“That explains...” her voice trailed as her cheeks turned red.
“Explains what?”
“Nothing.”
He lifted her chin with his gloved hand. “Mia?”
“The fact that you are built like a blacksmith,” she admitted.
He leaned in closer, inhaling her sweet scent. “And do you like that?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He walked away and slammed his fist into the bag of sand. He turned at the sound of her gasp. “Are you all right?”
“I didn’t expect the force. You’re very strong.”
“I’ve been doing this for a while.” He returned his attention to the bag and hit it a few more times before pulling off his gloves. “But we didn’t come down here for this. Come over here.”
She walked in front of him. “How could I ever defend myself against someone of your size and strength? Coming down here and seeing what you do only confirms in my mind that I need a weapon for protection.”
Simon spun her around so she wasn’t facing him and wrapped his arms around her chest, holding her tight. She stiffened behind his grip.
“Simon, I don’t like this.”
“You’re not supposed to,” he replied. “Now if a man grabs you like this, what can you do?”
“Nothing, I cannot move my arms,” she answered in an exasperated tone.
“So what is wrong with your feet?”
“My feet?”
“The point is to cause enough pain that your attacker will release you.”
“At which point, I run and he catches me.”
“Not if you prohibit him from running.”
She went silent for a long moment in thought. “How?”
He smiled. “Stomp on your attacker’s foot as hard as you can. His reflex will be to let go of you. If it doesn’t work, then kick him in the knee.”
“Knees are excellent. They are terribly painful when broken. I had never thought of that.”
“Use your knowledge of muscles and bones to hurt your opponent. The best thing is to use a combination of moves to debilitate him. I would suggest, stomping on his foot and then slamming your heel into the opposite knee. Then a hard jab to the ribs, turn and bring both fists down on his nose if you can reach. Try it.”
“I’ll hurt you!”
“Just the moves, please. Say it as you do it so you remember in a time of crisis.”
“Foot,” Mia said, then pretended to stomp on his foot. “Knee. Rib.” She spun around and laughed. “Nose.”
“No laughing. This is serious.” He turned her back around. “Again. And this time hit me.”
“I can’t do that, Simon.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not Simon. I am a man trying to hurt you. I will stop at nothing to get you away from the ball you are attending so I can rape you.”
“Foot,” Mia yelled and tramped her foot on the top of his boot.
Simon held back a wince.
“Knee.”
This time he did flinch as her heel impacted his knee. Thankfully, she didn’t use as much force as he knew she could.
“Ribs.”
Her elbow sucked the air out of him, forcing him to release his hold on her. She spun around and bopped her fists on his nose.
“Nose.”
“Excellent.”
Mia stepped back. “Do you really think I’d be able to remember that and do it?”
“Yes, if you want to survive, you will do whatever you need to.” He came closer and brought her into his arms. “I’m sure this is frightening after what you experienced with Davies. But if you are put in a situation like we just acted out, I want you to think of Davies and use all that anger on your attacker.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, Simon.”
“Come along, we both have things to do before we leave for Suffolk.”
After spending a few days in a carriage, Mia had never been so thankful to arrive somewhere. The coach rolled to a stop in front of a large gray granite home. Large Palladian windows gleamed in the waning sunlight. Simon climbed down and held his hand out for her. A wave of nervousness washed over her.
“Do you think Charlie arrived and told everyone our news?” she said as they walked toward the door.
“No. He said he had some business with London to attend to before he could come down to Suffolk. Knowing him, Charlie will arrive just as the ball begins so he can make a grand entrance.”
“Oh.”
Simon squeezed her hand gently. “Everything will be fine. Caroline will be thrilled to finally have a sister.”
“Even one beneath her station?”
He smiled down at her. “I doubt my sister will care.”
Mia swallowed back her trepidation as the door opened before them. “What about your mother?”
“She might not be as happy.”
Mia stopped short. “And you decided to tell me this now?”
“You would have done nothing but worry if I had told you earlier.” He gave her arm a little tug. “Come along.”
Trepidation turned to outright fear. His mother had always been kind to her but had held herself above Mia. Now that woman would be her mother-in-law. She would never accept Mia as her daughter. But there was nothing Mia could do about that now.
“Simon!” a soft feminine voice sounded from down the hall.
“Caro,” Simon replied with a grin. “Get over here!”
A petite brunette raced down the hall toward him and threw herself into his arms. “Simon! I can’t believe you decided to come for the party!”
“I wouldn’t be here if not for my wife.”
Caroline pulled back and glanced over to Mia. “Your wife? Mia, is that you?”
Mia nodded slowly.
“Oh my!” Caroline’s mouth gaped. “You married our wise woman?”
“No, I married the wise woman’s daughter,” Simon replied.
“Where are my manners? Congratulations to you both.” She waved a liveried footman over to collect their bags. “I’ll put you in the blue bedchamber in the east wing. It has lovely views of the pond. And the sunrises are splendid.”
“I’m sure it will be wonderful,” Simon said. “Where is Waterston?”
“He is entertaining his brothers in the billiard room. For the first week it will only be family.” She leveled a pointed look at Simon. “Then the others will arrive.”
“I see.”
Mia couldn’t help but notice the way Simon stiffened. A small tic pulsed in his clenched jaw. The poor man must truly hate crowds to look so upset by the idea. She placed her arm on his and gently squeezed.
“Of course, you must be tired, Mia,” Simon said, not realizing she only wanted to give him comfort on his distress.
“I can only assume you haven’t spoken to Mother about your marriage?” Caroline asked, leaning in closer to Simon.
“No.” Simon patted Mia’s hand. “We shall announce it at dinner.”
“Well, that should be an interesting dinner,” Caroline whispered. “You two go off and rest. Dinner is at eight.”
“Thank you,” Mia replied.
They followed a footman up the curved marble staircase to their room. A large salon of blues and ivory led into a similar-colored bedroom. The massive mahogany bed dominated the room with ivory bed curtains pulled back to reveal the blue coverlet.
All Mia wanted to do was jump into that bed, pull the covers over her head, and hide until this party was over. She had no business being here. Caroline’s reception had been lukewarm and she was his sister. His mother would be so much more difficult.
“Stop worrying your poor lower lip,” Simon said with a gentle kiss. “Everything will be perfectly fine.”
“For you,” Mia retorted. “You are not the one everyone will be talking about.”
“I’m not so certain that is true,” he mumbled.
“Of course it is. Everyone will believe I am below your station and you should
have kept me as your mistress.” And today, Mia believed it too.
He drew her in the comfort of his arms. “I truly do not care what others say about us.”
She should tell him how she felt about him. But after telling him once only to find he’d fallen asleep, she found herself reticent. If he would say those words first, she would have no trouble saying them back. Perhaps she would wait for that to happen. And pray he told her soon.
Mia savored his warmth and protection but knew they had to rest a little before dinner or they would both be too tired to face the upcoming confrontation. She would need all the strength she could muster.
As if sensing her thoughts, Simon said, “Come along; let’s take a rest before dinner.”
He helped her out of her dress and then they both climbed into the large bed. The minute she closed her eyes, she was asleep.
“Wake up.”
A voice called to her. Soft lips caressed hers until she blinked her eyes open. “That is a lovely way to awaken.”
“Good. Now get up,” he said.
She loved the husky sound of his voice after sleep. If only they could stay in bed and make love until the early hours of the morning. She knew that was impossible. Everyone expected them at dinner. A sense of dread enveloped her as she slowly rose. No matter what Simon said, no one was going to accept them—or rather, her.
Simon had already dressed for dinner in fawn breeches, a gold waistcoat, and brown jacket. He looked terribly handsome in his finery.
“I rang for Lucy to assist you with your dressing.”
“Thank you.” She washed up while waiting for her maid to arrive. After a week of marriage, she still wasn’t used to having a maid to help her dress, fetching things for her. It was all very odd. Before marriage, her mother would help her dress or she would wear front-lacing stays. No one would fetch her anything. It was up to Mia to get or fix whatever she wanted.
Lucy entered the bedchamber as Simon moved to the salon to give them privacy. Lucy closed the bedroom door.
“I picked out the rose silk.”
“Isn’t that too fancy for dinner?”
Lucy laughed. “Oh no, my lady. Since all the family is here now, dinner will be a formal event.”
“Lucy, how will I ever get used to all this?” Mia whispered.
Lucy tied her stays. “You are doing perfectly, my lady. In no time, this will be second nature to you.”
“I hope so.”
The conversation waned as Lucy worked at getting her dressed and performing magic with Mia’s unruly hair. By the time Lucy finished, Mia barely recognized herself in the mirror. With a beautiful silk gown and upswept hair, she at least looked the part of a countess. Hopefully, his family would realize that too.
The bedroom door opened and Simon stopped at the threshold. He leaned against the door frame, staring at her. “You look almost perfect.”
“Almost?” Insecurity attacked her. Had she forgotten something important?
He walked closer and then spun her around. Cold metal touched her neck and chest. “Now, you look perfect.”
Mia turned to glance in the mirror. A gasp escaped her lips when she saw the most incredible diamond necklace lying against her skin. “I—I cannot wear something so valuable.”
Simon’s dimples deepened. “Of course you can. You are my wife. My countess. These are my grandmother’s diamonds. She was the daughter of a duke and was given these when she came out.”
Oh dear, Mia had completely forgotten that his grandmother would be here too. Would she be upset to see Mia wearing her diamonds? “Does she know I’ll be—”
“Not quite. She heard I had brought my bride so she sent these over for you to wear tonight.”
So the dowager countess had no idea who her grandson had married. Now Mia had to worry about his mother and grandmother disparaging her. Of course, perhaps they’ve had the last three hours to come to terms with Simon’s decision. Caroline must have told them all that Mia was here.
“Ready?” Simon asked.
She would never be ready for this. “Yes.”
Simon laughed. “No, you’re not, but thank you for putting on a brave face.”
They walked together down the stairs. Voices rose from the blue salon as they approached. Mia’s body trembled with every step they took. They entered the room and the conversation halted.
“Oh my God!” his mother exclaimed before rising out of her chair. “You married that wise woman whore!”
Chapter 20
Simon’s anger swiftly elevated at his mother’s reaction. Mia clutched his arm. He could feel her trembling next to him. “Mother, this is my wife and I expect you to treat her with all the respect she deserves.”
His mother stalked them both. “Deserves? She is no one. And she is wearing your grandmother’s diamonds! She can’t help you with...”
Thankfully, she stopped before telling everyone of his financial woes. “That is enough. It is done.”
“I rather think she might be just what he needs,” his grandmother finally said from the sofa. Slowly, she stood and ambled over to them both. She looked at Mia with a critical eye. “I haven’t seen you in three years, my dear. How are you?”
“I am very well, my lady,” Mia replied softly.
“I have missed our conversations.”
Simon and his mother stared at them both in disbelief. “Conversations?” Simon asked with a quizzical eye to Mia.
“Of course,” his grandmother replied with a smile. “Mia and I would meet near the pond at Hartsfield Park and discuss many things.”
“Such as?” Simon couldn’t contain his curiosity.
“Literature. History. And of course current events, fashions. All the things women speak of when they are together.” His grandmother stepped closer. “Now come give me a hug.”
His frail-looking grandmother brought Mia into a strong hug.
“Simon, I would like to speak to you in the library,” his mother demanded.
“Will you be all right?” he asked Mia.
“Of course, she will, boy,” his grandmother said. “Now go get your scolding from your mother.”
Mia nodded with a smile to his grandmother. “I believe I shall be fine.”
The pair walked into the room where Caroline introduced them to her family. Simon turned and faced his mother with a scowl. “Let us talk, Mother.”
Her face paled slightly in the dim light. Once in the library, Simon closed the door. “What were you thinking attacking my wife like that in front of all those people? Do you have any idea of how terrified she was to meet everyone tonight? Explain yourself.”
Putting his mother on the defense softened her attitude... slightly. “Simon, you took me by surprise. I was shocked that you would think to marry someone so far below your station in life.”
“Mother, I love her.”
“I know that.”
“You do?”
His mother laughed. “Of course, I do. It’s been evident to anyone who has ever seen you speak with her. You can’t take your eyes off her the moment she walks in the room.” She sighed and sat in a wingback chair. “But it doesn’t change the fact that she can’t help you with your financial difficulties. A wealthy wife would have put your monetary situation to rights.”
“Actually, Mia is extremely well versed with finances. She looked over my books and found errors that I had made.” He glanced away from his mother’s prying stare. “She understands my difficulties with numbers.”
“But you could have married a wealthy woman and kept—”
“Do not say I could have kept Mia as my mistress,” he warned with a glare. “I never would have disrespected my wife or Mia with such an arrangement.”
“I know, you have too much of your father in you for that.” His mother shook her head. “This is such a disaster,” she bemoaned.
“I am working with Mia to solve my money issues. Would it have been easier to fix it if I had married a woman of means? Yes.
But it is too late for that.”
“Simon, she has made no secret of the fact that she has had lovers.”
“I know that, Mother. I am the one who rescued her from the last one. But I also know that she will be faithful.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Did she seduce you and tell you she was with child?”
“No, Mother. In fact, she wouldn’t give me an answer to my proposal until after her monthlies had arrived. She was not about to saddle me with another man’s child.”
“Oh.” She sank into a wingback chair with a sigh.
“She is a wonderful woman who helped save your life. Why are you so against this marriage?”
“I only want what’s best for you, son. I just don’t believe Mia Featherstone is that woman.”
“She is the Countess of Hartsfield now. I expect you to treat her with as much respect as you would any woman of the ton I might have married.”
She sighed deeply. “As you wish. I will try.”
“That’s all I can ask for. I believe we should get back to the salon.”
They walked back in silence. As much as his mother had said she would try, Simon knew there would be strain between them for some time. Perhaps when Mia produced his heir, then his mother would be happy with his choice in wife.
As he reentered the room, Simon almost laughed. His grandmother sat next to Mia and made sure she was included in the conversations. He scanned the room and noticed James standing near a window glancing outside.
He walked over to his brother. “James, it has been far too long. How did you manage to get away?”
“I was overdue for a short holiday so I thought I would come up for a few days. I never expected this commotion, though.”
“Neither did I.”
“Why Mia, Simon?”
“Why not Mia, James?” God, he was getting tired of this line of questioning.
“No need to get defensive with me. I only want to know if you love her.”
He should have known better than to question James’s motives. “Yes, I do.”
“Good,” James said with a smile. “Then I can welcome her to the family with no qualms.”
As if on cue, Mia approached them. “Mr. Blakesworth, how are you?”
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