The Heiress Hunt

by Joanna Shupe

  They stood there, not speaking, while the staff drifted away to other duties. She was normally easy to read, her feelings right on her face, but he had no idea what she was thinking at the moment. Was she distraught? Angry? Resentful?

  “You’ve been crying,” he said, commenting on the obvious as he drifted closer.

  “Yes, Harrison.” Sparks glittered in her green gaze, which was a relief. Anger he could handle. “That is what generally happens when I hurt those I care about.”

  Like the duke. “Lockwood’s a sore loser, I suppose.”

  “This is not a game.”

  Lifting a hand, he brushed the backs of his knuckles along her jaw. “Wrong. This was most definitely a game and you were the greatest prize.”

  She stepped back, her lips pressed flat. “You should have spoken up in my father’s office. You should have said you did not compromise me. Then we wouldn’t be forced to marry.”

  “Why on earth would I have done such a thing?”

  “To spare me, not to mention my parents, the humiliation. And Lockwood, for that matter. The list is endless, Harrison.”

  “While I wouldn’t have chosen a scandal as the backdrop for our marriage, I cannot regret it, either. I told you I wanted you.”

  Maddie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose with two fingers. “That was a momentary fit of passion. We became overzealous in the gazebo. It was the rain and the darkness, a temporary insanity. Neither of us knew what we wanted.”

  “Wrong. I told you earlier yesterday that I wanted everything from you. I meant marriage and children, laughter and tears, a lifetime of having you by my side.”

  “And when did you arrive at this momentous decision? When you were in Paris, entertaining can-can dancers and sipping absinthe?”

  “Long before, actually.” The truth slipped out, but he didn’t hide from the astonishment in her expression. He owed her honesty, at least about this.

  “What do you mean, long before?”

  He held up his hands. “I promise to explain everything tonight. Right now, I must stroll over to the Archer cottage and get the place prepared.”

  “For what?”

  His couldn’t help but grin. “Our wedding night.”

  “No.” Her back straightened. “This is no traditional marriage with an ordinary wedding night. I am far too angry with you to even contemplate it.”

  He lowered his voice seductively. “I promise you, there will be nothing ordinary about our wedding night.”

  “Now you make jokes?” She threw her hands up and let them fall. “This has upended my life, Harrison. This is hardly a time for levity.”

  He sobered. “I apologize. It was insensitive of me. But look at it this way: I saved you from a dull marriage to a dull man who would have undoubtedly given you dull children.”

  “Oh, so I should be grateful to you. Is that it?”

  He clamped his lips shut. They were going round and round, getting nowhere. She was still too angry and he was too dashed happy. This conversation was better had tonight, once they were married and alone. He could explain everything then, and she would have no choice but to listen.

  But for now, he had to give her a choice. Maddie preferred logic and reason to make a decision. He couldn’t forget that all this had taken her by surprise.

  Reaching out, he took her hand, relieved not to see the ducal betrothal ring any longer. Softening his tone, he said, “I know this is happening quickly, and you haven’t had much control over the last few hours, but please believe me when I say I want nothing more in this world than to marry you. Every minute of my life, every breath I take will be spent making you happy. Please, marry me, Mads.”

  Tears pooled against her lids. “I have no choice. The scandal will be all over New York by dinnertime.”

  “There is always a choice. You could move to Rome or Barcelona, live abroad for a year or two. The scandal will eventually blow over.”

  “Not for my parents. And what of my plans to be the best lawn tennis player in America? I cannot leave.”

  “Some girls travel West. Change their name. No one ever need know what happened here.”

  Her brows drew together. “And never see my family or friends again? I don’t want to start a new life like some sort of confidence man on the run from the law.”

  “Then I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  “You’re stuck with me, as well.” She pulled free of his grip. “And I am still angry with you for pushing me when I asked for more time.”

  “That’s fine.” She’d forgive him . . . eventually. Hopefully once she understood his feelings for her. “I suppose I’ll see you later at the ceremony, then.”

  “I am serious about the wedding night, Harrison. Do not even think about it.”

  Impossible. He could do almost nothing but think about it.

  He thrust his hands in his pockets and started walking toward the street. “I suppose we’ll see, my soon-to-be wife.”

  The ceremony took hardly any time at all.

  In a furious daze, Maddie recited the words that would bind her to Harrison for the rest of her life. He did the same, his voice clear and strong in the near-empty salon, the hint of a smile on his face.

  This was most definitely a game and you were the greatest prize.

  She ground her back teeth together. He hadn’t bothered to woo her or confide in her. This had been a challenge to him, to steal her away from Lockwood, and in one weak moment, she’d succumbed. Not that she could entirely blame Harrison, either. There had been two of them in the gazebo, and she’d willingly allowed him to lead her down the path to ruin. Had asked for it, even.

  Now everything had changed.

  He placed a ghost of a kiss on her lips when it was all over. Then the small group still remaining at the house—her parents, Nellie, Kit, Maddie and Harrison—toasted with champagne and sat through a short celebratory dinner Maddie would never remember. When it was time for them to depart, Maddie disappeared upstairs, desperate for a moment alone.

  “Slow down,” Nellie called from the stairs. “My legs aren’t as long as yours.”

  She hadn’t realized her friend was following, so she paused on the landing until Nellie caught up. “Was that as awful as I imagined?”

  “Not for me,” Nellie said. “Kind of nice seeing someone else embroiled in a scandal for a change.”

  “I have new sympathy for you.”

  “Oh, don’t feel sorry for me. The whispers and snubs hardly bother me anymore.”

  “I suppose I better get used to it. Hardly anyone said goodbye to me before they left today.” The chaperones had packed up the young ladies in a blink after the news broke, worried that an association with such a scandal might harm future marriage prospects.

  “It’ll all blow over, I promise,” Nellie said, her voice filled with confidence.

  Maddie wasn’t so certain.

  When they arrived at her room, Maddie closed the door and leaned against it, sighing. “Is it too late to swim for Cuba?”

  Nellie chuckled. “Yes, so cheer up. It won’t be that bad.”

  “Which part? Tonight, or my marriage?”

  “Both.” Nellie took in Maddie’s disbelieving expression. “I cannot help with the marriage part, but I can answer questions you have about the wedding night. Has your mother told you what to expect?”

  “No, of course not. She won’t even discuss my monthly. But it doesn’t matter because I am not speaking to Harrison. I’m furious with him.”

  “Maddie.” Nellie sounded disappointed. “You were in the gazebo, too. Unless he forced you, then you share the blame.”

  “I know, and I am angry with myself, as well. But he pushed and pushed, then didn’t even try to protect my reputation. He said nothing and let me bear the brunt of our mistake.”

  “That is because Harrison isn’t sorry.”

  “Precisely what Lockwood said. Goodness, what a blasted mess.”

  Nellie�
�s brows shot up as she sat on the edge of the bed. “Did you honestly wish to move to England and live in some drafty old manor house? So far away from your family and friends? And what about lawn tennis? Really, Maddie.”

  “It wouldn’t have been so bad.”

  “Please. In England, you would have withered and died like wisteria in winter. If you ask me, you are lucky. You’ve married a man who is head over heels in love with you.”

  “After only a few days? Impossible. He told me himself this was a game and I was the prize.”

  “Because he wanted you. And believe me, it’s always better if a man wants you more than you want him.”

  “So I don’t get my heart broken?”

  “No.” Nellie patted the empty mattress beside her. “Sit down and let Aunt Nellie tell you all about men.”

  “Goodness, you are smug when you know something I don’t.”

  “Because all you care about is tennis.”

  “That is not true. I intended to spend my engagement gathering knowledge about what happens in the bedroom. Then I would have been prepared.”

  Nellie shook her head. “This is not a campaign to be waged or an exam for which to study. I’ll tell you everything you want to know about the basics. The rest is simple biology and physical attraction.”

  Maddie lowered herself to the bed. “The point is moot. We will not consummate the marriage tonight.”

  Nellie looked horrified. “Why not?”

  “I don’t feel ready. I hardly know this new version of Harrison. Moreover, I don’t like the way we married.”

  “Maddie,” her friend said on a sigh. “Men are good for very few things in this life. Sexual congress is one of them. Don’t pass up one of the things you’ll actually enjoy in a marriage.”

  “Will it hurt?”

  “It shouldn’t but it might pinch if he doesn’t prepare you.”

  “Prepare me?”

  “Widen you. Stretch you. With his fingers.” Nellie wiggled her index and middle fingers. “Maybe you’ll get really lucky and he’ll lick between your legs.”

  Maddie buried her face in her hands. “Oh, my God.”

  “Is that embarrassment or revulsion?”

  There was no denying Maddie was attracted to Harrison, that her body crawled with tension whenever she was in his presence. And that kiss . . . it had nearly scorched her. “Embarrassment.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Nellie bumped her shoulder against Maddie’s. “You never would have kissed him if you weren’t attracted to him. I think Harrison is going to treat you well. All those skills he picked up in Paris? They must be of good use to some woman—and she might as well be you.”

  “I’m still mad at him.”

  “Understandable, but take your frustrations out on his body tonight. Trust me, you will feel better.”

  “I don’t even know what that means.”

  “It was a joke.” Nellie reached to grab Maddie’s hand. “As someone who has experience in this area, believe me, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely positive. Enjoy yourself. You cannot do anything wrong. Just ask questions if you’re unsure what to do. Pretend it’s a tennis match and you have to learn everything you can about your opponent.”

  Hmm, that explanation actually made sense to her. Discovering strengths and weaknesses, using them to her advantage. If Harrison thought this was a game, then she would prove a worthy opponent.

  Still, she was furious with him—and herself. It had all happened so quickly, and their rashness had hurt others. Burned into her mind was the embarrassment on Lockwood’s face, the disappointment radiating from her father. Then there were her mother’s tears, accompanied by a list of everything Maddie had lost out on because of this scandal.

  Harrison had upended her life, twisted her carefully laid plans, in a matter of days. How could she play the dutiful, loving wife tonight when all she wanted was to be alone? “Do I have to sleep with him?”

  “No, but you should. It’s fun. Rather, it should be fun. Why do you think there are so many babies in the world?”

  Maddie groaned. “Why did you have to mention babies?”

  “Just have him pull out before he finishes. If he doesn’t spend inside you, then you won’t find yourself with child.”

  All of this talk of babies and fingers was giving Maddie a headache. She turned the topic onto Nellie instead. “You know a lot about this business. Why have we never had this talk before?”

  “I didn’t wish to corrupt you. Now, shall we get you changed?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Unable to stand still, Harrison paced near the entryway. He was anxious to get this wedding night under way. Finally, noise on the landing caught his attention. Nellie came down the stairs first, a knowing smirk on her face, then his wife followed.

  His wife.

  Jesus, he would never tire of saying that. Maddie was all he’d wanted, the only woman he’d ever loved, and she was his. Forever.

  She avoided his gaze as she said goodbye to her parents. Then she wrapped her fingers around Harrison’s arm and tugged him out the door. “Let’s go.”

  Once at the carriage, he helped her up. “I assume you are still mad at me.”

  “Perceptive of you.” She settled on the seat and stared out the window.

  The Archer cottage was barely five minutes away from the chateau. There wasn’t much time for a protracted conversation, which he would initiate once they were at the house. However, he did want a bit of his old Maddie back, the girl with the sunny disposition and loud laugh.

  Before anything else happened, he had to coax some of the anger out of her. Slipping off his gloves, he shoved them in his coat pocket and snatched her hand. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t relent. “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Worshipping you, if you’ll let me.”

  The answer seemed to stupefy her so he took advantage by pressing his mouth to the bare skin of her arm, just at the edge of her glove. She gave another tug, weaker this time, and sucked in a gulp of air. He kissed her again, his tongue flicking the tender skin, and goose bumps erupted on her flesh. Feeling victorious, he began unbuttoning the glove, the tiny pearl beads slipping through the holes one after another. Each small bit of her skin received attention from his mouth, moving higher and higher, toward her hand, until he nibbled on the delicate underside of her wrist.

  Her soft pants filled the carriage as they drove through the quiet town. Working steadily, he loosened the thin cloth until he was able to pull each finger free. When he finished, he pressed a deep kiss to her palm. “I always liked your hands. They’re strong and capable, not delicate.”

  “It’s from tennis. I try to soften them with ointment,” she whispered, her gaze locked on their hands. “Nothing works.”

  “You don’t need to soften anything for me, Mads. I like every rough edge and hard spot. You are perfect.”

  He heard her swallow thickly. “I am hardly perfect.”

  “You are perfect to me. You always have been.”

  “Even when I was covered in sand and seaweed that one time? You called me The Colossal Sea Creature for the rest of the summer and said you were going to write to Mr. Barnum about hiring me.”

  “Even then.” He flipped her hand over and kissed the back. “Especially then, because you never failed to make me smile at a time in my life when I desperately needed it.”

  The carriage slowed as the wheels turned into the drive of his family’s cottage, and he reluctantly released her. The dark mansion was cold and brutal, with its boxy front and looming chimneys. Squat and forbidding, with no flowers or hint of welcoming, so very much like his family. He’d been trained to be quiet here, to walk instead of run, to hide his thoughts and never let anyone know what he was feeling.

  Soon the property would belong to him and he would refashion it into whatever Maddie wished. Maybe he’d tear the structure down and start over, bu
ild something entirely new. Then they could forge happy memories here, with no remnants of his past.

  The front door opened and Evans, the butler, began directing the footmen to help with the trunks. “Mr. Archer,” he said as Harrison descended. “Welcome back.”

  “Hello, Evans.” He turned and helped Maddie out of the carriage. “May I present my wife, Mrs. Archer?” Maddie stiffened, likely surprised at hearing the words for the first time, so he put his hand at the small of her back and guided her forward.

  “Mrs. Archer.” Evans bowed. “It is a pleasure. Please accept my congratulations on behalf of the staff.”

  “Thank you.” Maddie’s face softened at the older man, one she’d met often during their childhood. “I see you haven’t changed a bit since the last time I visited.”

  Evans puffed up, obviously pleased from the compliment. “Kind of you to say, ma’am, but the knees are a bit creakier. I can always tell when rain is coming.”

  “I’ll send you some of the liniment I use on my sore muscles,” she said. “It helps after tennis practice. I got the recipe from one of the pitchers for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.”

  Harrison frowned as they moved inside. “A baseball player?”

  “Yes. He’s a friend of my coach, Valentine Livingston.”

  Jealousy curled through his belly, but he stifled the growl rising in his throat. Of course she’d made friends and gone out during these past three years—he had done the same in Paris—yet he was greedy to reclaim every minute of the time they were apart. He wanted her all to himself.

  You are the one who left. You can hardly blame her for carrying on here.

  True. Someday he would learn of all that he’d missed, the adventures she’d undertaken without him. Tonight, however, had a very different purpose. And it wasn’t talking.

  He tugged her toward the back of the house, in the direction of his surprise. “Evans, as soon as everything is settled with our bags, you and the rest of the staff may have the night off.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “And please pass on my thanks for all you and the staff have accomplished today.”