His to Keep (Regency Scoundrels Book 2)

by Mathews, Marly

  Archie’s father stood up, and yawned. “Aye, I think that sounds heavenly.” They left the room, leaving her and Archie looking awkwardly at each other. Charles was settling in, and he’d soon be fast asleep.

  “I adore your mother. She is quite the woman,” Gemma said softly.

  “I know,” he sighed, “my parents heard, didn’t they?”

  “They did,” she said softly. “It appears they know all about Lord Lustleigh’s nocturnal adventures.”

  He groaned. “I wish that Louis-Daniel would give it all up. He’s a pain in the backside.”

  “You should ship him off to his uncle. Lord Hawick would reform his scandalous behavior. He’d have him toeing the mark before a fortnight passed. There isn’t a more respectable gentleman in Sussex.”

  “I should make that suggestion to Mama and Papa. It would do him good, I think, to get away, and distance himself from all that he’s done in the last few years. And, if he’s going to inherit his uncle’s estate, he’ll have to know a bit about it before it comes into his possession.”

  “As long as there is peace between our families, he shouldn’t have any problem, but it will take some work to convince Mallory that he doesn’t have to make war with your branch of the Campbell Clan.”

  He sighed. “I never should have done what I did and I shouldn’t have allowed Louis-Daniel to do what he did. We were both fools, and we acted like blackguards. I do not know how I could ever atone for that.”

  “You are on the way of making amends,” she murmured, reaching for his hand. “Come, why don’t we leave Charles and Isla in peace? I feel rather worn out myself.”

  “Aye,” he said, leading her from the room. They strolled back toward their bedchamber, and once they reached it, they went inside and kept the door open. “That little scamp has the most incredible imagination I have ever seen in a child. It rivals the imagination Jamie had as a boy.”

  “And you? What about your imagination?”

  “It was there, but I wasn’t as fanciful as James or my sisters and well, the most fanciful out of all of us was Louis-Daniel. Shame he doesn’t seem to be able to drag himself out of his other worlds to spend time with us.”

  She remained silent, thinking back to her own childhood with her two brothers and sisters.

  “I had to be the sensible one as well. Luckily for me when I was Charles’s age, we still had our family fortunes intact and Malcolm was around and my father and mother were very doting and attentive parents. When Malcolm and Mallory shipped off to fight Napoleon, my father went mad under the strain and worry. He started staying out all night at local gaming hells, he started to come home drunk like Louis-Daniel where he could barely stay upright, he started to dabble in the stronger kind of snuff—and slowly, we lost him. I hated watching what it did to mother. I always believed that my father loved us enough to stay strong, but I don’t know who he loved more, his wife and children or himself,” she sighed, stopping when he reached their bedchamber.

  “Is that what you really believe?” Archie asked her in a soft voice.

  “If he really loved my mother, why did he cause her pain by turning into a wraith of a man? I mean they were supposed to have a grand love affair for their time, when they were courting they were known as the perfect couple—why did he abandon her when she needed him most? Why did he abandon us? Didn’t he think we were hurting? Especially after we heard of Malcolm’s death, and for a time, we were told that Mallory had gone missing. I didn’t like to see mother so shattered. She was literally sitting on eggshells hoping and praying for something that was already set in stone. For many months, she railed against Malcolm being dead, and then within the course of a year, our papa lost everything and died of shame and heartbreak, and yet, my mama was expected to keep a stiff upper British lip, and keep on going. War rips apart families, Archie. Napoleon had to be stopped, he did, but I still can’t keep wishing that things had turned out differently. Then, to top it off after everything that happened, my bloody stupid brother decides to go and become a privateer verging on the cusp of being a pirate! Just so he could make enough money for us to survive and so he could amass enough power to gain his revenge against Geoffrey Woodward, never giving one iota of a thought to us. Mother says she understands why Mallory became Captain Rafe Morgan, but I know deep down inside, she wishes he’d gone into another moneymaking scheme. Believe me, he had several speculating options, but he didn’t want to take any of them, because he craved adventure—he couldn’t seem to live without it. I worry what he will do now, shall he leave life on land for the adventure of the sea? I don’t want to see that happen to Elizabeth.”

  “He’s home now that should count for something.”

  “Mallory came home for Elizabeth, and we can all tell that it’s suffocating the life out of him. He’s getting the wanderlust. The restless energy burning inside of him just oozes out and fills whatever room he happens to be in. Mallory isn’t made to live on the land—he’s got the sea in his blood and in his soul. The sooner Elizabeth realizes that, the better off she shall be.”

  “Maybe she will go off to sea with him. The question is, does he love Elizabeth and his child enough to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground? Of course, your brother, infernally stubborn man that he is will go to any lengths to do what he believes is right.”

  “Why…what have you heard, Archie?” she asked softly. “He’s coming here, he’s coming to fetch me home, isn’t he?”

  “And if he is?” Archie asked, locking gazes with her.

  “I won’t go,” she said stubbornly. “I have no reason to now. I think I could build a life for us here but I won’t be separated from Sussex for long. I love Welford Abbey.”

  “I know,” he said gruffly. “We shall go back once all of the storms have passed.”

  “Do you really mean that?” she asked hopefully, looking up into his eyes.

  “I do,” he said, his eyes were filled with love—and longing. She prayed that he would kiss her.

  Archie pulled her into his arms, and she flattened herself to him, drinking in his essence. A thrill raced through her.

  “You’d better not let him have me and if you did, I would never forgive you.”

  He drew back. “I won’t let him have you back. I am your keeper now.”

  “I don’t like that you can keep me, but you shan’t be my keeper. No, I don’t need anyone to watch over me like a bloody hawk.”

  “Oh, aye, you don’t need anyone to help you stay out of trouble. No that knack comes naturally to you.”

  “Don’t be cheeky, sir,” she muttered.

  “Oh, but it’s so much fun,” he murmured against her hair. “We shall have to find a way to row along with Mallory, he shan’t just disappear.”

  “Oh, how I wish he would.”

  She drew back and poked him on the chest. “I can say that, but you can’t,” she said. “Mallory might be no saint but your Louis-Daniel isn’t any better.”

  “If anything,” Archie groaned, “he might be worse. Why don’t we agree not to bicker about our brothers, eh? They’re both scamps, we shan’t ever be able to reform them that’s Elizabeth’s job now, and someday God willing, Louis-Daniel will have a lady fair to reform him of his rakish attributes.”

  “I wish that lady luck. She’s going to need it,” Gemma laughed. Sobering, she looked away from him as something occurred to her. “Before you send Lord Lustleigh away to his uncle perhaps, perhaps, I should tell my sisters to stay away from his place. He has an elderly aunt that stays with him so they go over to call on him quite a bit.”

  “She must be ancient,” Archie breathed.

  “She is up in years, but I gather she wasn’t very old when her nephew was born. After she was widowed, he invited her to come and live with him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a codicil in his will saying that she must be provided for should he predecease her, as he is devoted to her.”

  “That should amuse Louis-Daniel.”

&nb
sp; “Do you think so?”

  “Oh, aye. As for your sisters, I wouldn’t worry about them. Louis-Daniel only pursues those he knows have already fallen. He shan’t do anything untoward to your sisters.”

  “Even if he finds out they are Mallory’s sisters as well?”

  “Even if,” he said. “Louis-Daniel is a chivalrous fellow.”

  “You wouldn’t know it by the way he behaved at Welford Abbey.”

  “I think you will one day forgive him for that.”

  “I might,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

  “I know you will,” he murmured, kissing her ear, then trailing down to her cheek, and finally searching for and finding her mouth. She gave way to the glorious feelings he inspired within her.

  “Just one moment.” He let go of her and walked back toward the door, shutting it firmly, he secured the lock. “We wouldn’t want any untimely interruptions.”

  Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “You actually think you’re going to have your way with me? Are you certain that you’re up for it?” she teased, good-naturedly.

  “I assure you, my lady, I am quite up for the task of seducing you, as long as you aren’t too worn out.” He stalked toward her slowly, like he was hunting prey.

  “I thought I was the one that was going to be seducing you,” she murmured walking toward him.

  “Perhaps, we shall call it a mutual seduction.” A shiver went up her spine, he wasn’t even touching her and she was anticipating the feeling of his hands and his mouth roaming across her body. She fell into his arms, and decided at that moment that she would never ever leave his side for as long as she lived.

  “Well, then, sir, we have played a merry chase long enough—I think it’s time for you to completely ruin me. Ravish me, my Lord Northam.”

  “My angel, my Lady Northam,” he murmured, hungrily kissing her.

  Her life…her life was with Archie now.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Three loud raps on the door, rose Archie from his slumber.

  Careful not to disturb Gemma, he slid from the bed and reached for his own dressing gown. Tying it around his naked body, he padded to the door.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Gibbons, sir. I was asked by Lord Lustleigh to fetch you.”

  Louis-Daniel’s valet sounded exhausted. “Tell him that whatever he wants can wait. I paid his bit of muslin last night,” he grumbled, irritated that Louis-Daniel would annoy him this morning.

  “Thank you, sir, I think Lord Lustleigh realized that. Alas, that is not what he has sent me to retrieve you for. It would seem he has a very irate husband after his blood this morning. He is downstairs waiting to, as he so boldly put it, punch the bloody snot out of the blackguard.”

  “This wouldn’t happen to be the same man that challenged him last night at the soiree he attended?”

  “I think you would be correct in that assumption, Your Lordship.”

  “You may tell Louis-Daniel that I am on my way. You may also tell Louis-Daniel that he is to remain put, and he’s not to engage in any form of conversation with the man waiting downstairs,” Archie ordered. He couldn’t let Louis-Daniel go on his own. He could kill the man.

  “I shall do that immediately, sir. If I might speak bluntly myself, Lord Louis-Daniel is in no state to meet with anyone this morning. He can barely remain upright, as he keeps teetering back and forth when he does try to stand,” Gibbons sighed.

  “I’m not surprised. On your way, Gibbons, I shall shortly follow.”

  “Aye, sir.” Through the closed door, he heard Louis-Daniel’s valet walk away.

  Turning to the bed, he stared at Gemma drinking in her brilliance. Afterglow really did become her. He didn’t want to wake her, and quite frankly, she was better off getting rest than associating herself with the mess that Louis-Daniel had gotten himself into.

  Sighing, Archie set about getting dressed. When he was done saving Louis-Daniel’s neck, he was going to be tempted to squeeze the life out of his scoundrel of a brother. He’d definitely had his fill of his libertine ways. The man went too far, he’d been looking forward to spending a leisurely morning making love to his wife. Instead, he was going down to intervene in what could turn out to be a very bad day for Louis-Daniel.

  Taking one last glance at Gemma, he left the bedroom.

  Setting off down the hall, he made his way first to Louis-Daniel’s room, walking in unannounced to find Louis-Daniel attempting to walk from his bed to his dressing table, and he was walking like a sailor. “Oh, my head,” he moaned.

  “Serves you right. You should learn not to imbibe so much.”

  “Ah, I fear I shall never learn that,” he muttered. “I’m a glutton for punishment, it seems. Did you punch me last night, or did someone else do this?” he asked, gesturing to his fat lip.

  “That would be someone else’s handiwork, of course, I was tempted to draw your cork last night.”

  “And yet, you didn’t,” he muttered.

  “I think, there are a few things we need to discuss, Louis-Daniel.”

  “Can we do it later?” he asked. “I really am not in the mood for gabbing right now.”

  “No, you will listen to me now. You must make peace with my wife, and also you must make peace with her family.”

  “I shall make peace with everyone except for that brother of hers. He may go to hell.”

  “Louis-Daniel, she is a part of this family now.”

  “And I am not?”

  “No, that isn’t what I meant. You shall have to find a way to row along with her and also to contend with her family.”

  “What if I don’t want to?” he asked sullenly.

  “Well, the funny thing is I think you shall have to because…well…”

  “Spit it out, brother.”

  “It seems we live in a small world, Louis-Daniel.”

  “How so?” he asked moodily. “Where the hell is my coffee? I rang for my breakfast ages ago.”

  “Mama probably wants to see you down in the morning room.”

  He groaned. “I’m not fit for her eyes.”

  “She already knows what you’ve been up to. It seems you came home one night while I wasn’t in residence, and they had to deal with you.”

  Louis-Daniel’s face went a bright vermillion. “What about it being a small world?”

  “Your uncle the one in Sussex…well…he knows the St. Martins.”

  “Bollocks.”

  “Oh, it is not nonsense, Louis-Daniel. I’m serious. He is quite fond of the family, and he even gave them gifts during their hard years to see them through.”

  Louis-Daniel now looked quite sullen. “That man is far too nice.”

  “You could be like him too, Louis-Daniel. You have it in you.”

  He continued to pout, and looked away from Archie.

  “What do you propose I do?” he asked grumpily.

  “I propose you make peace with them so that when you are called to Sussex you do not make a cake of yourself. You uncle will not look kindly upon you being rude to such dear and close friends.”

  “Fine,” he relented. “I shall extend the olive branch.”

  “Good,” he said, relieved that he had finally found a way to get his brother to see sense.

  “Is that everything that you wanted from me, Archibald?” he asked.

  “Aye,” Archie said. “And you can start by behaving like a gentleman around my wife.”

  “Fine,” he said again a little more sullenly this time.

  “She has a gaggle of sisters, Louis-Daniel all of them should have dowries now.”

  “Are they as fine on the eyes as she is?”

  “I would imagine,” Archie murmured.

  “Mayhap, mayhap, having her as a new addition to the family won’t be so bad after all.”

  “Glad you see it that way.” He walked over and thumped his brother on the back, which given his miserable state this morning almost sent the man flying. He turned on
his heel, and was about to leave the room, and then thought better of it. “St. Martin is on his way as we speak.”

  “Let him come,” Louis-Daniel growled.

  “Now, Louis-Daniel, you won’t be shedding his blood.”

  “And what should I do if he happens to attempt to shed mine?”

  “You will not do anything to provoke his anger, do you understand?”

  “Fine,” Louis-Daniel sighed.

  “As for the man that you are about ready to bludgeon, you will let me deal with him.”

  “I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”

  “I know…but I don’t need you going out there and killing the man. I’m off to clean up some of your mess as we speak. Any recollection of why he is so pissed with you?”

  “Maybe.” Louis-Daniel grimaced. “I think I might have screwed his wife silly last night,” he sighed. “If only I hadn’t gotten myself foxed and befogged while I was at it.” He shook his head ruefully.

  “How many women did you bed last night? Strike that, I don’t want to know. It’s easier that way. I just want you to know that you are disgusting,” Archie hissed.

  “I know,” Louis-Daniel said with a grin.

  Archie shook his head. “I don’t know what we are going to do with you.”

  “The women last night knew exactly what to do with me.”

  He shook his head, groaning. “Any idea how I should expect to rid ourselves of the irate husband?”

  “Maybe you should tell him that you know about him that you know he’s a Molly, not that I have anything against them, but he takes great pains to keep it a secret.”

  “How did you find that out?” Archie grunted, rolling his eyes.

  “I have my ways. I’ve had to warn him off flirting with the footmen at the various dinner parties, balls and routs I’ve attended.”

  “Was the attention unwanted?”

  “You could say that.”

  “They must have a hard time keeping staff in their household.”

  “I expect so,” Louis-Daniel muttered. “I did tell him that if I caught him trying to force his attentions on another lad, I would relieve him of his ability to use his little lad.”