His Perfect Bride

by Jenn Langston

  “I would not say ‘discount’. It’s more a question of suitability. Who is the one determining who qualifies and who does not?”

  “I suppose you are right. It’s an individual qualification.” He nodded in agreement. “Do you think I’m suitable?”

  “From what I know of you, you meet my qualifications so far.” She winced. Her words came across as callous even to her.

  “However, if I held a title, you would have no interest in me? Your other conditions pale in comparison?” He slowly stalked toward her with intent in his eyes.

  Brianna was not sure if she should be frightened or anxious, but she felt a combination of both. “Does this not matter?” he demanded.

  He took her face between his hands and placed sweet kisses across her cheeks and down her neck. Lost in sensation, she clung to him as if he provided the air she needed to breathe. When his wandering lips finally found hers, she met him anxiously, kissing him with everything within her. Each of his kisses were different, but they always ensnared her with an ache for some unknown delight.

  Mr. Richard abruptly released her, taking a couple of steps back. His mesmerizing eyes continued to watch her as she took a moment to reclaim her breath as well as her wits. He didn’t speak, but his pensive gaze stayed firmly fixed upon her. She could not speak, and his focus on her did nothing to help slow her rapid breathing.

  “You were saying?” he prompted, as if the soul-shattering kiss never occurred. “About titles, I believe,” he added at her blank stare.

  “Yes,” she replied, trying to recall what she said. Shaking her head, she cleared her thoughts. “I was saying that since my mother would not approve, we would have to be more selective about when to see one another.”

  Mr. Richard looked at her quite strangely, and she saw an occasional flash of anger darkening his face. She could not determine exactly what had upset him. However, the solution was simple: If he were not interested in an unconventional courtship, she would move on, and do her best to forget him.

  “Let me make sure I understand this fully. You are only interested in me due to my lack of title, and you wish me to secretly court you. After that, what? You expect to marry at Gretna Green?”

  “Well, your lack of title isn’t the only reason I’m drawn to you. As far as the rest, I honestly have not thought it out that far. I know this is a very unusual situation, and I understand if you no longer wish to have an association with me,” she offered, trying to give him a graceful way to escape.

  However, he didn’t seem to be grateful for her offer. His eyes narrowed and his beautiful lips drew into a tight line.

  “What exactly is it about a title that you disapprove of? Is there a particular designation, or are all of them distasteful to you?”

  “It isn’t the name I dislike, merely the life I would have once I marry a titled gentleman. I have seen it with my mother, and I don’t wish to end up living like that.”

  “Could you be more specific?” he pressed, the anger slowly draining out of his face.

  “It’s not one thing. It’s a combination of many. However, I suppose my main complaint is the lack of freedom.”

  “What demands do you have on your time that can’t be met under the normal circumstances of the day?”

  Pausing, Brianna contemplated the idea of telling him, then said, “I love to paint. When I have a brush in my hand, inspiration flows freely, and I can’t be rushed. I must give my artwork absolute attention, as I hope to be able to show them one day.”

  “Interesting,” he said, lifting his eyebrows. “That is an unusual choice for a lady of your station.”

  “Sometimes I find it’s better to deviate from what is expected. I imagine it adds a different quality to my work.”

  “I’m sure you have a wonderful talent. I would enjoy viewing it sometime, but I still don’t understand why you are unable to fit painting into your day.”

  “Using my mother is a perfect example. As countess, she has many duties to attend to as well as many people who demand her attention. The invitations are relentless, and to refuse them would be improper and would end up snubbing someone.”

  “You are basing this all on a life in London. If you lived on an estate in the country, matters would be different.”

  “I can’t say for certain as I have not spent much time at Ransley since Mother detests the country, but from my memory, it was not much improved from London. I’m simply trying to make decisions now to ensure my happiness in the future.”

  “I understand. However, I believe you are making choices based on misinformation.”

  “Why are you so troubled with my preferences?” Brianna demanded, tilting her head to one side. He was acting as if he thought she should marry a titled lord. She could not understand why he would discount himself thusly if he, too, were looking for a bride.

  “I don’t mean to push. I’m simply trying to understand your motivations and prevent you from making an uninformed decision.”

  “I appreciate your concern.” She brightened at the thought of his worry. The fact that he would be concerned about her choices even to his own detriment gave her a little thrill, but she tired of having her decisions questioned. “I have spent a significant amount of time thinking on this.”

  “I can see that,” he said, giving her a crooked smile.

  “Now, I believe I have been absent long enough. My mother is surely getting worried, especially with that dreaded marquis being in attendance tonight.”

  “The Marquis of Stonemede still?” The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement.

  “Yes, I have been able to avoid obtaining an introduction thus far, but Mother is persistent. I wish he would hurry up and choose a bride so everything could go back to the way it was.”

  “You make it sound so simple,” he replied with exasperation, then immediately smiled. “Now, in light of the new requirements, if I wished to see you perhaps tomorrow, how would I manage it?”

  “Well, in the morning, my governess and I will have an urge to walk through Hyde Park. During my visits there, I’m always happy to spare some time for my friends,” Brianna said, then looked behind her, trying to hide her ecstatic smile. She glanced around, worried about the length of her absence. “I bid you a good night, Mr. Richard. It would be lovely to see you again.”

  Not wanting to appear too eager, she didn’t wait for his acceptance and instead turned and walked away. Overall, the evening ended better than she had expected.

  Richard sat on a bench in Hyde Park waiting for Lady Brianna, and he felt like a fool. He was welcome in every house in town and had mothers practically throwing their daughters at him. But here he was, lying about his identity to get closer to the one lady who would not accept him if she knew the truth. To make matters worse, he had his driver drop him off down the street to ensure she didn’t see the Stonemede crest. He could only imagine the kind of talk such a sight would incur.

  Being hunted for his title had never set well with him, and unfortunately being pursued for the lack of one didn’t feel any better. When Brianna had informed him of her preferences the previous night, he had been furious, but not enough to stop his desire to see her again. His words had been dangerous, as he had no intention of courting her, but he had been unable to restrain himself.

  Although having dismissed her for her wild nature, he had never felt such a strong connection to anyone. Due to this unusual occurrence, he could not walk away from her until he had an explanation for it, or until the feeling wore off. If her actions were any indication, he knew she was similarly affected, but she would be too happy to leave and not explore this due to something as small as his title.

  Scanning the crowd, he finally spotted her walking down one of the main paths leading in his direction. Two women accompanied her. He recognized one female from the day he saw Lady Brianna at the shops, and there was also a much younger girl with them. Although still quite a distance away, he could feel the pull from her calling to him. At
that moment, his title, as well as his plans for the future, was irrelevant. She was simply a woman, and he a man; a man who desperately wanted her.

  He had to be careful when he approached her, as he had no desire for someone to remark on her outing with the Marquis of Stonemede. When her eyes met his, he stood and nonchalantly began to head deeper into the park toward a more heavily wooded area. He would leave it up to her to dismiss her guard and come to him, of which he had no doubt she would.

  He didn’t have to wait long before she began to make her way toward him. Glancing back, he saw the other two women walking in a different direction, and he, feeling impatient, owed his gratitude to her ability to separate from her entourage so quickly. Although he knew she was following, he continued until he reached the exact spot he sought out to avoid prying eyes. The trees were so thick, from most views the other occupants of the park would only be able to see one of them.

  “Good morning, Mr. Richard. I trust you had a pleasant night?” she asked, coming up beside him.

  “Please, call me Richard.”

  “All right, Richard, then you shall call me Brianna.” Her smile put the sun to shame. “So how was your night?”

  “Tolerable. Thank you for inquiring. How was yours?” he asked, wondering why she was wasting time on inane questions.

  “I really can’t complain, for I had a most enjoyable dream, and I had no desire to wake from it,” she said, smiling coyly.

  “What was it that made your dream so enjoyable?” He hoped she had been dreaming of him the way he had of her. Lately, he had dreamt of nothing but her at Stonemede, regardless if he was awake or asleep. The habit irritated him, and it didn’t award him much rest, especially since he had the misfortune of waking just as things became more interesting. It was quite frustrating, and he remained in a constant state of discomfort due to it.

  “Oh, it’s not really of interest. Besides, I would prefer to hear about you today.”

  “What would you care to know?” he asked, immediately on guard.

  “You had mentioned the country last night, and I wondered if you owned any property or were you speaking of a family estate?”

  “I do own an estate in the country.”

  “How wonderful! Is it large? I would love to hear about it.” Her words sounded bright and excited, but her face betrayed her disappointment, which he could not begin to understand.

  “As far as the size, it’s hard to say. It’s by no means the largest, but I’m proud of it, regardless,” Richard answered honestly. He simply didn’t mention there were not many that could claim to be bigger than Stonemede. “I have a well-maintained manor. The property holds beautiful gardens, and there is a picturesque stream that runs through it.”

  “With such holdings, I imagine you have no need to marry an heiress.”

  “No, that is certainly not one of the requirements for my intended bride.” Richard could not contain his confusion as to why that would matter. His solicitor had been quite explicit that Bradley Denton held a substantial fortune, and both daughters would receive considerable dowries.

  “Then what are your requirements?” she asked, eyes wide with innocence.

  Richard could feel the trap she had set for him, and he paused a moment to form his response.

  “I imagine my conditions are standard. I’m looking for an obedient, calm-spirited wife,” he answered, knowing she didn’t fit either.

  “If those are the demands of most gentlemen, then I suppose I should see how I measure up,” she said.

  He crossed his arms, anxious to hear how she would answer.

  She ticked her finger against her chin. “As far as obedience, I’m very obedient when the situation calls for it, and calm-spirited is how I would like my future to be. So, I imagine I meet the requirements perfectly.”

  “I see.” Richard held back laughter at her inaccurate assessment of herself. “Now that I have given you my secrets, it’s only fair you reciprocate. What are your qualifications for your future husband, aside from being untitled, of course?”

  “Actually, I want the same qualities in a husband as you want in a wife. I wish for him to be obedient and calm.”

  Unable to restrain himself any longer, Richard laughed. Her demands were ridiculous. Husbands didn’t obey their wives, and for her to believe otherwise was absurd. Afraid he had hurt her feelings, he sobered and met her eyes. Serious, but there was a hint of amusement lurking in the hazel depths. He smiled at her and watched as her beautiful lips curled up in return.

  It didn’t take long to realize watching her mouth was a mistake as his body came to full attention. The merriment drained from his face only to be replaced by desire. She held him immobile, and he helplessly stared as she took a step closer to him. As she gently placed her gloved hands upon his chest, he held his breath in anticipation.

  Being so close to her felt incredible, but, as always, he wanted more. His arms longed to wrap around her, and his hands itched to caress her. Fortunately, his brain still functioned, and he processed how dire of a mistake it would be considering their public location.

  “This isn’t a good idea,” he admitted, stepping away from the wonderful warmth of her body.

  “Are you not going to kiss me?” she asked with an adorable pout.

  He longed to give in, but instead ran one finger down the side of her face.

  “Next time, I promise.” His quiet voice only served to pronounce his desire.

  “Why not now?”

  Richard wanted to laugh at her impatience, but he was feeling too exposed at the moment.

  “First of all,” he began, then cleared his throat, “your companions are headed toward us. And, secondly, this way you shall look forward to our next meeting.”

  She opened her mouth as if she would complain, but instead turned her head, no doubt to confirm his statement. When she faced him again, he saw her pained expression. He immediately understood. The ladies were not supposed to be aware of her association with him.

  “I always do look forward to our meetings.” She offered her hand.

  “Then I shall strive to make our next meeting more memorable than usual,” he promised, kissing her hand and allowing his lips to linger before releasing her.

  He watched as she turned and headed toward her companions. She was the most unpredictable, exciting lady he had ever known, and he found he wanted to know her better still.

  Once the three ladies were out of sight, he made his way out of the park. He had sent his carriage away without any instruction to meet him, so he followed along the well-known streets to his London townhouse. As he walked, he could not stop thinking about Brianna and the lightning that assaulted him every time she was near.

  He could not conjure up nor see himself with any other lady, but he knew he would have to go against his perfectly thought out requirements to have Brianna. He decided she was worth the trouble the decision would cause him. The only thing that would cause a bigger challenge would be molding her to fit into his perfect pattern for a proper wife, but he would succeed. Feeling anxious to make her his, he smiled as he thought of the pleasures they would share.

  Entering the house, he gently shook off the London shower that had saturated his clothing. The cold water had been good for him, easing some of the ache he had been feeling.

  “Welcome back, my lord,” Hopkins, his butler, said, quickly taking Richard’s hat and gloves. “I trust you had a pleasant outing.”

  “Yes, with the exception of the weather, of course. I had hoped the rain would have waited until I arrived home.”

  “It’s quite unpredictable, my lord,” he replied knowingly before pulling a letter out of his coat pocket. “This missive arrived for you earlier. The messenger informed me it was from Stonemede.”

  “Thank you.” Richard took the letter. “I’ll be in my bedchamber. I would also appreciate a warm bath as soon as you can manage it.”

  “Right away, my lord.”

  In his bedchamber, R
ichard put the letter down on his night table and sighed. He wondered what troubles were occurring now at the estate, but he was too wet and cold to deal with it at the moment.

  An hour later, he felt revived, so he sat down and slid the letter forward, surprised to see his mother’s penmanship. Breaking the seal, he scanned the contents, hoping his mother did not write to report an unpleasant occurrence. Luckily, she did not.

  Apparently life in the country was wearing on both his mother and Elizabeth. He knew his sister had longed for her Season and had been disappointed to miss her opportunity to attend parties and meet gentlemen. During their short time in London, their lives had been full, and Richard knew Stonemede didn’t offer the same luxuries. He had always felt a year of mourning was excessive, but his mother had asserted it was the proper amount of time.

  After her insistence over six months before, this letter betrayed her true feelings, for she was now obviously bored with the country life. An acquaintance in London had written to his mother suggesting she and several friends visit Stonemede for the weekend. Happy with the opportunity to reconnect with her friends, she agreed.

  His mother requested Richard be present. She wanted him to take a break from London to act as host for her gathering. Since he would be in attendance, she gave him the option of selecting any ladies to whom he would like invitations to be extended. It would have been a perfect opportunity to have several ladies to himself in order to identify their suitability, but it was no longer necessary.

  Immediately, his thoughts went to inviting Brianna to Stonemede, but he dismissed them. He knew it was past time to reveal his identity to her, but inviting her to his estate was not the ideal way of imparting the news. The situation already passed ridiculous, and he knew it would only create more problems as time wore on, so his decision was made. When he returned to London after his weekend at Stonemede, he would tell Brianna his true identity. Using every effort, he would show her how pleasant it would be to be both his perfect bride and marchioness.

  Chapter 6