The Rake's Vow

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “It doesn’t matter what she’s like,” Tad told him. “What matters is that your sister benefits from knowing her.”

  “Well, I suppose that’s true,” Brad relented.

  “It is. In London, who you know can establish or ruin your reputation,” Tad replied.

  So Tad did understand why she needed to do everything possible to please Lady Eloise. That would make things a lot easier at the ball when it came time to introduce him to her.

  “Besides my friend, Celia,” she told Tad, “no one else understands why it’s so important I make a good impression with Lady Eloise. Anyone who can impress her will be set for the rest of their lives.” She ignored her brother as he shook his head. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me with this,” she added, returning her attention to Tad.

  “You’re helping me out, too,” Tad replied, giving her a smile that let her know he meant it. “I think this marriage will be beneficial to both of us.”

  “I think so, too.” Which proved she had made the right decision when she convinced Brad to proposition Tad for marriage.

  “At least you two seem to be getting along better than some couples I’ve known,” Brad spoke up.

  “Yes,” Tad agreed. “I think Loretta and I will get along splendidly.” He smiled at her. “We’ll make sure Lady Eloise only has good things to say about you.”

  She returned his smile. Finally, everything she wanted was about to come true. Celia had been wrong, and so had Stephen. Tad wasn’t going to run off with her dowry. He was going to marry her. From this point forward, she wouldn’t have to worry about Lady Eloise throwing her out of Ladies of Grace. From this point forward, her reputation would be secure.

  ***

  The evening of the Duke of Silverton’s ball came, and Loretta quietly sat at her vanity while her lady’s maid worked on her hair. No matter how hard she tried, her gaze kept going to the gown Celia had given her. It was expensive. Much more so than she had expected. Her brother would have gone into a fit of rage if he had spent this kind of money on a gown. Just how much jewelry had Celia sold in order to afford it?

  Celia hadn’t delivered the gown. She’d had one of her servants do it, but she had written a note to let Loretta know that she would see her at the ball. You’ll look wonderful in it, Celia had written. The other gentlemen will wish they had gotten to you before the Duke of Lambeth did.

  It was nice of Celia to offer such a kind sentiment, but Loretta knew full well that none of the gentlemen would notice her. Not that it mattered. She didn’t care if they even glanced in her direction. What mattered was that everyone knew she and Tad were together. So while she might be wearing an extravagant gown meant to drop jaws, the real attraction was going to be the gentleman escorting her. With her brother to chaperone, of course. Bless his heart. Brad wouldn’t allow the possibility of a scandal touch her. She supposed he did love her after all.

  “You’re ready, Miss Bachman.”

  Blinking, Loretta brought her attention to her lady’s maid.

  “I’m all done,” Miranda said. “Unless there’s something else you need me to do.”

  Loretta’s gaze went back to the mirror. “No, there’s nothing else. You did a wonderful job. Thank you.” Noting the way Miranda’s eyes widened, she asked, “Did I say something wrong?”

  Miranda’s shock soon gave way to a smile. “No. I was just thinking that it was nice of you to thank me.”

  As Miranda went to open the door to the bedchamber, Loretta stood up, once more looking at the gown that was much too beautiful for her to wear. What if she got dirt on it? What if she was careless and spilled punch on it? So many things could happen to a gown this spectacular.

  “Oh good, you’re finally ready,” Brad called out from the hallway.

  “I think when you see her, you’ll admit the wait was worth it,” Miranda told him then glanced her way in expectation.

  Loretta took a deep breath, once again wondering if she dared to leave the townhouse in such an extravagant gown.

  “What’s keeping you so long?” Brad asked, still in the hallway and out of her view.

  “I’m afraid to walk in this thing,” she admitted. “I’ve never worn a gown that’s suited for a queen.”

  He came from the hallway and paused as soon as he saw her. “Good heavens! Just how much did that thing cost?”

  “I have no idea.” Nor did she think she wanted to know. She just might faint if she did.

  He shook his head, frowning. “I can’t imagine that Anthony was happy to learn his sister spent so much on someone he isn’t going to marry.”

  “He didn’t spend any money on it. Celia sold jewelry in order to buy it.”

  “Jewelry? Just how much jewelry can a lady possibly own in order to afford something like that?” Brad’s frown deepened. “Anthony spends way too much money on his sister. There is no excusing his carelessness. I don’t care how much money he makes with his risky investments. He’s asking for trouble by letting her get so many things.”

  “I’m well aware of how you feel.” They’d discussed this way too often, and she didn’t feel like hearing it tonight.

  “You better be careful when making deals with her. She might require your firstborn for something that expensive.”

  Despite her apprehension about wearing the dress, she chuckled. “Oh, don’t be silly. She wouldn’t ask for my firstborn.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure.”

  “She’s my friend, Brad. She wouldn’t ask me to do anything I can’t, in all good conscience, do.”

  “I hope you’re right.” He extended his arm to her. “Tad’s waiting in the drawing room. If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the time Lady Eloise’s expecting you and everyone else in your group to arrive.”

  Forcing aside her fear that she was going to ruin the gown through some horrible mishap, she accepted her brother’s arm and let him take her to the drawing room. As soon as they entered the room, Tad turned from the window and faced them.

  Loretta’s breath caught in her throat. He was marvelously dressed, but even so, his clothes faded in comparison with his masculine beauty. Between her gown and the way he looked, Lady Eloise just might swoon when she saw them. This was better than she imagined. There was no doubt about it. This was going to be the best evening of her life!

  “I’m sorry I kept you waiting for as long as I did,” Loretta told him. “This gown required a lot more work than I thought it would.” She turned and gestured to the many buttons in the back. “My lady’s maid had to use a hook to get them in.”

  “It was a waste of money,” Brad said.

  Loretta sighed. Could her brother stop complaining about how much things cost? He hadn’t even paid for it, and she was the one who was going to redeem the cost by doing whatever Celia asked of her in the future. How many times did she have to explain this to him?

  Tad smiled. “This particular evening is a special occasion. For one, we will be announcing our betrothal publicly before Lady Eloise’s exclusive group. Two, Lady Eloise was insistent every member of her group wear only the best, which,” he scanned her gown, “Loretta’s done. Third, after this, Loretta said she would watch how much she spends on clothes. A gentleman can’t begrudge a lady the right to have the very best on such an important evening.”

  Loretta had to pinch herself to make sure she hadn’t imagined everything Tad had just told her brother. No wonder he had been a notorious rake in the past. Everything he said and did would win over any lady. More than that, however, she noticed he had not only remembered what she’d told him, but he took her at her word. He believed her. Besides Celia, no one had ever trusted her to follow through with what she said.

  “This isn’t the only time I can wear this gown,” she spoke up. “I can wear it at the wedding.”

  “It would be lovely if you did,” Tad replied. “You’re pleasing to look at already, but the gown brings out everything that’s beautiful about you.”

  If she
hadn’t been afraid of damaging the gown, she might have fallen over in shock at his compliment. Yes, he certainly had a way of making a lady weak in the knees.

  “I thought Lady Eloise was insistent that no lady in her group ever wear the same gown twice if it was a gown she’d worn already to one of her social engagements,” Brad said.

  “It can’t be the exact same gown,” Loretta explained. “I can make modifications.” When Brad didn’t seem convinced, she added, “I’ve already done that with the other gowns I’ve worn to her social engagements. Sometimes I have them changed to a different color. Sometimes I have the maid take off or add new designs to them. Sometimes I have portions of the gown modified so it doesn’t have the exact same look it did before.”

  “Do you really?” Brad asked.

  “Yes. I’ve told you this many times.” Though she was struggling not to give away her frustration, she was having a hard time keeping calm. “You never listen to me.”

  “Try not to let any of this ruin your evening,” Tad told her. “I’m sure your brother has had other things on his mind. It’s not easy to run an estate.”

  “He’s right,” Brad agreed. “It’s not. I have a lot to think about. Money doesn’t come out of nothing. It takes hard work and time to save it.”

  Tad turned to her. “I know you won’t be one of those wives who spends too much money.”

  “Thank you.” Really, he had no idea just how much she appreciated the fact that he put so much trust in her. “I won’t disappoint you.”

  “All right,” Brad said. “We should get going so we don’t upset Lady Eloise by showing up at the wrong time.”

  Oh right! For a moment, she’d forgotten all about Lady Eloise. Brad headed for the doorway, and she accepted Tad’s arm and let him escort her out of the room.

  Chapter Eight

  It’d been a long time since Tad last attended a ball, but the thrill of being surrounded by people who were enjoying themselves was a very welcome sensation. He’d missed the social scene in London. There was so much to do and so many people to talk to that one could never get bored.

  “Lady Eloise is over there,” Loretta whispered to him from the entrance of the ballroom.

  Picking up on the apprehension in her voice, he placed his hand on the small of her back, hoping to relieve some of her anxiety. “You have nothing to worry about. I know exactly what to say.”

  “I’ll leave you two to impress her,” Brad told them before he disappeared into the crowd.

  Loretta offered him an apologetic smile. “My brother doesn’t like her at all.”

  He figured as much by everything Brad had already said about her. “That’s all right. We can handle this without him.”

  As he led her through the room, he noted the people who looked their way. While he was sure a few of them were surprised to see him after all this time, he suspected most were in awe of Loretta’s gown. He could tell the gown was expensive. No doubt the others were thinking the same thing. And most people in London were impressed with such an elaborate display of wealth.

  “It seems like Lady Eloise knows how to make people envious,” he told Loretta. “It’s no wonder she’s so influential.”

  “Now you know why I need to stay in her group,” Loretta replied. “She doesn’t let just anyone in. It’s hard to become a part of it.”

  “Well, we’ll make sure your position in the group is secure. You’ll never have to worry about it again.” It was the least he could do for her since she saved him from poverty.

  A few feet shy of reaching Lady Eloise, two ladies came up to them, and noting the way Loretta’s steps slowed, he paused.

  “They’re in the group,” Loretta whispered.

  “I told you I saw them together at Hyde Park,” one lady was telling the other as they reached them. Then with a smile, the lady curtsied, and the other lady followed suit.

  Tad and Loretta offered a greeting in return.

  Loretta turned to Tad. “Your Grace, I’d like you to meet Lady Stacey and Miss Webb.” Her gaze went to them. “I’m sure you recognize the Duke of Lambeth.”

  “We most certainly do,” Lady Stacey replied. “I thought I saw you two at Hyde Park last week, but you were too far away for me to call out a greeting.”

  “That’s unfortunate,” Tad said. “My betrothed and I would have been pleased to talk to you.”

  Lady Stacey and Miss Webb shot each other a look that indicated they were shocked to hear he and Loretta were to be married but were too polite to come out and say it.

  “Does Lady Eloise know of your betrothal yet?” Lady Stacey asked Loretta.

  “Not yet,” Loretta replied. “I thought this evening would be the best time to make the announcement.”

  “Your timing is perfect,” Miss Webb said. “Lady Eloise has just asked us to bring all members of the group to her.”

  Tad smiled. “Then we shouldn’t disappoint her.”

  “Lady Eloise will be thrilled,” Lady Stacey said and then led the way to Lady Eloise.

  Lady Eloise was surrounded by a group of ladies who were all just as eloquently dressed as Loretta. Tad could only guess how much money had been spent on all of those gowns. He could certainly understand Brad’s disdain for the group. It seemed like a waste to spend so much on clothes that they were only expected to wear once. Thankfully, Loretta wasn’t the type who would discard her own gown once the evening was over. For that, Tad was grateful. He’d hate to go into this marriage thinking he was going to save his estate to only find out he wasn’t.

  When they reached Lady Eloise, she stopped talking and faced him and Loretta, her eyes growing wide.

  “Lady Eloise,” Loretta spoke up then gestured to him, “I’d like to introduce you to the Duke of Lambeth.” She cleared her throat. “We will be married in a couple of weeks.”

  “I’d haul her off to Gretna Green tonight if I thought she’d come with me,” Tad added. “But she insists on doing everything respectably, so I am forced to wait. The waiting part is difficult, but she’s worth it.”

  The other ladies remained quiet around them for a long moment, probably because they couldn’t believe it, but then Lady Eloise said, “What a wonderful development. Loretta, how long have you been keeping him a secret?”

  “Actually, we met last autumn,” Tad answered for Loretta. “I was in love with her as soon as I saw her, but given my reputation, she wasn’t sure my motives were sincere. She is virtuous in all things, and I had to prove myself worthy of her.”

  “Last autumn?” Lady Eloise glanced at Loretta then back to him. “But she was betrothed to Lord Worsley at the time.”

  Loretta had been engaged before? Not sure how she wanted to explain it away to the group, he glanced at her.

  “Yes, I was betrothed to him,” Loretta began. “But as I thought over it, I realized I couldn’t go through with the marriage. I sent my regrets to Lord Worsley on the day he left for the country. I thought it would be better to marry a gentleman who hadn’t been involved in any scandals, but my heart compelled me to be with the only one I could ever love.”

  Tad, figuring it was his turn to talk, took her hand and kissed it. “And I’ll never give you any reason to regret choosing me over him.”

  A couple of the ladies sighed in awe, and another lady stepped over to Loretta. “It’s true. I knew all about it, but I didn’t want to say anything because Loretta didn’t want to risk her standing in this group. We all remember how greatly esteemed my brother was.”

  “Yes, that is true,” Lady Eloise agreed. “Lord Worsley was a desirable bachelor at that time. But then, you are a desirable bachelor as well, Your Grace. Or at least, you were before Loretta accepted your proposal.”

  Deciding this was the right moment to feed into her ego, Tad said, “Your group is greatly envied in the Ton. It will be an honor to be the husband of one of its members.”

  As he hoped, Lady Eloise smiled in pleasure. “We strive to be the very best.”

&
nbsp; “You’re doing an excellent job of it, my lady,” he told her.

  Lady Eloise’s smile widened. “You’ll notice my father hosts better balls than anyone else does.” She gestured to the large room. “The room has been redecorated for this evening. The punch is an original recipe by the best chef in London. The musicians will be playing a couple of pieces that have been composed just for this evening. There are other small details my father tended to in order to make this evening memorable as well, but it would be tiresome to list them all.” She chuckled. “Anyone can have a ball, but only my father can host something this wonderful.”

  “It most certainly is the best ball I’ve been to,” he replied.

  There was no doubt her father had spared no expense on the evening. He was sure many people were dying of envy…figuratively speaking of course. Few gentlemen could afford anything so grand. Three years ago, that would have bothered him. He would have wanted to be able to throw something this extravagant. Now, however, he was just relieved his estate was secure. He couldn’t see ever spending a significant amount of money with the sole intent of impressing other people again, even if it did make him envied in the Ton.

  Deciding to end the conversation on a high note, he told Lady Eloise, “Loretta was right when she said it is a great honor to be in the same group with someone as respected and influential as you.”

  Lady Eloise glanced at Loretta in pleasure. If she didn’t think well of Loretta before, she certainly would now.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to dance with my betrothed,” he told the group before he led Loretta toward the dance floor. Once they were out of hearing range, he asked Loretta, “What do you think? Was that good, or should I have done something else?”

  “What you did was perfect,” Loretta replied. “I couldn’t have done it better myself. You really do have a gift for charming people.”

  “It comes with years of telling people what they want to hear.”

  “Is that your secret?”