The Convenient Felstone Marriage (Whitby Weddings 1)

January 1866

Ianthe looked around the large, desk-filled room with a sigh of contentment. The new school had been open for a week and she had thirty pupils already, most of them the children of families who worked in the shipyard, though she’d had enquiries from others in the community too. At this rate, she’d have to find bigger premises.

‘All done.’ Robert climbed down from the ladder where he’d been hammering a blackboard on to the wall. ‘Now, is there anything else I can do to assist you, Mrs Felstone?’

‘I think you’ve done quite enough for today, thank you, Mr Felstone.’ She gave him a teasing smile. ‘Until we get home anyway.’

‘Sounds intriguing.’ He sauntered slowly towards her, grey eyes darkening seductively. ‘Why not here? These desks look quite sturdy.’

‘Because Violet will be back at any moment!’ She feigned outrage. ‘She only went to collect some more books.’

‘I could lock the door...’

‘Stop it!’ She laughed as he curled his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. ‘Don’t you have a shipyard to run? Besides, I’d have thought you’d be tired after this morning.’

Robert grinned wickedly. ‘I’d have thought so to, but I can’t seem to get enough of you these days. I think I’m still making up for lost time.’

She raised her hands to his chest, half-heartedly fending him off. ‘There’s something I need to tell you anyway.’

‘Mmm?’ His lips traced the curve of her throat. ‘I’m all ears.’

‘It’s about Harper’s yard. Violet says he’s found another buyer.’

‘I know.’

‘You know?’

His mouth trailed an idle path up her neck towards her mouth. ‘There’ve been rumours for the past month.’

‘And why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Because we’ve had far more interesting things to talk about.’ She could hear the smile in his voice. ‘And because I don’t care, remember?’

‘Are you sure?’

‘I’m positive. Marriage is far more distracting than I’d anticipated. If I’d bought Harper’s, then I’d have had to spend even more time at work and for some reason I prefer to be at home these days.’

‘I prefer that, too.’

‘Good. And since we’re telling each other things, you ought to know that I had a visit from the local magistrate this morning. He says they won’t be investigating Sir Charles’s death any further.’

‘So they’re going to declare it an accident?’

‘They already have. There were enough witnesses who saw him point the gun at me before he fell. Percy’s testimony about his state of mind helped, too.’

‘You’re quite his champion these days, aren’t you?’

‘Credit where it’s due. He’s turned out to be an excellent clerk.’

‘I’m glad he decided to stay in Whitby.’ She pressed her forehead against his with a sigh. ‘And I’m relieved it’s all over. Maybe now we can find out what a normal marriage feels like.’

‘You know there’ll still be talk.’

‘I’m getting used to it.’ She shrugged. ‘Why? Do you think some people will still blame you?’

‘Maybe, but it’s n

o great loss. The people who matter know the truth. The rest were always going to hold my past against me anyway.’