Convenient Proposal to the Lady

by Julia Justiss

  ‘And a wife’s. The pleasure goes both ways, you know,’ he replied, puzzled by this unexpectedly missish reply from the woman who’d previously responded to him with abandon. Why this sudden reserve?

  ‘Passion is for a man’s enjoyment, not a woman’s. All she gets is the risk of pain and death in childbed. Which would be worth it, I suppose, if she wanted a child.’

  ‘Do you truly believe that?’ he asked incredulously. After the kisses we’ve shared?

  ‘All I want now is a chance to pursue my work.’

  Ah, her work... Did she fear succumbing to passion would saddle her with responsibilities that might threaten her ability to continue it? he wondered, struggling to understand this unexpected change. Or did she suspect that permitting him to bring her pleasure might give him some kind of power over her, at the very moment that freedom from her father would finally allow her to control her own life?

  To be fair, after what she’d endured at her father’s hands, he could understand why she would resist anything she feared might drag her back into bondage to another man—despite the depth of attraction between them.

  How long would it take him to convince her that passion would liberate, rather than limit her?

  Could he be happy with a marriage blanc until he did? Persuading a body already starving for another taste of her to keep its distance would be both disappointing...and difficult. Despite her offer to let him seek ‘other companions’.

  ‘I...I wouldn’t deny you, if you insisted on claiming my body,’ she said, drawing him out of his thoughts.

  ‘Insisted on it?’ he echoed, torn between insult and amusement. He might not be happy at the prospect of an initially passionless marriage, but he would make sure this very minute that she understood he would never impose his desires on her. ‘There’ll be none of that, ever, I promise. You do believe me?’

  She studied his face before slowly nodding. ‘Yes, I believe you.’

  ‘Good. I’ll have you know I’ve never taken a lady who wasn’t actively encouraging.’

  She looked back at him with a shrug.

  ‘Enthusiastically encouraging,’ he amended.

  She raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Passionately demanding,’ he countered.

  She gave him a sceptical glance that practically shouted a challenge to his skill at seduction. If she were throwing down that gauntlet, he was more than prepared to snap it up.

  ‘I repeat, there will never be any intimate contact between us, unless and until you desire it.’

  Rescue her first, work on that later, he told himself. Having already tasted the passion of which she was capable, coaxing it to emerge would be a highly satisfying challenge.

  As long as he didn’t expire of frustration before the ultimate victory that, he had no doubt, would eventually be his. Or rather, theirs. But he couldn’t expect her to long for a bliss she’d never experienced.

  ‘I realise that forgoing your husbandly rights will not pose any problem,’ she said with a twisted smile. ‘I’m not attractive enough to make avoiding my bed a hardship—not when there are so many enthusiastically encouraging, passionately demanding women in the world.’

  And I won’t rest until you are first among them, fully convinced of your attractiveness, he thought, suppressing a grin at her emphasis. ‘On the contrary; having to forgo intimacy will be difficult for me, as you must certainly realise,’ he replied. ‘But in this matter, I shall always bow to your wishes. You do believe that, don’t you?’

  When she nodded again, he said, ‘Good. Shall we move on to discuss the immediate future? I had intended to ask whether you’d prefer to be married at Aldermont Hall or in London. But after seeing how you’ve been treated, I don’t want you to spend another night under your father’s roof. I’ll seek your mother at once and ask her to send you and Molly to the inn in the village until she can accompany you to London, under my escort. Once there, you can stay with my friends until the lawyers complete the settlement agreements, securing your money to you, and then we can be married. If that meets with your approval?’

  ‘Leave here now, today, never to return?’ Her eyes finally taking on the brightness he found so attractive, she smiled. ‘I’ve never heard a more wonderful offer!’

  ‘Then show me where I might find your mother and get your things ready. I’ll send her to fetch you as soon as I finish speaking with her.’

  She nodded. ‘I’m ready now.’

  As she started to rise, he gently pushed her back into her chair. ‘I think you’ve forgotten something.’

  While she looked at him enquiringly, he went down on one knee. ‘Lady Alyssa Lambornne, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife? I promise to protect and cherish you, respect your talent and your work, and give you free rein to pursue it.’

  Blushing a little, she said. ‘Then, yes, Mr Tawny, I will marry you.’

  When she would have hopped up, he once again stayed her. ‘It’s customary, I believe, to seal such a bargain with a kiss.’

  Eagerness lit her face, sending his hopes soaring. Then she must have recalled her resolve to keep her distance and the enthusiasm faded. ‘If you wish.’

  ‘No,’ he corrected. ‘Only if you wish.’

  He didn’t move towards her—but he didn’t retreat, either. He could sense her indecision as she wavered, as wary and poised for flight as one of the birds she sketched. Yet held in place, as he was, by the intensity of the sensual pull between them.

  Sure as he was of its power, he was still relieved when, with a little sigh, she leaned down to offer her lips.

  He reined in the desire to kiss her deep and hard. They were beginning again on entirely new terms and, if he hoped to lead her to eventual surrender, he would have to proceed with caution.

  So he merely brushed his mouth against hers, keeping the pressure as slight as the breeze stirred by that bird taking wing. Suppressing the urge to lick and probe and invade, he kept his lips closed, warming hers with his breath, exploring her with glancing little touches, from the centre of her upper lip to the corners of her mouth, the contact so minimal he was almost not touching her at all.

  With a whimper, she leaned closer, pressing harder against him, opening her lips. He allowed himself a single, brief brush of his tongue against hers—even that tiny contact sending a heady rush of arousal through him—before moving away, leaving cold air where there had been the warmth of flesh against flesh.

  Her lashes fluttering open, she looked at him, surprise, confusion and an answering arousal in her eyes. He gritted his teeth against the compulsion to kiss her again, amazed such a simple caress could affect him so profoundly.

  If there were any justice in the world, her lips were tingling as fiercely as his, her heartbeat stampeding just as wildly, her body warming, melting, awash like his with desire and anticipation.

  Though he sensed, even this soon, he could have taken her further, he made himself resist the urge to proceed.

  When at last she came to him, he intended for her to be the most enthusiastically, passionately demanding lover ever to seek him out.

  Even if he ended up half-dead from frustrated desire first.

  ‘Now,’ he murmured, ‘take me to see your mother.’

  * * *

  Leaving the remote bedchamber, Lady Alyssa descended the stairs and led him down another hallway before halting to rap softly at a door. ‘Mama? It’s Lyssa.’

  A tall, thin woman opened the door—to be pushed aside by Lady Aldermont. ‘Lyssa! Oh, my darling! You are free at last!’ With a sob, she seized her daughter and drew her into the chamber.

  Ben followed Lady Alyssa in. Though he remained at a discreet distance during their tender reunion, Lady Aldermont soon spotted him over her daughter’s shoulder. ‘Mr Tawny, you came! Oh, thank Heaven!’

&nb
sp; ‘Yes, Mama, he came,’ Alyssa said, detaching herself from her mother’s embrace. ‘Molly and I are going to the Fox and Hare; I shall never spend another night here. Then, as soon as you can get away, Mr Tawny will escort us all to London. Now, I must find Molly and make myself presentable.’ She stepped towards the door, pausing on the threshold to look back. ‘By the way, Mama, I’ve agreed to marry him.’

  And then she was gone, shutting the door behind her.

  He’d been led to a small sitting room that must adjoin her ladyship’s bedchamber. After her daughter disappeared, Lady Aldermont motioned him to the sofa. ‘Won’t you have a seat? Linden, will you bring us tea?’

  After he seated himself, Lady Aldermont came over to seize Ben’s hand. ‘Thank you for coming, from the depths of this mother’s heart! Thank you even more for somehow convincing Alyssa to marry you.’

  ‘You sent me the note,’ Ben said, suddenly piecing it all together.

  Lady Aldermont flushed. ‘Yes. I was about to confess it. I am sorry to have misled you...but I was so worried!’

  Indeed, her tired, red eyes and the dark shadows under them spoke of weeping and sleepless nights. With a sigh, she seated herself beside him.

  ‘I know it was wrong of me to have written in Lyssa’s name. If the situation had not been so...desperate, I would not have done so. She was locked in a battle of wills with her father, one in which she would not yield...one I feared she might not survive.’ Tears sheening her eyes, she added, ‘You must think me the worst of cowards for not protecting her.’

  Petite, like her daughter, Lady Aldermont looked so light, Ben suspected he could lift her with one hand. Had she tried to shield Lady Alyssa from her husband’s wrath, the Earl could have knocked her aside with one blow—leaving her as battered as her daughter.

  ‘Not at all,’ he replied, compassion filling him. ‘You did exactly what you should have to protect her. You sent for me.’

  Tears started in earnest then, but with a shuddering breath, she wiped them away. ‘Thank you for that. And for responding so quickly. I shall be grateful for ever! After her father began his...campaign of persuasion, I begged her to reconsider her refusal to marry you. But she was adamant that she could not take advantage of one of the few men of compassion and integrity she’d ever met. Her eloquence in insisting that a man of your character and talent should not be saddled with an unwanted wife led me to hope that, if your heart were not already engaged, you would take pity on her circumstances. And follow the dictates of honour—even though you are innocent of any blame.’

  ‘She told you what really happened?’ At Lady Aldermont’s nod, he said, ‘Does her father know?’

  ‘I don’t believe so—not that it matters. He wouldn’t care in the slightest how she was disgraced, or by whom, only that the shame be covered up by marriage. As long as Alyssa is wed and off his hands, the character of her husband is a matter of indifference to him.’ Lady Aldermont’s lip curled in disgust. ‘Which makes me glad there is no way Lord Denbry could be compelled to marry her. After what she has suffered, I should hate for her to be chained for life to such a man. The fact that she admires and trusts you—most unexpected, given her experience with the men of her own family—makes me hope you will treat her kindly.’

  An unspoken appeal in her gaze accompanied those words.

  The appeal of one who had lived the bitter reality of being chained to a husband who did not treat a wife kindly? ‘I give you my word, I will honour and respect your daughter.’ Though another quick inspection of Lady Aldermont revealed no apparent bruises, Ben felt compelled to ask, ‘Does Aldermont strike you, too?’

  Flushing again, Lady Aldermont said, ‘Oh, no! I’m much too timid. Within a week of our wedding, he had me completely cowed. But Alyssa... While Aldermont despises me for being weak, she goads him to fury with her defiance. In many ways, they are so alike, though she has only the best of him—strength of will, intelligence, determination—without the cruelty and selfishness. And so many wonderful qualities that he lacks—compassion, a sense of fairness and honour.’

  ‘Inherited from her mother, no doubt.’

  Lady Aldermont smiled sadly. ‘I only hope I gave her something of value. I confess, I feel some of Alyssa’s guilt at taking advantage of your honour. I can’t even assuage that guilt by assuring you Alyssa will make you an ideal wife. Oh, you couldn’t find a woman of finer character! But even her fond mama must admit she lacks most of the virtues men expect in a bride. Though she is perfectly capable of managing a household, she has little interest in doing so; she has no patience with drawing-room conversation, and much prefers solitude—tramping in the woods with her sketch pad or withdrawing to the library to read a book—to entertaining. I only hope you can...appreciate her unique talent and not be frustrated or annoyed by her lack of conventional accomplishments. And that you will not, one day, come to regret what honour...and I...have forced on you.’

  At least on that score, he could reassure her. Having already made the decision to marry Alyssa, he would never shame the woman he’d claimed for his bride, or himself, by repining later. What was done, was done and would be carried through with integrity and determination.

  ‘I promise you, I will never regret it! Let me assure you, I find your daughter admirable and possessed of an outstanding artistic talent. I understand her goal is to pursue that talent, perhaps even publish some of her drawings, and I fully support that aim. Not every politician’s wife enjoys playing the hostess. I’m fortunate to have a close friend whose wife does; since Lyndlington and I work on the same projects, any necessary entertaining can be handled by Lady Lyndlington. I spend most of my days at political meetings and assemblies, which will leave Lady Alyssa ample time to pursue her artistic interests. I believe we share a mutual admiration and appreciation; I see no reason why we cannot build a satisfying future together.’

  Nodding, Lady Aldermont pressed Ben’s hand as Linden returned with the tea tray. Famished after his long journey, after helping himself to refreshments, Ben said, ‘How soon do you think you could be ready to accompany us to London?’

  ‘Tomorrow. Linden doesn’t have to pack much; I can purchase whatever I need after we arrive. Aldermont expects his wife to be always in the height of fashion, and gives me a generous allowance for clothing and household furnishings.’

  The melancholy look on her face said that largesse didn’t in any way make up for being shackled to a husband who neither loved nor appreciated her. Stirred once again to compassion, Ben said, ‘There’s no need to open Aldermont House. My father has given me unlimited use of a town house on Queen Street, where Lady Alyssa and I will reside after the wedding. Why don’t you remain with her there once we arrive? I can stay with friends until after the wedding. And you are welcome to sojourn at Queen Street as long as you like.’

  Once again, tears sheened Lady Aldermont’s eyes. ‘How kind! But a mother-in-law residing with newlyweds—that would never do! You must have time and space to become acquainted with each other...since the cruelty of circumstance has not allowed you to become very well acquainted before the wedding. Having Lyssa wed and safely out of her father’s charge, with a kind man to care for her, is everything I hoped for! You have convinced me that she will have that and more. I couldn’t be happier or more grateful.’

  Since the cruelty of circumstance had not granted her the same joy? Ben thought, still incensed on behalf of both the Lambornne ladies.

  He’d always thought his mother led the cruellest of existences. But for all her wealth and comfort, Lady Aldermont was lonelier. Though, to Ben’s disgust and fury, his father had succumbed to the lure of wealth and title in abandoning his mother, he had at least truly loved her.

  Lady Aldermont had never known that.

  He might not offer love, but he could offer Alyssa what neither of their mothers had attained: respectability coupled wi
th respect and affection.

  As they finished their tea, with promises to join them at the inn early the next morning, Lady Aldermont sent Linden to fetch her daughter. Going off to begin her packing, she left him to await Lady Alyssa.

  Now, inevitably, to be his bride.

  Despite his firm decision to marry her, Ben couldn’t completely squelch the quiver of panic in his gut.

  Chapter Eight

  Sighing with delight, Alyssa leaned back as Molly combed the tangles from her wet tresses. Freshly bathed, garbed in clean clothes, she felt lighter, not just freed from grime, but from the huge weight of defying her father’s coercion.

  Very soon, she would walk out of this house for the last time and out of his control for ever. Euphoria sent her spirits soaring.

  Remembering she’d secured that freedom by stealing Ben Tawny’s brought those high spirits back to earth.

  Had she really agreed to abandon principle and let Lord Denbry’s plot force Tawny to marry her?

  Had she really agreed to hand over control of her life to another man? For once married, under law, she would become as much his property as she’d been her father’s.

  But Ben Tawny wasn’t simply a younger version of the Earl, she assured herself, fighting down a sudden wave of panic. Like Will, he was kind and principled. With his unselfish decision to warn her about the wager, he’d already demonstrated his superior character. He’d also promised to grant her the financial assets to make her truly independent—and she would hold him to it.

  How many years had she longed for the freedom he’d just offered?

  Nor was letting him marry her completely an abdication of principle. True, his ending up in a compromising situation was her fault, but there was nothing she could do now about that. She could at least not worsen his position by continuing to refuse him, thereby making him appear a heartless seducer and placing a stain on his character that would compromise his chances of attaining high office.