The Marquis and I

by Ella Quinn

  “I am surprised Merton is not hovering over you.”

  “He would be if I let him.” Grinning, she shook her head. “As it is, I have had to promise not to tire myself, not to ride horseback, not to go anywhere without two footmen in attendance, and to only dance with him.”

  “Only dance with him?” Charlotte whooped with laughter. “The poor man. He would probably carry you everywhere if he could.”

  “I absolutely forbid you to give him any ideas,” Dotty said sternly. “He is quite capable of doing that himself.”

  Still laughing, Charlotte glanced at the mantel clock. “We had better join the others, or he will come looking for you.”

  “You’re most likely right.” Dotty rose, a smile tilting her lips. “He is carrying this a bit too far, but I love him for it.”

  Linking arms, they left the music room. “I think he was extraordinarily lucky to have found you.”

  “And I him.” Dotty squeezed Charlotte’s arm. “I have faith you will find the love of your life as well.”

  “I hope you are right.”

  When they arrived in the drawing room, Matt was already pouring glasses of champagne and lemonade and handing them around. “There you are. We were about to come find you.” He gave goblets to her and Dotty as Merton slid his arm around his wife. Matt held up his glass. “To our family and the next generation.”

  Charlotte held up her goblet as well. She could not be more pleased for her friend, but at the same time, wondered when she’d be able to celebrate her pregnancy. Yet first, she needed a husband. The right husband, which was turning out to be more problematic than she had thought it would be at the beginning of the Season.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Con arrived at Stanwood House at ten o’clock the next morning. He was not looking forward to the drubbing he was certain to receive from Charlotte, and slowed his steps going up the stairs to the front door.

  He was a little surprised when the door was not immediately opened, as it had been previously, and he’d had to ply the knocker. He was also not pleased that a younger footman was in charge of taking his hat, gloves, and cane. Where the devil was the butler?

  “I have come to see Lady Charlotte.”

  “Follow me, my lord. The family is in the garden for the wedding.”

  Wedding?

  To the best of his knowledge, Charlotte was the only young lady of marriageable age not already wed. Had Harrington returned with a special license? He could go to the devil it he had. He could not have her. Charlotte was Con’s, and it was about time she knew it. “I can find my way.”

  “As you wish, my lord. Go straight down the corridor.”

  “Thank you.”

  He must put an end to this wedding before it was too late. Rushing down the corridor, he looked to his right, and spied open French windows in a parlor. A large group of people were gathered just beyond the terrace.

  Con prayed he was in time to stop her. Halt the wedding. Hell, what sort of man asks permission of his father to marry someone like Charlotte? Not one she needs.

  The Fates had given her to him and no one was going to take her away. Even if the time to object had passed, he would make himself known. She was his.

  Dashing through the room, he arrived in the garden in time to hear Worthington say, “If there is anyone who objects to this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  Worthington? Con almost skidded to a stop.

  A ringing of high pitched, childish giggles answered. Charlotte stood off to the side next to her elder sister and another lady with black hair. A smile was on her lovely face as she gazed forward.

  What looked to be all of the servants were gathered as well. A long table was set up with an assortment of food and lemonade.

  What the devil was going on?

  “Very well. I now pronounce you . . .” Worthington glanced down. “Husband and wife.”

  “Matt,” a young girl in an outrageous hat said, “do they not have to say their vows?”

  This was greeted by more giggles and some laughter.

  Worthington blinked once, slowly. “Madeline, they are dogs. They do not know how to say the vows.”

  Con edged around the crowd to see exactly who or what was in front of Worthington and, to Con’s amazement, the two Great Danes, dressed in what could only be described as wedding finery, stood before his friend. Although, the smaller Dane appeared to be trying to eat her bonnet.

  Lady Worthington whispered something to Charlotte and her eyes began to twinkle as she nodded at whatever was said.

  He, on the other hand, felt like a fool, even if he was the only one who’d thought a real wedding was taking place.

  “Can we eat now?” the smaller of two boys asked.

  “May we and, yes, we may,” Lady Worthington said. “Mind you don’t give the dogs too many treats. It will make them sick.”

  The children were the first to move en masse to the table. The servants melted back into the house, and a tall man escorting Mrs. Addison approached him.

  “Good day, my lord. I am Mr. Addison. I’ve heard a great deal about you from my wife.”

  Con bowed. “A pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Addison, and to meet you, Mr. Addison.”

  She curtseyed. “I take it you have come to see Lady Charlotte. I shall fetch her for you.”

  “Thank you.” Turning to the lady’s husband, Con said, “I hope what you have heard does me—” Something pulled on Con’s jacket, and he looked down at two pairs of blue eyes, one summer-sky blue, the same color as Charlotte’s, and the other pair, more of a cobalt, were identical to Worthington’s. “I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure of an introduction.”

  The girls glanced at Mr. Addison, who said, “Ah, Lady Theodora”—the dark haired girl curtseyed—“and Lady Mary”—the younger girl curtseyed as well—“allow me to introduce the Marquis of Kenilworth.”

  The one identified as Lady Theodora peered up at him as if trying to decide if he was welcome. “What are you doing here?”

  “He has come to see me.” Charlotte arrived just in time to stop what promised to be a budding interrogation.

  “Er, yes. Excuse me for interrupting a family event, but I thought we might have a small discussion.”

  She glanced down at the younger girls, then to where the rest of the family and guests were gathered. “I cannot at the moment. However, you may join us if you wish, and we shall speak later.”

  He summoned a smile. “I would be delighted.” A few of the other children began to notice him, and he thought about changing his mind. Still, if he wanted her to wed him . . . How bad could it be? They were only children, after all.

  He held his arm out, waiting for Charlotte to place her hand on it. Instead a much smaller, younger hand gripped his sleeve. “Thank you.” Lady Mary gave him a brilliant smile. “Are you here to court Charlotte?”

  Before he could fashion an answer, his other arm was appropriated by Lady Theodora. “She is the last one left to get married this Season. So we thought you might be.”

  He heard a choking sound, and Charlotte’s face took on a rosy hue.

  “I, er, I, well as a matter of fact, I am indeed.” That wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. “I understand that your dogs just wed.” Lady Mary nodded her head several times. “May I ask why?”

  “So they can have puppies,” Lady Theodora answered.

  He glanced at the “bride” and was able for the first time to see her slightly rounded stomach. “Yes, of course. Very understandable.”

  Con slid a look at Charlotte. She’d worn a pale yellow gown that reminded him of the early daffodils at his estate. Her golden hair was done in a knot fastened just above her neck. Spiraling curls framed her face, and at the mention of puppies the rosy color in her face deepened. He could easily, almost too easily, imagine her with a swollen stomach, carrying his child.

  He had agreed to marry her. Indeed, he would demand she wed him. Out of duty at fi
rst, but his feelings for her seemed to be growing. At least his regard for her was increasing. That was an unlooked-for pleasure.

  He had arrived at the refreshment table, the two girls still with him. They released his arms and took plates from a stack at one end of the table.

  “Grace said this would be like a picnic, so we have to pick our own food,” Theodora informed him.

  Taking a plate for himself, he bent slightly and addressed both girls. “Perhaps you can advise me.”

  “The lemon cakes and cheese,” Mary responded firmly.

  “I like the cream tarts and the cheese,” Theodora said.

  “Hmm, is there something special about the cheese?”

  “Yes.” Mary grinned. “We make it at our home in the country. It’s the best cheese in the world.”

  “In that case, I must try a taste.” He bit off a piece. It was, indeed, one of the best cheeses he had tasted in a while, rich and sharp with a crumbly texture. “Excellent.”

  “We told you it would be.” Theodora guided him to a selection of meats.

  Pleased to have made it this far, he searched for Charlotte and found her at the end of the table. However, before he could move to join her, three girls, somewhat older than Mary and Theodora, with the extraordinary hats, joined him.

  “What lovely bonnets. I do not believe I’ve seen anything like them before.”

  The girls preened. “Thank you,” they said in unison. “We made them ourselves.”

  He looked around again in a vain hope that another adult would be nearby, but they were all gathered near the table. Well, as they say, in for a penny, in for a pound. “Forgive my boldness, my ladies, but I do not see anyone who can perform an introduction. I am Lord Kenilworth.”

  The girls curtseyed.

  “I am Lady Alice Carpenter.” She pointed to the girl next to her. Another one with dark hair and the Worthington eyes. “This is my sister Lady Madeline Vivers, and this”—indicating the third girl with blond hair and Charlotte’s eyes—“is my twin sister, Lady Eleanor Carpenter. We are twelve and when we are eighteen, we shall make our come out.”

  Lady Madeline and Lady Eleanor nodded in confirmation, and Con made a decision to keep Charlotte in the country that year. On the other hand, Worthington might insist everyone be in Town to help keep an eye on them. “A pleasure to meet you, ladies.”

  * * *

  Dotty took Charlotte’s arm as she ambled after her sisters and Lord Kenilworth.

  “I see he is well in hand.”

  “Theo and Mary will take good care of him. The fun will begin when the twins and Madeline decide it’s their turn to meet the visitor.”

  “I think you’re about to see what will happen.”

  Charlotte glanced in the direction her friend was gazing to see the girls had taken over from Theo and Mary and wondered what the result of his conversation with his mistress was. Yet she was equally curious as to how he would handle being around the children. Her family meant everything to her, and whoever she married must love them as well.

  She chewed her bottom lip. “He wishes to speak with me.”

  “Of course he does.” Dotty pulled Charlotte to a halt. “Do not tell me you are concerned about what he may say?”

  “Partly.” She tugged her friend’s arm and began walking again. “Truth be told, I do not wish to have been wrong.”

  “No,” Dotty murmured. “Though, I shall own myself surprised if you are.” They hung back from the table, allowing everyone else to make their selections. “It is more than that, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t understand,” Charlotte said, wondering what her friend was getting at.

  “The way his gaze travels to you and the way you continue to glance at him . . . Do you like him, Char? Perhaps more than you are willing to admit at present?”

  Maybe she did. Yet, he still had to prove himself before she would allow this to go any further. “Do you remember the night you and Merton became betrothed?”

  “I could hardly forget it.” Dotty laughed lightly.

  “You were not really happy about it. Then you and he went off together and—”

  “And he kissed me.” A dreamy look appeared on her face. “After that, I did not mind at all being betrothed to him. I had not realized how much I truly liked him until that kiss.”

  “I don’t want that to happen to me.” They’d taken a few sweets and some cheese from the table and strolled back to the arbor against the wall at the back of the garden. “You had already begun to show him how wrongheaded he was. If I am to fall in love with Lord Kenilworth, I must have some assurances that he is able to change his behavior as well.” She rubbed her right temple, trying to forestall the ache threatening to come on. If only he had not turned out to be the gentleman at the theater, she would have fewer doubts. She might even be happy about the engagement.

  Still, she must deal with what she had. “Do you understand?”

  “Completely,” Dotty assured her. “And I agree. If he is not all you want, then you should not marry him. Provided you can think of a way to jilt him without creating a scandal.”

  That is what it all came down to. A scandal. Although neither Matt nor Grace had said anything, they did not seem to think much about Charlotte’s idea to forestall the wedding indefinitely. “Thank you. It’s good to know that my family and my friends will accept my decision.”

  Dotty grinned, and they started walking back to the festivities. “That is what friends and family are for. Now, fortify yourself with some of your cook’s excellent lemon cake, then talk to Lord Kenilworth. I am certain everything will be fine.”

  “I shall.” Charlotte prayed her friend was right. She could not put off the conversation much longer.

  When they returned, his lordship was surrounded by the rest of her brothers and sisters. There was nothing unusual about that. They were curious children and the twins and Madeline would try to extract as much information as possible from him.

  Her brothers would care for nothing more than what types of horses and carriages Lord Kenilworth owned and if he was a member of the Four Horse Club. Being admitted to that famous driving club was now both Phillip’s and Walter’s primary goal. Augusta would want to know if he had traveled to Europe and, if so, what he had seen.

  As if he could sense her presence, Lord Kenilworth swiveled his head toward her. His green eyes seemed lighter than the last time she had seen them. Today they were the color of newly furled beech leaves. Did they only resemble grass when he was angry?

  “Do you see what I mean?” Dotty asked. “Even surrounded by the children, he sees you.”

  Charlotte quickened her step. “I must have some more lemon cake and a cup of tea.”

  “Of course you must.” Her friend gave her an enigmatic smile. “Yet, you cannot continue to put off the discussion indefinitely.”

  In fact, not more than a half hour later, he managed to escape her brothers and sisters, approaching her as she was removing Daisy’s finery. “I would have thought she’d had eaten all of the flowers by now.”

  “She only sampled them. Apparently they do not taste as good as they smell.” Daisy sniffed at a rose and sneezed. “Thankfully. Otherwise she would have an upset stomach.”

  “Your brothers and sisters are delightful.”

  “I agree.” Charlotte pulled the last of the lace from around the Dane’s neck. “We have been very fortunate that everyone gets along.”

  “Your twin sisters and the other girl seem to have formed a unique bond.” He stroked Daisy’s head and she leaned against him.

  At least he liked dogs. “They have. It is not surprising. They are all very close in age. Madeline’s birthday is only a week away from the twins’, and they have a great deal in common.”

  “Such as bonnets?” He grinned.

  “Yes, and fashion in general.” Charlotte gave him a slight smile. “They can be very silly at times, but they are good girls and will grow out of it.”

  “Te
ll me about the others.”

  Charlotte wondered if he was truly interested or if his query was simply a way to make conversation that did not touch on their differences. “Walter, the oldest boy present, has formed a friendship with Augusta. It appears they both love maps and languages. I’m afraid Augusta will be a bit lost when Walter goes away to school.”

  “I understand he is to join your other brother Stanwood at Eton.”

  Charlotte wondered if Lord Kenilworth had asked or if one of the children had told him. “Yes, this autumn. The younger ones, Mary, Theo, and Phillip, spend a great deal of time together. The girls are almost inseparable. Phillip divides his time between them and doing things boys enjoy with Walter and Matt.”

  “How much longer will he be at home?”

  “Only another year. Grace doesn’t think the boys should be sent away at too early an age, but Matt says it is helpful for a boy to have a brother at school as well, so she agreed.”

  “An older brother was not something either Worthington or I had,” Kenilworth noted, sounding a bit sad about it.

  Family seemed to be a safe subject at the moment. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”

  “I have three sisters. All of whom are several years older than I.” Lord Kenilworth grimaced. “I’m sorry to say I do not have much experience with a large family. By the time I was ready to attend school, my youngest sister was having her first Season. I do remember the attendant drama,” he added drily.

  Charlotte couldn’t help but to laugh. “I think there is always some of that.”

  “Your brothers and sisters are charming.” His mien became sober and he raised a brow that she supposed was meant to intimidate. “However, they do not appear to know about our betrothal.”

  That was direct. Yet, based on her short history with him, she should have expected him to get straight to the point. “No. They do not. Matt and Grace have left it up to me when to tell them.”

  “And when exactly will that be?” His tone became tighter, almost irritated.