“Yes, Clarence?” She always called him Clarence with that hopeful lilt to her voice, and the tone of her voice always made his heart skip a beat. Privately, they had always been Clarence and Ann to each other. He supposed it was because she was such bosom chums with his sister, Ginny.
In the not so distant past, he had tempted scandal by sending her love letters, and other tokens of his affection. Things that weren’t exactly proper—and yet, he had done it. To think she doubted that he would take her as his bride. Hadn’t she read any of his letters? Hadn’t she opened any of the gifts? Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe they had all been kept from her because they were quite scandalous, and she was so innocent. She was so pure.
Pure hearted, and pure of body. She was a veritable angel on Earth.
“I love you, Ann. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I could never deny you anything,” he confessed, “I won’t make you go back to your father’s house. You can remain here and I will make you my wife. I will make you the Countess of Evesham.”
She let out a shuddering sigh of relief. “I don’t care about titles, Clarence. I only want to be your wife, and you agreeing to marry me—to become my husband, and my protector, to give me refuge with you, it has made me exceedingly happy. You have slayed my debilitating fears, noble knight, you have my undying gratitude for doing so.”
If only she could return his love in kind. If only, he wasn’t her means of escaping a controlling father.
He had to take her however he could get her, and right now…she was his for the taking. So what the bloody hell was he waiting for?
He took a step forward, and she stood up. “I know that I will never be able to repay your kindness to me, Clarence. I am in your debt. I will be in your debt for the rest of my life. I shall never ever be able to repay you, for you have granted me something quite priceless. You have granted me my freedom. I shan’t be able to repay that debt, not for as long as I live.” Clarence didn’t realize that Ann could be so—dramatic with her words. It was actually quite appealing to him. “And…I will be a good wife, I know you might have your reservations about that…but you may cast them aside. I shall be a good and dutiful wife. You will see, Clarence. I will, so help me, I will, this I vow.”
He moved to her, and took her hands in his again, clasping them tightly, and holding them against his chest.
“Are you quite certain that you want to marry me?” he asked, needing to hear it again and again. He probably still wouldn’t believe it after they had exchanged their vows, and been pronounced man and wife. She had to know that she would be crossing the Rubicon. There would be no coming back from this. He would have no regrets. He could only pray that she would feel the same way.
“Yes,” she said, without a trace of doubt in her voice. “And we must hasten to be made tenants for life before Sir Wilfrid returns from France, and decides to wreak havoc with our lives—he will try to keep us from being married. He will be utterly dismayed to hear that I have found a way to avoid marrying him. My father will be seething with unbridled fury. He will have no possible way to get himself out of dun territory now. I do not think he can sell my brother James to him—and James is the only child left that hasn’t found someone to marry. Alas, my brother is a libertine, and I do not think he shall ever forsake his reckless ways long enough to find himself a wife. He shall be terribly vexed when he hears that I have found a way to avoid marrying that disgusting rapscallion. I am quite certain he was rejoicing in my unfortunate circumstance.”
Clarence grinned like the besotted fool he was at her, and lifted her hands to kiss them.
“Their misery shall be our happiness. I shall away at once to obtain a special license for us.”
“Father might attempt to come and fetch me, Clarence. He won’t allow me to slip out of his grasp so easily. He will be absolutely livid. He will think he can barge in here, and take me by force if necessary—he rather thinks he owns the world when it comes to me. His bravado knows no bounds.”
“Fat lot of good that will do him if I leave watchdogs with you. Watchdogs that are more than a match for Lord Broadway.”
“Watchdogs?” She inclined one of her dainty eyebrows.
“Aye. Lord Prescott and Lord Spaulding are here staying with me. They won’t let your father past the front door, should you wish him to be kept away from you. They are rather intimidating fellows, and I do not think that he shall have enough courage to even attempt to get past them. Bravery and bravado are two entirely different things. These chaps are loyal and brave.”
“We shall make quite the stir within the ton, Clarence,” she said softly. “The gossipmongers shan’t be kind. They shall tear our reputations to shreds.”
“When were they ever kind? Devil take anyone who gossips about us, Ann. We aren’t doing anything wrong. I…I shall treat you like the lady you are.” He wanted to stay with her and enjoy this closeness they had built between them. When he was around Ann, he found that he could barely think of anyone else.
“I never worried about that…I worried that your good name will be tarnished by giving me sanctuary. And I do not want to bring that sort of grief to your doorstep. I couldn’t bear it, if I was responsible for anything that causes you harm. I would not have you ever think ill of me—I couldn’t bear the thought of you ever resenting me, Clarence.”
“Perish the thought, Ann. I could never think that way about you. Please believe that.”
Keeping away from her for so long had caused him more harm than good. If only she had allowed him to court her months ago. They would have already been married. He knew his parents, particularly his mother, believed he was too young for Ann. More to the point, she thought he was too young to be married.
The footman quietly opened the Library door, and brought in a tray containing their hot chocolate and biscuits. While he didn’t have Mrs. Macintosh as his cook, he did have one almost as proficient at her craft. He had asked Mrs. Macintosh for suggestions on whom to hire as his Cook, and she had given him several women to consider. He had finally settled on hiring another Scotswoman, and her name was Mrs. Gilmore.
He walked her over to the sofa, and they sat down on it. He was so close to Ann, he could smell her beguiling perfume. It was a delicate scent, and one he had always been fond of. She smelled like violets. He loved violets, and he loved her.
She looked at the cup of hot chocolate set before her. “I…I rarely drink hot chocolate, Clarence, and are those shortbread biscuits? Oh, what buttery goodness they must be. Oh, how they do tempt me. I…Father always said not to eat too freely in front of a gentlemen. He said it wasn’t seemly for a woman to look like a pig, although I admit, I am rather peckish.”
“Your father sounds like a proper pillock, Ann. I…never thought he would be like that. He always seems so genial when he is out and about.”
“Father likes to give that impression. However, now that you are about to become his son-in-law, he shan’t treat you with little regard. He treats all his family with disdain—save for his precious James. He likes to look like the sweetest man on Earth, to everyone that isn’t related to him by blood, and Clarence, he is anything but.” She reached for the steaming cup of chocolate, and raised it tentatively to her lips, blowing on it a bit, before she took a sip. As the liquid entered her mouth, sheer bliss reached her eyes, and after she swallowed, she gave him a shy smile. “Oh, that is lovely. It is most comforting,” she exclaimed, sighing contentedly.
“And it will warm you up. I wonder if my sisters will have some frocks for you to wear. You can hardly remain here without anything to wear.” He licked his lips, as he considered what he had just said. He could imagine keeping her here without anything to wear…he would definitely not mind that one bit. He cleared his throat nervously. Heat rushed to his cheeks at the scandalous thought, “I am not entirely certain you should remain here under my roof unchaperoned until we are married. Some might get the wrong idea.”
She gripped her cup of hot chocolat
e even tighter. “No…I cannot go anywhere else, Clarence. If I do, my father will find a way to retrieve me, and take me back to Broadway House. No…I must completely ruin myself, and stay here where he can’t touch me. Sir Wilfrid, well, he likes his maidens, or so I have heard—so the sooner I take care of that the better.” Clarence’s hands shook, and he dropped the biscuit he had reached for. He rushed to pick it up, and if she noticed, she pretended not to. “As for having things to wear,” she sighed. “…I honestly never considered that. I suppose if you gave me a clothing allowance, I could go and purchase a new wardrobe, a wedding trousseau, if you will, but it will take time for the dressmakers to have it all ready. Hopefully, Ginny or Valentina would be willing to let me have some items from their armoires.”
“Mama is about your size as well,” he said, clearing his throat in the way he did whenever he was ill at ease. What she had said concerning her innocence was on his mind. He would be lucky if he could focus on anything else. “She might have a few things she is willing to part with,” he mused. “And how did you come here? You don’t have your father’s carriage waiting for you, do you?”
“Oh, heavens, no,” she said, taking a tiny taste of the shortbread. She swallowed quickly, and continued, “I sent the carriage back. Fortunately, the coachmen are rather fond of me. They didn’t question my orders to return to Broadway House. I think they know that something is amiss—and they were more than happy to aid me in my escape from my irascible father. He is such a poisonous little toad. I could have just walked, but my mama insisted on summoning the carriage for me,” she sighed heavily, “Ah, how I will miss her. She is the only reason I was able to avoid this dreadful match. She opposed it from the start—even though my father told her he would do anything, and gladly sacrifice a daughter so he could ensure James’s legacy. He said that giving me to Sir Wilfrid was a trifling price to pay. The only child he has ever loved—the only child he has every thought to be priceless is James.” A tear slid down her cheek. He quickly reached for his handkerchief and gave it to her, and then realized she already had her own.
Clarence inwardly seethed at her words. “Lord Moreton and I have never exactly seen eye to eye. He told me to stay away from you once. We saw each other—well,” he tugged at his cravat, and nervously cleared his throat. “We saw each other somewhere that respectable ladies like you are not found, and he said that I was a fool to think I could ever have you…and then, in the same breath, told me I wouldn’t want you anyway, because you were quickly turning into an old hag and said that I could find something better without much work. He is not exactly a devoted brother—and he is certainly not the sort I would ever call friend.”
“James is ten years my senior,” she said softly. “And yet, he has always been cruel to me concerning our ages. He takes great delight out of taunting me about how many years I have been on this Earth. He used to make jokes on my birthday about how I was getting one year older, and therefore, closer to the grave, and then he would laugh in such a gleeful way—it twisted my gut.”
“Thunder an’ turf, he is a bloody bastard,” Clarence spat out. “Ah, well, I suppose we both do not have to pay your father or your brother any mind now. We shall certainly make them both lay a large egg when they find out what we have done, eh? We are really going to throw a rub in the way,” he chuckled, and finished off his hot chocolate.
He stood up. If he sat next to her much longer, he would be tempted to do something that wasn’t exactly befitting of the situation. Her beguiling scent was tempting him so. Whenever he was near her, he wanted to kiss and hold her. He walked over to his chair and sat in it. Yes, this was a much safer place to be.
“I have never done anything so rebellious in my life,” she whispered, losing all colour. He needed to bolster her spirits, and take her mind off of all that had transpired that day.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” he asked.
She chuckled. “I suppose you could put it that way.” They regarded each other for a few long blissful moments.
“I am only saying that we should see if the old boy needs a bit of rescuing.”
Clarence groaned. Tiny, Lucky and Cassius were on their way. He sighed heavily. For the first time ever, he wished that his three mates would bugger off. He wanted to remain as he and Ann were…alone—with only each other as company.
Lucky and Tiny barged into the room, in their normal boisterous manner. Cassius sauntered behind them. Leisurely taking his time. Come to think of it, Cassius did everything at a more sedate pace.
“My lady,” they all said, giving her dramatically elaborate bows that made Clarence sigh, and roll his eyes.
Lucky looked at the scene he and Ann created, while Tiny’s attention focused on the biscuits and hot chocolate. “Oh, that does look like a tasty treat. I am fair gutfounded. I can’t wait for dinner,” he muttered, stepping forward, and reaching for a biscuit.
Lucky groaned. “I don’t think we are needed, or wanted, Tiny,” he said, under his breath.
“Oh, yes, I agree with you old chap,” Cassius said softly, his eyes wide.
“Clarence, you look too smoky by half. What goes on here, then?” Tiny asked.
“You two do look a little suspicious,” Lucky remarked.
“Fess up. Tell all,” Tiny urged.
“Lady Ann and I are to be married,” Clarence announced proudly.
“Oh, no,” Cass muttered. “Clarence has fallen into the trap, mates.”
Tiny’s mouth gaped open, and Lucky looked as if he’d had the rug pulled out from beneath him.
“I…I beg your pardon?” Lucky asked.
“Lady Ann has finally accepted my proposal of marriage,” Clarence said proudly, raising his hand when it looked as if she were going to contradict him.
*****
Ann couldn’t quite believe what Clarence had just told his mates. He hadn’t asked her to marry him—she was the one who had given the proposal. How could he take responsibility for it? It was an outright fib. Her heart hammered so loudly in her chest at his faradiddle that she feared Lord Chorley, Lord Prescott and Lord Spaulding just might hear it.
“And did she say yes of her own accord, or did you have to lavish her with untold riches to get her to say that magical word?” Tiny quipped.
“Felix, behave yourself,” Lucky hissed. “We shall take our leave now. My lady, Clarence,” Lucky said, as he and Cass attempted to back out of the room.
“No…no, you don’t have to leave,” Clarence rushed out. “We…we actually need your assistance. Well, to clarify, I need yours, and Tiny’s assistance, Lucky. I am not entirely certain Cass wants in on it. It shall come with its own peril.”
Now that Ann considered it at length, she didn’t know how she felt about being left alone with the two Barons. They seemed slightly intimidating. She knew they were not born into the ton—she knew they had once been in the Army, and their reputations during that time preceded them.
Lord Chorley had recently inherited his father’s title, and he had been with Clarence at Eton. By comparison, he didn’t cast quite as much of an imposing figure, although, he was not finely built like some men his age. He shared that in common with Clarence. They were both growing into fine young men, who looked as if they could handle themselves in a fight.
Lord Spaulding and Lord Prescott on the other hand, hadn’t been born into a life of privilege. She didn’t know much about their origins, but she did know that they had started life in the Army as enlisted men. During the wars against Napoleon, Lord Prescott had been raised through the ranks, and had eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant, and Lord Spaulding had attained the rank of Sergeant Major. Neither of them had the easy going demeanor that Clarence possessed, and while she had been introduced to Lord Spaulding and Lord Prescott back when Ginny had married their Colonel, she didn’t know them as well as she would have liked.
No matter what she thought, or how she felt, she would mind her own business, and keep quiet. She couldn’t risk
invoking Clarence’s wrath—he might decide she wasn’t worth marrying. Gazing at him, she wondered if his handsome visage ever got irritated. She had only ever seen him smiling, or looking a little wistful. She had never seen him lose his temper, even with his sisters, he only ever got slightly annoyed, and he usually had a joke to deal with any uncomfortable situation at hand.
Clarence was far beyond her grasp. She had never quite figured out why he was so utterly besotted with her. Devilishly handsome, he looked like a younger version of his father, the Duke of Alton. His captivating emerald green eyes, the way they sparkled, why he could have had any other maiden in the ton—many who were far prettier than she, and younger than she. His wavy black hair invited her to run her fingers through it, and resisting to do so was becoming quite a bother.
Having him want her, and only her, befogged her in a way nothing ever had.
“Ah, the time has quite run away from me,” Cassius said. “I fear I must away at once. Congratulations to you both. I hope you shall be very happy in your new life together. I shall remain mum about what has happened here tonight. I shan’t speak a word of it to anyone, so you needn’t fear.”
“I know you won’t, Cass. Give my regards to your Mama and sisters,” Clarence said.
Cass nodded to him, bowed to Ann, and left.
“What do you need, mate?” Lord Spaulding asked, coming to sit with them.
“I need you to keep an eye on Lady Ann.”
“Not a difficult task, I grant you,” Lord Spaulding said, giving her a friendly grin, and a wink. She smiled back at him, feeling a little hot under his gaze. The man was huge, and he looked at her as if he could see right under her skin. He looked at her as if he was trying to determine whether or not she was worthy of Clarence, and she had to admit, she probably wasn’t.
His Christmas Angel (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 8) Page 3
