The Lady's Christmas Proposal (Honorable Rogue Book 3.5)

by Vikki Vaught

  She stood in awe, breathing in the aroma of potted orange and lemon trees permeating the air. Several varieties of roses lined the path, adding their own sweet essence. “Oh, this is magnificent.”

  He grinned. “It is, is it not? I spend time in here whenever possible, but I also have a gardener to maintain everything while I’m busy with my other obligations. Then, of course, I spend a good part of the year in London. I’m in the house of Commons.”

  “Oh, I didn’t realize you’re an MP. How long have you served in Parliament?”

  “Ten years. I represent this borough. My father’s estate is nearby, so I had his support when I decided to enter government. Now, shall we stroll so I can show you the rest of my conservatory?”

  Once they finished their tour, he escorted her to the drawing room. “Would you like to meet my daughter?”

  “I would love to.” A thrill of anticipation shot through her. She was surprised he wanted her to meet his child. Could he truly be interested in her?

  He rang for the butler and sent for his daughter. While they waited, they discussed their shared passion for flora and fauna. It amazed her that they had so much in common. She could not help watching his strong hands. Although his fingers were long, and his nails were clean and buffed, they bore evidence of physical labor. She imagined working with horses was demanding and took physical strength. How would those hands feel against her skin?

  Mildred nearly let out a gasp at her improper thoughts. She only hoped Lord Robert didn’t notice how her cheeks burned.

  CHAPTER 2

  As they waited for Melissa to arrive, Robert watched Lady Mildred eyes glow with excitement as they discussed how he’d acquired the rare species that graced his conservatory. She asked him several questions regarding his daughter and showed a good bit of interest and curiosity, an excellent sign indeed.

  While it might be a little early to introduce her to Melissa since he’d only met Lady Mildred the day before, he would rather discover if the enchanting woman was good with children before he pursued her any further. He would not want to build expectations in the woman unless she liked his daughter.

  The governess entered with Melissa trailing behind her. His daughter’s nursemaid had managed to make her presentable, a major accomplishment, considering her penchant for boys’ clothing. She looked pretty in her periwinkle blue dress and crisp white pinafore. Her blonde hair was arranged in two braids with matching blue ribbons to keep them tidy.

  “Melissa, please come here.” His daughter reluctantly moved in front of him. He glanced at the woman beside him. “I want you to meet Lady Mildred. She’s visiting her niece, the new Viscountess Hardesty.”

  Melissa performed an awkward curtsy and mumbled, “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

  She offered his child an open and engaging smile. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance as well.”

  How promising. “Melissa. Why don’t you tell Lady Mildred what you enjoy studying?”

  His daughter’s brows drew together. “I suppose I enjoy learning about animals.”

  Lady Mildred asked, “Do you have any pets of your own?”

  Melissa’s eyes lit up. “My pony, Bonnie. I also have a new kitty, Snowball.”

  “I too had a pony when I was young,” she told her. “He was my dearest companion. Are you a good rider?”

  His daughter straightened to her full height. “I’m the best. I love to race with my friends.” Folding her arms across her flat chest, she glared at him. “Papa gets mad when I do that.”

  While he wanted to reprimand his child for her attitude, he waited to hear Lady Mildred’s reply. “Papas worry over their daughters. Mine used to become angry when I did something that could harm me, but it was because he loved me and didn’t want anything to happen to me.”

  Melissa frowned. “My papa loves me, but he worries too much. He doesn’t like me to play with boys. He wants me to spend time with girls. I like boys better.”

  Again, he waited for her response, pleased with the interaction between her and Melissa so far. Lady Mildred laughed. “Why do you prefer boys?”

  His daughter bounced on her dainty feet. “Because they’re a lot more fun. Most of the girls only want to play with their dolls…inside. I like to be outside riding and climbing trees.”

  He watched carefully as she conversed with Melissa. She was open and honest with her, and Melissa had responded well. Soon, she had his daughter giggling. Clearly, Lady Mildred had an affinity for children.

  A few minutes later, the governess led Melissa away. A maid entered with a tea tray and sat it on the table. He turned to Lady Mildred. “Would you do the honors?”

  “Certainly.” After inquiring how he liked his, she efficiently poured him a cup, then filled two plates with sandwiches and sweet tarts.

  They chatted while enjoying their refreshments, and he found himself quite at ease in her presence. The woman intrigued him. Not only was she lovely, she’d handled Melissa with care. Given her demeanor and their shared interests, he believed they would deal well with each other. Over the next week, he would try to see her each day, and if his feelings grew, he would formally court her with matrimony in mind.

  After he returned Lady Mildred to Wallingford Manor, Robert visited his daughter, and she told him she’d like the nice lady, then stated, “I want to see her again.”

  Melissa’s reaction to the woman confirmed his decision to pursue a courtship with her. “You will, and soon. You’re invited to a party on Christmas Eve.”

  Melissa clapped her hands. “Really? I can’t wait. I hope Father Christmas will be there.”

  He chuckled and tweaked one of her braids. “We shall wait and see. If you behave between now and then, I will have a special treat for you on Christmas day.”

  She threw her little arms around him. “Oh, thank you, Papa.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now, I must return to my study. I will return tonight to tuck you in.” He kissed her cheek and strode from the room.

  Once he was out of her sight, he rolled his eyes heavenward. Although Melissa had her faults, the little scamp was too adorable, and he was fully aware that the child had him wrapped around her dainty finger. He could not refrain from showering her with presents at Christmas. He’d had a new saddle commissioned for her since she’d outgrown her last one.

  He spent the rest of the afternoon going over the reports from his steward. He had a difficult time concentrating because images of Lady Mildred kept invading his thoughts. No woman had affected him to such a degree since his salad days. He’d been such a rascal in his youth, his father had arranged his marriage and had threatened to cut him off if he refused.

  Although he loved his daughter, his marriage had been a fiasco from the start. His late wife had never loved him, nor he her. When she’d died five years ago, he swore he’d never marry again. Anne had detested his touch from the beginning. After Melissa’s birth, she’d refused him his husband’s rights.

  Not even their newborn daughter was able to warm Anne’s heart. She had turned Melissa over to a wet nurse and rarely visited the nursery. He was the one to make sure her needs were met when she was an infant. His daughter had stolen his heart from the moment he first held her.

  He’d not thought of his daughter’s need for a woman once she was older. While one of his sisters could sponsor Melissa when it came time for her come-out, someone had to teach his child pretty manners, and how to behave in polite society. So far, no governess had been a match for Melissa’s stubborn nature.

  Now, he had a wild child who only wanted to consort with boys, especially, Arthur, the son of his head groom. Even though he didn’t have a problem with her playing with his servants and tenants’ children, Arthur would lead Melissa astray. The boy refused to listen to his parents and would surely find trouble before he reached adulthood.

  It was time to put an end to their friendship. While he would hate to lose Hardy—the man was damned fine with horses—he would
send the man and his family north to the breeding stables his father owned in Doncaster. He’d write to the marquess tomorrow.

  He leaned against his chair and steepled his fingers. Yes, Lady Mildred could be the answer to his problems with his wayward child. He still needed to meet the new Lord Hardesty. He’d return to the manor the next day and discuss courting her.

  Pleased with his decision, he opened his ledger and spent the rest of the evening going over estate figures. At ten o’clock, he retired to his chamber, and as he drifted off to sleep, Lady Mildred’s pretty face filled his mind.

  * * *

  After Lord Robert returned Mildred to the manor, she’d joined the family for luncheon and spent the afternoon doing needlework with Marjorie and Mary. Her niece had asked how her visit had gone, and she’d told them she met the man’s daughter. Mary wanted to know all about the child since she was close to Aimee’s age.

  Mary’s husband had been a prisoner in France, and Aimee and her brother, Gerrard, had helped him escape. Hardesty brought the French children with him when he returned to England a few months before, and was raising them as his own.

  Mary smiled. “Perhaps we can arrange for his daughter to meet Aimee prior to the party. Will Lord Robert call again, do you think?”

  “He mentioned he still needed to meet Hardesty,” she explained, “so he said he would come tomorrow.”

  “Oh, good. I shall let my husband know, so he’ll be available. Too bad he missed him yesterday.” Mary gave her a sideways glance. “So…you enjoyed seeing his conservatory?”

  “Oh, my, yes,” she replied. “He has orange and lemon trees, along with some very rare plants. Did you know he is an MP?”

  Mary laid her needlework on the table. “I didn’t. Marjorie did mention he owns a breeding stable.”

  Mildred straightened. “He does, and he’s asked me to go riding when there is a break in the weather.”

  Mary’s eyes widened. “I didn’t realize you rode. I’ve never seen you on a horse.”

  She sighed. “Your father would not allow it. When my father died, he—” her voice broke, “Theodore had my pony put down.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” she huffed. “We’re fortunate he cast us off last month. This may sound awful; I don’t care if I ever see him again.”

  “I feel like I’ve been released from a hellish prison.” Mildred clasped her hands to her breast. “Oh, Mary, I’m so grateful you met Hardesty. I know he will protect you and my nephews.”

  Her niece blushed prettily. “So am I. I’m a fortunate woman.” Her brows drew together. “How old were you when your father passed?”

  She swallowed the lump clogging her throat. “Twelve. We were very close.”

  Mary reached over and squeezed her hand. “That’s a difficult age to lose a loved one. It seems strange, but this is the first time we’ve ever talked about your parents. I loved your mother a great deal, but I don’t recall meeting you until she passed. Why was that?”

  Those were such dark days. It was difficult to talk about them, however, doing so would perhaps help mend the bridge between them even more. “My brother banished me after my disgrace.”

  “What disgrace?” Mary asked.

  Mildred pulled her handkerchief from her pocket and wiped at her tears, which were now falling freely. “Your father orchestrated a scandal during a ball. One of his cronies tried to seduce me, and I was too naive to understand what was going on, until it was too late.”

  Mary gasped. “The fiend!”

  “My brother sent me to live with our father’s aunt in Scotland the day after it happened.” Her voice cracked. “He only brought me back after my mother died.”

  “Why didn’t Grand-mama protest?” she asked. “Of course, I was only ten when she died, perhaps she did.”

  “Your father was my legal guardian,” she explained, “and my mother had fallen ill the day of the ball, and didn’t attend. She never knew what happened until several weeks later. When she asked him to send for me, he refused. Mama was so weak from her bout with influenza, she couldn’t fight on my behalf. He even refused to allow her to visit me. Those were lonely years. My maiden aunt was nothing like my father.”

  Mary bit her lip. “I remember hearing my father and Grand-mama arguing, but whenever I asked her about it, she never explained why. She would tear up and send me to the schoolroom.”

  “My brother controlled her funds and threatened to cut her off. Her hands were tied. I’m sure that’s why they had words.” Mildred wiped her eyes, then cleared her throat. “That’s all behind us now. Going forward, we’ll no longer need to worry over my brother.”

  “Aunt.” Mary hesitated. “Why did you stay? You had an inheritance, did you not?”

  I did try to leave, but Theodore stopped me by threatening you. “You’re right, my father did leave me something, but even though I couldn’t control much of what my brother did, I couldn’t completely desert you. If I had gone, who would have kept you from his cronies? Remember the time when that marquess caught you alone? If I hadn’t stepped in, he would have hurt you.”

  Mary hugged her. “If he’d succeeded, I would never have met Cortland. Thank you.”

  “I should have done more.” Her niece started to protest. “I think we’ve revisited the past enough for one day. Let us speak of more pleasant things.”

  Mary bowed to her wishes and started sharing her plans for the holidays. An hour later, they went upstairs to change for dinner. When Mildred entered her bedchamber, she dropped on the chair in front of the hearth.

  She refused to dwell on the past. It was over, and crying would not change anything. God knows, she’d cried enough tears all those years ago. She straightened and pushed the depressing thoughts to the back of her mind and recalled the pleasant morning with Lord Robert instead.

  She’d enjoyed meeting Melissa. The little girl was adorable with her thick golden braids, turned up nose, and rosy cheeks. The way she squirmed and fidgeted, reminding Mildred of herself at that age.

  It was definitely a promising sign that he’d introduced her to his daughter. Perhaps he planned to court her. Gooseflesh danced along her arms. Goodness, no one had truly courted her. Oh, she’d gone on a few carriage rides during her one season, and a few dancing partners had sent her flowers the next day, but alas, all that ended after her disgrace.

  She should have realized the man was up to no good, since he was Theodore’s friend. Oh, dear, she had allowed her thoughts to go in the wrong direction again. She ruthlessly dismissed them to the darkest recesses of her mind.

  She would only think happy thoughts. Lord Robert seemed interested, and she would concentrate on that. Determined, she grabbed her book, opened it to the marked page, and began reading.

  The next day, Lord Robert arrived at three in the afternoon, and the butler showed him to Hardesty’s study. Mildred hoped Cortland would bring him to the drawing room after their meeting. She tapped her foot as she waited to see if Lord Robert was with Hardesty when he came to tea.

  Mary looked askance at her. “Aunt, are you feeling all right? Your face looks flushed.”

  Oh, goodness, she could feel the heat in her cheeks. The charming man had her all in a dither. “No, not at all. I’m perfectly fine. I assure you I feel well.”

  Good Lord, now I’m repeating myself.

  Before Mary could respond, Hardesty entered with Lord Robert beside him. Humor danced in Cortland’s eyes. What had Lord Robert told him? Was it something concerning her? She twisted her hands as the man took a seat beside her on the settee. His broad shoulders brushed her arm, and even though she wore a woolen gown, pinpricks raced from the tip of her fingers to her neck.

  He cleared his throat. “I hope I find you in good health today?”

  “Excellent, my lord. And you?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

  “Oh, I’m feeling quite well, indeed.” Cortland whispered something in her niece’s ear, and she grinned as Lord Robert co
ntinued speaking. “You mentioned you are helping Lord Hardesty with his conservatory. Would you show it to me?”

  “Certainly.”

  He stood and offered his hand. She clasped his fingers as he helped her stand. She slid her hand through the crook of his offered arm, and he led her out of the room.

  Once they were in the hall, he placed his warm palm on her hand. Shivers of anticipation shot through her at the simple contact. He asked, “Which way to the conservatory?”

  “We go down the hall, and it’s on the left.” He guided her forward, and when they reached it, he stepped aside so she could enter first.

  Once they were inside, he pulled the door shut and glanced around. “Ah, the gardener has made excellent use of the space.” He looked closer at the plant to the right. “Are those cymbidium orchids?”

  She moved closer to the pot. “You’re correct. They’re incredible, are they not?”

  He placed his hand on the small of her back, and shivers raced through her. He pointed. “I want to see those ferns in the back.”

  When they reached it, he smiled. “I thought these were maiden hair ferns. I have several. They grow exceedingly well in this type of environment.”

  As they strolled through the potted foliage, she became so engrossed in their conversation that she didn’t mind her step, and stumbled on a garden tool. Robert jumped to her aid, his arm encircling her waist, keeping her from falling. Her eyes met his own, and the whiskey depths of his irises, flared to life. Lord Robert slowly lowered his head, and his mouth brushed her lips in the briefest of kisses. Her heart skipped several beats as she waited to see if he would kiss her again.

  When his mouth settled against hers this time, he used more pressure. She moved her lips against his, and tingles raced to the very core of her being. He deepened the kiss, and she sighed. When he stroked his tongue along the seam of her lips, she parted them, allowing him inside.