Pride and Fire

Home > Romance > Pride and Fire > Page 5
Pride and Fire Page 5

by JoMarie DeGioia


  Chester gave a short nod of agreement. “Are you going to the parties tonight?”

  “I suppose I must,” he answered, echoing Michelle’s earlier statement.

  “And what will you do if you see her?”

  “I don’t know, Chester.” Paul raked his hand through his hair. “I don’t bloody know.”

  * * * *

  Paul escorted his sisters to the Markham ball. As they alighted his carriage they each grasped an arm of his and all but pulled him into the magnificent home. After greeting their hostess, they stepped down into the ballroom. Lords Chester and Roberts sought them out immediately.

  Roberts bowed to Paul’s sisters. They gushed enthusiasm over the viscount’s gallant manners. “Leed, it’s high time you and the twins arrived.”

  “Hello, Roberts. Chester,” Paul greeted his friends with a small smile.

  “Hello, Leed,” Chester answered.

  The girls ran off to seek out their friends. Roberts shrugged his shoulders and followed the girls’ lead, leaving Paul in Chester’s company. Paul watched Roberts for a moment, finally turning back to find Chester regarding him closely.

  “What the devil ails you, Chester?” Paul asked.

  “She’s here.”

  With those words, Paul’s blood pounded in his ears. What would he say to her? How could he face her after what happened on their picnic?

  He turned his back to the room. “Where?”

  “On the other side of the ballroom.”

  Paul turned slowly and spotted her as a genuine smile curved his lips. He lost that smile when he took in the eager young pups fawning all over her. He strode over to her.

  “Lady Michelle,” he said, his voice low.

  She turned, a half-smile on her face. She froze when she saw him. “Pa—Lord Leed.” She gave a slight bow of her head.

  She’d started to say his name, damn it. She’d nearly set her fire to his kindling. With a nod, he spun on his heel and left.

  The evening wore on, Paul growing more disturbed by the hour. He saw her dance with one gentleman after another, her eyes sparkling as they twirled her about the room. Her eyes had held only disdain for him. Well-deserved disdain.

  At long last he worked up his courage to ask her to dance and took purposeful strides across the room, only to stop in his tracks. There, holding Michelle’s hand and turning his most charming grin down at her, was Roberts. He appeared to be quite captivated with her, as was she with him. Paul couldn’t tear his eyes from the couple as they twirled about the floor. As the number ended, Roberts led her out onto the terrace. Roberts’s reputation was legendary, and more than one assignation had been conducted on the Markham’s large private terrace. If Roberts dared to touch what was his…

  He couldn’t finish the thought.

  * * * *

  Out on the terrace, Michelle let Lord Roberts’s smooth voice and pleasant conversation wash over her. The man certainly was charming. He’d been nothing but gallant toward her and she couldn’t help but compare his behavior to Paul’s. She still felt the sting of Paul’s earlier rejection. How could he treat her so? Apparently he was still disgusted with her.

  Paul had stared at her all evening, making her very uncomfortable. She’d only attended the ball at her mother’s insistence. Lady Helen unwittingly provided another reason for her to attend—Michelle knew if she’d stayed home, her mother would have questioned her endlessly about her ride with Paul since her stubborn silence during tea had only fueled her mother’s curiosity.

  Michelle had chosen a gown of gold tonight, this one modest in cut. She felt like a wanton, there was no need to look the part. When Paul had approached her earlier, she couldn’t bear the chill in his eyes. Yet when she danced with Lord Roberts, Paul’s hot glare had sent her heart racing. Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the handsome man beside her.

  “Are you enjoying the evening, Lady Michelle?”

  “Oh. Yes.”

  Suddenly a tall figure stood in the doorway. Her body tingled with awareness and she let her gaze run over him. Paul.

  Roberts turned. “Leed. Have you come to take the night air with us?”

  Paul’s gaze settled on the man’s face. “Chester needs to speak with you, Roberts.”

  “Well,” Roberts said, turning back to Michelle. “He can wait.”

  Paul could only glare at the two of them until Lord Roberts frowned in confusion. With a bow to Michelle, Roberts took his leave.

  Facing Paul, Michelle crossed her arms and opened her mouth.

  “Your behavior this evening has been disgraceful,” he said.

  Her mind went blank of any worthy response.

  He raised a hand. “What I meant to say was—”

  “I do not wish to know what you meant to say! You haven’t deemed me worthy of one word all evening, and now you insult me?”

  “I…” he began. “That is…”

  “Very eloquent, Lord Leed. Perhaps you should take a lesson from your friend Lord Roberts. He knows how to speak to a lady.”

  “I know how to speak to a lady.” He held his hands in fists at his side. “But to a spoiled, outspoken girl who lets every man dance with her—”

  “Every man?”

  “Yes, every man. And batting your eyes at a libertine like Roberts, all coy blushes. As if you have a coy bone in your body.”

  “And what concern is it of yours?”

  “None!” Paul advanced on her, causing her to back up against the wall.

  Her heart began to race. “Paul, you can’t…”

  He braced his arms on either side of her and pressed against her. “Yes, I can.”

  He kissed her and she melted against him, rubbing her tongue against his. This was what she’d wanted, needed, since he’d first spoken to her tonight. If she was a wanton, she was his.

  He moaned and cupped her face in his hands, deepening the kiss. Suddenly the sound of voices reached them. Paul stepped away from her and raked his fingers through his hair as Michelle slumped against the wall trying to slow her racing pulse.

  “I shall speak to your mother,” Paul said, his voice rough.

  The censure in his voice was clear.

  “Why do I make you so angry?” she asked. “Do you have only disgust for me?”

  She buried her face in her hands and began to cry.

  “I know what I must do.”

  She raised her eyes to find him staring at her. “What?”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Michelle.”

  She sniffled and shook her head, unable to look at him again.

  He gently grasped her chin and lifted her face to his.

  She gazed into his eyes, seeing all the emotion she felt for him reflected there. “Yes, Paul?”

  “Marry me?”

  She blinked at him. “Such tenderness…”

  “I want you, Michelle,” he added, his voice low. “I… care for you. Please say you’ll be my wife.”

  He wanted her? He cared for her?

  She threw her arms around his neck and Paul hugged her to him. “I take it this is your answer?”

  She nodded against his chest. “Yes.”

  He laughed. “Let me seal my promise, love.” He kissed her.

  Paul saw her home that evening when Chester gallantly offered to see to his sisters. He couldn’t tell them of their engagement, not until he had spoken to her mother. But from the expression on Chester’s face, Paul’s friend no doubt guessed the truth of it.

  She sighed and leaned up against him in his carriage. “I must say you took me by surprise, Lord Leed.”

  “None of that, love. From now on, you must only call me ‘Paul.’”

  “All right,” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Paul.”

  He kissed her tenderly, pulling back afterwards to run his gaze over her face. She suddenly giggled and he arched a brow at her in question.

  “Now I know what to do whenever you scowl at me,” she explained
with a half-smile. “I’ll simply say your name and you’ll melt.”

  “Melt?”

  “Yes,” she breathed, placing her mouth on his. “Melt.”

  He growled softly and took control, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her breathless. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted as she took in shallow breaths. He chuckled softly, causing her eyes to flutter open.

  “I daresay, love,” he said, “you do a fair amount of melting yourself.”

  “Oh, yes,” she breathed, nodding her head.

  He held her close as the carriage rolled on. When it stopped in front of her home, she looked up at him.

  “At what time will you call on us, Paul?”

  “I wish to speak with my father first,” he said. “Would it be all right if I call around tea time?”

  She nodded.

  He opened the door and stepped out, extending his hand to escort her to the door. He didn’t kiss her, but Lord he wanted to. “Until tomorrow, love.”

  He settled back in his carriage. He wanted Michelle, more than he’d ever wanted any other woman. She vexed him, made him laugh, and was never simpering or artificial. And that kiss in the carriage. When she’d gazed up at him, gold flecks in her eyes, he’d been tempted to tell the driver to take them twice around the park.

  But what of his finances? He’d speak with his father in the morning and get to the bottom of the family’s money problems.

  * * * *

  Michelle closed the front door and leaned against it as her heart soared. Paul wanted her. He cared for her. He called her ‘love.’ And the way his beautiful eyes had glittered at her. She didn’t hear her mother approach.

  “Michelle?” her mother asked. “What happened?”

  “Simply the most wonderful thing, Mother.” She fairly floated up the stairs. “Simply wonderful…”

  “What happened, Michelle?” she asked again. “Michelle!”

  Michelle made no answer.

  “Humph,” her mother murmured. “It must indeed be wonderful to render you speechless.”

  Chapter 6

  Michelle sat at her vanity the next morning, studying her reflection. Paul asked her to marry him! He was so handsome, so charming. That last was a surprise, since before their ride in the park he’d been nothing but cold. She couldn’t have imagined the heat that hid beneath his beautiful blue eyes.

  He was passionate, too. His kisses inflamed her like no other’s. Of course, she’d never truly been kissed by any other gentleman. Even so, she doubted another man’s kisses could ever set her heart racing the way Paul’s did. She was so lucky he was hers.

  She’d chosen a dress of bronze silk today. She wore her hair in a simple style, most of the curls left loose, as she preferred when at home. Michelle went downstairs to the breakfast room where she found a very anxious Lady Helen.

  “There you are, Michelle!” her mother said. “I’ve been waiting and waiting.”

  “Good morning, Mother. How are you this fine morning?”

  Lady Helen waved her hand in the air. “Never mind that. Tell me what happened last night.”

  Michelle brought her plate to the sideboard and served herself breakfast. She sat across from her mother and took her time pouring a cup of tea. She lifted the cup to her lips and sipped delicately.

  “Michelle!”

  She’d tortured her mother long enough.

  Michelle set her cup aside. “Lord Leed is coming here this afternoon to ask you for my hand in marriage.”

  Lady Helen drew in a breath, her hand coming to rest over her heart. “Oh, my dear! This is wonderful news!”

  Michelle nodded her agreement. “Isn’t he the most gallant, most handsome man, Mother?”

  “Certainly, dear,” the older woman nodded. “And apparently you’ve learned to keep your opinions to yourself in his company. Well done, child.”

  Michelle laughed at that. “Quite the contrary, Mother,” she said. “I’ve done no such thing.”

  “But, if Lord Leed—”

  “Paul isn’t put off in the least by my having opinions. And voicing them.”

  “Truly?” Lady Helen blinked in astonishment. “Then he is most gallant. I daresay the man must be quite taken with you.”

  “And I with him, Mother.” Michelle grinned as she recalled their heat in his carriage last night. “And I with him.”

  * * * *

  Paul awoke with a strong sense of determination. He would get to the bottom of his father’s financial problems today. While he was able to support himself, he wasn’t certain he could support Michelle in the manner to which she had become accustomed. His home, while comfortable, wasn’t as large as the one Michelle shared with her mother. His was equipped with a parlor, a study, a breakfast room and a dining room, as well as rooms abovestairs, but he had no salon or drawing room for entertaining. It was well-suited to a man living alone, and there was no way at present for him to purchase or lease a larger one. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rose.

  He saw to his morning toilette and dressed with care. He tied his cravat and shrugged into his dark blue jacket. God, he’d almost lost Michelle with his foolish pride. Much to his delight, Michelle had a forgiving nature despite her fiery temper. She was passionate in everything. He was a bloody lucky man.

  He hoped Chester was right, that she wasn’t as concerned with money as most women of her station. Praying his father would set his financial fears to rest, Paul went down to breakfast. He didn’t dare face this problem on an empty stomach.

  He arrived at his father’s townhouse at ten o’clock. The home was large, nearly as large as Lord Kanewood’s. The Earl of Talbot, as was his father’s title, had significant holdings. His country home was magnificent, if in need of repair. Paul wouldn’t think about what that might mean to today’s matter.

  He rapped on the door and the butler answered, surprise on his face.

  “My Lord.” He bowed. “Is the earl expecting you?”

  “No, Reese,” Paul said. “Is he in?”

  “Yes, My Lord,” Reese said. “He’s in the breakfast room.”

  Paul nodded and strode down the hall to the breakfast room. His father sat at the table, a large plate of eggs and ham in front of him.

  “Good morning, Father.”

  The Earl of Talbot looked up in surprise, then smiled. “Paul, my boy! Do come in.”

  They exchanged a hearty handshake and Paul sat. His father gestured to the sideboard. “Help yourself, son.”

  “Thank you, I’ve eaten.”

  His father nodded and patted his mouth with his napkin. He set it aside and lifted his cup to his lips.

  “Are the girls about?” Paul asked.

  “They’re still asleep, the little slug-a-beds,” his father said. “So what brings you here so early in the day?”

  “I have some news, Father.” Paul smiled. “News that couldn’t wait.”

  “Hmm,” Talbot said, eyeing his son closely. “News, eh?”

  The two men looked very similar, but for the eyes. All of the earl’s children had their mother’s beautiful blue ones. The earl’s were a deep shade of brown which now watched Paul with interest.

  “Well don’t keep me hanging, boy,” he laughed. “Out with it.”

  “I plan to offer for a young lady’s hand, Father. Today.”

  “What? Why, this is splendid news, son. Who’s the lucky girl?”

  “Lady Michelle Thomas.”

  “Thomas,” his father said to himself. “Thomas… The Earl of Thomasham’s daughter?”

  “The very same.”

  The earl raised his brows. “Well. I hear the girl was left quite well-off.”

  Paul leaned forward. “Her money isn’t important.”

  “Yes, yes,” his father allowed. “But it can’t hurt, can it?”

  Paul swallowed a sigh and let the matter drop. “I wish to speak to you this morning, Father. Concerning my finances.”

  “Your finances?” Talbot
asked, his brow furrowed. “What has happened?”

  “Nothing has happened,” Paul said. “May we discuss this in your study?”

  “Yes, certainly,” his father nodded, pushing away from the table. “Lead the way.”

  Paul walked down the hallway and into his father’s study. Two leather wing-backed chairs faced the desk, and Paul settled into one of them. His father closed the paneled doors leading from the hallway and walked behind his desk. He sat down and faced his son, worry creasing his brow.

  “It’s nothing dire, Father.” Paul could only hope. “I assure you.”

  “Well what is it, then? Are you having difficulties?”

  “No, sir,” Paul said. “But I feel with my plans to wed, I have need to know precisely what my prospects are.”

  His father set out a heavy sigh. “Son, I thought you understood this. Your title and the land attached to it are all you can expect at the present time.”

  “I’m well aware of that.” Paul tried to keep his irritation in check. “I was referring to my inheritance.”

  His father’s gaze skittered away. “Your inheritance?”

  “Yes,” Paul said. “How does it stand, looking into the future?”

  His father faced him. “Paul, you have to understand. All I have left is this house and the country estate.”

  Paul’s stomach dropped to his boots. “What?” He surged to his feet. “What happened to… to all of the land? To the leased properties?”

  “I no longer have access to them. I… I own them on paper only.”

  The room tilted and Paul splayed his hands on his father’s desk. “But, what will you pass down to me? To my sisters? To my children, damn it?”

  His father rubbed his hand over his face. “I have your sisters to dower, Paul. You’ll have to provide for your heirs on your own.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Paul paced about the room, his stomach churning. “How could you…? What the hell happened to it all?”

  His father’s silence pressed against his back. God, he’d thought at least his future was secure. But now it appeared he had to make his own fortune. Bloody hell!

  “I’m sorry, son,” his father said at last. “Perhaps if you increase your government work…”

 

‹ Prev