The Rake's Vow

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Brad gestured for the butler to haul Stephen out of the room. “Stephen, I will deal with you later.” He rose from his chair as the butler led Stephen out.

  Loretta sniffed and grabbed the cloth napkin that had fallen from her lap and onto the floor. She wiped her eyes, but no matter how hard she willed it, the tears wouldn’t stop coming. This was awful. Just awful!

  She hadn’t even married Tad yet, and already, he was going to think the worst of her. Now he would assume Lady Eloise was justified in not wanting to keep her in the group. He might not be willing to put up a pretense of being a devoted husband anymore. He might even be as repulsed by her as Anthony had been. Anthony had thought so little of her that he’d sent Celia over to tell her that he’d married Damara. Maybe Tad was going to do something similar to her.

  She cried harder into the napkin. Was it too late for her to change? Wasn’t anyone going to give her a chance to prove she could be nice?

  Brad came over to her and brought her into his arms. “Don’t pay him any mind,” he whispered as he stroked her back.

  “Everyone but Celia hates me,” she sobbed.

  “That’s not true.”

  “Yes, it is. I have no other friends but her. Lady Eloise doesn’t like me, but she can’t find a good reason to get rid of me. At least not yet. Anthony only agreed to marry me because Celia manipulated him into it. And you’re glad to finally be rid of me.”

  Brad sighed. “Granted, you and I haven’t had the best relationship over the years, but I’ve noticed you’ve been making an effort to be a better person.”

  She pulled away from him so she could make sure he wasn’t being sarcastic. “You have?”

  He nodded and offered her an encouraging smile. “I have. You just have to give other people time to notice it, too. I think Tad is pleased with the match. He told Stephen that he likes the fact that you come out and say what you want. I don’t know what you told him when you two were talking alone in his drawing room, but whatever it was, he was satisfied with you.”

  “Really?” She dabbed the dry part of her napkin on her cheeks. “You’re not just saying that so I’ll stop crying?”

  “No, I’m not. You know how Stephen is. He speaks before he thinks.”

  “He doesn’t like me.”

  “You two have argued with each other ever since you were little. I think it’s because you two are so much alike.” He rubbed her arm. “Tad stood up for you. He didn’t let Stephen get away with talking poorly about you.”

  She studied Brad’s expression and realized he was telling her the truth. That made her feel better. “It’s important that I don’t ruin things with him.”

  “I know it is. Try not to let Stephen trouble you. Tad wasn’t listening to the things he was saying.”

  She hoped not. She hoped Tad would give her a chance to prove she could be a nice person.

  “Do you want to finish your meal?” Brad asked, his tone soothing.

  Feeling better, she nodded.

  “While you do that, I’ll have a talk with Stephen,” he said.

  As he left the room, she went back to her seat and focused on her meal, trying not to wonder what the servants must think of her and her brothers. She was sure they must gossip about them. And she was sure whatever they said about her, it couldn’t be good. The more she thought of the person she used to be, the more she wanted to change. How she hoped that her marriage might be the new start she desperately needed to turn her life around.

  ***

  That night, Tad thought he’d finally be able to get a good night’s sleep now that his estate was secure, but for some reason, sleep eluded him. He spent part of the night in bed, staring up at the ceiling, and he spent the other part pacing the floor. He wasn’t obligated to see Loretta until the first round of banns were read in church. But waiting that long to see her didn’t sit well with him.

  If Stephen hadn’t said those things to him, he probably wouldn’t even be struggling to find some level of peace with the upcoming marriage. Loretta had been honest and forthright with him. More than that, she was willing to marry him knowing full well nothing could ever come from the union.

  He should probably pay her a visit, just to make sure Stephen hadn’t told her something that might upset her. If Stephen couldn’t keep his mouth shut when he was there, then Tad doubted he’d kept it shut when she was around.

  Decision made, Tad left his townhouse as soon as he finished his morning meal. He had considered waiting until the afternoon, but he thought it would make more of a statement to Stephen if he seemed eager to see her again.

  Opting to walk to their townhouse, he took in the sights and sounds of London. Without the weight of his financial future hovering over him, he could enjoy being back. He did love London. He had always loved it. There were so many things to do a person never got bored. He wouldn’t mind staying here through the summer. Now that he would have a wife, even if it was in name only, he had someone to escort to the balls and other social activities.

  By the time he reached Loretta’s townhouse, there was a spring in his step that hadn’t been there for the longest time. He knocked on the door, unaware he was whistling until the footman opened it and greeted him.

  “I know it’s early, but is Miss Bachman available?” Tad asked.

  The footman gestured for him to enter. “I believe she’s upstairs at the moment. Have a seat in the drawing room, and I’ll see if she’s up to receiving visitors.”

  Tad thanked him then went into the drawing room. The room was empty for the moment, so he scanned it. There were several places he could sit. He wasn’t sure how close she wanted to sit to him, but if Stephen happened to pass by, it might be to her benefit if they were sitting together. So he opted to sit on the settee.

  The butler came into the room and asked what he wanted to eat and drink. Tad decided to tell the butler to bring in Loretta’s favorite items. He wasn’t particular about food or drink. He liked almost anything. But she might have her preferences.

  Shortly after the butler left, Brad came rushing into the room. Surprised by the startled expression on the gentleman’s face, Tad rose to his feet, wondering if Brad was unhappy to see him come by at such an early hour.

  “Have you changed your mind about marrying my sister?” Brad asked before Tad could greet him. “Because if you have,” he hurried to continue as he headed over to him, “I encourage you to reconsider.” When he reached him, he lowered his voice. “Granted not many people like her. She has been known to irritate a good number of them with her careless words. But she sees this marriage to you as a chance to change all of that. I honestly believe she is going to do her best to be a pleasant wife. I’m not sure what’s responsible for her change of heart, but I do believe in the sincerity of it.”

  “Your worries are for nothing,” Tad replied once Brad paused long enough to take a breath. “I have no intention of canceling our contract. I will marry your sister.”

  Brad let out an audible sigh of relief and placed his hand over his heart. “Thank goodness. You have no idea how upset she was last night after Stephen talked to her.”

  Tad had a pretty good idea of how upset she was. And just as he had suspected, Stephen hadn’t kept quiet about his views on the upcoming marriage.

  “I don’t let others dictate what I think or do,” Tad said.

  “That’s good,” Brad replied. “I know we surprised you by coming to your townhouse yesterday to propose the marriage arrangement.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t mind. I’ve had surprises that weren’t favorable, but this wasn’t one of them.”

  Indeed, finding out what his steward had done to his estate had been the one of the most unfavorable surprises Tad had ever experienced. The death of Lady Duvall had been another. But he didn’t wish to think of either one of these at the moment.

  “If I might be honest, the marriage arrangement was a welcome surprise,” Tad told Brad.

  “I can’t tell you how glad
I am to hear that,” Brad said. “This means so much to Loretta.”

  It meant a lot to him, too, but for completely different reasons. Reasons he’d rather not discuss. Given how careful Brad was with his finances, Tad didn’t want him to think he was going to be careless with the dowry he was handing over to him. Besides, Tad was going to pay attention to his money from this moment forward. No one else was going to do that for him.

  The butler came into the room with a tray holding tea and crumpets then set it on the table in front of the settee. “Is there anything you need?” he asked both gentlemen.

  Brad glanced at Tad, and Tad shook his head.

  “No, no thank you,” Brad replied.

  The butler left, and Brad turned back to Tad. “What brings you here this morning?”

  “I came to see Loretta,” Tad said. “I thought it prudent to assure her that I have every intention of marrying her.”

  “She’ll be glad you did. The poor thing was in tears last night for fear you would change your mind.”

  Catching a movement from the doorway, Tad glanced over in time to see Loretta enter the room. Yesterday, she had come into his drawing room with an air of confidence about her that had appealed to him. He wished she had entered this room the same way, but given how worried she’d been, he understood why there was a hesitation in her step. Maybe, just maybe, what he had to tell her would bring back that admirable self-confidence.

  “I apologize for coming so early in the day,” Tad began as he approached her. “It occurred to me last night that I didn’t find out when the Duke of Silverton is hosting his ball.” Noting the relief on her face, he added, “Of course, we can always take a stroll through Hyde Park if you’d like. Then people can see us together in a public place before the ball.”

  “That might be a good idea,” Brad inserted as he came over to them. “I can be a chaperone.”

  “If you wish, we could go later today when a lot of people are there,” Tad told her.

  “Oh, well, don’t you have other things you’d rather do?” she asked him. “I hear gentlemen like to go to one of the gentlemen’s clubs.”

  “Those clubs aren’t as exciting as ladies think,” Tad said.

  “I don’t know if I’d say that,” Brad argued. “I enjoy my time at White’s immensely.”

  Tad couldn’t recall ever seeing Brad at White’s. He must have been invited into the club during the past three years. Otherwise, Tad would have remembered him. But Tad was sure the old members remembered all the things he had done while he was there. Did Brad know about his reputation at White’s?

  “The Duke of Silverton’s ball is next Thursday,” Loretta said, breaking him out of his thoughts. “Lady Eloise is insistent that the Ladies of Grace members arrive promptly at nine so that everyone can see how much better our gowns are than anything else the ladies are wearing.” She glanced at Brad as he rolled his eyes. “I offered Celia a favor in return for her using her money to buy my dress.” She turned her gaze back to Tad. “I promise I won’t waste your money.”

  “How can you promise that?” Brad asked her.

  “Lady Eloise will be impressed with the fact that Tad will be my husband. I will be able to wear rags to her social engagements in the future and get away with it. This new gown will only be necessary for her father’s ball when I introduce Tad to her.”

  “I won’t make you wear rags,” Tad said.

  “No, but you don’t want her to be an extravagant spender like her friend Celia is, either,” Brad told him. “I don’t know how Celia’s brother can keep up with her lavish lifestyle.”

  “He makes risky investments,” Loretta said. “You prefer to stick with safe and predictable things. That’s why he gets more money than you.” When Brad looked at her, she hurried to add, “Not that what you’re doing is wrong. You’ve done very well with the inheritance our parents left us.”

  Brad relaxed. “I suppose Anthony doesn’t mind risk the way I do. I like to know I will lose as little as possible.”

  “I certainly don’t blame you for that,” Tad spoke up. After narrowly coming into poverty, he had no desire to lose another farthing. “I have every intention of avoiding as much risk as possible, too.”

  Brad glanced at her. “And you really can resist the urge to waste the dowry he’s getting?”

  She looked indignant. “Of course, I can. I only asked to spend a lot in the past because I had nothing to impress Lady Eloise with. But now that I’ll marry the most desirable bachelor in all of London, that won’t be an issue. Didn’t you just hear me say that I could wear rags and still be in her group?”

  Tad was glad to note her spark had returned. So that the two would stop arguing, he interrupted, “Would a walk this afternoon at Hyde Park be all right?”

  Brad paused then turned his attention to him. “Yes, of course.”

  “Good.” Tad smiled at Loretta. “I look forward to making our debut appearance together in public.” Then, just because Stephen happened to come into the room at that moment, he took her hand and kissed it. “I’ll miss you until my return.”

  Her gaze went to Stephen before going back to him. “I’ll miss you as well.”

  She was quick to pick up on his ploy. He liked that. Ladies who were dull of understanding never did appeal to him, even when he was looking for a quick dalliance. It was better that the lady he was about to spend the rest of his life with was already proving herself to be more intelligent than half the ladies in London.

  He turned to Stephen and offered him a greeting before he left the room, only recalling the refreshments the butler had brought in for him and Loretta. He almost went back to the room, but catching the bewildered tone in Stephen’s voice, he decided against it. After leaving on such a high note, it was best he leave things alone. Maybe this afternoon when he came to visit, he would stay and sip tea then.

  Chapter Seven

  That afternoon as Loretta, Tad, and Brad took their stroll through Hyde Park, Loretta did her best to describe the dynamics that were at work in Ladies of Grace.

  “Lady Eloise prides herself on having the most exclusive club in London,” she said as they rounded a corner in the path. “Her goal is to become more influential than Lady Cadwalader.”

  “Lady Cadwalader?” Tad asked. “Do people still care about her opinion?”

  Surprised by the question, she studied his expression to make sure he was serious. “She’s Lady Eloise’s biggest rival.”

  “Lady Cadwalader speaks nonsense,” Tad replied. “I’m shocked people haven’t discovered that yet.”

  “Nonsense or not, Loretta speaks the truth,” Brad spoke up. “Lady Cadwalader has the power to ruin someone’s reputation with a single word.”

  “I don’t know if she’s that influential,” Loretta said. “The Marquess of Dodsworth was rude to her in front of an entire room full of people, and his reputation hasn’t suffered for it.”

  “The Marquess of Dodsworth never had a reputation worth saving to begin with,” Brad argued.

  “Really?” Tad asked, a note of intrigue in his voice. “What kind of gentleman is he?”

  Brad chuckled. “He says whatever he wants to whoever he wants. At a ball, he told Lady Cadwalader that she worked her way up the social ladder by eating everything on her plate.”

  “That’s not what he said,” Loretta inserted. “He said the only contribution she made to society was eating everything on her dinner plate. He meant she was born into her position of wealth and influence. She didn’t work for it.”

  “Oh, I stand corrected,” Brad replied while Tad laughed.

  Loretta’s gaze went back to Tad. “Lady Eloise likes to repeat the gentleman’s words from time to time. Not because she would ever say such a thing herself to Lady Cadwalader, but she likes to remind us of why Lady Cadwalader isn’t as great as she wants us to think she is.”

  “At the ball on Thursday, should I extend a compliment or two to Lady Eloise?” Tad asked her.

&n
bsp; “Why would you do such a thing?” Brad blurted out.

  “Because I think that by paying her a compliment, I can give your sister an advantage,” Tad told him.

  “Could you really?” Loretta asked. Brad let out a loud sigh, but she ignored him. “Tad, would something like that work?”

  “Oh yes,” Tad replied. “Vain people can be easily won over by playing the game.”

  “The game?” She’d never heard of such a thing.

  He stopped in front of a bench. “Let’s have a seat.”

  She sat down, and Tad sat on one side of her while her brother sat on the other. Turning to face Tad, she encouraged, “How would you complimenting Lady Eloise benefit me?”

  “All I have to do is tell her something positive you said about her,” he replied. “What are two things you admire about her?”

  She’d never taken the time to think about it. All along, she’d been so concerned about impressing Lady Eloise that she hadn’t even thought over what she liked about her. “Oh well, let me think.”

  “She’s influential,” Brad said for her. “You’re constantly saying that reputations rise or fall based on what she says about people.”

  “Yes, that’s true,” Loretta agreed. “That’s why it would be awful if she put me out of the group.”

  “All right, so let’s say this,” Tad began. “I can tell Lady Eloise that you consider it a great honor to be in the same group with someone as respected and influential as her.”

  “How does that make me look good?” she asked.

  “Simple. You praised her respectability and influence to me. That means you’re talking well about her when she’s not around. This will make her think more favorably of you.”

  “I don’t know why you even want her approval,” Brad told her. “She’s a social snob.”

  “I know she’s a snob, but I don’t care,” Loretta replied.