Touching her warm, soft skin did strange things to his lower parts. His cock immediately began to show interest in the proceedings and seemed prepared to come out and play.
He chastised himself for his salacious thoughts as he did his best to get the gown fastened enough for propriety’s sake, but with enough room for the poor woman to breathe.
He bent close to her ear as he worked the last fastener of the gown. “Promise me you will toss this garment into the trash the minute your maid removes it from you,”
Addie gasped and glanced over her shoulder. “I could never do that. Mother would be outraged!”
“The gown doesn’t fit,” he growled.
She sighed. “Mother always ordered my gowns too small, hoping by the time they were finished I would have lost enough inches to fit into it.”
He stared at her. “That’s absurd. Why would she think you need to lose inches?”
Addie opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, then opened it again. “Because I am not as slender as other girls.”
He shook his head in disgust. Here was a woman with a perfectly acceptable, curvy, lush body, and her mother wanted her to fit into something smaller. He would never understand women. “You are not as tall as some ladies, either. Does she have plans to stretch you on a rack?”
Despite the pained expression Addie had been wrestling with, she burst out laughing. Not one of those titters or giggles that other ladies were so fond of doing. An honest to goodness laugh. It made him laugh, and he pulled her in for another kiss.
“Here they are!” Lady Stratford, a very attractive and recently widowed lady, who had made suggestions to him earlier, walked into the library with Lady Stevenson and Lady Diana on her heels. The three women watched them, a growing expression of horror, mixed with delight, on their faces at catching them in the dark room in each other’s arms.
And they hadn’t yet seen the back of Addie’s gown.
Nothing to be done for it. Grayson placed his hand at Addie’s waist and pulled her close. He could feel her heart pounding against his side, and worried that she would now actually swoon.
Propping her up, he said, “Ladies, how very thoughtful of you to search for us. I’m afraid you’ve caught Miss Mallory and myself as we were celebrating. She has just made me the happiest of men and consented to be my wife. I hope you will wish us happy.”
One of the women squeaked.
At least Addie didn’t faint in his arms.
Chapter Eleven
“Oh my goodness. What a surprise,” Lady Stevenson narrowed her eyes. “I hadn’t realized you even knew each other.”
Surprise? Despite the horror of the situation, Addie almost laughed at Lady Stevenson’s words since she had seen them arrive together. The woman had whisked Grayson away so quickly to meet her niece that she’d almost run him into the wall.
Addie would call the situation more shock than surprise. She felt as though she was in a play where everyone knew their lines except her. Damn—the situation called for strong language—she didn’t even know if she should laugh or cry.
Or possibly swoon.
In less than a few seconds, more people joined them at the door to the library. “What’s this?” Lord Stevenson moved past the three ladies still blocking the doorway and lit two of the gas lamps on the large wooden desk, casting light onto the tableau.
Grayson straightened his shoulders. “I’m afraid Lady Stevenson, Lady Stratford, and Lady Diana happened upon my betrothed and I just as she accepted my hand in marriage.”
“You don’t say,” the man declared with a huge smile. “That is truly good news, young man.” He turned to a footman who had joined the group. “Let’s have a toast to the newly betrothed couple. I believe champagne is in order.”
Celebrate? Addie felt as though the remains of her last meal was about to make a reappearance at her feet. She stood, only half-dressed, in front of all these people who had rejected her so many times during her Seasons, and Grayson who had just casually announced their engagement as if he did this sort of thing every day.
Whatever had possessed him? Not being a stupid woman, and well aware of the workings of Society, she knew that being found together in a dark room would cast dispersions on her reputation. But for Grayson to quickly make that announcement rattled her to her very bones.
They didn’t live in London. They would be back at home in Bath in a matter of days. Did it truly matter if her sterling reputation was smudged? Being a spinster and store owner wasn’t exactly the epitome of ton. What was one more mark against her?
Grayson bowed. “Thank you, my lord. That is very kind, however, my fiancée is not feeling well, and I believe she wishes to return home.”
It appeared their plan to casually stroll out of the ball with Grayson covering her back was not going to work. “In fact, she is suffering from chills right now.” He quickly removed his jacket once again and placed it over Addie’s shoulders.
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Lady Stevenson eyed her with concern. Or was it suspicion? “Most likely all the excitement.”
Grayson nudged Addie. She hadn’t said a word since they were stumbled upon.
She jerked. “Yes, my lady. I’m afraid the excitement was too much for me.” She offered a weak smile, quelling the urge to place the back of her hand on her forehead and sigh with maidenly air. Lord knew her knees were having trouble holding her up and her heart pounded so fiercely she was growing lightheaded again.
“I must agree that Miss Mallory does look a bit peaked,” Lady Stevenson said with a smirk. Well then. Yes, let us get in some nasty words before the disgraced couple left.
Grayson placed his hand on her lower back and moved her forward. “I wish you all a good evening, and hope you enjoy the rest of the ball. We will be leaving now.” He turned to the footman who was still waiting for instructions about the champagne. “Will you see that my carriage is brought around?”
The crowd separated like the Red Sea as Addie and Grayson moved toward the door. She could feel the eyes of the ladies in the room burning a hole in the back of Grayson’s jacket.
She should have known better than to go to a London ball. They never turned out well for her. Of course, getting engaged had never been one of the things she’d worried about before tonight.
They both remained silent as they waited for the carriage to arrive. Grayson deftly switched his jacket for her full-length wool cape when the footman presented her with it.
Addie’s fingers clutched the high neck collar of the cape, rubbing the soft wool against her cheeks, trying her best to cover every inch of her body. She felt as though everyone in the ballroom could see the back of her gown, even though that was impossible. More than anything, she wanted to be home in Bath, in her cozy house with no condemning eyes staring at her.
Once she and Grayson were settled in his carriage, he tapped on the ceiling to have the driver move forward. The jerky motion of the carriage soon smoothed out over the cobblestones.
He leaned across the space separating them and took her hand. “I am sorry for what happened tonight. Not sorry I kissed you, but sorry we were stumbled upon.”
“I agree.” Addie’s voice shook. She was shivering, unable to control herself. Even though the air was a bit chilly, her shaking was more from nerves than anything else. The entire matter was now just sinking in, forcing her to think about her future life.
“Come here.” Grayson tugged her forward until she was sitting next to him. He reached under the seat and pulled out a wool blanket that he wrapped around her shoulders, then pulled her close to his side.
The warmth radiating from his body, contained by the blanket, began to ease her shivers. “What are we going to do?” she asked, once her teeth stopped chattering.
“Well, it appears the next step will be to meet with your father and work out the marriage settlements.”
Addie sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.” She turned so she could look into his fa
ce. “We don’t live in London. We live in Bath. No one there will care that we were caught in the Stevenson’s library.”
He peered down at her, the amusement in his eyes visible from the lantern alongside the wall of the carriage. “Your reputation is at risk here, Addie. No matter where we live, the scandal will follow. And what of your parents? Do you think your father will allow this to pass?
“Do you believe your mother won’t be planning the wedding breakfast the minute one of her cohorts calls on her tomorrow to tell them of tonight’s titillating saga? And you can count on any number of women arriving for tea tomorrow.”
Addie slumped. “You are right.”
Grayson placed his knuckle under her chin and lifted her head. “Is marriage to me so very off-putting?” Even though his tone was light, the quick flash of pain in his eyes startled her. In fact, it was so quick she wasn’t quite sure she’d seen it.
“No. I think we might get on fairly well. I already love Michael.” The question was, of course, could she love Michael’s father? Did she want to? When she was younger, before the experience of the marriage mart had dampened her enthusiasm for the married state, she had expected to fall in love with the man she married.
She believed in romance and expected to live happily ever after with her chosen spouse. They would have a nursery full of children, laugh a great deal, and grow old together. Then reality set in. Seeing so many unhappy couples and numerous spouses switching beds after a short period of time, she’d grown cynical.
Were all marriages like that? Her parents’ marriage was certainly not full of passion and love, but she was as certain as one could be that neither one of them had been unfaithful.
There were many things about Grayson that appealed to her. He was a loving and caring father, he was handsome, and he made her shiver inside when he kissed her. Even if the last kiss ended in disaster.
“And Michael already loves you,” Grayson said in response to her statement.
Grayson considered his words. His son had indeed developed a strong attachment to Addie. He had no doubt that she would be a good mother to the boy. He snorted, thinking she would be a much better one than the woman who had given him life.
But what about Addie as a wife? As his wife?
He had no doubt that bedding her would be a delight. Truth be told, his hands itched to run over those curves and feel her soft skin. He could just imagine her plump breasts, wide hips, and well-rounded buttocks. When it came to Miss Addie Mallory, there was a lot for a man to enjoy.
The couple of kisses they’d shared told him there was passion in her just waiting to be unleashed, and he was the man to do it. His biggest concern was the fear of caring too much.
It was not a long ride to the Mallory townhouse, and Grayson was determined to do this proposal business the right way. It was what Addie deserved. He tapped on the ceiling of the coach and instructed the driver to keep driving until he told him to stop.
Addie looked at him, her brows raised. “What are you doing?”
Grayson turned so he faced her. She looked so forlorn, buried as she was in her wool coat pulled high on her chin with the blanket surrounding her. Like a lost waif. All he could see were her eyes, but at least she had stopped shaking.
“I’m sorry that you were forced into this engagement, but I must tell you I am not at all sorry.” He smiled when she opened her mouth to form a circle and frowned.
“I believe given enough time I would have proposed marriage to you eventually. We do get along quite well, and you are everything any man could want in a wife.”
She snorted but didn’t say anything.
He slid to one knee and fumbled in the blanket to take both her hands in his. Even though she no longer shook, her hands remained cold as ice. He could feel it even with both of them wearing gloves.
“Miss Mallory, would you do me the great honor of consenting to be my wife? Not because we have to, but because I want and desire you, and I hope you would want to freely accept me as your husband.”
She hesitated so long he thought she would say no, that she preferred disgrace to marriage with him. Given the way his last marriage went on, he would not be surprised. Perhaps he was simply not a marital prize.
But a slow smile spread over her face and she nodded. “Yes. I accept your proposal, my lord.”
He surprised himself at the sense of relief that raced through his body. When had he decided that marriage with Addie was right? But it was. It felt right, even more so than when he proposed to Margaret.
That was a good sign.
“I believe a kiss is in order.” He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close. She eagerly parted her lips for him, and his tongue swept in, touching all the sensitive parts of her mouth. The slight moan coming from her raised the temperature in his body. Yes, this was a good decision. They would have friendship and passion. That was enough for him.
But is it enough for Addie?
The next morning, Grayson stood on the top step of the Mallory townhouse, straightened his ascot and pulled on his jacket sleeves before dropping the comical knocker on the front door. When he left Addie the night before she had indicated that she would wait for him to speak to her father before telling her parents about their betrothal.
Grayson had sent around a note asking for a time to speak with Mr. Mallory. He hoped to come early enough so that Mrs. Mallory would not have already been inundated with friends who had attended the Stevenson ball the night before and were quite anxious to relate the tale of Addie’s fall from grace.
He dropped the knocker and the door was immediately opened by the butler. He opened his mouth to speak just as Mrs. Mallory came bustling down the corridor, with her arms extended. “My dear, dear Lord Berkshire. How very, very pleased Mr. Mallory and I are to see you.”
Apparently, the gossips of London had reached Mrs. Mallory before he did. They must have risen at dawn to do their dirty work. He sighed and accepted her embrace. “Good morning, Mrs. Mallory.”
She took him by the arm, and beaming brightly, walked him back the way she had come, chatting the entire time about some sort of household matter she needed to attend to first thing that morning.
Apparently, since he was soon to be a member of the family, Mrs. Mallory’s household matters were open for discussion. They went into the library where Mr. Mallory was just rising from behind his desk. “Lord Berkshire. How very pleasant to see you.” He rushed forward and shook his hand. At least he didn’t try to hug him.
He found himself getting annoyed on Addie’s behalf. These two were acting as though a proposal for their daughter was so unexpected that they found themselves dancing on air.
“It is pleasant to see you as well, Mr. Mallory.”
“Please have a seat.” Mr. Mallory waved to the comfortable blue and white striped chair in a semi-circular arrangement in front of the fireplace.
“I have sent for tea, but if you would care for breakfast, it would not take Cook long to whip something up for you.” Mrs. Mallory continued to beam at him; all of them still standing because he would not sit while she stood.
“No, thank you. I’ve broken my fast, but tea is always welcomed.”
Since no one said anything, and they all just stood staring at each other, Grayson decided to take the bull by the horns. “I would like to speak with you, Mr. Mallory, and you as well, Mrs. Mallory, about your daughter.”
It didn’t seem possible, but Mrs. Mallory’s smile grew brighter. Good grief, was this what Addie had lived with for years? No wonder she had escaped to Bath.
“Of course.” Mrs. Mallory took a seat. Finally, he could sit down. He had brought the usual documents with him to assure Addie’s parents that she would we well provided for. He also brought letters of recommendation from his man of business, as well as his solicitor, personal friend, and business partner, Mr. Carter Westbrooke, who could attest to Grayson’s sobriety, loyalty, and responsibility.
He had need of these when he n
egotiated with the bank for the money to buy his last factory. As soon as they were finished here, he would visit with a solicitor he oftentimes used in London and have him draw up the contracts. He needed all of this done quickly.
Before they started, the door to the library opened and a footman rolled in a tea cart. They chatted about the weather—of course—Parliament’s latest antics—of course—the poor condition of the roads in London—of course—and the plans already in the making for the queen’s golden jubilee—of course. All subjects well-mannered Brits used for small talk when an important matter was looming on the horizon.
After tea and a selection of tarts and biscuits had been consumed, Mrs. Mallory wiped her mouth on a napkin and placed it next to her empty teacup. She stood, both men following suit. “I will leave you to your discussion.”
Grayson breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt uncomfortable with the idea of Mrs. Mallory being part of the meeting. He was sure the woman had plenty to occupy her time with the upcoming wedding, which he planned to tell Addie would be sooner rather than later.
He had received a notice in the mail that very morning from the barrister he’d employed that the court hearing on the competency of Michael was in four weeks. That gave them time for a quick wedding, and a very short wedding trip. He also had to make sure that Michael was learning sign language.
They had found a tutor for him but given the current circumstances they would not return to Bath until the hearing was over. The tutor would begin working with Michael, Mrs. Banfield, and Addie immediately. This would be a very trying time for all of them.
His meanderings were interrupted by Mr. Mallory. Once the door closed on Mrs. Mallory, the man rubbed his hands together and said, “So, let’s get down to business, eh?”
Chapter Twelve
The Bookseller and the Earl Page 11
