Page 80 of Murder in Matrimony
Lady Agony
Aunt Tabitha was astonished by the news of Captain Fitz and Margaret’s elopement. The Scott family not as much. Amelia felt some alarm but only for a moment, and then it passed like so many Scott family emotions. She knew her sister was displeased with the wedding arrangements. The day she put on her dress was perhaps the worst of it, but Amelia had seen early signs of her reluctance. She had returned to Somerset, and after leaving the city, submitting to a large party—even one of her own making—must have been more than she could bear.
Several covered mouths and shy smiles passed among the Scott family. Aunt Gertrude laughed aloud; Aunt Hen slapped her knee; and Uncle Henry went as far as to say he didn’tblame the couple. Only Aunt Tabitha decried their selfishness, and Mr. Scott was quick to agree with her. His spirit was perhaps the lowest of the group, and Amelia went to him, assuring him all would be well. The banns had been announced for three weeks. It wasn’t so much an elopement as a private wedding.
“But the expense. The trouble. Thewaste.” Mr. Scott inhaled a breath. “I apologize for my daughter’s behavior, Lady Tabitha. I mean to repay every farthing you’ve spent on preparations.”
“It is not your fault, Mr. Scott.” Lady Tabitha’s voice was gentler than Amelia had ever heard it. “I do not blame you.”
The quietness of her voice was felt by the entire room, and it fell still and somber.
“What if it wasn’t wasted?” Simon asked.
All in the room turned to Simon with blinking sets of eyes. In the midst of the unexpected news, they’d forgotten him in the doorway.
Amelia stared at him most interestedly. Could he mean what she thought he meant?Never.
He came to Amelia’s side in three large steps.
“I’ve been silent on a subject too long. But today, my heart found its voice, and I cannot keep from singing. I would declare it from the chimney tops if I could.” He grasped Amelia’s hand and squeezed it before allowing it to drop. Then he turned seriously to Mr. Scott. “I am in love with your daughter, and she is in love with me. I wish to marry her, and we’d like to do so now, with your permission. I can obtain a special license today. Everyone she loves is here and my family as well. We need not wait until spring. We need not wait another moment if no one objects.” Here, he glanced at Lady Tabitha.
“You will have no objections from me,” Tabitha said slowly. “I know of your mutual affection.” Her voice lowered. “If you recall, you confirmed it once.”
Amelia’s cheeks flushed at the remembrance of Aunt Tabitha finding them in an embrace in the library several weeks ago. Amelia knew her own heart, but Simon and Tabitha had taken more time to acknowledge the relationship. But from all accounts, they had.
“My concern,” Aunt Tabitha went on, “has always been for the Amesbury name, and you, Lord Bainbridge, do it no disservice by marrying Edgar’s widow.”
“And caring for his niece—which we wish to do,” he added. “She will retain every virtue of this great family, and with time, I hope, acquire some of mine.”
Winifred exclaimed in happiness.
Simon returned to Mr. Scott.
“You need not my permission, Lord Bainbridge, although I appreciate the kindness.” Mr. Scott was a quiet man, and his words had none of the excitement of the women in his house. He turned to Amelia. “My daughter is more than capable of making her own decisions. You need only ask her if she wishes it. If she does, nothing in the world will prevent her. Count on it.”
With all grace and sincerity, Simon clasped her hands. “My dearest Amelia, will you marry me?”
Her heart hadn’t prepared her for the words nor for the actions of her family. In silence, they awaited her answer. Aunt Tabitha looked upon her with a generous smile. Winifred grasped her hands in front of her in joyful anticipation. Her sisters exchanged the wordfinally. For it had felt like she’d been waiting for this moment forever, a second chance at happiness and with a man that loved her not for what she could do for his family or fortune but for herself absolutely. She and Simon had no secrets. Their dreams and desires had been laid bare. They had agreed, they had disagreed, they had fallen in love for better and worse.
Now she turned from the others to Simon, to his green eyes which belied his early feelings of tenderness. It was where she wanted to live. In them, she saw all she wanted to be—could be—who he believed she was already. Honesty, tolerance, compassion, and a man who believed in the same directly by her side.
“Yes, Lord Bainbridge, I will marry you.”
With this, Winifred squealed in a way only girls in their tenth year could do. She ran to Amelia and hugged her, and it was the first of what she hoped was many family embraces. Amelia andSimon both reached down to surround her with love and affection while the rest of her family joined in congratulations.
Uncle Henry elbowed Mr. Scott. “I say, that’s one way to save the wedding breakfast—and the champagne.”
They exchanged a laugh and a handshake. Then Uncle Henry proceeded to shake Simon’s hand, giving him a healthy pat on the back and promising him a darling bottle of scotch as a wedding gift. “Although it was promised to Captain Fitz, he’s not here, so you might as well be the beneficiary.”
Amelia took the opportunity to speak to Aunt Tabitha, who was looking upon the scene with what might be called a whimsical smile if Amelia didn’t know her better. As Amelia approached, she straightened her countenance, and she was the serious and intelligent woman Amelia had come to know and respect.
Tabitha extended her hand. “Congratulations.”
Amelia took it warmly in both of hers. “Do you mean it, Aunt?”
“I do.” Tabitha’s eyes were steady and sincere. “I am an old woman, but I am not blind to young happiness. You are courageous and know your own mind. I esteem that in any woman but especially of your tender age. I suppose, at one time, I wanted you to follow in my footsteps, if I am to be honest.”
Amelia raised her eyebrows.
