by Lucy Monroe
He could not understand why. Surely she would have nabbed a husband by now if the truth had been made known. The lady’s family were all fools, but he would not complain. Her secret fortune was the answer to his current tribulations.
The Scottish laird took Lady Annabelle by the waist and swung her into his curricle.
Uncouth barbarian. William frowned. Why would even a barbaric Scotsman court the unimpressive spinster? Had William been betrayed? Had Spinks sold the information of her fortune to other gentlemen of the ton? If Spinks had been foolish enough to do so, he would pay for his folly. Cursing, William stepped back into the shadows as the carriage came near.
He tossed the small posy he held onto the cobblestone. He would not be thwarted now that his luck had turned. He would marry Lady Annabelle and save his hunters. He stepped on the flowers, crushing their fragile petals into the cobblestone. No one would stand in his way. No one.
* * *
Ian could not help smiling at Annabelle’s hurried breaths, pleased by the evidence that she was not immune to his touch. Sitting with her back ramrod straight and her gaze fixed in front of her, she admonished him, “That was not necessary, my lord. A simple hand up was all I required.”
He shrugged, unwilling to admit that he could not help touching her. “I’ll remember that in the future.”
“See that you do.”
When he did not take the turn toward Hyde Park, she squirmed in the seat beside him. He continued past two more roads that would have led him to the park. He could feel her tension mounting.
She said, “Perhaps you are not aware, but you must turn up one of these streets to the left in order to go to the park.”
He smiled at her condescending tone. “Lass, what good would going to Hyde Park do my courting?”
She turned her head so quickly, her bonnet nearly went sailing. Putting up a hasty hand to right it, she stared at him. “But you told my aunt we were going to the park.”
“Nay, ’twas you who told your aunt that.”
“What of meeting the ladies on my list?” she asked, her voice heavy with accusation.
“If you see any of these ladies, you’re welcome to point them out to me.” He could not be more reasonable than that.
“How convenient, however it is highly unlikely that we will see any ladies of the ton while driving aimlessly about.”
Although he enjoyed the angry sparkle in her eyes, his intention was not to incite further hostility. “If your heart is set on going to a park, I’ll oblige you.” She sighed heavily. “It is not that I wish to go to the park. What I wish is to present my list to you and convince you that you have better prospects elsewhere for a wife.” He did not reply. He was busy trying to avoid an urchin who had run in front of his horses to retrieve a ball. Deftly handling the reins, he missed the boy by inches. The youngster looked up and saluted Ian with a cocky wave of his hand before running back to a tree-lined park.
“Here is a park. Will it do?”
“Frankly, you could take me for a drive through Cheapside. All I want is for you to listen to me about my list.”
He would listen to her list and then he would explain that he had already made his choice.
The commons looked pleasant and empty of the crush of people they would be subjected to at Hyde Park. The few people present appeared to be children with their nursemaids or mothers. Their dress indicated that although it was near fashionable residences, the park was not frequented by the ton. In the middle of the park a small pond glistened in the sunlight. Waterfowl swam near its shores.
Ian offered Annabelle his arm. She ignored it. He sighed. The stubborn set of her jaw did not bode well for courting this day. He took her hand and led her to the water.
She surprised him by asking about his list rather than trying to tell him about her own. “How did you come up with your requirements for a wife?” She looked at him sideways, her eyes lit with curiosity. “In general, I’ve noticed that men are looking for beauty, money and youth. Yet, you spurn all three.” How much should he tell? “I dinna trust beautiful women.”
“Why not?”
He struggled with the answer. He had never told anyone about Jenna and wasn’t sure where to start. “I was engaged to a beautiful woman. In truth, she was the most beautiful lady of my acquaintance. When she discovered better prospects elsewhere, she set her sights on him instead.”
Annabelle laid her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. That must have been terrible. Did you love her very much?”
“Nay.”
“How sad.”
Sad? Not likely. If he had loved Jenna, her betrayal would have been even more devastating. He did love his brother and the thought of Edward’s disloyalty still had the power to make his gut churn.
“’Twas for the best.”
“Surely, you don’t think all beautiful women cannot be trusted because of one incident.” She sounded incredulous.
“A plain woman is not going to tempt other men.” Annabelle stiffened beside him. “That’s a terrible thing to say. I cannot believe that you would exile yourself to life with an ugly wife just to avoid the possibility that another man might find her attractive.”
He had offended her, again. “I dinna say ugly. I said plain. ’Tis no an exile,” he added.
“What else could it be? If you don’t believe other men will be tempted by your wife, I assume you won’t be either.”
Tears sparkled in her eyes. They brought back the feeling of helplessness he had experienced the night before in the face of her hurt. He stopped walking and pulled Annabelle around to face him. She looked away. He put his hand under her chin and gently guided her face until her eyes met his. “I didna say I wasn’t tempted, lass.”
“But—”
“I would show you just how very tempted I am if we were no in a public park.”
“You said—”
“I wasna talking about you.”
“I’m plain. You want to marry me so other men won’t be tempted.” He didn’t like hearing it come out of her mouth. It sounded brutal and cruel on her lips. “You are no plain.”
She shook her head. “I’m not beautiful.”
“You tempt me.”
“I don’t understand.”
Releasing her face, he began walking again, pulling her beside him. “’Tis no difficult to understand. You are tempted as well. ’Tis another way we will deal well together.”
“I am not tempted. You should not say such a thing.” He did not reply. If she wanted to hide from the truth, he would let her. For now.
“What of your other requirements? Why do you want a woman of modest means?
What could be wrong with getting a substantial dowry with your wife?” Her questions came out in a rush.
He felt on firmer ground with this answer. He couldn’t possibly provoke her. She was plainly not a lady of great means. In the two weeks he had been in Town, he had never seen Annabelle wear expensive jewels or ornate gowns. “A woman with a large dowry naturally comes from a wealthy home. She is accustomed to every desire being met. I have an estate full of tenants with many needs. I dinna want to indulge a wife who would have new ball gowns while her tenants starve.”
“Surely you do not think that all ladies of means would be so cold-hearted.” Annabelle frowned.
What had he said now? “Perhaps not, but a modest dowry still recommends a wife to my way of thinking.”
Her hands clenched at his coat. “Being an heiress certainly would not indicate that a lady was spoiled, or willing to see her tenants starve while she bought more new gowns.
Your attitude is ignorant in the extreme.”
Retreat seemed the wisest course of action. “Perhaps.” She harrumphed. “Might I ask why you prefer a woman of advanced years such as myself to the more congenial and, I am told, more easily molded young debutantes?”
“There are two reasons for that, lass. I found the young ladies just out, in Edinburgh, to be mindless widgeons.”
“And the second reason?”
He may as well be honest, but Ian expected an eruption after his words. “I thought an older lady would be easier to persuade to marry quickly as her prospects were dwindling.”
Her glare was hot enough to singe him.
“In essence then, you want a wife who will not tempt your neighbors, requires no consideration on your part and is willing to live without luxury in order to see your estates prosper?” Annabelle’s voice began in a deadly quiet but rose with every word until she was almost shouting.
“’Tis no exactly that.” Although she was close enough to the truth that he did not contradict her.
“My lord, you are insufferable.” She stopped walking, forcing him to stop as well.
“Do you not realize that no lady, however desperate and advanced in years, would wish to marry a gentleman so unwilling to expend any effort to see her happy?” Why could she not understand? He was looking for a mate, not a spoiled beauty whose every whim must be catered to. His experience with Jenna had shown him that no amount of physical beauty was worth the consternation it brought. However, he did want a content wife. What man did not?
“’Tis no that I dinna want a happy wife, ’tis simply that I dinna want to spend all of my time making her that way.”
“I know of no lady, no matter how old, ugly and poor, who would not desire some regard from her husband.”
“I dinna wish to marry a woman for whom I have no regard. I want to marry you and I hold you in great esteem.”
Annabelle laughed mirthlessly. “How very kind of you. You have known me but two short weeks. All that you esteem is my supposed desperation to marry, which I promise is not the case.”
“I ken you well, lass.”
“What exactly do you think you know, besides the erroneous conclusion that I am desperate to marry?” She met his stare with unflinching regard.
He said, “You are an intelligent and practical lady of good humor, with a compassionate nature and fine breeding.”
Her eyes softened momentarily, then hardened again. “I am not nearly so practical as you believe. I have no desire to marry without love.” All women wanted to marry. ’Twas their lot in life. Someone had forgotten to tell Annabelle this truth.
She turned and faced the pond. “Do you know that according to the Common Law of England, when a woman marries she loses all of her rights?” From the tense set of her shoulders and the fervent tone of voice, Ian knew her words were important. He strained to understand what she tried to say. “I dinna ken your meaning.”
“If I were to marry you, even the clothes on my back would become your property. I would have nothing of my own, no recourse if you mistreated me. If we had children, you would have sole control over them.”
The image of Annabelle big with his child sent pleasure coursing through him. “I willna mistreat you. We can protect your dowry with a marriage settlement.” Annabelle shook her head. “Without love, I have no guarantee.”
“Love is no a guarantee either.”
She sighed. “I know, but without it, marriage is a bleak prospect for a lady.”
“I canna promise love, but you will be happy.” He wanted her to believe him. “I will never betray you and I will protect you and your property. You will no be forced to sell your things to finance my whims.”
He would not make the same mistake his grandfather had made. His wife and children would never pay for his beliefs.
“It won’t work. I must have some security. Marriage has little enough as it is. I will have love.”
Ian frowned. Love was the one thing he could not give her.
Chapter Four
The ball was an absolute crush. The Markham townhouse, already crowded with heavy, ornate furniture, reverberated with a cacophony of voices and movement. Lady Markham and her husband had a penchant for Gothic furnishings and entertaining. No one turned down an invitation issued by the elderly couple.
Perfect conditions for slipping away to a clandestine meeting, thought Annabelle.
Except that Ian stuck to her side like paste. Just as he had at every social occasion for the past week. Although she took some small satisfaction in introducing him to women on her list, his persistence had an adverse affect on her equilibrium. In addition, if she didn’t dislodge him and her aunt soon, Annabelle would never be able to make her meeting.
“Lady Beauford, what a pleasure to see you.”
Annabelle turned and saw Miss Caruthers, the current toast of the ton, greet her aunt.
Although Ian had made his view of beautiful women clear, Annabelle thought he would be unlikely to stand against Miss Caruthers’ charm. A diamond of the first water with her blonde ringlets and peaches and cream complexion, Miss Caruthers could be just the diversion Annabelle needed.
“Miss Caruthers. I believe you know my niece, Lady Annabelle.” Lady Beauford then turned as if to go.
Miss Caruthers smiled. “Indeed I do. Lady Annabelle, how very nice to see you again. I so enjoyed our discussion of music at Lady Diddisham’s.” Annabelle arrested her aunt’s progress with a hand on her arm. She had no intention of giving up this opportunity to break away. “Miss Caruthers, you played charmingly at the last musicale.”
“Thank you, Lady Annabelle.”
Annabelle returned the girl’s smile before introducing her to Ian. “Lord Graenfrae, may I present Miss Caruthers?” She leaned toward Ian, speaking in an undertone. “She is not on the list, but perhaps she should be.”
Ian raised his brow mockingly at Annabelle before bowing politely over Miss Caruthers’ hand. The debutant fluttered her eyelashes at Ian as Ceddy arrived to claim her for the current dance. Ceddy greeted Annabelle and her party before offering to lead the beauty out on the floor.
“Oh, Lord Finchley, I’m certain I could not dance another step without a bit of refreshment. It is that hot in here.” Miss Caruthers fanned herself, managing to draw attention to both her grace and her bosom at the same time.
Annabelle had to admire the other girl’s obvious skill in campaigning while unaccustomed feelings of jealousy beset her. Her plan to slip away from Ian lost merit by the second.
Ceddy replied, “Must get you some lemonade then, eh what? Perhaps you could sit with Lady Beauford while you wait.”
Miss Caruthers gave Ceddy a dazzling smile, but it dimmed when Ian spoke. “How kind of you to escort her ladyship to a seat, Finchley. Lady Annabelle and I will take advantage of the forming set. ’Tis a dance with some Scottish flair.” He placed his hand to the small of Annabelle’s back and led her into a set shy one couple. She bristled at Ian’s cavalier treatment. As they faced each other to begin the dance, she admonished him. “Do you not think you could have asked me?” Though, her wayward heart insisted on thrilling that Ian had indeed been immune to the beauty’s charms and had made his preference for Annabelle’s company known.
The steps of the dance separated them and Ian did not answer. However, when they came together again, he said, “Las—Lady Annabelle. Your eyes sparkle like the stars above my home when you are angry.”
Nonplussed, she stared at him. He had not apologized, but he had given her what she considered a very nice compliment. “That is not the point.”
“Dinna argue with me now. I’m enjoying the Scottish music and dancing with such a fine partner,” he coaxed.
Annabelle gave an exaggerated sigh. “Very well.” When the music ended, Ian escorted Annabelle to her aunt. As they approached, Annabelle could hear Miss Caruthers’ voice. “Does he spend a great deal of time in Scotland?”
“Should say so. Don’t think he likes the season much. Just here to find a wife, eh what?”
“But surely he wouldn’t expect his wife to live in the wilds of Scotland all year,” she exclaimed.
“On the contrary, Miss Caruthers. I canna imagine living in England and would expect my wife to reside with me in Scotland. My estate requires a great deal of attention,” Ian said as he escorted Anna
belle to her aunt.
Miss Caruthers blushed becomingly.
Ceddy came gallantly to the rescue. “MacKay, I’ve just been telling how we met.
Don’t you know?”
Annabelle thought she could guess who had raised the subject and she was sure it was not Ceddy. Interested to see how Ian responded to Miss Caruthers, she said nothing.
He had appeared immune to her charm earlier, she wondered if that would hold in the duration of their acquaintance.
Ian turned to his friend. “Finchley, you’ve been my boon companion.” Ceddy puffed up under the praise. Annabelle noticed and liked Ian better for his kindness to her old playmate.
Miss Caruthers looked pointedly at the dance floor. “Ah, I do believe the next set is about to begin.” She managed a convincing look of distress. “I have no partner and I’m weary of sitting.”
Annabelle did not like the speculative gleam she saw in Miss Caruthers’ eyes when she looked at Ian. The girl acted like she had been sitting for hours, rather than for one dance.
Ian fell for the bait. “May I have the pleasure?” As they walked away toward the dance floor a young swain who had been making his way to Miss Caruthers’ side stopped abruptly and cursed as he watched her take the floor with Ian.
As Ian took the younger woman into his arms, Annabelle said to no one in particular,
“That certainly didn’t take long.”
Ceddy asked, “What was that you said?”
“Oh, nothing, Ceddy.”
His eyes searched hers. She tried to appear unaffected. Ceddy asked gently, “Won’t you do me the honor?”
She nodded. Trust her old friend to come to the rescue of her pride. They joined the set with Miss Caruthers and Ian. Annabelle smiled brightly at Ceddy, determined to show Ian that he held no particular place in her affections.
