“Very well.”
Once in the privacy of the Duke's study, a decanter of port on the desk between them, Levi tugged his cravat lose and tossed it haphazardly on his desk before saying, “Please tell me you didn't come to speak to me of the other night's events.”
Aaron propped one leg loosely over the other and flicked his hand in dismissal. “I've already forgotten it.”
Levi looked relieved. “And has Miss Phelps forgotten it as well?”
“That I cannot say, though I'm convinced she's willing to remain silent about such matters. It would not be in her best interest to have to wed you.”
At his words, Levi straightened. “How so? She'd be advancing her station quite splendidly if the match were to be made. A daughter of a Viscount wedding a Duke. How would that not prove advantageous?”
Aaron watched with amusement as Levi got quite worked up over the matter, as if his suggestion that it wouldn't be in Lydia's best interest to wed him truly vexed him. “Perhaps it would prove advantageous, but I doubt it would prove desirable. I'm certain that Miss Phelps, like most woman of my acquaintance,” he added, thinking of Alexandra, “would prefer to choose their own husband. Though it appeared as if she was choosing you during the moment I found you two together, I doubt very much that she wished to choose you for the reminder of her life.” When he finished, he noticed Levi's jaw was tight so he quickly added, “Would you choose her?”
Levi hesitated in his answer long enough to give Aaron pause. Perhaps he'd misjudged the situation and the intent of Levi in compromising Miss Phelps.
Levi poured himself a glass of port and quickly downed the contents before saying, “No, I'd quite prefer it if I never saw Miss Phelps again.”
His answer was so ridiculous it made Aaron doubt it's truthfulness. “As you wish.” Then, changing the subject, he asked, “Do you perchance have knowledge of the betrothal agreement between your sister and my son?”
Levi looked at him as if he were daft. “Of course I do, that is why I sent her to reside in your care.”
Aaron rolled his eyes, “Yes, I know you have knowledge of it, but do you actually know where it is?”
“As in the actual paper?”
“Yes.”
Levi rose and walked across the study to where a painting of Channing House hung on the wall in a gold gilded frame. He lifted the painting off the wall and set it carefully down, revealing a hidden safe. It had a combination lock which he deftly maneuvered until the safe popped open. Reaching inside, he quickly retrieved the document then came and sat once more behind his desk.
Unrolling the parchment, he looked at Levi and said, “Do you not have a copy of the agreement?”
“Yes, I do, however not with me. Have you ever read the agreement in its entirety?”
Levi looked at him with a question in his eye. His brow furrowed as he asked, “Is that a trick question? Why do I feel as if you are trying to find a loophole in the agreement and force Alexandra back into my care?”
Ignoring him, Aaron reached across the desk and turned the paper, so it was facing him. Scanning the words, he quickly found the paragraph he was looking for then turned the document back around and pointed to the spot he wished Levi to begin reading. “Read this part aloud.”
Levi began reading, “The above-noted agreement shall be binding in its efficacy except on one condition. If all parties to this agreement, namely the Duke of Ludington, his daughter, Alexandra Ruth Worthington, the Marquess of Emberson, and his son, Samuel Aaron Beaumont, agree to the dissolution of the betrothal. If in fact, this shall be the case, all parties must notify the solicitor by written agreement of their decision, to which the contract will be legally and lawfully dissolved.”
When he was finished reading, he humphed then looked at Aaron and said, “How curious. I never knew that you and father made provisions for the contract to be broken. I must confess I've never read the document in its entirety before.”
“I assumed as much, that's why I wanted you to see it for yourself. I wished to speak to you tonight to ask for your permission to have this agreement legally dissolved.”
Levi looked at him as if he had suddenly sprouted a third eye. “Whyever would you wish to do that? Do you not find Alexandra suitable to become your son's wife?”
Aaron weighed his words. “No, I do not.”
Levi's face turned red. Clearly, he did not like the perceived insult. “I can assure you that she is perfectly suitable. Any gentleman would be lucky to wed her. Not only does she come with a generous dowry, but she is also gently bred and is the daughter of a Duke with a family name that holds much weight in society.”
Aaron waited patiently for him to finish extolling Alexandra's virtues. When it became apparent that he was finished, he spoke. “Yes, I am very aware that she would make an exceptional wife. That is why I wish to dissolve the agreement. I would like to ask your permission to court her myself.”
Levi inhaled sharply then quickly poured himself another glass of port. “Did I hear you correctly, sir?”
Aaron hid a smile behind his hand as he rubbed his jaw. “Yes, you did.”
After drinking the entirety of his port, Levi ran one hand through his hair and exclaimed, “What in tarnation has been going on at Tisdale Manor? I send my sister there, trusting her to your keep, in order to prepare her to wed your son. Now you wish to court her yourself? Is her virtue intact?”
It was a fair question, but one that rankled Aaron, for it called into question his honor. He straightened in his seat and looked at Levi coldly. “You discredit us both if you think to ask such a thing. Suffice it to say that Alexandra is purer than Miss Phelps.”
It was a low blow. Levi flinched as his jaw began twitching. “Are you attempting to blackmail me with the knowledge you possess?”
“Not in the least, though I must admit it could be used to my credit. Wouldn't you agree?”
Levi was thoughtful before reluctantly admitting, “Perhaps.”
“Look, speaking as one man to another, I have not ruined your sister...yet. However, if she remains at Tisdale Manor...” he let his sentence trail off.
“Of course she won't remain there,” Levi blurted. “She will stay here until things get straightened out, where I can keep a watchful eye on her and act as a guardian of her virtue.”
Aaron couldn't help himself; he snorted in amusement. “Pardon my rudeness, your grace, but I find it hard to imagine you as a guardian of virtue after seeing you and Miss Phelps...”
His sentence was cut short by the pounding of Levi's fist on the desk. “That is different. Miss Phelps is not my sister.”
“No, she most certainly is not,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.
“Before I consent to my agreement, I must know some things. First, is Alexandra in agreement that the betrothal contract be dissolved?”
“Yes, most assuredly she is. In fact, it was her idea that it be done.”
“Very well. Second, are you in love with her?”
Aw, the awkward moment had arrived. Aaron threaded his fingers together and placed them behind his head. It was beyond uncomfortable for him to be talking about his deepest feelings with anyone, let alone the brother of the woman he wished to wed. “Indeed, I find that I am.”
“And is she in love with you?”
Now that was a question he couldn't answer. “You will have to ask Alexandra that.”
Levi began rolling up the document. “Well unless she is in love with you and wishes to wed you, I see no reason to be hasty and have this arrangement made null. At one point in time, you and my father found this arrangement,” he said pointing to the parchment that laid half rolled up on his desk, “to be suitable and agreeable and beneficial to both families. I do believe it still can be.”
“Why don't you simply ask Alexandra how she feels about me?”
“Trust me, Lord Emberson, I plan on doing just that. And since I consider myself to be a fair man, if she indeed returns your feeli
ngs, I will go ahead and give my permission. But if not, the agreement will remain in force.”
“Fair enough.”
“And as far as your request to court her goes, I will grant my permission on the matter, as long as you do so properly.”
“Properly?” Aaron asked with a smirk. “Is there an improper way to pay court to a lady?”
“You know that there is,” Levi spat, clearly uncomfortable by Aaron's question.
“Do I? Please, just so that we are clear on the matter, inform me of what an improper courtship looks like.”
Levi growled. “There will be no stolen kisses or unchaperoned visits. You will call on her here and be allowed to remain for half an hour at most unless invited to dine with us. If at any time Alexandra wishes to discontinue the association, you will nobly do as she wishes.”
Aaron reached his hand across the desk to shake Levi's, acknowledging that he'd abide by the stipulations set forth, though truthfully, he hated them. How was he to continue on without seeing Alexandra every day, without touching her and getting to know her in a setting that allowed more intimacy than what Levi was suggesting? It would appear he had his work cut out for him, for he'd have to convince Alexandra to wed him sooner rather than later.
Approaching the door of his bedchamber, Aaron was still surprised at himself and the way his desires had changed since meeting Alexandra. Weeks after he'd wed Juliet, he knew if something ever happened to her he'd never wed again. He associated marriage with misery and had no desire to join in such a pathetic union again. Meeting Alexandra had changed that.
As Percival began his nightly routine of undressing him, Aaron had time to think. What was it about Alexandra that caused such a change to befall him? He thought back to the past decade he'd been single. He remembered all too well the freedom and relief he'd felt when Juliet had succumbed to the ague and the subsequent guilt he felt at not feeling any sadness at her departure.
The entirety of their marriage had been filled with indifference—her ignoring him, going about her tasks pretending as if he didn't exist and him doing the same. It was as if by ignoring one another, they could pretend their marriage hadn't taken place at all, though the notion was truly absurd. The only thing they ever came together on was the raising of Samuel. Both of them loved their son dearly and truly attempted to give him the best.
When it came to fulfilling her wifely duties, Juliet made it abundantly clear that she might share her body, but she'd never share her heart, which was more than satisfactory to Aaron, for he felt likewise. It was a painful union that left both of them feeling hollow inside.
After her death, he set out on a quest to find someone to spark passion in him, to flame the fan of desire that so far had laid dormant. He'd heard his peers talk of such all-consuming encounters and silently envied them their experiences, even beginning to wonder if they were lying about it when countless attempts to experience what they had left him feeling even flatter.
After so many years, he'd begun to wonder if something was wrong with him. How could it be possible for so many men to find love and passionate intimacy with multiple women in their lifetime while he couldn't even find it with one?
He'd all but convinced himself to stop searching for it when Alexandra Worthington walked in his door. Imagine his surprise when a girl, barely out of the schoolroom, caused sensations in him that he'd never known before. Her presence made him feel as if he were a young lad again. She made him feel alive.
Pulling his banyan tightly around him, he dismissed Percival and made his way to the small desk in the corner of the room. Taking out a piece of parchment, he dipped the quill in ink and began penning a missive to the woman who was consuming his thoughts. He suddenly felt the need to express to her exactly what she meant to him.
Though it was comforting and familiar to awake in her own bed at Channing House, Alexandra thought it strange that she suddenly felt out of place there. A longing welled up inside of her for her bedchamber at Tisdale Manor as she climbed from the bed and stretched her arms high above her head.
Glancing around the space, she observed the familiar rosewood furniture with the walls papered in rose and cream stripes. She reached over and fingered the dusty rose drapes hanging from her canopied bed and sighed. It all seemed so boring in comparison to what she left behind.
Her bedchamber at Tisdale Manor was mostly what one would expect it to be, tastefully decorated in shades of blue. But though at first it appeared boring, upon further inspection one found all sorts of intriguing artifacts hidden throughout, bizarre objects collected from various parts of the world. Her favorite was a large golden owl perched atop a tree branch that sat on the hearth, his wide eyes seeming to take in everything about his surroundings. She'd asked a maid about it and was told that Lord Emberson had acquired it at an auction and that supposedly it had come from America.
The décor at Tisdale Manor was symbolic of Aaron. On first inspection, everything seems proper, nearly perfect, and, if she must be honest, a bit dull. But once a person begins inspecting closely, they discover all sorts of interesting delights, some more obvious like the turquoise pianoforte, but others much more subtle. Aaron was a man of many layers, and she found it a delightful prospect to consider discovering each one.
Thinking of him only made her more anxious to see him. She glided across the floor to tug on the bell pull to alert Jenny she needed her assistance when she nearly stepped on a folded missive that had been slid beneath her door.
Her curiosity was piqued as she bent to retrieve it. On the front, her name was scrawled out in big, bold lettering. She quickly broke the seal and began to read:
My Darling,
I had the honor of discussing the betrothal agreement with your brother and wished to inform you of the result. He is most anxious to see you happy and has agreed to do as you wish, but only if you return my sentiments. He did not voice it, but I think he is unwilling to let you out of the arrangement unless you have a husband in mind for fear of having to be your guardian while you experience a London Season. I informed him I wished to court you and that is exactly what I intend to do. Your brother has agreed to allow me to call on you for half an hour at a time. For this cause, you must remain at Channing House while I depart at once for Tisdale Manor.
I know it may be bold to presume that you will miss me as much as I miss you, but I dare hope that is the case. Alexandra, I feel the need to divulge some things to you, some things that have weighed heavily upon my heart. I have not known myself to be a happy man for the majority of my life. I wish I could blame that entirely on Juliet and our poor union, but I cannot. You see, I have wondered for a long time if something was wrong with me. While most men find the pleasures of the flesh to be alluring, addicting even, I have, up until the present time, found them to be quite dull. While most men happily pursue love, willing even to perform duel's over such things, I have found myself unenchanted by the notion that such a frivolous emotion can possibly exist.
I have often feared that I am a broken man, lacking the ability to feel and enjoy what most men so passionately pursue. Perhaps that is why I thought it in Samuel's best interest to be betrothed to a woman, not of his choosing. However, I must boldly proclaim that your appearance in my life has changed everything, has changed me.
My darling Alexandra, I am not the man I once thought I was, incapable of feeling passion and the more gentler stirrings of love. From the moment I first laid eyes on you when you came to Tisdale Manor, I felt something shift inside of me; a dormant emotion began to be resurrected. You have provoked more feeling in me in the past fortnight than I have ever felt in my lifetime. I care about your happiness, your well-being, your emotions, and I find myself hoping you do likewise for me. It's a strange sensation to feel like I have spent the last thirty-seven years dead and have just now come to life.
When I am with you, I feel whole. I have desires for another's happiness beyond my own. Knowing what a treasure you are, I do not wish ever to
let you go. My heart's fondest pursuit is you. Please allow me to convince you that our union would be one of happiness and great pleasure for both of us as I pay court to you in the coming weeks.
Until then, your absence at Tisdale Manor will be nearly unbearable.
All my love,
Aaron
Alexandra finished reading, then held the letter to her chest and closed her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. She was convinced she'd never felt happier.
Though upset that she never got to bid Lord Emberson goodbye, Alexandra understood why he departed when he did. She was certain Levi did not find his presence acceptable now that he knew he wished to court her.
She took her time doing her toilette then went to find Levi. She found him in his bedchamber being measured for a new wardrobe. Ignoring his annoyed look at her presence, she went and sat in the chair in the corner of the room and watched as the tailor pulled the measuring tape across his shoulders.
“You must be anxious to go to London.”
“Anxious?” he asked, raising one brow. “Not entirely. You know I do not wish to participate in the season. I'm only going because I must take my seat in the House of Lords and find a wife.”
He added the wife part as an afterthought, but it caused Alexandra to choke. “You, a wife? Since when did that become a priority.”
He scowled darkly at her. “Since I've come to realize my position as Duke of Ludington requires an heir.”
“You did not know that before?” she asked with a smirk on her face.
“Of course I knew it, but I had thought I had plenty of time to see to business. It's recently been pressed upon me that I should take the matter more seriously, for if I do not, and heaven forbid something were to happen to me, the title and estate would fall to our second cousin Edmund. Not that I don't like Edmund, mind you, but the thought of the next Duke not being a Worthington does not sit well with me.”
The Marquess's Maddening Dilemma Page 9
