A Perilous Marriage (6 page)

His hands went to her upper arms to hold her still, then he bent his head and his soft lips gently touched hers. They pressed a little deeper as if encouraging her to open for him, paused, then swiftly lifted away as he took a step backwards, but not before she felt the moist caress of his breath against her bare throat. For a split second, she had sensed a hint of reluctance to let her go. Or was it her own reluctance to break from her first time of being held by a man and kissed? He had raised his head abruptly, leaving her with the impression she only imagined him wanting to continue the kiss. Was that all? From all the novels she had read, kisses were far more enthralling than that. Coupled with her reading of the sexual actions in her grandfather’s books, the kiss was simply like one given to a child. She was no child. She deserved to be treated as a woman, and that kiss was a damned insult.

“There, your first kiss.” He reached out and ran his fingers tenderly over one cheek and bowed. “I extend my sincere apologies, Lady Lucie. It was a liberty I should not have taken, but when you go to London, you will be more aware that rakes like me should not be granted the privilege of kissing you, and
you
will take care not to tempt them.”

A lance of pure rage shot through her as she realised he was trying to teach her a lesson in propriety and self-control. Had he for one moment thought she had begged for his kiss? How dared he! Her face bloomed red with embarrassment. “I perceive your effort hardly merits the title of rake. I declare, you’ll likely benefit from taking lessons yourself,” she said snappishly. “For your information, it was not my first kiss, nor would it in any way compare. Don’t make the mistake that I am so naïve, I will be at a loss in London. Despite the fact we live in the country, we are accustomed to ways of the ton. My manners will stand any scrutiny among company such as them, though yours leave a lot to be desired.” With a defiant glower, she turned on her heel and stalked back to the house.

* * * *

He stared after her, more than a little affronted with her riposte. She had no knowledge of the extent of his experience or that he had been so close to giving her the kiss she desired. His self-control had left him irritated and achingly unsatisfied, annoying him even more. It had taken all his effort to pull back and not bury himself in the sweetness of her mouth. She was undoubtedly a minx—a minx with claws.
God help the young blades when she goes to the city,
he thought. As for his behaviour, considering he was a guest in his godmother’s home, he had no business making love to her granddaughter. Deciding the less said the better, he followed her into the drawing room where Eleanor was already ensconced behind the teapot and waiting for them.

“Ah, there you are, Richard. Did you enjoy the gardens?” She handed him his tea and waved him to a seat.

“Your estate is quite splendid in every respect. I have been working out how to steal your gardener to take back with me when I return. It reminds me, after my quick visit, how the gardens at the manor have sadly been neglected for much too long. I doubt they have had a decent gardener in years.”

“Given the right person to oversee and the will to change things for the better, much will be accomplished in a fairly short time, so don’t despair. You will achieve what you want.”

He stole a glance at Lucie who was pointedly ignoring him. She was engrossed in reading a letter and had not lifted her head. Eleanor followed his glance and said, “That reminds me, I have mail for you, Richard. We don’t usually have a second delivery, but they probably thought you important enough to bring your letters, and we were lucky to be included.” She chuckled at her joke and passed him a thick bundle.

“I thank you. Knowing I’d be here for a few days, I had my mail redirected.” He rose and moved over to the window seat to have more light and spread the collection out.

“Who is your letter from, Lucie?” Eleanor asked curiously.

“Cousin Theresa. She writes to say that she and Edward are divinely happy and are expecting an heir. Uncle Barnaby is over the moon at the news…he has longed for a grandchild ever since they were married. He will be doubly pleased if it is a boy, so Theresa is praying it will be. I must send my good wishes.”

“Yes, I will write too. Thank you for reminding me. I hope it won’t be long before I, too, am ‘over the moon,’ Lucie. There is much to look forward to in the future.” The next second, Eleanor was startled when Lucie rose to her feet, mumbled something about a job she had to do, and went out of the room in a hurry.

“Oh dear, was it something I said?” Eleanor turned to Richard in dismay.

“Perhaps she is feeling pushed into marriage. After Tasker’s pressing proposal and the visit to London—which might not excite her as much as you think considering your ambitions for her to wed as soon as possible—she may feel you are trying to get rid of her.”

“Good grief, no! Losing her is the last thing I want. My fears about the man she will marry are double any anxiety she may have. Nevertheless, you know my reasons. I have to safeguard her future and all that she inherits. Will you promise me something, Richard?”

“Certainly, Aunt, if I can.”

“If anything happens to me before she is married, will you take care of her?”

He knew at once what she was asking of him, the real reason behind the extended visit. Taking care of Lucie meant marrying her. This had been her purpose all along.

He recalled the last time he had seen his godmother, the desperate visit following his departure from home after the final dreadful row he’d had with his father. Acquainted with a great deal of the state of affairs from letters she’d exchanged with his mother, a dear friend before she died, and latterly from the housekeeper in the castle, she had listened to his tale, knowing how stricken he was over the parting. “I think you have done the right thing, Richard. The situation was untenable and unlikely to change. You are better away from it and making your own way in life. Go abroad, see the world. You are fit and able and will do well in the Americas.” She had provided him with ample funds, waving a dismissive hand at his vow to pay her back. “You will inherit money when I go, so you might as well have the use of it now.” It had been a boon in his new life abroad.

“Yes, Aunt, I promise.” In view of her help in the past, it was time to repay the debt, and he had the answer ready. “I beg you to lay your worries to rest. Lord Tasker has upset you badly, but I must assure you, I believe you are more than a match for him. You fret too much about your age. You are nowhere nearer heading for your maker than I am. You have always been young in my eyes and are the strongest person I know.”

“Oh, you divine flatterer! I am right—you are the nicest man I know.” She smiled gratefully at him. “Still, you have calmed my fears. I will relax and enjoy your company.”

He turned back to read his mail, and the room was silent for quite a while, his attention caught between the gentle though undoubted power she was exerting to agree to her wishes and the letters he’d received.

Eventually, he said, “I shall have to go to London tomorrow, probably for a couple of days. I need to set up a new office to deal with my overseas holdings and also see my father’s solicitors regarding the estate and what needs to be done. If you have any queries about your town house, I’ll be pleased to pass them on.”

“How thoughtful of you, but you are coming back, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I shan’t be gone long, but can only stay a short time when I return. There is much to do in the north, and the sooner I get onto it the better. Meanwhile, you will be packing for your visit and will not want a house guest around. Make your peace with Lucie, and tell her not to fuss that she is being forced into anything she doesn’t want.”

* * * *

He was astride his horse early the next morning as dawn was breaking, heading for the capital and the tasks he needed to carry out. Chief amongst them was the hiring of a secretary. He definitely needed help in tying all his business affairs into reasonable order. He had wondered on the ship coming over whether he would return to America and transact business from there. Having realised all the many problems he was facing with the estate, that plan was definitely knocked on the head. Dealing with correspondence, hiring craftsmen for the restorations…his brain almost seized at the number of jobs he knew lay ahead. It settled one objective he could not change. For good or ill, the life he saw in the future was henceforth bound to England.

His thoughts turned to Lucie and what he should do about her. Despite his promise to Eleanor, he was his own man and coercion was something he abhorred. When he eventually took a wife, he wanted to be sure he would find a desirable partner that suited him. Someone to create a happy family with, who would chase away the frightening memories of his own past and the dreadful time he had growing up in circumstances no child should ever have to endure.

It was not that he did not like Lucie. Indeed, his ability to abstain from seducing her had tested his control to the limit. In every way, she was a strong contender for the role as his countess. As much as he did not care to admit that Eleanor was right, she had been bred for the position. The trouble was that, unless he came to a decision of his own making, he spurned anyone else making it for him. Shades of his father! Was he still upset with the commands that had piled continuously on his head until in desperation he had broken free of his familial bondage? It was more than likely.

With luck, everything would soon be resolved. Lucie would find someone she was happy to marry. Although the prospect of her marrying someone else did not sit well either, bringing a sour taste to his mouth. He thought of her sweet lips and the fragrance of her hair, and the obnoxious concept of someone strange making free with her body, and realised he couldn’t bear it to be anyone other than himself. As he realised the direction of his thoughts, his horse suddenly lost its stride, and tossing its head up and whinnying, it yanked at the bit. Pulling Jamal to a stop, he dismounted and went round to his head to gentle the beast who was breathing heavily through his nose.

“Sorry, old fellow. Crass idiot that I am, I was lost in my thoughts and rough with your mouth, but I would never hurt you on purpose. I’m not thinking straight, that’s for sure. Perhaps these days in London will help me get my mind in order.”

He spent a few minutes soothing his horse, remounted, and continued his journey.

Once in London and booked in at the Regency Hotel, he set himself to accomplishing all the tasks he had listed. He sent a note to Thomas Whitaker, his father’s solicitor, who he’d decided to retain for himself, and the man promptly invited him to dinner. He was happy to find he was satisfied with the choice. They discussed a great deal during the meal, most significantly the way his father had conducted his business affairs. Even though he’d tried to give wise counsel, Whitaker was unable to persuade his father to use this advice. He was completely honest about his failure and the rows he’d had with the Earl when Edward Martell spurned him.

“You would have inherited a great deal more if his lordship had only listened to me. I despaired at times with his choleric nature. I can only assume I was not the only one who bore the weight of his tongue. Your own history, milord, bears witness to that.”

It enabled Richard to put his mind at rest in selecting Whitaker to guard his business affairs. The candid revelations that the solicitor revealed told Richard the man knew of the vicious temper his father possessed but had still tried to pursue a sensible course. Nothing mattered now. He had inherited a title and little else except a tract of land, a rundown manor house, and a castle ruin. Fortunately, his riches were enough to overcome the loss of finance and would be enough to restore his estate to a reasonable level.

Finally, Thomas Whitaker sat back and gazed at the glass of port he held in his hand and said, “We seem to have covered the ground of everything that needs doing in the immediate future bar one, my lord. Naturally, it is hardly something I normally give advice on, but it appears to me you have taken a great burden on your shoulders with the intent of managing alone. Have you any thoughts of marriage? A household runs well with a woman in charge to see to the house and one’s comfort. The best position is to have jurisdiction over the whole without suffering the trying complaints of staff and the like.”

Richard smiled wryly. “My godmother was at pains to point that out. I explained I had no time just now to choose a wife, meaning I did not want to be landed with someone unsuitable. However, I shall, sooner or later, take that path, as I do want a family.”

“So you have no one in mind?”

“Not at present. Needless to say, though I have no desire to seek one at the present time, I could unexpectedly meet someone. In that case, the problem would be solved.”

“Though not as soon as you imagine. Time passes quicker than one thinks. Much of it is wasted. Supposing you meet someone when you return home and decide to marry. At least months—if not a year—pass by before minds are made up, banns are called, and arrangements made to suit the bride and her relations, who can be enormously indecisive. I suggest your needs are more immediate. I advocate you need a wife quicker than that.”

He reached out and patted Richard's arm. "Forgive me for my concern and seeking to give perhaps unwanted advice. I mean well. I am thankful you are not like your father and will toss it straight back in my face. I propose you arm yourself with a special licence which gives you the right to marry as quickly as you want. In view of my own experience, I found it immensely helpful. I was after a woman who was being courted by two others. Timing was of the essence, and I lost not a moment in using the licence to persuade her. We have been happily married for many years, and I’ve never regretted the haste.”