Miss Radley's Third Dare

by Heather Boyd

  “Don’t scream,” Valentine whispered into her ear. “It’s me.”

  She relaxed instantly and was helped down to the ground, although she didn’t need the aid. She couldn’t see her neighbor clearly with the moon now behind a cloud. When he grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the cover of a tree, she didn’t resist. However, he led her to the rear gate and gestured her out. “Ready to run?”

  His whispered words sent a thrill through her, even more so when he took a stance that suggested he would race her too.

  She nodded and caught the sides of her gown. “Go.”

  She took off, not in the direction of the lane but toward the ocean, and a safe path to travel far on foot. The ground flew beneath her, accompanied by the pounding of Valentine’s feet at her back. She grinned. This was far better than dancing. Intensely exhilarating. Liberating in a way she’d never experienced before.

  When she judged she had run far enough, she slowed to a stop and caught her breath.

  Valentine caught her arm and swung her about in a circle. In the moonlight, he was grinning. “I thought you’d never stop.”

  She glanced back toward home, a faint spec in the distance, and grinned too. “I didn’t realize we’d gone so far.”

  Valentine pressed his free hand to his chest, gasping still. “You put most fellows to shame. Myself included.”

  She grinned. “You kept up well enough.”

  “I had the incentive of chasing you.” He tugged her toward him. “Try not to hurt me this time.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I need to kiss you.” He dipped his head and his lips brushed hers softly. “I’d follow you anywhere you wanted to go, too.” His arms closed around her body as he deepened the kiss.

  She couldn’t move for the shock of Valentine wanting to kiss her again. Hadn’t she proved just how much of a hoyden she was?

  And yet, he was still kissing her. Making little noises and tugging her near. She resisted and he groaned. Another thrill. Unexpected longing filled her and to her surprise, she discovered kissing him was too good to halt.

  Julia clung to his arms. The novelty of their race, the thrill of the chase, had excited her and after a moment of indecision, she wound her arms around his neck and returned his feverish kisses. Her feet left the ground and he moved them from the path, into a spot protected from the ocean breeze, where he held her close against him.

  He drew back. “Gods, you are exciting, minx.”

  He wasn’t so bad either. The way he slowly nibbled at her neck sent gooseflesh all over her skin. “How did you know I wanted to run?”

  He cupped her face, his thumbs brushing over her hot cheeks. “You didn’t dance more than twice tonight. You seemed uncomfortable and I just knew you’d find a way to exert yourself. I didn’t want you in danger.”

  He slipped his hands low around her hips and drew back. “You’re wearing breeches?”

  Julia nodded, waiting for criticism.

  Instead of suggesting she should not, or that she was foolish, Valentine stroked down her legs and back up to her waist. He groaned. “That I will have to see for myself one day.”

  Julia pushed against his chest, and glanced toward their homes anxiously. She wouldn’t show Valentine anything she didn’t want to. She wasn’t that sort of woman. She wore breeches to preserve her modesty and because they were an incredibly practical garment. She had no wish to be ruined just because she dared to dress differently to other women. “Walk or run?”

  “Walk.” He caught her hand with a smile, once more a friend and not a seducer. “That will give us a chance to talk.”

  “What is there to talk about?”

  “Marriage.”

  Julia wrenched her hand free and stumbled forward a few steps before finding her voice. “Why would you want to marry me?”

  “Because of tonight, and this afternoon at the Watsons, and our race.”

  “You’re worried about how people regard you.” She nodded. “I won’t tell anyone about tonight, or this afternoon. The Watsons would never tell.”

  “I’m not concerned for myself, but for you.” He smiled softly. “I find myself wondering how much more you could achieve if you had support.”

  “What I want has never seemed to matter very much at all.” Julia rubbed her arms, disturbed by how she longed for the support Valentine mentioned so casually. Linus may never accept her nature, and Anthony Linden hadn’t noticed how she longed for adventure. She had to face facts—she might never reach her goals. “You should be more concerned for yourself.”

  “Oh, my dreams are small.” He curled her arm through his. “I wanted to open a shop actually, here in Brighton, but I’d rather you not spread the word about that venture now, if you don’t mind.”

  Julia snorted. “Are you afraid your sister would not approve of you going into trade?”

  “My sister was my confidant and something of a silent partner in the scheme for the past two years,” Valentine insisted as he dragged her along.

  “She was?” Julia couldn’t hide her surprise.

  “My parents, however, would never approve, and so I haven’t told them or anyone else. They think I tinker with telescopes but I’ve discreetly sold a dozen or more clocks this past year through acquaintances and distant shops. Opening a legitimate premises of my own was to be the next step.”

  Was there anything this man couldn’t do? “And of course you will.”

  “That remains to be seen.”

  “Why?”

  “In part because of us.” He patted her hand soothingly. “Also, apparently, I need to marry or be on the brink of marriage to have won over the company of clockmakers for admittance. Without their approval I would have a very difficult time getting underway. I hadn’t known about that requirement for marriage until this week, in fact.”

  “So when you asked me to marry you it was to appease them.” She stared at him in horror. “That’s a terrible reason to propose to me.”

  “That wasn’t why I asked you.” He shrugged. “I like you, as if you couldn’t tell tonight by the way we kissed, but it is true that everything I want is in jeopardy. No matter what I do, they will make the decision by the weekend and that will be that.”

  “What happens if you don’t open a shop?”

  “My future may not involve a comfortable life.” He made a face. “My father has been at me for years to follow in his footsteps and take up a career in Oxford. He believes he holds the purse strings but he doesn’t realize the extent of my independence. I would do anything at all, muck out stables if necessary, rather than return to live beneath his roof again.”

  “I understand.” Julia’s life depended on Linus, and when she married, she’d march to her husband’s drum. “I’m sorry.”

  “So what do you think?” He stopped and turned her to face him. “Do you accept my challenge? Do you dare to marry me?”

  Valentine had been distant, almost cold sometimes. Except when they were alone, as they were now. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You snubbed me in public.”

  “I have not.” He suddenly turned sheepish. “Well, I haven’t exactly snubbed you. I have been polite and made sure our meetings never had a hint of impropriety attached to them, but you keep seeking me out. I don’t think you realize how badly people have spoken of you behind your back. That is why Linus is so angry with both of us. I thought it better to keep a distance than feed the fire of gossip.”

  Julia kicked a pebble in her path. “Linus says I brought it on myself.”

  “I was right there beside you on that beach and haven’t endured half of the criticism. It isn’t fair to you.” He unfolded her arms and caught her hand in his. “I do not regret our race but the consequences for both of us were greater than I ever imagined. I am only sorry for that.”

  “What about Teresa?” she asked in a choked voice. The way he stared at her, touched her, was rather overwhelming but she had to know how he felt about Teresa
once and for all.

  He frowned. “Teresa must live with us. The sea air is best for her health and she will be company for you when I am occupied elsewhere.”

  Her tension eased only a little. Much like her, Teresa had feelings for someone who didn’t see they existed—which made what she’d been doing with Valentine come into stark relief.

  Would she ever have allowed Anthony to kiss her as Valentine had done without an understanding? She didn’t think so. She felt different with Valentine. Alive and unguarded. “What will you be doing elsewhere?”

  “I will be making a living, constructing clocks or mending them.” He grinned down at her. “Melanie tells me it is incredibly boring, watching me at work on something so tiny she needs eyeglasses to see the detail, so I thought to spare you too.”

  Dear God, she had forgotten all about Valentine’s sister. Melanie would not be pleased by his intention to marry her. “And what of Melanie? Will she come back?”

  At that, Valentine stopped and stared out to sea. “I don’t know. I miss my sister very much. I know many do not like her, I suspect no one misses her, but she has smoothed my way on many occasions, and I do wish she was here now. I could use her advice.”

  “About marrying me?”

  He shook his head and grazed his knuckle over her cheek. “About this unexpected turn with the company.”

  “What does Teresa say to do?”

  “Teresa does not know what I want for my life. I have not confided in her. She is very close to my parents.” He shrugged. “I don’t believe she would approve, actually, and I’m not sure she wouldn’t try to talk me out of my plans.”

  “I see.” Julia bit her lip, confused by his thinking. “But you’ve told me.”

  “If you are to be my wife, then there should not be any secrets between us or unpleasant surprises for you. You need to know that you’re not marrying an idle fop.” His lips lifted into a wide grin. “I trust you and you can trust me. Tell me about Anthony Linden.”

  Julia blushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Are you in love with him?”

  “That is a very personal question, sir.”

  “I suppose it is, but can you blame me for wanting to know how you feel about him?”

  Julia bit her lip and turned away. “I don’t know now how I feel about anything.”

  “Is it simply the lure of his expedition or has he expressed affection for you?” Valentine moved to stand beside her. “He’d be mad not to fall for you, you know. You’re funny, charming, athletic.”

  “Everything a proper woman isn’t,” Julia murmured.

  He shrugged. “Proper has its time and place. If I hadn’t been improper with you, I’d never know so much about you now.”

  “Such as?”

  He caught her hand. “You smell of honeysuckle, you laugh and fight with your whole heart. You are quick-witted and very, very strong. You may be unconventional compared to other women but there is nothing unattractive about your interests.”

  “Oh,” Julia whispered as a blush climbed her cheeks at the compliments. Thankfully the moon was behind the clouds now and Valentine couldn’t see how his words affected her. Those had been the nicest compliments she’d ever received. No one usually liked that she wasn’t the same as everyone else. “Thank you.”

  “When I’m with you, I want to challenge you,” Valentine continued.

  Julia glanced behind them. “You have. I’ve never run so far from home before alone.”

  “We raced together. We could do a great many things together that challenge us both if you were my wife.” He kissed her, cupping her skull, and despite everything she’d assumed, she leaned into him for more.

  He eased back and met her gaze. His hair was tousled by the breeze, pointing up at all angles, and he appeared unbelievably handsome to her suddenly. She couldn’t believe he still wanted to marry her and she glanced down to hide her reaction.

  He caught her chin gently and raised her face again. “What do you want from me, Julia?”

  “Nothing.” Julia shook her head, fighting the blush burning her cheeks at the direction her thoughts were taking her. “But I don’t mind kissing you.”

  “I will court you properly. Your brother will expect it.” He kissed her soundly and then glanced toward their homes. “We have to go back.”

  “True.”

  He dug into his waistcoat pocket. “That reminds me. I have something for you. A token of my esteem and admiration.”

  He handed over a gentleman’s silver pocket watch and she frowned at the unusual item. She held it until the moon shone strong again. It was beautiful; the heavy chain attached to it was cold silk in her fingers. “My brother would not approve of me accepting any gifts from you.”

  “It’s not for him to know about if you don’t want him to yet.” Valentine turned the piece over, showing her the face.

  In the moonlight, it seemed quite lovely, but she could not make out all the details. “Did you make this?”

  “I did.” He nodded. “I hoped you might find a use for it in timing your daily exercise.”

  “I…” Julia choked up and covered her mouth with trembling fingers. Valentine was too generous. She blinked back tears. “I’ve always wanted one but Linus refused.”

  “Hmm, I suppose Linus would see it as encouraging your tendencies for the unusual. Do you like it?” When she nodded, he closed the face. “I can hold on to it until our wedding day if you’d rather not provoke him.”

  Although she longed to keep it, she pushed his hands back. “He has been difficult enough as it is.”

  Valentine kissed her temple. “No longer. Not if you marry me.”

  Julia hesitated. It was every young lady’s dream to catch the attention of a man who took her interests seriously. By the sound of it, she had ruined Valentine’s plans and yet he still wanted to marry her. He was getting a very bad bargain indeed. She didn’t know if that made him a fool or incredibly optimistic.

  He did kiss nicely though, and he did know her a lot better than she’d ever suspected. She felt a pang of longing for Anthony Linden but then pushed that hope aside. Not even he had offered to test his strength or skill against hers. Only the man standing before her; offering his name to mend her reputation gave her hope for a better, challenging future.

  Valentine, despite their differences or perhaps because of them, was willing to accept the way she was and that pleased her. She’d be a fool to turn down his generous offer, especially after the manner in which she’d spurned the first. “I will. I will marry you.”

  She wasn’t sure what she had expected after her answer but when Valentine swept her off her feet and spun her about until they were both gasping with laughter, she clung to him tightly. He kissed her hard on the mouth and then drew her toward home. “Next time I propose, try to appear surprised for your brother’s sake, and whatever you do, don’t knock me down. A proposal shouldn’t turn into a wrestling match, no matter how appealing the idea might be to both of us.”

  Her eyes widened. “You would wrestle with me like you would with a man?”

  He grabbed her and pulled her close. “Definitely.”

  A thrill shot through her whole body at the dark tone behind his words. Perhaps she really had made a good choice—but there was still Melanie to contend with. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing Valentine’s family again.

  Six

  Valentine shook Linus Radley’s hand. “The banns will be read on Sunday. I’ll go now to speak with Mr. Pease and begin arrangements immediately.”

  Radley raked his hand through his hair. “Thank you. This has been a difficult time for the family.”

  They were standing in Linus Radley’s study, a place he’d not visited in many, many weeks. The room hadn’t changed but circumstances had. He was uncomfortable here now. The last time he’d stood in this room, Radley had insisted that his only option had been to marry the man’s sister. Considering he was about to do that very thing
, marry Julia, he would be very pleased to escape the reminder. Of course, now he was marrying Julia entirely because he wanted to, and because he thought they would be good together.

  Like last time, Radley didn’t seem to care what Julia thought about marriage.

  He was not at all concerned about Julia’s happiness in this arrangement. He just wanted the scandal to be over and her married off to anyone who would take her. Valentine found Radley’s attitude offensive and unreasonably cold. “Thanks are hardly required, but you have mine for entrusting me with her happiness.”

  “She could not have done better,” Linus replied.

  Was that a compliment or an insult? He stood uncomfortably, unsure how to respond, and then shrugged off the feeling.

  The terms of settlement had been discussed and agreed upon. There was nothing left to do but wait and say their vows. Given the time that had passed since the race and ensuing scandal, Linus had been eager to complete everything today and he’d been brisk and efficient. “Let me show you to the door.”

  “I should like to say goodbye to your sister, if I may.”

  Radley frowned but gestured toward the parlor, where Valentine had left Julia after going down on one knee and proposing properly. “If you think it necessary.”

  “I do indeed.” He was eager to see her again. As agreed, they shared no references to his first proposal. He was especially grateful, because the first had ended with him dumped on his backside. Radley could become angry with Julia if he should find out about that. He’d bellowed at her more than enough over the past months for Valentine’s liking. Now that she would be his wife, he was determined to put a stop to the daily harassment.

  He caught Julia’s eyes as soon as he entered the parlor and smiled warmly. She had been all fidgety nerves on his first arrival and she still seemed anxious even now. “All settled.”

  Linus Radley paused at his side. “Mr. Merton is leaving.”

  Her face fell. “Already.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” Her disappointment touched him and he strode across the room and caught her fingers gently in his. “I’m just on my way to see Mr. Pease.”