Chapter 47

47

It was a little early in the year for really persistent snow in Hampshire, and so it didn't linger, but the white blanket lay thick for a day or two before it melted away, and it would be foolish, Captain Winterton said and his wife agreed, to brave the roads until they were clear. They were both perfectly content to stay indoors and wait; it was a little stolen honeymoon that they had not looked to have, and all the more welcome for it.

Isabella had written to her mother the day before her wedding, saying that she would be home soon; that she would not be travelling alone and that they were not to worry in the least for her safety. At Lord Irlam's insistence, she had told them that if there was the least sign of inclement weather they would halt somewhere comfortable and not attempt to proceed with her journey. If it snows, she said, you must not look to see us until it has passed. Weather-wise persons had been looking at the sky and muttering darkly for a day or two before the ceremony, but she and Leo had been distracted by their own affairs, and had not paid much heed, though Hal had on their behalf. The Earl had franked the letter, and it had gone off to the Mail coach, and they must assume that it would reach Yorkshire with as much speed as could be achieved in such circumstances. It might perhaps have been a slightly mysterious letter, with its mention of an unnamed companion or companions, and it was therefore one that would cause her parents to speculate wildly when they received it. But that was not a bad thing – they would be somewhat prepared for a surprise, if one ever could be, though they might not know what form it would take.

When the snow cleared and it was understood that travel was possible once more, the couple set off at first light one morning, and reached London and their hotel in Albemarle Street without too much difficulty. Lord Irlam's fine horses were at their disposal for this first part of the journey, although they would be obliged to hire their beasts in the normal way for the rest of their trip, and this would slow their progress up the Great North Road. They had not brought Isabella's maid, neither of them wishing to sit cooped up with her in the carriage for what would be a lengthy journey; they much preferred to be alone. They did not hurry, and Isabella found that she enjoyed the journey with Leo, sitting close to him in the carriage every day, talking idly of everything and nothing, and watching the changing landscape through the carriage windows as they travelled north, then stopping as the winter dusk drew in, eating together in their inn parlour by cosy candlelight, before retiring early to their chamber. Being undressed by him, undressing him. Lying in Leo's arms in a succession of deep feather beds. It did take several days to reach their destination, but she didn't mind in the least.

They arrived at Isabella's parents' house near Harrogate rather later in the day than they'd planned, having had a problem with one of their horses in the penultimate leg of their journey. The snow was still lying on the hills here, though the roads were relatively clear, and it was appreciably colder in the West Riding than it had been in Hampshire. She had directed the postilion where to go once they left the main road, and clutched Leo's hand somewhat tightly as they drew close. ‘Are you nervous, love?' he asked her, and she admitted that she was a little, as was only natural. By now every hill, every tree and every turn of the stone walls that edged the winter fields was familiar to her. They were the same as they had always been, but she was very different.

They pulled up in front of the mellow stone house, and Leo jumped down to help Isabella alight, and then, squeezing her gloved hands comfortingly, he stepped aside to help the postilion to take down their luggage, and to pay the lad off and send him on his way with the horses. While he was thus engaged, the door was flung open, and Mr and Mrs Richmond came rushing out. At first, they were occupied in embracing their daughter and exclaiming over her, but as the boy set about disengaging the team, they turned to look at Leo with questioning faces. Isabella took his arm and drew him towards her parents, saying softly, ‘Mama, Papa, I would like you to meet Captain Winterton. We have… I must tell you… This is Leo, and we are married!'