Chapter Eight

Instead of going home straight away, that choice was removed from her, for Cornelius’ aunt arrived at Harding House the same time his carriage rocked to a halt in front of that dwelling.

“Well, damn,” he said beneath his breath. “No chance of sneaking into the house unseen.”

Samantha peered out the window. When the matronly older woman caught sight of her, she waved, which prompted her to wave back. “I thought you liked your aunt.”

“I do, but I don’t wish to have company just now on the heels of an episode plus what you and I just did.” A dark flush sneaked up his neck above his cravat and collar. “I’d hoped to spend time alone and rest.”

“What you and I did was merely kissing,” she said in a barely audible whisper as the driver opened the door and put down the steps. “Nothing you should feel embarrassed about.” She hoped Jenkins would think she referred to Cornelius’ earlier day terror.

After the driver helped her out of the carriage, Timelbury joined her and escorted her up the short walkway. His aunt waited for them inside the entry hall. He put his lips to the shell of Sam’s ear and whispered, “Oh, I’m not embarrassed about that . In fact, I wouldn’t mind having another go at it… if you’re willing, of course.”

Heat immediately jumped into her cheeks, but there was no time to say anything further, for the butler closed the door behind them and immediately his aunt greeted them.

“How fortuitous!” The older woman embraced Samantha with a hug. “I had just come over to visit with Cornelius as is my wont, and I’d also heard a rumor last night while out at a rout that you are engaged to him. Is that true?” There was so much excitement in her voice and anticipation in her expression that Samantha didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth.

“Uh…” With a quick glance at Cornelius, who appeared frozen with shock—did he truly not think his family wouldn’t find out?—that she nodded. “Yes, it’s true. It happened quite suddenly, in fact, and there hasn’t been time to announce it.” What would become of them once the general public did know of the engagement? From all accounts, it was a sham in every conceivable way, a bit of fiction put on for her father’s benefit to help ease an old man’s troubled mind.

Actually, when she thought more about the reasons behind it from Timelbury’s perspective—missing bracelet aside—it was quite sweet. How very odd.

“How wonderful! And to think my nephew would never have met you if it weren’t for your collecting for the orphanage.”

“Well, Samantha should be going—”

“Nonsense.” His aunt’s grin encompassed them both. “Take off your outer things, dear. We can have tea together and you can tell me all about your engagement.” As soon as Samantha surrendered her cloak and gloves—she’d rushed from her house so fast to attend to Cornelius’ illness that she hadn’t grabbed her bonnet—the other woman latched onto her arm, and over her shoulder, she told the butler to have tea brought to the drawing room. “For a long time, Cornelius’ mother and I have hoped he would wed.”

He snorted. “Well, you have badgered me long enough,” he said as he gave over his outerwear to the butler.

Knots of worry pulled in her stomach, for none of this was real. This kind woman would be hurt after Twelfth Night when the engagement was somehow broken. Cornelius hadn’t been clear on how that would come about, and she supposed it would damage both of their reputations, but that hadn’t been discussed either.

“It sounds like you truly care for your nephew,” she said in response, for she could admit to the truth.

“Of course I do! I’m happy for you both.” And she continued to guide Samantha toward the stairs as Cornelius trailed behind them. The dear woman didn’t even point out her limp, and for that, she adored the plump, welcoming lady. “And you may call be Beatrice.” She patted her hand.

Once in the drawing room, Samantha settled onto a low sofa and when he sat next to her, heated awareness of him danced over her skin. Those kisses and brief caresses they’d exchanged in the carriage had nearly seen her undone; her whole world had been turned upside down, for never had she been kissed like he’d done, and what was more, she still longed for that sort of attention.

Aunt Beatrice settled on a chair near Samantha’s location. “Cornelius, when did you decide to propose to Miss Marchington? Had you known of her before?”

When she glanced at him, she caught a dark flush rising on his neck. “To be honest, no, we didn’t know of each other before, but when she came to the house on behalf of her orphanage charity, I suppose we shared a connection that couldn’t be denied.”

All those words were humble enough, and he’d even infused his tone with enough genuineness that anyone would believe them, yet he didn’t once crack a smile, and his eyes didn’t glow with feeling as a man in love would.

Not that she expected him to have fallen in love with her in three days. From all he said, that wasn’t part of this plan.

“How wonderful!” His aunt was so pleased that the knots in Samantha’s belly pulled once more, for she wasn’t comfortable with deception. “You can never go wrong with Christmas magic as well as fate.”

“I don’t know if magic or fate played a hand in this engagement,” Cornelius said with a fair amount of doubt in his tone.

When a footman brought in a tea tray, which he set on the low table in their grouping of furniture, Timelbury’s mother also entered the room at the same time.

He didn’t quite manage to stifle a groan all the way. Leaning toward Samantha, he said in a barely audible whisper, “Now we’re in for it. This won’t be good. She must have scented the blood in the water of our engagement rumors.” Then he sprang to his feet. “What a lovely surprise to see you, Mama. Both you and Aunt Beatrice here, at my home, together… again.”

At the last second, Samantha bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Poor man.

The tall woman crossed the room and when she reached her son’s location, she presented him with a cheek so he could buss it. “To be fair, I didn’t know that Beatrice would be here, but I just came from the home of one of my friends, who told me that she’d heard you were engaged.” One of her thin brown eyebrows rose in question or perhaps challenge. “Is that true?”

Oh, dear.

When it appeared Cornelius was nonplussed once more, Samantha stepped into the gap. Slowly, she stood, went to Mrs. Harding, and took her hand. “It’s true. He surprised me with the proposal a few days ago, and the man was so dear about it, how could I refuse him?” When she glanced over her shoulder at him, she gave him a wink, which provoked a frown from him. “Your son is everything a gentleman needs to be.” Not that she knew that for a fact since she’d only met him three days ago.

“Oh.” Confusion clouded that woman’s eyes. She bounced her gaze between them before nodding. “I don’t understand why it was kept a secret, though.”

Finally, Cornelius found his voice. “Well, Mama, when would I have had the time to inform you of this event? It happened suddenly.”

His mother frowned as she peered at him while perching on the other low sofa across from the one where Samantha re-settled. “Why is your face so bruised? Were you in a fight?” Then she gasped. “Did this…” she gestured to her, “… woman do that to you?”

They both gawked at her.

Cornelius shook his head. “Of course not. I was attacked by a man on the street. No doubt he wanted to rob me, but I fought him off.”

“Francene don’t berate the boy. He’s engaged at long last. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted for years?” Aunt Beatrice took it upon herself to pour out cups of tea, which she passed around with the air of a cheerful elf.

“I suppose.” But her frown matched her son’s in depth. She dropped a lump of sugar into her tea and then stirred the contents with a tiny silver spoon. “Why her, Cornelius? The last we heard of Miss Marchington, you were incensed because you assumed she’d stolen Beatrice’s bracelet.” Mrs. Harding held Sam’s with hers. “Did you? We simply can’t have a thief in the family.”

Another round of heat stung her cheeks. “I did not steal anything.”

Aunt Beatrice chuckled. “Except, apparently, Cornelius’ heart?”

She looked at the man beside her. Slight panic shadowed those intense gray eyes. Why was he repelled by the mere thought of marriage, even if their engagement was a sham? Perhaps they needed to have another deep conversation. Suddenly, she wanted to do what she could to help alleviate his fears and concerns, and in the process, she might be able to help with his day terrors.

“I am beginning to find that Cornelius is charming, and he possesses courage I can never begin to fathom.” At least that was the truth. “He battles with things not many of us would understand, and for that alone, it is a privilege to be at his side.”

While Aunt Beatrice beamed with obvious delight and his mother retained speculation in her gaze, surprise lined his face. “Thank you,” he said in a choked whisper. “No one has wanted to do that small thing for me since I came home from the war.” When he took her hand and brought it to his lips, he kissed the middle knuckle, butterflies awoke in her belly.

“If that isn’t fate, I don’t know what is,” Aunt Beatrice said with a pretty stain in her doughy cheeks. “You two will prove good for each other, I think. So tell me, when are you planning to wed?”

Oh, dear. The longer the tea stretched, the more deeply they both plunged into deception, a web of lies where everyone would be hurt. “I’m not certain. The engagement is so new we haven’t discussed any sort of plans, for most of my time is spent with my father or at the orphanage.”

“Ah, well don’t worry yourself over it, dear,” Aunt Beatrice said to her. She followed it up with a sip of tea. “The hard part is already over—landing the man.” As she chuckled, Samantha couldn’t help but smile too. Really, the woman was a dear, and she appreciated that maternal air. “Although, if I were you, I wouldn’t wait too long, especially if your father’s health is truly compromised. You might want to marry sooner so he can enjoy it.”

Worry tightened her chest, and since Cornelius hadn’t released her hand, she squeezed his fingers. He gave hers a supportive hold, and she rather appreciated his presence there. “I will definitely consider that, and I will need to talk with Cornelius about everything.”

All of that brought home to her just how fragile life was.

“Yes, well, whatever you do, I should hope there is no scandal even if you are engaged,” his mother said with a sniff. “Have you told your sister, Cornelius?”

“I have not. As I said, it’s been a busy time.” He took refuge behind his teacup. “Perhaps I’ll pay her a call with Samantha soon.”

Mrs. Harding nodded. “I suppose she has told you she’s increasing?”

He nodded while Samantha stared. “She came by the other day when I’d had a day terror and told me then. I’m quite happy for her.”

“I shouldn’t think you’d want to overshadow the birth of her child, so perhaps you should marry sooner rather than later.”

This time, it was Samantha who squeezed his fingers in empathy. “Let us discuss our options, Mrs. Harding, and then you will be the first to know.” She gave a nod and a smile to the other woman. “It is all much to digest, of course.” And it was so silly, for there would be no wedding; this was a sham engagement.

“I would have liked for Cornelius to choose a woman of more consequence in the ton , but I suppose if you make my son happy, I can’t complain.”

“No, but you probably will,” he said before Samantha could form a reply. “Don’t be a snob, Mama. There is nothing wrong with Samantha’s pedigree. A person doesn’t need to have blue blood in order to qualify as a good person, and sometimes a title doesn’t mean that either.” He glanced at her. “Character and heart mean far more, especially to me.”

“And after your last experience with that woman , too, hmm?” Aunt Beatrice smiled. “I’ll call on your father this week, dear. It will be lovely to have a chat after so long, and perhaps we’ll discuss plans then.”

“I’m sure he will enjoy that.” If he was cognizant. But she was far more curious about the previous woman in Cornelius’ life. Would he open up and tell her eventually? That remained to be seen. “In fact, I should return home. I’d promised my father I wouldn’t be out long.”

“Of course, dear.” Aunt Beatrice nodded. “Cornelius will escort you there, I’m sure.”

“Oh, he doesn’t need to bother with that.” After setting her cup and saucer on the table, she stood. When he scrambled to his feet, she tamped the urge to grin. “Ladies, thank you for the tea and conversation. “We should do it again soon.”

Both ladies nodded.

Then he escorted her from the room. In the corridor, he halted her before they went down the stairs. “I apologize for them. They are quite nosy and sometimes they pry.”

“That’s only because they care about you.” She laid a hand on his arm. “I miss that in my life at times.” How much longer would her father remain in the present enough to voice concern over her future?

“Samantha?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you mean what you said in there, about it being a privilege to be at my side? Or was it a show for my relatives?”

Ignoring the heat in her cheeks, she nodded. “It was the truth. I feel you are a good man, Cornelius. I hope that someday you’ll believe that too.”

“Ah.” When he gently cupped her cheek and slightly tipped her head back, she thought that he might kiss her. In fact, he lowered his head and stopped when their lips had nearly connected. But then laughter from the drawing room made him pause. Immediately, he straightened, dropped his hand from her person. “I should get you home, but I would like to call upon you tomorrow. Perhaps we can walk again in Hyde Park if you’re of a mind? After all, we should probably talk about the engagement.”

Tremors of need danced down her spine to mix with cold disappointment in her chest, for she’d wanted another kiss from him. “I would enjoy that very much. We can also discuss how we’ll decorate for Christmastide to please my father.”

“Of course.” He offered her his arm and together they went down the stairs. “Are you certain you didn’t steal that bracelet?”

She snorted. “Yes, I’m quite certain. Do I look like the sort of woman who would even know where to take a stolen piece of jewelry for quick coin?”

“Who can say? The criminal element is made up of a shifty lot.” Amusement threaded through his voice.

“Rogue.” At the foot of the stairs, she playfully smacked his shoulder, and was rewarded by a wide grin. “Too much more teasing and I might just fall for you.” As shock jumped into his eyes, the same emotion filled her chest. “Of course, those were just words.” She lowered her voice. “We’re engaged until Twelfth Night, as per the arrangement.”

And he hadn’t presented a contract yet to her father, a clear sign this was a sham relationship.

“Yes, of course. After that, we shouldn’t have need of each other, for any reason.” But his frown had returned, and it seemed rather entrenched.

Well, she would make certain she didn’t, in fact, fall for him. That would be sure disaster, for them both.