WHO WILL TAKE THIS MAN?

by Jacquie D'Alessandro

  “Completely.”

  Some of the tension drained from her gaze. “Does she love you?”

  “That is two questions, Catherine.”

  “Indulge me.” Reaching out, she rested her hand against his face. “I want only your happiness, Philip.” Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, “I would not want you to make the same mistake I did and marry someone who does not care for you.”

  A spurt of anger toward Bickley rushed through Philip, and he renewed his vow to have a long talk with his brother-in-law as soon as his own affairs were settled. “Not to worry, Imp,” he whispered in her ear. “She cares for me. She makes me happy. And I’ll make her happy. And we’ll both make you an aunt many times over.”

  She favored him with a dazzling smile—a smile that could have been snuffed out if that bastard had gotten his hands on her last night. “Then it would seem that congratulations are in order. I wish you and Miss Chilton-Grizedale much happiness, Philip.”

  He chucked her under the chin. “Thank you.”

  From the bed, Father cleared his throat. “I must say, Philip, that your announcement caught me quite off guard.” He looked at Catherine. “Will you excuse us for a moment?”

  “I’ll be in the drawing room.” After giving Philip’s upper arms a bracing squeeze, she quit the room, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.

  “I’m afraid I do not have time right now for a lengthy discussion, Father. Indeed, there is nothing to discuss, as my mind is made up. I am going to marry Meredith.”

  A red flush crept up Father’s face, made all the more pronounced by the stark white bandage. “How can you consider such a thing, Philip? You gave me your word—”

  “To marry. And I shall. As soon as the curse is broken.”

  His father’s lips thinned into a flat line of disapproval, erasing the fragile unity they’d achieved just moments ago. “She is not of our class, Philip. Good God, the woman is in trade. What do you know of her family? Where does she come from? Who are her parents?” Before Philip could utter a word, Father plowed on, “I may not know her parents’ names, but I know who they are. They are nobody. People of no consequence.”

  “It matters not. She may not be a peer’s daughter, but she is perfectly respectable. In addition, she is kind, generous, interesting—as you yourself said—intelligent, and she makes me happy.”

  “I’m certain she’s delightful. So take the chit as a mistress. And marry properly.”

  Philip clenched his hand to keep his temper in check. “By ‘properly’ you mean to someone who will bring money, prestige, and perhaps holdings to the marriage.”

  Father looked relieved. “Precisely.”

  “I’m afraid I’m not willing to sacrifice my happiness to further fatten the already rotund family coffers, Father.”

  Silence stretched between them for several seconds. “Your years abroad changed you, Philip. I never thought you would dishonor your heritage this way.”

  “I find no dishonor in marrying for love rather than fortune. Now, I don’t want to appear abrupt, but I must leave, and I consider this subject closed. I’m sorry you were hurt, and very relieved you are all right.”

  “Believe me, this subject is not at all closed.”

  “It is entirely and permanently closed. I am getting married, and I’m afraid, Father, that you do not get to cast a vote on my choice for a wife. Although I very much would like your blessing, I intend to have her, with or without it. I shall visit you again as soon as I am able.”

  He quickly departed the room, then hurried down the stairs, where he said a quick good-bye to Catherine, and reiterated to Evans his instructions regarding not allowing anyone entry into the house. He then hastily donned his coat and accepted his walking stick from Evans. It was only a few minutes’ walk back to his own townhouse, where he would await Meredith.

  God help that bastard if he thought to venture anywhere near Meredith. If you do, you bastard, I suggest you enjoy these next few hours. Because they will be your last.

  Sitting on a stone bench situated along her favorite shady path in Hyde Park, Meredith breathed in the cool morning breeze, which lifted the gentle scent of flowers and earth and encouraged birds to twitter. Her gaze fell upon Charlotte, Albert, and Hope, who examined a group of butterflies fluttering near a group of colorful blooms a short distance away.

  Tears pooled in Meredith’s eyes at the sight of her friends. Tears of joy, because Charlotte and Albert clearly loved each other deeply, and they were obviously so happy together. And, if she were completely honest with herself, tears of envy, because she wanted that sort of love for herself, and it could never be.

  When they’d told her this morning that they planned to marry, she’d been momentarily stunned into silence. Charlotte and Albert? Why, she’d never considered such a thing. Yet, turning the idea over in her mind, she saw how well suited they were. They had much in common, knew and accepted each other’s pasts, and Albert couldn’t love Hope more than if she were his own child. She recalled looks given when the other was not aware and the odd tension she’d occasionally felt between Albert and Charlotte—tension she’d shrugged off as one of them being tired or preoccupied. She had not, even once, considered that they might be preoccupied with each other. Good Lord, what sort of matchmaker was she, failing to see love when it resided directly under her nose?

  A humorless laugh escaped her and she blinked back her tears. Obviously she wasn’t a very good matchmaker at all, for a good matchmaker would not be so foolish as to fall in love with the man for whom she was supposed to find a suitable bride.

  During the sleepless night, she’d taken a hard, cold, bald-faced look at the facts and had not allowed herself the luxury of hiding behind platitudes and rationalizations or looking the other way.

  The disturbing fact was that she had—very unwisely— fallen in love. Bad enough that she should do so, but the fact that she’d fallen in love with a viscount—the heir to an earldom—well, that fell in the category of “unequivocally stupid.”

  Philip needed a wife, and after last night, it was clear he planned to overlook their glaring class differences and propose. Her heart lurched, sick with loss and regret. She would have given anything, anything, to be able to accept.

  But as she painfully knew, much more than glaring class differences kept her from being a suitable bride for Philip. And although she dreaded doing so, it was time to tell him that even if he broke the curse, she could never be his wife.

  She rose, and together with Albert, Charlotte and Hope, they walked back to the gig, which they’d left near the Park Lane entrance, almost directly across from Philip’s townhouse. All she had to do was walk across the street and tell him.

  “Are ye certain ye don’t want us to wait?” Albert asked as he helped Hope up onto the gig’s seat.

  “No, thank you,” Meredith said, with what she hoped passed for a cheerful smile. “I’m not certain how long my discussion with Lord Greybourne will last.”

  “But how will you get home, Aunt Merrie?” Hope asked.

  “I’ll ask Lord Greybourne to arrange transportation for me.”

  When Albert appeared about to voice an objection, she added quickly, “Lord Greybourne no doubt plans to go to the warehouse to continue searching through the remaining crates, and I may accompany him.” She bit back her guilt at that falsehood. After her conversation with Philip, she wouldn’t be seeing him again.

  When they were all settled in the gig, Albert took up the reins. “We’ll see you later,” Charlotte said, her eyes glowing with happiness.

  A lump swelled in Meredith’s throat, and, not trusting her voice, she simply smiled and nodded.

  “ ‘Bye, Aunt Merrie,” Hope said, waving.

  “Good-bye, Poppet,” she managed, then blew the child a kiss.

  The gig moved down Park Lane, and Meredith watched it, waving, until the conveyance vanished from her sight. Then she stood for another minute, oblivious to the p
edestrians moving in front of and behind her, staring across the road at Philip’s townhouse, gathering her courage, trying desperately to ignore the little voice that cruelly reminded her that everything she wanted was inside that house. And that she would never have it. And because she never would, it was time to sever all ties with Philip.

  Drawing a resolute breath, her gaze riveted on her destination, she stepped into the street. She’d taken half a dozen steps when she heard a familiar voice yell a frantic, “Meredith!”

  Surprise halted her steps. Looking about, she saw Philip running toward her, his face a mask of panic. “Meredith, watch out!”

  Suddenly aware of the sound of pounding hooves, she looked over her shoulder. A carriage, drawn by four black horses, their legs flashing at full gallop, was bearing down on her. Her mind screamed at her to run, but terror froze her for several seconds. Seconds, she realized in a flash, that would cost her her life.

  Sixteen

  Philip ran as he’d never run before, his every muscle straining to reach her in time. He saw the terror flash in her eyes, saw her freeze for those few vital seconds before she moved. Too late... too late.

  He leapt toward her, grabbing her around the waist, knocking her off her feet and propelling them both forward. They landed near the edge of the road with a bone-jarring, skidding impact, just as the carriage thundered by them, spewing dirt and grit, shuddering vibrations through him as the wheels passed them with only inches to spare.

  Heart pounding, breath scorching his lungs, he pushed himself off her. He’d tried to twist sideways to protect her from the impact, but they’d gone down hard. Shaking with fear, he gently rolled her onto her back.

  His stomach dropped at the dirty scrape marring her cheek, and the trickle of blood seeping from a cut on her temple. Her chin was smeared with dirt and already showing signs of bruising. Her gown was torn in several places, and covered with road dust, as was her hair. She stared up at him, her normally crystal-clear eyes glazed and unfocused, but at least she was conscious.

  “My God. Meredith.” He gently touched shaking fingers to her uninjured cheek. The rational part of his mind shouted out a litany of things he should be doing—checking her for broken bones, moving her from the side of the road—but every other part of his mind was immobilized with stark fear. And fury. Turning his head, he noted the carriage had nearly disappeared from view. He briefly squeezed his eyes shut. Jesus. One more second. Just one more second and she’d have been killed under those churning hooves, those speeding wheels. “Please say something,” he implored.

  She blinked, and some of the cobwebs left her eyes. “Philip.”

  He had to swallow to locate his voice. “I’m right here, darling.”

  “Are you all right, sir?” a gentleman asked, running over to them.

  “I’m fine. I’m not yet certain about her.” Philip didn’t look up, but he was aware that several people had gathered around, all of them murmuring about how it wasn’t safe to cross the road these days, how the speeding carriage had seemed to appear from nowhere, and what a splendid rescue he’d made.

  “Meredith, I want you to remain still while I check to see if you’ve broken any bones.” He examined her arms and legs, then gently pressed on her ribs. “Nothing appears broken,” he said, his voice hoarse with relief. Scooping her up into his arms, he rose, trying to push down his alarm at her silence. If she were completely herself, his Meredith would surely scold him for scandalously hauling her about like a sack of potatoes, especially in public. And God knows he’d have given anything to hear such a reprimand, to know she was truly all right.

  “She’s going to be fine,” he said to the half dozen people who had gathered. A collective sigh of relief went up, but Philip didn’t waste any more time. He strode quickly across Park Lane, then up the steps to his house, where he banged on the door with his boot. A young footman named James opened the door, his face set in a fierce scowl.

  “Now, see here—” He cut off his irate words as Philip marched across the threshold.

  “Miss Chilton-Grizedale is hurt. I need warm water and bandages. Lots of them.” He headed down the corridor to his private study, cradling his precious cargo close to his chest. “Also, there’s a bowl of Bakari’s ointment in the kitchen. Cook will know where. Bring that as well. Then I want a bath made in my bedchamber.”

  “Shall I send for the doctor, my lord?”

  “Not yet. There are no broken bones, and I’ve some experience in treating injuries. I’ll let you know if the doctor is needed.”

  After opening the door to Philip’s private study, James hurried off to do as he’d been ordered. Philip strode to the sofa in front of the fire and gently laid Meredith on the cushions. Kneeling beside her, he gently pushed a tangled skein of dusty midnight hair from her scratched cheek. “Move your arms and legs about a bit,” he instructed. “Does anything hurt?”

  A moment later she shook her head. “Nothing hurts, although I’m a bit sore all over.” She looked up at him, her wide, serious gaze searching his face. Reaching up, she brushed her fingertips across his chin.

  “You’ve a terrible scrape,” she whispered.

  Damn it, words felt beyond him. Never in his life had he felt this undone. This frightened. “I’m fine.” His voice sounded like he’d swallowed a mouthful of rusty nails.

  “And your spectacles. They’re all bent and... askew.”

  “I have another pair.”

  “I owe you my thanks.” He heard her swallow. “You saved my life.”

  “Barely. The sight of that carriage speeding toward you will haunt me for the next decade. At least.” Lifting her hand, he pressed a fervent kiss against her fingers. “I was walking home from my father’s townhouse when I saw you standing on the opposite side of the street. You stepped into the road...” A shudder ran through him. “In your note, you wrote that Goddard would be with you. Why were you standing alone outside the park?”

  “I hadn’t been alone. I’d just seen Albert, Charlotte, and Hope off. I was on my way to call upon you. To talk to you.”

  A long look passed between them. Her expression gave him little hope that he would like what she had to say. Well, he had a few things to say to her as well. And as soon as he bandaged her up, she was damn well going to listen. But first he needed to warn her. He quickly told her about last night’s attacks on Catherine, his father, and Andrew.

  “Meredith, you almost being run down was not an accident. Whoever did this knows your importance to me, tried to harm you because of your importance to me.”

  Before she could reply, a knock sounded on the door. Without looking away from her, Philip said, “Come in.”

  James entered, bearing a tray laden with two pitchers of water, an assortment of linen bandages, and a blue ceramic bowl covered with a handkerchief. “The bath you ordered will be ready directly. Do you need any assistance, my lord?” he asked, setting the tray on the floor next to Philip.

  “No, thank you.”

  The young man quit the room. Philip removed his filthy, torn jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and made a quick adjustment to his bent spectacles. Then he dampened several strips of snowy linen and began gently cleansing the dirt from her face.

  “A bath will be good for you,” she said, wincing when he touched the cut at her temple. “You’re very dirty.”

  “Thank you. I’m a fool for such flattery, you know. However, the bath is for you.”

  Her eyes widened. “Me? I cannot bathe in your home!”

  If he’d been capable of it, he would have smiled. His decorous Meredith was back. “You most certainly can. A warm soak will help relieve the soreness in your muscles.”

  Her lips flattened into a prim expression. “My muscles are not sore.”

  “Perhaps not now, but they will be. We hit the ground with a most resounding thump. Besides, you calling me dirty is rather like a dog calling a cat hairy.”

  “Oh, dear. You mean I’m—”

  “
Filthy. I’m afraid so.”

  She tried to sit up, but he gently pushed her back on the cushions. “Do not distress yourself. I need to examine and clean the scrapes on your face. After you’ve bathed, I’ll bandage you. While you’re bathing, I’ll arrange for your gown to be cleaned and repaired.” When she seemed about to protest, he rested his fingers upon her lips. “No arguments. Let me take care of you.”

  Meredith looked into his brown eyes, so earnest, so serious, so filled with concern and guilt, she couldn’t refuse his request. Besides, she still felt rather shaky. And her cheek stung like the devil himself had set fire to her skin.

  Let me take care of you. She could not recall anyone, ever, having uttered those words to her. It was an odd notion, giving herself over to someone else’s care, his care, but certainly not an unpleasant notion. And one that allowed her to postpone for a few more precious minutes the words that would forever deprive her of him.

  With a nod, she relaxed back into the cushions, torn between her desire to shut her eyes and simply absorb the feel of him touching her, and keeping her eyes wide open, to watch him, memorize his features, for this would be her last opportunity to do so.

  Opting to keep her eyes open, she watched him carefully clean, then examine, her cuts and scrapes. He worked carefully and methodically, his eyes intent, his hands steady. A lock of dusty, disheveled hair fell over his forehead, and her fingers itched to brush the strands back. But he wasn’t hers to touch.

  Her gaze lowered to the scrape on his chin, and her stomach dropped. Dear God, he’d risked his life to save her. With that same heroic spirit he’d exhibited the first day she’d seen him outside Madame Renée’s shop. Had that only been a matter of days ago? Impossible. She felt as if she’d known this man her entire life. And had yearned for him all that time. She longed to dampen a strip of linen and press it to his hurt chin. But he wasn’t hers to heal.

  Her gaze then focused on his mouth. That beautiful, sensual mouth that had kissed her with both tender perfection and white-hot passion. A flood of memories of that beautiful mouth touching hers swamped her, remembrances she would never be able to erase from her mind. Her lips tingled with the overwhelming desire to kiss him. But he wasn’t hers to kiss.