by Cheryl Bolen
The poor girl would never have her prince. Never bear a child. "I propose to allow you to select the house of your choice in Bath. You'll have carte blanche in its furnishings and decorations." Merely a crumb he was tossing her way. Women liked that sort of thing. "You also will have a carriage." Such materialism compensated poorly for depriving her of a loving husband and the children he knew she wanted.
She nodded solemnly. "I wanted this marriage because we are. . ." she swallowed, "were friends. Can we not still be?"
He strode ahead. They came to the park in front of Hornsby. They had been friends. Always. Far better for Glee to marry a friend than a man bent on wringing her innocence from her, on using her. But, he somberly reflected, wasn't he to be using her? He tried to shake away his feelings of guilt by reminding himself of her shameless trap to ensnare him. She was only getting what she had asked for.
Finally he glanced down at her. "We'll continue to be friends." It suddenly occurred to him the chill had been absent from his voice.
As they drew nearer the manor house, he took her hand. "Remember, everyone is to think we're in love. You're to tell no one the truth."
"From this day forward, I'll do whatever you ask," she said in a soft voice. "When can we marry?"
Even if it were not to be a real marriage, Gregory meant to cling to his bachelorhood for as long as he could. "We can post bans this week."
Her face fell. Of course, she would have preferred the quicker special license. Why was the girl so eager to marry? God knows he was in no hurry.
* * *
Gregory's stomach knotted as he faced his dearest friend across the Turkey carpet of the library, steeling himself to lie to George for the first time in the seventeen years they had known one another.
From his silk damask settee, George spoke somberly. "Despite that you're my best friend, I must tell you I would be excessively displeased were you to use my sister merely to gain your inheritance. Glee needs a man who will love her and take care of her for the rest of her life. She wants a happy home bursting with children." He stopped for a moment. "I would be extremely surprised if you can offer her any of the things she needs."
Gregory felt the knife turning. He came dangerously close to calling the whole thing off. Then he remembered Glee's pledge to marry the first man who sought her out. And with rising anger, he thought of the scoundrel Jefferson. Gregory coughed. "You must know I have had a soft spot for Miss Pembroke since she was a little girl. It wasn't until this stay, however, that I realized how much I truly cared for her. It was Miss Pembroke herself who pointed out that a match between us would be a most fortunate connection. And since my feelings for her were rapidly changing from that of a brother to that of a lover. . . I came to realize how very much I wanted to marry her." His voice lowered and he spoke somberly. "That is, if you have no objections."
How had he ever found the words? Gregory thought of the times when he had been alone with Glee in the meadows and the unexpected feelings of lust she summoned within him. Those feelings must have rushed through his memory as he spoke. Good lord, would George think him a cradle robber? His heart pounded. George was taking a deuced long time to make a comment.
The expression on his friend's face was solemn. Was he angry at Gregory’s desire for the unspoiled Glee? Was he remembering all the wicked things Gregory had done which would render him unsuitable to marry his sister?
Finally, George spoke. "I hope you understand your declaration has been rather a shock for me. First, for as long as I've known you, you've insisted marriage was something you meant to avoid. Then there's the fact you've never been remotely attracted to a girl like Glee."
George, of course, was alluding to all the tarts Gregory had been involved with since he lost his virginity at sixteen. "The lightskirts who have gone before her make Miss Pembroke's innocence completely refreshing. She's the first—the only—lady of quality I have either desired or wished to marry. I suspect you must have felt the same way over Miss Moreland—before she became Lady Sedgewick."
George nodded. "Like you, I had scoffed at the idea of marriage."
"Then Miss Moreland stole your heart as Miss Pembroke has stolen mine."
Now a wide smile crossed George's face. "Forgive me if I'm a bit taken aback. 'Tis hard to realize the elusive Mr. Blankenship has lost his heart to that scamp of a sister of mine."
Gregory's heart pounded. "But I have most assuredly."
"Then I'm glad of it, even happier to have you for a brother."
The two men stood and embraced, then moved to the desk to arrange settlements. When they were finished, George leveled a serious gaze at his friend. "I must tell you I now realize I'm rather happy my sister is the means by which you will secure your fortune."
* * *
Diana would be the test, Glee thought as she nervously strolled toward the morning room after changing from her wet clothing. Her stomach plummeted. She mentally kicked herself. Isn't this exactly what she wanted? What she had prayed for? Hadn't she told herself if she could just capture Blanks, she would make him fall in love with her? Never mind that he had long ago vowed to never marry. Never mind that he didn't love her. Never mind that he’d always been as immovable as a mountain. Mr. Gregory Blankenship had met his match in Glee.
She casually strolled into the room.
Diana looked up, then began to pour a second cup of tea. "I thought you would be with Blanks."
Glee took the proffered cup and saucer, then sucked in her breath. "He's in the library with George."
"A pity he has to leave today," Diana said as she continued with her sewing. "George would love for him to stay longer."
"As would I," Glee said softly. "We have just become betrothed."
Stunned, Diana's mouth gaped open, her sewing flung aside.
"Did I hear you correctly?"
I have to be convincing, Glee told herself. "I confess, I've never been so surprised in my life. Please don't tell George, but I was the one to tell Blanks how advantageous it would be for him to marry me. He was aghast at first, but the longer we've been together, the more sense my proposal made. Especially in light of his growing ardor for me." Glee continued stirring her tea long after it was necessary.
"It doesn't seem that you two have been together very much," Diana countered.
"You forget the mornings when you've been taking a tray in bed. Blanks and I have breakfasted together every morning and have spent a great deal of time outdoors with one another." Glee sighed happily. "I wonder what it is about the fresh air that makes gentlemen so amorous?" She felt guilty for misleading her sister, but there was nothing she wouldn't do for Blanks, and he had told her to convince everyone theirs was a love match.
Diana smiled smugly. "Then you two have kissed?"
Glee's heart tripped. "Any number of times," she said casually. Would that it were so.
"Oh, Glee," Diana exclaimed, rising from her chair and throwing her arms around Glee. "I'm truly happy for you."
The door to the morning room opened and the gentlemen entered. George went to stand behind his wife and lovingly put his hands on her shoulders. "I am, too," he said, looking at Glee. "You've made me a very happy brother."
To her utter surprise, Blanks came to stand behind Glee and, obviously taking a cue from George, put his hands on her shoulders. "Me too, my love," Blanks said to her.
Glee's heart melted. She didn't know which made her the happiest. His hands on her or hearing him address her as my love. Even if such actions were nothing more than a sham, she relished them. She fully realized, albeit with disappointment, he didn't care a fig for her. But Glee Pembroke, soon to be Mrs. Blankenship, had a great deal of confidence in herself. I will make him love me. A pity Blanks was so very stubborn.
"When is the date to be?" Diana asked.
"Four weeks from Sunday," George said. "In our village church."
Diana looked puzzled but said nothing.
"In the meantime, love," Blanks said to Glee,
"you have much to do. You must select a house for us in Bath and set about furnishing it."
"And you'll need a trousseau," Diana reminded Glee.
Glee bit at her lip. "I don't suppose, Diana. . ."
"Georgette will be fine with her nurse and wet nurse," Diana finished. "I'll be delighted to accompany you to Bath."
Bless Diana! "You're a jewel," Glee said to her.
Blanks bent and kissed Glee on the top of her shining auburn hair. "It pains me to tell you, love, I return to Bath within the hour."
Really, he could have made his fortune on the stage! He sounded so convincing. To think, he even kissed her on the top of her head! The odious man avoided her lips! She very strongly desired to receive a real kiss from her betrothed.
* * *
That afternoon Blanks returned to Bath. The three others paraded through the manor's impressive front doors to see him off as the groom brought around his horse. Before he climbed on the mount, Gregory took both of Glee's hands. "I shall miss you dreadfully, my love."
She smiled up at him. "It won't be but three days until we're reunited, my darling."
As Blanks stood there gazing upon her with a decidedly forlorn look, Glee's heart fluttered. Then he bent to kiss her, and her stomach vaulted as she rose on her toes to taste him. The touch of his lips was magical. It was as if the birds chorused louder when their lips came together, stopping her pulse. She quite forgot there were any other creatures on earth, save Blanks and her and perhaps the happily singing birds. She delighted in his musky scent and the sturdy feel of him. The man was a positive paradox. So very large and so excruciatingly tender.
Then she nearly unraveled when his arms came around her. She felt unbelievably feminine. And ripe with womanhood.
He managed to terminate the kiss but continued to hold her—even more tightly. "I'll miss you," he said throatily.
He sounded so convincing! I shall miss you too. She wanted to say the words but found she had lost her voice.
Then he pulled away and mounted his bay. He tipped his hat to George. "I thank you and Lady Sedgewick for your hospitality—and for making me the happiest of men." Then he rode off without a backward glance at Glee.
Look out, Edmund Kean, Glee mused. The greatest actor in England now undoubtedly was Gregory Blankenship. Anyone watching that parting scene would be thoroughly convinced of his deep affection for her.
* * *
During the next few days Glee was so busy with wedding arrangements and packing for Bath that she had little time to dwell of Blanks. Until her last night at Hornsby Manor. Exhausted from her preparations, she sank into bed, fully intending to sleep, but she was unable to do so. Blanks kept intruding on her thoughts. It was hard to believe she would be Mrs. Blankenship before the month was out.
She was fully aware that marrying the man she adored would not guarantee any happily-ever-afters. She knew the road ahead would be difficult to navigate. It would be uphill all the way. But she had confidence in her abilities to snare his affections—given time. It wasn't as if they didn't already like each other. She expected Blanks would be solicitous of her. That was a start. And he had said she was pretty. Which assured her that she did not repulse him physically. Thank goodness.
But now that she was embarking on marriage with him, she realized her hopes to ensnare his heart weren't good enough. She needed a plan. Like a general in battle. For the unbudgingly stubborn Gregory Blankenship was a mighty opponent.
The rest of the night she assembled in her mind the weapons that would carry her to victory. The most important of these was her love for him. Because she cared so deeply for him, she wanted to learn everything she could about him. Her mission in life would be to see to his happiness. If haddock was what he desired at dinner, haddock he would get. If he desired to stay out every night with his friends, nary a criticizing word would come from her.
From little things he had jokingly said over the years, she had come to realize that his stepmother held no love for him. Since his mother had died at his birth, he had likely never known the love of a woman. True love, that is. Her heart ached for the lonely child he must have been. Glee was prepared to swaddle him in love and drench him with affection.
She had other plans, too. Not only would she not interfere in his pleasure pursuits, but she also meant to join him. They would continue to be the best of friends.
Friendship, she had observed, was the foundation of all good marriages. If her schemes came to fruition, Blanks would grow tired of his hedonistic ways and long for his own estate, complete with loving wife and children. Then he would know true happiness.
Children. Surely Blanks would want them someday. She could not imagine life without them. Somewhere down their uneven road, she and Blanks would start a family. Even if she had told her betrothed she would be happy without them.
If, in the coming years, he was still opposed to fathering children, she told herself she would respect his feelings. As much as she wanted children, she wanted Blanks more.
She had one last weapon to employ in her battle to win Blanks' heart, but she wouldn't use it until after they were married.
Chapter 6
Having checked into Bath's Sheridan Arms Hotel and overseen the unpacking of her bags, Glee now hastened to Number 7, Diana's chambers. They had decided against staying at Diana's brother's estate because its location three miles from the city would be less convenient than the hotel.
Diana, now changed from her traveling clothes, opened the door and stepped into the hallway, slipping a shawl around her shoulders as she looked up and saw Glee. "I was just leaving to go to your chambers," she said with a laugh.
The two women descended the stairs to the ground floor, speaking all the while. "According to Blanks's letter there are three prime townhouses on the market and I am to take my pick of them," Glee said. "The Harrison's house on Queen Square, I am sure, will undoubtedly outshine the others. You've been there, have you not?"
"A lovely home," Diana answered, "and such an excellent location."
Glee nodded her agreement. "Between the Upper Assembly Rooms and the Pump Room. Even if it weren't one of the finest houses in Bath, I believe I would choose it for where it's located." They strolled through the opulent lobby and out the door to High Street. Glee fastened her pelisse and braced against the chilly wind that greeted them outside.
"Are we going there first?" Diana asked.
"Yes, I thought we'd walk since it's so near."
Soon they walked along the pavement on Milsom Street. Glee felt somewhat guilty that she hadn't let her betrothed know she was already in Bath. Somehow, she had thought he might be displeased to learn she was coming a day early. His insistence on posting bans instead of marrying by special license as did others of their class, told her he wished to cling to his bachelorhood every extra day he possibly could.
A pity he was not as anxious to be with her as she was to be with him.
She and Diana lifted their skirts as they crossed the street where last night's rain had puddled. They barely squeezed between a hay cart and a hansom before making it to the other side of Milsom. Glee glanced at the front window of Mrs. Simmons's Millinery Creations. She was surprised the crippled lad who was always in front of the shop was not there. Then she remembered this was the time of day he would be riding the pony given him by Diana's brother.
Next, her thoughts turned to Blanks. Glee decided she would not see him until that night. She would wait until late afternoon, then send along a note to his lodgings informing him she had come early. Her stomach somersaulted at the thought of seeing him again. Her own Blanks. Would he hasten to the hotel to see her? Would they go to the Upper Assembly Rooms together tonight? Would he hold her in his arms as they waltzed?
"I hadn't realized how much I missed Bath," Glee said.
Diana nodded. "I love it here. It's my favorite place."
Glee was aware of how well traveled her sister-in-law was. "Really? Why is that?"
"Can't you guess?"
A smile broke across Glee's face. "Let me see, would it be because Bath is where you met, fell in love with, and married my brother?"
"Correct answer. I can see that you come from intelligent stock."
"Undoubtedly. And I am sure my baby niece already is in possession of remarkable brains. As to her father, though," Glee said with a smile, "I am not so sure."
Diana playfully swatted at Glee. "How could you malign such a wonderful creature?"
"My brother a wonderful creature? I fear some supernatural power has cast a besotted spell over you. What else could explain such devotion a full year after you two began to live as man and wife?"
Diana rolled her eyes. "If you're going to be wed, you must be aware that many married people are devoted to one another." Diana's voice gentled. "Like George and me."
Yes, that's the kind of marriage Glee wanted, too. If only.
At that precise moment Glee saw her betrothed and Carlotta Ennis strolling along the pavement on the other side of the street. If she hadn't so recently crossed the street, Glee would have come up to him face-to-face. The flamboyant widow he was with had been acquainted with Glee's family for many years. She and Glee's sister Felicity had accompanied their first husbands to Portugal, where both men were killed during the Peninsular Campaign.
"Look, Diana, there's Blanks and Mrs. Ennis! Let's cross the street."
Diana stiffened, and her eyes went cold. Her fingers dug into Glee's arm.
Why was Diana acting like this? Had she taken a sudden aversion to Blanks? Glee's eyes followed Blanks and Carlotta Ennis as they entered a tea shop. Were they going to nuncheon there? How peculiar. "What's the matter with you, Di?"
