The Marriage Truce

by Ann Elizabeth Cree

  ‘Fall in love. For that is what happened.’ Lady Coleridge released Sarah’s hand and sat upright. ‘I knew when Mary returned that something was different. She rarely revealed her emotions, but I could see something troubled her. And she asked, no, begged to call off the wedding. And I said no.’ She looked away. ‘I thought her sudden reluctance was due to the doubts that all brides experience. She had accepted that she would marry Dev all her life. And my husband, like your mother, was ill and he wanted the alliance, wanted to see them settled. He had promised Dev’s father, you see, that they would marry. And so I forced her to go through with it. I made certain she was busy and had no chance to speak with Dev alone.’ A bitter smile crossed her face. ‘She could be very stubborn and I feared she would break off the betrothal directly with him.’

  Sarah twisted her hands together. ‘But if Mary had never met Nicholas, there would have been a chance for her and Dev.’

  ‘Perhaps. Dev was never in love with Mary. Nor was Mary in love with him. Neither one of them had ever indicated a strong desire to marry elsewhere. Dev had his liaisons as men do, but there was nothing serious. As for Mary, I sometimes wondered if she was capable of passion.’ She spoke almost to herself. She looked back at Sarah. ‘She was. But it was not for her husband. And it was not you who was at fault, but me. I ruined the lives of two people…no, three people, if I am to be honest. For I’ve no doubt your brother suffered as well.’

  ‘He did,’ Sarah said softly. ‘He loved her.’

  Lady Coleridge nodded, her eyes unhappy. ‘I lost my daughter. And my godson has been lost as well. He, too, carries the burden of Mary’s death. He feels he should have let her go. She wanted to annul the marriage and he refused. And that is when she ran to your brother.’

  Her pain was raw. She looked away and then back at Sarah. ‘So, you see, when I heard of your marriage I had hopes it might bring some happiness to Dev, some healing for his soul and perhaps even my own.’ She reached over and took Sarah’s hand. ‘And I see that you need it as well.’

  ‘Yes.’ Sarah bowed her head. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

  ‘My dear.’ Lady Coleridge’s fingers tightened around Sarah’s hand. ‘I think we must go forward. You must not be afraid to love Dev. He needs you very much.’

  Sarah looked up. ‘He doesn’t want to need me.’

  A ghost of a smile touched Lady Coleridge’s lips. ‘He is also afraid. I think you must help him see there is no reason to fear loving and being loved in return.’

  ‘I do not know if I can.’

  ‘But I do know. Mary spoke of you often, how kind and generous you were. How she could confide in you. In fact—’ her smile was ironic ‘—she once said she thought you and Dev might be very well suited.’

  ‘Did she?’ Sarah flushed.

  ‘Yes.’ She smiled at Sarah, her expression warm and encouraging. ‘So I think Mary would quite approve. As do I.’ She released Sarah’s hand and rose. ‘So, my dear, I think you must go and do your best to bring your husband around. And a child of his own would undoubtedly help. I shall, of course, expect to stand in as a surrogate grandparent.’

  ‘Of…of course,’ Sarah said.

  Lady Coleridge picked up her bonnet. ‘I will leave you now. I expect you need to rest.’ Sarah started to rise and she shook her head. ‘No, you may remain seated. I will show myself out.’ She clasped Sarah’s hand for a brief moment. ‘Thank you again, my dear.’

  Sarah watched her leave and then sank back on the sofa, her thoughts and emotions in complete confusion. For some reason, the two people who cared the most about Dev seemed to hold the erroneous idea that Sarah somehow held the key to his salvation.

  And even it if were true, that was the last thing he wanted from her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sarah picked up her fan from her dressing table and wished she could quell the nerves in her stomach. There really was no reason for such apprehension—they were only going to a ball, and she had Jessica and Amelia with her.

  And Dev. The thought made her feel shaky. He’d returned last night from London with Adam. She had tried very hard to greet him with calm politeness as if her heart hadn’t nearly come to a standstill at the sight of him. He’d been equally formal, which had made her even more unnerved, as she was quite aware that Amelia watched their every move with sharp interest. At least her cousin hadn’t made any more disconcerting comments about their attraction for each other.

  Merlin leaped to the top of the dressing table and mewed. Sarah stroked his head and then managed to gently lift him down with her good arm, careful not to let his claws tangle in the silk of her balldress. Unfortunately, she was left with a fine smattering of grey hair on her gloves. He’d been a welcome companion; his only shortcoming was that he shed more hair than any cat she’d known.

  Well, it was too late to look for another pair of gloves. It was nearly time to leave. At least her sea-green ballgown was unlikely to show his grey hairs. She took one last look at herself in the looking glass. The gown was lovely, a soft greenish-blue silk with a square neckline, the hem trimmed with several rows of lace and small creamy silk roses. Amelia had loaned her a silk scarf in a green that nearly matched the gown to use as a sling.

  The others were already gathered in the drawing room by the time Sarah entered. She knew almost without looking that Dev stood near the mantelpiece with Adam. Instead, she kept her gaze on Amelia and Jessica who were looking out of the window. ‘I am sorry I am late.’

  Jessica turned, a smile lighting her face. ‘You are not. Oh, Sarah, how lovely you look! Does she not, Dev?’

  ‘She does.’

  Sarah forced herself to look at him. Her heart leaped to her throat. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black evening coat and black silk breeches. Masculine and elegant and completely unnerving. His gaze locked with hers and the expression in his eyes made her breathless. She looked away.

  ‘Before we go, Dev has something to give you,’ Jessica said with great excitement.

  ‘Oh.’ Sarah’s mind was blank. ‘Now? Perhaps it can wait.’

  ‘It cannot.’ He had moved and came to stand in front of her. She saw he held a small box. ‘Jessica has informed me that it is quite necessary I present it to you tonight. She will give me no peace until I do.’ He glanced at her arm. ‘Should I open it for you?’

  ‘If you please.’

  He lifted the lid. Inside lay the most exquisite necklace Sarah had ever seen. A simple emerald pendant hung from a single strand of pearls. She stared at it, too stunned for a moment to speak.

  ‘You do not like it?’

  She looked swiftly up at him. ‘It is lovely—I have never seen anything so beautiful. It is only…’ She bit her lip. ‘It was hardly necessary…thank you. You are very kind.’

  ‘I fear I have been rather remiss in presenting you with gifts.’

  ‘I really do not expect you to.’ She gave him a little smile. ‘Merlin was quite adequate.’

  A quick grin crossed his face. ‘I fear that won’t pass muster with my sister.’

  ‘You must wear it, Sarah,’ Jessica said. ‘Dev can help you with the fastenings.’

  ‘I…’

  ‘Turn around, Sarah.’

  She did and felt his cool fingers fumble with the clasp of the locket she wore, his fingers brushing the hair from the nape of her neck. His touch did odd things to her pulse and she stood perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe until he stepped away. By then her face was heated.

  ‘See? It is perfect with her gown,’ Jessica exclaimed. ‘What do you think, Adam?’

  He grinned at Sarah, clearly amused by the embarrassment on her face. ‘She looks exceptionally lovely tonight. I think marriage must agree with her.’

  ‘I think so, too,’ Amelia added. She had come to stand next to Jessica. A little smile was on her lips. She looked over at Dev. ‘You have not yet given us your verdict on Sarah’s appearance.’

  ‘Very nice,’ he said curtly
. But the flash of heat in his eyes as his gaze swept over her face belied his indifferent words.

  Sarah backed away, almost tripping over Merlin. She bent down and picked up the cat, heedless of her gown, trying to hide her confusion.

  ‘Is the cat coming as well?’ Adam inquired.

  ‘I’ve no doubt he would like to,’ Dev said. ‘He stowed away in my coach when I left for London. I discovered him when I was a mile down the road.’

  ‘Oh, dear.’ He sounded so disgruntled that Sarah couldn’t help smiling. She set Merlin down. ‘Thank you for bringing him back.’

  An answering smile tugged at his lips and for a moment the barriers between them dissolved.

  Adam’s voice broke the spell. ‘We’d best leave before the rain turns into a veritable downpour.’

  ‘Yes.’ Dev’s smile faded. A little of the warmth left Sarah’s heart as well.

  As they settled into the carriage, the rain pattering down outside, she wondered if it would ever be possible to overcome the wall between them.

  Dev stood at the side of the ballroom and watched Charles Kenton fawn over Sarah. She sat on a chair strategically placed near the edge of the room so that she could sit and watch the dancers when she became fatigued. All his efforts to remain indifferent had fled and he wanted nothing more than to stalk over there and inform Kenton he had no business even looking at his wife.

  ‘Really, Dev, it is not all the thing to be so obviously in love with one’s wife. And I doubt very much that Maria would appreciate a brawl in the middle of the ballroom.’

  He looked down to find Lady Violet Townsley at his side. ‘I’ve no intention of starting a brawl,’ he said shortly. ‘And what brings you here, Vi? I thought you and Jonathan avoided house parties like the plague.’ Since she’d remarried and had a child, shocking the rest of the ton by her devotion to motherhood, she rarely ventured into society.

  She laid a hand on his arm. ‘Why, to appease my curiosity, of course. When I heard of your marriage I could scarcely believe my ears. Particularly to Sarah Chandler. Not only because of her brother, but because I thought you held her in the most violent dislike. At least it seemed so in London.’ Her lips curved in a smile. ‘I can see I was quite wrong.’

  ‘Were you?’

  ‘Yes. And I can see you don’t plan to admit a thing.’ Her blue eyes snapped with laughter. ‘Come and dance with me, then. At least I might keep you from throttling Charles Kenton.’

  The musicians had just finished the last set and the dancers were leaving the floor. He raised a brow. ‘I’ve no idea why you think I plan to do Kenton bodily harm.’

  ‘Don’t you? Although it might do you some good. Or perhaps you should just quit the ballroom and take your wife somewhere more private.’

  ‘Hardly a proper suggestion, my dear.’

  She laughed. ‘I promise I won’t tease you.’ She tugged on his arm. ‘Come, we will dance and I will tell you all about Matthew. He is nearly two, and the most adorable creature alive.’

  He allowed himself to be led to the floor. He resisted the urge to look in Sarah’s direction. He feared, if he did, that he would be very much tempted to take up Violet’s suggestion and drag Sarah off to a private room where he would make her forget about any man but him.

  Sarah fixed Charles Kenton with a polite smile. He looked very elegant in a corbeau coat and black pantaloons and she should be grateful for his pleasant conversation. Except it was all she could do to keep her eyes from straying to her husband, who had left his place against the wall and now waltzed with Lady Violet Townsley.

  Not that it should matter a whit, even if the rumours were true and the beautiful Lady Townsley had once been his mistress. In fact, she should be grateful for it. At least he was no longer glowering at her as he had all evening, reminding her all too forcibly of the month in London. This time she couldn’t escape him as soon as she left the ball. No, now she was forced to go home with him.

  She felt cross and tired. She’d danced with Nicholas and once with Dev, but that dance had been so filled with tension that she had said she was tired and wanted to sit out the rest of the ball. He’d stalked off, although he’d brought her a glass of lemonade before standing up with Jessica.

  She realised Charles had asked her a question. She jerked her thoughts back, feeling rather guilty. ‘I am very sorry. I fear I was not properly attending.’

  A wry smile touched his lips. ‘I think you have other things on your mind.’ He glanced at the dancers where Lady Townsley whirled gracefully in Dev’s arms. ‘She is very happily married with a son she adores. And her husband is just in the next room.’

  ‘I see.’ Sarah flushed a little, embarrassed that her thoughts were so transparent.

  ‘I will leave you for now. I am obligated for the next dance.’ He took her hand and bowed over it. ‘And you know that if you need anything, even a sympathetic ear, I will be more than happy to be of service.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She was grateful for his kindness, but it only made her feel lonelier.

  The last notes of the waltz died away. She carefully avoided looking at the dancers as they left the floor.

  A man suddenly appeared at her side. She glanced up and froze when she saw his face.

  Cedric Blanton smiled. ‘Ah, Lady Huntington. I wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear of your injury. An accident, I believe?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said coolly.

  ‘How careless of your husband.’

  ‘It was hardly his doing.’

  ‘But he should take better care of his wife. I certainly would have not allowed anything to happen to you.’

  ‘I really do not wish to converse with you,’ Sarah said. She rose, wanting to escape him.

  He moved into her path. ‘No? Then stand up with me.’

  ‘I am not dancing.’

  ‘Then walk with me around the room.’

  Did the fact that he’d purposely tried to compromise her and that she was now married cause him no shame? Apparently not, for he was regarding her in the same annoying way he had before, and was persisting in his attentions despite her every effort to rid herself of him. She took a deep breath. ‘Mr Blanton, I do not wish to walk around the room with you, to stand up with you or to converse with you. Particularly after all that has passed between us, I consider your acquaintance most unwelcome.’

  His eyes narrowed unpleasantly and then he smiled. ‘I am sorry to hear that. However, if you do not walk with me, I will feel obliged to spread about the tale that I enjoyed a rather improper flirtation with you before your marriage.’

  She stared at him in disbelief. ‘But that is completely untrue!’

  His gaze was bland. ‘Is it? My dear, you led me on in a most shameless manner. In fact, until that last night when Huntington so disobligingly interfered, I had no doubt you meant to accept my proposal.’

  Sarah glanced around, praying that no one else could overhear him. If any such tale was spread about… She looked at him and, despite the complete revulsion she felt, she said, ‘Very well, I will walk with you.’

  ‘I think perhaps I would prefer a dance.’ His smile held triumph. ‘There is no need to worry about your arm, I promise I will not hurt you.’

  Sarah was too disgusted to answer. She allowed him to take her hand and lead her into a set, thankful he did not attempt to engage her in any sort of conversation. Not that she would have responded at any rate. She was too occupied in watching for Dev.

  ‘Sarah, whatever are you doing?’ Amelia asked in a loud whisper. She and her partner had taken their place next to Sarah and Blanton.

  ‘Dancing,’ Sarah replied distractedly.

  ‘With him? Sarah, have you run mad? Unless you want bloodshed.’

  ‘He forced me. Amelia, please can we discuss this later?’ From her cousin’s expression she feared Amelia meant to call Blanton out herself.

  To Sarah’s relief, the dance finally began with no sign of Dev. Perhaps he’d gone to the card room. She
forced her attention back to Blanton. As their hands met, he sneezed. His eyes were rather red as if he was suddenly catching a cold. However, that didn’t prevent him from fixing her with a look that was far too intimate. ‘You are exceedingly lovely tonight, my dear.’

  She would pretend not to hear him. She gave him a vague look. He leaned towards her and sneezed again. His eyes were starting to water. ‘Are you well?’ she asked.

  ‘Quite,’ he snapped. His air of bland indifference was rapidly dissipating.

  The steps of the dance parted them. If only it would end. And then, as she executed a turn, her heart nearly slammed to a halt. Dev stood near the doorway. As if drawn by a magnet, his gaze fell on her. The black look on his face was impossible to miss. As was the fact he was starting towards them. Completely thrown off balance, she lost her place and stepped into Blanton.

  ‘I beg your pardon.’ She stared at him, amazed to see his right eye was swelling. ‘Whatever is wrong?’

  He glared at her. ‘Have you a cat, Lady Huntington?’

  ‘Yes.’ Whatever did that have to do with anything?

  ‘That explains it.’ His expression held loathing. ‘I must beg your pardon, my lady, but I cannot finish this dance.’

  He stepped out of the set, nearly crashing into Dev. He stared at Dev, a look of pure fury on his face. But then he recovered himself. ‘I fear, Huntington, that you will have to issue your challenge at a more convenient time.’ He brushed past Dev, who stared after him.

  By now most of the dancers had come to a halt, although the musicians continued to play.

  Sarah stood frozen. Dev took Blanton’s place in the set. ‘I can see I arrived just in time,’ he drawled. A cool smile crossed his face, but she had no doubt he was furious. He looked at the others. ‘Please, continue.’

  He caught Sarah’s hand. ‘So, you decided to dance after all. Perhaps it only took the right partner to persuade you.’