Engagement of Convenience Read online

  ‘Are you all right?’ Emily whispered and Julia shook her head, taking a large step back.

  ‘No, I think I should change.’ He’d seen her riding without a groom. If he mentioned it to Emily, there’d be no end to the reprimands.

  ‘It’s too late now.’ Emily gripped her arm tight to keep her from fleeing as she motioned to Uncle George.

  ‘And here is the party responsible for Knollwood’s prosperity.’ Uncle George ushered the captain to them. ‘Captain Covington, Miss Julia Howard.’

  If she had thought him handsome in plain hunting clothes, he took her breath away in uniform. The dark coat with the gold epaulettes emphasised his wide shoulders and the powerful presence she had felt in the forest. Without the advantage of Manfred’s height, she had to look up at him. Though not overly tall, he stood a good head above her. The fantasy of being swept into his arms filled her mind once again and she swallowed hard.

  ‘A pleasure.’ He bowed.

  Her eyes travelled the length of him as he straightened. Well-muscled calves stretched his hose tight while slightly looser breeches could not hide his strong thighs and other unmentionable areas. Feeling her cheeks burn, Julia focused on his face as she held out her hand. ‘Captain Covington, welcome to Knollwood.’

  He wrapped his fingers lightly around hers, then swept his lips across the bare knuckles. Julia drew in a ragged breath, trying not to tremble. The white-trimmed collar of the coat framed his now clean-shaven face and she curled her fingers slightly around his to stop herself from tracing the smooth line of his jaw.

  ‘Good morning, Artemis.’ His breath tickled the back of her hand and her body tightened in shock. ‘I assume I am no longer trespassing on your land?’

  She leaned closer, inhaling the earthy smell of his lavender shaving soap. ‘That remains to be seen.’

  He squeezed her hand, then let go. Julia stepped back, very aware of Emily shifting from foot to foot behind him.

  ‘Have you two met before?’ Emily asked in a high voice.

  ‘I had the privilege of encountering Miss Howard while she was riding in the forest this morning,’ Captain Covington explained, oblivious to the trouble he’d just caused.

  Julia braced herself for the coming scolding, wishing the captain had held his tongue.

  ‘You were riding without the groom again?’ Emily asked, the nervous quaver in her voice more irritating than a bur in a boot.

  ‘No, the groom was with her,’ James lied before Julia could answer. ‘But I’m afraid I failed to properly introduce myself and she mistook me for a poacher.’

  Julia gaped at him, surprised he’d lie for her after the way she’d addressed him in the woods.

  ‘George left no detail untold regarding your management,’ he continued. ‘You have quite an estate. I’m very impressed.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she faltered, the compliment catching her off guard. Usually gentlemen scoffed at her unusual accomplishment. ‘I’m quite protective of it, as you may have gathered.’

  ‘Indeed. I’ve never met such a fearsome protector of woodland creatures in all my life.’

  ‘I’m sure many innocent creatures need protection from Navy men.’

  Emily inhaled sharply and Uncle George snorted out a laugh while her mother continued to pet Charlemagne, barely noting the exchange.

  The captain’s lips tightened in an attempt to keep from laughing and suddenly Julia regretted her impudent tongue. With all she knew of him from Uncle George’s stories, to fire off such forward remarks, no matter how innocent, might give him the wrong impression and it wasn’t very gracious, especially after he’d lied to help her.

  ‘Shall we sit down?’ Emily interrupted, nervously studying Julia and the captain.

  ‘Yes, thank you.’ He allowed Emily to escort him to the sofa and chairs near the window, her mother following close behind.

  Julia stayed by the door, hoping she could slip away without Emily noticing. Decorum dictated she stay and entertain the captain, but something about him unnerved her. It was one thing to speak so frankly to family, quite another with a stranger, no matter how well he knew Uncle George. Better to leave now than risk another slip.

  ‘I see you hiding there.’ Uncle George came up alongside her, thumbs hooked in his jacket lapel.

  ‘I’m not hiding.’

  ‘Then come and join us.’

  Julia smiled half-heartedly, watching the captain as he answered one of Mother’s questions, his smile steady as he spoke. Whatever the captain thought of her unconventional behaviour, he’d already forgotten it. Deep down, some part of her wanted him to notice her, the way he had in the woods. As if sensing her, he shifted in the chair, meeting her eyes, and she turned to Uncle George.

  ‘No, I have business to attend to.’

  ‘Leave it for later. I think you’ll enjoy the captain. You two already have quite the rapport.’ He tugged her ear playfully, the way he’d done since she was a child.

  The friendly gesture usually made her smile. Today it increased the irritation chewing at her. ‘My work can’t wait.’

  ‘If you insist. But you can’t hide at Knollwood for ever. Eventually, you’ll have to get out in the world and live.’

  ‘I’m not hiding,’ Julia protested.

  ‘Of course not. Silly of me to say it.’ He patted her arm. ‘Go back to the study. I’ll make your excuses.’

  Julia left, pausing a moment to listen to the muffled voices, suddenly feeling very alone. Walking through the back sitting room, she took in the sturdy walls of Knollwood covered in hunting prints and old portraits of well-dressed ancestors. Here she felt safe and, when not entertaining guests, confident in herself. Anywhere else she felt awkward and unsettled. What would happen if Charles took this away from her?

  She slipped out of the French doors and crossed the garden to the far corner where the tall boxwood hedges hid her from the house. At the centre of this private courtyard stood a fountain of a man and woman locked in a passionate kiss, a copy of some nameless Greek statue. It had been a gift to their father from Paul after his first visit to Greece. Having no use for the statue in the house, her father had it made into a fountain, scandalising Charles, who insisted on hiding it in this secluded corner.

  Julia plunked down on the stone bench in front of the fountain, watching the water run over the naked marble bodies. The polished stone glistened in the noon sun, intensifying the urgency of the lovers’ embrace. The man’s fingers dug into the hard flesh of the woman’s thigh, his hands entwined in her hair as she pressed her naked form against his. Her long, gracefully carved fingers rested against the taut muscles of the male’s well-chiselled back. Studying the lovers’ embrace, their bodies so close not even water could separate them, Julia felt her chest constrict. What would it be like to inspire such passion in a man?

  Picking up a small stone, she flung it into the pool at the base of the fountain, sending a large splash up and over the side. Reaching down for another rock, she heard the pitter-patter of paws on gravel as Charlemagne barrelled down on her. The small dog threw his front paws up on her knees, his wagging tail shaking his whole body as Julia stroked his soft fur.

  ‘I thought I’d find you here,’ her mother said, scooping up Charlemagne and sitting down next to her.

  ‘Did Emily send you here to chastise me for not being a perfect lady?’

  ‘Emily is a sweet girl, good for Charles and I adore her,’ her mother remarked, settling the wiggling dog on her lap. ‘But I seldom listen to her advice or Charles’s. I suggest you do the same.’

  ‘I’ve tried, but it only makes them more persistent.’

  ‘Yes, he takes after your grandfather in that regard.’ Charlemagne refused to be still and Mother put him on the ground. ‘You’re worried about Charles taking over Knollwood, aren’t you?’
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br />   Like Uncle George, Mother could be very direct and Julia found it both helpful and at times hindering. She watched Charlemagne sniff around the fountain, jumping back when an errant bead of water landed on his nose.

  ‘When he does, what will I do?’ Julia choked, digging the toe of her boot into the ground.

  ‘I think you’ll find something. You’re much more resourceful than either Charles or Paul.’

  ‘But what else could there possibly be for me?’

  Her mother took Julia’s face in her hands, pushing a strand of hair off of her cheek. ‘That’s up to you to discover.’

  She kissed Julia’s forehead, then rose, snapping her fingers at Charlemagne.

  ‘Do I hide from the world here?’ Julia asked before her mother could leave.

  ‘Who put such an idea in your head?’

  ‘Uncle George.’

  The older woman laughed softly. ‘Since when do you take my brother seriously?’

  Julia shrugged. ‘Emily and Charles are always saying it, in their own way.’

  ‘I think only you know the answer.’ She strolled out of the garden, Charlemagne close on her heels.

  * * *

  The quick click of a lady’s perturbed step drew James to the morning-room door. Miss Howard strode into the entrance hall, moving like a tempest, oblivious to everything but her own energy. Fascinated, he wanted to draw her out, but hesitated. Better to let her go than risk the blunt blow of her dark mood. However, something in the troubled frown on her pretty face prompted him to speak.

  ‘Miss Howard?’

  The stomping girl vanished, replaced by an awkward young woman conscious of the world around her. ‘Yes?’

  She stood on the bottom stair, one small hand on the oak banister, poised like a doe to flee. He wondered what had happened to make such an exuberant creature so timid. ‘I want to apologise for this morning. You took me quite by surprise.’

  ‘Yes, I imagine I did.’ She moved to leave, but he wasn’t ready to let her go.

  ‘I don’t usually meet young ladies in the forest so early in the morning.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me who you were?’ she demanded with startling directness.

  ‘You didn’t ask,’ he laughed, his mirth evaporating under her stern glare. ‘Allow me to apologise. I should have introduced myself.’ He offered a humble bow, but it did not soften the small crease marring her smooth brow.

  ‘I wish you had for it might have saved us both a great deal of trouble.’

  ‘I shall endeavour to be more agreeable to you the next time we meet in a forest.’ The image of them alone among the trees, her hair loose about her naked shoulders, their bodies entwined came to mind. His hand itched to reach up and trace the gentle curve of her cheek, slip his fingers behind her long neck and draw her close.

  ‘There will be no next time,’ she corrected, ending the pleasant fantasy.

  ‘I think it quite possible,’ he teased. ‘Judging by this morning, I assume it is your habit to ride out alone in the mornings.’

  ‘Shh.’ She stepped closer, waving a silencing hand and filling the air between them with the faint scent of rosemary.

  ‘Your mother doesn’t approve of you riding alone?’ he asked in a low voice.

  ‘Mother doesn’t care, but Emily does.’ She stepped off the stair and stood in front of him, her face softening. ‘Thank you for not telling her you saw me riding without a groom. You spared me a great deal of trouble.’

  ‘It was my pleasure, and I’ll gladly do it again if the need arises.’

  ‘I hope it doesn’t come to that.’ She smiled, her face glowing with amusement.

  ‘You’re very pretty when you smile,’ he offered without thinking, amazed at how much her pleasure delighted him.

  Her smile disappeared and she raised one disbelieving eyebrow. Something of the confident Artemis he’d seen this morning flashed in her hazel eyes, rousing his blood.

  ‘I know the country is lacking in diversions, but do not think to amuse yourself with me.’

  James straightened, forgetting his desire. He should have been insulted, but he could hardly blame her for saying what he’d momentarily imagined. ‘You misunderstood my meaning. I have never, would never behave as you intimate.’

  She fixed him with the same scrutinising look he once used on seamen when they told him a tall tale to cover their misdeeds. ‘I am not naïve, Captain. My brother and uncle tell me everything, so I know what Navy men are about.’

  ‘Do you?’ He struggled to keep the laughter out of his voice, still unable to believe a young woman with her hair pulled back like a dour nun could be so forward. He leaned against the wooden banister, bringing their faces much closer than intended. She did not step back. ‘I may have to change your opinion of Navy men.’

  ‘I’m afraid you have only worked to confirm it.’

  Her saucy eyes teased him. Were this Tortuga, he would have covered her full mouth with his, allowed his fingers to free her hair from the bun as he pulled her close to kiss away the wry smile dancing about her lips. However, his good breeding, not to mention his status as George’s guest, prevented such a blatant breach of etiquette.

  * * *

  ‘Julia!’ Emily appeared at the morning-room door. Julia stepped back, her cheeks burning, awkwardness replacing her courage. Silently, she cursed her impetuous nature, wondering what it was about the captain that kept causing her to forget herself. A few minutes in the gentleman’s presence and she was once again acting like a strumpet instead of a lady. How much had Emily heard? Hopefully nothing or she and Charles would feel vindicated in all their chastising.

  Before anyone could say anything, baby Thomas’s wail filled the upstairs hallway and the nurse appeared at the top of the stairs, carrying the infant. He was only two months old, but he’d been born early and Emily fretted over him like no other well-born mother in the county.

  ‘Mrs Howard, it is time for his feeding,’ the nurse called over the screaming baby.

  Emily glanced from the captain to Julia to upstairs, weighing her desire to reprimand with the need to see to her child. Luckily, Thomas’s cries grew louder, making the decision for her.

  ‘If you’ll excuse me, Captain, I must attend to my son.’ Emily shot Julia a silent warning before hurrying up to escort the nurse to the nursery. For all of Charles’s and Emily’s priggishness, they were firm believers in Rousseau’s ideas of breastfeeding. It was one of the few things Julia admired them for.

  ‘Despite being born two months early, my nephew has a healthy appetite and powerful lungs,’ Julia observed.

  ‘His lungs will serve him well if he enters Parliament. Like his father, his opinions will always be heard,’ Captain Covington teased.

  Julia laughed, the captain’s joke putting her at ease. She was about to respond when a small cough from the landing interrupted them.

  ‘Good morning, Captain Covington.’ Annette glided down the stairs, her blue eyes raking over him. Dressed in a fashionable walking dress of expensive yellow silk, she stepped in between Julia and the captain. Her haughty air irked Julia and she clasped her hands together to keep from smacking the chit on the back of her elegantly coiffed blonde head. Though they were the same age, they had nothing in common and had never been more than civil to each other since Annette’s arrival.

  ‘Miss Taylor, a pleasure to see you again.’ The captain bowed over her extended hand, the relaxed Navy man from a moment before replaced by a proper gentleman.

  Julia noted the change and her heart sank. Obviously, he respected the polished manners of a London lady to the questionable conduct of a country girl.

  It doesn’t matter, she told herself. Neither of them will be here for ever.

  ‘How are your dear sister and mother?’ Annette asked, her
voice light and charming.

  ‘My sister Charlotte is in Wiltshire with her husband. My mother is with them at the moment, though she returns to town next week. She prefers London to the country.’

  ‘Who of us doesn’t?’ Simon yawned from the top of the stairs, his voice heavy with the Devonshire lisp so popular in town. Tall and lean, Simon wore a suit of the finest material cut tight to accentuate his slender body. He possessed the same sharp features as his sister, but the affected boredom of his dandified style softened them considerably.

  Annette’s face reddened at Simon’s remark. ‘You remember my brother?’

  ‘Of course.’ Both men nodded to one another, no affection lost on either side.

  ‘We are going to the local town. Please join us for I’m eager for some society after such isolation.’

  ‘Did I hear someone suggest a ride into Daringford?’ Uncle George asked, coming up behind the captain.

  ‘Yes. Care to join us?’ Captain Covington invited.

  While they made their plans, Julia started up the stairs, sure no one would notice her absence. They had each other; they did not need her. She froze when the captain called out to her.

  ‘Miss Howard, would you like to join us?’

  Surveying the waiting group, Julia wondered how much more of his company she could endure without gaining a reputation as a hoyden. Until she could learn to control her tongue in his presence, it was probably better to avoid him. She moved to make her excuses when Annette’s condescending sweep of Julia’s riding habit changed her mind. ‘Yes, but allow me to change. I’ll only be a moment.’

  ‘Your dress is passable. Come and let’s be off,’ Uncle George impatiently called.

  Julia reluctantly stepped off the stairs. Emily would have a fit if she knew Julia wore her old riding habit into town. Oh, well, what was one more reprimand? Besides, it was worth the rebuke to annoy Annette.

  ‘Come, Captain Covington.’ Annette motioned for his arm and like a true gentleman he offered it, leading her outside to the waiting carriage. Julia watched the way her stepcousin moved, the rich material and fine cut of her dress emphasising her willowy figure. A slight twinge of jealousy took hold and Julia wondered if things would be different if she made an effort to dress so well every day or demonstrate proper, genteel manners.