Free Barbara Metzger by Wedded Bliss Page A

would have to rely on the woman to handle her monies wisely until he returned. A female and funds? Hah! He might as well rely on the rain to hold off until he completed his journey.
    He rode back to Rock Hill to make sure the packing was done for his next morning’s departure for his inlaws’ in Sheffield. This time he was taking his London traveling coach and driver, and his valet to care for the boy, although he had not informed his superior gentleman’s gentleman of that fact. The fellow had reveled enough in his lofty position as valet to one of London’s luminaries. Now he could earn the matching lofty salary. Rockford would ride alongside, of course.
    As he left the village, the earl could not help looking around for a glimpse of Mrs. Henning. He spotted a female in gray skirts and almost fell off his horse twisting in the saddle to see her face. Confound it, that woman was seventy if she was a day, and snaggle-toothed. She gave him a grin, though, which Mrs. Henning never would have, so he tipped his hat and rode on.
    He decided to leave more money with Claymore in case the widow spent his purse on fripperies instead of necessities for William. Then he could put all thoughts of the woman and her money out of his head.
    And concentrate instead on what kind of fripperies she might buy.
    *
    Alissa was indeed spending her money, her own, though, from her drawing lessons—not the earl’s. Neither the vicar nor his wife saw anything wrong with her accepting recompense for caring for Billy, so Alissa stopped worrying about that and started doing mental calculations. She knew to a shilling how much remained of her late husband’s inheritance from his grandmother, how much she needed for the rent on her cottage, and how much she could earn. The earl had been more than generous with food and funds for the boys’ clothing so she could afford to spend a bit of her own hoarded coins on something she had wanted for ages, a new gown for her sister. Aminta was the one who watched the boys while Alissa was away giving lessons, and the one who helped cook and clean and tend the little garden patch. She deserved a reward—and a future.
    A dress length of green silk would not stretch Alissa’s budget too far, but would go a long way at the local fall assemblies. They could alter its appearance every week from the pile of trimmings they already had: scraps of lace, silk roses, gold braid, embroidered ribbons. They could even sew on sprigs of holly when Christmas drew nearer and the neighbors held dinners and caroling parties. Amy could look as fine as any of the other young ladies—no, better, for she was the prettiest girl around; everyone said so, not just her loving sister. With a fashionable new gown, though, she would shine. Surely she would catch the eye of some personable young man.
    Alissa did not think Amy would do well as a farmer’s wife. She managed with the vegetables and Rosie, but she was too delicate, too gentle for any rough-hewn rustic. Perhaps a clerk, a solicitor, or a banker, even, would notice her in the new gown and be smitten. He would not mind that she had no dowry, not when he discovered her sweet nature, her fine education, her polite manners. He’d be getting a charming, lovable helpmate, the perfect mother to his children—and he’d better appreciate Amy or he’d have Alissa to answer to.
    Amy was young, but Alissa had fallen in love and wedded at that age, and was a mother not long after. Amy was inexperienced with large gatherings, but she danced like an angel, and if she was a tad shy and withdrawn in company, well, that would pass with more exposure to strangers, Alissa hoped. Besides, many a gentleman preferred a demure bride to a brash, selfish, and spoiled beauty who would make a demanding wife. A man who wanted a sophisticated social butterfly, a fashionable flirt, was not the man for Alissa’s sister. Why, a man like Rockford… Heavens, a man like Rockford would eat gentle Amy alive,