the estate.

“We’ll ask for her advice.” He started the carriage.

They might as well recruit anyone who could be trusted and helpful. Perhaps Oriana should visit Mrs. Taunton again.