A Stolen Kiss (Victorian Love Book 1)

by M. A. Nichols

  But with her attention otherwise occupied, it gave Jack a moment to consider their predicament. The more time he spent with Miss Kingsley, the more convinced he was that she was as far from a mercenary as one could be. Giving a hard look at yet another seller who tried to gouge the lady, Jack said not a word but held the fellow’s gaze until the man settled on a far more reasonable price for a string of glass beads.

  Then there was the issue of her beau—or lack thereof. Instinct told him there was more to the tale than Miss Kingsley was admitting, but the details were of no matter to Jack. The fact was that Miss Kingsley had been caught in a compromising situation, her reputation was suffering because of it, and there was no one else willing or able to save her.

  And the more Jack watched Miss Kingsley, the more his guilt grew at the thought of her bearing the brunt of society’s displeasure. Not that he cared two jots for what others thought of him or her, but their cruelty would snuff out that brightness in her eyes and sweetness of temper.

  *

  Lily could all but hear Mr. Hatcher’s thoughts churning in his head, though he spoke not a word. He was a silent sentinel at her side as she moved through the marketplace, and his eyes were fixed on her. It was intense and thoughtful in a manner that made Lilly feel quite discomposed if she allowed herself to dwell on it.

  Turning her attention to the world around her, she tried to lose herself in the joy of the marketplace. However, it was impossible with Mr. Hatcher’s brooding demeanor. A marketplace was one of the noisiest places a person could be, yet his silence stood out among it until it was all she could hear.

  The longer they walked, the more flustered Lily became. After what had passed between them, Lily was anxious to be rid of him so that she would never be faced with the reminder of her greatest folly. It was impossible to be composed when holding the arm of a stranger with whom she had shared a romantic interlude. The whole thing was preposterous, embarrassing, and regrettable.

  When she could not stand another moment, Lily turned them away from the market and pointed them home. The quicker she returned to her aunt and uncle’s townhouse, the quicker she would be free of Mr. Hatcher.

  The front door came into view, and Lily was grateful, quickening her pace.

  “Thank you, Mr. Hatcher, for your escort,” she said when they arrived, but the gentleman was undeterred by her dismissal and released her arm to open the door for her before following her inside.

  A footman appeared and took her jacket, bonnet, and gloves, and to her utter dismay, Mr. Hatcher handed his over as well. The pair stood in the entryway, the gentleman as silent as ever while Lily stared at him, unsure of what more to say or do with her uninvited guest.

  “Lily is that you?” called Aunt Louisa-Margaretta, stepping from the parlor to peek at her niece, though the lady’s eyes widened when she spied Lily’s companion. “Mr. Hatcher?”

  Coming forward, she gave him a curtsy. “What a pleasant surprise.”

  Mr. Hatcher gave a proper bow as Aunt Louisa-Margaretta’s eyes darted between her niece and the gentleman.

  “I did not think to see you two together,” said her aunt with a furrowed brow, but the confusion lifted as a light gleamed in her eye. “Unless you have an announcement to make, perhaps?”

  “Aunt!” Lily’s cheeks blazed anew, her stomach twisting in unpleasant ways as she longed to flee to her bedchamber. But those anguished feelings were quickly replaced by shock when Mr. Hatcher finally spoke.

  “Miss Kingsley and I are engaged.”

  Chapter 6

  Lily gaped at the fellow, but her protestations were lost in the flurry of congratulations from her aunt. The lady babbled nonsense about the “joyous occasion,” leaving Lily dumbfounded, for this occasion was anything but joyous. It felt as though the whole debacle was unfolding before her like a play; unable to speak or move, Lily was locked in place as the plot carried on without her.

  Uncle Nicholas was sent for, and he only added to the revelries, slapping Mr. Hatcher on the shoulder as though Uncle had not spent the morning railing against the “unscrupulous fellow.” The party gathered in the parlor, her aunt drawing them to the sofa, and Lily had no choice but to comply like a marionette being led about by its strings. It wasn’t until the gentlemen started speaking of announcements and wedding dates that Lily was able to grab hold of reality.

  “But we are not engaged,” she murmured, though no one paid any attention to her protestations. Lily’s eyes darted between the other three, struggling to know what to say or do to derail this discussion.

  Her cheeks heated, her heart picking up as she tried again. But her words went unheeded once more, and the flustered, fluttery fear churning in her stomach began to burn.

  “We are not engaged,” she said more firmly, pulling her hands from her aunt’s grasp.

  “Nonsense,” said Uncle Nicholas, beaming as though this were the best of news while patting Mr. Hatcher on the shoulder like they were old chums.

  “I would prefer to get things settled as soon as possible,” said Mr. Hatcher. “However, I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley are abroad at present—”

  “Nonsense,” repeated Uncle Nicholas. “Lily is in our care for the Season, and nothing would make her parents happier than to return home to find their daughter engaged to be married. You and my brother-in-law can decide on the marriage settlements when they return in a few weeks, but there is no need to wait.”

  “But we cannot plan the wedding without her mother,” insisted Aunt Louisa-Margaretta, glancing over at Lily with a supportive look—as though that had been Lily’s greatest concern at present.

  Lily’s eyes widened, and a burble of laughter broke from her throat. Though her aunt and uncle did not notice, Mr. Hatcher’s gaze moved to her, and there was a decidedly humorous glint in his eye. It was clear that he recognized her feelings on the matter and seemed to have no compunction about ignoring them.

  “I assure you that Mr. Hatcher and I are not engaged. The question was neither asked nor answered—”

  “That is but a detail,” said Uncle Nicholas, dismissing her with a casual wave of his hand.

  “After your…” Aunt Louis-Margaretta began the sentence, but her voice trailed away as she sought for the right word, “...interlude last night, there can be no question of an engagement. Especially not when the gentleman is so willing.”

  “And if the lady is not?” asked Lily, but the gentlemen had already begun speaking, drowning out her words as thoroughly as if she had not spoken them.

  Aunt Louisa-Margaretta patted Lily’s hands with a sweet but condescending smile before chiming into the plans for Lily’s future. The whole conversation was like a startled horse that had thrown its rider, speeding along unchecked as Lily gaped at the trio, wondering what in the world she could say to get it in hand.

  “I do not wish to marry Mr. Hatcher.” Lily’s eyes moved between the three people, and it wasn’t until her jaw started to pain her that she realized how tightly she was clenching her teeth. Unable to contain herself any longer, Lily got to her feet and raised her voice. “I will not marry him!”

  The other conversation paused as the participants watched her. Lily’s cheeks flamed red, and yet again, she cursed herself for concocting that “interlude.” This whole situation was an unmitigated disaster.

  Looking at the gentleman in question, Lily said, “I am grateful that Mr. Hatcher desires to do his duty, but I do not wish to marry for such a meaningless reason. If there is a price to pay for my behavior last night, then I will pay it with my reputation—but not my hand in marriage.”

  “Don’t be absurd, Lily,” said Uncle Nicholas with another infuriating wave of his hand.

  “Mr. Hatcher is an excellent match,” added Aunt Louisa-Margaretta, coming to her feet beside Lily and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

  Uncle Nicholas nodded and continued, “Besides, it is the only choice in this situation, so there is no point in arguing.”

 
; Mr. Hatcher stood there in that silent, introspective manner of his as he watched her. Lily’s cheeks flamed, and she wished she did not need to have this conversation in front of him, but she could not let things stand.

  It was true that she fostered dreams of marriage and children but binding herself to a man out of duty or obligation was the opposite of happy imaginings. Lily had seen cold marriages from afar and had no interest in a similar fate. The thought of agreeing to this sham sent a shiver along her spine and brought a tremble to her hands. Better to be an unhappy spinster than an unhappy bride.

  “I do have a choice, Uncle. I may not care for my options, but there is always a choice, and I choose not to marry Mr. Hatcher.”

  Uncle opened his mouth to speak, but Aunt Louisa-Margaretta gave him a silencing look, and though the fellow looked put out, he remained quiet as his wife had prompted.

  “I understand that this may not be ideal, Lily, but this is the best solution,” she said. Stepping closer to her niece, Aunt Louisa-Margaretta lowered her tone. “Unless you have a tendre for another gentleman. The fellow you had intended to meet, perhaps?”

  Lily’s eyes darted away from her aunt’s sympathetic gaze, and that accursed blush returned in force. Her instincts begged her to flee, and her feet itched to do just that; hide away in her bedchamber until this horrific Season was finished, and then, she could return to Bristow.

  Tripping over her words, Lily managed to say, “There is no one else.”

  “Perfect,” said Uncle Nicholas as though that settled it, but Aunt Louisa-Margaretta gave him another look, and he restrained himself again.

  “Then it was Mr. Hatcher you were meeting last night?” she asked.

  Lily’s mouth hung open in an ungainly gape, but she could not think of words with which to fill it. Of course, there were all sorts of unhelpful thoughts that cluttered her mind, but nothing of any value sprang to her lips, and Lily could only manage a simple shake of her head.

  “I do not understand, dear,” said Aunt Louisa-Margaretta, pulling Lily away from the gentleman and lowering her voice. “I have not pushed matters because I knew you were very upset last night, but I must ask what you were doing in that library if not to meet a beau.”

  Lily’s chin trembled as she fought for composure, but she had no explanation to give her aunt. It was as though the air had grown thin in the room, leaving Lily light-headed and wishing to escape the parlor. With a bit of quiet, the tightness in her chest might ease, and she would find some peace.

  Her eyes moved to Mr. Hatcher and found him watching her with that look of his that said little, other than he was intently aware of her, and it did not help Lily’s growing agitation.

  *

  Jack tucked his hands behind his back and watched the intriguing Miss Kingsley.

  She had the good sense to rebut her uncle’s idiotic claims as to her options and did so with an intelligence that made her all the more alluring. Though she quaked and shook, Miss Kingsley did not waver in her determination, and Jack found himself admiring her timid fortitude. The more she spoke, the more appealing she became.

  Even though she was wrong.

  Miss Kingsley did have other options, but marriage was the best. There was no beau, and thus no other offers. Marriage would secure her reputation and financial stability. And though the blessed state of matrimony had never enticed Jack before, he could see the merit of having a wife when it came to the social aspects of business. It would be mutually beneficial.

  If Jack were a prideful man, he might be heartily offended at her refusal. Though if he were being truthful with himself—and he tried to be—her reaction did sting the slightest bit.

  From the way other ladies attempted to curry his favor, Jack knew he was considered a catch. He had a healthy income bolstered by a thriving company and varied investments. He was no wastrel or drunkard nor prone to violence. And he was by no means an unattractive fellow, as Miss Kingsley’s passionate embrace the night before could attest.

  No doubt Miss Kingsley fostered fancies of some dashing young buck sweeping her off her feet, but it was only further testament that she needed guidance and protection. Jack did not know how every fortune hunter in the country hadn’t beaten down her door, for she was a prime victim for such machinations. Jack had to marry her for her own good.

  Mr. and Mrs. Ashbrook attempted to reason with the lady, but for all her timidity, she had a spine of steel and was not relenting. Standing there with her hands shaking, the lady held her ground, fighting point by point against her aunt and uncle’s logic. And Jack liked her even more for it.

  In such cases, there was only one course of action that would make the stubborn bend. Miss Kingsley had a soft heart, and that was easily swayed with the right argument.

  “You say you do not care if your reputation suffers,” said Jack, taking a step forward. Miss Kingsley held his gaze and did not flinch or turn away as so many others were apt to do. “But what of the Pratts’?”

  Miss Kingsley straightened, her hands falling to her side.

  “Our scandal happened under their roof and while you were in their care,” said Jack.

  “People cannot hold the Pratts responsible for my actions,” said Miss Kingsley, speaking as though she hoped it were true and knew it was not. Humanity was illogical, and rumormongers were more so. Only a halfwit would expect otherwise.

  Jack did not bother refuting her claim; he merely raised his eyebrows at her in a silent challenge.

  Mrs. Ashbrook came to her niece’s side once more, taking Miss Kingsley’s hand in hers. “You know they will. I entrusted you and your reputation to Mrs. Pratt. Their name is already being bandied about, and I fear this could hurt them as much as it will hurt you.”

  Miss Kingsley’s gaze dropped to the floor, but as she stood there in silence, Jack watched a change come over her. Her slumped shoulders rose as she took several deep breaths, and when she finally met his eyes again, there was nothing of the frightened young miss.

  Standing tall and proud, she held Jack’s gaze and said, “Can we refrain from formally announcing the engagement at present? I wish to wait until my parents return.”

  “That would defeat the purpose of becoming engaged,” said Mr. Ashbrook.

  “I am not saying we keep it secret,” said Miss Kingsley. “I am simply asking that we do not put an announcement in the paper nor set to planning the wedding until my parents return home. As this is an issue of gossip, I see no reason why we cannot allow gossip to spread the news of our engagement.”

  Miss Kingsley’s expression pinched as she spoke that final word, making it clear that his betrothed was an unwilling participant. Not that it mattered to Jack. He had plenty of experience in swaying the stubborn to his side, and in time, Miss Kingsley would come to accept their forthcoming marriage.

  “As you see fit,” said Jack with a sketch of a bow. “Until tomorrow, then.”

  “Tomorrow?” asked Mrs. Ashbrook.

  “For a drive. It is expected of engaged couples.” As loath as he was to waste his time on such a useless activity, there was no helping it.

  Mrs. Ashbrook beamed and nodded, clutching her niece’s arm as though this was everything Miss Kingsley had hoped for, and utterly ignorant of the simmering fire that burned in the young lady’s gaze. It appeared that his future wife had a bit of a temper, and Jack hid his smile, though not well enough, for Miss Kingsley’s eyes narrowed at him.

  With a bow, Jack left, striding from the house with far more lightness of step than one would expect from a man engaged to a lady he hardly knew. But Jack never questioned his instincts, and they felt quite pleased with the outcome. Marrying Miss Kingsley had not been his intention, but it was one of those rare surprises that upended plans and landed him in far better circumstances. It was not often that such was the case, but Jack was not about to question his good fortune.

  Chapter 7

  Lily paced the parlor, her shoes striking the floor like pounding fists. With he
r jacket on, it was too warm for such frenzied movements, but she would not take it off. She must be ready to leave the moment he appeared, or he might enter the townhouse. Her aunt and uncle may be forcing her to pass a few hours in Mr. Hatcher’s company, but she needn’t lengthen his visit.

  To think that she had thought him dashing! Romantic even. Though Mr. Hatcher had behaved tenderly the night of the ball, the fellow had a black heart beating in his chest. That calculating cad.

  The only saving grace was that this ridiculous situation was only temporary. With time, the rumors would die and the Pratts’ association with the whole debacle would be forgotten. Her parents would return, and they would never force her to wed Mr. Hatcher. In a few weeks’ time, all would be forgotten, and Lily would break with her “betrothed.”

  That odious and infuriating man!

  *

  With a nudge of the reins, Jack guided the horse through the clogged street. This was absurd. Driving through London during the busiest time of day was an irritating way to pass the time and attempting to visit any of the parks when the elite were out in droves was madness. But though he was battling the onslaught of carriages, carts, animals, and people, Jack wasn’t terribly unhappy about the opportunity to see Miss Kingsley again.

  Not Miss Kingsley. Lily. She was his fiancé, after all.

  However, his stomach gave a slight quiver as he imagined facing her once more, and Jack couldn’t account for that strange flutter of anxiety; Lily was not a fearsome foe.

  Upon seeing her uncle’s townhouse, Jack pulled to the side and tossed a coin at one of the street boys, who fetched the reins and held the horse still as Jack climbed the front steps. But before his knuckles touched wood, the door flew open and Lily was there, rushing down the stairs with the grim determination of a soldier doing his duty. She was practically climbing into the cabriolet before Jack could assist her.