His Christmas Nymph (7 page)

“Blast and damn, Mama, I will not marry that harridan. I will not! You may depend upon it! She is a simpering idiot, and a fortune hunter of the worst degree. Her reputation is not unblemished as well you know. I wouldn’t marry her if she were the last woman in all of England!”

“Well, there. You finally said it. You finally told me what you thought. I am proud of you, Teddy. That’s all I ever wanted. And while we’re on the subject, why is it that Caroline reminds me so keenly of someone? I can’t seem to place her, it is most vexing.”

“She reminds you of Lady Margaret Pudney. She was her mother.”

“She is that Griffith? That irritating prig was married to Lady Margaret? I thought she did better than your father…I guess I assumed
incorrectly. That poor woman. How she must have suffered!”

“He isn’t that bad of a sort.”

“He insulted you. He’s as bad as they come in my estimation. I shall make sure he’s not welcomed in any of our social circles.”

“Pray don’t, Mama. I don’t want
you blackening their name. This family has put them through enough.”

“No, your father put Lady Margaret through her paces. We didn’t have a thing to do with it.”

“You played a major role, Mama.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “All in the past, it is all behind us.”

“Not anymore. It’s right in front of me now, and I want a way to remove it. I won’t give her up, Mama.”

“What did you do to earn such disdain from her father?”

“I told her that Lady Margaret wanted us to wed. I told her that she came to Papa and asked him to set the match up should anything happen to her.”

“You spoke the truth, this I know. There was absolutely no reason for them to doubt you.”

“I beg your pardon, Mama?”

She looked down at her champagne while colo
ur crept up her neck to her cheeks. His mother was truly French. She guzzled champagne like it was water. Fortunately, they could afford to keep her in her worst vice.

“How do you know I spoke the truth?” he persisted.

His mother was unsettled. He could see it the way that colour touched her cheeks. His mother never had that kind of reaction unless she was clearly affected.

Genevieve was a true actress, she always hid behind a carefully erected mask, but with him that shell sometimes cracked and it was shattering now.

She seemed unable to answer him. For one briefly blissful moment, his mother was tongue-tied.

“Mama,” he prodded, knowing he had to continue urging her to break and confess all. 

“I overheard them. She came into my house. Of course, I followed and wanted to see what they were conspiring about. I wanted to eavesdrop, so I did.”

“Well of course you did. Y
ou are Genevieve Rochester, Duchess of Whitney.”

“Yes, I am!
Lady Margaret wasn’t. Your father never loved me—but I cared greatly for him—God help me, I loved that man. He saved me from a life I hated. He gave me what I always wanted, what I had always dreamt about during my darkest hours.”

“A title,” he supplied.

“It helped a lot,” she admitted. “But as much as you don’t want to believe it, I did want a family. Alas, we were only blessed with you—not for lack of trying for more on my part. I am sorry I lacked in so many ways as a mother, Teddy. I didn’t know how to be one, my own mother was worse than I.”

“What did you hear, Mama?”

“I heard it all. The poor woman sounded awfully frail. Once I heard how poorly she sounded I was no longer jealous. How could I envy such a pathetic creature? She looked utterly defeated and I, well, I had you. You had survived the dreadful wars against that awful little Corsican. Your father agreed to do all that he could to put the two of you into each other’s orbit. He even agreed to will Banbury House to Caroline upon Lady Margaret’s death.

Lady Margaret wanted to make sure that Caroline had something to offer in the way of a dowry just in case she didn’t want to marry you. She was quite effusive on the fact that she wanted it to be a love match. She was a woman desperate to obtain her daughter’s happiness from beyond the grave. She’d lost two children and she told your Papa that she could not leave Caroline to the mercies of her feckless Papa. Now, after meeting the man I know why she was so worried. However, she enforced the fact that
Caroline had to love the man she was going to marry with all of her heart. She didn’t want her daughter living in hell.”

“I saw no mention of her getting Banbury House in his will.”

“That’s because your father didn’t have the time to have it changed, poor dear. Death claimed him before he could take action. I am sorry, son. I never wanted you to be hurt. I shall go and tell Caroline that you are not to blame. I shall take full responsibility for this sorry state of affairs, and I shall tell her that Banbury House is by full rights hers to call her own.”

“I don’t want my Mama rushing to my rescue.”

“Even if you don’t want it, I will go. You know me. I am hard headed, but not hard hearted. I know I make a grand fuss sometimes, and I have embarrassed you on more than one occasion but I shan’t fail you this time around, darling boy. If you don’t want to marry Lady Myrtle, then fine, I just want you to find happiness. I want you to carry on this family line. I would like some grandchildren to dote on, for I see other women my age enjoying the blessing of grandchildren and I want what they have. But most of all and above anything else, I want you to love. And Caroline doesn’t look like a bad sort. I am sure we will find a way to get along. As soon as we finish luncheon I will go. I do so love a carriage ride in the afternoon.”

“Mama,” he said, pausing, as he took a sip of his champagne.

“Yes, Teddy?”

“Thank you.”

“De rien.” She smiled at him lovingly. “After all, I am your loving mama. I do think it’s high time I start acting like it.”

“Why do you look so pale, Caroline? Why does she look so pale, Benjamin?” Georgia demanded, as they alighted from the carriage. “I’ve been waiting here for fifteen minutes. Your maid let me in, thank goodness
, or I would have had to wait in my carriage.”

“Aunt Georgia, I wasn’t awar
e you had crossed the Pond,” Caroline said, completely flustered. She had to admit, seeing her Aunt Georgia’s warm twinkling blue eyes so much like her dear mama’s made her feel as if everything was going to be alright. 

“Oh, dear, I made the ocean voyage two months ago—I did send a letter ahead to tell you I was coming and bringing the brood with me, I suppose it got lost. Robert wanted to visit his family in Scotland first, but I insisted we spend Christmastide with you. We even bought an Estate, Cleeve Hall—not far from here. It’s simply charming. The best part? I’ve had my eye on it since I was a young girl. The last Baron went bankrupt and had to sell it lock stock and barrel. My beloved Robbie bought it for me as an anniversary gift.

He’s such a sentimental fool. Oh how I adore him. I made the right decision when I married him against my Papa’s wishes, he couldn’t abide the thought of having a brash Yankee in the family,” Georgia grinned widely. “So, I’ve come to fetch you all! You’re going to spend Christmas with us! We have plenty of rooms and we’ll have such a gay time! I want a Christmas the way it used to be when I was girl! I also want to see your face light up on Christmas morning, Caroline. I’ve been robbed of ever seeing you receive a gift on Christmas. I should like to see it this year. I’ve spoiled all of my children once again this year. Robbie says I bought way too much. I disagree, my lads are such good boys, and they deserve a happy Christmas morning to remember for the rest of their lives.”

“I don’t know how joyous I’ll be this Christmas, Aunt. I’m feeling quite shattered at the moment.”

“I see you how white you look. I don’t like seeing it. I had hoped you were born with my constitution. In fact, my sister told me you were a lot like me as you blossomed into a woman. I see you favour our side of the family, looks wise. It’s fortunate you do. Have you seen the women in Benjamin’s family?” she said, laughing. 

“I am overjoyed to see you, Aunt Georgia.” She moved to embrace her aunt and felt the steely strength in her aunt. She was right, her aunt was a strong woman, and someone not to be trifled with!

“I should go inside and get some rest,” she said moving toward Banbury House.

“No. I was serious when I said we were leaving tomorrow morning, Caroline. I want you to start packing your things.”

“What’s this? I obviously have a lot
of catch up to do. What is your father talking about Caroline?” Georgia demanded.

“We are leaving Banbury House and going to live with my brother, until we can move to Wales,” her father declared. 

“You are honestly thinking about taking Caroline to live with that old miser? He was a persnickety personality even when he was a young man. You shall not put Caroline in that hostile environment. If you must leave Banbury House than you shall come to live with us, at Cleeve Hall. At some point, Robbie will want to return to his beloved America and while we are not in residence, I am certain he will have no problem if you remain in residence, and he shall happily cover the cost of doing so.” Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh,” she exclaimed, “When we return to the city of Boston in the spring you shall come with us, Caroline! Ah, there are so many wealthy young men that would be chomping at the bit to have a chance to court you. You are so pretty. Lovelier than I ever was in my youth.”

“I do think I need to sit down soon,” Caroline whispered. 

“And you need to eat. Your skin and bones, your father hasn’t been taking proper care of you. Why, he should be given a good thrashing!”

“I’ve been taking good care of Caroline, Georgia. Don’t you dare insult me! I put everything I had into being a good father!”

“Then I shall blame Gertrude. She sounds a terrible beast. I shall make very short work of her if she attempts to cross me.”

Caroline believed her. Georgia seemed very well equipped to handle Gertrude, more so than she was
, at any rate.

“What is this?” Gertrude cried out in her high pitched voice, as she dashed up the lane, dust billowing up behind her. “Who the blazes are you?” she asked haughtily, sternly setting her gaze on Georgia.

Georgia eyed her warily and sighed. “You are exactly as Caroline described you. I am Caroline’s aunt through her mother. I am Lady Georgia. And I suspect you are the new Mrs. Griffiths. I so preferred the old one.”

“Well, I never!” Gertrude blustered, her eyes gorging out of her head, while her mouth continued to tremble.

Caroline could see she wanted to give her aunt a clever rebuttal. Unfortunately, Gertrude couldn’t think that fast on her feet. It was a pity really, Caroline wanted to see how far this war of the words could go.

“Truly? I should think more would put you in your place, but
then, maybe none have the nerve. I suspect you were the one who lost my letter. I rescind my invitation for you and your wife until that woman can be civil. I shall take Caroline with me, Benjamin. She needs someone who will pamper her. I don’t know what is wrong with her, but mark my words, I will soon find out and I will make it better, just like Margaret would have done. Caroline, dear, let’s go. Your Uncle will be delighted to see you. He says the family needs another lady. I think you’ll do.” She winked at her, and reached for her hand. 

“I shan’t leave Sally behind, and I need some clothes.”

“No, you don’t need anything, I have plenty of clothing for you. I will send for Sally who can pack any of your sentimental items and bring them with her. We shall pay Sally’s yearly income now. You needn’t worry, you won’t lose such a good lifelong servant.”

“Friend, she’s my friend,” Caroline corrected. “Papa, tell her
not to forget the green cloak that Mama embroidered for me.”

“I won’t, Caroline. You go and get some rest.”

Georgia’s smartly liveried footmen assisted them into the carriage. Her barouche was finer than the carriage they owned. Everything about Georgia said that she was a woman with breeding and something that was in short supply now amongst those with title and breeding, she had money and wasn’t afraid to show that fact off. Georgia fawned over Caroline helping to get her settled back against the satin squabs and she put a blanket over her legs.

“My goodness, I welcome the warmth of Cleeve Hall. We shall be there in one shake of a lamb’s tail.” She smiled reassuringly at her. As the footmen closed the carriage door, Caroline heard Gertrude’s high pitched voice once again.

“I finally rid myself of that wretched girl. Huzzah to me! Banbury House is now mine!”

“Be quiet, Gertrude. If I ever hear you speak that way about my daughter again, I swear to God I will leave you. As for Banbury House being yours, it never was your hou
se, and now, it never will be. We shall be leaving it, posthaste.”

Gertrude let out a high pitched shriek.

Caroline sank back against the cushions and closed her eyes. She felt quite certain she’d never have to lay eyes on Gertrude again if she never wanted to, and right now, she doubted she ever would want to see her again. She let out a thankful sigh. She finally felt free. 

* * * * *

“What are you on about, Benjamin? You are the Master of Banbury and now I am the Mistress with that dreadful girl gone,” Gertrude said

“You daft cow. Caroline will never be gone. She’
s my only living child, woman. I’ll do without you, before I do without her, let’s be very clear on that issue. You will keep your mouth shut when you are around her, and be as sweet as honey when you have to speak, or I will do what I threatened to do. I will leave you and never set eyes on you again. I will tell everyone you cheated on me. I will make you a fallen woman. I might be kind to a fault but you do not want to cross me this time around, Gertrude, for I mean what I say this time.”

* * * * *

Edward looked up as his mother flounced dramatically into the Salon. She looked rattled. Her face was coloured and her eyes were almost wild.

“I failed, Teddy. She wasn’t there. I couldn’t
bear to speak very long to her father, he’s such an odious fellow. I, did, however get one thing out of him. He told me where to find your Caroline. I do believe he has lost all of his piss and vinegar. He seemed quite contrite, but nevertheless I did not wish to tarry long, it would seem he intends to follow through on his plan to decamp and leave Banbury House forever. He muttered something about having a Baronet for a brother that he shall trespass on during this worrisome time. It would seem that Caroline’s aunt is visiting from America and she’s bought herself an Estate here in the Cotswolds. Cleeve Hall it was called. Isn’t that that the lovely Baroque Mansion that used to belong to your father’s old friend Lord Poole? Poor Lord Poole, his penchant for the gaming hells ruined him completely. If he hadn’t married his daughter off to a man of little fortune, he’d have nowhere to go now, but I do not envy the man, he had to go and live with his daughter on her husband’s sugar plantation in the West Indies. Gambling is a wicked vice. I am so thankful that you do not possess that failing, darling Teddy.

We shall pay Cleeve Hall a visit tomorrow afternoon, and pray that they are hom
e. I confess, I do hope Caroline’s aunt has the manners of a well-bred lady. That thing she has for a step-mother. Why, she makes my own mother look like a saint and as you know my own Mama, God rest her soul was a trollop of the worst sort.”

“Do you really think Caroline will have me as her husband?”

“If she won’t, she’s out of her mind. You are the best catch in all of England. You have title, land, and wealth beyond her greatest expectations, not to mention a kindly nature. She could not ask for a better man.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

She smiled indulgently at him. “I do believe I shall go up to my rooms and retire until dinner. I am quite worn out.”

He watched as his m
other left the room, she paused at the door.

“Are you ready to ride like hell fury once she does accept your proposal? I do not think she requires the blessing of her father anymore, and the way he acted during our last meeting, I do not believe he will fight it. I told him we could not stand in the way of
our children’s love. He nodded rather brusquely at me. Nonetheless, I do not think he will be any trouble. As I said he’s lost all of his fight. He only seems willing to fight that shrew of a wife now.”

“Then I welcome the glad tidings tomorrow will bring.”

“Are you sure of your love for her?” she asked softly.

“She is my Christmas Nymph.”

“That makes it all worth it, then.” Silently she left the room, and he was alone with the quiet solitude of his thoughts.

* * * * *

Caroline woke up the next morning feeling completely refreshed. She hadn’t slept so peacefully since her mother was alive.

Her bedroom at Cleeve Hall was massive and
decorated for a Queen. The gigantic four poster bed was so large she thought she’d get lost in it.

The fact that the large wardrobe was filled with clothing amazed her. It looked like her aunt had exhausted her coffers with the way she’d spent money on her!

When she’d exclaimed over it, her aunt had laughed, pulled her for a side hug and told her that she married into money, so she was full of juice. She’d never seen so many gorgeous dresses!

Sally had arrived shortly after they had yesterday and was now settled in the servants’ quarters. She looked just as happy as Caroline to be away from Gertrude.

Her Aunt Georgia had asked her about her troubles. Surprisingly enough, she’d summoned the energy and the courage to tell her everything.

After which her aunt had told her to eat, drink and be merry. She told her she didn’t have to hold the weight of the world on her shoulders anymore that she had to do whatever she wanted to do—she had to enjoy life.

Following her aunt’s advice, she had sat down for a family meal with her aunt, uncle and two oldest cousins. The others having eaten earlier with their nannies and retiring to their nursery.

Her aunt’s husband seemed nice enough, in fact, he gave Georgia whatever she wanted and seemed utterl
y besotted with her. After all of their years of marriage their love was still in full bloom, as she watched them, she felt herself wanting what they had—and the shocking reality of her life as it was now, hit her—hard.

She’d quickly excused herself and ran back to the sanctuary of her bedroom. Her aunt had followed her, told her to dry her tears and get ready for tomorrow. Her final words had lingered with her in her dreams.

“If you want him, then your father be damned, you can have him. You are over the age of twenty-one, you can do as you please. Legally your father has no sway over you, and I will support you every step of the way.”

And with those words, her aunt had left her. She’d quickly fallen into dreamland and dreamt about Edward walking in a wood filled with bluebells.

The familiar knock at the door told her that Sally had finally decided to test the waters to see if she was awake.