disapproving I hate to think what he might do if we wed against his wishes.”
“I agree with Mr. Stanhope.” Rebecca recalled Sebastian’s fierce denial when she had raised that possibility. “Once you are wed, his lordship will accept you as his sister-in-law with as much grace as he can muster. I only wish you would not let his opposition push you into marrying before you are both quite ready. Remember the old saying, ‘Marry in haste, repent at leisure.’”
“I shall never repent marrying Claude!” Hermione protested…a bit too much, Rebecca thought. “I hope you have not let Lord Benedict turn you to his way of thinking just because he is so attentive to you.”
“Of course not.” Rebecca tried to grasp her young friend’s hand, but Hermione rose from her seat and backed away. “I only want you to be very sure of your feelings and Mr. Stanhope’s before you commit yourself to him for the rest of your life.”
“I am sure of two things.” Hermione edged toward the door. “Sure that Claude Stanhope is the man I want to marryand sure that you have been heeding his brother. For shame! How could you let that horrid man turn you against me?”
Before Rebecca could insist upon her innocence once more, Hermione stormed off, shutting the door hard behind her.
Rebecca rubbed her temples in an effort to ease the crushing headache her worries and regrets had spawned. She had tried not to heed Sebastian’s misgivings about the engagement, but she had to admit a few of them had merit. What a cruel irony it would be if his antagonism brought about a hasty marriage the young couple might later repent. She knew he would take no pleasure in being proven right if they ended up unhappy together.
She must warn him! Once the first banns were read, there would be all manner of speculation and gossip if the wedding was postponed. Now, it would only take a quiet word with the vicar to allow Hermione and Mr. Stanhope the time they needed to become better acquainted and banish any second thoughts.
Rebecca packed away her writing materials, then hurried off to change clothes. Once she was properly attired to pay a call on Stanhope Court, she sought out Squire Leonard to ask for the use of one of the horses.
“Why of course, my dear.” The squire’s kind, weathered face betrayed surprise at her request. “You are welcome to take the carriage if you wish.”
Rebecca smiled and shook her head. “A horse will be less trouble for everyone. Besides, I am not going far and the day is fair and calm.”
“Suit yourself then. By the by, Miss Beaton, I hope this whim of Hermione and her young man to wed so soon will not create any difficulty for you, finding a new position andso on. We shall miss you around Rose Grange after all these years.”
“Thank you, sir.” Rebecca’s throat tightened. She had always liked Hermione’s father, who kept busy with his small estate and his duties as local magistrate. He had trusted her to teach and raise his daughter and seemed pleased with the result. “I shall miss you as well. But I mean to write to Hermione often and hope to hear all the news of Avoncross.”
She dodged his question about finding a new position, because her inquiries so far had met with no success. She’d written to all her school friends. But none of them had heard of any opportunities for her. Unless she could persuade Sebastian not to push his brother into a hasty marriage, she would have very little time to find new employment.
Could that be why she was suddenly giving more credence to his doubts about Hermione and Mr. Stanhope, Rebecca asked herself as she thanked Squire Leonard for the use of the horse and headed away.
On her ride to Stanhope Court, she thought it over and satisfied herself that Hermione’s future happiness was her prime concern, not her own convenience. Yet she would miss Avoncross and the comfortable life she’d made for herself at Rose Grange. As she rode out of the village into
“I agree with Mr. Stanhope.” Rebecca recalled Sebastian’s fierce denial when she had raised that possibility. “Once you are wed, his lordship will accept you as his sister-in-law with as much grace as he can muster. I only wish you would not let his opposition push you into marrying before you are both quite ready. Remember the old saying, ‘Marry in haste, repent at leisure.’”
“I shall never repent marrying Claude!” Hermione protested…a bit too much, Rebecca thought. “I hope you have not let Lord Benedict turn you to his way of thinking just because he is so attentive to you.”
“Of course not.” Rebecca tried to grasp her young friend’s hand, but Hermione rose from her seat and backed away. “I only want you to be very sure of your feelings and Mr. Stanhope’s before you commit yourself to him for the rest of your life.”
“I am sure of two things.” Hermione edged toward the door. “Sure that Claude Stanhope is the man I want to marryand sure that you have been heeding his brother. For shame! How could you let that horrid man turn you against me?”
Before Rebecca could insist upon her innocence once more, Hermione stormed off, shutting the door hard behind her.
Rebecca rubbed her temples in an effort to ease the crushing headache her worries and regrets had spawned. She had tried not to heed Sebastian’s misgivings about the engagement, but she had to admit a few of them had merit. What a cruel irony it would be if his antagonism brought about a hasty marriage the young couple might later repent. She knew he would take no pleasure in being proven right if they ended up unhappy together.
She must warn him! Once the first banns were read, there would be all manner of speculation and gossip if the wedding was postponed. Now, it would only take a quiet word with the vicar to allow Hermione and Mr. Stanhope the time they needed to become better acquainted and banish any second thoughts.
Rebecca packed away her writing materials, then hurried off to change clothes. Once she was properly attired to pay a call on Stanhope Court, she sought out Squire Leonard to ask for the use of one of the horses.
“Why of course, my dear.” The squire’s kind, weathered face betrayed surprise at her request. “You are welcome to take the carriage if you wish.”
Rebecca smiled and shook her head. “A horse will be less trouble for everyone. Besides, I am not going far and the day is fair and calm.”
“Suit yourself then. By the by, Miss Beaton, I hope this whim of Hermione and her young man to wed so soon will not create any difficulty for you, finding a new position andso on. We shall miss you around Rose Grange after all these years.”
“Thank you, sir.” Rebecca’s throat tightened. She had always liked Hermione’s father, who kept busy with his small estate and his duties as local magistrate. He had trusted her to teach and raise his daughter and seemed pleased with the result. “I shall miss you as well. But I mean to write to Hermione often and hope to hear all the news of Avoncross.”
She dodged his question about finding a new position, because her inquiries so far had met with no success. She’d written to all her school friends. But none of them had heard of any opportunities for her. Unless she could persuade Sebastian not to push his brother into a hasty marriage, she would have very little time to find new employment.
Could that be why she was suddenly giving more credence to his doubts about Hermione and Mr. Stanhope, Rebecca asked herself as she thanked Squire Leonard for the use of the horse and headed away.
On her ride to Stanhope Court, she thought it over and satisfied herself that Hermione’s future happiness was her prime concern, not her own convenience. Yet she would miss Avoncross and the comfortable life she’d made for herself at Rose Grange. As she rode out of the village into
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