Rebecca's Refusal by Amanda Grange Page B

think about it.
    Fortunately he had been saved from taking such an irrevocable step by the crash outside. Because if not for that he would have kissed her and then his fate would have been sealed. For having kissed her he would have had to offer her marriage.
    Marriage!
    He shuddered as he thought of it.
    Marriage was not for him.
    When he was eight-and-thirty, perhaps, and had a dynasty to found. But not at eight-and- twenty.
    As his thoughts returned to George Lacy, however, he began to realize that he must offer her marriage anyway, whatever his personal feelings might be. Because if Lacy had seen them together at The Nag's Head then someone else could have seen them there as well.
    Damn! He had never even considered this complication after he had spoken to her at the inn. It had never occurred to him that by being alone with her, however unwittingly, in one of The Nag's Head's bedrooms, he had compromised her. And if it had occurred to him at the time he would not have cared. Rebecca had been nothing to him then; no one; and he would not have felt obliged to offer her marriage: Society, he knew, would have expected it, but he had never allowed himself to be dictated to by anyone, and certainly not by Society.
    But now that he knew who she was, and realized that they had been seen, he would have to offer her marriage anyway. It was not because of Lacy - Lacy would not talk, he was too much of a coward - but someone else might have seen them, and he would do nothing to risk the reputation of Jebadiah's granddaughter.
    His face softened as he thought of his godfather. It was Jebadiah who had supported him in his desire to learn about the cotton mills that were springing up in the north, bringing wealth to the area and the country as a whole; Jebadiah who had reasoned with Joshua's family, telling them that trade did not sully the hands of a gentleman, but instead encouraged enterprise and self- reliance; and Jebadiah who, sensing a kindred spirit in Joshua, comprising a ruthless determination and a sharp ambition, had helped him achieve his goals.
    He owed everything he was to Jebadiah. And he would not repay the old man by bringing disgrace to Rebecca.
    It was a damned nuisance, he thought, running his hand through his mane of hair. He did not want to marry, no matter how desirable he found Rebecca. And yet it must be done. He knew where his duty lay.
    What was that Hetty had said earlier in the evening? That she intended to take Rebecca to visit Frost Fair tomorrow? Very well. He would meet Rebecca there, and tell her of his plan. He and Rebecca would become betrothed. And at the earliest opportunity they would be married.
    Chapter Four
    'Frost Fair?' asked Rebecca.
    It was the following day, and she and Hetty were sitting in the drawing-room, looking through the latest edition of the Ladies' Monthly Museum. It was one of Hetty's favourite fashion journals, and the two ladies were perusing the latest styles when Hetty mentioned the fair.
    What is Frost Fair?' Rebecca looked up from the journal. She had never heard any mention of it before, and was curious as to what it could be.
    It really is quite exciting,' said Hetty. 1 was talking to Mrs Minshull last night and she told me all about it. She and her husband have been, it seems, and they found it most exhilarating. Frost Fair is a fair set up on the Thames,' she explained, The weather has been so cold this winter that the river has frozen over.'
    Rebecca looked at her in surprise.
    It is quite true, I assure you,' said Hetty. 1 haven't taken leave of my senses! But it is not to be wondered at that you are surprised. I was surprised myself. I do not remember the Thames ever freezing before - although I believe my mother told me about something similar happening in her childhood,' she said with a frown, as she struggled to recall the memory. Yes,' she said more definitely, 1 believe she did. Not that I ever saw it then, of course. But I would like to see it now. It is truly