The Mischievous Bride (The Clearbrooks)

by Teresa McCarthy

  Roderick’s dark gaze glittered with unease. “Ah, you talked her into it, I presume?”

  Marcus felt uncomfortable even admitting it. “She knew it would give Jane the lift she needed.”

  “Devil take it, I feel responsible for her. I will not let anything happen to her, do you understand?”

  Marcus’s hard gaze locked with his. “I have no wish for her to be hurt either.”

  “Are you going to start your hunt for a wife?”

  Marcus bit back an oath. Being pushed into marriage didn’t sit well with him at all. But seeing the sadness in Roderick’s eyes before the man turned away, reinforced Marcus’s duty to wed and have an heir. “I won’t let you down. I will marry soon.”

  Roderick glanced over his shoulder. “I know it sounds amusing coming from my lips, but a love match—”

  Marcus threw up his hand, halting Roderick’s speech. “Jupiter and Zeus! Don’t want to hear your vows of undying love. I tried that once, thank you very much, and it did not work. I have my ideas. You have yours. Let’s leave it at that.”

  Roderick didn’t argue. He turned his head as the laughter dwindled to more serious conversation. They walked closer.

  “And Lord Knightengale, of course,” Jane replied, her voice excited. “He is at the top of the list. I can tell the way he looks at you. Then there is Lord Hughmont. He is quite the catch.”

  Roderick’s brows lifted as he shifted a serious gaze toward Marcus.

  Marcus’s expression turned grim. “A list of suitors. They have no idea what is behind our plan. Do you really think it wise?”

  “We must find the murderer. Hell’s teeth. Do you want some man lurking about, ready to snatch that little innocent at any time?”

  “No,” Marcus snapped. “I just don’t like the idea of putting Milli at risk.”

  “She won’t be at risk, not if we are there. But make no doubt about it, the man will be searching for his prey, whether we involve ourselves or not. Milli is the target. We are only setting the trap. We have too many men on his trail. We will find him, or I will die trying.”

  Marcus grimaced. “If he lays one finger on her in anger, I shall kill him.”

  Roderick looked at him thoughtfully. “Thunderation, I believe you would.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The home the duke had rented in Bath was huge.

  “Oh, Jane, we can have a magnificent ball in here.” Milli twirled about the large salon and fell onto one of the many blue and white striped settees scattered about the room. Tall white pillars stood along one wall, setting off a row of navy colored wing chairs. A green marbled fireplace took center stage accentuated by a magnificent ceiling decorated with paintings of angels. Milli inhaled the sweet scent of lemon from the freshly polished wood and smiled.

  Jane’s blue eyes lit up with laughter. “Roderick will be pleased to know you like it. Perhaps this is where you will find your prince.”

  Milli chuckled. “I believe I will find a few frogs before this is over.”

  “A few frogs and your prince, mark my words. However, I am feeling a bit tired. If you will excuse me, dearest . . .”

  “You need a nap,” the duke said huskily, stepping into the salon. He greeted Milli, then shuffled his wife upstairs. His loving gaze made a scorching imprint upon Milli’s mind.

  She fell back onto the settee and smiled. She had seen that look on the duke’s face before. He could not stay away from his duchess. Perhaps the doctors were wrong. Perhaps there would be another baby in nine months.

  Soon, all the Clearbrook siblings and their families would be residing at the Bath mansion. Milli couldn’t wait until Lizzie arrived. To Milli’s surprise, her sister had been quite excited about the husband hunting plan. Stephen also felt comfortable, as long as he had her list of suitors. Milli assumed Stephen was amiable about the decision because he would have more control over her prospects for a husband.

  She hadn’t seen Marcus for almost three weeks. The man had traveled to Bath to prepare for the family’s move and he hadn’t returned to London. Well, good riddance, she thought. If things went her way, her bedchambers would be in the left wing, and his in the right. Although she and Marcus were on speaking terms now, she wouldn’t forget what he really thought of her.

  She had loved him for so long and had dismissed his faults. He was stubborn, stuffy, and thought too much of himself. Her heart longed for him, but her mind told her she had to move on. The past weeks she had come to the conclusion that she could not wait for him forever. Life was too short.

  Besides, she wanted to start her dream of a school for young women.

  Would she have to marry to have her school? Would she have a marriage of convenience? Would it be so bad? If she could not have love, she could have companionship, could she not?

  She closed her eyes and took a much needed rest. Perhaps a marriage of convenience would work after all. At least she would have a husband who would let her do what she wanted and not tell her she was a spoiled brat.

  After fifteen minutes, Milli finally stood and looked around the room. With a smile, she began to twirl about the shiny wood floor. She curtsied to the invisible king and laughed to herself. Then she moved on to the next gentleman who wanted to dance with her.

  “La, sir, your compliments make me blush.” She lowered her lids and fell against the arm of a wing chair. “My head is spinning, and the fire is so warm. Oh, my, I declare, I find myself rather dizzy. I may never dance again—”

  “Never dance again?”

  Milli jumped at the male voice that sounded across the room.

  She peeked over the chair. Marcus?

  Her face flamed with embarrassment. “I thought you were out?” she sputtered. Why did he always have to catch her acting stupid?

  His pale silver eyes danced with amusement. “I was out, but once I opened the door, I heard the beautiful music coming from the ballroom and thought to investigate.”

  Her gaze narrowed on his towering frame. “There is no music. Stop mocking me.” She turned her back to him and folded her arms over her chest. “Just go away and leave me alone.”

  Humiliation washed over her.

  She stiffened at the sound of his boots hitting the floor, coming closer.

  Two strong hands rested on her shoulders. “Forgive me, my little princess. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. You are a delight to watch.”

  She cringed. A delightful child, she thought. “J-just go away.”

  He turned her around. “I should never have teased you. And if I am to apologize, I might as well tell you how sorry I am about the words I said to you weeks ago.”

  His tender gaze was her undoing. He knew he had to live with her in the same house the next month, so he had to apology. A few tears spilled over her lids. She looked away. “Just so you know, I am not crying over you. I have something in my eye.”

  His fingers trailed along the side of her face, sending her heart thumping.

  She batted her lashes, trying to stop the tears from leaking. He gave her a lopsided smile and offered her his handkerchief.

  She took it and dabbed at her eyes. “Thank you.” It smelled of him. A musky scent of leather and cologne.

  “You are smaller than most girls.”

  Her gray gaze glittered with defiance. “Good things come in small packages.”

  His soft laugh echoed against the walls of the large salon. He wrapped a gentle hand around her waist and took her other hand in his. “Would you do me the honor of this waltz, Miss Millicent?”

  Her jaw dropped open in shock. He took that for his answer and twirled her about the room as if they were at a grand ball. A surge of excitement flowed through her. It seemed like a dream. Her slippers skimmed along the floor as his powerful body swept her from one corner of the room to another.

  The touch of his fingers against her spine was like a whisper of heaven. He looked down at her, his silver eyes brimming with merriment. She squealed in delight when he lif
ted her off her feet and twirled her around.

  This was Marcus, the man she loved.

  After a few minutes, he lifted her to stand on the settee, so her eyes were level with his.

  She couldn’t stop smiling. “Thank you,” she said breathlessly. “That was wonderful.”

  He stared at her. “You are enchanting. Did you know that?” His velvety voice was laced with tenderness.

  Her heart drummed like thunder in a rainstorm. What was happening? The heat between them began to sizzle. His silver eyes darkened as he moved toward her.

  The next moment, he lowered his lips to hers in a shocking embrace. She instinctively wrapped her hands about his neck, kissing him back. The room began to spin as if she were still dancing.

  Her emotions whirled out of control.

  He lifted his handsome face and stared at her, his smoky gaze making it hard to look away. Her knees felt like jelly. As if he knew what was happening, he moved two strong hands to clasp her hips, steadying her in a gentle, but firm hold. The very touch of him filled her with yearning.

  “You taste sweet and innocent, of lavender and spring.” His tender words drifted to her ears, making her feel cherished and special. He smiled and bent his head, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle caress. Words failed her as the warmth of his touch melted her resolve to forget him.

  “Milli? Are you in there?”

  At the sound of Jane’s voice, Marcus jerked back. With the quickness of a cat, he pulled her onto the floor. Two dark eyes stared back at her, frowning. “I should not have done that.”

  She blinked, feeling as if he had poured a bucket of ice water onto her head. “W-what?”

  His expression turned furious as he glanced toward the hall. “Confound it, Milli. I should not have taken advantage of you. You looked so alone, dancing by yourself. I felt sorry for you.”

  Her chest tightened. Felt sorry for her? She raised her gaze. “Ah, so this is just another lesson like the one in the library?”

  With a muttered oath, he walked to the other side of the room toward the doors that opened to the gardens. He suddenly stopped and glanced over his shoulder, letting his gaze roam over her in a lazy manner. “Milli . . .”

  She drew a hand through her hair, pushing back a wayward lock and trying not to cry. “What?” she snapped.

  “Ah, there you are, dearest,” Jane said, walking into the room. “I thought you might want to take a look at those buildings for your school.” The young duchess blushed, looking rather embarrassed. “I found, I could not take a nap.”

  Milli swallowed her conflicting emotions and chuckled lightly. “I was dancing in the ballroom, preparing for all your parties. But I would love to take a look at the area.”

  There was a light in Jane’s eyes that hadn’t been there for the last month. The duke’s lovemaking no doubt. Milli glanced at Marcus who had yet to exit through the French doors. He was regarding her with a curious glint in his eyes.

  Jane saw the direction of her gaze and frowned. “Oh, Marcus, I didn’t see you.”

  “Evidently not,” he said, raising a brow Milli’s way. “However, I was wondering if you could include me in your little adventure. You mentioned a school?”

  Jane colored as she exchanged glances with Milli. “I, uh, have no idea what you are talking about.”

  “Milli?” Marcus said, stepping closer. “What’s this about a school? Your school?”

  Milli was still reeling from his kiss, a kiss he was obviously regretting. And now, he wanted to know about her school? It was her dream, not his! He would only tell her she could not do it without a husband.

  Well, she did not care what he said!

  She bit down on the back of her teeth, trying not to reveal the rage bubbling inside her. She would show him she could find a husband, and it wouldn’t be him!

  “I am going to buy some property and make it a wonderful school for young women.”

  Disapproval showed on his face. “By yourself?”

  “No, with my husband!”

  “Your h—”

  Jane stepped between them. “With her husband, Marcus. Is that not the reason we are all down here? To find Milli a respectable and loving spouse.”

  Marcus pursed his lips as he stared at Milli. “Yes, indeed. A respectable and loving husband.”

  The loving part was not lost on Milli.

  A half hour later, Milli and Jane stepped out of the duke’s sedan chair and scanned the property in the southern part of Bath.

  “That’s it, Jane.” There were three connected townhouses.

  Jane gasped. “Oh, Milli. The place is perfect. It looks like one big mansion.”

  Milli let out the breath she had been holding. “I think it’s beautiful.” She waved her hand to a row of nearby buildings. “Not only that, Jane Austen, that new female author, used to live next door. She lived in Bath around 1800 and moved around seven years later.”

  Jane’s delicate brows lifted. “Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma? The lady died a few years ago, I believe.”

  Milli wrapped her shawl tighter about her shoulders. “It is not a woman’s world, Jane. We had no notion who wrote those lovely novels until a little while ago when her name was properly identified.”

  Jane sighed. “I know, and I am thinking you will have to marry to have your dream come true. I could speak to Roderick...”

  Milli shook her head. “No, Jane. I don’t want to come between you and the duke. He does so much for me. I will figure this out without Roderick going out on a limb for me.” She paused, her gaze scanning the buildings with a critical eye.

  Jane took Milli’s hand. “Don’t worry about Roderick. We could do this together. If you want young women from Society to attend, it must be proper. If my name is attached as well as yours, it might work.”

  Milli chewed her bottom lip. “I don’t know. Let me think about it. But if this works, I will look into educating the poor as well.”

  “That will be a trial, but I am in agreement with you. All women should have some kind of education. The world would be a better place.”

  Milli’s smile was bittersweet. “It may be an impossible task. People may think I am too young to start something like this. But by teaching young women of Society about the world, they in turn, can help the less fortunate. I believe in my dream, Jane. I think, eventually, it can become something for all women, rich and poor.”

  Jane grinned. “My godmother is Agatha Appleby. She might be willing to help.”

  Milli let out a snort of laughter. “I’ve met the lady . . . and her parasol.”

  Jane snickered. “That parasol is a weapon when in her hands. Roderick stays far away from the older woman, I can tell you that. But dearest, you must let me help.”

  Milli squeezed Jane’s hand. “Very well. Let’s do this together with the duke’s blessing. You can get it, can you not?”

  Jane rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

  Milli’s delicate brows lifted. “I don’t want to ask how you would obtain his blessing, do I?”

  Jane’s blue eyes danced. “You are not a married woman, Milli. Don’t ask.”

  Milli chuckled and put her arm in Jane’s as they surveyed the property. “Come with me, my dastardly partner in crime. Let us take a closer look at the property. I hear the owner is not the most agreeable fellow.”

  Jane giggled. “Let him do his worst.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The following day, Marcus stood in the study of the Bath home and flicked back the curtain. “Hell’s bells, Roderick. People are parading past the window in their finest clothes, making sly glances toward this place as if they are hoping to see the king. I believe they are waiting for you to show yourself.”

  Roderick shrugged. “If it was up to me, never. But if we want the culprit caught, I suppose I will be taking tea, taking the waters, and taking turns watching your back.”

  Marcus let the curtain drop and plopped into the wing chair next to the
duke. “Hughmont is traveling to Bath this week, staying in a nearby townhouse. Knightengale has a place on the other side of town. Breadford told me he would be coming. Saw him at White’s a few weeks ago. Valford and Bennington are also on the list. There were more than a handful of men interested in traveling to Bath for the duchess’s festivities. It will be quite the crush. I have to wonder if the villain will show.”

  Roderick flipped another page in the book he was reading. “With Milli’s fortune at stake, he will. Mark my words.”

  Marcus scowled, thinking about Milli and the way he had left her. The female was in his blood. He didn’t like the protectiveness he felt about her. But he wasn’t about to let her get any closer. Lady Madeleine had given him a lesson he would never forget.

  “I don’t have a good feeling about this plan,” Marcus said, his mouth thinning in disapproval.

  Roderick looked up. “I don’t care for the scenario either. But someone murdered Shelby, and we must address it. That villain most likely has his eyes on our little Milli. And thunderation, I shan’t allow anyone to hurt that girl.” His hard stare drilled into Marcus’s eyes.

  Marcus sat up. “Zeus! I have no intention of hurting her. So, you can wipe that scowl off your face right now. But just so you know, I made it known at White’s that I am throwing my hat into the game.”

  “Is that the way you put it?”

  “No, but I did let it be known I have an interest in Milli. However, I did not close the net. I also spread the news that she wants to look over her prospects.”

  Roderick snapped his book closed. “That was the plan, was it not? I should have been at Whites the last few weeks, but with Jane having such a hard time, I didn’t want to leave her.”

  Marcus rubbed his hands over his face. “Stephen was not too pleased to have Milli talked about as if she were a prize to be won. But he had to go along with it. We both did.”

  Roderick leaned back in his seat and regarded Marcus with a bland expression. “He is her guardian. He should show some concern.”

  Marcus didn’t like the questioning glint that suddenly jumped into Roderick’s eyes. Did he know about Milli and him? “After all of this is over, I suppose it will be my turn to find a wife. I might as well look over the pickings while I’m here.”