The Unaffected Earl

by Suzanna Medeiros

  He was talking in circles, dancing around something.

  “Where do you expect me to go? Ellen told me that you’ve added men to the staff who can keep me safe. Catherine, as well, since we know Lord Standish was fixated on her. And I’ve already promised you that I won’t leave the house on my own. This is the safest place in London for me to be.”

  Brantford’s eyes seemed to bore into hers, the emotion in them one she couldn’t decipher, and she was torn between turning away from him and bridging the small distance that separated them. It was with great difficulty that she waited for him to reply.

  “You’d be safer with me.”

  Rose felt her mouth drop open, and she closed it with a snap. “What did you just say?”

  “I can keep you safe.”

  She shook her head. “I know. That’s why you’ve sent your sister to me and have men watching the house…” She was babbling. She knew it, but it seemed she was powerless to stop. “My imagination is running away with me. Please be plain, my lord. I know it must be difficult for you, but try to eschew all this secretive business you like to wrap yourself in.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted, and Rose felt her heart soar in response.

  “I think I can do that. The safest place for you right now is under my personal protection. To do that, we need to get married. I’ve already procured a special license.”

  Rose sprang to her feet, and Brantford rose swiftly as well. She walked away from him, turning to face him again when several feet separated them.

  “I’m sorry, but I think I misheard you. I thought… Did you just propose to me?”

  Brantford inclined his head. “There is nothing wrong with your hearing.”

  She had to turn away again, her thoughts and emotions in turmoil. Brantford had proposed marriage to her. Brantford. The man she loved but who was impossible.

  Only, he wasn’t impossible any longer.

  Logically, she knew he was only proposing to keep her safe. He didn’t actually care for her.

  But what if she could make him care? What better position from which to do that than by his side, as his wife?

  “Miss Hardwick? Rose?”

  Rose closed her eyes, the sound of her name spoken in that smooth, low voice almost more than she could handle.

  She should protest. Tell him that it wasn’t necessary that he sacrifice himself for her. She’d done the same thing for Kerrick not that long ago, after all.

  But Kerrick had been in love with someone else. As had she… with the man who’d just proposed to her. Most marriages were based on much less. She could love him enough for the two of them and perhaps, in time, he’d come to see her as more than a responsibility.

  She turned to face him, her mind made up but her heart still racing.

  “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Chapter 11

  Brantford smiled at her then, one of his rare full smiles that made her feel as though her heart had stuttered.

  It occurred to her that it would be a shame to be on the verge of having everything she wanted—her father’s name cleared and about to wed the man for whom she’d long had a hopeless tendre—only to expire because her heart gave out.

  “I’ll take my leave of you now. I have a few favors to call in to make sure this happens seamlessly. Ellen will help you on this end, and come tomorrow, you’ll be moving to my town house. Do you think that will pose a problem?”

  Rose could only shake her head, suddenly bereft of words as he gave her a short bow before departing.

  She remained rooted to the spot for several minutes, contemplating how quickly everything had changed for her. Again.

  She and Brantford were going to be wed tomorrow. Given where her father was currently residing, as well as the fact that her mother was hiding in the country, she felt more than a spark of guilt for the happiness the thought gave her.

  Her mother would hate what she’d call the unseemly haste with which her marriage was taking place. But since tongues were already wagging about her family, there was no point in waiting. Brantford wouldn’t have proposed if he didn’t think it necessary.

  A shiver went through her just thinking about Lord Standish. She couldn’t deny that there was something sinister about the man. His attentions had always been directed squarely at Catherine, but now it seemed he had shifted his focus to her.

  Would he really harm her? Her father seemed to think so, and apparently so did Brantford if today’s surprising turn of events was any indication. Logically, she knew she should be worried for her own safety, but she found it difficult to process the fact that everyone seemed to think she was in very real danger. It beggared belief that Lord Standish meant to harm her.

  Rose didn’t want to think about the speculation that would arise when others learned of their marriage. In a few months’ time, when it became clear that Brantford hadn’t married her because she was with child, the rumors would fade. With any luck, her father’s name would also be cleared and they could go about putting this unpleasantness behind them.

  She had to cling to that hope.

  A flurry of activity in the hallway gave her enough time to brace herself for Catherine’s return. Rose overheard her friend bidding her betrothed goodbye, and then she came hurrying into the drawing room. She rushed to Rose’s side.

  “Kerrick told me what was happening in here. Is it true? Did Lord Brantford really propose marriage?”

  Rose could only nod in reply, still a little stunned by the dramatic turn of events herself.

  “Did you accept?” Catherine asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  “I did.” Rose collapsed onto the settee. “We’re going to be wed tomorrow.”

  Catherine gave a small squeal as she dropped next to Rose and enveloped her in a hug. She pulled back and Rose watched as her smile dimmed. “I’m happy for you, but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be. Tell me that you’re happy about this too. I know that you care for Lord Brantford.”

  Rose sighed. “Heaven help me, but I am. I know the reason for his proposal isn’t ideal, but I can’t help feeling hopeful about the future. Is that ridiculous?”

  Catherine shook her head. “Absolutely not. I only hope that he knows how fortunate he is to have you.”

  Rose’s lips twisted. “He’s marrying me to keep me safe.”

  Catherine’s voice lowered. “Louisa and Nicholas also wed for practical reasons, and look at how well that turned out. He’s utterly devoted to her.”

  Rose had witnessed the same thing about the marquess and his wife. She knew that her own parents’ marriage had been arranged, and they also cared for one another. She suspected that was one of the reasons why her mother had felt so betrayed by her father’s actions.

  “We need to prepare for tomorrow,” Catherine said. “Do you have a dress?”

  “I’m sure I have something I can wear. It isn’t going to be a big affair, so perhaps one of my gowns?”

  Ellen swept into the room then, drawing their attention. “A little bird told me that someone is in need of a dress for her wedding.”

  Rose sighed. “It appears that everyone knew about my upcoming nuptials before me.”

  “I didn’t,” Catherine said. “Though I was probably learning about it at the same time you were.”

  “Since I had a little advance notice, I took the liberty of selecting a few dresses from which you can choose.”

  Rose could only stare at the woman who was posing as her maid. “Just how long have you known about this?”

  Ellen’s smile was enigmatic. “Since this morning. But it’s amazing what one can accomplish when they use Lord Brantford’s name. It doesn’t hurt that he hasn’t set any limits on what we can spend.”

  Catherine shook her head. “Who are you? You came out nowhere, and now we learn that Lord Brantford is confiding his secrets in you?”

  Rose needed to change the subject quickly. She hadn’t told anyone about Ellen’s true identity. If the woman had want
ed it known she was Brantford’s sister, she wouldn’t have gone through the effort to disguise her appearance and attempt to look older.

  “Never mind,” Rose said, rising. “We have a dress to choose. Would you like to help me, Catherine?”

  Her friend grinned. “You won’t be able to pry me from your side.”

  Rose locked arms with her, and together the trio of women proceeded up to her room. If she was going to get through the hours until her wedding, she would need to concentrate on the task at hand. She couldn’t allow herself to get distracted wondering about her future with Brantford. She’d deal with him after they were married.

  Despite admonishing herself not to dwell on things she couldn’t control, thoughts of her upcoming wedding kept Rose from falling asleep for some time after she retired. Ellen had selected a variety of simple, elegant dresses, and Rose had finally settled on one that was light blue. It offset her fair coloring and chestnut-colored hair nicely but wasn’t covered in ruffles or lace. Brantford was marrying her for practical reasons, and the last thing she wanted was to act as though she were a foolish romantic.

  Even if she felt that way deep inside.

  Morning came all too quickly with a very different Ellen waking her. She could scarce believe the beautiful blonde was the same woman who’d posed as her maid, even though she knew Brantford’s sister had been wearing makeup to make herself appear older. She hadn’t suspected that Ellen had also done something to her figure, which was now as slim as hers.

  Ellen insisted on helping her dress despite Rose’s protests. “I’m the same woman who’s been helping you over the past few days,” she said, brushing off her concerns.

  When she finally emerged from her bedroom, Catherine was waiting for her in the hallway. After a quick hug and encouraging words about the future from her friend—as well as a meaningful glance in Ellen’s direction that told her Catherine would be demanding to know the story behind the mysterious woman at some point—she was whisked away by Ellen. She wasn’t surprised that two burly footmen escorted them to their carriage. Catherine and her sister, Lady Overlea, also found themselves similarly escorted to a second carriage. Outriders rode alongside the two carriages, drawing the attention of onlookers en route.

  Overlea’s carriage sported his crest, but the one in which Rose and Ellen rode had no such embellishment. Rose made sure to keep her face turned away from the window, hating the attention they were attracting.

  The ride to the chapel was a short one. Rose had always dreamed of having a grand wedding, but of course this hurried event would only have a handful of guests.

  A wave of sadness swept over her when Lord Overlea offered her his arm to escort her down the aisle, but she forced it back. If she was going to make it through the day, she couldn’t allow herself to dwell on the fact that neither of her parents were present to see her wed. Instead, she’d draw strength from the people around her.

  Her gaze focused on where Brantford stood at the top of the aisle, facing the altar, as she made her way to his side. It took her a moment to realize she didn’t know the dark-haired man at his side. She’d assumed Lord Kerrick would be acting as Brantford’s witness, just as Catherine was acting as hers. Whoever the man was, she’d no doubt be seeing more of him in future if he was friends with her soon-to-be husband.

  She had another moment of surprise when she realized Brantford had arranged for a bishop to conduct the ceremony.

  When she finally reached the top of the aisle, Brantford turned and smiled at her. Her thoughts scattered, and she barely heard what the bishop was saying. When it came time to repeat her vows, she tripped over her words. Brantford’s gaze was steady, but she caught a flicker of something in his expression. Concern, perhaps? She couldn’t really tell because it was gone so quickly.

  He took her hand and slid a ring onto her fourth finger, saying in that delightfully rich voice of his, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”

  A shiver went through her and she couldn’t have looked away from him if she wanted to. It hadn’t occurred to her to wonder about their wedding night before that moment, but now she could think of little else.

  Her thoughts raced as the rest of the service proceeded and she had to concentrate to keep track of what the bishop was saying. Too soon, he was leading them to sign the register. It occurred to her as she signed her name that she had no idea what Brantford’s given name was. Catherine and the stranger signed as their witnesses, and then the bishop was congratulating them and handing her a copy of the marriage lines. She looked down at the paper, frowning when she realized Brantford had signed his name with an illegible scrawl that was impossible to decipher.

  She had to hold in the small bubble of laughter that threatened to burst forth at the absurdity of her current situation. She didn’t even know her husband’s name.

  Chapter 12

  Brantford wanted to ask Rose what she was thinking as, together, they exited the chapel, but of course he didn’t. He waited patiently as she said her goodbyes to the family that had taken her in when she most needed protection.

  That task now fell on him, and it was one to which he’d committed himself in the most irrevocable manner.

  He’d had a moment of doubt when Rose hesitated in repeating her vows, remembering her confession that she had feelings for someone else. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was mourning the loss of that love.

  He hoped never to learn the name of the man who had captured her affection, for in that moment Brantford couldn’t say what he would do to him. As long as Rose didn’t betray her marriage vows, he would forget that his bride had hoped to wed someone else.

  The carriage ride to his town house was short, and Ellen’s presence helped to relieve some of the tension that now existed between him and Rose. He hadn’t even had to ask for his sister’s assistance. She’d simply entered the carriage after them and proceeded to engage Rose in conversation. He sat back and watched the pair, relieved when his new wife’s demeanor shifted from one of cautious wariness to comfortable companionship. Perhaps one day she would learn to be relaxed when it was just the two of them.

  His thoughts went to the night ahead, but he pushed them aside. Despite what everyone might think, he wasn’t made of stone. He wouldn’t be able to continue acting as though his emotions weren’t in turmoil if he started thinking about all the things he wanted to do with Rose.

  His gaze shifted to the window when they pulled up in front of his house. He’d barely had the opportunity to step down from the carriage and help his wife and sister down when the front door sprang open. He nodded to his butler, knowing that the man had arranged to have the staff line up along the front hall to greet their new mistress.

  He offered Rose his arm, and she took it with a strained smile. He imagined she was more than a little overwhelmed at that moment. She’d only learned they were to be wed yesterday, and she was already entering his home as Lady Brantford.

  Despite being acutely aware of Rose’s presence at his side, he vowed that he’d keep his distance and give her the time she needed to adjust to her new position and to him. Ellen’s presence would help to an extent. She would no longer be acting as Rose’s maid. That fiction had only been necessary while Rose stayed with Lord and Lady Overlea. Hopefully Ellen wouldn’t realize he had no intention of bedding his wife right away. There were some things one didn’t need to share with their sibling.

  “This is Miller,” Brantford said when they entered his home, introducing her to his efficient butler. “And Mrs. Warwick, the housekeeper.”

  Rose murmured a few words in greeting as the two bowed and curtsied to her. Mrs. Warwick introduced the rest of the staff, but he knew it would take some time for Rose to become acquainted with them all. Although Ellen had mentioned that she seemed to know many of the servants at the Overlea town house by name, and she hadn’t been with them long.

  Mrs. Warwick turned to Rose when she
was done with the introductions and had dismissed the staff. “I’ll show you to your bedroom now, my lady. Lucy will be your new maid, and she will follow.”

  “Thank you,” Rose said.

  “I’m afraid there wasn’t time to arrange for a wedding breakfast,” Brantford said, only then realizing that perhaps Rose had wanted one, even if the party would only have included the small group who had accompanied them to the chapel.

  The smile Rose gave him held more than a hint of sadness. “I didn’t expect one,” she said before turning and following the housekeeper to her bedroom.

  Given the haste of the entire affair, Rose might not have expected a wedding breakfast, but he wished now that he’d thought of it.

  “She’ll be fine,” Ellen said.

  His sister’s interruption startled Brantford from his musings. He hadn’t even realized she was still in the hallway, hovering behind him. “I know this is very hard on her.”

  “Yes, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past few days it’s that your new wife is very resilient. But still, her whole world has changed, and so quickly. I’m sure she just needs some time to adjust.”

  Brantford frowned. “I’m hardly going to storm upstairs and demand my marital rights. I understand that Rose is feeling very vulnerable right now.”

  Ellen tilted her head in that way she had when she was trying to divine someone’s thoughts. It had always made Brantford feel a little uncomfortable when he was younger, and it still had the power to unnerve him at times.

  “You’ve hidden him away, but I remember the sensitive youth you used to be. I’m hoping that perhaps Rose will coax him out again.”

  Brantford pulled an exaggerated face. “Perish the thought.”

  Ellen laughed. “Only time will tell, brother dear.”

  Brantford watched as his sister walked away. He didn’t know what miracle she wanted Rose to perform, but he doubted very much that one would be forthcoming. The youth that Ellen seemed to miss was long since dead, something for which he was eternally grateful.