Page 44 of The Dare Before Christmas

Barnaby looked back and forth between them, totally bewildered.

“Enough for what? What is going on?”

“For you, Barnaby,” the duke said gently. “I did a terrible thing many years ago, and I walked away from the woman I loved because my parents believed she was beneath me. I thought I was doing the right thing for my station, for what was due the title, but I have regretted that decision, every moment of every hour of every day that followed. I can never get that time back, but I shall not waste a second of the time I have left, and it is very clear to me that Hester admires and loves you like a son. Hester does not give her heart to just anyone. It is a privilege reserved for a select few. So, let me ensure you do not feel you are beginning your life with the Lady Victoria by lowering her in society. I shall give you the ten thousand, and you are honour-bound to accept it, for I give it as amends to Hester for my idiocy, such paltry amends as it is. In return, all we ask is that you and Victoria and any children you have be a part of our lives. No one will turn their nose up at you, my boy. Close family of the Duke of Axton is no small thing, and money can make many in society close their interfering mouths.”

Barnaby’s knees gave out, and he sat down, not bothering to check there was a chair beneath him, and narrowly missed hitting the floor.

“Ten thousand,” he repeated, bewildered by his good fortune. “I’m dreaming.”

“Then that makes two of us,” Aunt Hester said, her voice thick with emotion as she got to her feet and went to Axton, embracing him in full view of Barnaby and not appearing to care a jot. “Axton, you devil, I do love you so.”

In that moment, dazed and happy as he was, it was a sentiment that Barnaby was not too far from echoing.

Chapter 13

Dear Miss Milly,

I am writing to express my gratitude for the help you provided yesterday. There I was, sitting in the snow like an idiot, wondering what on earth I could do and praying for a miracle, and lo, there you were. I imagine many fellows have flattered you and called you an angel, but you truly were mine.

Of course, when I say I am writing, that is obviously not true. My private secretary, Humboldt, has the dubious pleasure of writing and reading all my correspondence. I tell you this in case you felt inclined towards writing billet doux. Not that I could blame you for developing a tendre for me. You are clearly susceptible to my charms, but I am told Humboldt blushes prodigiously and I should hate to discompose him, the poor fellow. He’s doing it now. I cannot see it, naturally, but I can feel the heat of his chagrin clear from the far side of the room.

I was hoping that I might call upon you before Christmas, but it appears I have taken a chill from so long in the cold and I vain creature that I am, I refuse to appear in public with a red nose and sniffing. So, I will keep my vile ailments to myself and leave you with the image of the handsome fellow you rescued in your mind for the time being. You did say I was handsome, Miss Milly, do not deny it. I told Humboldt to underline that bit. I hope he did so.

Once I am well again, or as close as this imperfect fellow can get, I shall call upon you. We have much to discuss, you and me.

Yr obt svt.

Wrexham

―Excerpt of a letter to Miss Emmeline Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) from The Most Hon’ble Leander Steyning, The Marquess of Wrexham

19th December 1844, Heart’s Folly, East Sussex.

Torie stared out of her bedroom window at Heart’s Folly with her own heart as weighted down as the boughs of the trees outside, laden with snow. She supposed she ought to be overjoyed. Her wish had come true. She was to marry Barnaby Godwin. Except she had not wished to trap him into it, and he had looked so shocked and horrified by the idea that she knew she could not hold him to it. No matter what Papa said. She would not marry a man who didn’t want her.

Oh, she wasn’t a fool. She knew Barnaby liked her. He certainly desired her. Perhaps he was even fond of her, but fondness and desire was not love and she did not wish to force herself upon an unwilling bridegroom. She wanted a marriage where both partners considered themselves equal, like her parents did. It was true Papa could have married far higher than Mama, but he had never, by word or deed, treated Mama as anything less than his equal. He loved and respected her, and Torie wanted that, too. If Barnaby would always feel he was beholden to her, it would put pressure upon their relationship and they would not flourish under such circumstances, no matter how much she wished for it, or how hard she tried.

With a sigh, Torie rested her forehead against the cold window glass. She closed her eyes, remembering those blissful moments last night, before everything had gone wrong. If only the duke and Barnaby’s aunt hadn’t arrived. Things had been going splendidly well, and she’d been certain, if they could only spend some time alone, that Barnaby would see how perfect they were together, how happy they could be. She had never felt so wonderful as when he had put his hands on her. Excitement and desire had surged through her with such heat and wonder she had not questioned it. How right it had felt for him to touch her so. There had been no doubt in her mind, no possibility that he was not the man with whom she should have been doing this.

It had been natural, so natural she rather thought she would have given him her maidenhead if they’d not been interrupted. Another wistful sigh escaped her, and Torie shook herself. Her parents could be home at any time. Though the roads must be thick with snow, the day was clear and bright, and she doubted it would be long before everyone returned and discovered what she’d done. Torie blushed at the thought of everyone knowing she’d ruined herself, but there was no help for it.

It was rather too early for breakfast yet. Torie had slept ill and risen earlier than usual. She was in no hurry to face Barnaby, either, for she knew he would be kind, just as he had been last night. Even though she had got him into this dreadful mess, not to mention into damp tunnels and almost getting buried alive, he had not reproached her. Instead, he had reassured her that he would make everything right, and told her not to worry. Torie blinked back tears as she remembered and then scolded herself for being a ninny. She would simply have to keep herself busy until her father got home, and then… and then she would tell Papa the whole truth, and he would see she was very much responsible for the fix they were in. He could not possibly blame Barnaby, nor hold him to this forced marriage.

Feeling wretched, Torie made her way downstairs and greeted the staff who were going about their day and setting out the breakfast things. She thought she observed two of the maids exchanging glances as she passed, but hurried on without comment. Not wanting to get in their way, she went to the library instead, relieved to discover a fire burning. Taking a moment to peruse the shelves, Torie considered trying to read a novel, for there were some interesting titles, but she knew she did not have the concentration for that. Instead, she looked for anything that might document the history of the house or the family who had lived in it for so long. She still could not understand where the treasure was buried, for surely the tunnel leading to a secret place was ideal? It made no sense. Though perhaps Heart’s Folly was riddled with tunnels and hiding places.

Torie’s heart gave an unexpected skip as something Louis César told her came to mind. He’d said there was a tunnel between the original kitchens and the library. Despite everything that had happened with Barnaby, the lure of finding the treasure lifted Torie’s spirits just enough to make her want to look for it. Besides which, if she did not keep busy, she would end up moping about and looking pathetic, and that did not appeal either. Yet, the endeavour was rather a daunting one as she looked about the vast library and wondered where on earth she ought to begin. Not to be put off, Torie decided she’d best be methodical about it and began in the corner beside the window, determined to find the hidden tunnel if it took her all week.

Emmeline handed her cloak and bonnet to the footman before stripping off her gloves. The grand entrance hall was a flurry of activity as everyone shed their outdoor clothes and hurried to get upstairs and change. The impromptu overnight stay away had been pleasant enough, but everyone was feeling rumpled and wanted to tidy themselves up.

“How lovely to be back,” she said to her sister Evie, who grinned at her.

“It’s become home very quickly,” Evie agreed, nodding. “And the inn was rather cramped.”

“Noisy, too,” Emmeline said, trying not to yawn. “I didn’t sleep a wink.”

“Neither did I,” Evie replied, though from the way her lips twitched as she sent an accusing look towards her husband, Emmeline did not think it had been for the same reason, or that she minded.

Louis César merely quirked an elegant eyebrow and returned an expression of complete innocence. Smothering a grin, Emmeline was about to go to her room when the butler approached her with a silver salver.