I Shall Love the Earl

by Laura A. Barnes

  “Rory is broke. Pride has been his downfall the entire time,” Sidney explained.

  “I do not understand. Why should any of that matter?”

  “He wanted to come to you as a wealthy man. Not as a man who would be perceived as a fortune hunter,” Sophia continued.

  Sidney explained more of the details concerning the late Lord Beckwith and how he left his family in debt. That over the last few years Rory struggled to keep his family from debtor’s prison. She didn’t explain how he earned his money, and admitted she had spoken too much as it was. But Sidney wanted Dallis to understand the burdens he lived with. Sidney hoped that after the wedding Rory wouldn’t let his pride still be his downfall. She urged Dallis to break through his defenses after they wed.

  Dallis finally put the pieces together. She saw how Rory’s pride kept him from courting her. Rory had mentioned that she deserved better, and now she understood. Dallis had noticed the threadbare furniture at their home, and Kathleen’s dresses came from past fashion plates. Dallis even saw the small staff of servants. But none of that concerned her. She didn’t love him for what he had, but for who he was. It was a trait she'd learned from her grandmother. Her nanna gifted her with that feeling and that is how she judged others. Her nanna always loved her for who she was, not who she wanted her to be unlike her own parents. And that was how she loved Rory. For who he was, not for how he provided for her. As long as Dallis had his love, that would be the only thing that mattered. Money comes and money goes, but as long as they had each other, then they would conquer all. She had enough money for them. Dallis understood that he would reject that idea, but hopefully in time she could convince Rory to let her help his family.

  “Thank you for explaining Rory’s behavior. It has helped me to understand him better. I feared that he regretted being forced to ask for my hand in marriage.”

  “Dallis, Rory loves you,” Sidney said firmly.

  “So he professes. But until he can trust me with his secrets, then the scope of his love are only words.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  They spent the days leading to their wedding with not a moment alone. Dallis’s fears only strengthened with Rory’s dark brooding looks. While his mother, Kathleen and friends’ excitement at the impending nuptials should have soothed Dallis, it only fueled her thoughts that Rory regretted his proposal. He was always polite and agreed to every decision made, but Dallis sensed that he wasn’t on board with her grandmother’s forceful hand. He never tried to steal a kiss or sneak into her room now. Though their courtship was unorthodox, Dallis craved for attention from the Rory who had ruined her.

  Rory stood across the room near the window. He stared out at the pounding rain, the weather reflecting his foul mood. He listened to the ladies discussing his upcoming marriage. Dallis’s quiet voice agreed to every detail being made. She never put forth her own requests but approved whatever his mother and her grandmother suggested. The tone of her voice drew his attention away from the storm. When he turned, he saw how withdrawn his bride had become. No smile lit her face, and her eyes held a sadness that Rory felt like a punch to his gut. Did she no longer wish to marry him? He'd tried to keep his distance this week and act the proper gentleman he should have the entire time he'd known her. Rory ached to hold Dallis in his arms and kiss her sweet lips. But he had already ruined her name and brought shame onto his family.

  When he saw the doubt in Dallis's eyes, Rory knew what he had to do. To hell with propriety. He only needed to make Dallis happy. Everybody and everything else could hang.

  “If you ladies would excuse me, I have some business to conclude before we leave on our honeymoon. I will have the carriage return to take you home, Mama.”

  The ladies assured him they had everything under control and said their goodbyes—except for Dallis. Her lips only pinched more, watching him walking out. He sensed her stare and stopped at the door. Before he left, he winked at her, then continued on to the foyer before she could respond. Rory chuckled, imagining her reaction. Life with her would never be dull.

  Along his way to the foyer he took a detour up the stairs to Dallis’s room. When he encountered her maid, Helen, in the hallway Rory requested a favor and explained his reasoning. Soon, he had the maid sighing and offering assistance to help sneak Dallis away.

  While Helen gathered Dallis’s shawl, Rory wrote a note. He sneaked back down the stairs and into the foyer. Shaw had his coat waiting for him. Rory thanked the man and continued to his carriage, where he waited for Dallis to join him.

  Well, at least Rory hoped she would.

  DALLIS ROSE FROM HER chair and went to the window to watch Rory depart. However, it was a long time before he left her grandmother’s house. What had taken him so long? When he finally strode to his carriage, it was with a determination that triggered her curiosity. Was there a meaning behind his wink? Before she could react, he walked away without another glance. His behavior certainly went against the norm for the past week.

  She heard tea and cake being served. Dallis held no appetite for the small repast. A tap on her shoulder had her turning to find Helen holding out her shawl.

  “I thought you would feel a slight chill, my lady, from the rain.”

  “Thank you, Helen.”

  Her maid handed her the cashmere garment. Helen’s hands pressed Dallis’s hand into the softness. The sound of paper crinkling caused Dallis to look at Helen in askance. The confusion in her gaze prompted her maid to respond.

  “A note, my lady. He awaits your answer,” Helen said quietly.

  Dallis slipped out the note while Helen fussed with setting the shawl around her shoulders, brushing out the wrinkles.

  My dearest Dallis,

  If you are as frustrated by this act of polite indifference as I am, then perhaps you would be willing to accompany me for a carriage ride. I realize my request is much to ask of you. Considering that I have done nothing but ruin you throughout our courtship.

  However, I leave the choice for you to decide. If Helen opens the door, I will know that you have refused. While the loss of your companionship will affect me deeply, I completely understand. But if you do open the door, it shall bring me much pleasure.

  Your devoted scoundrel,

  Rory

  Dallis’s heart raced at his suggestion. What he proposed would be scandalous and ruin what remained of her reputation, if they were caught. But on the eve of their wedding day, she no longer cared. His note removed all her doubts on whether he wanted to marry her. It appears her scoundrel tried acting as the proper gentleman for every lady in this room. However, it was not what she wanted. She wanted the rogue who couldn’t resist ruining her.

  Helen whispered in her ear. “I will distract Shaw from the front door, and you can make an excuse to retrieve something from your room.”

  Dallis nodded at Helen’s suggestion. It would appear that the lure of any attention from Roderick Beckwith would always send her to his side.

  When Dallis turned from the window, everybody was enjoying their tea and cake. They discussed the flowers for tomorrow’s event. She caught Kathleen’s gaze and saw the laughter hidden in her depths. Kathleen's eyes were so like her brother's. A dark green that held a troubled depth but always changed to one of amusement to hide their secrets. Dallis hoped that once they were married, Rory would share his burdens—Kathleen too. Kathleen titled her head to the door with a silent message to escape. Dallis smiled in return, slipping out of the room. Her grandmother and Rory’s mother were too busy with a flower arrangement to note her disappearance.

  Dallis opened the door and started down the pathway to Rory’s carriage. Before she could make it halfway, he flew out of the carriage and lifted Dallis off her feet, swinging her around. They laughed as the rain fell on them, soaking their clothes. Their laughter turned to passion as Rory lowered Dallis to her feet. He ran his hands through her drenched hair, lowering his head to hers. When their lips met, the desperation from being apart took hold. Dal
lis sighed into his kiss and melted around him. Rory pulled away.

  “You came.”

  “Was there any doubt?”

  Rory’s fear kept him from answering. As he'd waited impatiently, uncertainties overtook his thoughts. With each second that ticked by, he waited in hopeful anticipation. And with every second that she didn't appear, his doubts multiplied.

  Rory's look gave Dallis his answer. The whole time Dallis had feared that Rory felt trapped, he'd also experienced the same concern. Their misjudgments only confirmed her belief that they had much to learn about the other.

  Rory knew that Dallis could read his thoughts. He needed to explain his behavior and hoped that she'd understand. He leaned over to place a soft kiss on her lips and led her to the carriage. Inside, Rory gave instructions to the driver to drive them around London for an hour. He yearned to spend more time than that, but Rory didn’t want Dallis to suffer any more of her grandmother’s disappointment.

  As Rory sat across from Dallis, she suffered the same sense of loss from before. While his passionate kisses showed his true feelings, his behavior now confused her. She watched him take a deep breath, wiping his hands along his trousers, and Dallis realized he was nervous. It was endearing. Dallis settled back against the cushions, waiting for him to speak.

  Rory saw a secretive smile light her face as he worked up the courage to explain himself. What went through the minx’s mind? When she dropped the shawl and ran her fingertips across the opening of her dress that slid unbuttoned during their embrace, Rory gulped. When she softly spoke his name, Rory shook his head.

  No, he would resist the temptation. He wanted to explain and give her the ring he'd bought. Rory wanted Dallis to wear it now. He didn’t want to share the joy of the gift with the guests at their wedding.

  “Rory,” Dallis sighed again.

  Dallis tried to lure him into more kisses and saw that teasing him was only making Rory more nervous. So she reached across and slid her fingers into his hand and offered a smile of encouragement.

  He said, “While I want nothing more than to hold you on my lap and kiss your lips senseless, there is something I want to explain to you.”

  Dallis blushed at his blunt explanation. She hoped to provoke him with her actions, but was unprepared for his reaction. It would seem she had much to learn. She tried to pull away and Rory tightened his grip on her fingers.

  Rory chuckled. While his love was a minx, she was still very innocent. He would enjoy teaching her many pleasures.

  “I want to apologize for the distance I have placed between us this week.”

  “Why have you pulled away? Did my grandmother force your hand too soon? Have you changed your mind?

  “No, my dear. I am more than ever determined to make you mine. I have kept a distance because you are too much of a temptation. On every occasion I have been in your company, I have ruined you. This week, I thought if I treated you with the respect you deserve, it would clear away any rumors clouding our marriage.”

  “Rory, I do not care of what anybody thinks of our marriage, with the exception of you and me. We are all that matters.”

  “I became aware of your unhappiness with the wedding preparations while I watched you. You should have showed enthusiasm. Instead you appeared as if you made a mistake.”

  “I have never felt that. I missed the scoundrel who tempted me with a passion that I wanted to explore. Instead, I now had a perfect gentleman calling on me who promised a lifetime of boredom.”

  Rory tugged on her hands, bringing her out of her seat. He settled Dallis on his lap.

  “Boredom, you say?”

  “Yes. Too proper for my taste.”

  “What is your taste, my Scottish minx?” Rory whispered in her ear, placing kisses along her neck.

  Dallis closed her eyes as his lips caressed her skin. Her thoughts becoming distracted by his touch.

  “I prefer scoundrels,” she sighed.

  He savored her soft moans, tempting Rory to cross over the line he'd promised he wouldn’t. Just a few kisses to tide him over until tomorrow, then he would stop. But when his lips met hers it proved to be harder than he imagined.

  Rory tried to resist her. While it was very honorable of him, it was not what either of them desired. His kisses held a part of himself back that she wanted—that she desired and needed. When he pulled away, a sense of loss invaded her soul. However, Dallis saw the determination in Rory’s expression, and that he needed to prove something to himself most of all.

  “I promise to be that scoundrel you prefer tomorrow. Now I want to be a gentleman and propose to you the way you deserve.”

  Rory reached inside his suit pocket and withdrew a small jewelry box. He rested the box on the seat next to him, lifted Dallis’s hand and slowly pulled off her glove. Rory withdrew the ring and slid it down Dallis’s finger. The small setting looked perfect on her. After placing a kiss on her finger, Rory was unprepared for what he saw. Dallis's tears scared him, but the adoration in her eyes soothed his fears.

  Tears of joy floated over Dallis’s cheeks as Rory slid the ring on her finger. The ring was a simple affair with an emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds. Nothing glamorous, but a true token of his affection. By all accounts, judging from the jewelry box, this was no family heirloom but one purchased just for her. The gesture overwhelmed her scattered emotions. The highs and lows of the week took hold. She chocked back a sob when he again kissed her finger with the ring.

  “Dallis, I know I have already requested the honor of you becoming my bride. While I meant every word, it was not the way I wanted to ask. Now I am asking as a man who has fallen under your spell and knows no other way to survive but to become yours forever. Will you take my hand in marriage?”

  Dallis put her hands to his cheeks and rubbed her fingers under his eyes. His gaze still held a trouble he wouldn’t share, but also a devotion that could only be love. Her scoundrel who had only ever ruined her, and still continued to do so, was a deeply romantic gentleman. Dallis had only one answer that would do.

  “I would love to, my dear. Because, you see, while you may have fallen under my spell, I have fallen under yours and no other man will do.”

  Dallis finished with a gentle kiss upon his lips. Rory sighed his relief and Dallis answered his need. Her kisses remained soft and slow as she explored her desire. With his encouragement, they became bolder as their passion grew.

  But before they could explore their need, the carriage came abruptly to a stop. When the door opened, they found his mother, Kathleen, and Lady Ratcliff standing outside. Dallis withdrew from his lap, wearing the mischievous smile he adored. He stepped from the carriage and pulled her out with his hands around Dallis's waist. Rory heard her grandmother’s disapproving humphs as he kept Dallis close to his side.

  Dallis wanted to laugh at the situation, but didn’t want to make matters worse for Rory. She showed the ladies the ring. That seemed to appease them somewhat. When Rory's mother winked at Dallis, then Dallis knew that Lady Beckwith would be a strong supporter of their marriage.

  Rory watched Dallis soothe the women's concerns on their scandalous outing. He knew he still needed to work on Dallis's grandmother’s acceptance, but from the wink he witnessed his mother giving Dallis, he knew his mother approved. Kathleen nudged him in the side and laughed at yet another predicament he was putting himself in regarding Dallis. It was during that moment, Rory no longer cared what anybody thought. As long as Dallis stood by his side, it was all that mattered. In time, he would share his financial troubles with her.

  For now, he only wished for Dallis to be happy.

  Chapter Twenty

  Their wedding was a splendid affair surrounded by their close circle of family and friends. Dallis was a lovely bride who made him proud. Rory only hoped he could make her just as proud. After the brunch her grandmother so graciously provided for the guests, Rory whisked Dallis away on their honeymoon. Sheffield also gifted them with one of his many carriages f
or them to enjoy a smooth ride. Sophia explained to Rory that the servants had prepared the home with essentials and they would have complete privacy when they arrived. A dinner would await them. The servants would come by daily to prepare meals and clean. The rest of their time they could enjoy the place to themselves.

  On their ride toward Camberley, Rory smiled upon his bride who sat across from him. She smiled shyly back, wringing her hands in what appeared to be nervousness. He crooked his finger at her to join him. Dallis shook her head, which only made him chuckle. Since she wouldn’t join him, then he must keep her company for the long journey.

  When Rory lifted her across, Dallis let out a squeal until she settled on his lap. They sunk into the soft cushions. Rory nuzzled at her neck, and Dallis giggled. He was incorrigible.

  “What is so funny, my wife?”

  “Why you are, my husband.”

  Rory smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. “You have made me the luckiest man today.”

  Dallis rested a palm on his cheek. “It is I who is the lucky one.”

  Rory captured her mouth with a kiss built up from the passion he'd kept contained all week. Now that she was his, he could kiss Dallis at his every whim. Dallis’s fingers slid through his hair, bringing his lips closer. He tried to take it slow, but soon desire overtook his rational senses. Rory devoured her lips, drinking from them like a starving man. One kiss after another, none of them enough to satisfy his thirst. Dallis’s lips opened, returning his kisses with a passion of her own. She clung to him.

  Dallis waited all week for his kisses. Rory had teased her throughout the season with his passion. Now she could open her arms wide. Each stroke of his tongue had Dallis whimpering for more. When he kissed her harder, she responded with her own ardor. Their arms became entangled. There was no air left between them, but still they couldn’t get close enough. The clothes on their bodies were a hindrance she tried to remove, but he stopped her.