A Necessary Husband

by Debra Mullins

  "Quite so, Captain. I shall order one up immediately." With a skip in his step, Stobbins hurried away.

  Garrett began shedding his clothing in haste, lest the man return to try and strip him again.

  The only one he wanted to do that was Lucinda.

  The thought cheered him, and he began to whistle as he prepared for his bath.

  * * *

  "I am so tired!" Meg declared as they entered Raynewood's foyer. "I can't believe we bought so much!"

  "Only the barest necessities," Lucinda replied airily, the girl's enthusiasm infecting her as well.

  An army of footmen trooped into the house behind them, bearing boxes of all descriptions. And some of those boxes were for her, Lucinda thought with a thrill. At last she had some clothing suitable for attending London functions.

  Of course, Malcolm would also be there, as he was still the darling of the ton, but she refused to let him spoil her excitement. Her plan had to work. She would find another husband, and once the duke discharged Harry's debts, she would no longer be threatened by destitution.

  She only had to find some way to keep Garrett at bay.

  As the stream of footmen showed no sign of letting up, she said to Meg, "Let's go into the Green Salon and have Cook send us something delicious to have with our tea."

  "I could certainly use it," Meg agreed.

  "Stephens," Lucinda said, drawing the but-ler's attention. "Meg and I would like some tea in the Green Salon, please. Would you see to it?"

  "Very well, Mrs. Devering," Stephens replied.

  "I love the way you do that," Meg said as they shed their bonnets and gloves and went down the hall. "You always sound so gracious, even when you are giving orders to the servants."

  "A lady never raises her voice," Lucinda replied, sitting down on a sage-green settee. Her aching feet rejoiced.

  "I do," Meg said with a sigh. "I yell at Garrett all the time."

  Lucinda smiled. "Well, your brother has a very hard head and probably needs to be yelled at. Being a sea captain, he seems unable to resist issuing orders."

  "I wish he wasn't gone so often," Meg said wistfully. "He certainly doesn't need to travel so much anymore."

  "He's the captain of a ship, Meg. That usually involves going to sea," Lucinda reminded gently. "I know you miss him when he's gone."

  "But he owns the whole shipping business, all six ships. Why can't he stay in Boston and run the company from there?" Meg complained.

  "Your brother owns the whole shipping company?" Lucinda repeated, startled. "I thought he just captained one ship."

  "Oh, no!" Meg laughed. "He did that when I was little, but now he's built a whole company."

  "I had no idea." So Garrett Lynch was an aggressive businessman. Not exactly the most fitting occupation for the duke's heir, but she knew

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  from personal experience that desperate circumstances made a body do things he or she would never do otherwise.

  A sound outside the door drew her attention. "Oh, good. The tea is here."

  The door opened, but instead of a servant with a covered tray, there stood Garrett.

  Lucinda gaped.

  After a moment of shocked silence, Meg squealed, "Garrett, you look wonderful!"

  Lucinda was amazed. He wore an impeccably fitted coat of hunter-green superfine that emphasized his broad shoulders and large frame. His dark hair was pulled back neatly in a queue. His waistcoat had a subtle pattern of gold and green stripes, and a snowy cravat precisely tied in a Mathematical completed the picture. The sight of his muscular thighs clearly outlined by the clinging material of his buff-colored pantaloons made the breath hitch in her throat. His black Hessians gleamed, emphasizing his long legs.

  He looked every inch the fashionable English gentleman.

  "Well?" he said. "What do you think? Everyone keeps telling me I need a decent set of clothes to wear to London."

  "You look perfect!" Meg exclaimed. "Doesn't he, Lucinda?"

  Lucinda forced herself to speak. "My word, Captain, you look quite dashing."

  "Stobbins had a time of it getting me into this rig." He met Lucinda's gaze in challenge. "Would you say I would embarrass my sister now, Mrs. Devering?"

  Lucinda slowly shook her head. "No, indeed, Captain. Any lady would be proud to claim you."

  "Is that so?"

  He flashed that pirate's grin, and Lucinda raised her chin. "Quite so, Captain," she said firmly. The last thing the man needed was to know how attractive she found him dressed in English clothing.

  "Absolutely! You can go everywhere with us," Meg exclaimed.

  "I'm happy to hear it."

  A clatter sounded behind him, and Garrett stepped aside as Stephens arrived with the tea tray.

  "I'd better get back upstairs before Stobbins swoons," he said. "He doesn't trust me out of his sight for five minutes. I don't know what he thinks I'm going to do to these clothes." He flashed Meg a grin. "Save me some of those tarts, puss. I'll be back down directly."

  Meg giggled and settled down on the sofa as Garrett left the room. Stephens began to set out the platter of berry tarts he had brought up from the kitchen, but Lucinda barely noticed. Her gaze lingered on the doorway where Garrett had disappeared.

  That had been the Duke of Raynewood's heir.

  Chapter 9

  London.

  Lucinda took a deep breath as the carriage drew closer to Lady Renfrew's ball. This was the true test. Meg was to be put on display for London society, and hopefully Lucinda's tutelage had been sufficient.

  "What the devil is taking so long?" Garrett demanded from the seat across from her. He looked absolutely devastating in stark black evening clothes, but his impatience practically shimmered around him.

  "There's a parade of carriages ahead of us, my boy," Lady Agatha said. "Lady Renfrew's ball is always the veriest crush, as it is the first fashionable event of the season."

  "Seems like a waste of time to me."

  "Oh, Garrett," Meg said with a sigh. "Can't you please behave?"

  Garrett scowled and looked out the window, but he remained silent.

  As if it wasn't enough that Lucinda's future rested on Meg's success tonight, now she had to worry about Garrett. Hopefully he would not mortally offend someone tonight with his blunt American ways!

  And though he had yet to mention it, she was very much aware that their bargain had ended when the carriage had arrived at Stanton House earlier that afternoon.

  "Knightsbridge is bound to be there," Lady Agatha announced. "The dear boy knows how close Aurelia and I are, so he makes a point to attend her ball every year."

  "Knightsbridge?" Garrett inquired.

  "My grandson, the Earl of Knightsbridge. Your second cousin, I believe," Lady Agatha explained. "He's only a year or two older than yourself."

  "Fine boy," the duke interjected. "Good man to show you about Town, acquaint you with the clubs and whatnot."

  "I look forward to meeting him," Garrett said to Lady Agatha, ignoring the duke's comment.

  "We're here," Lucinda said, as the coach halted in front of the Renfrews' townhouse.

  "Here we go," Meg breathed, as a footman opened the door. "My first ball!"

  Garrett reached out and touched Meg's hand. "You'll do fine, puss."

  Meg gave him a radiant smile and stepped from the coach. Garrett looked at Lucinda, and her heart lurched. His eyes still held some of the softness he usually reserved for Meg, and for that one instant, she felt as if she could see all the way to his soul.

  She broke the contact, uncomfortable with the feelings his nearness brought out in her. She could not afford to play Garrett's flirtatious games, and she needed to keep her head clear and her wits sharp.

  Lucinda smiled and nodded as they moved along the receiving line to greet their host and hostess. That done, she gathered every ounce of control she possessed as they entered the ballroom. This was it. She needed to concentrate on Meg now, not the brooding American who lo
omed behind her.

  "Oh, my," Meg whispered reverently, looking around at the elaborate decorations. Lady Renfrew had elected to follow a Grecian theme for the evening.

  "It's all very grand," Lucinda agreed.

  "Well, it looks to me as if everyone in society has come out for this bit of foolishness," the duke said. "I see old Pemberly over there. If you ladies

  will excuse me, I will go speak with him."

  "Of course, Your Grace," Lucinda replied.

  The duke smiled at Meg and touched her hand. "Have no fear, my dear. You look lovely, and you will take society by storm. Just listen to what Mrs. Devering tells you."

  "Yes, Grandpapa," Meg answered.

  The duke looked at Garrett. "And you, young man. I trust you will take advantage of Mrs. De-vering's advice as well."

  "I have no intention of embarrassing my sister tonight, if that is what worries you."

  "See that you don't," the duke warned. Then he took himself off to visit with his crony.

  "You rascal," Lady Agatha said, thwapping Garrett on the arm with her folded fan. "Don't tease your grandfather like that. It bedevils him so."

  "I rather think that was the point," Lucinda retorted.

  "Are you insinuating that I would deliberately upset my grandfather, Mrs. Devering?" Garrett's face was the picture of innocence. "That would hardly be the act of a gentleman."

  Lucinda cast him a cynical look. "Just so, Captain."

  "Appearances, please," Lady Agatha chided.

  "I'll behave if Mrs. Devering will," Garrett said with a roguish grin.

  Lucinda gave him her coolest stare. "At least I know how to act in polite company, Captain. Kindly make an attempt not to completely ruin the experience for your sister."

  Without realizing it, the two of them had stepped toward each other until they were practically nose to nose, a fact that was brought home to her when Meg pushed between them.

  "Will you two please stop? It's like listening to two children squabble."

  "Exactly so," Lady Agatha agreed. "Mind your manners now, as Knightsbridge is on his way over."

  Algernon Strathwaite, the Earl of Knightsbridge, was a tall, slender man with light brown hair and green eyes. He, too, had the bold Stanton nose and slashing dark brows that seemed at odds with the air of geniality that surrounded him. His full lips parted in a sincere smile as he bent over Lady Agatha's hand.

  "Good evening, Grandmother! I see Great-un-cle Erasmus hasn't driven the smile from your eyes."

  "What nonsense!" Lady Agatha replied. "Meg, dear, this is my grandson, Algernon Strathwaite, the Earl of Knightsbridge. Algie, this is your second cousin, Miss Stanton-Lynch."

  Knightsbridge turned a charming smile on Meg and lifted her hand to his lips. "Enchanted, cousin. I see I shall have to be diligent in my duties to such a lovely relation, and beat away the rascally suitors who would seek to win your heart."

  Meg giggled, and Lady Agatha thwapped Knightsbridge on the arm with her fan. "Cease your prattle, foolish boy, and say hello to Mrs. Devering before she believes you a complete clod."

  "Ah, yes, Mrs. Devering," Knightsbridge said with a bow. He lifted her hand to his lips. "Always a pleasure."

  "And this is Lady Margaret's brother, Lord Kelton. Erasmus and I were hoping you would introduce the boy around, as he is newly from America."

  "Kelton, pleasure to meet you," Knightsbridge said, shaking Garrett's hand firmly.

  "Garrett, please," Garrett corrected.

  "Nonsense!" Knightsbridge said cheerfully. "In London, one is called by one's title. Therefore, you are Kelton and I am Knightsbridge. Do you play cards?"

  Garrett bared his teeth in a scarcely tolerant smile. "Some."

  "Excellent! What say we visit the card rooms after we've done our duty by the ladies?"

  This time Garrett's smile was genuine. "Sounds good to me."

  "Good, good. Now, cousin," Knightsbridge said, crooking his arm at Meg, "may I have this dance?"

  Meg smiled and nodded, then went off on his arm. Lady Agatha gave a sigh of pleasure. "Meg is safely in the hands of Knightsbridge, so now the two of you can dance, as well."

  Lucinda started. "Ah... that's not necessary, my lady."

  "Nonsense! Kelton, my boy, surely you have no objection to leading Mrs. Devering out in the country dance, do you?"

  Garrett's blue eyes gleamed. "None at all."

  "I shall remain here and wait for Meg," Lucinda insisted, her pulse skipping wildly. "There is no need for His Lordship to worry about me."

  "But I insist," Garrett said, taking Lucinda's reluctant hand and placing it on his arm. "After all, you're supposed to be teaching me whatever I need to know while I'm here in London. How can you judge if my dancing needs improvement if you don't dance with me?"

  "Just so," Lady Agatha agreed. "Off with you now, Mrs. Devering. I shall go pay my respects to Lady Bowen across the room and see if I can obtain an invitation to her daughter's come-out ball this week."

  Trapped, Lucinda had no choice.

  Thank heavens it was not a waltz, she thought as they took their places. In a country dance they would not even touch, except for their hands. She could get through this.

  The music started, and she moved and turned by rote, her childhood dancing lessons coming back to her in an instant, even though she hadn't performed the steps in quite a while. She finally relaxed.

  The she made the mistake of looking into Gar-rett's eyes. He watched her as if he wanted to devour her, as if at any moment he would take hold of her and carry her off to someplace private. Thrilled that such a look was directed at her, she nonetheless schooled her features into a frown of disapproval.

  He kept looking at her anyway.

  Her next mistake was not realizing how just the pressure of his hand around hers would affect her as he led her through the movements of the dance. Somehow that fleeting contact was more arousing, more tempting, than if he had swept her into his arms and carried her away.

  Perhaps it was the lure of the forbidden. As the grandson of a duke and a marquess to boot, Garrett was far above her touch. But still, she wished she dared give in to her feelings.

  The dance came to an end, and as the music faded away, Garrett bowed before her and lifted her hand to his lips. "All bets are off," he murmured. When Lucinda snatched her hand back, he grinned.

  Lucinda turned and left the dance floor, but she could feel Garrett right at her heels. Knightsbridge approached with Meg on his arm. The young girl's cheeks were flushed pink from dancing.

  "Mrs. Devering," Knightsbridge declared, "I daresay my young cousin will momentarily be besieged with suitors, as she dances like an angel and has a face to match."

  As if he had been heard, several young men began to make their way through the crowd, their eyes on Meg. Lucinda gave a small smile of satisfaction. Meg was well on her way to becoming a grand success.

  Between the two of them, Knightsbridge and Lucinda managed introductions between Meg and her many suitors, and Garrett helped keep the young men in line simply by looking the dark and forbidding brother. Meg accepted a dance with the son of a marquess, and Lucinda smiled indulgently as she watched the young girl happily take her place for the next set.

  "Botheration," Knightsbridge said, gazing across the room. "Grandmother has nodded off again. I'll see about waking her, and then you and I shall go off to the card room, eh, Kelton?"

  "I'll wait here for you," Garrett replied. "I'd like a word with Mrs. Devering."

  "Excellent." With a genial grin, Knightsbridge set off toward his dozing grandmother.

  "There is no need for you to remain with me, my lord," Lucinda said, not looking at Garrett. "I am quite capable of taking care of myself."

  "Perhaps I wished to dance with you again."

  "That is simply not done. Have a care not to dance more than once with any lady, Captain, lest you find yourself engaged by morning."

  "You must be joking."

  She turned
to face him. "I am not. If you dance once with a lady, it is noted. If you dance twice with the same lady, there is speculation. If you dance three times with the same lady, her papa will expect your addresses within the week."

  He bowed. "Thank you for educating me, Mrs. Devering. Knowing that, I will take care to remain in the card room with Knightsbridge until you are ready to leave."

  "Oh, you are impossible!" she said, turning her back on him.

  He leaned close until his breath brushed her ear. "I'm going now, Lucinda, but just remember...we're in London now."

  "I'm aware of where we are," she hissed. "Probably more so than you!"

  He chuckled. "Tonight we go home to the same house. And I know exactly where your bedroom is."

  "Please leave," she gritted out.

  "As you wish," he said, his tone ripe with amusement. He turned to go, only to have a young lady barrel right into him, bumping him back into Lucinda.

  "I'm so sorry!" the girl cried. She squinted up at him. "Please forgive me, sir. I did not see you standing there."

  "Charlotte, is that you?" Lucinda asked.

  The girl now squinted at Lucinda. "Oh, good evening, Mrs. Devering. So nice to see you in Town."

  "Wherever are you going in such a hurry?" Subtly, Lucinda tapped Garrett's forearm, and he dropped his hands from where he still steadied the girl by her elbows.

  "Mother bade me fetch her some punch," Charlotte answered, casting her gaze shyly away from Garrett. She was attractive in an ordinary sort of way, though her mother insisted on doing her brown hair in fat curls that only emphasized her round face. She was wearing a white gown as befitted a young girl, though the style unfortunately emphasized the plumpness of her figure.

  "I shall have to say hello to her," Lucinda said with a smile. "In the meantime, may I introduce you to His Lordship? Miss Charlotte Benton, this is Lord Kelton."

  All color drained out of Charlotte's face, and she sank into a trembling curtsy. "I'm so sorry for my clumsiness, my lord," she stammered. "I just...Mama won't let me wear my spectacles to these affairs, and... oh, I suppose I should not have said such a thing!"

  "Nonsense, Miss Benton," Garrett said before Lucinda could reply. "It was I who was clumsy by stepping into your path. I do hope you will forgive me and allow me this dance?"