Henry walked until he was almost in Marcus’s face. “Because my so called friend lied to me about an earring,” he uttered in a fierce whisper.
Marcus smiled angelically. “Nothing that comes too easily is treasured. I wanted you to have to work a bit for your happy ever after.” His smile died away replaced by a furrowed brow. He poked Henry in the chest repeatedly. “Which brings me back to our unfinished business. You were accusing me of having an affair. My honor has been questioned.”
Henry’s shoulders slumped and he stepped back from his friend. “I feel like a...”
“Yes, go on. Like a ...”
“I unreservedly apologize.” He rubbed his hand over his eyes. “I don’t know what came over me”-
-“I do. A case of man’s most hated disease—jealousy.” He grabbed Henry’s head in a playful headlock. “You’re bloody lucky Sabine never got wind of your ridiculous suspicions. She would beat you black and blue.”
Marcus released him and Henry cleared his throat. “We may still have a problem.”
Marcus’s eyebrows rose. “We better not have a problem.”
“Chesterton saw Amy leave the stables in her night attire. He knows she was there with you.”
“So?”
“Don’t be so naive. He thinks you’re up to your old tricks. I warned him to keep his mouth shut but I doubt he will. I’m off directly to London to Amy’s father. I’m hoping an announcement of an engagement between us might make everyone assume Chesterton’s got the wrong man.”
Curses issued forth. “I’m upset because it will hurt Sabine. She won’t believe the rumors of course, but she’ll still be upset for me, for Amy...And in her condition...”
Henry couldn’t help his whoop of glee. “I knew it. Sabine has the same glow Caitlin had when she was with child. Congratulations, old boy. A father! You’re going to be a father.” He slapped Marcus on the back. “I never thought our lives could be so perfect.”
“What are you men doing out in the corridor making such a ruckus? Both of you underdressed, too. What have you been up to, Lord Cravenswood? Something naughty, I hope.” Sabine glided to Marcus side and he immediately wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
“I caught him coming out of Lady Amy’s room.”
She immediately became animated. “I see our matchmaking has achieved a result. Fabulous. It took you longer than I suspected it would.” She pressed a kiss to Henry’s cheek. “I’m so happy for you. When can we make an announcement?”
He smiled at Sabine, warmth filling his heart at the joy his friends took in his happiness. “Not until you go back to London. I’m off to formally ask for Amy’s hand at first light.”
She looked between the two men. “The duke won’t be a problem, so why are you both looking so grim?”
It wasn’t Henry’s place to tell her. Marcus hugged her tightly against his chest. “It appears our well intentioned machinations have inadvertently caused a slight scandal.”
“Not that slight, actually.” Henry glanced at the floor, searching for the delicate way to phrase the situation.
Marcus jumped in before he could speak. He stroked Sabine’s face and looked her in the eye. “It appears Chesterton thinks I’m back to my wicked ways. He saw Amy and I talking in the stables the other night.”
Sabine reached up and cupped his cheek with his hand. “He doesn’t know you like I do.”
That was all that was said. Henry was humbled watching the look of love and longing the couple before him shared. The absolute trust and faith they had in each other moved him more than he would have thought. He hoped that he would grow to share this unspoken bond with Amy. The way she’d taken his word about Millicent led him to believe they were on the right path. The honesty between them bode well for their future.
He cleared his throat and spoke to Marcus. “Can you protect Amy until I’ve spoken with the duke?”
“But Chesterton left this evening for London,” Sabine told them.
“Damn. Chesterton’s angry. I don’t doubt he’s off to do damage.” He looked bleakly at Marcus. “I must leave immediately. Can you take care of Amy and see her safely back to London?”
Sabine nodded. “We’ll leave at once. The house party was due to finish tomorrow, but it will just have to end a tad early. Perhaps Marcus has urgent business in own?”
He kissed Sabine’s forehead and shook Marcus’s hand. “Once this mess is sorted, then I’ll thank you properly for showing me the happiness that was under my very nose.”
Sabine smiled. “No need. We love you.”
He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”
As he hurried toward his room to change and gather his belongings, it was interesting to come to terms with just how happy he actually was. And it was down to one woman. Amy.
His hopes and dreams hinged on making Amy his wife, and no one or nothing would keep that from happening. Not even the duke himself.
Chapter Eleven
The Duke of Westerly agreed to see him, even though Henry called unannounced, and at the unsociable hour of eleven in the morning.
The duke seemed perplexed at his arrival and genuinely had no idea why he would call. Henry didn’t blame him. The St. Giles’s were his neighbors, and had been for at least two generations, yet they rarely called on each other. He certainly had not been interested in courting his daughter.
The duke motioned to a chair with a wave of his hand.
This was perhaps the most important moment in his life and he didn’t know how to approach the subject. The duke would no doubt want to understand how his affection had developed toward his daughter and he could hardly explain that he’d drunkenly groped her in his garden.
He moved restlessly in his chair. What if her father refused? The conversation would be most interesting if he did. For the duke was no longer in any position to refuse his suit. Amy was his.
“My lord,” he said formally.
“Cravenswood. What brings you to my door this early in the day?”
“I’m here because I wish to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
The duke regarded him from under heavy brows. “Amy? We are discussing my daughter Amy?”
“I was under the impression you had only one daughter.” The minute the words were out he cursed under his breath as he watched the duke’s face redden. He had three illegitimate daughters.
“I want to marry Amy.” He paused and then went on. “This is a formal offer and we can involve our solicitors in, say,”—he looked up at the clock on the mantle—“an hour’s time?”
“That soon?”
“I want a special license.” Chesterton wasn’t the only reason for the swift haste. He wanted to make Amy his more than he wanted to take his next breath. The idea of sharing his life with her, his home, sharing his bed… He couldn’t stop thinking about holding her in his arms and making love to her until he grew heartily sick of hearing her cry his name. That would no doubt take a lifetime. She filled the emptiness in his soul.
“Excellent, my boy. The sooner the better.” The duke rubbed his hands in glee.
Henry took in a breath and let it out slowly. Amy was his, but he frowned at her father’s lack of concern. “Aren’t you curious as to why I want a special license?”
“I assume it’s because you need one.” Lord Westerly rose from his chair to pour them both a drink.
“And that doesn’t concern you? You haven’t even asked if Amy is agreeable to the match.”
The duke sat down again. “Is she?”
“Of course. I would not wish to marry her if she were not.”
“Then what is the problem, my boy? I’ve given my blessing. The sooner you take her off my hands, the better, as far as I’m concerned.”
Too angry to stay seated, Henry stood. He leaned both hands on the desk. “You really don’t care what happens to Amy. You were quite prepared to marry her off to a man like Chesterton.”
“She’s
a woman. She is supposed to marry to strengthen family bonds. What’s wrong with Chesterton?”
Henry clenched his teeth so tight he thought his jaw would break. “If you’d bother to assess her suitors rather than trying to wed her off in indecent haste to the first man who proposed, you’d know Chesterton has a vicious reputation with women. Is that the kind of life you’d have for Amy?”
The duke sat back in his chair. “I didn’t know,” he uttered almost to himself.
Henry sat back down and ran a hand through his hair. “Although I’ve requested a special license, I do wish to make her my wife.” He added quietly, “I love your daughter.”
The duke raised his glass. “Here’s to a happy life then. I wished I’d been sensible enough to marry for love.”
“You will do one more thing for me.” The duke raised an eyebrow at Henry’s steely tone. “You will make a fuss of the fact you have reluctantly agreed to the special license. You will ask Amy if she wants this marriage and indicate that she is under no obligation to accept me. You will make it seem that you are not pushing her into this marriage and that you want what is best for her.”
“I see she has told you quite a bit about our family,” the duke said wryly. He sat looking at Henry for a few moments. “You really do love her.”
“What is there not to love? She’s beautiful, accomplished, kind and intelligent.”
“Plus, there is her very large dowry.”
Henry’s temper sizzled once more. “I’ve no need of your money, but if you’d like to give the dowry directly to Amy, please feel free to so. Or better yet, put it in trust for your grandchildren.”
The duke humbly nodded. “Apologies. One of my good friends is a bishop, and I am sure he can expedite proceedings. When did you wish to marry?”
“As soon as I’ve formally proposed and Amy has accepted my offer. I want her to have a proper proposal since she will not be having a grand wedding.”
“Shall we say a week from tomorrow then?”
Henry rose and shook his soon-to-be father-in-law’s hand. “Thank you, sir. If you don’t start taking an interest in your daughter I shall make it my mission over the coming years to wreck financial havoc upon you.”
The duke slammed his glass of brandy so hard on the table the liquid sloshed over the side. “Are you threatening me? Me! I won’t stand for it.”
Henry leaned menacingly over the desk. “As you seem to have no heart where Amy is concerned, taking your money might make you realize what you’ve done to your daughter. How you’ve cheated her.”
The duke’s face reddened and his eyes bulged. “You impertinent pub. Don’t tell me about my heart.” He rose to his feet. “My heart’s desire has been denied me for years and now I deserve to spend my remaining years being happy.”
“At the expense of your daughter’s happiness. What kind of man are you? What life does Amy deserve?”
The duke slowly sank into his chair and dropped his head in his hands. “Oh, god. What have I done.”
“There is still time to put things right. Talk to her. She her for who she really is. Your daughter.”
Henry made to leave when a whispered voice said, “Thank you, Cravenswood. You’ve saved me from making a terrible mistake with Chesterton. I’ve been selfish in wanting Amy married quickly. My only excuse is that I have lived the last twenty-eight years longing for a different life. I’ve not considered others have suffered as I have.”
“That would make you a selfish bastard wouldn’t it? Perhaps, for once, you can do the right thing by your daughter.” Henry moved to the door. “Knowing how a marriage can be, you should have wanted more for Amy. You’re a disgrace.” With that, he took his leave and went to make the necessary announcements.
#
Amy was the center of attention. The gossip spread by Chesterton, Lord Cravenswood’s unexpected proposal, and the unseemly haste to their wedding saw to that.
The engagement celebration was something to see en fete.
Scanning the floor below, her confidence faltered when she spied Chesterton in the mix. She was already feeling like a fish in a glass bowl, and she hoped Chesterton’s presence wouldn’t crack the glass.
Henry squeezed her elbow in support, and her father, for the first time she could remember, accompanied them as well. Unbelievable though it was, the duke was taking an interest. She found it somewhat ironic that now, once she had been gloriously compromised, he let her choose whether to marry Lord Cravenswood. Gone was the rush to see her indecently rushed to the altar.
They descended the stairs together, and she did her best to smile and brazen out the ton’s opinion.
Lords and Ladies Wolverstone and Dangerfield were at the bottom to greet them. The ladies tucked her arm in theirs and escorted her through the crowd. Both ladies were no strangers to gossip.
The evening from there was a complete blur. She fielded many congratulations, some sincere, others followed with plenty of cynicism.
Henry claimed his two dances, both waltzes, and the feel of his arms around her made her wish the wedding would take place sooner. Still, her wedding day was only three days away.
She took a sip of her champagne and stood watching him from across the room. He looked so incredibly handsome. His fair hair glinted golden in the candlelight, and his broad shoulders looked massive in his black evening attire. As if a sixth sense kicked in, he turned and caught her staring. The smile that broke over his face…Her heart thought it would burst with happiness. Never did she expect to find love, let alone a man who loved her equally in return.
Her life was perfect. Well, almost perfect. Once she became Countess Cravenswood it would be absolutely perfect. Tears of happiness welled, and spying the door to the terrace, she decided to take a moment to gather her composure.
Amy hadn’t realized how hot the ballroom was until she stepped into the cool night air and walked to the balustrade. She closed her eyes and listened to the music and chatter behind her. She wondered how long it would take Henry to seek her out. She wanted a moment alone with him. She’d not seen him alone since his proposal. He’d got down on one knee to offer for her and the look of adulation and love in his eyes had her saying yes without having to think.
A brittle voice filled with malice broke into her pleasant memories. “Bedded one friend and marrying the other. Quite a busy week.”
Creeperton. Amy sighed out loud and turned to face him. Not even Creeperton could ruin her happiness. “Your dirty mind can think what it likes. I’m marrying Henry St. Giles, the Earl of Cravenswood, on Thursday because I love him.”
“What a saint he is. That’s what you think, isn’t it. St. Giles comes rushing in to save your reputation and that of his friend, Wolverstone.”
“There would have been no need to save anyone’s reputation if you had not deliberately misconstrued the situation,” she said through clenched teeth.
Chesterton merely laughed. “You think Henry honestly loves you. What a fool.”
Amy cast him an askance look. “Go away. You know nothing.”
Chesterton leaned closer, and trailed a finger down her arm. She moved away. He let out a harsh bark like laugh. “He’s marrying you because he couldn’t marry Millicent.”
Amy tensed and he noted it.
“I see you know of Millie, his mistress of over seven years. He was in love with her and she left him—for me,” he said proudly. “Why do you think he set his cap at you? He’s been jealous of me ever since, and once I’d made it known I was courting you, along comes Henry.”
Her heart began a stuttered beat. It couldn’t be true, could it? No. Henry only became interested in her after the night in his garden. The same night he saw off Chesterton at Lady Skye’s ball.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Are you suggesting he’s marrying me simply to spite you?”
Chesterton’s smile was pure evil. “No. Not solely to spite me. I believe he’s marrying you for the very same reason I wanted you. You look exactly
like Millicent. You’re a Millicent with the appropriate social standing. After all, there is no way a courtesan brought up on the streets would be accepted in Society.” He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “I wonder if he’s imagining her as he rides between your thighs.”
Amy felt nausea rise. “What do you mean I look like Millicent?”
Chesterton twirled Amy’s lose curl between his fingers. “You are the same height and build, voluptuous, I believe the word is. You curve in the same way she does. Your hair is black and straight, in fact the same length, and your skin probably a more luscious cream. Your lips could drive a man wild with want, just like Millie’s. Ask him. Ask him what he wants you to do with those lips. He’ll want you to suck his cock just like Millie. I wonder if you’re as good.”
Amy slapped his face, her anger making her hand whip up like a snake. “You lie.”
He rubbed his cheek and grabbed her shoulders in a vice like grip. “Do I? He had a portrait drawn of her. It hangs in his study. Go and view it if you don’t believe me.”
“Get your hands off my fiancée,” Henry’s ice cold tone had Chesterton dropping his hands immediately and stepping back. “Touch her again and you’re a dead man.”
Chesterton held his hands up and backed away. “I have no intention of touching her again.” He turned and walked back into the house, leaving them alone, yet it was hardly private, Amy noticed, since most of London proper were staring out of the window. Did they know she looked like his ex-mistress?
She turned away to hide her pain.
“Did Chesterton upset you? If he hurt you, I’ll…”
Amy remained silent, fighting for composure.
Henry didn’t know what was wrong. It was the shimmer of tears in her incredible eyes that tore at his heart.
“Can you take me away from all the prying eyes?”
Henry looked over his shoulder at their audience. “Would you like me to take you home?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “No.” She looked up at him imploringly. “No, take me to your house. No one will think to look for me there. I want to be alone with you.”
Something was definitely wrong. Her voice was brittle. What had Chesterton said to her? This wasn’t the place to find out.
To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood (Wicked Wagers 3) Page 12
