Читать книгу From Wallflower to Countess - Janice Preston, Janice Preston - Страница 20

Chapter Twelve

A small crowd gathered around the three carriages as they lined up outside the Abbey. Richard and Felicity emerged to a muted cheer, followed by a swell of speculation as Felicity’s name was passed from onlooker to onlooker. The crowd pressed closer, and Richard heard Leo’s name mentioned, followed by his own as the speculation got louder.

Leo, Lady Katherine and Mr Farlowe were close behind them, followed by the few friends and servants who had been in the church to witness their wedding.

‘How handsome you looked, walking down the aisle, Farlowe.’ Lady Katherine’s voice rang out. ‘And you, dearest Felicity, you looked very nice, as you came into the church. It is a shame you were seen to such disadvantage next to your stepfather, do you not agree, Stanton?’

‘My love, I beg of you,’ Farlowe interjected hastily. Richard had caught the man’s eye and glared at him with such intent that Farlowe had paled. ‘This is Felicity’s day—’

‘Oh, Felicity is used to me running on, aren’t you, darling? She isn’t a girl to take offence.’

‘I take offence,’ Richard said quietly. Blast the woman. Why must she continually undermine Felicity? She clearly believes the only characteristic of any virtue is beauty. ‘If you will excuse us, my wife and I have a long journey ahead of us.’ He held out his hand, smiling at Felicity. ‘Come, my dear.’

Felicity shot Richard such a furious look, he stared. Did she not want him—her husband—to speak out and protect her? A glance at Leo only elicited a resigned shrug.

‘She is my mother. She loves me in her own way,’ Felicity hissed before turning to her mother, who rushed to embrace her.

‘Oh, Felicity, I did not mean anything by it, you know I did not. You know how I rattle on sometimes. I shall miss you so much, my darling.’ Lady Katherine’s eyes brimmed with tears as she flung her arms around her daughter.

‘And I shall miss you too, Mama.’ Felicity’s voice was thick with emotion.

Not for the first time Richard realized that his upbringing, and his current relationship with his mother, had ill prepared him to understand the subtleties of other people’s families. He only had to think of Leo’s large, boisterous brood to comprehend what he had missed in his childhood. Mayhap Richard could learn something of family from his new bride, and top of that list appeared to be forgiveness. Richard vowed that, as his wife, Felicity would get all the support and kindness she deserved. Then his own children would grow up secure and happy in a contented household such as every child surely deserved.

Felicity said her goodbyes to the rest of the congregation, speaking to each one in turn. The last, an elderly, stooped lady, got a hug and a kiss.

‘Stanton?’ Felicity beckoned him.

Richard felt his brows contract. Stanton? She should call him Richard. Everyone else called him Stanton.

An uncertain expression crossed Felicity’s face and Richard smiled, to show her he was not annoyed. How little they knew of each other—negotiating their relationship at the moment was akin to walking over swampy ground, not knowing where the soft, treacherous patches might lie. He must be more mindful, pick his way more carefully, until he knew her better.

‘Yes, my dear?’

‘May I present Miss Bean? She was our governess and, since we all grew up, she has shouldered the thankless task of being my maid.’

‘Oh, nonsense, Lady Felicity; I mean, Lady Stanton,’ the old lady quavered. ‘You are the least demanding person I know.’ Her eyes were red and swollen; as she stared up at him, Richard recognized the milky cast that spoke of failing sight.

He clasped her outstretched hand. ‘I am pleased to meet you,’ he said, and was rewarded by a grateful smile from Felicity.

‘You see, Beanie? He is quite normal, and I shall be quite safe with him.’

A tear tracked down Beanie’s cheek as she clasped Felicity’s face between her gnarled hands and kissed her on the cheek.

‘Goodbye, my dove.’

On the brink of mounting the steps into the carriage, Felicity turned to her mother. ‘Mama, promise me you will take care of Beanie.’

‘Why, Felicity, of course I shall. Hurry along, now. Whatever will Stanton think of you, keeping him waiting over your maid’s welfare?’

Richard thought, but did not say, that he was rather proud of his new wife for caring for the elderly woman. He handed Felicity into the carriage, and climbed in behind her, after shaking Leo’s hand. They waved, and soon left the City of Bath behind.

After a few lacklustre attempts at conversation, Felicity said, ‘I do apologize, Stanton, but...’

‘Richard,’ he said.

A rueful smile crossed her face. ‘Ever since my come-out I have known of you as Stanton. I fear it will take me some time to get used to calling you Richard, but I assure you I do not intend any slight if I forget once in a while.’

‘In that case, I shall promise not to feel slighted. What were you about to say?’

We are as two strangers, the politeness in the way we converse, the way we glance at each other and look away as if fearful of catching the other’s eye.

‘I was about to say I am so weary I fear I shall be quite unable to keep up my end of any conversation. Would you think me dreadfully rag-mannered if I try to sleep?’