“When he first arrived and purchased the Willows from Emmeline’s parents, at the same time offering for Emmeline, he bought a much smaller property for her parents. So I presume he had money enough to spare. Getting Emmeline off their hands would also have sealed the bargain, apart from giving him a prime estate. She was a sweet girl but had nothing in the way of looks. Her parents jumped at the chance of getting rid of her and acquiring a fresh home for themselves. Tasker promptly changed the name of the estate he had bought from them to Tasker Hall. Why, I don’t know. It may be he is pretending to future visitors his antecedents went back a long way. The villagers were scornful. They said it was unlucky and would tempt the devil. However, I’ve gathered he spent well in the district, and money is the grease that solves many problems. Coincidently, after receiving an invitation to dine at his house, I also had a visit from my solicitor regarding routine matters. Intuition made me ask him to inquire about Tasker’s financial background. I had word his standing is rated well though not overabundant, and that was the reason I considered he might suit Lucie, as it seemed money was not an issue. But, primarily, I was happy that she would still live near by. I confess I was selfish to want that. Though she is dear to me, I fear I must now resign myself to losing her to someone far off and difficult for me to visit.”
“It is fortunate I’ve come at this time and have been able to apprise you of his history.” Richard frowned as he thought of Eleanor’s plea before she left to see Tasker. What should I do now, Richard? Not the easiest question to answer, especially as he had no idea.
True, Eleanor could use the London visit to solve her problem. Marry Lucie off to a reputable nobleman who would be delighted to add her wealth to his. Love would not be involved unless by the greatest of good fortune. The decision would likely be influenced by blood-lines rather than bodily desires, though Lucie was a beautiful woman who would stir any warm-blooded male in an instant. Regardless of his present need to put his Shropshire house in order, his own body had confirmed it was more than eager to be stirred.
“Richard, under normal circumstances, I would never even contemplate asking this question, but after seeing Tasker just now, I have a strange premonition of the future and feel I am beholden to suggest you might consider it part of your plans to seriously think of taking Lucie as your wife. You know I have always thought highly of you and regard you as a decent man. I cannot imagine a better person we will come across in the London scene. A person I’d have to take on trust to be good to Lucie.” She held up her hand as he went to interrupt. “Yes, I know you have only just met, and there is no love or even liking involved, but if you could use the time you spend here to consider my suggestion, I’d be grateful.”
“Aunt Eleanor, you know I would do anything to help and please you, but...”
A swift knock on the door and its prompt opening put paid to further conversation.
“There, all resolved!” Lucie appeared, looking pleased, a glow of health in her face. “Oh…” She surveyed the subdued look on their faces. “I’m sorry if I am interrupting, but I am done with Butters, and it is past time for your rest, Grandmamma. Ruth is hovering in the hall.”
“Yes, I’ll retire for a while and see you both later for tea. Richard, unless you wish to rest too, Lucie will show you the gardens. She will, of course, bore you silly, as it is her pet subject, but the day is fine and you might enjoy it.”
Once the Duchess had gone upstairs, Richard held out his arm to Lucie. “I’m ready to be bored or charmed. The latter, I think, given what I have already seen of the estate.”
At his words, both of them thought of their first meeting, Richard with the wryness of embarrassment and Lucie with a spurt of impish amusement. It would be interesting to see if he still equated her as a kitchen drudge.
* * * *
Their stroll through skilfully manicured gardens filled with the roses and flowering shrubs that Eleanor loved ended by a large meadow bordering on the lake. It was festooned with wild flowers just coming into bloom. “This is one of my favourite places. Allowing nature to run extravagantly wild and delightfully showing off as usual,” Lucie said.
Richard nodded. “It reminds me of many places I’ve seen abroad. Some deserts appear stark and dry for most of the year, but after a heavy rain storm, they are covered only hours later with blooms that are amazing,” he said, gazing over the land before turning his eyes to the water and waving his arm. “This, too, has the wild look of lakes and water holes I’ve seen, oases in landscapes that are magnificent to see but dangerous to travel through. It is fortunate that you do not have the wild life here that is prevalent in America.”
"I envy you your travels and the freedom to choose where you want to go. I have never been further than High Wycombe or villages near us and have made only a trip or two to Oxford. London might be a revelation of buildings, museums and galleries to see, but I liken it to a jungle of strange people who may be friendly or not as the notion takes them. The future I face is not the path I would willingly choose. If I accomplish what my grandmother wishes, I shall marry an unknown—at least at the moment unknown—man. I will end up in a strange place and be totally subject to his whims instead of living here in a house I love.”
“You may fall in love with the bridegroom and be very happy,” he ventured.
“And pigs may fly. How many married couples do you know who are truly in love in our strata of society?” She rolled her eyes in despair and frustration. “The only ones I can say are truly close are some villagers who, in spite of being poor, are happy with their lot.”
“Ah, there's a choice? Is it poor but happy, or rich and miserable? Which do you prefer?”
She stared at him in disquiet, understanding that the knotty thoughts that had kept her restless each night since the dinner party, especially with her grandmother stating that Edmund Tasker had asked to court her, had turned her world upside down and were bursting out, regardless of decorum and good manners. All of a sudden, the light-hearted conversation they had indulged in during the tour of the gardens had taken a serious twist.
“I have no experience of being poor, but to be subject to a cruel husband would be the last thing I’d want.” She shrugged. “In that case, I’d opt for poverty.”
“I think we have taken this far too seriously. Your grandmother would never make you marry a man who is cruel. Rest easy, Lady Lucie, and we’ll try a lighter subject.”
“I think it time we return to have tea. The clouds have come over, and I’m feeling a trifle chill.” She shivered as she spoke.
“And you have no shawl!” In an instant, Richard had his coat off and placed it round her shoulders, and immediately, the warmth of his body cocooned her with heat. And not only heat, for she picked up the fragrance of the cologne he wore and the underlying musk of maleness that intrigued her senses. He lifted an index finger to touch the bottom of her chin as he snuggled the coat close. She didn’t wave him off. She drank in the sensation of his touch, anticipating the kiss that, even as innocent as she was, she was positive would come.
In the course of their stroll through the gardens, she had felt the tension he carried though it was well hidden within the blandness of their conversation. She wondered how she knew. At that moment, she felt she had always possessed a mental empathy for other people’s thoughts, and sometimes their stress, and had the ability to know and soothe. Was it her turn to be soothed? Who would it hurt? What could it hurt? Within the next two weeks, she would be on her way to London, and a man like Richard Martell, Earl of Copeland, would never be bothered to join with others who would be intent on marrying her for her dowry. Instead, he would be relieved to be back with other men of his calibre, visiting his clubs—Brookes, Whites—and boxing in Gentleman John Jackson’s club in Bond Street. Where she would be, she had no idea. Almost certainly, and with the greatest of reluctance, mixing with young blades who were being pushed by their mamas to make her an offer. Or fending off rakes that were only after the priz
e a marriage with her would bring. Surely she deserved one single kiss from a man of superior knowledge without feeling defensive.
His hands went to her upper arms to hold her still, then he bent his head and his soft lips gently touched hers. They pressed a little deeper as if encouraging her to open for him, paused, then swiftly lifted away as he took a step backwards, but not before she felt the moist caress of his breath against her bare throat. For a split second, she had sensed a hint of reluctance to let her go. Or was it her own reluctance to break from her first time of being held by a man and kissed? He had raised his head abruptly, leaving her with the impression she only imagined him wanting to continue the kiss. Was that all? From all the novels she had read, kisses were far more enthralling than that. Coupled with her reading of the sexual actions in her grandfather’s books, the kiss was simply like one given to a child. She was no child. She deserved to be treated as a woman, and that kiss was a damned insult.
“There, your first kiss.” He reached out and ran his fingers tenderly over one cheek and bowed. “I extend my sincere apologies, Lady Lucie. It was a liberty I should not have taken, but when you go to London, you will be more aware that rakes like me should not be granted the privilege of kissing you, and you will take care not to tempt them.”
A lance of pure rage shot through her as she realised he was trying to teach her a lesson in propriety and self-control. Had he for one moment thought she had begged for his kiss? How dared he! Her face bloomed red with embarrassment. “I perceive your effort hardly merits the title of rake. I declare, you’ll likely benefit from taking lessons yourself,” she said snappishly. “For your information, it was not my first kiss, nor would it in any way compare. Don’t make the mistake that I am so naïve, I will be at a loss in London. Despite the fact we live in the country, we are accustomed to ways of the ton. My manners will stand any scrutiny among company such as them, though yours leave a lot to be desired.” With a defiant glower, she turned on her heel and stalked back to the house.
* * * *
He stared after her, more than a little affronted with her riposte. She had no knowledge of the extent of his experience or that he had been so close to giving her the kiss she desired. His self-control had left him irritated and achingly unsatisfied, annoying him even more. It had taken all his effort to pull back and not bury himself in the sweetness of her mouth. She was undoubtedly a minx—a minx with claws. God help the young blades when she goes to the city, he thought. As for his behaviour, considering he was a guest in his godmother’s home, he had no business making love to her granddaughter. Deciding the less said the better, he followed her into the drawing room where Eleanor was already ensconced behind the teapot and waiting for them.
“Ah, there you are, Richard. Did you enjoy the gardens?” She handed him his tea and waved him to a seat.
“Your estate is quite splendid in every respect. I have been working out how to steal your gardener to take back with me when I return. It reminds me, after my quick visit, how the gardens at the manor have sadly been neglected for much too long. I doubt they have had a decent gardener in years.”
“Given the right person to oversee and the will to change things for the better, much will be accomplished in a fairly short time, so don’t despair. You will achieve what you want.”
He stole a glance at Lucie who was pointedly ignoring him. She was engrossed in reading a letter and had not lifted her head. Eleanor followed his glance and said, “That reminds me, I have mail for you, Richard. We don’t usually have a second delivery, but they probably thought you important enough to bring your letters, and we were lucky to be included.” She chuckled at her joke and passed him a thick bundle.
“I thank you. Knowing I’d be here for a few days, I had my mail redirected.” He rose and moved over to the window seat to have more light and spread the collection out.
“Who is your letter from, Lucie?” Eleanor asked curiously.
“Cousin Theresa. She writes to say that she and Edward are divinely happy and are expecting an heir. Uncle Barnaby is over the moon at the news…he has longed for a grandchild ever since they were married. He will be doubly pleased if it is a boy, so Theresa is praying it will be. I must send my good wishes.”
“Yes, I will write too. Thank you for reminding me. I hope it won’t be long before I, too, am ‘over the moon,’ Lucie. There is much to look forward to in the future.” The next second, Eleanor was startled when Lucie rose to her feet, mumbled something about a job she had to do, and went out of the room in a hurry.
“Oh dear, was it something I said?” Eleanor turned to Richard in dismay.
“Perhaps she is feeling pushed into marriage. After Tasker’s pressing proposal and the visit to London—which might not excite her as much as you think considering your ambitions for her to wed as soon as possible—she may feel you are trying to get rid of her.”
“Good grief, no! Losing her is the last thing I want. My fears about the man she will marry are double any anxiety she may have. Nevertheless, you know my reasons. I have to safeguard her future and all that she inherits. Will you promise me something, Richard?”
“Certainly, Aunt, if I can.”
“If anything happens to me before she is married, will you take care of her?”
He knew at once what she was asking of him, the real reason behind the extended visit. Taking care of Lucie meant marrying her. This had been her purpose all along.
He recalled the last time he had seen his godmother, the desperate visit following his departure from home after the final dreadful row he’d had with his father. Acquainted with a great deal of the state of affairs from letters she’d exchanged with his mother, a dear friend before she died, and latterly from the housekeeper in the castle, she had listened to his tale, knowing how stricken he was over the parting. “I think you have done the right thing, Richard. The situation was untenable and unlikely to change. You are better away from it and making your own way in life. Go abroad, see the world. You are fit and able and will do well in the Americas.” She had provided him with ample funds, waving a dismissive hand at his vow to pay her back. “You will inherit money when I go, so you might as well have the use of it now.” It had been a boon in his new life abroad.
“Yes, Aunt, I promise.” In view of her help in the past, it was time to repay the debt, and he had the answer ready. “I beg you to lay your worries to rest. Lord Tasker has upset you badly, but I must assure you, I believe you are more than a match for him. You fret too much about your age. You are nowhere nearer heading for your maker than I am. You have always been young in my eyes and are the strongest person I know.”
“Oh, you divine flatterer! I am right—you are the nicest man I know.” She smiled gratefully at him. “Still, you have calmed my fears. I will relax and enjoy your company.”
He turned back to read his mail, and the room was silent for quite a while, his attention caught between the gentle though undoubted power she was exerting to agree to her wishes and the letters he’d received.
Eventually, he said, “I shall have to go to London tomorrow, probably for a couple of days. I need to set up a new office to deal with my overseas holdings and also see my father’s solicitors regarding the estate and what needs to be done. If you have any queries about your town house, I’ll be pleased to pass them on.”
“How thoughtful of you, but you are coming back, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I shan’t be gone long, but can only stay a short time when I return. There is much to do in the north, and the sooner I get onto it the better. Meanwhile, you will be packing for your visit and will not want a house guest around. Make your peace with Lucie, and tell her not to fuss that she is being forced into anything she doesn’t want.”
* * * *
He was astride his horse early the next morning as dawn was breaking, heading for the capital and the tasks he needed to carry out. Chief amongst them was the hiring of a secretary. He definitely needed help in tying all his bu
siness affairs into reasonable order. He had wondered on the ship coming over whether he would return to America and transact business from there. Having realised all the many problems he was facing with the estate, that plan was definitely knocked on the head. Dealing with correspondence, hiring craftsmen for the restorations…his brain almost seized at the number of jobs he knew lay ahead. It settled one objective he could not change. For good or ill, the life he saw in the future was henceforth bound to England.
His thoughts turned to Lucie and what he should do about her. Despite his promise to Eleanor, he was his own man and coercion was something he abhorred. When he eventually took a wife, he wanted to be sure he would find a desirable partner that suited him. Someone to create a happy family with, who would chase away the frightening memories of his own past and the dreadful time he had growing up in circumstances no child should ever have to endure.
It was not that he did not like Lucie. Indeed, his ability to abstain from seducing her had tested his control to the limit. In every way, she was a strong contender for the role as his countess. As much as he did not care to admit that Eleanor was right, she had been bred for the position. The trouble was that, unless he came to a decision of his own making, he spurned anyone else making it for him. Shades of his father! Was he still upset with the commands that had piled continuously on his head until in desperation he had broken free of his familial bondage? It was more than likely.
With luck, everything would soon be resolved. Lucie would find someone she was happy to marry. Although the prospect of her marrying someone else did not sit well either, bringing a sour taste to his mouth. He thought of her sweet lips and the fragrance of her hair, and the obnoxious concept of someone strange making free with her body, and realised he couldn’t bear it to be anyone other than himself. As he realised the direction of his thoughts, his horse suddenly lost its stride, and tossing its head up and whinnying, it yanked at the bit. Pulling Jamal to a stop, he dismounted and went round to his head to gentle the beast who was breathing heavily through his nose.
A Perilous Marriage Page 5
