Kiss the Wallflower: Books 1-3

by Gill, Tamara

  Luke wasn’t sure where the thought came from, but having met the young man, his eagerness to learn from him, his gratitude for Luke’s help, humbled him. He’d not been given the chance to guide and help his sister, having lost her so young. Hell, he’d never had parents. Only a grandmother who raised him and then promptly passed away when he was old enough to look after himself. Having this young man to guide, to help, was akin to what he imagined having a brother would feel like.

  He’d not had a family for twenty years, nor did he wish for one, his opinion on that had not changed, but he could see the draw of it, certainly. To care for people other than yourself was a new occurrence and one to contemplate. What he could say on the matter was that it did not frighten him as much as he thought it would.

  And that in itself was scary.

  They returned from their ride some hours later and Luke could not remember a time when he’d enjoyed himself more. Dinner would be served soon and they were scheduled to head out to a musical night at Lord and Lady Elliot’s home, and yet Luke did not feel the slightest inclination to go.

  Stephen had been the best student. He had listened, taken advice, cared for the mount. A few times Luke had caught him petting the mare as if she would break, speaking in soft tones to win the horse’s affection.

  Luke had watched on, amused by the whole experience and was ashamed that he’d felt annoyance when he’d first heard of their arrival in town. Sometimes he really could be an ass.

  “You’re back.” Louise stood from the settee before the fire in the drawing room upon their arrival, coming over to inspect her brother. No doubt ensuring that Luke had not injured him in any way.

  “Did you learn anything, Stephen? Mrs. Ellis said you were going to ask for assistance with your riding. I hope you’ve studied well today.”

  “Stephen learned exceptionally well and picked up all that was required on the first lesson.” Luke smiled at the boy, nodding his approval.

  Stephen’s eyes glowed with enthusiasm. “You will teach me more, my lord?”

  “Luke, remember?” he said. Louise’s gaze shot to his and he knew she was wondering why he was being so familiar with her brother. Luke could not answer that question himself, but what he did know was that he’d never had a more pleasant afternoon in years. Stephen was not a foolish, headstrong boy, quite the opposite in fact. He supposed being brought up poor, he was thankful for anything that came his way. Opportunities would’ve been limited indeed in Sandbach. “Of course I will. We will ride out again tomorrow if you like,” he said, already looking forward to the outing.

  “I would love that. Thank you.”

  Louise stared at him and the pit of his stomach twisted. The more time he spent in her presence the more he liked what he saw. She too was steady of mind, not tarnished by greed and privilege. It was a welcome change from what he was used to.

  “May I learn also, my lord?” Sophie asked, turning in her chair to be part of the conversation.

  Louise glanced at him, uncertainty flicking within her blue orbs. He didn’t like that she was unsure of him in such a way. He may not have wanted a marriage, but he wasn’t a total ogre. And after this afternoon with her brother, he had to admit that he’d enjoyed teaching Stephen how to ride a horse. If Sophie wished to learn also, then he would teach her as well.

  “Of course you’re more than welcome to join us. We’ll go after luncheon tomorrow.”

  Louise watched him a moment and he could not read what she was thinking, although if he were to take a guess, she was thinking of what had happened to the man she married who wanted no part of any of them. Was only too happy to scuttle them away in Kent and leave them there forever.

  The following afternoon Louise decided to join Luke and her siblings on their ride to the park. It had been quite some weeks since she’d been on horseback, and she and Mary had always enjoyed such outings before Mary married the duke.

  She started toward the mews, her bottle-green riding gown, newly delivered by Madame Devy only yesterday, fit her like a glove. It was everything a well-made and comfortable gown ought to be. Louise could not stop feeling the soft, velvet fabric and she could not remember the last time she’d actually felt attractive.

  Their outing today to instruct her siblings how to ride a horse was something she’d not been able to afford as a lady’s companion. For all the luxuries that were afforded her in Mary’s home, both before her marriage and afterwards, it did not give her the monetary means to gift horse riding lessons to Stephen and Sophie.

  They all had missed out on so much due to their financial situation. Her aunt had done all she could to ensure Louise’s funds went as far as they could, but she had to admit that now being married to a marquess, to have unlimited means was a pleasant change.

  If she ensured her siblings never had to worry about money, or how to keep a roof over their heads, she was at least grateful in that way that the marquess had stumbled into her room and nearly ruined her.

  Using a mounting block, she climbed up onto the back of her mount before they started toward Hyde Park. Louise took the time to watch Luke with her brother and sister. He rode between them, a groom on either side of them as well, keeping a close watch on both her siblings’ horses and that no harm would come to them.

  He sat well atop his horse, his straight back and ease was obvious to any who looked at him. The saddle seemed like a second home to his lordship. Her siblings gifted him with multiple questions, and never once did he sigh in exasperation or annoyance. Instead, he answered each query with an intelligent and patient reply and she couldn’t help but like him a little more.

  The park was a hive of activity, and they rode down toward Rotten Row to keep away from the carriages and people strolling the paths of the park.

  Luke stopped his mount before the row, instructing her brother and sister to try to trot before them, explaining how to lift from the saddle using their legs and stirrups, to get into sync with the horse’s stride. All the while keeping a firm, but not harsh, grip on the reins.

  “Thank you for taking the time to teach them. I think you’ve made my brother a life-long admirer of yours.”

  The marquess laughed, his eyes bright with amusement as he watched her siblings ride on the sandy track. “I do not mind. In fact, I’ve quite enjoyed the last two days instructing him. He’s an asset to you.”

  She tore her gaze away from his too-handsome face that only grew in good looks when he smiled. He’d not returned to her bed since he’d consummated the marriage, and when she saw him like he was now, carefree, relaxed and seemingly enjoying himself, she couldn’t help but long for him to be her husband in the truest sense.

  “They’re both so very good. I’m fortunate to have them as my siblings.”

  He nodded, his eyes clouding somewhat at her words. She held his inspection of her, willing him to think she too could be an asset to him if only he would give her a chance. Let her show him that marriage did not have to be a life sentence of torture and despair.

  “Good afternoon, Lord Graham. How very providential to meet you here.”

  Louise stilled at the sound of Lady Clara’s voice and she turned a little to see the young woman riding toward them, a groom following close on her horse’s hooves.

  Luke bowed a little from his seat and Louise smiled in welcome, no matter her dislike of the woman she would not be rude. She took in the young debutante’s riding gown of blue velvet and gold buttons, a small top hat sitting atop her golden curls. She was so very pretty, rich and from a titled family. Everything Lord Graham ought to have married, and here she was, a lady’s companion who’d gained the title through nefarious means.

  Unease shivered down her spine and she lifted her chin to try to dispel the doubt running through her. “Hello, Lady Clara. Are you enjoying the park today?” she asked.

  Lady Clara glanced at her and dismissed her just as quickly. “Oh, Lady Graham,” she said, watching the marquess and not sparing her a moment more of
her time. “I did not see you there.”

  Louise raised her brow, heat scoring her cheeks at the comment.

  “Is your eyesight failing you, Lady Clara?” her brother asked, a contemplative tilt to his head as he stopped his horse before the small party.

  “No,” her ladyship said, staring down her nose at her brother. He merely pursed his lips in thought.

  “Oh, I thought the fact that you could not see my sister meant that you may be going blind. She is sitting practically in front of you.”

  Lady Clara’s mouth gaped before she raised her chin. She laughed a tinkling sound that echoed with condescension. “Oh, so you’re Miss Grant’s brother I’ve heard about town. I don’t believe I’ve ever met a lady’s companion’s sibling before. I would certainly not wish to meet my own servants’ family. How lowering of one’s position.”

  Her brother glared. “Rudeness is also a form of crassness and can often show a person’s true character, not the face they portray to the public.”

  Sophie chuckled, covering her mouth with her glove to hide her amusement. Louise tore her gaze to the marquess who looked as shocked as she felt.

  Lady Clara glared at her brother before she turned back to Luke all smiles and sweetness again. “Tell me, my lord. Where does your new wife hail from, before she worked for the Duchess of Carlton, of course?”

  Louise went to answer before Luke had a chance to, but her brother beat her to it.

  “Sandbach, in Cheshire. We lived in a cottage with our aunt if you must know, Lady Clara. Are you satisfied now? Have you insulted my family and my sister enough do you think for one afternoon, or would you like to continue your mocking visit on our riding party?”

  The young woman gasped, turning her horse roughly about, but not before catching Lord Graham’s eye. “Are you going to let that little nobody speak to me in such a way?”

  All eyes turned to the marquess and he glanced back at Louise and then her brother. “Apologize to Lady Clara, Stephen. What you said was unkind.”

  Louise pushed her horse to come between her brother and Lady Clara. “Stephen will not apologize for anything that he said here today. He was just replying to her ladyship’s rudeness toward our family. Come, Stephen and Sophie, we shall leave Lord Graham and Lady Clara to catch up on their own. We certainly would not wish to sully their stature in the ton with our lowly bloodlines.”

  Louise turned and her siblings came abreast of her. She took deep, calming breaths and used the anger that thrummed through her veins to stem the tears that threatened. She bit her lip, refusing to give way to emotion. Refused to break over the fact that her husband had not stuck up for them. Had merely sat by and allowed Lady Clara to mock and ridicule her family. His family.

  But then, he’d not wanted a family, so it ought not surprise her that he would stand idly by and allow such words to be spoken.

  She swore and her brother reached over and squeezed her hand.

  “I’m sorry, Louise, but I could not allow that woman to treat you in such a way. I suppose that will end my lessons from the marquess.”

  She patted his hand, her anger not at him but her husband. At herself for allowing Lady Clara to pick at her as if she were still a companion. She was a marchioness now, and it was not her fault that the young debutante had missed her chance with Lord Graham. If only the little dimwit knew that the night he stumbled into her room, he was in fact supposed to be meeting Lady Scarboro, a widow he’d been rumored to be sleeping with.

  The thought made her stomach churn and she could not reach home soon enough. For a day that had started out so well, it had ended terribly. And tonight she was to attend Lord and Lady Conyngham’s soirée.

  The torture didn’t seem to want to end.

  Chapter 11

  The ride to Lord and Lady Conyngham’s soirée was a quiet affair. Luke sat across from her, staring out the window, his jaw locked into a hard line, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. He was angry, he all but thrummed with the emotion, and her stomach roiled at the idea that he would yell at her. She hated confrontation, but nor would she allow him or his lofty friends to degrade her when she’d done nothing to deserve it. If anyone deserved a set-down, it was Luke for putting her in this position in the first place.

  Thankful upon arriving at the soirée, she easily sought out Mary, the duke nowhere to be seen. It suited Louise perfectly for if she did not speak to someone soon about what had happened at the park this afternoon, she might scream.

  Scream at her spineless husband who had taken the side of a venomous spider instead of his wife.

  What was wrong with the man?

  Mary kissed both her cheeks in welcome and Louise took her first relieved breath for the day. “I’m so happy to see you, Mary. I need your opinion and I really do not know which way to turn.”

  Her friend frowned, taking her arm and walking her to a pair of chairs nearby. They sat and Mary took her hand, concern etched on her features. “Of course you may confide in me. I’m here always. You know that.”

  She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. It had wedged there since Luke had sat silent and still on his horse, voiceless when he ought to have said something. “I don’t think my marriage to the marquess is going to work. He hates us I’m sure. Thinks we’re beneath him, which even I’ll admit that we are when it comes to Society’s standards… Even so, his actions today have made it almost impossible for me to forgive him.”

  The duchess’s eyes widened and she held her hand tighter. “What did he do, Louise?” she asked. “Surely, it cannot be as bad as this sounds.”

  Louise shook her head, wishing that were true. “It is bad and I’m at a loss as to what I can do.” Louise explained to the duchess what had transpired between them and Lady Clara. Her brother’s set-down to her ladyship, which Mary clapped and congratulated him for, and the marquess’s response. As for her husband’s inability to speak except to censure her brother, well, the duchess had a completely different reaction.

  “Well, Lord Graham needs a good set-down and you ought to be the one to give it to him. You’re a marchioness now. His wife. How dare he take the side of Lady Clara.”

  As if speaking of the debutante brought her forth, she stopped before them, smiling as if butter wouldn’t melt in her vicious little viperish mouth.

  “Your Grace, Lady Graham, so lovely to see you here this evening. You must be pleased to see her ladyship again, your grace. If you have trouble with your gown or need help throughout the night, at least you have your servant close at hand.”

  The ladies that accompanied Lady Clara giggled at her insult and the duchess stood. Taller than Lady Clara, the young woman had to take a step back and look up at her grace. The duchess laughed. “Oh dear, you’re so very funny, but you know who is really laughing, don’t you, my dear?” Her voice dripped sarcasm. The young woman not willing to lose an argument merely raised her brow questioningly.

  “I’m sure you’re more than willing to tell me, your grace.”

  Louise stood as well, and was happy to see that she too was taller than Lady Clara. At least in that she was the victor.

  “Oh I am.” The duchess grinned. “You do realize that Lord Graham was never going to marry you, don’t you?”

  The young woman blanched and her friends’ eyes widened, the two glancing at each other, suddenly unsure where this little tête-à-tête was going.

  “You would not know such things. Not when she,” Lady Clara said, pointing at Louise, “tricked him into coming to her room so he was forced to act the gentleman and marry her.”

  The duchess smiled at Louise before turning back to the young woman, who like her friends, seemed quite interested to find out the answer. “Oh no, Louise was nothing but innocent in that situation, but the marquess not so much. You’re nothing but a little debutante, a girl in his eyes. He may have played with you before the ton, but he would never marry you. Not ever.” The duchess reached out, patting the young woman’s shoulder condescending
ly. “Guard your heart in the future. I would hate to hear gossip about you being so very put out at the marquess’s marriage. Very crass behavior if I were to give an opinion on the subject.”

  Louise’s stomach churned at the duchess’s words. She knew her friend was only trying to set this chit into her place, but by doing so if left her vulnerable to gossip, more so than she already was. Lady Clara’s eyes darted between them, but there was no fear in them, only anger and Louise prayed this little incident would not occur again.

  “You mock me, your grace. You’re not so very much older than myself and it has not escaped my notice that your marriage too eventuated by nefarious means. And you stand there and give me advice. How very amusing you are.”

  “I think you ought to go,” Louise said, clasping Mary’s arm when she stilled beside her. “You’ve said enough to me and my friends today.”

  Lady Clara raised her brow. “Where is your husband, Lady Graham?” She glanced about the room. “I do not see him near your person. Perhaps I ought to seek him out and demand another apology. Tell your brother that your husband and I are expecting one.”

  With that she flounced off, her gaggle of friends close on her heels.

  The duchess turned to Louise, her eyes burning in temper. “How dare she. How dare Lord Graham. There is only one thing to do for this horrible behavior.”

  “There is?” Louise asked, at a loss. She’d never been in so many arguments in her life as she had since marrying the marquess. And never had she thought the women of the ton would turn against her, blame her for his lordship’s behavior.

  “If he isn’t going to defend you against those who seek to injure you, then you must hurt him in turn. From tonight onward you are to flirt, laugh and be merry as much as you can within our social sphere. I shall help you with this. If the marquess does not want you for himself, then he will see that others do and are not so judgmental. And then we shall see what he will do.”