Fury, hot and thick, poured through her veins. Tabitha threw down the newspaper. The runny egg yolk on her plate started to seep through the pages as her eyes were dragged, unwillingly, back to the paragraph.
Could he in fact be about to put the golden ring of wedlock on her fortune, rather than her finger?
Her mind slipped back to that heated encounter outside the Pump Room, when he had pushed her against the pillar and kissed her.
I…I am far more in your power than I thought, Tabitha. I should not—I should not have been so despicable in the Pump Room.
Tabitha laughed under her breath and turned the page. The gossips were not always right! Richard had never spoken to her about money, save that he had worked hard to ensure his brother’s debts were repaid.
He is a man of honor, she reminded herself as she stared silently at her rapidly chilling breakfast, her mother’s prattle continuing. A man of honor would not even consider wedding a woman for such a disgraceful reason. Had he not defended her against Mr. Lister for precisely what the Bath Chronicle accused him of?
Something uneasy moved in her stomach. Utterly bankrupt? Could her mother have heard something of this? She was rarely one to invite her mother to gossip, but perhaps in this case…
She was about to open her mouth to ask when she was interrupted by the jangling of a bell.
“What? The door, at this hour?” Mrs. Chesworth started. “Who could it be?”
Tabitha could hardly breathe. Could it be—it must be Richard, who else would call at such an early hour? Oh, to introduce him to her mother as her fiancé, what a surprise she would give her! What gossip she would have to impart to her friends, she thought dryly.
There were steps in the hallway which sounded heavy. Mutterings drifted underneath the door. How had it been so long since she had seen him? More than four and twenty hours, how had she lasted this long?
Just as she decided the exact wording to recommend him to her mother, the door opened, and Keytes stepped in—alone.
“I beg your pardon, m’lady,” he intoned seriously, looking at Mrs. Chesworth, “but there is a visitor in the hallway for Miss Chesworth.”
A rather awkward silence followed. Tabitha’s eyes darted between her mother and their butler.
“In the hallway?” Mrs. Chesworth said rather icily. “Why does he not enter the room, or better, choose a more social hour to call?”
The butler coughed and glanced at Tabitha.
“’Tis no matter,” she said hastily, rising to her feet. “I will see what this visitor wants, Mother, I do not mind the time.”
Mrs. Chesworth raised an eyebrow, mirroring her daughter. “Well, I think you should mind, Tabitha. No one of good breeding would consider nine o’clock in the morning an acceptable time to call on one’s friends.”
Tabitha inclined her head respectfully to her mother and tried not to run to the door. It was him, she knew it. Within seconds, she would see the man she loved.
As she shut the breakfast room door behind her, Richard turned from the looking glass.
“There you are,” he said softly.
Tabitha’s stomach knotted. He was, if possible, even more handsome than she had remembered. There was something else about him, too, something possessive in his look that made her want to melt right there in the hallway. His dark eyes sparkled.
It did not seem possible he was to be her husband, but he had asked her, and she had accepted. After years of waiting, after accompanying three cousins up the aisle, she would finally make the journey for herself.
Tabitha smiled. She could see the faces of the ton’s gossips. When she was announced as the Duchess of Axwick, what would they say?
“What are you doing here,” she said in mock outrage, “at such an early hour, as my mother strenuously—”
“Because it is scandalous that we have not seen each other in over a day,” interrupted Richard with a knowing smile, “and I have come to rectify that mistake immediately.”
Tabitha glowed with pleasure as she realized Keytes was standing in the hallway, awaiting further instruction.
“That will be all, Keytes,” she said curtly, and did not open her mouth again until the door to the breakfast room had quite closed. “You cannot simply come in here and—”
All other words were stemmed by a passionate kiss. She had barely seen him move, but his strong arms were around her, claiming her, possessing her just as certainly as his lips possessed her own.
Richard finally released her.
Tabitha blinked and smiled breathlessly. “You can do whatever you want.”
His eyes danced mischievously. “I thought that may be the case, and I have arrived here with the full intention to abduct you. Do you mind?”
“Mind?” Tabitha could barely think. “Abduct?”
Richard laughed and stepped back to take in her full view. “My God, but you are a pretty woman. Come on, the carriage awaits.”
He bowed, and Tabitha nodded with a smile. What had she gotten herself into? Of course, she would manage to find a duke who was one of the most rebellious men she had ever met. What care did he have of the ton?
She grabbed the nearest pelisse and bonnet, and her reticule from the chest by the door, which Richard had flung open, letting in the cold morning. Tabitha stepped through it quickly and pulled it shut behind her, beaming at the barouche waiting for them.
Richard opened its door, his hand outstretched. “Your chariot.”
Tabitha rolled her eyes as she accepted his hand, stepping up. “Why do I get the impression you are playing at asking me to run away with you?”
“Who says I am playing?” Richard pulled himself into the barouche on the other side, squashed up against her in the small carriage.
Tabitha squirmed in her seat, each inch of movement pressing her hips against him, and he groaned.
“If you are going to be so delectable,” he muttered as a gentleman walked by, “then I am going to have to have you right here, right now, do you understand me?”
A thrill shot through Tabitha. To see the effect she had on a man! She had never felt more powerful…well, perhaps when she had dropped her undershift.
Her betrothed picked up the reins, and with evident skill, clicked the horses into movement.
“Are we going anywhere particular?” Tabitha asked.
He shrugged. “Wherever the road takes us, but likely outside Bath. I feel the need to escape the world, as long as you are happy to escape it with me?”
He glanced at her, and she could see genuine fear that she would not agree.
“Anywhere you go,” she said quietly, moving her right hand to cover his left, “I will go.”
She wanted to say more, to say how wonderful it was to see him and how, when she had woken that morning, she had been afraid the previous night and all its pleasures had been a dream. How her soul wept at the thought of waking up without him every day.
But there were not words for such a feeling, and as they turned a corner at a gentle trot, she saw Miss Priscilla Seton glance up, see her, and her mouth drop open with astonishment.
“Did you see that?” Miss Seton said to her companion, not bothering to lower her voice. “That was Miss Chesworth, and with a gentleman!”
“The Duke of Axwick!” Her companion stared. “He has never taken a young lady on a carriage ride, never!”
To be seen and recognized with him was all she wanted.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
Tabitha turned her head to see him smiling. “I beg your pardon?”
“I said, a penny for your thoughts.”
She laughed. “Do you not think my thoughts are worth more?”
Now it was Richard’s turn to laugh, and as they reached the open road, he chanced another look. “I barely have two coins to rub together, so it appears I will have to forego that sweet knowledge.”
Tabitha joined with his laughter, but hers was hollow. Something was nagging at the back of her mind.
A concern she could not pin down.
“If that were true,” she said airily, “you would not own such a wonderful carriage.”
I am afraid to say we do not have a carriage at present. But I will ask Matthews to call one for you, and you may take your pick of any pelisse or greatcoat I can offer you.
Why had Lady Charlotte spoken such a falsehood?
Richard shook his head as they sped up, turning a corner, and Tabitha was forced to raise her hand to her bonnet.
“’Tis not mine. I have borrowed it from a friend—William Lennox, are you acquainted with him?”
Tabitha’s heart sank. It was not his carriage. It was borrowed finery, her mother would call it. Ignoring his question as they passed the last inn in Bath and started to enter the countryside, she said quietly, “I did not realize you had been forced to part with so much to cover your brother’s debts, leaving you with so little.”
Richard shrugged. “’Tis no matter. It was my duty as an Axwick to ensure the family honor was retained. Besides, you have enough for the both of us!”
He certainly did not seem particularly concerned about his lack of fortune, but now she came to think about it, the only expense she had ever seen him make was for the ball, and was that not for Lady Charlotte’s benefit?
It was a relief when the barouche, freed from the confines of the city, slowed once more, for otherwise the motion may have made Tabitha quite sick.
She had to say something. She could not permit this fear to continue unchecked.
“Richard,” she began, but was halted immediately by one simple movement. He placed a hand on her knee and squeezed it gently.
The nausea turned to butterflies in her stomach. She loved him so much, and he cared for her. She was merely discovering his sense of humor, that must be it. There was much to learn about him, for he was a complicated man.
The barouche glided slowly down the country lane, and Richard leaned back, relaxing the reins and allowing the horses to fall into a natural trot.
“How long do you and your mother plan to stay in Bath? For the season?”
Tabitha smiled. Here was additional proof he did truly care about her, for how could you plan a wedding unless you discussed the planned movements of your future spouse?
“We had not set a date,” she replied. “Perhaps another four weeks?”
“And where do you plan on going next?” Richard’s hand was still on her knee, and he smiled devilishly. “Perhaps you could come straight to Stonehaven Lacey?”
Tabitha’s heart leapt. “Will…will there be enough time for the preparations by then? Four weeks seems hardly sufficient.”
Unbidden, her mind became flooded with visions for their wedding: the church adorned with her favorite flowers, white and red roses, candles flickering in the spring breeze, and Richard waiting for her.
She was awoken from her reverie by another of Richard’s shrugs.
“I am almost sure I can have it arranged by then,” he said softly, his hand moving to enclose hers. “If not, the most important thing is that we are together.”
Tabitha swelled with love. “I wonder what my mother will do after that.”
“I am sure she will find something to do in London,” he said dismissively. “Now, is it down here?”
Tabitha looked down the two lanes. They looked identical. “And where shall we live?”
“Live?” he looked at her, distracted, and then smiled. “Let’s go left.”
“Live,” she prompted him. Was there anything better than sitting with your betrothed in an open carriage, trotting down the Bath countryside lanes, discussing the life that you were going to lead once you were wed?
Richard grinned. “Well, I will probably be living in Stonehaven Lacey. I am sure we can find you some sort of lodgings in the village, if you would like to be near me. You will have to pay for it, of course.”
Tabitha laughed. “You surely cannot be in that sort of financial difficulty.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. A shadow clouded his eyes, and he looked away and cast his eyes on the winding lane ahead of them. Silence fell, and the awkwardness seemed to creep over the back of her neck.
“I am sorry,” she said finally. “You do not like talking about money, do you?”
It took him a little while to answer. “No. Since I gained my majority, money has been a source only of pain and irritation. There is no good in it.”
Tabitha bit her lip. She had no wish to force the topic on him, but if they were to be married, should they not be able to have this conversation? It would hardly do for something so critical to be off limits between them.
“You said that…your brother left many debts.”
The carriage sped up as Richard touched the horses with the whip. The bare branches of the trees moved over them in a gentle breeze, creaking in the wind.
She swallowed. “But that you have paid them—”
“Almost paid them,” growled Richard. “Do we have to speak about this, is there not any other topic that would entertain you?”
“If we are to live together—” Tabitha began, but she was cut off immediately.
“When I come to live with a woman,” said Richard with a grin and a wink, “and who knows when that day will come, then I will talk more about my financial situation. ’Tis not seemly, after all, to speak of such things with a young, unmarried woman.”
Tabitha opened her mouth but then closed it again. He was right; until they were married, it was none of her concern.
“What I am more interested in,” he said, “is when I can see you again.”
Tabitha raised an eyebrow and squeezed his hand. “You are seeing me right now.”
“You know what I mean,” he growled, a grin on his face. “Tabitha, I swear…I had never experienced anything like that. Never.”
A flush of pleasure tinged her cheeks. “You are the world’s most impressive flatterer, Axwick.”
Richard groaned. “Back to Axwick? Ye gods, what could I have possibly done to deserve such a punishment?”
Tabitha laughed. “I just like to keep you on your toes, that is all. I cannot have you grow too complacent, can I?”
The carriage turned another corner, and they joined the Bath road again. “I did not have much of a chance with you, did I?”
“What do you mean?” A crease appeared in Tabitha’s forehead. “If I remember rightly, your grace,” causing Richard to groan, “’twas you who chased me.”
“Me!” With a sudden jolt, he picked up the reins and brought the horses to a complete stop. “I think you have misremembered, my lady.”
He turned to look at her, and Tabitha saw with pleasure that his mock glare was paired with desire. He wanted her. It made her feel alive.
“I am almost sure,” she said in a stern voice, “that I was the one who walked away from you at Lady Romeril’s ball—and outside the Pump Rooms.”
Richard was leaning forward now. Tabitha’s heart was pounding, desperately wanting—what?
“And did you not come to your ball dressed in all your finery, hoping to catch a particular duke?”
Tabitha had been conscious of the way her body was growing warmer, but she stopped at his words. “My ball?”
Richard froze. “What?”
She could not have misheard him. “Richard, you said my ball. I have not thrown a ball, what do you mean?”
His mouth opened and then closed.
Ice slipped into her heart. “You…you have just mistaken me for one of the other young ladies that you have courted and bedded, haven’t you?”
“No!” Richard said hastily. “No, I—”
“I knew I was not the first, but to be mistaken for another,” said Tabitha wretchedly, tugging her hands free of his.
“You have misunderstood me. I arranged the ball—”
“Please, take me back.” Tabitha sat upright and turned to face the front of the carriage, quite ignoring the slumped head
of her companion. To think that she had considered herself so special, so unique in his affects. He had used all these tricks before. Would she ever get used to that?
She had been the only one that he had proposed marriage to, the only one that he had danced with in the last three years. If that did not mean something, then what did?
The carriage had stopped again. She could sense his gaze on her but looked away.
“I held the ball for you.”
The words were so quiet, she was not entirely sure he had spoken, until she glanced at him and saw the concern in his eyes. “What ball?”
Richard swallowed. He looked uncomfortable but resolved. “You only returned to Bath that morning and found the invitation. You thought that it was just a ball I had decided to host, an excuse for dancing. But in truth, it was for you.”
“What do you mean?” she breathed.
He sighed heavily. “I am a duke, Tabitha. I have never had to work so hard to impress a young lady in my life as I have with you. But there was a moment when I was unsure if I could win you—and I had to do anything it would take.”
Tabitha flushed and shifted in her seat.
“I wanted to see you, to have more time with you, to impress you.” Richard cleared his throat. “And so, I threw a ball. Without you, there would have been no ball.”
Tabitha stared at him. It did not seem possible—with all their financial difficulties, to host a lavish party in the middle of the Bath season…why?
“But I almost did not attend.”
Richard laughed. “I know! Charlotte warned me that you would not be impressed by such things. I needed you in my house. I cared not for the other guests. I waited in the hall for an hour—if you had not shown up, I would have abandoned everyone and gone to my study for the rest of the evening.”
Tabitha wanted to express her gratitude, her shock at being honored in such a way, but she did not have the words.
She did not need words. With only a little hesitation, she reached forward and pulled Richard to her by the lapels of his greatcoat. His arms quickly tightened around her waist as she kissed him.
Every inch of her body craved Richard’s touch. It was a cruel fate that they were sitting in a carriage where anyone could come across them. As the kiss deepened, she moaned in pleasure. Eventually, the kiss ended.
Always the Bridesmaid Page 10
