Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay (30 page)

Nick looked up, blinking. ‘Are you sure? But he tried to kill you. Don’t you want retribution?’

Synley shook his head. ‘No, I’ve been talked about more than enough in my life and I’d rather not give the gossip-mongers any more grist for their mills. Besides, thanks to you and Lexie, he didn’t succeed. I owe you a great deal.’

‘What about George?’ Lexie put in.

‘I hardly think he’s going to admit to knowing anything about a murder plot, do you? It might even teach him a lesson so that he starts to think a bit more about the sort of company he’s keeping.’

‘Yes, well, miracles do happen, they say,’ Lexie muttered.

‘His lordship is right, and even if he did speak up, it would be his word against the three of us,’ Nick added.

‘Very well, that’s settled then. Nick, please take Lexie home and then come to Synley Priory. As agreed, we’ll say that I met up with you earlier in the day and urged you to stay with me for a while, since we had some business to discuss.’

‘Will do.’

Synley turned to Lexie and gave her a small smile. ‘I’ll be calling on you tomorrow, Miss Holloway, as I have something I would like to ask you.’

Lexie managed a shaky smile back. ‘I thought you already did?’

‘Ah, but I didn’t actually receive an answer, as I recall.’

‘Oh, how very remiss of me.’

‘Indeed. You’re sure you want to hear my question?’

Her smile widened. ‘I can’t wait.’

CHAPTER ELEVEN

When Lexie came downstairs the following morning, it was to find a very morose George picking at his breakfast, while Margaret harangued him in a very unseemly fashion.

‘... and furthermore, I think it very inconsiderate of him to get himself killed while staying with us so that all the arrangements have to be made by you and no doubt paid for as well. It’s not as if we’re that flush at the moment, and what with one thing and another ...’

‘Good morning, Margaret, George.’ Lexie had no hesitation in interrupting her sister and she saw George heave a sigh of relief when his wife’s monologue came to an end. ‘What’s the matter, pray?’

‘Oh, you haven’t heard? It’s Jasper. He managed to fall off his horse and break his neck last night on the way home from the Ketteridge’s. Apparently he was found by Lord Synley, who left soon after him, but he was already dead then so there was nothing anyone could do.’

‘Good grief.’ Lexie turned to George. ‘I’m so sorry, you must be very upset. The two of you seemed close.’

George squirmed in his seat. ‘Well, I wouldn’t say close exactly. He looked up to me, of course, since I’m his uncle, and I was showing him the ropes, but that was all really. Can’t believe he’s gone.’

‘Has anyone informed Nick?’ Lexie pretended alarm on his behalf. ‘He’ll be devastated.’

‘As luck would have it, he was staying with Synley last night. The two of them had met up after Nick left here and he’d been invited to spend the night. I believe Synley gave him the bad news. Not sure how he took it.’

‘Oh, I must go and see him at once, poor boy,’ Lexie said. ‘Perhaps Rupert and I could ride over to Synley Priory?’

Margaret frowned. ‘Is that wise? Rupert might say something inappropriate. Besides, he was so ill yesterday, although to be sure, he’s as right as rain this morning.’

‘He won’t say anything he shouldn’t, I’ll see to that. And a ride might do him good.’

‘Very well, then, but don’t stay long, for heaven’s sake. And if you could find out whether Nick has any funds to pay for the funeral ...’

‘Margaret!’ George scowled at her, putting his foot down at last. ‘Jasper was kin. There will be no quibbling over money.’

‘If you say so.’

Lexie and Rupert only got as far as the forest track, where they found Synley and Nick waiting for them in the usual place. Lexie exchanged a glance with Synley first, who gave her a reassuring smile, then with Nick. He was looking pale, but composed and he too managed a reasonably cheerful expression.

‘Nick, are you all right? Would you rather not see us today?’ she asked. She realised that she had grown to like him a lot during his stay at Hawthorne, and she would be sad to see him leave.

‘I’m fine. More than fine actually,’ he said, ‘and I am very happy to see you both. I wanted you to be the first to know that I’m to be your new neighbour.’

‘How so?’

‘You’ve bought a house?’ Rupert asked. ‘Capital, then we can play at dragon hunting every day.’

Nick laughed. ‘Perhaps not every day, but often in any case. And no, I haven’t bought a house. I’m to be given one.’ He glanced at Synley. ‘His lordship ...’

‘
Jake
,’ Synley put in, looking heavenward as if searching for patience.

‘... Jake then, has told me he is giving me Downes House and half the surrounding estate, because he thinks it ought to have belonged to my family in the first place. I’m not at all convinced, but he won’t take no for an answer. We’re seeing the lawyers tomorrow.’

‘I’m sure that had Catherine’s husband known there is one Torrington who isn’t a bad egg, he would happily have bequeathed the house to you,’ Synley said. ‘He was only afraid that the whole of his fortune would be squandered on gambling and I can well understand his concern, having watched my father do just that. But I doubt you’ll ever be that stupid and if you show even the slightest tendency to gaming, I’ll beat it out of you.’ The smile that accompanied this threat took any sting out of his words and Nick grinned back.

‘You may be certain I’m not such a sapskull as all that. And with your mentoring, I’m going to learn to look after the estate properly.’

‘That sounds wonderful,’ Lexie said. ‘The best possible solution in the circumstances.’

‘It also means I can have my nephews come to stay. I’m sure you’ll enjoy playing with them, Rupert. When it comes to catching dragons, they’re superb. And in between games, perhaps you could share a tutor?’

‘Excellent.’ Rupert was grinning from ear to ear.

‘How about we ride ahead, you and I, and I’ll tell you a bit more about them?’

‘Good idea.’

Nick winked at Lexie and Synley, and rode off with Rupert, leaving them on their own. Synley dismounted and held out his arms for Lexie to jump down. ‘Let’s walk, shall we? I can’t talk to you from the back of a horse.’

She took his arm and they walked along the path, leaving the horses behind. As soon as Nick and Rupert had disappeared completely, however, Synley stopped and dropped to one knee on the path, looking up at Lexie and taking her hands.

‘Miss Holloway, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? I know you gave me your tacit agreement the other night, but that may have been under duress because of the unusual circumstances. No one caught you, so you are in no way compromised and I hope you don’t feel obliged to say yes. Have you had time to consider properly?’

Lexie smiled down at him and put her hands on his shoulders. ‘There was no need for me to consider anything. The answer is yes, as it always has been, no matter what.’

He stood up and pulled her into his embrace. ‘Always?’

‘Yes. Ever since our meeting in the orangery I’ve wanted to be yours and even though I travelled far and wide, trying to forget you, I couldn’t.’

‘Does that mean you love me?’

She looked down, afraid of telling him, but unable to lie. ‘Of course I love you. I have done from that first moment. How could I not?’

He smiled and pulled her close. ‘I shall thank God for it daily, because I love you so much, I don’t want to live another second without you. We must be married without delay. We’ve waited too long already. Here, I brought you something, but if you don’t like it, we can change it for one that’s more to your taste.’

He pulled out a small box from his pocket and took out a ring that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a fairly plain design but beautiful because of its simplicity, and made of gold with little sapphires set deep inside it in an undulating pattern. He put it on her finger, where it fit as if it had been made just for her.

‘Oh, it’s perfect. Thank you, Jake.’

‘At last she remembers my name,’ he joked, but she never had a chance to reply, because he bent to kiss her and nothing else mattered. Her world was complete.

** Ends **

About the Author

Christina Courtenay lives in Herefordshire and is married with two children. Although born in England she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden. In
 her teens, the family moved to Japan where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East.

Christina is chairman of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. In 2011, Christina’s first novel
Trade Winds
was short listed for The Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Award for Best Historical Fiction. Her second novel,
The Scarlet Kimono
, won the Big Red Reads’ Best Historical Fiction Award. In 2012,
Highland Storms
won the Best Historical Romantic Novel of the year from the Romantic Novelists’ Assocation. And
The Silent Touch of Shadows
, Christina’s fourth novel, won the award for Best Historical Read at the Festival of Romance.

www.christinacourtenay.com

www.twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay

www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor

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From Christina Courtenay

Trade Winds

Winner of the 2011 RNA Best Historical Fiction Pure Passion award

Marriage of convenience – or a love for life?


It’s 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed
Jess
van Sandt knows only too well that it’s a man’s world. She believes she’s being swindled out of her inheritance by her stepfather – and she’s determined to stop it.

When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman
Killian
Kinross, himself disinherited by his grandfather, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him. In an attempt to recover her fortune, she proposes a marriage of convenience. Then Killian is offered the chance of a lifetime with the Swedish East India Company’s Expedition and he’s determined that nothing will stand in his way, not even his new bride. 

He sets sail on a daring voyage to the Far East, believing he’s put his feelings and past behind him. But the journey doesn’t quite work out as he expects…



‘A lush setting, vivid characters and a wonderful romance make this a delicious treat.’ 
Nicola Cornick

Find out more and purchase in the kindle store:

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