Anne Herries - The Mistress of Hanover Square

‘I believe she does feel something of the kind, but I hope the matter will be resolved satisfactorily.’

‘Toby will inherit a decent estate when his father dies, but I am certain he will make his own fortune. Although he is close to his family, I do not think he would allow them to dictate to him in such a matter—and I see no reason why Emily should not be acceptable to them. Toby is of good family, but he is not the heir to an illustrious title, merely his father’s baronetcy. I see no cause for anyone to object to his choice.’

Amelia nodded. She had wondered if she might ask for Gerard for help in trying to find Emily’s child, but she had hoped to find a way of concealing the mother’s identity. Even if that was impracticable, now was not the time or place to reveal it.

‘Well, we must hope for a happy outcome,’ she said. ‘I was wondering when you thought would be a suitable moment for us to marry? Do you wish for some time to make your arrangements or would you prefer the wedding to be held quite soon?’

‘Personally, I believe the sooner we marry the better for all concerned,’ Gerard said. ‘I know that my daughter would be happy to have a new mama—and I am certainly looking forward to our wedding. Do you wish for a longer engagement or shall we settle it for a month after the ball?’

‘I think a month after the ball should be adequate time,’ Amelia replied. ‘It will give me a chance to make necessary changes. Will you wish to live at Ravenshead on a permanent basis?’

‘Are you thinking that you would like to spend a part of the year at your estate, Amelia?’

‘I like to spend some part of the summer in Bath and I must visit London several times a year to oversee my children’s home, but I dare say I shall like Ravenshead very well.’

‘There will be time enough to decide once you have visited,’ Gerard told her. ‘We must have the lawyers draw up the settlements, Amelia. I should not wish to control your fortune, though I will help you to manage it if you so wish. It might be a sensible idea to put a part at least in trust for your children.’

‘That is an excellent notion,’ Amelia agreed, a faint blush in her cheeks. ‘I have a great deal of property—mostly houses. Great-Aunt Agatha acquired a considerable portfolio during her lifetime. I have wondered whether it might be better to sell most of them and reinvest the money. I should greatly appreciate your opinion, Gerard. I have my man of business, naturally, and my lawyers—but there has been no one I could turn to with my problems. No one I could truly trust. I have good friends, of course, but one does not like to ask advice in these matters.’

‘I am sure Harry would have been happy to help you, Amelia. He has an excellent head for business. However, you have me now, my dearest. Any concern—the slightest worry—you may address to me, and I will do my best to take it from you.’

‘Thank you, Gerard. You are most kind…’ Amelia spoke carefully. He seemed so considerate, but was it merely the kindness he would offer to any friend?

Gerard looked at her oddly. She thought he was about to speak once more, but they had reached the dining room and Amelia found that she was sitting between Gerard on her left side and an elderly gentleman she knew slightly on the other. The time for confidences had passed, and though she made polite conversation with both gentlemen throughout dinner there was no chance of talking privately to Gerard.

Amelia glanced round the dinner table. Everyone was smiling and looking pleased. Susannah was a generous hostess and her cooks had excelled themselves. Course after course of delicious food was served to the guests and it was late before Susannah rose to take the ladies through to the drawing room. The gentlemenre mained to drink port and smoke their cigars, while the ladies took tea in the drawing room.

It was nearly eleven o’clock when the gentlemen joined them at last, and then the present-giving ceremony took place. Susannah and Harry had bought gifts for all their guests. The footmen took these round on silver trays and there was a great deal of exclaiming and cries of pleasure as the small gifts were unwrapped to reveal things like Bristol-blue scent bottles for the ladies and enamelled snuffboxes for the gentlemen.

Amelia had already exchanged personal gifts with Susannah and Harry and would open those she had received in privacy. She had purchased a silvergilt card case for Gerard, which she planned to give him the next morning after breakfast.

It was five and twenty minutes to twelve when the guests separated. The older members of the family said goodnight and went up to their rooms, whilst the younger guests donned cloaks and greatcoats and went out to the waiting carriages. They were driven to Pendleton church, where they joined villagers for the midnight mass. This was a special part of Christmas as far as Amelia was concerned. She felt that this year it was even more so, because she was sharing it with her fiancé. Now that she had made up her mind, the thought warmed her and she felt a little thrill of happiness. How much better life would be in the future, even if her husband were not desperately in love with her.

Amelia left the church on Gerard’s arm, feeling happy. The bells had begun to ring and it was almost a forerunner of their wedding day. As they paused for a moment for the carriages to come forwards to pick them up, their breath made patterns on the frosty air.

‘Gerard…’Amelia began, but was shocked when he suddenly pushed her to one side so that she stumbled and fell against a prickly holly bush. ‘What…?’ Before she could finish her sentence, a shot rang out, passing so close to her that she felt a puff of air. She was struggling to recover her balance, as Gerard took out a pistol and fired at something in the shadows.

Almost at once, Amelia found that Harry and Susannah were at her side, assisting her. Everything else was confusion as people shouted and rushed about, some of the men setting off in pursuit of the would-be assassin.

‘ Amelia dearest,’ Susannah cried, looking at her anxiously. ‘Are you hurt? I do not know what happened…’

‘The earl saw him just in time,’ Emily said, for she too had rushed to Amelia’s side. ‘I noticed someone lurking over there in those trees. However, I did not realise what he meant to do until I saw him lift his arm.’

‘Did you see his face, Miss Barton?’ Harry asked. ‘I’m dashed if I noticed anything until I heard the shot.’

‘He was wearing a dark hat and a muffler,’ Emily told him. ‘I am sorry. I know that is of little use to you, but it was all I saw.’

Harry nodded and looked grim. ‘Forgive us, Amelia. We expected something might happen, but not like this…on such a night. What kind of a man would attempt murder on Christmas Eve?’

‘What do you mean?’ Amelia stared at him. Her wrist stung where a thorn had penetrated her glove and she was feeling a little sick inside. ‘Why did you expect something to happen?’

‘Come, get inside the carriage, ladies,’ Harry said. ‘We must take you home. Gerard will explain later. He is coming now…’ He glanced at the earl, who had gone after the assassin. ‘Any luck?’ Gerard shook his head and Harry swore.

‘Amelia, forgive me for pushing you into the holly,’ Gerard apologised. ‘I knew I must act quickly—but have you been hurt?’

‘A mere scratch,’ Amelia told him. ‘Had that ball found its mark, I might be dead.’

‘I think it was meant more as a warning to me,’ Gerard said. He climbed into the carriage with her and Emily. Susannah had gone with some of the other ladies and Harry. ‘I received a threat this morning, when I returned from our walk, Amelia. It was somewhat obscure and I was not truly certain of its meaning, though I had an idea that I was being warned to stay away from you.’