‘You look beautiful,’ Andrew said. ‘I took you at your word and the horses are waiting, my love.’
‘Thank you.’ Mariah bestowed a smile on him. It was an age since they had ridden together and it brought back memories of a time when they were young and she’d given her untried heart to a dashing young officer who had gone off to fight for his country without a backward glance. ‘You are an attractive man, Andrew—even more than when you first joined the army. People will say we make a handsome couple.’
‘Will they?’ He gave her an odd look. ‘You know that many will think me a crafty devil—that I covet your fortune like so many others?’
‘I shall pay them no heed,’ she replied and threw him a look filled with mischief. ‘I have not yet discovered just why you wish to marry me, Andrew, but I acquit you of being mercenary.’
‘Thank you,’ he said and made a wry face. ‘It was one of the reasons I held back, you know. There was a time when for various reasons I was a little short of the readies. It was not something that affected my estate; merely a temporary overdraft on my bank, which I was able to settle by selling some land I did not need.’
‘I am glad to hear it. Should you be in any difficulty, I dare say I could advance you something, Andrew.’
‘There is not the least need, I assure you. I have already told Justin that I shall be settling a sum of money on you as well as making a generous endowment should you be left a widow before we have children.’
‘Please do not speak of it,’ she said and shivered. ‘I am wealthy enough, Justin. I do not need money. I need a husband who will give me children and a family life.’
The grooms had their horses waiting as they went into the courtyard. They stood waiting respectfully. Andrew put Mariah up and then mounted himself without assistance. They moved off, their horses’ hooves clattering on the cobbles, the grooms following at a discreet distance.
Mariah realised that the grooms would not be the only ones watching over their lord and his fiancée, because Andrew would take no chances. He might speak of his intentions should the worst happen, but he would do all he could to prevent it.
‘I am glad to hear it,’ Andrew said in reply to her earlier comment. ‘Though you will forgive me if I say that I hope we shall have some time to enjoy each other’s company before the first child arrives. We shall go to Scotland for a few days after the wedding, as we discussed, but I want to take you to Spain, Mariah. I know you have travelled, but I think it was mostly Italy and France, am I not right?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she said and looked at him with interest. ‘Winston spoke of Spain and Greece. His health would not allow it, as you know—but I think I should enjoy an extensive honeymoon before we return to your home.’
‘I believe you will enjoy Spain. It may appeal to the adventurous side in you, Mariah, for there are many parts that have not yet been discovered by those of our acquaintance who enjoy Rome, Venice and Paris. Of course you must buy some clothes in Paris, should you wish it.’
‘I have more clothes than any woman could possibly wear,’ she said. ‘The difficulty will be in deciding which I should take with us and which should be sent to Lanchester Park for our homecoming.’
Andrew laughed. ‘You have been thoroughly indulged, have you not? I shall have hard work of it to impress you, Mariah. What may I give you as a present that you would truly like?’
‘There are other ways to impress me,’ she said, giving him a naughty smile that any red-blooded man could not fail to interpret. ‘I loved the ring and collar of emeralds you gave me, Andrew—but all I truly need is to be your wife and to be appreciated for what I am.’
‘And what is that, Mariah?’ he quizzed with an arch look. ‘I must confess that I have puzzled over you for many a day. I believe I am coming to know you a little better. You like to tease and flirt, I know that—but I believe you show only a little of yourself to the public gaze. As your husband I should wish to know more of the real you.’
‘We shall learn to know each other,’ she said, glancing away from his searching gaze, which made her heart behave so oddly. ‘It is a perfect day for a gallop, Andrew. Shall we race for a time?’
‘Yes, if you wish it,’ he said. ‘I shall give you a start, for your horse will not keep pace with mine, I think.’
‘Will she not?’ Mariah laughed and tossed her head. ‘If that is true, you have found your wedding gift, Andrew—a horse that will match yours.’
‘But could you ride it?’
‘You must try me and see,’ she replied and gave her horse a little flick with her heels. Her mare responded and she raced away, bending forwards over its neck in an effort to outpace him.
For a time she managed it, but gradually he caught and matched her, but did not seek to pass. Instead, they rode side by side, the wind in their hair, riding swiftly but well within the capability of both, until at last they stopped in consideration of the horses and the grooms who could not hope to keep up with their pace.
‘Well?’ Mariah looked at him, a challenge in her eyes. ‘Should I match you if I had a horse of your quality?’
‘I dare say you would outpace me,’ he said, and his face was alight with laughter and something more, which she thought was desire. ‘You have your wedding gift, Mariah. You shall have a horse the equal or superior to mine.’
‘Now that is something I shall anticipate with pleasure,’ she said. ‘I believe there may be much to look forward to in our marriage, Andrew.’
‘I shall try not to disappoint you, my love.’
She laughed and shook her head at him, but would not be drawn, merely giving him a look that might mean anything. Now that they were on easier terms she delighted in their banter; knowing that she could bring that fierce, hot look to his eyes was truly pleasing.
* * *
Within a very short time, they had arrived at Andrew’s estate. Once they reached the front of the beautiful house, with its graceful portico and Ionic columns of gleaming white, he dismounted, coming round to assist her so that she slid down into his arms. He held her for a moment and her breathing quickened, her mouth opening slightly as if to invite his kiss. However, grooms had come running to take their horses and the housekeeper was hastily assembling servants to greet them at the door. Mariah knew them all by name, because she had visited so often in the past and there were seldom changes amongst the staff, except for the occasional new maid. However, there was a new respect in their faces as she was welcomed to what would be her home in future.
‘We were all so happy to hear the news, milady,’ Crawford, Andrew’s butler, told her. ‘Everyone will welcome you as the new mistress at Lanchester Park.’
‘Thank you. I shall be very happy to be the mistress here, and you may tell Mrs Crawford that I shall not interfere with her arrangements. Any adjustments may be made gradually after some consultation between us.’
‘I have no doubt that she will be pleased to make any changes you require, my lady. She has gone out this morning or she would have been here to greet you. One of the maids is ill and she went to visit her at her family home, my lord.’
‘Quite right, too,’ Andrew said. ‘This is just an informal visit, Crawford. You may dismiss the staff. We shall wander around the house ourselves—and you may serve a light nuncheon at half past twelve, if you will.’
‘Certainly, my lord.’ Crawford nodded and ushered the servants back into the house, where they soon dispersed.
‘Well, where shall we start?’ Andrew asked as they stood in the hall and looked at the imposing staircase leading to the landing above. ‘You are familiar with the public rooms, of course.’
‘Show me the best guest suite first and then your apartments,’ Mariah said. ‘I believe we can discuss the other apartments at leisure, but we should settle where we are to be private, Andrew.’
‘It is the most important,’ he agreed. ‘The best guest suite is in the west wing. Shall we?’ He offered her his arm and they walked up the wide st
aircase together, turning to the right at the top.
‘Do you have a valet?’ Mariah asked. ‘I do not believe I have ever seen him.’
‘I have not bothered to employ one,’ Andrew said. ‘In the army I had a batman, of course, but unfortunately he was killed in an accident just before I resigned my commission. I should have offered Parker the position, but in the circumstances I decided to manage without a valet. Crawford has made it a part of his duties to care for my clothes and assist me when I need it.’
‘You should employ a man before we marry,’ Mariah said. ‘You cannot take Crawford away from his duties here and you will need someone when we are travelling.’
‘It has been in my mind. I shall send for a man who once served with me under Wellington. I believe Manson might enjoy the position. He was my sergeant for a while, but we lost contact. I heard recently that he had suffered the loss of an eye, which may make it difficult for him to find work elsewhere.’
Mariah glanced at him, then nodded, a smile on her lips. ‘I approve of that notion, Andrew. One should always do what one can for others less fortunate and, if he was an army man, you will find him useful in a crisis.’
‘Yes, I imagine so,’ he said, looking at her oddly. ‘I thought you might think me foolishly romantic to think of offering the post to a man with only one eye.’ He quirked an eyebrow at her.
‘It should not affect his work. Besides, you have servants enough to assist him in his duties should he need it.’
‘I doubt Manson would need help because he happened to lack the use of one eye.’ His expression made Mariah raise her brows at him. ‘I had not thought you would take an interest in the welfare of those less fortunate, Mariah.’
‘Had you not?’ Mariah refused to let his remark hurt her. It seemed to show once more that he thought her either selfish or heedless of others. ‘Then you do not know me, Andrew. In the past I have consulted Justin about my charitable trusts, but when we are married you may like to help me. I am on the board of two trusts, one for the alleviation of poor women and their children, and another that works to find men, who have become disabled through accident or warfare, some kind of work they can reasonably do. We give them money to help them learn a trade or to buy tools so that they can set up a small business.’
Andrew’s gaze narrowed. ‘Why have you never told me any of this before?’
Mariah shrugged carelessly. ‘Do you not think it boring to be forever prating of one’s good deeds? I find that those who do so are usually less charitable than those who keep their own counsel.’
‘In that I must agree with you,’ he said and looked thoughtful. ‘How many more secrets have you kept from me, Mariah?’
‘Oh, hundreds.’ She laughed and pouted at him. ‘You should not ask, Andrew. Do you not find a certain mystery tantalising?’
‘You are a wicked tease, Mariah.’ He stopped outside a pair of double doors and then moved forwards to throw them open. ‘This is the suite we offer to our most prestigious guests—but perhaps you would prefer that we should use it?’
Mariah moved into the first room, which was a rather lovely sitting room, adorned with furniture in the latest style; of satinwood, inlaid with fruitwoods and strung with ebony, the elegant chairs, desks and cabinets gave the apartment a light and airy feel, especially with the deep colours of crimson, gold and grey in the decor. She looked approvingly at the fittings and then moved into the first bedroom, glancing out at a view of the formal gardens, then went through the dressing room into an even larger room, which had similar furnishings, but a decor of cream, gold and rich blue.
‘I can see that these rooms have been done recently and the decor is excellent. However, I should like to see your apartments before making a decision.’
‘Yes, of course. You must do just as you wish. It will be my pleasure to please you.’
Mariah turned and saw his eyes intent on her. He was clearly interested in seeing her reaction to his home.
‘Did you consult Mr Adam when refurbishing these rooms?’ she asked as they left the west wing after peeping into various guest rooms, none of which quite matched the luxury of the apartments Andrew had had refurbished. ‘I think the furniture is in his style.’
‘No, I merely instructed a London company to come here and refurbish the suite in the style of Mr Adam. I think they did well enough, though I have wondered if perhaps the rooms are a touch impersonal?’
‘Yes, but that can easily be changed with a few small changes. When one has one’s own things about one, everything is more comfortable, do you not think so?’
‘In the army we became used to having few personal possessions. You may think the way I live spartan, Mariah.’
‘Well, we shall see.’ Mariah laughed. They had progressed through the house and were now standing outside a pair of imposing mahogany doors. The wood gleamed with polish and the door handles were gleaming brass, but there was a different feeling as Andrew pushed opened the doors and invited her to enter.
The sitting room was furnished with a solid mahogany bookcase, also a pretty French cabinet made of fruitwood inlaid with patterns of flowers and ribbon stringing. Inside its glass panels a collection of Chinese porcelain was shown to advantage. There was a selection of comfortable but rather worn-looking chairs, a desk set with oddments of writing paraphernalia, an elegant elbow chair and a couple of wine tables with fluted edges. The colours in the curtains seemed to be dark but indistinguishable, as if they had faded into a muddy shade with age.
Choosing the door to the far left of the facing wall, Mariah found herself in a very pretty room, which had obviously belonged to Andrew’s mother. It had been cleaned recently and smelled of lavender and beeswax. Here the decor was of various shades of lilac and blue, which were charming, but not the colours Mariah preferred. She discovered that the view looked out towards a wide stretch of lawn with graceful old trees and in the distance she could see what could only be the lake.
The furniture was good, but belonged to an earlier age and would need to be changed. However, the room was of good proportions and with the right decor and some of her own furniture, which she would have brought here, it would be comfortable. She walked through into what was clearly a lady’s boudoir; it smelled faintly of perfume and was furnished in the French style in shades of cream and rose. From there she progressed into a gentleman’s dressing room, which was exceedingly neat, everything tucked away into various chests of drawers and a heavy-looking tallboy.
She hesitated at the next door, for it could lead nowhere but Andrew’s bedroom. Her stomach clenched and she glanced back at him. He nodded and she opened the door and went through. Immediately, she smelled the familiar scent of cedar with an underlying tone of leather that reminded her instantly of his scent. Her eyes went to the bed, which was huge, the imposing headboard in the style of Mr Chippendale. All the furniture was dark mahogany, but beautifully made with such style and charm that Mariah knew instinctively why Andrew had not bothered to change anything here. It was just right for a man of his character, solid and useful without being intrusive.
She turned to look at him, a smile on her lips. ‘Yes, I think these rooms will do well, Andrew. I should wish to refurbish my room and change the soft furnishings in the sitting room—but very little needs to change here, I think.’
‘I found it comfortable, though perhaps the curtains and soft furnishings could be replaced—would that be enough for you?’
‘Yes, of course, but you must have it as you wish, Andrew. It is your room.’
‘I was hoping you might be a regular visitor here?’
Something in his tone made her heart race. She raised her eyes to his as he moved closer, her lips parting in anticipation as he encircled her waist with one arm, bringing her body close to his. Smiling, she waited for his kiss, her mouth soft and responsive as his lips touched hers. A little shudder ran through him and he deepened his kiss, his tongue probing and exploring, touching hers as she responded, her bo
dy melting into him. Her hands moved at his nape, her fingers reaching into his hair, making little circling movements as she indulged her senses.
‘Mariah,’ he said huskily against her hair, ‘seeing you here—it is what I have thought of so often. I have dreamed of you here in my bed. I want you so much, my dearest.’
‘Andrew,’ she whispered, gazing up at him, an unconscious invitation in her eyes. ‘I long to be yours in all the ways a woman belongs to a man. Do we need to wait until the wedding?’ A little gurgle of laughter left her as she saw the hot need in him and felt the response of his manhood as he held her pressed close to his body. ‘I am very ready to be yours—now, if you wish it?’
‘Temptress,’ he muttered, his mouth against her white throat. His teeth nibbled at her skin and his hands slid down to cup her buttocks, pressing her closer so that she could feel his hardness and sense his urgent need. ‘I am almost minded to take you at your word.’
‘Why not?’ she asked. ‘We shall soon be wed, Andrew.’
‘Yes, thank God. I’m not sure how much longer I can wait to have you.’ His hands moved; his right hand caressed her breast through the silk of her gown, the other moving up the arch of her back to stroke the skin at her nape. He pressed his lips to the soft skin of her throat, licking at her delicately. ‘You are so beautiful, Mariah. So many men have wanted you. I do not need to know how many lovers you have had since Winston died, but you must give me your word there will be no more, for I could not bear it if you were unfaithful to me. I shall not hold you here if you wish to travel later, when our children are born, but you must promise that you will not take lovers.’
‘Would it truly matter to you?’ she asked, giving him a teasing smile that hid her desperate need to know his true feelings for her. ‘Surely you are not jealous, Andrew?’
The Scandalous Lord Lanchester Page 15
