The Rake's Vow

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Are you also doing this because you want to show my brother that you aren’t longing for him?” Celia asked.

  “No!” Granted, Loretta was still heartbroken over the broken engagement, but she wouldn’t run off to marry someone out of spite. She had to have a better reason for getting married than that. “I’m doing this to impress the Ton. This will secure my social standing.”

  “It will if the duke doesn’t run off to another country with your money.”

  Loretta’s frown deepened, and Celia finally looked contrite.

  “I’m sorry,” Celia said. “I know you’re excited about this, but I just want to prepare you for the worst in case this isn’t going to go the way you want.”

  Celia had a point. She was probably looking out for her. Who knew? If Loretta was in Celia’s position, she might think the same thing. It was easier to be objective when it was someone else who was going to do something.

  “I hope it works out the way you expect,” Celia added. “You know I only want you to be happy.”

  Loretta relaxed and smiled at her friend. “I know you do. It was why you pushed so hard for your brother to agree to marry me.”

  “It was. More than anything, I wanted us to be sisters.”

  “We could still be sisters if you marry one of my brothers.”

  Celia grimaced. “No, that would never work. Brad is too stuffy, and Stephen doesn’t know what he’s doing half the time. My heart is, and always will be, for Corin.”

  “What if Corin doesn’t feel the same way you do?”

  “He does. My brother doesn’t understand the connection we have, but he wants to be with me. I know it.”

  For Celia’s sake, Loretta hoped she was right. It was enough she had to endure a broken heart. She didn’t want Celia to suffer the same fate she had. Few things hurt as deeply as knowing the one person a lady loved wanted to be with someone else instead.

  “Would you like to go shopping?” Celia asked.

  “Oh, I can’t buy anything.”

  Especially not since her dowry was going to Tad. She chose not to add that last part in case Celia made another comment that Tad might run off with the money. Already, the notion that he might do that was causing her stomach to tense into a knot. She hadn’t considered he might do such a thing when she left his townhouse, but Celia’s warning was starting to bother her.

  “I can buy you something,” Celia offered. “My brother won’t mind. Not since he broke your heart.”

  “No. I can’t do that. It’s bad enough you had to buy my gown for the Duke of Silverton’s upcoming ball.”

  “It’s not like I won’t get something from it. You owe me a favor.”

  “Yes, I remember, and I’ll do it.”

  “I know you will. I wouldn’t trust anyone but you to do me a favor. I’m going to save it for something important. That’s why you shouldn’t think of the gown as something I’m buying. You should think of it as something you’ll pay me back for.”

  “Do you have any idea what this favor will be?” Up to now, Loretta hadn’t concerned herself with the matter, but maybe she should have before she agreed to this.

  “I do, but I don’t want to say anything about it yet. I need to make sure I have everything in place to make it work.”

  Make it work? Just what did that mean? Was Celia actively trying to manipulate something into going her way?

  Celia stood up. “Would you mind going shopping with me while I buy something?”

  Loretta had nothing else to do that day except wait for Brad to return home and let her know how the transaction went. Then she could find out if Brad thought Tad would really go through with the marriage. Brad would have a better idea of what was going to happen than Celia did. Brad was a gentleman. Who could better understand a gentleman than another one?

  With a nod, Loretta stood up. If she went shopping with Celia, then it would help pass the time, and she wouldn’t have to spend a good portion of the afternoon wondering if Celia was right.

  “I’d like to accompany you while you shop,” Loretta said.

  Celia let out an excited shriek and hugged her. “It’s a lot more fun when we can shop together!”

  For a moment, Loretta considered inviting Damara. Maybe it would be a chance to better get to know why Anthony and Lady Eloise liked her so much. But she didn’t know if she was ready to spend time with Damara. Not yet. Maybe soon she could be around Damara without involuntarily thinking of losing Anthony. Right now, though, the wounds were still too fresh.

  “Are you coming?” Celia asked from the doorway.

  Unaware that her friend had left her side, Loretta nodded and hurried to join her.

  ***

  An hour later, Tad sat in Brad’s townhouse, wondering if he was making a big mistake in agreeing to take a young lady’s dowry in exchange for marrying her and playing the role of the devoted husband. Certainly, Loretta could find a love match.

  She was attractive enough. He didn’t come across many redheads, especially those who had a tint of blonde in their hair that created a nice halo effect when the sunlight coming in through the window hit it just right. She had a smooth complexion, an adorable dimple in her chin that deepened when she wasn’t smiling, and a lovely figure. Sure, her breasts weren’t as big as what other ladies had, but she was taller than most, which meant she had nice, long legs under her dress.

  But all the physical traits aside, he’d noted the spark of determination in her eye when she wanted something badly enough. He actually found that trait more attractive than anything else. Her vision wasn’t clouded by romantic nonsense virgins were prone to. She was realistic about life. She hadn’t balked when he’d explained that theirs could never be a real marriage.

  She’d accepted the truth of it easily enough, and then she had turned around with a list of things she expected from the marriage. And since none of those required him to love her or visit her bed, he could find no logical reason to refuse the offer she was making him. Because of her, he could secure his estate without risking losing money in an investment. This would be a sure thing, and he’d be a fool not to take the offer.

  As he read through the contract Brad had drawn up, a younger gentleman came into the den. “The butler said Loretta’s getting married.” He stopped when he noticed Tad. Then he asked Brad, “Is that the gentleman she’s betrothed to?”

  Brad rose to his feet and walked around his side of the desk. “Tad, this is Stephen. He’s eighteen, but he still hasn’t learned how to handle social situations correctly. I’ll explain everything to him and leave you to read through the rest of the contract.”

  “Contract?” Stephen glanced over at Tad. “You had to make up a contract in order to get someone to marry Loretta?”

  Brad sighed and shoved his laughing brother out the door. Then he shut the door, leaving Tad alone.

  For Loretta’s sake, he hoped Stephen wouldn’t go around town telling everyone that the marriage was based on a contractual agreement. No one would believe Tad was in love with her if he did…even if the contract wasn’t much of a contract. Brad had allowed Tad twenty percent of her dowry upfront. He would give Tad the rest of it on his wedding day.

  Tad had no plans of running off with the money, but he could appreciate her brother’s concern. The dowry was a significant amount. It was enough to solve all of his problems. With one signature on the dotted line, he was going to secure his estate for the rest of his life.

  Brad had put nothing in the contract about pretending to be in love with his sister. This wasn’t surprising. Brad’s concern wouldn’t be how Loretta’s social life was doing. His main thing was whether or not his sister would have a secure future. But Tad would play the role of the devoted husband, as he had promised her. It was a small thing to do since she was saving his estate.

  He wrote his name on the contract and put it on the desk. Leaning back in the chair, he scanned the room. There were a lot of books lining the shelves, and judging by the ti
tles, Brad—or maybe even both of her brothers—loved the accumulation of knowledge. There was no one specific subject that seemed to be the focal point. In the past when he went into a gentleman’s library, the books had a theme to them. Most enjoyed biographies or histories. A few spent time with fiction. But Brad had a variety of subjects lining his shelves.

  The door opened, and Tad turned in time to see Brad coming back into the room with a chuckling Stephen trailing behind him.

  “I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” Brad told Tad as he went over to the desk. “I’m sure you have important things to do.”

  “Actually, I don’t,” Tad admitted. All he was doing was staying in his townhouse, and he had no intention of going anywhere else now that he didn’t have to take on a risky venture. “I don’t mind waiting if you and your brother need to keep talking.”

  “We’re done talking.” Brad glanced at Stephen and rolled his eyes. “Or at least, I’m done talking to him. Stephen, don’t you have anything you need to do?”

  Stephen sat next to Tad and put his feet up on the desk. “Not really.” He put his elbow on the arm of his chair and set his chin in his hand. “Are you sure you want to chain yourself to Loretta? She’s not the easiest person to get along with. She’s spoiled and selfish and rude.”

  “Stephen,” Brad barked, “I told you that you must not speak ill of Loretta.”

  “Even if it’s the truth?” Stephen asked. “We owe it to this poor gentleman to warn him just what kind of lady he’s marrying.”

  “Her personality doesn’t bother me,” Tad replied. “I don’t mind it if a lady isn’t docile. Docile ladies tend to lack excitement.”

  Stephen laughed. “If it’s excitement you’re looking for, then Loretta is the right choice. There’s nothing docile about her at all.”

  “She’s our sister,” Brad told Stephen. “Be nice.”

  “I am being nice,” Stephen argued. “I was only trying to warn our future brother-in-law what he’s about to get himself into.”

  “Loretta has her good points,” Brad said as he picked up the contract.

  “Yes, that’s true.” With a wry grin at Tad, he added, “She’s an absolute angel when she’s asleep.”

  Brad groaned but picked up the quill and dipped it into the inkwell. “You’ll have to forgive Stephen. He has a tendency to speak before he thinks.”

  “Why are you marrying her?” Stephen asked Tad, ignoring his brother. “She’s not particularly attractive, and she’s not all that pleasant to be around. Last year, we couldn’t talk any of the gentlemen into marrying her.” He glanced at Brad. “And we did our hardest to find someone. As soon as they met her, they ran the other way.” He laughed again and added, “One even screamed. Remember that, Brad?”

  Not the least bit amused, Brad glanced at Tad. “You might want to reconsider this marriage simply based on the fact that you’d be related to him.” He gestured to Stephen.

  Stephen gasped and put his hand to his chest.

  “I won’t be living with him,” Tad said. “I’ll be living with Loretta, and despite what he thinks, I don’t mind a lady with fire in her. I also happen to find her pleasing to look at.”

  Stephen stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. “Have you taken the time to actually meet her?”

  “Yes,” Tad replied. “She and your brother came to my townhouse earlier this afternoon.”

  “Did Brad do all the talking?” Stephen asked.

  “Good heavens.” Brad let out a long sigh then turned to Stephen. “He spoke with her alone for five minutes, and he came to me about wanting to marry her. He had sufficient time to find out what he’s getting himself into.”

  “Hmm…” Stephen shook his head with a bewildered expression on his face. “You think it’s possible she made a deal with the devil to accomplish this?”

  Poor Loretta. If this was what she was used to, then it was no wonder she felt like she needed to pay someone to play the devoted husband to her. Figuring he ought to do something to help her, even if she wasn’t around to see it, he leaned toward Stephen and waited for her brother to make eye contact with him.

  “Do you know who I am?” Tad asked, keeping his voice steady and low so Stephen had to concentrate to hear him.

  “Brad said you are the Duke of Lambeth,” Stephen replied.

  “Given your young age, I suppose you haven’t heard of my prowess with the ladies,” Tad said. Noting the way Brad winced, he added, “But your brother has.” When Brad didn’t speak, Tad turned back to Stephen. “I can have any lady I want. But I don’t want anyone except your sister. And do you want to know why?”

  Stephen’s eyebrows furrowed, and he glanced at Brad as if to ask him if he wanted to know.

  Not giving Brad the chance to respond, Tad continued, “Your sister is the only one who can hold her own against me. I’m not looking for a passive lady who does what she’s told without question. I’m looking for a lady who can think for herself. You do your sister a grave disservice. Just because a lady has passion, it doesn’t mean she’s a shrew. If you want docile and boring, go ahead and have your pick. There are plenty of those in London.” Deciding he’d had enough, he rose to his feet and looked at Brad. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

  It took Brad a moment before he could reply. “Uh, no. I believe we have everything settled.”

  Tad offered a nod. “Then I’ll be in church on Sunday to read the banns.”

  Without another word, he left the townhouse.

  Chapter Six

  That evening during the meal, Loretta couldn’t help but notice that Stephen kept staring at her. She tried to ignore it, choosing instead to listen to Brad as he discussed when and where they should have the wedding. Upon learning that Tad had signed a contract with Brad, she had been so relieved that it’d been easy to focus on what Brad was saying. But as the dinner wore on, Stephen began to annoy her.

  “I know you’d probably like to wear a new gown for the wedding,” Brad said as he cut into his steak. “I think, however, it might be best if you wore one of your current gowns. You have plenty in your wardrobe that would suit a wedding.”

  Forcing her gaze off of Stephen, Loretta swallowed the carrot she’d been chewing and said, “I like that idea.”

  Brad blinked as if he hadn’t expected her answer.

  “Did I say something wrong?” she asked.

  “No,” Brad quickly replied. “I just didn’t think you’d agree to it. I thought you’d want to shop for a new gown with Celia.”

  She shrugged. “I’m getting tired of shopping all the time.” Stephen gasped, and her gaze went back to him. “What is it?” she asked. “Why do you keep staring at me?”

  “Don’t mind him,” Brad told her. “He’s being contrary today.”

  “Contrary about what?” she asked, glancing from one brother to another. “About me?”

  “Well, it is odd that Brad needs to have a gentleman sign a contract in order to marry you,” Stephen said.

  Heat rose up to her face. “You told him about the agreement we made with Tad?”

  “Tad? Is that the poor groom’s name?” Stephen asked.

  “Poor groom?” she snapped.

  “Now, Loretta, don’t get upset,” Brad interrupted. “And Stephen, I order you to stop at once. This has nothing to do with you.”

  “Sure, it does,” Stephen replied. “Tad’s going to be a part of this family, and all we’re going to hear him say is how miserable she’s making him.”

  Miserable? She looked at Brad. “Did you two tell Tad I’m going to make him miserable?”

  Brad shook his head. “No. I never said anything of the sort.”

  She gestured to Stephen who was grinning slyly at her. “But he did, didn’t he? He told Tad I was going to make him miserable.”

  “If it makes you feel better,” Brad began in a voice meant to soothe her, “Tad told him that he prefers someone like you because you’re not afraid to speak your mind
.”

  “I find it hard to believe any gentleman feels that way when it comes to the lady he’s going to marry,” she replied. “I think each and every gentleman wants a wife who is pleasant at all times.” Which explained why Anthony was so quick to marry someone like Damara. If there was ever a lady who was pleasant all the time, it was her.

  “Tad said he has no interest in ladies who are pleasant all the time,” Brad said.

  “His exact term was ‘docile’,” Stephen inserted. “That’s not exactly the same thing as pleasant.”

  “Tad said that ladies who say things to please others all the time are boring,” Brad replied. When Stephen rolled his eyes, he groaned and picked up his glass of wine and finished the whole thing in one large gulp. He set the glass down and glared at his brother. “I’ve been fighting a headache ever since you came home from fox hunting.”

  Loretta turned her gaze to Stephen. “What exactly did you tell Tad? Did you say I was going to be an awful wife?”

  “Don’t encourage him,” Brad told her. “Leave the matter alone.”

  “Why should I?” she asked. “This was a conversation you two had with the gentleman I’m going to marry. I have every right to know what you told him.”

  “Tad’s happy with the arrangement,” Brad said. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Sure, you don’t,” Stephen added. “I assured Tad that you’re a perfect angel when you’re asleep, and fortunately for him, you do that for half the day.”

  She slammed her fork on the table, tears stinging her eyes. “I can’t believe you’d do that to me! I’ve been trying really hard to be a better person over the last couple of weeks.”

  “You have?” Stephen asked, his eyes wide. “I haven’t noticed any change in you.”

  She jumped up from her chair and got ready to slap him, but he bolted out of his seat and ran around the table. “How could you humiliate me like that in front of him?” A tear slid down her cheek, and she hurried to wipe it away. “Why would you do that?”