Loving the Marquess

by Suzanna Medeiros

  She pushed back the suspicion that Overlea was hiding something from her. For her own peace of mind it was better not to waste time worrying about what it might possibly be before she had to.

  Giving herself a mental shake, she brought herself back to the task at hand. Catherine would be downstairs soon and John home from his lessons. She had just enough time to clean up before dinner. She was starting up the stairs to do so when John burst through the front door.

  “Louisa,” he called, halting her progress. “I need to speak to you and Catherine.”

  “Can this wait until dinner?”

  The expression on his face gave her pause. He looked both guilty and determined, and it made her uneasy.

  “We need to talk,” he said. His gaze went to the top of the stairs. “Good, Catherine is here. We can settle this at once.”

  Unease swept through her. Somehow her brother must have found out about her visit to Overlea Manor. Either that or he’d learned of Edward’s proposition. Neither alternative boded well.

  “Let me explain—” she started, but John cut her off.

  “You won’t dissuade me this time, Louisa. My mind is made up and I have already spoken to Reverend Harnick.”

  She looked at Catherine who was now standing, silent, beside her, but it was clear she, too, had no idea what their brother wanted to discuss.

  “I told Reverend Harnick that I will not be applying for a scholarship to Oxford, but hope, instead, to find some way of supporting us. He knows of some families that he believes would be willing to hire me to tutor their children in Latin and Greek.”

  It she still had doubts about her decision to accept Overlea’s proposal, they were gone in that moment. She’d hoped to put off telling her siblings about that decision until she’d spoken to Overlea again and they had settled the details, but time was no longer a luxury.

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Yes, it is,” John cut in. “I’m the man of this family now and it’s time I started acting like it.”

  “Listen to me, John—”

  “I’m done listening. I should have done this a long time ago, but I let you convince me that Father would be upset if I gave up my studies.” He paced to the door and back, his young body filled with a vibrant energy. He swept a hand through his blond hair. “You were probably right about that. But you have sacrificed for too long, Louisa. It is now my turn to take care of the family.”

  Louisa placed a hand on her brother’s arm.

  “I don’t mind,” she said. “You cannot give up your studies. I know how much going to Oxford means to you.”

  “I think everyone here knows that will never happen. How could I leave you two here, alone, without any income? What kind of man would that make me?”

  The bleakness in his eyes further strengthened her resolve.

  “John is right,” Catherine said. “We can’t allow you to continue taking sole responsibility of caring for the family. Surely I can find a position as a lady’s companion or a governess.”

  “No.” The vehemence in her tone surprised her siblings. “I am to be married and my future husband has assured me your futures are secure.”

  Her words dropped into the room with deafening finality. It was Catherine who found her voice first.

  “Who?”

  “The Marquess of Overlea.”

  If she weren’t so worried about her brother’s reaction, the expression on his face would have been comical. She knew, however, that this was no laughing matter.

  “What are you saying? How could this have happened?”

  Louisa knew that, above all else, John must never learn of Edward Manning’s proposition, nor of her visit to Overlea that afternoon. Her siblings would never believe that her upcoming nuptials were the result of a love match, and she had no doubt John would not accept the marriage if he thought she was sacrificing herself for them. She would have to give them enough of the truth to satisfy their disbelief.

  “Overlea has decided he is of an age when he must marry and secure the future of his title. He has proposed and I have accepted.”

  Her brother swore and she flinched at his vehemence.

  “The decision has been made,” she continued. “He will be here tomorrow to discuss the details.”

  John’s scowl deepened. “I do not consent.”

  “I don’t require your approval. I am old enough to marry where I will.”

  “You would give yourself to a Manning?” His disgust was palpable. “They stole everything from our family. They are the reason we’ve had to live hand to mouth for years.”

  Louisa shook her head.

  “The marquess is not to blame, nor was his father or brother. It was his uncle who cheated Papa.”

  John shook his head, his anger only increasing the more she tried to make him see reason.

  “It matters not. He is a Manning and they are all alike.”

  “Lord Overlea is saving us, John. After our marriage we will never again want for anything.”

  “I have already made plans to take care of us. It is my responsibility, not yours.”

  Louisa wanted to scream with frustration, knowing her brother would never see reason on this subject. Catherine had remained silent during their exchange, but it wasn’t hard to read her thoughts from the expression on her face. Guilt and hope. Clearly, she could see the advantages of her sister marrying the Marquess of Overlea would be plentiful. Ignoring her brother for the moment, she grasped Catherine’s hands.

  “It will be fine. I want to do this. We have yet to settle the details, but the marquess has promised that you are to have a Season. Just imagine! You will put everyone to shame. You will have the choice of any man you desire.”

  “What about you, Louisa? You, too, could have your choice of any man.”

  Louisa shook her head.

  “I am five and twenty, far too old for a Season. And we all know that without a dowry and someone’s patronage I would never secure a match.”

  Catherine was about to protest, but Louisa forestalled her.

  “Overlea is not unattractive,” she said, trying to ignore the heat she could feel creeping into her face. “I do not think marriage to him would be a great hardship.”

  John bristled at her words, but she ignored him. She had meant her assurances to put her brother and sister at ease, but as she said them she realized it was the truth. She remembered, again, the kiss she and the Overlea had shared and her flush deepened. And aside from the fact that he was a very attractive man, he had shown her and her family great kindness.

  She had approached him for help and his response had far exceeded her expectations. Rather than merely ensuring her family would continue to have a roof over their heads, he had decided to provide her with the means to secure all their futures. It was true that her relationship with Overlea would be a practical one, but most marriages began in such a manner.

  Their upcoming marriage would also give her what she had most wanted—a family of her own. She had long ago given up hoping that should would one day marry and have children, but now that dream was within her grasp.

  She believed she and Overlea would get on well, despite the niggling doubt that he had not been completely honest with her. Whatever he was hiding, she would deal with it later. For now, she had to provide for John and Catherine.

  She turned back to her brother.

  “The marquess can guarantee your entrance into any school you desire. I’ve already spoken to him and he will see to it that you are able to attend Oxford.”

  John said nothing, but his arms were crossed and his expression mutinous. Louisa didn’t miss, however, the brief flicker of longing that had crossed his face at her words. Oh yes, she was definitely doing the right thing.

  She turned back to her sister. “I have already set the table and dinner should be ready. Could you see to it while I speak to John alone for a moment?”

  Catherine cast a doubtful glance in John’s direction, but sh
e shrugged and headed into the kitchen with a soft “good luck” meant only for Louisa’s ears. When she was gone, Louisa led John to the sitting room and closed the door.

  “You have already put off your education because of Papa’s passing, and as you pointed out, you don’t want to leave us to fend for ourselves. Now there is nothing to keep you from continuing your education.”

  “The price is too high,” he said.

  “I am old enough to know what I’m doing and you know I have always been a good judge of character. If I had any reservations at all I would never have accepted Overlea’s proposal.”

  “You cannot be serious. You barely know the man.”

  She tried a different approach. “Have you not thought about Catherine?”

  “What does she have to do with this?”

  “You know the guilt she carries. She has always blamed herself for Mama’s death.”

  “Catherine is a child. Father is the one to blame for his actions. He didn’t have to drink himself into the ground and gamble away the house and estate.”

  “How long do you think it will be before she throws herself at some man who she believes will save us? She is seventeen and I’ve seen the way some of the men in the village look at her.”

  The color drained from her brother’s face and he clenched his fists.

  “I will kill anyone who attempts to take advantage of her.”

  “The best course of action—nay, the only course of action—is the one I have chosen. Once we have Overlea’s protection, Catherine’s guilt will ease.”

  “And what of you? How are your actions any different from what you fear she might do?”

  She couldn’t believe how stubborn her brother was being.

  “Overlea isn’t taking advantage of me. I am no fool, John. He needs a wife and an heir and for whatever reason he has settled on me. Ours will be a respectable union and no different from the marriage arrangements that are often made between families.”

  “I still don’t approve,” John said.

  Louisa sighed. It was clear her brother was determined not to be swayed.

  “Everything will work out. Overlea will be paying us a call tomorrow to discuss the details of the marriage contract. You can act as chaperone when he does and see for yourself that his intentions are honorable.”

  Louisa said a silent prayer that her brother wouldn’t pick up on her suspicion that Overlea was keeping something important from them.

  Chapter Six

  The morning seemed to drag on forever. At breakfast Louisa found it almost impossible to eat, but somehow managed to choke down a few bites of toast while Catherine prattled on about nothing in particular and her brother sat glowering at her from across the table. She was relieved when he left for his studies, but he promised to be home that afternoon for Overlea’s visit. She knew John was hoping Overlea would change his mind, but she was confident he wouldn’t. Overlea would be there.

  Catherine wasn’t surprised to hear that she wouldn’t be present during the discussion of the marriage contract, and Louisa was relieved when she announced she was leaving to visit one of their neighbors. It had strained her almost to the breaking point to listen to her sister’s normal chatter about plants and about her plans for the garden next spring. Although she’d tried to behave as usual, she was sure Catherine could tell that her mind was on Overlea’s upcoming visit.

  It was after one in the afternoon when she heard male voices outdoors. She groaned when she recognized they belonged to her brother and the marquess. She dropped the mending she’d allowed to pile up back into its basket and rose with haste, hoping to intercept their conversation before John said something to offend the marquess.

  The front door opened and she was relieved to see Overlea follow her brother into the house. It was clear John wasn’t happy he was there, but at least he hadn’t tried to turn him away. Her gaze locked with Overlea’s and for a moment she almost forgot to breathe. The knowledge that this man was actually going to be her husband struck her with renewed force.

  “My Lord,” she said, dropping her gaze and dipping into a brief curtsey.

  He raised an eyebrow in silent comment at the change in her demeanor before inclining his head in acknowledgement. She hadn’t seen his companion until he turned to the man beside him.

  “This is my solicitor, Mr. Stephens. I thought it best to include him in our discussion since he will be drawing up the marriage settlement.”

  “We won’t be signing anything until we have someone else look it over,” John said. He didn’t come out and say that he believed Overlea was trying to take advantage of Louisa, but the implication was there.

  “John—” she started.

  “That is quite all right,” Overlea said. “I would expect nothing less. One must be thorough when it comes to such things.”

  “Especially when one is dealing with a Manning,” John said.

  Louisa glared at her brother, embarrassed by his rudeness, but the marquess didn’t acknowledge the insult.

  She greeted Mr. Stephens before turning back to Overlea. “I’m afraid we have no study. Would you care to wait in the sitting room while I speak to my brother for a moment?”

  She thought she detected a hint of amusement in Overlea’s eyes, but it was gone so quickly she was left wondering if she had imagined it. She watched the two men go into the sitting room before turning to walk down the hallway. She didn’t have to tell her brother to follow.

  She tried to keep her annoyance from her voice when she faced him. “I know this is difficult for you, but you must promise to stop being rude to Overlea. He has shown us nothing but kindness.”

  Her brother’s expression, already mutinous, became darker.

  “Make no mistake, John, I will marry him. All our futures depend on Overlea’s generosity. You would do well to think about that the next time you try to antagonize him.”

  John remained silent and all she could do as they joined the two men in the sitting room was hope that he would refrain from making any further negative comments.

  Overlea was deep in conversation with his solicitor, but they broke off and stood when she and her brother entered the room. She didn’t miss the assessing gaze Overlea swept over her drab brown outfit and she found herself wishing she’d given in to her impulse to wear the dress Overlea had caught her admiring the last time he was there. She hadn’t yet delivered it to Miss Manning and the temptation had been great to don it for today’s meeting, especially since he had remarked on how the color suited her.

  She hesitated for a moment, flustered when she saw that Overlea’s solicitor had chosen to sit in the room’s one armchair while Overlea sat on one end of the settee. She recovered quickly and, hoping he hadn’t noticed, took a seat on the other end. She watched him from lowered lashes as he resumed his seat.

  Despite the fact that there was a respectable space between them, she was very aware of how near he sat. She imagined she could almost feel the heat radiating from his body. She hoped he couldn’t tell she was a nervous wreck. By contrast, he seemed to be taking their situation completely in stride. If he had any doubt about the wisdom of marrying a stranger or if he was at all affected by her presence, it didn’t show. If they were going to deal with each other in marriage, she would have to get over her nervousness around him. After all, it wasn’t as though theirs was a love match. She had no doubt that Overlea expected her to deal with him in a straightforward manner.

  While his solicitor drew papers out of his case and sorted through them, she took advantage of the delay to examine him again. She didn’t see any sign of the weakness he had exhibited when he’d shown up on her doorstep and she wondered again what could have caused his illness. Her gaze traveled back to his face, where she saw that he was taking in her perusal, one brow raised. She looked away again, cursing her fair skin as heat swept over her cheeks.

  She fixed her gaze on Mr. Stephens, who handed her a small sheaf of papers. The meeting didn’t take
as long as she would have expected. Overlea must have met with his solicitor right after he’d spoken to her, because the details she had discussed with him—a Season for Catherine and provisions for John’s education—were already included. He had also settled upon Catherine a very generous dowry, one that would ensure she made an excellent match.

  “It is too much,” she said, meeting the marquess’s gaze for the first time since the meeting had started.

  He shrugged. “It is to be expected for a member of my family, and once we are married your sister will become my family. I will not shirk my responsibility to her.”

  Logically, she knew he was correct, but she was beginning to feel as though she were taking advantage of him. True, she was promising to try to provide him with the one thing he wanted most, an heir, but that was something he could have had from any number of women. Women who would actually bring assets of their own to the marriage.

  “When is the happy event to take place?” John asked.

  He’d been so quiet that she’d almost forgotten his presence. He was leaning against a wall, but every line of his body was tense, as though he were ready to strike out at any moment.

  She looked at Overlea, unaware of the protocol for marriage after the death of one’s parent. “Father died six months ago. Should we wait until a year has passed?”

  He shook his head. “Six months is enough if we keep the ceremony private.”

  Louisa had thought she’d have more time to adjust to the idea of her upcoming marriage, hoping that in that time she’d get to know her future husband better. It was a vast understatement to say he unsettled her and left her feeling unbalanced.

  She realized she was biting her lower lip when she noticed Overlea’s gaze had settled on her mouth. She stopped, worried that he disapproved of the nervous gesture. His eyes met hers and she blushed when she saw the heat reflected in their depths. This time it was he who looked away first.

  “I imagine a wedding will take some time to arrange,” she said, trying to order her scattered thoughts.

  “Grandmother is planning a ball for the end of the month. She was hoping to announce our engagement at that time.”