Clifford was left alone to conduct the guests into the snug cream and gold parlor that had been set aside specially for their interview. Then he summoned Henry, Malcolm and Mr. Jerome Senior as witnesses. Though they were all friends and family from Clifford's side, she trusted them implicitly.
Mason and Rogers, both dapper little men in their late sixties, were somewhat taken aback by the circumstances which had led to their ward becoming engaged to Clifford, but behaved with remarkable aplomb. They asked the same questions which Vanessa had, as to why Clifford would take it upon himself to be Vanessa's guardian angel.
"Because she is a woman of such merit and beauty, I would have been a fool not to have tried to protect her. I would love to have had the chance to woo her in the normal way of things, but Gerald quite literally forced all our hands. I shall look forward to many romantic interludes once I'm sure she's safe and her character is seen to be unimpeachable," Clifford said with a bow to her.
His warm conviction brought tears to her eyes, which she blinked away quickly before she made a watering pot of herself.
The solicitor's then turned their attention to Malcolm. He confirmed the events at the card game in every particular. After some close questioning by Mr. Mason, the two men turned to one another and nodded.
"Well, I believe I am satisfied that there has been no conspiracy to obtain Miss Hawkesworth's wealth by fair means or foul," Mr. Rogers opined. "What say you?"
"I am of the same mind."
"Very well, let us proceed to the terms proposed by Mr. Stone for the marriage settlement."
Alistair Grant, sitting off to their right, promptly stood up and began to take them one by one through the clauses his client had stipulated.
Any doubts which might have remained were dispelled as soon as they heard the terms.
"This is a most remarkable pre-nuptial agreement, marriage contract and will," Mr. Rogers couldn't help but observing, even though it was so much in Vanessa's favor.
"Yes, I do have to say, Clifford, this is most irregular," Alistair Grant remonstrated.
"But I'm satisfied, so you must be as well, old friend, and obey my instructions."
"I shall obey, Clifford, but you know it simply isn't done," the tall young man said with mild exasperation, running the fingers of one hand through his unusual silvery hair. "Dividing your whole estate, making such a generous settlement on Vanessa? Certainly I have never seen such terms for the dissolution of the marriage."
Clifford smiled. "Well, it just show how much confidence I have in the people I love."
Mr. Mason's eyebrows rose. "So you have fallen in love, then?"
Vanessa sat forward on the edge of her chair.
Clifford smiled at her as though he hadn't a care in the world. "I think I've always loved Vanessa, certainly ever since I last saw her. She was a, well, a talisman for me all the years I was off doing my duty to my country and my fellow man. She's a rare woman, unlike any I've ever met. I know you'll both make inquiries about my character in the district. In fact you already have, I'm sure. Suffice it to say that I have never asked, or even entertained the notion of asking any woman to become my wife until now."
"And you, Vanessa? Are you truly entering into this engagement and marriage of your own free will?" Mr. Rogers asked her.
She looked over at Clifford and smiled warmly. She had been shocked at his admission that he had thought of her while he had been away at war doing his duty to his country. She had the feeling as she watched him that a lifetime might not ever be enough to get to know him fully.
Take his army service, for example. He need not have gone as eldest son, with a career already mapped out for him running his own estate. His patriotic defence of his country attested eloquently to his principles.
Moreover, he was so modest about what he had done. Most men of her acquaintance who had served or were serving did nothing but boast of the fact and lord it over others.
His service also certainly explained his reaction to the news of the siege of Burgos, and demonstrated what a compassionate man he truly was. She knew full well there was a great deal more to Clifford Stone than met the eye, and could hardly wait to learn more. He was like a rich, ripe onion, with endless layers she able to peel off every day.
Vanessa smiled and her eyes shone as she looked at him and nodded. "I'm certain I wish to marry him. I know it has all been very sudden, especially after the death of my aunt. But she would want me to be happy. With Clifford, I'm sure I shall be. He's a good man, and he will look after me well, me and our children."
The papers were drafted and then scrutinized carefully by both Clifford and Vanessa. When they both agreed that they were correct, the clerks the solicitors had brought with them penned fair copies, whilst they all adjourned to the dining room for some light refreshment, and a turn in the garden.
Vanessa longed to ask Clifford all about his military days, but it would have to wait for another time. Clifford made a special point of she and Alistair getting better acquainted. She found herself exceedingly entertained by the witty and urbane man, also in deep mourning, for his wife had passed away recently.
"I'm so sorry to hear it."
"Kind of you to say so," Alistair said, politely inclining his head. "She was a decent woman. It was not a love match, however, much as it pains me to say it. I know now I should never have allowed my friends and family to pressure me into what is commonly terms a good match. It may be good, but it is not the best. The best is two people who admire and respect one another, and have a spark of passion to warm their bodies and light their way through life. I wish the two of you every happiness."
Clifford shook hands with his friend, beaming like a schoolboy. "I do hope you can come for the nuptials."
"Gladly. And the rest of our Rakehell set?"
"I must try to patch things up with Thomas, and Jonathan is of course up at Oxford for his studies and might not be able to get away."
"Pity he's not ordained already. He could have married you two."
Clifford gave a broad wink. "There will be plenty of us to get a crack at. All the rest of us are single, after all."
"True," Alistair said with a nod. "Though I shall never marry again unless I met a woman whose soul speaks to mine."
"That's a lovely way to put it," Vanessa said, suppressing a sniff.
"Indeed. You have to be warned, all of we Rakehells are not only Radicals, but hopeless romantics."
"Any word on Blake or any of our other overseas friends?"
Alistair nodded. "I got a letter from Blake at Burgos, running the field hospital there. He and Michael Avenel are together."
"That's good news," Clifford said with a smile.
"And Lawrence is doing exceptionally well by all accounts in India, and Philip will be coming home from Australia very soon."
Both men gave each other a look which Vanessa couldn't interpret.
"And Randall and Matthew?"
"Cutting a dash in Town, don't you know. You have to give your bride fair warning that they are the only two of all of us who live up to the name rake in Rakehell. Though even then, it is more a case of the women pursuing them than the other way around. They're both exceptionally eligible."
"I shall consider my self warned," Vanessa said. Then she asked with a smile, "And Clifford isn't? Considered eligible, I mean."
Alistair raised his brows. "Hardly. Clifford has been out of the Marriage Mart for over four years, you know."
"No, I didn't know," Vanessa said, staring at Clifford as he looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"In that case, I shall sit here on this garden bench and act as chaperon while he tells you why himself."
"No, really, Vanessa has enough to think about and--"
Vanessa felt a small creep of unease. What on earth was he hiding from her?
"Go on, Clifford, you tell her. She will only hear all about it from Jonathan otherwise. Or Thomas, Blake or Michael."
"Oh, very well. I was in the
army, ever since the war started in 1808. It was a rough and ready life as a soldier and I was certainly not in the mood for the gossipy life of the Ton when I did come home the few rare times I managed to get leave.
"Then Thomas and I were injured, earlier this year. We were invalided out and sent home. Jonathan was so horrified by the experience he became a reformed man, and decided to commit his life to serving God."
"Injured?" she asked in alarm, reaching for his hand. "But you're all right now?"
"Yes, fine, fine," he said impatiently, obviously not wishing to discuss the matter further.
"At least he's not a gelding, if that's what's worrying you, my dear," Alistair said with a laugh, "though it was a close thing."
"Egad, Grant, you're supposed to be my friend!" Clifford said, looking genuinely appalled.
Alistair looked contrite in an instant. "I'm sorry. It was a very bad joke. But in view of my past description of you not being considered eligible in the Marriage Mart, I thought I had better clarify things fully."
Clifford shot him a furious look, but gave a resigned shrug. "Thank you, I think. But truly, I'm fine, Vanessa. Fit as a fiddle. There's no need to look so worried. Between the war and my finding London tedious, and having no intention of prowling for heiresses to wed, I have remained single until now, that's all."
Vanessa gave a meaning look to Alistair and he sat down on the garden bench. She took Clifford's hand and moved some distance away from their chaperon, into the small arbor formed by two trellises.
"I think I might need a bit more reassurance than your word, Clifford," she said, her eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth. She looped her arms around him and brought him full against her body, kissing him so passionately he sprang erect at once into the soft fullness of her belly.
He was horrified at his unbridled response, and sought to step back, but she had a firm hold on his waist. Even more surprisingly, she rubbed her own hips against his, until he groaned in her mouth and clamped both hands down upon her buttocks.
Alistair clearing his throat loudly halted Clifford's progress with his hands. He let the hem of her skirt float back down over her knees, and broke off the kiss lingeringly. "Tempting little minx. Are you trying to drive me mad with longing?"
"No, just trying to get some time alone with you to satisfy a few desires of my own. I'm sorry if that shocks you, and I hope, well, I hope that doesn't hurt." She stared wide-eyed at the front of his trousers.
Clifford blushed and shook his head. "Only because it remains unfulfilled, but I have promised you plenty of time once we are wed to experiment with it all you like. So long as you're satisfied you're not getting a gelding, the rest can wait."
Vanessa colored to the roots of her hair. "I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be so bold. But I know what men want. I've always been afraid before. But somehow with you it feels as natural as, well, when Adam and Eve were first in paradise together. No shame or fear, just bliss."
Clifford gathered her close, his pelvis turned away from her so that the embrace was more comforting than passionate. "I do want to take you to paradise. Forgive me if I become impatient. It's just that I do desire you so. I'm glad you say you're not frightened. The truth is that I am."
At her surprised look, he nodded. "No, I am no virgin, it is true. But marriage is such a big step. I want everything to be perfect for you. I know it won't always be, but I want and need your pleasure just as much as my own. Can you understand that?"
She nodded, and smiled up at him tenderly. "I think I can. I'd like to make you, well, melt some time."
"Oh, darling," he groaned, "that isn't the trouble. It's trying to stop me."
"Oh?" she said in wonder.
He drew away and kissed her hand. "Soon enough, dearest. Whenever you're prepared to melt as well."
She blushed, thinking of the one night alone in her bed when she was sure she had.
Clifford noticed her expression, and grinned. He whispered in her ear, "The next time you're in bed by yourself, take off your lovely pristine nightrail. Feel the lovely caress of the soft sheets. Imagine they're my hands, as they were just now. Remember my kisses, all over your mouth and face, and lower down. And also know that there is much we can do to pleasure each other without the full act itself.
"I'm no expert, but I look forward to teaching you about me, and yourself, and I look forward even more eagerly to the day when you give me permission to learn all about you."
Vanessa groaned herself now and reached for him, but he evaded her questing fingers and stepped out of the arbor.
"Time to go back, Alistair?"
"I would say so, you young stallion."
Clifford growled in the back of his throat. "I swear, Grant, one more reference to my manhood in front of my blushing fiancee and you're going to have to worry about preserving your own."
Alistair gave him a mocking grin and all three of them laughed.
"But you're right, it's no laughing matter. I'm glad you all came through in one piece."
"And certainly hope the rest of our set does too."
"Amen to that."
"Come, time to head back in to see what they're up to." Clifford stood in the middle, looping his arms around Vanessa's waist and Alistair's shoulders. Then the trio returned to the study.
By two o'clock all of their pressing business over the marriage settlements was concluded. Mr. Jerome invited everyone to stay for dinner, an invitation which they accepted gratefully.
After an hour and a half of pleasantries, Henry rose from the table. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to head across to our house to fetch the carriage for the ladies. The bankers will be at Stone Court shortly."
Mr. Jerome waved off his future son-in-law. Henry said his good-byes and vanished. Mason, Rogers and Alistair Grant all decline port and coffee, and left a short time after with all of the papers safely signed.
"Congratulations, Vanessa. Every happiness," Mason said with a fond pat on her cheek.
"We'll be in touch, my dear," Mr. Rogers promised.
Alistair Grant shook hands with everyone. "I'll come back soon, if I may, to Stone Court. We can get in some fishing like in the olden days."
"You'll come for the wedding, surely?"
"Indeed. I have one pressing case to tend to in Town, and then I shall be yours to command."
He shook hands all around, and then Clifford walked out with them to their waiting carriages.
Josephine and Vanessa went upstairs for their cloaks, and declared that they would walk through the garden and around to the front of the house, and meet them on the lawn. There they would wait for the carriage to arrive.
"And I am off to the study just to look over a few things. I shall be there in a moment. Vanessa, my dear, can you attend me?"
Vanessa looked at the other women for approval.
"Why not. You've signed all the papers, have the special license. A few words in front of the vicar are all that are wanting now. Enjoy yourself for a few moments," Josephine said with a fond smile for them both.
Clifford went into the study to deal with some pressing paperwork. Then he fetched his cloak and sought out Vanessa. He had a brief private conversation with her in the sitting room, in which he re-assured himself once more that she was pleased with the way things had gone that morning.
"No second thoughts?" he asked softly.
"No, none," she said truthfully.
"Nor I."
"Kiss me?"
"But Vanessa, after what we did in the garden--"
"Please, Clifford. I'm on fire."
Clifford gave a brief nod, relenting. Her taste was as addictive as opium. But he couldn't throw all caution to the winds, no matter what Josephine had said.
He separated them by standing on one side of the sofa, leaving her on the other. They stole several torrid kisses as they waited, which only left the two of them even more desperate for their wedding day, and night, to arrive.
Vanessa's whole body seemed to vibrate
in his arms. He felt himself straining urgently for completion and had to break away before he took too many liberties. Even at arm's length his desire for her was proving almost too much to bear.
"I'm sorry," he gasped, his breath coming hard and fast.
"It's all right. We're going to be-"
"Not until then. I just can't. I never want to be accused of taking advantage."
"Not even if I want you so," she said, her tone edged with longing.
He stepped away from her, turning his shoulder slightly. "Not even then, love. I'm sorry. It's a question of principle. I would never want to be accused of trying to addle your wits, dazzle you into doing wrong."
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 1 Page 26
