Daniel didnt know who asked the question, Haggerty, a hostess, or Corie herself. He took a deep breath to get ready for the welts he knew were coming. I am honored she has accepted my proposal of marriage.
It was a good thing he held her handas gently as he couldto keep her on her feet, or to keep her from slapping him, or to keep him from scratching his arse again, right in full view of half the
ton
.
Into the stunned silence that followed, his mother, bless her, stood and smiled. I was hoping to keep it secret until the end of the Season, you know. Or at least announce it at our ball, which the rest of the family will be attending.
Daniel watched, but his mothers eyelid did not twitch, the manipulative, matchmaking . . . mother. Shed planned this all along. Corie hadnt, he could tell by her trembling, and now he had the rash to prove he hadnt. He rubbed his nose.
Then someone screamed. And pointed, right at him and his poor face. The pox! He has the smallpox!
Women fainted; men almost trampled them on the way out the doors. Others climbed out the balconies. The orchestra decamped, overturning the refreshments tables. Glasses shattered; sickly punch spilled everywhere. Females screamed as they slid into one another and across the floor.
Well, at least hed never have to go to Almacks again.
Chapter Twenty-seven
A
toast to celebrate the happy event? Lord Morgan suggested once they returned to Royce House.
Silence met his cheery effort. I, ah, see. Plenty of things to discuss, what? Ill just toddle off to bed, then, shall I?
Daniel had ridden up with the driver to cool his flaming cheeks. Corie had ridden in a huddle, biting the inside of her cheeks. A look from one to the other had Susanna and Lady Cora also excusing themselves.
It has been a tumultuous evening. I proposeLady Cora almost choked on the wordthat is, I think we should all make an early night of it. Tomorrow is bound to be equally as fraught. She intended to hide at her dressmakers, then go on a tour of the Bank of England that Lord Trowbridge had promised. From now on, Daniel and Corie could handle matters without her. She deserved a rest, if neither of them smothered her in her sleep.
Once everyone but Corie and Daniel had left the front parlor, Dobbson inquired if tea was required. He was answered with the door slammed in his face. And locked behind him.
Now, that is highly improper, could be heard from inside the room.
Someone, possibly one of the footmen who had attended their coach to Almacks and heard of the debacle there, said, Its all right. They are betrothed now.
About time, I say. And pity the poor woman.
What womand that be, then? Her ladyship who threw them together, or Miss Abbott?
Daniel could not hear the butlers reply. The former butler, if he had his way. And the former footman, too.
He touched his face, hoping the welts had faded, hoping he wouldnt be called upon to tell any more clankers, like how happy he was with the engagement. Judging from the look on his bride-to-bes face, any happiness would be short-lived. Her eyes were narrowed so tightly he couldnt find that pretty moss color. And if she sucked on the insides of her cheeks any harder, shed look like a carp. For that matter, he was glad Dobbson had not brought the tea cart. There might have been a butter knife for her to stick through his heart.
Uh, about the betrothal. He was wondering if she wanted him to get down on one knee to make it proper. Females set great store by that kind of thing, hed heard. Or maybe she wanted a ring to show her friends.
She wanted him to go to the devil. We. Are. Not. Betrothed. Each word had a space around it, as if he were deaf. Or dumb. Her fists were clenched, he could see, but thankfully empty.
Keeping his distance, and nervously eyeing Aunt Royces prize Ming vases scattered around the room, he tried to use a comforting voice, the one he used for Miss White, or a frightened horse. I am sorry, my dear, but in the eyes of society, we are as good as promised, which is all that matters. No one will be bandying your name around, or caring about your reputation.
I am not your dear, and I care.
His effort at softness and endearments failed, so he went back to blunt honesty. Well, youd have no reputation left if I hadnt done what I did.
For that, I am supposed to thank you? You are the last man in the world I would wed.
Daniel thought that, yes, she should have thanked him. Wasnt that the form ladies were taught from birth? Something about being grateful for the honor or drivel like that. She did not appear honored. She was almost trembling with rage. Or was that horror at the idea of wedding him? Neither made Daniel happy. I believe I am the last man on earth who is liable to ask you.
Now, that is a certainty if the gentlemen think I am already bespoken.
She had not said the other gentlemen. Damn. Stung, Daniel said, Do not work yourself into an apoplexy. If I am such a bad bargain, you can cry off in a few weeks. After Susannas ball, so therell be less gossip on her big night.
What, you think I should become known as a jilt besides a loose woman?
Well, no gentlemanhe emphasized the titleis permitted to end an engagement. Doing so makes the female look no-account. So I cannot cry off. I can always irritate you past bearing, until you call an end. No one will blame you, I daresay. And I seem to succeed at that, at any rate.
She did not contradict him. Her brow stayed furrowed while she thought. We could agree we do not suit, I suppose.
Thats the ticket. He tried to sound enthusiastic about being the scorned suitor, no matter what they said.
How long must we pretend?
It could not be a pretense or hed break out in hives every time someone congratulated him. It has to look official, and last long enough that people believe I really did offer for you. And you accepted. Hed better get a ring tomorrow.
I wont hang on your arm.
She disliked him so much? He brushed at his coat the way the dandies did. Lud, Id never want a woman creasing my sleeve.
I will not show affection in public. Or private. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest so he could not even see what he was forbidden to touch.
You might have to bend a little, to make the thing look convincing.
How much bending?
Dash it, how should I know? Ive never been engaged before, have I?
She turned her back to him. And you are not now.
He ran his hands through his already-disordered black hair. Well, I am feeling married, all right, to a shrew. I thought youd be grateful I pulled your chestnuts out of the fire.
But I wanted to find
The ideal husband, who will cherish and adore you. Yes, yes, but what if his parents never met? What if your missing soul mate stays missing, in India or Jamaica? I am here, dash it.
He heard a sniffle. You arent crying, are you?
She said no, with a catch in her throat. Just saying we are affianced out loud made you break out in spots.
The spots had nothing to do with you. It was the lie. That is, the, ah, situation. Nerves, dont you know.
You are not itching now, and this must be one of the most anxious conversations of your life, forcing yourself to pretend you dont mind being tied to me.
I dont mind, and that is the truth, so, no, I am not covered in hives.
She turned to face him, inspecting his neck, his ears, his hands that stayed loose at his side, not squirming to scratch some unmentionable part of his anatomy. So its true; you do get a rash from a lie. And yet you did that, for me?
Tonights was the most sudden, spectacular rash of my lifetime, but how did you know?
She kept staring at him, but not in fright, not in disgust. Some things your mother and sister said. They react to lies, too, only differently.
He sighed. So I have come to realize, although I dont understand it. The truth thing was supposed to be a Royce legacy, which somehow came to me through the distaff line. I never heard of any females being truth-knowers. It is all very secret, you understand. It could prove dangerous and disastrous if anyone found out.
No one would believe it, anyway. Ive seen Lady Coras eyelid twitch too many times not to put credence in your familys talent. No one else noticed.
No, but now youll have to marry me, of course.
She sat down on a high-backed wooden chair, her spine as rigid as the slats. Why?
He took a seat opposite her, but close enough for him to reach out for her hand. Because a wife cant bear witness against her husband. And that way Id know you wouldnt betray me.
I wouldnt betray my godmother or my dear friend Susanna.
It is not the same. Besides, why not? Why are you so set against going through with the betrothal, the marriage? Youd be mistress of Stamfield Manor, and we could find a small place here in Town for visits if you want. I can provide whatever you wish, and youd never have to fear your father.
She looked down, studying their linked hands, hers still in gloves. Because you are too much like him.
Daniel dropped her hand and jumped to his feet, almost knocking over a piecrust table that held a jade horse, likely worth more than he and his own horse combined. Like hell I am. Pardon my language, but I resent being compared to a man who would strike a woman. Or steal from her, or force her into a marriage against her Hed done just that. Well, only if it is necessary.
You are a man who acts first and thinks later. You are a man who drinks and wenches and gambles.
I am a bachelor! Thats what we do. But thats not to say I would continue on that path if I had a wife waiting for me. And I have not indulged half so much since my mothers come to Town.
But as soon as she leaves?
He glowered at her. Men can change, cant they?
Only if they want to. You want to be in charge, to make decisions. You ride roughshod over those who dont act the way you want.
He wanted a drink, but he would not prove her point for her. I am not such a wastrel or as much a ruffian as you think. I am working for the government now, doing paperwork. Inspecting currency was just that, and more than she needed to know.
Corie was not impressed. I saw Trowbridge shaking his head. You must have ruined whatever investigation he is conducting by mentioning the counterfeiting in public.
No such thing. He asked for my services, and he would be months behind if not for me. I am solving the mess for him.
By blackening Snellings name?
Ill find proof.
She found her handkerchief and blew her nose. I still wont marry you.
He came back close to her chair and knelt in front. Then he tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes. I dont see why not. I dont care about the money or the jewels. You like my family. I, uh, I like you.
She started to lay her hand against his cheek, but then thought better of it. Marriage is more than that, more than liking. You . . . you are a fighter.
No, I He couldnt deny hed been in more drunken brawls than there were years shed been alive. Or that his reputation in the Intelligence Division wasnt partly well earned. Or that he liked to follow the Fancy, or how hed wallop anyone who threatened her or his family. Id never hurt you.
But youd teach our sons to be bullies.
Sons? Hed have sons? Daniel wasnt used to the idea of having a wife yet, and hed have sons? Little boys with golden brown hair and moss green eyes? Or would they have his black hair and dark-rimmed blue eyes? Would they carry on the Royce tradition or be normal boys, telling fibs and getting caught instead of telling fibs and getting measles?
Now she did reach out to touch his nose, his many-times-broken nose. I wouldnt want my sons to be hurt.
He took her hand again. Id teach them to defend themselves, no more.
What of our daughters? Theyd cower in fear from you.
Daughters? Tiny little fragile birdlings? Afraid of him? No! I am not a brute. I can be gentle.
He leaned closer and brought his lips to hers. He meant to show her just how gentle he could be, how light his touch. He intended nothing more than a quick brushing of lips, to show her how harmless he was, how not threatening.
He couldnt help himself. One touch and he was lost. She tasted so sweet, her lips so soft, her skin like silk, her distinctive scent enfolding him like a velvet mist, the sound she made so encouraging. Or was that him, purring?
He deepened the kiss, and touched her lips with his tongue. Corie jerked back, as if startled. Daniel put his hand behind her head, kneading her neck, and brushed his lips across her eyelids, over her cheeks, then back to her lips. Nothing to fear.