Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance (9 page)

“Of course he will. Maybe that’s what this was all about—that he get a warning.” Jennifer smiled in encouragement. “Consider it done.”

When Penelope returned home, she saw a splendid carriage waiting outside. So she wasn’t at all surprised when she entered the parlor and saw Jared sharing a cup of tea with her aunt. He rose when she entered the room and bowed before her.

“Mr. Marton! I wasn’t expecting you.” She extended her hand. When he pressed a kiss to the back of her lace mitt, she was reminded of the intimacy they had shared beneath the mistletoe. Heated color stained her cheeks, making her even more beautiful as she snatched her hand away and became preoccupied with undoing the frog clasp on her cloak.

“Lovely day, isn’t it?” Jared seemed extraordinarily pleased with himself.

Penelope’s eyes went from his to her aunt’s. Eve seemed immersed in her tea, but she nearly quivered with suppressed excitement.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, letting Bertha take her coat. “Why, it’s freezing outside, and beginning to snow!”

“Yes, it will be wonderful to have a white Christmas this year,” her aunt remarked. She turned to Jared. “Mr. Marton was just getting ready to leave.”

“I was indeed. I am sorry to have missed you,” he said warmly to Penelope, his voice rich with meaning. “I do not wish to overstay my welcome, and I know you have
things to discuss. Perhaps I can see you tomorrow?”

“Perhaps.” Penelope pretended to be preoccupied, although the affection in Jared’s eyes filled her with pleasure.
A woman should never let a gentleman know her preference for him
, stated Miss Potter’s rules of courtship etiquette. She smiled at the thought. Obviously, Miss Potter had never met a man like Jared.

“Thank you for the tea and the conversation,” Jared was saying to her aunt. “I hope to see you both for Sunday supper? I’ll send my carriage for you at three if that is convenient.”

“Yes.” Eve smiled as the young man, giving one last glance at her niece, put on his hat and left the room.

“Take a seat, child. We have a matter to discuss.” Penelope was bewildered by her aunt’s manner but she obediently sat down. Eve put down the cup she’d been holding and turned her attention to her pretty niece. “Mr. Marton has asked my permission to officially court you. I told him I would only agree if that is what you wanted, for your feelings are of the utmost importance to me.”

Penelope sighed. She was falling in love with Jared Marton whether she wanted to or not. She’d tried to stay away from him, fought his attention with every wile she could muster, every trick she could conceive, but nothing had worked. He was in her thoughts and now in her heart completely.

She could only hope her sister was right, and that her vision was somehow inaccurate or meant as a warning. Taking her aunt’s hand, she smiled.

“Yes, Auntie. I agree.”

“Are you sure, dear?” Eve looked at her closely. “For although it is a wonderful match for you, I am not certain you have always desired his company.”

Penelope laughed. “I know. But I can’t help it, for you see … I think I love him.”

“That was all I needed to hear.” Eve squeezed her hand affectionately. “I don’t have much, just some old jewelry and furniture, but I want to put together a dowry …”

As her aunt spoke, her hand still clasping Penelope’s, the room began to darken. It was happening again. The vision. Helplessly she heard her aunt’s voice die out until she couldn’t hear her at all. The grayness came, sweeping away the sight of the cozy room, the warm fire, and her beloved relative.

They were in a church. To her surprise, she saw Eve at the altar, taking a man’s hand in marriage. Her aunt was dressed in a silver lace gown, and she looked radiant as Rupert Darling slid a ring on her finger. They exchanged a shy kiss, and applause broke out
.

Gradually, the scene faded and the fire burned once more. Eve turned to her, still patting her hand, and then reached for the teacup. “Let me serve you, my dear. Now that we have all the business out of the way, it is time to celebrate!”

Penelope looked at her aunt and smiled, pleased by what she had seen. “Yes, it certainly is! Auntie, have you heard from Mr. Darling?”

“Why yes! He sent a card this morning. Mr. Marton has included him in his invitation to Sunday supper tomorrow. Why do you ask, my dear?”

“No reason,” Penelope said, a little surprised by the news. “No reason at all.”

“Where is Mr. Jared Marton! I demand to see him!”

Jared put down his newspaper, surprised at the ruckus he heard outside, beyond the steps of the Union Club. Charles glanced at him in confusion, and their fellow members gazed up from their cigars in surprise while the butler poured coffee into a silver urn.

A few moments later, a middle-aged man burst into the room, brandishing a walking stick as if it were a weapon. “Which one of you is Jared Marton?” he demanded, his florid face turning from one elegant gentleman to the next.

“I am Marton.” He got to his feet, aware that the butler had gone to ring for the police and that Charles was right behind him. “And who might you be?” he asked knowingly.

“William Sweeney. Hah, I see you know my name!” the man puffed, still waving his cane furiously as Jared’s brows raised in recognition.

“Pray take a seat, Mr. Sweeney,” Jared said cordially, indicating a soft leather chair. “Would you care for a brandy?”

“I would not!” the man spat, advancing with his stick. “It’s my understanding that it is you who came between myself and Miss Appleton. Dare you deny it? I heard from her aunt myself that you are now courting her!”

“I don’t deny it at all,” Jared replied, unperturbed by the man’s bullying manner. It was clear that William was the worse for drink and had obviously taken leave of his senses when Eve informed him that he’d lost Penelope for good.

“How dare you! She was mine! Why, I could outspend you from now to next Christmas if I wanted!” His black eyes shone with hate. “Do you know who I am? I’ve made myself a fortune in shipping cotton, while you, you beggar of the law …” He swung the cane at Jared as if to strike him.

“That will be enough!” Charles grabbed the cane, startling the man into a choked sputter, while Jonathan Wisely stepped forward, brandishing a poker.

“I think it is high time you took your leave,” Jonathan warned. “While we still allow Confederates in this club, we don’t abide drunken louts!”

“It’s all right,” Jared said calmly. “Mr. Sweeney, I have listened to your nonsense only because I understand the pain you must feel from your loss. Miss Appleton is a wonderful woman, so I sympathize with what you are going through. However, I must demand that you never speak her name as your acquaintance again.”

William stood puffing, the color beginning to drain from his face as Jared spoke sternly. “Why, you young pup …”

“I suggest you take your leave while you still can,” he continued. “I refuse to hear any more of your threats, verbally or otherwise. And if I hear you utter a word about my relationship with Miss Appleton again, I will take a horsewhip to you. You are correct; I have been given permission to court her. And I very much hope by Christmas to persuade her to be my wife.”

Jonathan dropped his brandy glass on the table, but no one moved. Charles, who didn’t seem at all surprised, maintained his stance just in case the man became belligerent.

“You had no right to interfere!” William shook his fist. “I could have won her …”

“You and I both know you had no right to pursue her to begin with,” Jared continued smoothly, his voice rich with meaning. “Do not test my patience again.” He handed the man his stick.

Flustered, William’s eyes went from one man to the next. They presented a unified front in defense of Jared. Outside, he heard the constable’s whistle. Understanding that all was lost, he bolted from the room almost as quickly as he’d entered it.

Jared sat back down, picked up
The New York Times
, and continued his previous occupation while Jonathan Wisely chuckled.

Amusement at last.

Once Sweeney had gone, Charles handed Jared a cup of coffee liberally laced with brandy. “I daresay, old chap, you handled yourself quite well there.”

“I appreciate the support.” Jared shrugged. “But I know why he’s mad. I would feel the same way if someone tried to take Penelope from me. It’s funny—I received a letter warning me to leave town. I can only assume it was from him or some other disappointed suitor.”

Charles appeared startled as he sipped his drink. “Funny you should say that,” he said, leaning back into the leather chair. “I had a visit from my sister-in-law Jennifer yesterday. She came to the office and requested a private meeting. You know she has the reputation of being … a seer.”

“Yes, I know,” Jared said impatiently. “And I know high society doesn’t think much of the Appletons, but I—”

“Jared, she wanted me to warn you.” Charles shrugged as his friend’s words died in confusion. “Apparently, she feels rather strongly that someone might try and take your life. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should say something, but given what just happened …”

“You don’t really think—”

“No,” Charles said quickly. “Even Winnie indicated to me that the sisters were more counselors for the grieving than truly mystics. But there is such a thing as feminine intuition. Keep an eye out, old man. Please. Even if it is all nonsense, I’ll sleep better.”

Sunday morning, Penelope accompanied her aunt to Saint Patrick’s for mass. As she took a seat on the pew, she was aware of several eyes staring at her. When she glanced across the room, Catherine Parks was sending daggers her way, while the Billings girls looked at her enviously.

Perplexed, she opened her hymnal and began the first song. Again she had that feeling of being watched, but whenever she turned her head, eyes would quickly look away.

The priest gave a sermon about the chastity of women and decrying flirtations that led to violence. Penelope stifled a yawn, then rose with her aunt, grateful to take her
leave when the service ended.

They’d barely made it outside when a woman approached. “Excuse me, are you Miss Appleton?”

Penelope looked at her aunt, but Eve seemed equally taken aback. The woman who confronted her was obviously well-to-do. Dressed in a black velvet cloak with white ermine trim, she gazed at Penelope as if condescending to even speak to her.

“Yes,” Penelope responded. “I am she. But who—”

“I am Mrs. Agnes Marton. Jared’s mother.” Penelope noticed she did not extend her hand. “I wish to speak to you alone. Would you mind accompanying me to my carriage?” She indicated a handsome coach at the curb. “What I have to say will not take long.”

Aunt Eve nodded, pressing her hand in encouragement. “I will wait inside. I have a few more prayers I’d like to say.”

Penelope lifted her skirts and climbed inside the elegant carriage. Sinking back into the thick blue velvet, she waited for the other woman to speak.

“You are very pretty, my dear,” Jared’s mother acknowledged, taking in Penelope’s golden hair, deep blue eyes, and winsome smile. “I’ve heard rumors of your beauty, and I do believe they are quite true. I can see why a girl like you would turn a man’s head.”