Page 5 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
Annette groaned.“If only Lord Frederick hadn’t put the rum in the punch, I might not have acted so rashly.”The fire popped, and an ember sizzled on the stone outside the hearth.“But when I felt that second pinch…”
“It was instinct.Your brothers taught you well.It was one reason I didn’t worry about some rake taking advantage of you.I knew you could defend yourself.”He shook his head.“The nodcock deserved a crooked nose.Could have done without the cursing, though.”
Annette shrugged.It was water under the bridge now.“If only all four of my musketeers were home for Christmastide.”She hadn’t seen Jeremiah—her second oldest-older brother—and his wife since the wedding four years ago.He was stationed in India but set to come home in the next six months, along with their two-year-old son, Little Henry.
“Ambrose is close enough that he can give his sermon Christmas morning and arrive with Hester by late afternoon.And William says he will be here a few days before Christmas to help collect the decorations and stay through Twelfth Night.He’s grown tired of London until the next Season.And of course, Lucius would never miss a party.”He shrugged.“If luck is with us, then we shall meet Jeremiah’s wife and son by Easter.”
A quiet knock on the door announced Lady Henney.“May I come in?”
Annette jumped from the chair and turned to face her future stepmother.She was a petite woman with auburn hair, huge brown eyes, and a wonderful sense of humor.As always, the viscountess was dressed in understated elegance.Her azure satin skirt and bodice, trimmed with Van Dyke points at the sleeves and hem, hugged just the right places and flowed gracefully to her toes.This was a woman who always commanded attention, and even her clothes seemed to listen.
“Congratulations!Papa told me, and I couldn’t be happier for both of you.”
The two women hugged, then Alice glanced at the earl.“Have you… Did you?—”
“Yes, he explained your condition to the marriage.”Annette was surprised to see the older woman blush.“And that it is out of concern for my future rather than wanting me gone.”
Alice squeezed Annette’s hand.“You aren’t upset?I truly could not bear to be happy with your father if you weren’t settled with a bright future.”
“In truth, I wish the two of you had married long ago, when I was still a girl.I would most likely have a brood of children by now.”She chewed her lip again.“Will I be able to see the guest list before the invitations are sent out?”
“You will have final approval.I insist on that,” agreed the viscountess.“In fact, I have jotted a few names down already.”
“Shall we go over them together?”She squared her shoulders, preparing herself for the task.“My only stipulation is that I’m allowed to be myself.The man must take me as I am, no false pretenses, no avoiding conversations not meant for a female, no?—”
“Lud, child.We’re not sending you to the front lines,” said her father.“Besides, London has had dozens of scandals since you’ve last visited.Surely, your escapade has been forgotten by now.”
Annette and Alice looked at each other and burst into laughter.
“My sweet naïve man,” said the viscountess, patting Beecham’s cheek.
CHAPTER2
Kent, England
Weston Estates
“Oh, Papa, he’s the most wonderful man in the world,” gushed Phoebe, twirling on her toes, her auburn curls bouncing.
Andrew, Lord Weston clasped his hand to heart.“You wound me, Daughter.”
She threw her arms around him.“Next to you, Papa, of course.”
“Of course.”He stepped back and cupped her cheeks in his hands as he kissed her forehead.“I’m happy for you.I hope Lord Kendall will make a fine husband.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind my going to London for Christmastide?I do want to get to know his mother better before we are wed.”She looked up at him, her coffee eyes filled with concern.“It will be our last holiday together.”
Andrew shook his head.“Nonsense, I look forward to many holidays with my grandchildren about me.”He smiled at her blush.“No, dear.Your aunt will be chaperone enough.I have plenty to occupy my time and…”
“And?”She gave him a sly grin.“A lady friend, perhaps?”
He snorted.“No, but I did receive an invitation from an old friend in Suffolk.I might visit with him for a few days and catch up.He hasn’t taken his seat in the Lords for several years, and I’m not much for correspondence, as you know.So, we’ll have much to talk about.”He waggled his brows.“Lord Beecham met my brother at Oxford.Used to come home with Phillip since we lived in town.They both took care of me when I started university during their last year.Oh, the antics we’ll relive over some good brandy.”
“Papa, I couldn’t imagine you being devilish.But I hope you change your mind, for I will miss you dreadfully.”
“You are a beautiful young woman about to start a new life with a family of your own.There won’t be time for thoughts of me.”He hugged her, blinking back emotion as images of her as a child hit him full force.“You know I will always be here whenever you need me.”
He watched his daughter practically skip from the library.With a sigh, he leaned against the mantel, listening to the fire crackle.This was his favorite room.Filled with books and memories and decorated in strong, masculine colors.From the blue damask drapes on the floor-to-ceiling windows and the thick, patterned Turkish rugs to the carved oak desk and great wingback chairs, this was a place a man could relax in, think his problems through, find solace in the silence.
