A Bride For Windridge Hall Read online

  A BRIDE

  FOR WINDRIDGE HALL

  Jeanie Johnson

  This is a work of fiction and all characters are out of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.

  Story by Jeanie Johnson

   Copyright 2017

  PROLOGUE

  England 1860

  The carriage pulled up in front of a beautiful, yet imposing, town house where the entertainment was being held. Roderick Allen Winlock, and his cousin, Willard Nelson Winlock, put their heads out of the window to stare at the building.

  “I don’t know why father insists that we attend this boring affair,” Roderick growled to his cousin. “It will just be a waste of a good evening. We could be playing cards with our friends instead.”

  Willard, who was a year younger than Roderick’s eighteen years, shrugged.

  “What harm can it do? There will be eligible young women to dance with, and we might be able to enjoy some brandy or other strong drink if we are lucky. Besides, our card playing friends are probably all here as well. Maybe there will be a card room where we can join them in a game if all goes well.”

  “That is a thought.”

  Roderick looked up from under his top hat and appraised his cousin, who was dressed as elegantly as himself. His father had sent them ahead and informed the boys that he would join them later, as he had business to attend to first.

  Willard had been living with Roderick and his father, Lord Winlock, for five years now, ever since Willard’s father and mother died in a boating accident. Willard’s father had been Lord Winlock’s only brother. At first, it had been enjoyable having Willard living with them since Roderick had no brothers or sisters to share moments of adventure with. However, after a few years, the boys became competitive with each other.

  Willard envied Roderick being an heir to a large estate while his father had become destitute over the years, having gambled away all of his inheritance. It left his only son with nothing at his death, and Willard resented it. It made Willard feel that he needed to excel beyond Roderick, to prove something to his uncle, though he knew not what. Roderick began to resent the constant need that Willard had to outshine Roderick in every way. He was glad that he was attending university and did not have to spend as much time with his cousin any longer. But this was summer break and he had returned home. Now they were sharing each other’s company and taking advantage of all that high society had to offer in the way of entertainment. Thus, they were arriving at the home of Sir Campbell Thornton, where a ball was in progress in honor of his daughter’s 16th birthday.

  “Come along, old boy,” Willard prodded. “It can’t be as bad as you think.”

  He stepped down from the carriage while the footman held the door open.

  “I wish I could swear off,” Roderick grumbled. “We are expected to dance with girls who are so spoiled, they think they are doing us a favor to allow us to touch their hand,” Roderick, informed him. “Believe me, Willard, I have had my share of balls and parties that involve anxious, swooning females who think we are at their mercy! If you dare to put your name on their dance card, it is as good as proposing marriage to them! That is if you dance with them more than twice in one evening!”

  He threw a frown at Willard, which marred his naturally good, aristocratic features.

  Willard laughed, his blond locks falling over his forehead, while his stark blue eyes twinkled in amusement. The young women found him rather handsome and he knew it. He enjoyed the attention of spoiled young women, especially rich ones since he had no inheritance of his own. The only advantage he had going for him was his agreeable looks and his honorable name. Roderick, on the other hand, had dark hair and always appeared a little sultry. His eyes were darkly serious. His full mouth usually in a firm line of contemplation about his own private affairs, and few women paid attention to his own attractive features. He believed that Willard went out of his way to charm the women, just to show him up.

  It was hard to believe that Willard and Roderick were related since one was fair and the other dark. In spite of that, they both had the same straight nose and the same shaped face which gave clear evidence that their bloodlines tangled with the other.

  They approached the door and presented their invitation. The two were ushered into the grand hall where so many candles lit the place, it was almost as bright as day! They were fashionably late so most of the guests had already arrived. The room they entered, filled with gold gilded mirrors on every wall to reflect the light, was awash with swirling couples. The women dressed in elegant ball gowns and the men dressed in tailcoats were dancing to the strains of the latest music of the day. The two young men surveyed the room, seeing if there was anyone that they recognized. Neither of them knew Emily Thornton, which the ball was honoring.

  Unexpectedly, Roderick’s gaze was arrested by the most dazzling person he had ever seen. Her beauty took his breath away and he could not wrest his eyes from her. She sat poised, talking to another young lady, beside an exotic plant that cast shadows about them. She had flaming red hair, elegantly dressed with pearls that were woven into braids and ringlets, all which were clustered on top of her head. Some of her hair fell down the side of her neck, touching her white shoulder and setting it ablaze with its reflection. Her charming looking lips were laughing at something her companion said and the attractive smile lit her face like sunshine, brightening up an otherwise gloomy day. She tapped her fan animatedly against her hand, as she talked. From time to time she opened it, lifting it to hide her sweet pink mouth as she leaned towards her friend, apparently telling some secret she did not want others to discover by reading her lips. The dress she wore was an emerald green velvet, with netting over her chest above the swell of her budding breasts. She boldly looked up and shocked him with deep green eyes, which matched her dress. She gave him a quizzical stare and then immediately returned her gaze to her friend, as though he was of no consequence. She made some comment to her friend, glancing at him and Willard as she did so, and the friend looked up at them as well. Then both girls burst into uncontrollable giggles, covering their faces with their fan.

  Roderick raised his eyebrow in speculation on what the girls were giggling about, suspecting he was the cause of their mirth, but he was already smitten. His heart took a leap. He had never seen such a beautiful young woman in his life before, especially one that could grab his heart quite suddenly the way she did. He was certain it was love-at-first-sight.

  Willard saw the direction of Roderick’s gaze and nudged his cousin with his elbow.

  “So, I see you have found a couple of anxious women which you spoke of,” he chuckled under his breath. “Do you suppose they would fall over in a faint if we offered to sign their dance cards?”

  “Hardly, but you can’t just go up to some woman and sign her card. You have to be introduced to her first,” Roderick informed him of something he should already know.

  “Hmmm. I thought being invited was introduction enough,” Willard assumed.

  “Well, it is not. All the social graces must be met and we have to find the host since there is no hostess. I believe his wife died many years ago, so my father informed me. Once we find him, we can ask him to introduce us to some of the guests.”

  “Have you met the host before? Could you pick him out of this group?”

  “I do believe he was the one that came to visit my father a few weeks back. He bought a horse from our barns. A birthday gift, he said. A handsome black, I believe. My father hated parting with that hunter, but the price offered convinced my father to reconsider his attachment to the mare. The family is rather well established and wealthy, I do believe. It seems to me, that
birthday gift must have been for his daughter. And I am suspecting that is why we were invited to this fine affair!”

  “Well, then get to it, and hunt him up so we can start signing a few dance cards, dear cousin!”

  Roderick gave Willard a knowing smile and noticed the lovely young woman was looking at them again. He definitely wanted to put his name on her dance card, in spite of his opinion of most spoiled women at functions like this. It was the first time he ever desired anything quite so much and it surprised him.

  Quickly, he glanced around the room, looking for their host. There were several older gentlemen milling around in discussions with one another but he was not actually sure which one of them was his host since he had only seen the man once.

  Finally, he detained a servant, who was carrying a tray of drinks. He snatched one of the drinks, handed it to Willard and then grabbing one for himself. Roderick took the opportunity to ask the servant to point out their host, which he did.

  Roderick grasped Willard by his elbow, downing his drink and setting the glass aside on a small table they were passing. He motioned with his head in the direction of their host. Willard followed his example and downed his drink as well. Then the two made their way through the crowd to their desired target.

  “Sir Thornton, I am Roderick Winlock and this is my cousin, Willard. We were invited to your grand affair but we know few of your guests. I have been away at school and am here on summer break, so neither I or my cousin have had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with this crowd. Also, our estate is in the country so we don’t make it to town proper to attend too many social affairs,” he explained, “If you don’t mind, I would appreciate it most gratefully, if you could introduce us to some of the young women here so we can sign their dance cards.”

  Willard interrupted, pointing to the two young women Roderick had been staring at.

  “Those two young women to be exact,” he grinned.

  Lord Thornton, a tall thin man, with graying sideburns, raised his eyebrow and then laughed.

  “Why, of course. That is my daughter, Emily and her girlfriend, Lilith Duval. I should be happy to introduce you. Your father sold me that beautiful black mare from his stock. Had to twist his arm a bit, though,” he grinned, giving Roderick a friendly jab with his elbow. “Emily loved her birthday present and I could not thank your father enough for agreeing to sell the horse to me.”

  He motioned for the boys to follow him as he led the way to his daughter and her girlfriend.

  “Emily, this is Roderick and Willard Winlock. This is my daughter Emily and Lilith Duval, her best friend. Now that you have properly been introduced, you must feel free to allow the boys to sign your dance card.”

  He nodded to the young people and then departed. Emily looked up at the two.

  “Oh, I did not know you were invited,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eye. “I don’t believe I have seen you before so I don’t know how you managed to get an invitation! Why, I don’t believe I even know you!”

  “I assure you, we are properly invited,” Roderick informed her, flashing his invitation at her as he removed it from his coat pocket.

  “It must have been some mistake,” she said, exchanging looks with her girlfriend and smiling. “I have only invited my closest friends to my birthday dance.”

  “I am surprised you did not know I was invited, seeing as how your father bought your birthday present from my father,” Roderick retorted. “The black mare?”

  “Oh? That lovely horse was sold to us by your father?”

  Her look faltered and then she straightened her expression.

  “Apparently, he is some horse merchant that my father deals with, then.”

  “My father is no merchant! He raises beautiful horses as a hobby. He didn’t even want to part with the mare but your father talked him into it. He must love you very much, considering the price he offered my father for that mare!”

  “Yes, my father does love me dearly. The mare is magnificent. I call her Ebony. But that is neither here nor there. I still do not know you!”

  “But we have been introduced,” Willard insisted, “So now you do know us!’

  “Yes, I suppose. I do know your names. Perhaps I could introduce you to some other impulsive young women here at my party if you are all that set on dancing with someone.”

  “Are you refusing to allow us to sign your dance card?” Roderick asked, his eyes narrowing.

  He couldn’t believe the girl’s rudeness, regardless of her overwhelming beauty. Perhaps this was not love-at-first-sight, after all, he sighed to himself, feeling anger replace all the nice thoughts he had for her earlier!

  Her lovely green eyes appraised him and then looked at Willard as well, who was giving her a disarming smile, trying to woo her with his charm.

  “Like I said, I invited my close friends. Perhaps my father invited you to show his gratitude to your father for selling him the horse. My father is overly generous to people that he doesn’t even know. Or perhaps your father insisted that part of the price of the horse was to allow you to come to my birthday dance, but neither of you are a friend of mine.”

  “How does one become your friend?” Roderick asked, glaring at her with his dark brooding eyes. “Must we bow and kiss your feet to become accepted by you? After all, it is not like we are some louts trying to see how the other side lives. We come from a respectable family! ”

  She gave him a scathing look.

  “I assure you, if you bowed and kissed my feet, it would make little difference. I do not desire you to become my friend, regardless of your respectable ancestry.”

  “Well, in that case, I see no reason for remaining at your birthday dance. Although your birthday horse is milder mannered than you, I hope the mare throws you the next time you ride her. Then you will be put off your high horse! Hopefully in a puddle of mud!”

  Roderick turned and walked away before his anger was given a chance to grow any stronger. Willard remained for a moment, staring at the young woman in disbelief, and then followed his cousin out of the hall. They could hear the two friend’s laughter as they departed.

  “What a shrew! I cannot believe that she put us down like we were of no import! Has no one ever taught her any manners?” Roderick fumed, as they walked out towards the street.

  He knew his father had a higher standing than that spoiled beauty’s father had but was loathed to point it out to her.

  “Are you sure you did not offend her in some way, accidentally on some chance meeting, not knowing who she was at the time?” Willard questioned. “She had no real reason to be so rude to us.”

  “I think she was just letting us know, that regardless of our name or our relations, that somehow she believes she is above us. She probably doesn’t even realize that my father has a higher title than hers! I can’t think of any other reason she would do that!”

  “Oh well, you didn’t want to go to the affair anyway. Now you have a good reason not to stay.”

  “Yes, but I am making a vow right this minute. Someday I am going to pay her back and get even for her rudeness. Just you wait. It will be when she least expects it!”

  Roderick could not admit how much her rejection of him had hurt. It was the first time he had ever had feelings of attraction towards any woman or girl he had met. It was the first time he even wanted to become closely acquainted with the opposite sex and she had squelched that feeling before it could have a chance to blossom. He vowed he would never give his heart to a woman if that was an example of how they trampled on it.

  Back in the hall, Lilith gave Emily a side-glance.

  “Don’t you think you were being a little too rude?” she asked her friend. “After all they were both rather handsome young men and they were invited.”

  “I am sorry they had to be the ones treated so meanly,” Emily admitted. “The dark haired one was looking at me earlier with some interest and his father’s horse is the best present I have ever received.


  She paused and her face brightened.

  “However, at least I have won the wager!”

  “You never should have taken that wager, Emily. You are usually always so charming and kind to others!”

  “That is the point. Alfred has constantly complained that I am ridiculously kind to even people who don’t deserve it. I have proven to your brother that I can turn down friendship as easily as I can accept it. I hope he was close enough to have heard us.”

  “That I was, you naughty little minx,” Alfred piped up. “You were quite grand and appalling, not the simpering little angel we all have come to expect. Poor dolts. Did you see how crestfallen the dark haired one seemed to be when you rebuffed him so? Here is your five-pound note!”

  He fished in his pocket and produced the money they had bet on and waved it under her nose.

  “I won’t doubt you in the future when you rise to one of my wagers.”

  Emily snatched the money from his fingers with a regretful frown.

  “Well, I feel very guilty! I could never spend this money now. On first occasion, I will have to look up that young man,” she had already forgotten his name, “and apologize to him.”

  But that promise was never to come about because Roderick went back to his estate in the country and then on to school after the break. When he left school, he immediately went abroad to expand his horizons and Emily never saw him again.

  CHAPTER ONE

  1864

  Roderick paced his father’s study. His brow drawn in concentration and the lines around his eyes appearing deeper than usual. It seemed that everything in his life had continued to turn towards the worse. He felt it had all started shortly after that horrid beauty had dismissed him from her birthday party, as though he was a peon. He could still see those beautiful green eyes as they sparked at him with disgust! It was a pity he never ran into her again so he could put her down a few notches, but that was the least of his worries.