Page 2 of Mischief and Manors (Change of Heart #1)

CHAPTER 2

I stood in shock—first at his proposal, and then at how very sweaty his hand was. My fingers slipped in his grip.

“Mr. Frampton—I…” my voice trailed off.

Marry him?

Me?

My head spun. I knew enough of this town to realize that Mr. Frampton was the most eligible man for miles. He made a respectable living through the local parish, and was known to be a gentleman in every sense of the word. His wife had died a year before, leaving him with three small children. He had never called upon me privately before today. Nothing could have prepared me for the question he had just sprung upon me.

“I understand this may come as a bit of a shock,” he said, taking a glance at my expression. “I, myself, was shocked when the revelation came to me in the middle of the night. It is clear to me now that you are the one who is meant to nurture my dear children. I find you quite capable, and quite beautiful, and everything I could wish for in a companion.”

I blinked up at him. This man hardly knew me. How could he be so certain of such things? I tried to gather my thoughts, but they were tangled in one large knot. I wasn’t insensible enough to think that I would have other opportunities like this in the future, or that I could live a comfortable life without marrying. Since my parents had died, I had never been one to dream of love or other fancies like that. Aunt Ruth’s obligation toward me was volatile. Now that I was over the age of majority, she could cast me out any time she wished, and I would be separated from my brothers, with no way of caring for them. I would no longer be able to protect them from her.

The thought made my shoulders tighten with fear.

But Mr. Frampton’s proposal was all too sudden—too much of my future hinged on my answer. I had much to think about. My throat was dry as I slipped my hand away from his. I wiped it discreetly on my skirts. “I—I thank you very much for your offer.” My voice shook. There was one very important question I had to ask. “If I did accept…would you be willing to take my brothers in? I cannot bear the thought of leaving them here without me.”

Mr. Frampton’s eyes lit up. “Of course. Your loyalty and love for them is most admirable. I am certain that your influence has caused them to be very well-behaved and agreeable, and I daresay they will get on well with my children. It will be a joy to see all of them playing together.”

I cringed. Well-behaved wasn’t the first word I would choose to describe them. What would he think if he knew they had a propensity for stealing? That was only the beginning of their mischief.

My heart hammered in my chest. “Will you allow me time to consider your offer?”

“You may have as much time as you require. I am a patient man.” He offered me his arm, and I met his sincere gaze. “I’ve made up my mind, and nothing can sway me. I shall await your answer as long as it takes.”

My head swam, but I nodded and took his arm. He walked me back to the front of the house and bid me farewell with a deep bow. I stared at his retreating figure, numbness spreading through my chest. What was I to do? It was most unexpected. I tried to imagine myself married to him, attending all of his impassioned sermons, raising five young children all at once, attempting to love him as I would a husband. It was overwhelming. I could hardly catch my breath.

“What did he want?” Edith asked from her seat on the front steps. I jumped. Peter still hadn’t unlocked the door, it seemed.

I searched for a plausible response. Until I made my decision, Aunt Ruth could not receive word of Mr. Frampton’s offer, and neither could anyone else. I had to be alone to fully comprehend what had just happened, and to become absolutely sure of my answer.

I hid the shock from my face as I glanced in Edith’s direction. “Oh, he—well, he thought I missed the sermon on Sunday, and came to give me a summary. He was mistaken, though. I was there.” Now that I thought about it, I did recall catching his gaze on me many times throughout the meeting. My face burned as the puzzle came together in my mind.

Edith seemed to accept my response. Good. I walked past her toward the house, my legs shaking beneath me.

I pounded my fist on the door. “Peter! Open the door at once! Aunt Ruth will be returning soon.”

I caught sight of him and Charles through the sitting room window. At the mention of our aunt, Peter trudged away from the sofa. A short moment later, the door unlocked.

I released a tense breath as I stepped inside. Edith followed, whistling a happy tune as she took her basket to the kitchen. All I wanted was to run away to my bedchamber to process the events of the day, but my brothers couldn’t be left unsupervised—not while they were in this mood.

I stopped them as they tried to escape the entry hall. “Hurry and retrieve my bonnet from Aunt Ruth’s room. It won’t be long before she returns.”

Their smiles fell, and Charles twisted his fingers together. Peter didn’t move.

I sighed, bending over to look more closely at their faces. “You were brave enough to put my bonnet in her room, so you must be brave enough to go retrieve it. Make haste. She shall never know it happened.”

They nodded, racing off toward the stairs. I turned to the mirror on the wall beside me, examining the damage of my sunburn. The red seemed to have intensified. Another day in the sun had darkened the scarlet at least one shade. I sighed. At least Mr. Coburn hadn’t been entirely right about my inability to secure a husband. Mr. Frampton hadn’t been deterred.

How had I gone from being thoroughly criticized by one man, to being proposed to by another, all within one hour? My head felt light. I needed a glass of water. Mr. Frampton’s proposal was sudden and unexpected, but I would be a fool not to accept it. For five years, I had longed for escape from Oak Cottage and Aunt Ruth’s control. I hadn’t even left the town of Silton for all of those five years.

But if I married Mr. Frampton, I would be here forever.

A wrench of disappointment twisted my heart. I shook it away. Selfishness could not take part in my decision. Nor could silly dreams about adventure or romance. Taking a realistic approach to the situation was essential. I would never see a day in London, or Bath, or Brighton, or any social town, and even if I did, I would be dreadfully overlooked. Therefore, any prospects I hoped to find would have to be from Silton or some other small town in Dorset anyway.

Mr. Frampton was the best I could reasonably hope for. Love could have nothing to do with it. I would marry him, take my brothers with me, and live out my days comfortably in Silton as the wife of a vicar. There were worse fates than that.

I tried to relax, but my chest was still tight and anxious. Why was I not overjoyed? I finally had a way to escape Aunt Ruth. I pictured Mr. Frampton’s sincere face and blond curls. He was a great deal older than me. I scowled at the floorboards as my mind continued to race. A loveless match was ideal, was it not? There was no man in the world who could ever steal a place in my heart, for it was already fully occupied by my brothers.

Distracted by my thoughts, I hardly noticed the door creak open behind me. I felt a rush of warm air at my back.

I whirled around. Aunt Ruth stood in the doorway, her silver-streaked hair pulled back tightly. My breath stopped in my lungs. She was home early and my brothers were still in her bedchamber. Panic crept into my stomach.

I didn’t know if it was her hard, grey eyes, or her strong, thick arms that frightened me more. She was large for a woman, towering at least six inches above me. It had taken five years, but I could finally speak to her without dropping my gaze.

I smiled in greeting as she walked inside and closed the door. After achieving a clear look at her face, I took a step back.

She stomped several paces ahead of me and then turned to me with a dark look. “I crossed paths with Mr. Coburn on my way here.” Her voice was quiet, shaking with rage. “Do you care to explain yourself?”

My heart raced. “I stopped my brothers from stealing and apologized on their behalf.” My voice was steady, which I was quite proud of.

Aunt Ruth lunged forward and gripped my upper arm so tightly I felt my pulse against her thick hand. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out. Her hot breath was close to my ear. “Control those thieving scoundrels or I will do it my own way.”

Anger flushed my cheeks. I jerked my arm from her grasp, daring myself to keep a lifted chin.

She was silent for too long; I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. “He also informed me of your grievous insults against his character,” she seethed. “Your behavior, as well as that of your brothers, reflects poorly on me. I will not stand for it any longer.”

My cheeks grew hot. “What do you intend to do?”

But before she could say another word, a loud shriek and the sound of running footsteps split the air.

“Aunt Ruth’s underclothes were on top of it!” Peter yelled with disgust as he ran down the stairs, bonnet in hand. The moment his eyes fell upon the scene, he froze. Charles ran down beside him, his giggles fading instantly. Their frantic gazes jumped to me.

I hurried forward, taking their hands and pulling them behind me. I turned to face our aunt. Charles buried his face in my skirts.

Aunt Ruth clenched her fists at her sides. I flinched as she took a step closer. “Don’t move.” Her voice sent a chill over my arms. She walked to the staircase. I knew she would not end our conversation there. She must have been going to fetch something.

I smoothed my hand over Peter’s hair and wrapped my arm around Charles. “It will be all right. Just keep quiet.” I didn’t have to look at their faces to know they understood. Whatever punishment awaited us, a small seed of hope was now tucked away inside me. Mr. Frampton could take us away from all of this. The offer was looking better with each passing moment.

Aunt Ruth was back within a few minutes, clutching a wrinkled paper in her hand. I saw the black curve of writing.

“I am through with their behavior, and yours,” she seethed. “The only reason I ever agreed to open my home to you was because of my late husband’s wishes. In return I have received nothing. Nothing but three maddening children—one of whom is a pathetic, undignified girl who is growing into precisely the same sort of woman.” She stepped toward me and lifted her nose, examining my face through narrowed eyes. “With an obvious lack of care for her complexion.”

She lifted the folded paper in her hand and swiped it quickly and forcefully across my face. I felt the slice of the edge as it cut through the skin near my ear. Charles squealed and buried his face into the side of my skirts. Peter squeezed my left hand even as I lifted my right to the cut on my cheek. I withdrew my fingers and stared at the two droplets of blood there.

“What is another blemish?” Aunt Ruth said dismissively. “What matters is that I will be rid of you soon and shall not be forced to look upon it.”

My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sending the three of you away.”

My brows lifted with alarm. “Away?”

She handed me the paper, the edge now laced with my blood. “This came for you two months ago. I had no intention of allowing you to read it, but after your brothers’ appalling behavior today, I find that I may use it for a bargain.”

I bit my tongue to keep from asking what she meant. My gaze blurred as I stared down at what appeared to be a letter. Miss Annette Downing, along with our address, were scrolled across the front in an elegant hand. I had very few acquaintances. I couldn’t begin to guess who could have sent it. My fingers shook as I unfolded the letter. I felt a trickle of blood roll down the front of my ear, but I was too distracted by the words.

Dear Miss Downing,

To my shame and regret, it has taken me years to write this letter. I have no excuse for it, but I could not manage to find the words to express myself in writing. It has never been a talent of mine.

You may not remember, but we met once many years ago when you accompanied your parents to Kellaway Manor, my home in Hampshire. They were very dear to me, and they visited often. I was saddened profoundly to hear of their accident upon their return home to you five years ago. I admit that I feel somewhat to blame. I invited them to visit, and had I not, I daresay they may still be alive. My guilt has haunted me over the years, and I have been selfish in my fear of your opinion of me. Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am. I miss your parents greatly, but I know I cannot possibly miss them as fiercely as you do.

This is long overdue, but I would like to invite you, along with your brothers, to visit Kellaway Manor at your earliest convenience. My husband and three of my children will be absent most of the summer, so our home will be quite empty. I would love the opportunity to become better acquainted. I trust that your aunt will see to the arrangements.

Sincerely and with a heavy heart,

Mrs. Catherine Kellaway

If I remembered correctly, Mrs. Kellaway had been raised in the same neighborhood as my mother, and they had both met and fallen in love with their husbands during their first London Season together. They had remained close friends in the years that followed.

Kellaway Manor. It had been at least ten years since my one and only visit there. Something about clean, bright stone, and lush, green grounds flashed in my mind. Mama and Papa had loved visiting the Kellaways. As Mrs. Kellaway had written, it was the place they were returning from when they died.

I blinked fast as the letters on the page blurred together. Aunt Ruth’s words sprang back to my mind. Had she said something about… a bargain?

I looked up in confusion.

“I will write to Mrs. Kellaway immediately to accept the invitation on your behalf,” Aunt Ruth said. “You shall have a month or two, at most, remaining of her hospitality. During your time at Kellaway Manor, I expect a drastic change your brothers’ behavior. Upon their return, If I detect even the slightest hint of mischief or ill-mannered antics, they will be sent to an orphanage in London.”

I nearly dropped the letter. “An orphanage?”

Aunt Ruth’s eyes darkened. “This is not the only time I’ve considered it.”

I pulled my brothers impossibly closer. Hateful woman! How could she even entertain such a vile idea? But it wasn’t just an idea. It was real now. I could see the sincerity in her gaze.

Another sincere gaze, a much kinder one, flashed in my mind. Mr. Frampton and his proposal. I opened my mouth, intending to tell Aunt Ruth of my ability to escape her wicked plans, but stopped myself. He had told me how firm his intentions were, and that nothing could change his mind. He was a gentleman of his word.

I shall await your answer as long as it takes, he had said.

My gaze flickered to the letter again, and a wave of longing stole through my chest. What if this was my only chance to escape Silton? If I accepted Mr. Frampton’s offer now, I would be shackled to him and this town forever. Mrs. Kellaway’s invitation could provide me with one final opportunity for an adventure before I began my new life. My brothers had never known a world outside of this town. I wanted to show them. I wanted to experience another visit to the estate my parents had so adored.

My heart ached as the sudden desire burned brighter inside me. For the most part, I had given up on dreaming, but how could I turn away an opportunity like this? A month or two away from Aunt Ruth, away from Silton and Mr. Frampton, would give me time to clear my head. I could make myself certain of my answer to Mr. Frampton’s proposal, and come to terms with my future.

I would still take Aunt Ruth’s threats seriously during our visit. It would be a good opportunity to see how my brothers could improve their behavior away from Aunt Ruth’s influence. At the end of it all, they could be better prepared to make a good impression on Mr. Frampton and his children.

Aunt Ruth sneered as if she had won some great battle. “If Mrs. Kellaway is as elegant and genteel as she seems to think she is, then she shall have no problem transforming your brothers. I could hardly tolerate her whining in that letter. If she blames herself for your parents’ death, then she shall now have to blame herself for your brothers’ time in an orphanage.”

I glared at her. “You cannot thrust this responsibility on Mrs. Kellaway. I will school my brothers on how to behave properly while we are there.”

Aunt Ruth scoffed. “Your example has never been enough. Your behavior is just as disagreeable as theirs. If I had any hope of you securing a husband, I would send you to London, but you would be laughable beside the other young ladies.” She tugged off her gloves and set them on a nearby table. “I would never subject myself to such disdain as your chaperone. Let us allow Mrs. Kellaway to see for herself what a disappointment you are.”

The words stung, but she had no idea what cards I held behind my back.

“The drive to Kellaway Manor is nearly a full day’s journey,” she said, marching toward the stairs. “I shall order a carriage in the morning. My letter should reach Kellaway Manor just before you do.”

I jerked back in surprise. “That is hardly any notice! She sent the invitation two months ago.”

Aunt Ruth stopped on the stairs. “They are rich, Annette. They have countless servants at their disposal. Three more mouths to feed with not put them out of sorts.” She shot a harsh glance in my direction. “I suggest you begin packing your things. I cannot spare a servant for your journey, so you will have to rely on the Kellaways to provide you with a maid.”

My stomach dropped. How could we make a good impression on Mrs. Kellaway if we dropped ourselves on her doorstep at a moment’s notice without a chaperone? It was humiliating. I wanted to protest, but Aunt Ruth was already marching up the stairs again.

I had much to do. I couldn’t leave Mr. Frampton without an explanation of my absence, or without any hope for my answer. First, I would have to write him a brief letter, then I would have to pack my trunks as well as Peter’s and Charles’s.

I caught sight of Edith, who had been eavvesdropping from around the corner. I would require her help if I was to accomplish so much in such a short time.

“What does the letter say?” Peter asked, attempting to pull the paper from my grasp.

I lifted it out of his reach and reiterated the contents to him and Charles briefly. As I did, their eyes lit up with excitement. It eased my worries for a moment, though I couldn’t ignore Aunt Ruth’s intentions for this visit. However unlikely, Mr. Frampton could still change his mind. I couldn’t rely on him completely. My brothers were required to become perfect little gentlemen. I couldn’t take that lightly.

Peter and Charles didn’t even know what it meant to be a gentleman. They had never had the example of a good man to influence them. The only man they ever interacted with was Mr. Coburn, and he was not a man in whose footsteps I would encourage them to follow.

“I will not have you enduring Aunt Ruth’s horrid punishments,” I said in a serious voice.

They wore solemn expressions, but I could see smiles tugging at their lips. They were expecting an adventure. It might have been foolish, but so was I. My stomach fluttered. I would savor every moment away from Silton. I would try to experience Kellaway Manor as my parents did, and see it through their eyes. The last time I had visited I had been far too young to appreciate it.

I squeezed Charles’s cheek and ruffled Peter’s hair. “We shall have a wonderful time, so long as you both behave.”

They nodded resolutely, but it did nothing to ease the worry in my stomach. Aunt Ruth wasn’t the only person who had to be impressed by their behavior. I also wanted to prove to Mrs. Kellaway that I had been raising them properly.

Most importantly, I needed to ensure that Mr. Frampton didn’t find them lacking in any way. If we married, and he took them into his household, he would witness their mischief firsthand. What if he found them intolerable and chose to send them back to Aunt Ruth? He was a vicar, after all. He couldn’t be associated with poor behavior. It would reflect badly on him, just as it reflected on our aunt.

Dread set into my stomach. I hadn’t fully considered that before.

A change in their behavior was essential then, no matter what the future held. But they didn’t listen to my reprimands at home, so why should they start once we were at Kellaway Manor? Could a new setting suddenly change my ability to influence them?

I didn’t have any choice but to try.

I spent the rest of the day making my preparations, and scrawled a letter to Mr. Frampton in my most elegant hand.

Dear Mr. Frampton,

It was an honor to receive your proposal today. I neglected to inform you that my brothers and I are going to be visiting an old friend in Hampshire for what remains of the summer. I would be grateful if you did not mention the proposal to my aunt until I have made my decision. Upon my return, I shall be sure to give you my official answer. Until then, you may have no reason to think it won’t be favorable.

I bit my lip, hesitating over how to sign the letter. Before I could lose my nerve, I wrote:

Thinking of you,

Miss Annette Downing

I set down my quill. There, that should do it. I reread the letter once to ensure I approved of the wording. My stomach felt ill, despite my certainty that I was making the right choice. I pushed away the sensation.

This visit to Kellaway Manor felt like the close of a chapter of my life—a grand finale that would send me off to a whirlwind of marriage and children and endless sermons and bible verses. My emotions spun so wildly that I could hardly draw a breath. Kellaway Manor was the space between two separate confinements. For a month or two, I could remove my shackles and chains. I would savor every moment of my freedom until it was gone again. It felt ceremonious and sacred, as if my parents were the ones who had granted me this opportunity.

Perhaps they had.

My hands still shook as I sealed the letter to Mr. Frampton and sent Edith to mail it for me.