“How did you know to come here?”
“I thought to surprise Sarah by buying her some new gowns and had one of the maids go to her room to find one. All of her clothing was gone. I rode to your brother’s estate in Bechingstoke where I discovered you had all come here.” Tilting his head back he seemed to study the ceiling. “I made a mess of this. I should have just left her in the country and trusted her. This is a lesson I shall not forget.” He drained his glass and rose. “If you will excuse me, I must head north and make this right with my sister and her husband.”
Quartus rose, preparing to escort the marquis to the door. “Does my father know?”
“I have not seen or spoken with the duke. As far as I’m concerned he is not in dire need of the news.”
“Very well then, I wish you safe travels.”
Once his lordship had gone, he poured himself another glass of wine. He had been more than a little shocked by what Markville had related. Without a second thought, Quartus had tarred the man. Not publically, but he had wronged the marquis just the same. It had affected how suitable he thought Markville was for Anna, but Quartus had not been correct. Had he been so eager to find fault with the man because he was in love with Anna?
During the past few days they had ridden and strolled over the countryside. They agreed on almost everything from family to politics. He had come very close to proclaiming his love for her, and he thought she loved him as well. But what if love was not enough? What if she needed a peer who could vote in the House of Lords and perform other acts on her behalf? There was also the problem, not in his or Anna’s eyes, that he could be considered a fortune hunter. He would not want the ton to think she had married someone far beneath her. Not in rank, of course, but in what he could bring to the marriage. No one would think less of her for marrying Markville, or even a wealthy earl, but a younger son might raise some brows and cause talk.
For Anna’s sake, he had to give her the choice. Present Markville to her as a better option for a husband than he was. When she picked the marquis, Quartus would go to Frank and Jenny in America and begin anew in a place where he could prove himself.
He knew where she was and it was time for him to speak.
Tossing back his glass of wine, he left the parlor and strode down the corridor to the door to the garden.
Spying her ambling along the path in Caro’s rose garden he called out, “Anna, please we must talk.”
It Takes a Hero: Chapter Ten
Quartus took Anna’s hands in his. Her fingers warmed, and a shiver at his gentle touch ran through her.
The scent of the roses perfumed the air, and the scene would have been romantic if he had not done it to keep her from coming closer.
His strong throat worked with emotion, and his sky blue eyes were sadder, more defeated than she had ever seen them. And she waited. Waited to see what loving folly would spout from the lips she so desperately wanted to kiss.
“Anna”—when he paused, she nodded encouragingly—“I love you.”
He stopped again, waiting for her to respond. “And I love you.”
“Yet, I have nothing to offer you.” He turned away for a moment as if he was unable to speak. “Not social or political connections. And after what my father did, not even a good name. Markville has everything I do not, and—”
“He may go to the devil.” She almost grinned when Quartus’s brows slammed together. “In the nicest possible way, of course.” He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, she continued, “I do not need wealth. I already have social position. Together we will gain political connections. Indeed, with your brother and Meg, we have already begun helping me.”
“But—”
Anna’s heart broke for him. No one deserved to be maligned as his father had tried to do to Quartus. “I do understand how distressing your father’s blackening of your name is. However, Lady Featherton and her friends, as well as others will not allow the lies to continue.”
“Still, you have a duty to your title, and your people.” He spoke softly, but the firmness in his tone echoed the Dukes of Somerset. Past, that was. No one could find much to like about the current holder of the title. “Markville will know how to help you run the estates and do what needs to be done.”
“To Markville, my duchy will always be secondary. His main concern is the marquisate.” Why could Quartus not understand that the only man she wanted standing beside her was him? “My love, I need a husband who will put me and my dependents first. Who is strong enough to be married to a duchess without being a duke or even a peer. Neither of us may be allowed to sit in the House of Lords, but you, if you like, may have a seat in the Commons. Together we can do what Hawksworth and Meg are doing to influence others to our causes. And I don’t care about your lack of wealth. I have never given it a thought.”
Quartus’s fingers tightened on hers, but his arms bent, allowing her to step closer to him. “Anna, I am a man. I would come to you with something to contribute, to offer to a marriage. It may not matter to you, but it does to me.”
“Oh, my darling.” Taking her hands from his she cupped his lean cheeks. “You have offered me the most important thing I sought. You have offered me your heart.”
She searched his eyes as they darkened and warmed. Finally, the lines that had marred his forehead softened, and her drew her to him. His mouth only inches away from hers. “In that case, Your Grace,” he said in a voice rich with love and desire. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“I would like nothing better, my lord.” His lips descended the short distance and melded with hers.
She molded her body to his, wanted to feel every inch of him as their tongue’s tangled in an age old dance of love.
Sometime later, he lifted his head, and Anna contented herself with placing her cheek against his hard broad chest. “Do you think I should have been the one to propose? I mean—”
“No. I have wanted to ask you to be mine for days, and I will not be cheated out of the opportunity.”
“That’s nice. I did not truly want to be the one to propose.” Slipping her hands under his jacket, she explored the contours of his back. “Would you really have stood aside for Markville?”
Quartus gave a short laugh. “I promised myself I would try.” He touched his forehead to hers. “But I prayed that you would talk me out of it.”
“You, my lord, are too noble for my own good.” She would love to stay here kissing him forever, but soon the world in the form of his brother and sister-in-law and their friends would find them, and they had better have some pertinent. “How and where are we going to wed?”
“Quickly and quietly?” His brows had drawn together again and his lips formed a thin line.
“I would like to have the ceremony in the Wharton church. That way all the local people who would like to attend may do so.”
Quartus considered her desire. It made sense. Yet the question was how to keep his father from discovering their plan. Her aunt might present a problem as well. The lady still did not like him. Yet if he could get past the ceremony, he was sure he could bring her round, given time. An idea began to take shape in his mind. “How many people know we are here at the same house party?”
Anna was quiet for several moments, her fingers tapping on his chest. “Only those who are here.” She furrowed her lovely brow. “I think that is correct.” The tapping on his chest increased. “That must be it. I came with you with your family.” Suddenly she grinned. “Clearly, there was some match making going on as my aunt was not included in the invitation.”
He thought so as well. In fact, the house party consisted of only his family and her. Thank the Fates all had fallen in place. “If I remember my geography correctly, we are about four to five days from Wharton.”
“I believe you’re right. But if we are to avoid the banns, we’d have to travel back to London for a Special License. So, that doesn’t do us any good at all.”
“Ah”—she had s
tarted biting her lips and he kissed them—“but we may obtain a regular license in York. We must pass through there in any event. The license requires us to wait seven days, but with the rest of the travel, and planning for the celebration you will want for your dependents, the wait will be short.”
“A regular license. I’ve never heard of it before, but I am sure you are correct.” She reached up and kissed him. “You see, there is a very good reason I am marrying you. Look at all the useful things you know and think of.”
Smiling, he held her against him. “The only problem is how to plan the wedding without word getting out.”
“If Meg will agree to help, we can make it all happen in a thrice.” Anna nodded decisively. “I do not care if we have a huge wedding breakfast or if the ton attends. Our close friends, the villagers, and those who rely on me are all I need.”
“Brilliant suggestion.” Quartus was loath to leave the folly, but surely he and Anna would not be left to their own devises too much longer. “Shall we announce our betrothal to the others and beg their assistance?”
Her smile was all he could have hoped for. “Yes, lets.” Then she frowned. “I really do need to find Papa. I thought he’d be here days ago. He’d be very disappointed if he missed my wedding.”
“Absolutely.” At least one of them should have a father present, and Quartus liked the older man. “We shall contrive.”
When they strolled into the morning room, it seemed as if everyone was waiting for them.
“Well?” Meg asked.
Anna laughed and he knew he had the largest grin he’d ever had. “We shall marry in Wharton.”
“An excellent choice.” Caro smiled at her husband. “A wedding for you and a new carriage for me.”
“Caro!” Anna’s eyes flew open in a wide stare. “I cannot believe you wagered on whether Quartus and I would marry.”
“Oh, no.” Her tone all innocence. “Not on whether you would wed. That would be vulgar.”
“Tell that to my aunt,” Huntley mumbled.
She continued as if he hadn’t commented. “On where it would take place. My beloved husband was certain you would wed here in all due haste.”
Quartus wanted to laugh. “Except that I was not at all certain she would agree to become my wife, and did not arrange for a special license.”
“What will you do?” Meg asked. “Certainly you’ll not wait until the banns are called.”
“That would present another difficulty as they would have to be called in both our parishes.”
“Meaning our father would receive word of the nuptials in a matter of days, if not hours,” Hawksworth said.
“Exactly what we do not want. We will stop in York and obtain a regular license from the archbishop.”
Huntley called for champagne to be served, toasts were made, then Anna sat with Caro and Meg discussing the wedding breakfast until it was time to dress for dinner.
Talk of the ceremony and celebrations continued over the meal.
“I wish my aunt could be happy about Quartus and me marrying,” Anna said to the table at large. “I fear she is allowing her bad opinion of Somerset influence her feelings about Quartus. It would be a shame for her to miss the ceremony.”
Meg scrunched up her face as she usually did when she was thinking. “I’ll write to my grandmother Featherton. I am positive that between her and the Duchess of Bridgewater they will be able to influence your aunt.”
Even with the short time he had spent with the ladies, he agreed that if anyone could change Tatiana Harrington’s mind those ladies could. “It is worth the attempt, in any case.”
Anna smiled softly at him. “Yes, it is.”
“What are we going to do with Mrs. Potter?” Quartus asked. As long as they were dealing with loose ends, they may as well take care of everything.
“Sarah asked me to keep her as my companion,” Anna said. “It seems she irritates Lord Markville, and Sarah wanted her to have a home. I assured her she would be welcome.” Anna slid a look at Quartus. “In any event, I shall want a companion on the way to Wharton. If nothing else it will raise my status when we stop along the way.”
“That is absolutely true,” Caro said. “My godmother, who is an earl’s daughter, was treated like a princess when she traveled with her servants.”
That prompted the telling of Caro’s, Huntley’s, and, her godmother, Lady Horatia’s flight from Venice.
Soon after, they all repaired to the terrace to enjoy the dry and still sunny weather.
He whispered in her ear. “Would you like to take a stroll?”
“I would love to. This might be our last chance to relax for the next few weeks.”
Slipping his arm around her waist, he turned her toward the path beyond. When they entered the wood, she turned to him. “There is something I must tell you. In fact, I should have told you before.” She took a large breath. “Several years ago, I was betrothed several years. We anticipated our vows. He died two days before the wedding. If—if you do not wish to—”
He brushed his lips gently across hers. “You are not the only one to have done so. The ton is full of seven and eight month babies. However, I believe we shall wait until our vows have been said. I would not wish to tempt Fate.”
“Yes,” she murmured. “That would be for the best. Thank you.”
“No, thank you for agreeing to be my love and my wife.” He sent up a quick prayer that his father would not hear about their nuptials until he and Anna were safely wed. Not that he believed his father would injure him, but at times his tools were not as cautious. And the thought of Anna bearing an illegitimate child, his illegitimate child, did not bear thinking of.
They ambled down the path a little farther when she stopped again. “There is one other thing,” she said chewing her lush bottom lip. “Because there have been so many ladies holding the title, it was decided that the family name should remain Whitestone. It doesn’t make much sense considering none of the duchesses used anything other than Wharton as a last name—”
Again, he stopped her with a kiss. “It makes perfect sense. I do not think the Trevor name needs to be associated with another dukedom.”
“Are you sure you do not mind?” Her eyes filled with concern.
“Absolutely. My brother, Frank changed his name when he wed the only child of a shipping owner.
What Quartus would have to do is find out if by changing his name he lost his title. His brother did not use his title, but he was living in America. Keeping the title and his rank could only help Anna. It did not seem likely, yet if so, he would simply add Whitestone to Trevor.
Early the next morning, he helped Anna into Meg’s carriage. They had decided to travel as fast as they could, considering Caro and Huntley and the others were bringing their young children with them.
“It looks as if it might rain,” Anna commented peering up at the sky. “Are you sure you wish to ride?”
The fat fluffy clouds that had been with them for the past few days had thinned out to horse tails, and were becoming darker. With luck, they’d out run any bad weather. “If it starts to rain I’ll join you in the carriage.”
“Very well.” She gave him a peck on his cheek.
Her maid handed her a traveling desk. “Thank you. As long as the ride is not too rough, I should be able to complete some of my correspondence.” Frowning slightly she looked at him. “I know Lord Markville had hopes in my direction. I trust he will not be too disappointed to discover I have found another gentleman. Perhaps I should write him a note.”
Quartus stifled a groan. There was a reason knights used to ride off with their ladies, and this must have been one of them. “Write him all you wish . . . after the ceremony.”
By then, he’d make damn sure she was thinking about him and not bloody Markville!
“Belling!” Somerset tapped his fingers against his desk. “Where the devil has that young care-for-nobody got to?”
His secretary entered the room c
almly, as if nothing was wrong. Well he’d soon find out that was not the case.
“Lord Quartus, Your Grace?”
“Yes, Lord Quartus. Who else would I want to know about? Thornfield hasn’t seen him at any of the entertainments this week. Is he ill or has he gone home just when I arranged a match for him?”
“I have been informed that he is attending a house party not far from Town, Your Grace.”
“House party, eh? Is Lady Sarah attending too?”
“Yes. My information is that she traveled with Lady Hawksworth to the party.”
“Markville’s gone out of town as well. Don’t tell me he’s at a house party.”
“I do not know that to be a fact, Your Grace.”
What the devil was wrong with these people? “Damned lot of hieing off in the middle of the Season going on.” It would be deuced odd if there were more than one house party right now. That might work to his advantage, but only if . . . “Find out if Markville’s at a house party.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
That must be the reason the marquis was not in Town. The man wouldn’t allow his sister to go off on her own.
Fate had been playing him a rotten hand lately. Somerset was due for his luck to change. Still . . . “Keep an eye on both houses, and tell me when Quartus and Lady Sarah return.”
That young couple needed to be married as soon as possible. He had plans for her property in Surrey.
“Naturally, Your Grace. I shall inform you the moment I receive word that either Lord Quartus or Lady Sarah are back in Town.”
“You may go.”
“Your Grace.”
Somerset pressed the tips of his fingers together. House parties were excellent places for young gentlemen and ladies to meet and develop the fonder feelings they wanted these days. As long as the ladies were someone else’s daughters. None of his were going to attend a house party, not even if he was there as well. As soon as Quartus was taken care of, he’d have to find a match for, Faith, his eldest daughter. She’d been upset that she had not been allowed a Season yet. Even Somerset’s duchess was not happy with his decisions about Faith. Not that he understood why the girl needed a Season when he would be choosing her husband. Then again, his wife might have a point when she argued that Faith needed to learn how to go on in Polite Society, and a Season would give her that. Perhaps his duchess was right. He’d think about letting her go in autumn for the Little Season.
Her Perfect Gentleman: A Regency Romance Anthology Page 39
