“Yes, it is most useful,” Lady Isobel continued, “primarily for myself, and I suppose for my brother, should he ever decide to sneak off and have a bit of fun. But also, for the servants. They use this passage less frequently than the others. I’m sure you can understand that there is little need for them to travel swiftly from the library to the garden, but still, I expect they would be disappointed to see it permanently blocked.”
“I see,” Cecilia took a step back to look at the wall from top to bottom, her mind considering the lines and angles, “so you want to make sure that you will continue to have access to this passageway once the bookcase is in place.”
“Yes, exactly!” Lady Isobel said, clapping her hands. “She is just as clever as you said!”
Lord Clive was looking at his sister as she spoke, and then Cecilia felt his eyes turn to her. She looked down at the floor, but then forced herself to look up and meet his gaze. Heat was spreading from her belly up to her chest and into her cheeks, which she imagined must be reddening by the moment.
“Yes,” Lord Clive said, quietly, “she is.”
“You are too kind, My Lord,” Cecilia managed to say, inclining her head slightly in thanks.
The room was silent for a time. Only a few seconds passed, but Cecilia felt that it had been an eternity before Lady Isobel spoke again.
“Well, now that we’ve established how clever you are, Miss Baxter, I am hopeful that you will be able to devise a solution that will allow us to both store our books and continue to access the passageway,” Lady Isobel grazed her teeth over her bottom lip. “Do you think that will be possible?”
“Oh,” Cecilia paused before continuing. “Yes, I’m sure that it will be possible. I shall just need to take some measurements and give the problem a bit of thought.”
“Excellent!” Lady Isobel said, sounding delighted, “I’m so glad that you are able to help us. I should have been very disappointed indeed if the passageway was blocked.”
“Do you use it to sneak out of the house regularly, My Lady?” Cecilia said these words without really thinking, distracted by thoughts of Lord Clive. But as soon as they had escaped her lips, she realized her mistake. It is none of my business whether the Lady sneaks out of the house, regularly or otherwise! She must think that I think her a harlot. Why would I say such a thing?
To Cecilia’s great relief, Lady Isobel laughed at these words, and her brother joined her. Both siblings were nearly doubled over with laughter after a few seconds, and Cecilia could not help laughing along with them. When finally she caught her breath she managed to speak.
“Please accept my apology, My Lady,” she said, between giggles, “I did not mean to imply that you are the type of person to do anything improper. And, in fact, it is none of my business whether you do or not.”
“Oh, Miss Baxter,” Isobel said in a brief pause between laughing fits, “there is no need to apologize! I quite appreciate a person who speaks their mind no matter what. And the truth is that I do sneak out of the house from time to time. Though if you’re looking for a juicy scandal, I’m afraid you shall be disappointed.”
“Oh no, My Lady,” Cecilia replied, trying to sound serious and failing. “I have no interest in gossip or scandal, I was merely curious.”
“Well, now, a young woman with no interest in gossip or scandal?” Lady Isobel’s expression feigning shock. “Who ever heard of such a thing? Surely you must have some interest in the bad behavior of others, but sadly my story is not of that kind. I use the passageway, primarily, to sneak into town so that I can meet with the apothecary and midwife to learn about herbal remedies.”
“Oh, I see, My Lady,” Cecilia couldn’t decide if she was impressed or disappointed. In fact, this was much more interesting to her than any sort of scandal or gossip. “What an interesting line of inquiry. May I ask what led you to it?”
“My sister has always had a streak of curiosity that could not be satisfied, no matter how many books were brought into our library,” Lord Clive interjected.
“My brother is right, as a child I read a book about medical science, and I was intrigued, so I asked my governess about what I had learned. She was unable to answer any of my questions, and suggested that I read more books on the subject. Soon I had read every book in the library, and what others I could find in the town bookshop.”
“I’ve only just learned of the passageway out of the library recently, but it seems that my sister discovered it years ago, and I suppose she started sneaking out to further her studies as soon as she realized it was possible.”
“Right in one, My Lord!” Lady Isobel said, with a smile.
Lord Clive returned her smile and Cecilia could not help wondering what sort of relationship she might have had with her own brother, had he survived. Of course, her feelings when she looked at the Marquess’ slightly crooked smile were not those of an affectionate sibling.
“Well then,” said Lady Isobel, suddenly, “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Baxter. Now I must be off!”
“Oh!” Cecilia was surprised by this sudden departure. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well, My Lady!”
“Fear not, Miss Baxter,” Lady Isobel said. “I shall return in just a moment. I merely need to collect something from my bed chamber.”
A look passed between Lord Clive and Lady Isobel that Cecilia could not quite interpret. Had they arranged for Cecilia to be left alone with the Marquess? If so, he is an extremely talented actor—he looks nearly as shocked as I feel!
There was a moment of awkward silence as Lady Isobel walked out of the library, leaving Cecilia and the Marquess unsupervised. Isobel left the library door open as she left. Cecilia was relieved that she could at least say that she had not been alone with the Marquess behind closed doors. However, if I am truly honest with myself, the idea of a closed door would have been thrilling.
Cecilia stood, looking at the wall where the entrance to the passageway was hidden, but all the while feeling the Marquess’ eyes upon her. She willed herself to take steady, even breaths.
After a moment, she found that the Marquess was standing next to her, staring at the same stretch of wall. He did not touch her, but he stood so close that the sleeve of his jacket grazed her arm. Cecilia felt a shiver run up her spine.
“Your sister is very charming, My Lord” Cecilia said, in an effort to break the silence.
“Yes, she is, though not half so charming as you, Miss Baxter.”
“My Lord, you flatter me.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“It is not flattery, Miss Baxter, I speak only the truth.”
Cecilia turned to look at him, and Lord Clive turned as well. They were now facing one another, their bodies mere inches apart. Cecilia willed herself not to look away, even though she was sure that he could see her cheeks burning red.
“Flattery or not, I appreciate your kind words, My Lord.”
“And do you find me charming as well?” The Marquess asked.
“You are quite charming, My Lord,” Cecilia whispered. “I believe you are the most charming lord I know.”
“I am quite certain that you are the most charming person I have ever had the good fortune to meet, Miss Baxter…and, as it happens, you are also the most beautiful.”
“Now you really do flatter me, My Lord,” Cecilia said, with a shy smile. Could he truly find me beautiful? I suppose I am pretty enough, in a common sort of way, but he is far too handsome, and far too well born, to love a woman with freckles.
“I most certainly do not, Miss Baxter,” he wondered what words he could say that would possibly convince her. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and that is the truth. You are also clever, and talented, and I feel that I could talk to you for hours and hours without ever growing bored.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” then after a pause she continued, “I find you to be quite clever and interesting as well.”
“And handsome?” The Marquess asked, with a roguish
smile.
“And handsome, of course,” Cecilia said with a nervous laugh, “that is a well-established fact, My Lord.”
Lord Clive took a small step closer; he was now standing no more than two inches away from her. Cecilia could feel the warmth of his body radiating off of him. She knew that she ought to take a step back, but her body refused to comply with this command. She felt her chest heave as her breathing quickened.
“Miss Baxter, it seems abundantly clear that we enjoy one another’s company.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“And we find each other pleasing to the eye.”
“Yes, My Lord,” Cecilia repeated in a breathy voice.
“Would you agree that we are well suited to one another?” Lord Clive leaned slightly closer, so that she could feel his breath upon her cheek as he spoke.
“My Lord,” Cecilia stammered, “I agree that we might seem well suited in many ways…”
“Do you have some objection to my statement?”
“Well, My Lord, only the obvious objection,” Cecilia fought to keep her voice even as she spoke.
“Please enlighten me, Miss Baxter,” Lord Clive’s tone slid into somewhat more formal tone than he had used previously. “What is the ‘obvious’ objection?”
Cecilia looked at the Marquess of Clive, nonplussed. After a moment she spoke, and she too used a more formal tone than she had done a moment previously.
“Well, my father is a carpenter, My Lord…and your father is a Duke.”
“Thank you, Miss Baxter, I am well aware of our fathers’ respective social positions.”
“Then, no doubt you are aware that I could hardly be a less suitable match for you,” Cecilia said, mirroring the Marquess’ serious tone.
“I don’t see why our respective social stations should be a problem.”
Lord Clive expressed this as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. He sees no reason why this should be a problem; therefore, he is certain that he can have me. How can he be so arrogant?
“Well, I’m afraid I do see a problem, My Lord,” Cecilia snapped. “The daughter of a carpenter is not fit to be a Marchioness, and she is certainly not fit to be a future Duchess!”
“I do not care about your fitness to be a Duchess!” Lord Clive sounded exasperated, “I care about the fact that I have become hopelessly enamored with you!”
“How can you say such a thing to me, if you claim to be enamored with me?” Cecilia asked, barely keeping her frustration in check. “You say that you care for me, but you would make me your mistress? You would ruin me for your own pleasure?”
“My mistress?” Lord Clive was stunned.
“Yes, isn’t that what you are proposing?” Cecilia called out. “I can be your lover, but never the Duchess of Huxley?”
“Oh, no,” Lord Clive sounded truly distressed now. “My dear, that is not at all what I meant. Please allow me to explain.”
Cecilia closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her nerves and slowly opened her eyes. She nodded for him to continue.
“I do not wish for you to be my mistress. I do not wish to take a mistress at all,” the Marquess began. “You are becoming too dear to me to ever suggest such a thing.”
“But then what do you propose, My Lord?” Cecilia’s voice went up an octave. “Have we not just agreed that I cannot be your wife? That I am unfit to be a future Duchess?”
“No, my dear Miss Baxter,” the Marquess spoke slowly, “you said that you are not fit to be a future Duchess. I simply stated that it doesn’t matter to me whether you are fit for the title, because I would not care.”
“But then, it comes to the same thing, does it not?” Cecilia was genuinely perplexed with his explanation.
“In fact, it does not,” Lord Clive replied, firmly. “You may not believe that you are fit for the role of my wife, but I believe the only qualification for such a role is that I would love you for a lifetime, which I could easily do.”
At this, Lord Clive paused briefly, looking gently into her eyes. Cecilia wished that what he said might be true. Then the Marquess continued.
“Of course, the other important qualification is that you could care for me in return,” he spoke just above a whisper. “Might I dare to hope that you meet this standard as well, Miss Baxter?”
“My Lord,” she was unable now to keep the tremor from her voice, “to hope for such a thing requires no daring. It is the easiest thing in the world, for you must see my fondness for you written clearly on my face!”
The Marquess chuckled at these words. “Oh, Miss Baxter, you do yourself a disservice. I did think that I might have seen a glimmer of affection from time to time, but you master your emotions well, and I could never be sure. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to learn that you feel as I feel.”
They continued to stand just a few inches apart simply gazing into each other’s eyes. Lord Clive reached out his hands to clasp Cecilia’s, and his grasp was gentle but firm. Cecilia gave a slight gasp feeling his bare skin upon hers. I should step back from him—his intentions may be pure, but until a formal arrangement has been made, this is quite improper.
As this thought occurred to Cecilia, Lord Clive leaned forward and allowed his lips to brush hers. All thoughts of propriety were swept out of Cecilia’s mind. The kiss was gentle, and his lips were soft. It lasted only for a few seconds, but in those few seconds, Cecilia leaned forward to meet him, feeling the beat of his heart against her own chest.
When they parted, both Cecilia and Lord Clive were breathing quickly. Their kiss had been chaste; her thoughts had been anything but, and her body had responded accordingly. Something intense was building inside of her. Feeling embarrassed by her body’s reaction, Cecilia looked away from the Marquess.
“I apologize, Miss Baxter,” he broke the spell, “that was improper of me. I was caught up in the moment and unable to control myself.”
“There is no need to apologize, My Lord.” She spoke what they felt. “We were both taken in by the romance of the moment. We must both be more cautious going forward.”
Lord Clive looked slightly disappointed at this reaction, but quickly rearranged his face into a neutral expression. “Yes, of course, Miss Baxter. Perhaps we could sit over here by the window and have a proper discussion?”
“Yes, I think that would be wise, My Lord.”
“Please, call me Nicholas. There is no need to be so formal now that our feelings for each other are known.”
“Oh, I could not possibly be so informal with you at this juncture, My Lord!” she responded, feeling uncomfortable at the mere suggestion. “What if the Duchess should hear?”
“My mother is not at home today, thankfully,” he replied. “But you are quite right that it would be unwise to let her hear you call me Nicholas before any engagement is announced.”
Cecilia nodded at this and sat in an armchair by the window. She did not trust herself to sit on the couch, in case Lord Clive should sit next to her.
“Well then,” said the Marquess, sitting down opposite her, “in company you shall have to continue addressing me formally, as you always have. But when we are alone together, perhaps you would agree to call me Nicholas?”
Cecilia considered this. If they were to be married eventually, she would need to get used to the idea of addressing him informally, and of being address as “My Lady” and, eventually, “Your Grace” as well. There would be plenty of time to make these adjustments, but she supposed now was as good a time as any to begin.
“All right then, My L…” she began, “my apologies. All right then, Nicholas. We shall try this and see how it feels.”
“And, may I call you Cecilia…” he hoped should would acquiesce with his request, “only when we are alone, of course. I would continue to call you Miss Baxter in company.”
“Yes, Nicholas, I should like that very much,” she said, with a smile.
“Of course, I shall need to speak to your father before a forma
l engagement can take place.”
“Yes,” she replied, “of course. I expect that he will be quite surprised—I know that I certainly am, but I see no reason why he should object to the idea.”
“Wonderful!” Nicholas was pleased. Then he continued in a more business-like tone.
“My mother will not approve of the idea, I must warn you, Cecilia.”
“I am not surprised to hear that, Nicholas,” Cecilia said with a sigh of resignation. “It is the primary reason that I felt this arrangement might not work. What do you propose to do?”
The Marquess In Her Bed (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 10
