“No. Not in the least. I only feared I was making a dreadful mull of it. It was natural you should lash out after what you’d endured. I made myself a target because you needed one. I never minded angry words. I only feared for you. I was afraid I would never reach you.”
“You did,” Raphe said, his voice quiet now. “You did more than you know.”
“I’m glad.” Rothborn smiled, and the smile was so full of genuine happiness for him that Raphe relaxed at last. “So, my lad, what now? A married man, by God.”
“Yes.” Raphe considered that and gave a bark of laughter. “I don’t quite know how it happened. It’s all a bit of a blur. Her father said meeting her mother was like getting run down by the mail coach. I know exactly what he means.”
“They are a lively family,” Rothborn agreed. “You’ll never have a dull moment, and just imagine… you might have daughters.”
Raphe stared at the man, feeling the blood drain from his face.
Rothborn laughed.
Chapter 15
Evie, you little twit. I would never lie to you. Surely you know that.
Meet me in the library at midnight tonight with the monstrous dress. For God’s sake, make sure no one sees you.
―Excerpt of a note from Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight)
–slipped under her door.
Christmas Day. 25th of December 1840, Rowsley Hall, Derbyshire.
The days until Christmas were quite simply the happiest that Raphe had ever known. His brothers were with him and in high spirits. His best friend, too, was full of the joys of the season, blissful as he was with his new bride. And then there was Greer. She filled his heart and his mind every second of the day and he revelled in this time with her, aware they would be apart for what would feel like an eternity. It would not be eternity, though. Just a matter of months, and then they would marry and start their lives together. Being so close to her every moment and not taking her to bed was a torment hard to endure, but it was the most exquisite form of torture. He endured it stoically, and with a great deal less complaint than his bride to be.
Every day with Greer was an adventure. She was always in motion, unable to sit still for long, and easily distracted. This sometimes made pursuing a conversation with her challenging as, when her attention was diverted, she would change the subject with startling speed, leaving him scrambling to catch up. Rothborn was right, he realised. Life with Greer would never be dull. There would always be something new as she careened through life at breakneck speed. All he could do was try to clear the way for her and hope she didn’t create too much chaos en route. That he might be the sensible one out of the two of them made him snort inwardly with the ridiculousness of it.
Christmas morning dawned bright and crisp. The lack of snow would disappoint the children, but there was a thick hoarfrost that covered everything with a rime of sparkling white. Raphe looked out of his bedroom window, admiring the view as his breath clouded the cold glass. Turning back to his room, he walked to the bed and regarded the flat, square parcel he had wrapped for Greer. He had told his solicitor to sell the only remaining art work he had left to raise the funds. It was the one thing he’d held on to over the years when everything else had gone the way of the pawnshop, refusing to sell it even when he was close to complete ruin. Somehow, a run of luck at cards or a winning horse had always saved his neck before fate had taken his last choice from him, but now he would let it go. He was sorry to see the painting sold, for it was a fine piece that had been one of his father’s favourites, but he was looking to the future now. His father’s time was long gone, and Raphe owed him no sentimental filial loyalty. Greer was his future. It was for her sake he would do everything in his power to make their marriage a happy one, and that began now. The gift was a promise of sorts, and he hoped she liked it.
He heard laughter and merriment long before he reached the breakfast room and Oliver jumped up from his seat, running to shake his hand as he came into the room.
“Merry Christmas, Raphe,” he said, grinning, as flushed and happy as a small boy, rather than a young man of sixteen.
“And to you, Ollie.”
Everyone chimed in with their own greetings and wishes for the festive season. Raphe laughed, delighted as Greer ran to him, brandishing a sprig of mistletoe.
“Argh! Save me!” he cried, darting away around the breakfast table.
Alana laughed uproariously, catching at his arm to help her sister. “Quick, Gee, I have him!”
Raphe pretended to struggle. “Dare, help a fellow out. My virtue is under attack.”
Dare looked up from a heaped plate of bacon and eggs and shook his head sadly. “Sorry to break it to you, old man, but your virtue died of shame a long time ago. Not worth the bother.”
“Ah, well.” Raphe gave a heavy sigh and submitted to a kiss on the cheek from his beloved.
The glint in her eyes told him she would expect something rather more thorough when they got a moment alone. Hopefully, they’d get a chance, for Raphe wanted to give Greer his gift in private, away from everyone’s curious gazes.
After breakfast, they retired to the family parlour for present giving. A blazing fire sparked merrily in the hearth and the scent of greenery perfumed the room from the decorations that adorned the mantelpiece and windowsills. There was much excitement as everyone exclaimed over their gifts and the carpet disappeared under a scattering of torn paper and ribbons.
Raphe found himself overwhelmed by how readily the Cadogan clan had accepted and claimed him as their own. Greer’s mother fussed over him and got teary-eyed over the small book of poetry he gave her by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He had once heard Bonnie speak of her admiration of the woman and had remembered the comment on seeing the copy in a bookshop. Still, he was a little embarrassed by how much she made of his gift, which was hardly lavish. The present of a smart leather-bound journal from his brothers, with Marcross Manor emblazoned in gold on the front cover, was enough to make his throat tight.
“It’s not much,” Sylvester said, smiling at Raphe. “But we thought that you’d need somewhere to write your plans for the old place.”
“Assuming it hasn’t fallen down by the time I get there,” Raphe quipped, startled to hear his voice quaver. “Thank you,” he added quietly.
“It’s a fresh start, for all of us,” Sylvester said, and the glitter in his eyes told Raphe he was not the only one to feel a little unsteady. “And, as such, there’s something else. We’re coming with you. Ollie and myself, I mean. You’re going to need all the help you can get.”
Raphe swallowed, quite overcome now. He shook his head. “You’ve got your own lives, Sy. I’d never ask that of you. Truly, you don’t need to—”
“We want to,” Sylvester said, his voice firm, the look in his eyes brooking no argument. “It’s our home too, isn’t it?”
“Of course!”
Sylvester shrugged as if that settled everything. “Well, then.”
“Well, that’s—” Raphe let out a sigh of relief. The idea of facing the ghosts of his past and the god-awful state the property was likely in had been giving him nightmares. “Thank you, only Ollie really ought to be at university.”
Ollie pulled a face, disregarding this. “I’m not the least bit academic, Raphe,” he said frankly. “I loathed school and the opportunity would be wasted on me, but I like the idea of helping you with the estate. I think I might be good at that.”
“That sounds a splendid idea,” Greer said, taking Raphe’s hand and giving him a moment to gather himself. “It would make me happier to know you weren’t there all by yourself, at least. Though I wish I was going to be there to help too,” she added with a forlorn sigh.
“We’ll get it fixed up for you as quick as we can,” Ollie said earnestly. “We want you to get married as soon as possible, you see.”
“In case you come to your senses in the meantime,” Sylvester
murmured with a sly smile.
Everyone laughed as they were meant to do and Raphe relaxed, letting the conversation flow about him as he regarded his brothers and his new family getting on so well. With amusement, he noticed Lady Aisling, who had been frosty towards his brother Sylvester since they’d met, overcome her natural timidity and thaw a degree.
“T-That was well done of you,” she said quietly to Sylvester. “I’ve no doubt your support will be a great comfort to Lord de Ligne.”
“Good heavens,” Sy said, never one to realise when it would be better to keep his fool mouth shut and simply accept the compliment. “Don’t tell me I’ve actually done something you approve of? The ice maiden melteth. Is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship?”
Aisling blushed furiously, and the temperature plummeted again.
“No,” she whispered, turning away from him.
Sylvester ploughed on, undaunted, his eyes twinkling wickedly. “Oh, come on. I’m not that bad. In fact, I’m very well-liked by most people. Charming and intelligent are words often used to describe me. So, you see, you ought to like me too. I cannot help but think it is a character defect in you that refuses to see all my many admirable qualities.”
Raphe gave a quiet groan as Lady Aisling’s eyes widened. His brother’s rather tactless sense of humour was clearly not to her taste.
“It’s m-my fault?” she stammered.
“Must be,” Sylvester retorted. “There’s certainly nothing wrong with me.”
Abruptly, Aisling got up and moved to the other side of the room. Sylvester’s gaze followed her departure. He put Raphe in mind of a forlorn puppy, scolded for having chewed someone’s favourite slipper and not understanding why.
“Did you ever consider taking a different tack?” Raphe asked his brother dryly. “This one seems to have the opposite of the desired effect. Unless you were hoping to drive the lady as far away as she can get.”
Sylvester shrugged, unrepentant. “No point in being anything but myself. Besides, she ought not be so damned stuck up.”
“She’s shy,” Raphe pointed out, though he thought that much ought to be obvious.
To Raphe’s surprise, Sylvester shook his head, his expression fierce. “Not so shy as she’d have you believe,” he said, a private note to his voice Raphe did not understand.
Before Raphe could ask what the devil he meant by that, Mr Cadogan called everyone’s attention by tapping the side of his glass with a spoon. The ringing sound had everyone quieting and turning to face him.
“Ah, now I have your undivided attention, Bonnie and I have one last gift to give,” Mr Cadogan said. His wife got up to stand beside him, slipping her hand through his arm as he reached into an inside pocket and withdrew a piece of folded paper.
“Raphe,” he said, gesturing to him to get up. “This is for you.”
Raphe swallowed, unease prickling down his spine. He hoped to God they’d not done something embarrassing and tried to give him more money or something of the sort, for it would force him to refuse the gesture, and he hated the idea of offending them. Reluctantly, he got to his feet and crossed the room, taking the paper from Jerry’s hand.
“Well, open it,” Bonnie said, almost bouncing with impatience. “And before you start fretting, Rothborn knows and approves.”
Raphe turned to glance at Greer, wondering if she had any idea what this was about, but she returned a blank look, shaking her head a little. Well, at least she hadn’t conspired with them for whatever this was. Looking down at the neat square, Raphe unfolded it with care, and stared at the writing with increasing shock.
“What is it?” Greer demanded, leaping to her feet.
Raphe let out a breath of laughter, hardly able to believe it. “A special licence,” he said faintly, not understanding why they’d done it.
Greer clearly didn’t care. She gave a squeal of delight and launched herself at first her father, then her mother, and finally Raphe. Not caring who saw, she kissed him soundly.
“We can get married!” she yelled.
Raphe turned to her parents, utterly bemused. “But you wanted us to wait. My home is likely a pile of rubble. I’ve nothing to offer her—”
“Oh, hush,” Bonnie responded, shaking her head. “My daughter is brave and resourceful, and you’re going to need her help. If you think a crumbling old house is going to scare her off, you really don’t understand what you’re in for, my boy, and it’s about time you learned.” Her expression softened, and she reached out to pat his cheek. “Besides which, it's obvious how well suited you are, and we both agree it would be cruel to keep you apart when there is no need for it.”
Still too stunned to find words, Raphe stared down at the paper.
“Bainbridge got the licence for us,” Jerry explained, answering the question Raphe had been pondering. “Or, at least, he persuaded his father to sort it out. Marvellous thing, having the ear of a duke at one’s disposal.”
Raphe laughed ruefully. “Oh, lord. Now I’m going to owe Bainbridge a bloody big favour. He’ll be sure to call it in, too.”
“Am I not worth it?” Greer demanded, hands on hips, her green eyes flashing with challenge, though her lips were twitching.
Raphe could not resist the urge to lean down and whisper in her ear. “I suppose I shall soon find out.”
She blushed scarlet, making everyone laugh, though they did not know what he’d said to her.
“We thought perhaps the day after tomorrow,” Bonnie said, looking every bit as excited as her daughter. “The servants must have their day off tomorrow, but Elspeth assures me we have food enough to feed an army, and you’ve got your lovely green silk gown that will serve, Gee. Oh, and Arabella and Laurie have promised to come, too.”
“Oh, Mama!” Greer exclaimed and ran back to hug her mother again.
“Well, that’s done it,” Dare said, patting Raphe on the back and grinning. “Welcome to the family. There’s no escaping us now.”
Raphe laughed, still stunned by the turn of events but content to let things play out as they would. For once in his life, the universe seemed to be on his side and treating him kindly, and so he would enjoy it to the full.
“By the way,” Dare murmured, pulling him to one side. “Bainbridge has also offered you a private suite of rooms at Royle House for the wedding night. Seemed to think you might not want to look her parents in the eye the next morning. Bit awkward, eh?”
With a snort of laughter, Raphe nodded his agreement. “Christ, yes. I really am going to owe Bainbridge this time, but damn, he’s going to deserve it. He’s saved me from a very uncomfortable situation, not to mention months apart from Greer.”
“Thought you’d appreciate the gesture,” Dare said, amused. “And if there’s anything I can do for you with your estate, any advice or help. You need only mention it.”
Raphe smiled, nodding. “I will,” he promised, realising, perhaps for the first time in his life, that he did not need to do it all alone. It had taken him a long time and walking a hard road to learn the lesson, but there was no shame in accepting advice or practical help from people who had his best interests at heart. “And I appreciate it. You and Bainbridge, these past months—well, I don’t think I’d have survived without your support.”
“Oh, Lord, don’t start that again,” Dare said, appalled. “You’ll have me blubbing and then where shall we be?”
“True. Doesn’t bear thinking about,” Raphe agreed. “But thank you. I’ll tell Laurie myself, God help me, but if there’s anything either of you ever need from me.”
“I know, old man, I know,” Dare said, his tone soothing. “Now, let’s go and annoy Mrs Grigson and see if she’s planning on starving us to death. I want my roast goose, and those splendid roast potatoes she cooks in the fat. God, I’m famished just thinking about it.”
With a laugh, Raphe accompanied Dare out of the room, aware that his friend derived great enjoyment from teasing his starchy housekeeper.
It was not until late that evening the Raphe finally got his fiancée alone. They slipped away while everyone was playing a raucous game of cards and paying them little attention. Not that he believed for a moment her parents hadn’t noticed them leave, but he was coming to understand that this branch of the Cadogan family lived life by their own rules, and the rest of the world could go to the devil if they didn’t like it. He could not have found a more perfect family to call his own if he’d searched his entire life.
Taking her hand, they ran through the deserted corridors, avoiding the staff and teasing each other about ghosts as they kept to the darkness.
“This way,” he said, tugging her up a narrow flight of stairs.
“Where are we going?” she demanded, breathless with laughter as she struggled to keep up with him, her heavy skirts rustling madly as she climbed.
“You’ll see.” He knew the old place well now, though he doubted anyone would ever discover all the ins and outs of the vast, higgledy-piggledy building. He hurried her along another corridor, through a small room and out the other side, before moving silently down another corridor and turning right.
“Oh,” Greer said, recognising where they were. “This is your room,” she whispered, staring at him with interest.
“It is,” he agreed. “And don’t go getting any ideas. You’ll be a virgin when I marry you if it kills me.”
“It might kill me,” she sighed, which made him smile. He pulled her into his room, closing the door and pushing her up against it, caging her in with his arms.
“Such a wicked girl,” he murmured, leaning down to nip at her ear.
She shivered, sliding her arms about his waist. “I never pretended otherwise,” she said, staring up at him.
Raphe stroked her cheek, entranced by its softness. “There is a devil in you, my wicked darling, and it calls to the devil in me. That’s why this happened so fast. Why I fell so hard. Like calls to like.”
Dare to Risk it All (Daring Daughters Book 7) Page 18
