The Christmas Heiress Read online

  Charlotte pretended that it did not matter. She threw herself into the evening's activities, outwardly ignoring Lord Edward, yet all the while she was covertly studying him.

  All in all, he had a handsome, arresting face, but there was something else, something indefinable that was drawing her to him. She glanced at the other young women around her, wondering if she was the only one to feel so attracted, or did he have this effect on all females whenever they were near?

  After a few minutes she decided that no other females were openly regarding him, or casting coy glances his way. Apparently she was the lone woman who had made no secret of her fascination for him, for all the good it did her.

  Charlotte watched Lord Edward broodingly for the remainder of the evening and by the following morning she had devised a plan. It was high time to take matters into her own hands.

  Charlotte had observed that her grandfather often spent the afternoon in the earl's library, reading the newspaper and smoking one of those dreadful cigars he so liked. And he was usually alone. The morning seemed interminable long, but Charlotte somehow managed to bide her time, hiding her impatience.

  And then finally luck was on her side. Everyone scattered to their afternoon activities and she managed to fool them all, letting each group believe she was going with the other. She scampered down the long corridor in the east wing, counting the doors until she found the one she sought. As she opened the library door, she was elated to find her grandfather alone in the room.

  Lord Reginald looked up when she entered, his eyes brightening with pleasure. I thought you were going off to the village this afternoon with the rest of the ladies."

  "Even I eventually tire of shopping, Grandpapa," Charlotte quipped as she leant down and kissed his cheek.

  The afternoon sun streamed through the long, rectangular stained-glass windows, casting a warm glow on the rosewood paneling. The room smelled pleasantly of leather and beeswax and carried the faint hint of her grandfather's favorite brand of tobacco. Through the window she could see the frost glistening on the grass that was but a poor substitute for a white blanket of snow.

  Lord Reginald patted the cushion on the sofa, indicating that she should take the seat beside him. With a smile, Charlotte complied.

  "Christmas is but a few days away," Lord Reginald said. "Are you eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Christ child?"

  Charlotte smiled at the fond memory. As a young child, she had been fascinated by the story of the baby born in a manager and had pestered her grandfather repeatedly to tell her the story of the child's birth. She wondered now where he had found the patience to always comply with her request, reciting the story with great drama, no matter how many times she asked.

  "Our holidays at Quincy Court were very special," Charlotte replied. "I shall always cherish them."

  "Ah, but the festivities the earl and countess have provided for all of us are special too," Lord Reginald said. "I am pleased to see that you are enjoying yourself. "

  "Everyone has been very kind," Charlotte said graciously.

  "Yes, the Chambers girls seem like pleasant company.

  "I find that I like them both," Charlotte said with surprised honesty. "Miranda has a more adventurous spirit and therefore we have much in common, yet Elizabeth has a sharp wit and can be very entertaining. 'Tis a lovely treat for me to have found such charming female companions."

  They spoke for a few minutes of inconsequential matters and then Lord Reginald leaned forward, turning slightly to face his granddaughter. "What is it you really want to say to me, Charlotte?"

  "'Tis about Lord Edward." She slanted her grandfather a gaze, surprised at how nervous she suddenly felt. "I know part of the reason we came here was to see if Lord Edward and I would suit."

  "That was one of the considerations," Lord Reginald agreed. He waited patiently, his undemanding silence encouraging a jittery Charlotte to reveal her thoughts.

  "I have given it considerable thought and consid eration and have decided that I would not be adverse to accepting an offer from him," Charlotte blurted out.

  "Not adverse, huh?" Lord Reginald snorted. "That's hardly a ringing endorsement. Do you think Lord Edward feels the same?"

  Charlotte felt herself blush. Just thinking about Edward, and the kisses they had shared in the forest, made her heart rate accelerate.

  "I believe he has developed feelings for me," she replied, proud that she was able to hold her voice even and steady. "Though he is far too much of a gentleman to speak openly about them."

  "If he will not speak of them, then how do you know he has them?"

  "Well, he kissed me!"

  "Ahhh." Lord Reginald leaned back and considered her for a long moment. Charlotte was unable to read the expression in his eyes and worried briefly that she might have revealed too much.

  "And you liked it?" Lord Reginald finally asked.

  "Very much." Charlotte felt her blush deepen. This was far too intimate a subject to be discussing with anyone, especially her grandfather. She swallowed hard, trying to elevate the odd tickle at the back of her throat. "But it was not just the kisses. I also like Lord Edward. A great deal."

  "So do I." Lord Reginald gave her a bemused look. "Marriage is an important lifetime commitment. Are you certain that he is the one you want, Charlotte?"

  "I am." She felt her heart flutter for a moment as she said the words and then it settled back into a normal rhythm. "I know this will make me very happy, Grandpapa. Truly."

  Relief filled Lord Reginald's face. "Then I am delighted. This is splendid news. I shall speak with the earl immediately and we will draw up the marriage contracts. I can think of no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than to have your wedding ceremony at Quincy Court."

  Charlotte breathed in a quivering sob of delight. Edward was going to be her husband! Excitement swarmed through her, yet she somehow managed to suppress a feral smile. It would be unladylike and crude to gloat so openly, but the sense of accomplishment nearly overwhelmed her.

  The flowers at Quincy Court would be in bloom by early June, the formal rose garden just starting to bud. She would have the majority of her wedding clothes made in London, but then purchase additional garments on her honeymoon to Paris. Edward would be dazzled by her beauty, her sophistication, her womanly charms and count himself the luckiest man in England to have won her heart.

  The chaos of emotions that had been tormenting Charlotte for days began to fade, replaced by a constant stream of happiness. Dearest Grandpapa. No matter what the circumstances, she could always count on him to give her everything she ever needed, everything she ever wanted.

  Why should this be any different?

  "I am sorry, Father, but what you are suggesting is impossible. I will not marry Charlotte Aldridge."

  The Earl of Worthington sputtered with outrage, clearly speechless at his son's reaction. He turned to his wife, who sat beside him on the salon sofa, her expression revealing the same shock.

  "Is there someone else, Edward?" the countess inquired. "We would never insist that you marry Miss Aldridge if your heart has been already claimed by another. As long as she is an acceptable girl, with an acceptable lineage and brings a substantial dowry, we will welcome her into our family."

  For the briefest instant, Edward was tempted to lie and say he was involved with someone else. But then his parents would expect him to produce the young woman in question. And since she did not exist, that would be impossible.

  "There is no one else," Edward admitted reluctantly. "And the reason for that is because I am far too young to be married."

  The countess smiled broadly, all teeth. "Your father was only two years older than you are now when he married me. Besides, you have always been a steady and serious young man, displaying a maturity far beyond your physical years. It is one of your finest qualities. Your father and I both agree that you are more than ready to settle down. And we have decided that Miss Aldridge would be an outstanding choice." />
  Edward felt the hair on his nape stand up in warning. His mother was always at her most formidable when she engaged in flattery. From what he had observed, she barely tolerated Miss Aldridge, yet she was eagerly overlooking that fact. She must want this match very badly.

  "Charlotte Aldridge is a pleasant looking, highspirited young girl," the earl added. "She is Lord Reginald's sole heir. And her great-uncle is a duke. What more can you possibly require in a wife?"

  "Miss Aldridge's suitability is not in question," Edward replied. "The simple fact of the matter is that I have no plans to marry anyone, anytime soon.

  "But you kissed her!" the countess exclaimed. "Most passionately, I was told."

  Good God. Edward felt his face infuse with indig nant color. He had tried, unsuccessfully, to push all memories of those kisses from his mind, still unsure what had possessed him to throw caution to the wind and react so physically to Charlotte.

  One touch of his lips to hers and his famous selfcontrol had vanished. He had devoured her mouth with smoldering sensuality, kissing her as if his life depended on it. Agitation had filled him, igniting a passionate fire of desire in his blood. He could not think clearly, he could only feel.

  It had been so difficult to stop. If not for the interruption by his brother, Jonathan. . . Edward shuddered to think how inappropriate his behavior might have become.

  But he had stopped and well before Charlotte had been compromised. There would be no need to marry for propriety's sake, even if others knew he had stolen a few kisses.

  Yet the only way his parents could possibly know about those kisses was from Charlotte. She must have told her grandfather and Lord Reginald had informed his parents. Were they all in this together, conspiring to trick him into marriage?

  "I kissed Miss Aldridge because she was standing beneath the mistletoe," Edward maintained, fighting to keep a straight face. "It would have been impolite and downright insulting to refuse. It meant nothing."

  His father's face turned angry, but Edward would not relent.

  "Miss Aldridge is attractive, but I have no desire to complicate my life with a wife. Especially one so young and spoiled," Edward continued, wanting to make his position perfectly clear.

  "This is quite a blow," the countess remarked, with a stiffening upper lip. "I fear you have ruined everything with this unreasonable attitude, Edward."

  "I am merely being truthful, Mother."

  "And irresponsible," the earl said curtly. "You have obligations, my boy, responsibilities and duties to this family that you cannot ignore."

  Adopting a neutral, pleasant facade, Edward held on to his temper. He was very aware of his responsibilities to his family. He took them seriously, far more seriously than many other young men of his class, and it hurt to be so wrongfully accused.

  Though it was a bit sooner than he had originally planned, it seemed as though he had no choice but to tell his parents what he intended.

  "I would like to assure you both that I take my responsibility as the future earl very seriously," Edward said. "And it has not escaped my notice that our finances are in dire straits."

  `Just a run of bad luck," the earl grumbled. "Nothing that can't be fixed with an infusion of funds. In fact, a bride's dowry would set us to rights in no time."

  "Even a sizable dowry would only allow us to pay off the most pressing of creditors and stave off ruin for a few years," Edward said softly. "What I propose is that we find a more sensible solution to this problem."

  "We have found a solution," the countess insisted with a stony expression. "Charlotte Aldridge is an heiress. She will inherit a considerable amount of property, along with a great fortune one day. As her husband, you would have control of that fortune."

  "I do not wish to control someone else's fortune," Edward said calmly. "I am going to make my own."

  Neither of his parents could hide their astonishment at his announcement.

  "Your own what?" the earl ventured.

  "Fortune." Edward was not a man prone to emotional extremes, but this was too important not to speak from the heart. He had thought and planned and considered this all very carefully. He was convinced he could be successful, if only given the chance.

  "That is simply ridiculous," the countess snapped. "Men of your class and breeding do not soil their hands by making money."

  Ignoring the scowling looks cast his way by both his parents, Edward maintained a calm facade and tried to explain. "Years of indiscriminate spending and foolish investments have depleted our family coffers. We derive a large portion of our annual income from several estates, however agriculture is a chancy business even under the best of circumstances.

  "Unfortunately generations of our ancestors have failed to invest the necessary funds back into the land and the profits have steadily dwindled over the years. We need diverse investments in progressive industries to achieve financial solvency and independence, not only for ourselves but for future generations."

  The earl's brow raised in puzzlement. "What a bunch of garbled nonsense. Speak plainly, Edward."

  "I am going to build a business empire that, God willing, shall eventually bring us financial independence," he proclaimed proudly.

  "Work in trade? Have you taken leave of your senses?" An icy edge of panic layered his mother's outcry. "'Tis an unthinkable idea. We shall be shunned by anyone of consequence."

  The earl's earlier puzzlement vanished, replaced with thunderous fury. "I will not allow a son of mine to bring such utter disgrace to our family name."

  Edward remained expressionless, though he felt the color drain from his face. He had not expected it to be easy, yet this extreme disapproval was far more than he anticipated. True, few men of class took such an active role in business, but he felt the circumstances warranted such action, especially because he believed he had the talent and the dedication to make it a reality.

  All he needed was a chance to prove himself.

  "I am trying to save our family," Edward said calmly, trying to make that point very clear.

  The countess let out a loud gasp of distress and clutched her hand over her heart. "You are going to destroy it."

  "Mother, please, there is no need for you to react-"

  "Stop it! Stop it, I say!" the earl exploded. "I will listen to no more of this preposterous rubbish. You are upsetting your mother beyond reason."

  The earl drew a shuddering breath, seemingly to gather his thoughts. "It is true that we are going through a bit of a rough patch regarding our family finances. Which is precisely why we have decided that it would be best for all concerned if you marry the Aldridge girl. It must be done no later than this coming spring. We expect you to make an announcement at this evening's Christmas Eve ball.

  "Lord Reginald and I have already worked out the details with our solicitors. The terms of the marriage contracts are most generous. I have taken the liberty of retrieving the bride's ring from the vault, so you may present it to Miss Aldridge when you formally propose. This afternoon."

  The earl fumbled in his pocket and removed a jewel box. He flipped the lid and revealed the contents. Even the old-fashioned, heavy gold setting could not diminish the brilliance of the large sapphire center stone as it sparkled mockingly up at Edward.

  "'Tis very large," he commented dryly.

  "The ring was given to the first earl by King Henry VIII," the earl replied, ignoring his son's remark. "I am certain Miss Aldridge will find it satisfactory."

  The pomposity of the statement brought an ironic smile to Edward's lips. His parents were so blinded by their own archaic rules and traditions they could not even consider the notion of something different. His heart hung heavy with a great sense of failure, for he knew in that moment their opinion would never be swayed.

  Nor would his. A business empire was the right course of action, the only way to ensure stability for future generations. Though it troubled him, Edward was determined to achieve this dream despite his parents' vehement objecti
ons.

  "I will not marry Charlotte Aldridge and I can see that I am obviously wasting my breath trying to make you understand my reasons. You refuse to look beyond your own narrow, biased views of the world." Edward rose to his feet and squarely faced his parents. "Forgive me for upsetting you, Mother, Father. It was never my intention. However, since my presence clearly distresses you both, I shall take my leave and return to London."

  The countess began dabbing at the corners of her eyes with her ever-present handkerchief, but one tear escaped and trailed from the corner of her eye down her cheek, then to her chin. She did not bother to brush it away. The earl refused to look directly at Edward, his expression dry and desolate.

  There was nothing more to be said.

  Heart heavy, Edward took his leave with a shallow bow, vaguely wondering how long it would be until he next set eyes upon his parents.

  Charlotte stood in the shadows, staring at the empty doorway that Edward had just strode through on his way out of the house. She had come to the drawing room in search ofJonathan, wanting his opinion on her choice of a Christmas gift for Edward. But when she passed the drawing room doors and heard voices raised in anger, and then her name, she had pressed herself against the heavy wood and stayed to listen.

  If only she had walked on!

  Charlotte licked her dry lips. She still could not believe what she had just overheard. Edward had not only refused to even consider marriage to her, but he had defied and angered his parents in the process. Was she really so horrible?

  She let out a nervous, painful grunt of anger. Of all the irony! She had come to Farmington Manor determined not to be forced into a marriage she did not want and instead found herself wanting a man who had no interest in her at all.

  He did not want her. Charlotte's hands gripped into white-knuckled balls and her heart began thumping in a sharp rhythm inside her chest. The pain was worse than anything she had ever known. She stood completely still as a wave of nausea pulsed through her. This could not be happening!

  Charlotte felt the tears burning, felt the thick lump build in her throat and could not stifle the sob that escaped. She backed away from the doorway, and scurried down the hall, running wildly until she found an empty room.