“Why? Does my manly, naked physic offend your sensibilities?” Killian taunted, but he reached for his discarded shirt and shrugged it on. “Modest by name and modest by nature.” He jeered.
Disregarding the insult, she gave one of her own back. “Everything about you offends me.” She ignored the amusement glittering in his eyes and became serious. “I’m relieved to
hear you’ll honor the contract because you’re going to marry me as soon as the arrangements can be made. Tonight, in fact.” Speaking absently in fascination she watched his long, slender fingers do up the buttons.
His head bent, Killian threw it up and stared at her in horrified disbelief. “You want us to what? Now! Tonight!”
“Don’t play stupid, you heard me clearly.” She snapped irritably. Heavens the man was so annoying.
A shake of his head, he eyed her suspiciously. “Why?”
For a moment, she decided whether or not to tell him the whole sordid story. Truth won out. “My father has gambled himself into a great deal of debt. The odious man he owes money to will wipe it out if I marry him — I of course refused. I was locked in my room and my darling parent threatened to put my aunt away in an asylum if I didn’t agree to wed the vile creature at noon tomorrow.”
Shocked and furious, Killian staggered over to the chair and toppled into it. He searched her face trying to see if she was making the whole thing up. What he saw was innocence and nothing else. He stroked his jaw thoughtfully; her father was a cold-hearted blackguard and it wouldn’t surprise him that he would behave in such a despicable manner.
Still reeling from the bomb she’d just dropped, he rubbed his eyes as he tried to think what to do about the situation. Hell and be damned, how in blazes was he going to handle the difficult position she’d placed him in. Yet he knew there weren’t many options.
If it was all true, she was putting him in a predicament that would only leave two options open to him. One he could just turn his back and let someone else marry her, which would make him a despicable, untrustworthy cad for refusing to honor the contract. Or secondly, he could do the honorable thing. Neither of the two was exactly tempting, still it would be wrong to walk away and he would be a coldhearted, selfish scoundrel to do so. Dropping his arm onto the chair, he met her clear, expectant gaze. “Who is he?”
“He’s a loathsome rat. A cit by the name of Ronald Stokes. He wants only to better himself by marrying into a titled family and nothing more.” Modesty let disgust drip from her words.
Her distaste was so obvious a deaf man could hear it and he couldn’t blame her. The sod was an odious blight on humanity. A sniveling sly, cur who preyed on the weak. Well, there it was, there was no other option but to step in and save the day. “You haven’t given me much choice. Wait downstairs, I’ll finish dressing and we’ll pay a visit on a judge who owes me a few favors.”
“Thank you, but first there are other matters we must discuss.” She was relieved he’d agreed so easily, but she wondered if he would be so eager when she stated her terms. It was doubtful though that he’d put up much of an argument. Why should he? She was offering him cache-blanche and his freedom. What man wouldn’t agree? None that she could think of.
“Why am I not surprised. Very well, say whatever you must get off your chest.” Impatiently his fingers began to drum on the arm of the chair, his mood was souring fast.
Bravely she met his fierce gaze with a determined one of her own. “Since we can barely be civil to each other, or stand to be in the same room, once my aunt is safe we’ll live in one of your country estates. Just because we marry doesn’t mean our lives will change. You can carry on with your wastrel life and bed anything that takes your fancy. I’ll live my own without any interference from you.”
Amazed at her tenacity in thinking she could dictate the terms of their relationship was astounding and to think he would even be agreeable to such foolishness was even more staggering. What kind of man did she think he was? A slimy cad without a moral bone in his body obviously. Unlucky for her, she was quickly going to find out she was way off the mark. “No.”
“What do you mean — no?” she frowned at him in confusion.
“No as in no. I don’t agree with your conditions. If I’m going to marry you it will be a true marriage in every sense. As in we live together and you share my bed. If you don’t accept the deal is off. Take it or leave it.” He saw her eyes glow as her temper ignited yet he didn’t have any doubt that she’d consent, she had very few choices not to.
Only to himself would he admit that he was surprised that he hadn’t taken her generous offer. She was giving him his freedom, married without any restrictions. To do as he wished and any sane man would have snatched it up and ran with it. Yet what she had suggested was abhorrent to him.
Besides, if he was having a wife forced on him before he was ready to have one, he was going to be in charge of the relationship from the start. If he let her have her way from the beginning she’d walk all over him and that was never going to happen. He wouldn’t allow it. “So, times wasting, what’s your answer?”
Gritting her teeth, she wanted to throttle him; the blasted man knew he had her over a barrel. “Very well then, but you’ll give me your word that you’ll let me have some time before we consummate the marriage and that you will remain faithful, because if you don’t I’ll find lovers of my own.”
Good God, the woman was outrageous and came out with the most astounding things, even if nearly all of them were foolish. He knew though beyond a doubt she was bluffing, she’d never hop into any man’s bed. She was too prim and proper for that sort of behavior. “You have my promise that I’ll remain true to my vows and I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to share intimacy between us. Now is there anything else? No, then wait for me downstairs.” From hooded eyes, he watched her rise from the chair, glide across the room and slip out the door.
A groan rattled from deep in his throat. What in the hell was he getting himself into? he wondered. He must be truly out of his mind. Yet his honor wouldn’t let him abandon her in her hour of need and she was desperate. Oh, she hid it well, but he had seen the fear lurking deep in her eyes. He’d like to beat her father to a bloody pulp, instead the man would be suffering enough when he couldn’t pay his gambling debts.
As for Stokes, he intended to put the word around about his underhanded dealings and his aim to elevate himself into the upper classes. The repulsive man would soon learn his mistake that in choosing his betrothed, the blackguard most assuredly had ruined his chances of bettering himself.
Sneering in contempt, he rose to his feet and finished dressing. Though late, judge Parker would perform the ceremony. Hells bells, he was about to be married to the little hellion from hell and of all things he wanted a proper marriage. What in the blue blazes was he thinking? He must have lost his mind, it was the only answer to the madcap decision. Grimly he finished tying his cravat and shrugged on his coat.
Once more he rang for his butler and when the man arrived gave orders. “Have the coach brought around and prepare the adjoining chamber. Oh, and congratulate me, Turner I’m about to be married.” Leaving his servant with his jaw on the floor, he ambled out of the room and coming down the staircase saw his betrothed standing beside the front door. “Do you have your carriage outside? If so there’s no need to wait for mine.”
“No, I came on foot.” Modesty realized too late by the irate glare he was giving her that she shouldn’t have told him the truth.
Incensed that she had put herself in danger, he grasped the top of her arms. His nostrils flared as he glared down at her. “From now on there will be no more reckless behavior, you’re going to stop causing trouble and mind your own blasted business. You’ve been left to run wild too long. Starting now, you are no longer going to be afflicting mayhem on the world.”
“I beg your pardon. I don’t do anything of a sort. My behavior is exemplary.” Affronted, she heatedly denied his allegations.
Letting her go, Killian snorted, but didn’t say anything else. He didn’t want her upset before the ceremony, there would be enough time after they were married to lay down the law. Be damned if he was going to put up with any of her nonsense. Now he was going to be stuck with her for life, she was going to behave and stop acting like a little hellion and cease causing trouble.
Or by God, every time she caused mischief he’d tan her backside until it stopped. Damn straight he would. The chit needed taming and now that she was his responsibility it was his duty to bring her under control. When he saw his butler arrive and open the door, he ushered her outside and into his waiting coach. He was glad of the silence it gave him time to recover from the shock he’d received.
His gut churned with nervous apprehension knowing his days of freedom were over, but as he stared at his betrothed, he pondered how he was going to survive the coming years. He knew damn well that until he had her outlandish behavior under control, there was going to be nothing but chaos and trouble. Well, be damned if he’d put up with it for long.
Chapter Three
The ceremony had been brief and swift, Modesty sat in the coach blinking wondering if she had gone insane and should be locked away in bedlam instead of her aunt. The moment Killian had agreed to marry her, he had changed completely before her eyes. She was still simmering over his dictates and insults before they had left the house. He made her out to be a vindictive, busy-body out to cause as much havoc as possible. Just because she despised deception, was honest, didn’t mean she was a bad person. People had a right to know when someone was behaving deceitfully.
So what if she sometimes liked to experience new things that weren’t conventional, it didn’t make her a hoyden. Blast him to perdition, his accusations had been unfair and if he thought she was going to comply to his demands, he had another thing coming. She sniffed indelicately, and from beneath her lashes she eyed him with distain.
When he had insisted they have a proper marriage, it had taken everything inside her not to show her repugnance. In fact, she had been very close to calling the whole thing off. Though she wanted to argue that it was a terrible idea, she knew too much was at stake so she forced herself to keep silent.
Though had loathed doing it, but she had no choice other than to agree. After all what other option did she have, none? Saving her aunt was more important and she would do whatever was necessary. If it meant agreeing to suffer sharing intimacies with him, then that is exactly what she’d do — or perhaps not.
Just maybe there might be a way to convince him it was a foolish idea. She just had to figure out a way to change his mind about a proper marriage and do it fast. The very last thing she wanted was to be intimate with him. A shiver of distaste rushed over her flesh at the very thought, it wasn’t as though she didn’t find him eye catching.
There was no denying he was a striking looking man with his thick sable hair, eyes the color of spring grass, bright and lively. His mouth was a sensual work of art and now after seeing him with his shirt off and half naked, well what could she say, he had a dynamite body. All rippling muscles and fine tanned flesh, smooth and unblemished.
No wonder so many willing females were eager to climb into his bed and she wondered if they were just as reluctant to climb out of it. Over the years she hadn’t heard any rumors about him having lovers, but lately there were quite a few whispers making the rounds about him and his many affairs.
It not only riled her temper but sickened her as well, just because he had red blood in his veins and he was a very virile handsome man it was no excuse. He was unfaithful since they were betrothed and apparently had been for a very long time, if those gossip about him were true. She grimaced in distaste and could only surmise that he would probably be a proficient lover.
In disgust her nose wrinkled not in the least surprised that he was, after all he probably had plenty of practice. Well, she had no intentions of ever finding out just how good. The very idea of being intimate with him when he might have had other women before her was abhorrent to her.
After living together for a week or two she was going to make certain that he was going to be zealous about sending her away. Watching him staring out the window, she decided she might just as well start now, the sooner the better. “Shall I expect any more of your lovers turning up on your doorstep?” she asked innocently.
His head whipping around at the question, Killian scowled. “No, and just to make it clear Lady Applebee most definitely is not my lover and never will be. Her visit was unexpected and unwelcome. I have no idea what gave her the foolish idea. I can assure you no other chit has ever crossed my stoop until tonight. And it was just my wretched luck that tonight two did without any invitation from me.”
“Ah, I forgot. Most men set their mistress’s up in their own household. Such a costly waste, but I suppose you have to have some place convenient for your trysts.” She taunted and knew her comments stirred his temper from the dark splashes of color riding on his cheeks.
“Good God, a well-brought-up young woman shouldn’t know of such things.” The words exploded out of him in horror, he stared at her with displeasure.
Modesty made a scoffing sound of disgust. “You men are all alike; you think that every female’s stupid, blind and deaf. In fact, most of us know a lot more than you think we do and let me tell you, it’s a pain in the backside not to be able to speak our minds. Especially when we know a man is wrong or making a ridiculous decision.”
Temper simmering beneath the surface, he crossed his arms over his chest and glared hotly. “Is that a fact? I find most women empty-headed bits of fluff. Who giggle at the most inappropriate times, batter their lashes as if they have something in their eyes and can’t even put a decent sentence together.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, especially the type of female you associate with and I do admit there are certain women who behave in that manner. It’s only because it’s the way you males expect us to act. If you look beneath the surface of a pretty face you’ll be surprised what you actually find. You keep us suppressed, ground beneath your boots because you’re afraid that you will discover just how rational and intelligent we really are and you’ll be the ones looking the fools.” She was warming to the subject now because she could see that it was goading his temper.
Heaven help him, the woman said the most outrageous things and had such eccentric thoughts. No wonder she was always getting into trouble. “I hope you don’t spout such outlandish things about in public.”
“Why not? It’s the truth after all. Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion. I should have expected you wouldn’t be any different. After all, you only think of women as just objects or a convenience for your lust.” For some reason it annoyed her that he was exactly like every other man who thought females were insipid, brainless creatures.
Killian’s fists were gripped tightly, trying not to lose his temper, but he lost the battle. “Enough! You’re spouting utter rubbish. I hold most women in high esteem and I don’t want to hear any more on the subject.”
Oh dear, he’s definitely worked up and in a pique, she thought about annoying him some more, but the warning glowing in his eyes quickly changed her mind. Best only to push him so far, a little at a time. Only niggle away at his patience until in the end he was ready to pull his hair out. He would be overjoyed to send her away and have his peace restored.
It was doubtful once she wasn’t around, he’d give her much thought or bother even visiting her occasionally. Thankfully, she’d been luckier than most women in growing up. There were no restrictions, no one to tell her no when she wanted to do something, setting her own rules and doing exactly what she desired. It was why she’d been relieved her betrothed wasn’t in any rush to wed her.
Now though, much to her displeasure as her husband, he believed that he had a right to control her. To lay down the law and expect her to obey. Well more fool him. Even her own father had found it impossible to o
rder her about. Luckily for her aunt had been loving and indulgent letting her make her own decisions.
Her husband was definitely going to be in for a rude awakening if he thought for one minute that she was going to change herself for him, he was very misguided in his thinking if he did.
***
In silent, smoldering irritation, Killian unclenched and clenched his fists. Her low opinion of him shouldn’t pinch his pride, but it did. Her repeatedly mentioning his mistress’s along with his lust told him quite clearly, she thought he was an immoral cad only after sating his own desires. Over the years he hadn’t been aware of any rumors circulating about his love life. He had made certain he kept his brief affairs very, very discreet. Yet it was also clear she had a very low opinion of him. It really shouldn’t bother him or be a surprise since she’d always loathed him. He had also always known she had been left to her own devices and without any guidance, it was probably why she also had such eccentric thoughts and did such outlandish things.
From a young age, she had been allowed to run wild and make her own decisions. Her father ignored her and her aunt spoilt her, she had too much freedom as a child, a teen and now a woman fully grown. How was it going to be possible to keep her out of trouble and have her behaving?
It certainly wasn’t going to be easy to bring her under control, but he was damn well going to try. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat knowing half of what she said about women and the way men thought of them was true.
Most chaps were frightened of a woman’s intelligence and only wanted to believe that they were witless airheads and needed a man to guide them, advise them. All utter nonsense of course, but there was no changing their outlook, not that he was going to bother trying. What others’ thought wasn’t any of his business, his only concern now was how he could constrain his hellion bride.
Clenching his jaw, he knew though that she was not going to accept living by his rules and obeying him, now that would be one hell of a miracle. There must be something he could use to keep her out of mischief and under his influence. He just had to think what it was.
Cupid's Arrow Book Two Capturing The Duke Page 3
