by Heather Boyd
“Tempting, but let us not have the summer end with a murder.”
“It’s been years since Becca truly had a good reason to get worked up over a man,” Rafferty chuckled evilly.
Gideon glanced at Rafferty in surprise at his use of a family nickname for Mrs. Warner. Hardly anyone did that anymore. “I don’t believe she’s entirely forgiven you for the last time you goaded her into a confrontation. What did she call you?”
“A degenerate drunkard with no sense of decency.”
“You did climb into the wrong bed in that house party, completely drunk—and naked—and refuse to wake up until morning.”
“The host gave her a softer bed than mine,” Rafferty complained.
“I’ll owe you for this if it turns out well.” He took a deep breath as Stapleton reached them at last. “All done?”
“Yes, I think that should be sufficient,” Stapleton said.
“Yes, yes. Quite a productive outing. You must reconsider my offer,” Lord James suggested.
“What offer?” Stapleton asked.
Rafferty already knew from eavesdropping, but still asked, “Yes, what offer?”
Gideon shook his head, but Lord James was only too happy to explain. “Made him a generous offer for the property. I still think I can persuade him to part with the place. What do you say, Stapleton?”
“I’d say he’s a fool to consider an offer under a hundred thousand pounds, which is what I would offer him if I ever thought he might consider a sale.”
Gideon choked. So did Lord James. It was a ridiculously high amount to suggest for his small slice of the county. “I said no. Quigley Hill is not for sale.”
Stapleton clapped a hand on his shoulder and didn’t let go. He cocked his head at Rafferty. “You lot go on. We’ll catch up with you shortly. I need to have a word with my neighbor.”
Rafferty nodded and encouraged Lord Newfield to walk ahead with him. Lord James frowned, but followed his father across the field.
Stapleton waited until they were gone before speaking. “If you needed money, you should have come to me first.”
“I have more money than I know what to do with. I did not start that conversation, nor ever would,” Gideon insisted. “I am never leaving my home just because the man thinks to buy his way into a marriage. He wants to buy Quigley Hill, but intends to pay me from Jessica’s dowry and no doubt his father’s pocket.”
Stapleton narrowed his eyes. “You realize they came to take Jessica from us?”
Gideon nodded.
“Neither man has spoken to me directly on the subject, but the marquess is dropping hints left and right. I do wish Lord James would just spit it out instead of stringing it along. I’m never giving my daughter to such a lapdog.”
Gideon sagged with relief. Jessica would not be wed to a fortune hunter. She was free, and so was he to do as his heart desired. “So you’d prefer Jessica’s suitors to get straight to the point.”
“Gods, yes. I’ve married off two daughters already. I know who’s worth encouraging and who isn’t.”
Gideon glanced at his feet briefly then back up. Now or never. “I’d like your permission to court your daughter.”
“Yes, that is exactly what I wish Lord James had done in the first place.”
Gideon frowned. “Stapleton. Your grace. I am asking for myself. I have grown fond of Jessica and would like your permission to court her.”
The duke’s brow furrowed. “You cannot mean that?”
“I am deadly serious.”
Stapleton looked around them. “This is a joke, surely. A means to amuse me.”
“I would not make the request as lightly as that. I am serious. I would like to marry Jessica, if she will have me.”
The duke stared at him a full minute, in which time Gideon gave thanks that no guns were within easy reach. The duke turned away and walked off a short distance, not toward Stapleton, however. He was walking deeper into Quigley Hill.
Gideon watched him go, assuming he needed time to gather his thoughts. He would return soon, so Gideon waited nervously for his response.
He did not wait long. The duke rushed toward him, bristling with indignation. “Let me understand you. You ask today if you can court my youngest daughter. A girl you have known her whole life.”
“Yes.”
“When you waved her goodbye in January, did you know you would offer for her after her season?”
“No. I had no intention of doing so.”
“No intention of doing so then.” The duke advanced another step. “But you did think about her in that fashion, without the intention of offering for her.”
He shook his head. “I always believed Jessica would end the season a married woman. I thought I would not see her again before that day came.”
“So as soon as she returned, unmarried or betrothed, you…what? Suddenly decided you were done being a bachelor and had to have her?” The duke poked him in the chest. “I trusted you!”
“I never overstepped my bounds while she was not out.”
“But afterward, after the expense of her presentation and an unsuccessful season, you have?”
“I kissed her, and so it is only right that I act like a gentleman and make my interest known to her father.”
“Where did you kiss her?”
“In the garden.”
The duke balled his hands into fists. “And what did my daughter do to make you think you had the right to kiss her?”
“Jessica did nothing wrong.”
“Forgive me if I do not agree. Jessica never caused me trouble before you came along.”
Gideon gritted his teeth. “I have been here all along, soothing her childish tantrums, explaining matters she didn’t understand when you were too busy to give her your time. I took away the bottle you intended to drown yourself in when your wife died,” he added for good measure. “She’d never been kissed before.”
The duke snorted and shook his head. “So of course, she accepted her lessons from good old Uncle Giddy without a word of complaint.”
Gideon clenched his hands at his sides now. Nothing Stapleton said was anything Gideon hadn’t already thought about himself in the past day. “You make it sound like I forced myself on her! I certainly did nothing to harm her.”
If Stapleton knew the truth, that it was Gideon who was pursued for kisses, he might be more understanding. The duke adored his youngest and would not like to hear that truth.
Stapleton blinked, drawing back. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to imply that you were like him.”
Gideon controlled his temper. Being compared to his father was the highest insult. Stapleton had known his father, and the brutish nature he’d hidden behind closed doors from almost everyone. “Accepted.”
Stapleton shook his head. “No. You may not court my daughter.”
When he gave no further explanation, Gideon reeled back a step, even though he’d expected that answer on some level. He was without a title, without a great fortune to his name.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Well, then. Thank you for hearing me out.”
“We’ll just forget the matter,” Stapleton announced.
“Of course.” He bowed his head to hide his dismay and gestured for Stapleton to leave.
The duke, however, stood his ground. “You are coming for luncheon, aren’t you?”
Gideon looked up slowly. “I did not imagine you would still want me there.”
The duke scowled. “Don’t be so dramatic. As you said, it was only a kiss. Easily forgotten, and already forgiven.”
Not so easy to forget for Gideon.
And now the real torture would begin—invited to visit her home but not allowed to pursue the object of his affection. Stapleton couldn’t have picked a better punishment if he’d chosen one deliberately.
Reluctantly, he fell into step with the duke, and they soon caught up with Lord Rafferty, Lord Newberry, and Lord James. Rafferty tried to catch his eye, bu
t Gideon looked away each time. He didn’t want to see the pity he might find in Rafferty’s eyes.
On the grounds of Stapleton’s great estate, he spied Jessica returning to the house. She glanced his way several times but didn’t change her direction. He was glad she stayed away. He’d no idea what to say to her after his talk with her father.
The duke decided to continue on his walk, away from the manor. Gideon declined to join them, so did Rafferty, claiming fatigue. Gideon’s heart was too heavy right now. He didn’t know what to do.
The only good thing to come out of today was the knowledge that when Lord James did eventually ask for Jessica’s hand in marriage, he’d be turned down.
Gideon headed inside to the boot room and left his muddy boots to be taken care of by one of Stapleton Manors many servants. Then he dashed up the nearest staircase and into the guest bedroom he’d been assigned to for the duration of his stay.
He closed the door and swore softly under his breath, certain this was going to be the hardest day of his life. Now that he’d finally spoken of his interest, he didn’t look forward to the future. A future alone, a bachelor for life, seemed an unsettling idea now.
When he glanced across the room, he spied a sealed letter on his pillow. He reached for it, noting there was nothing written on the outside to give away the contents or who might be sending him missives here.
When he pried off the blue wax seal, Jessica’s elegant penmanship on the papers jumped out at him. He folded it quickly and pushed it under the pillow without reading a word.
He flopped back on the bed and put an arm over his eyes. He should have known Stapleton wouldn’t let his daughter marry just anyone who dared ask. The duke was much too protective. Slow to change, also. It had taken Stapleton a good long while to marry a second time.
Gideon sat up slowly, eyes wide. Stapleton might just need time to become used to the idea that he was interested in Jessica. He’d said no to a formal courtship, but that did not mean he could not assure Jessica that he was genuinely interested in marrying her.
Stapleton had been difficult over Fanny’s late husband, too. He’d made Lord Rivers, a wealthy peer, jump through a great many unnecessary hoops before finally giving his blessing to the marriage. Lord Rivers had never complained—and Rivers had never given up, either.
Gideon nodded. He would do well to follow that example.
Jessica paced the long gallery, fretting that Gideon might not see her letter in time.
But as the long gallery door emitted a soft groan, she realized she should have had more faith. Gideon slipped into the room. When he shut it just as quietly, her pulse began to race.
“Giddy.”
She moved toward him, a little uncertain, truth be told. Last night, she’d been with him, enjoyed his kisses so much that she’d been thinking of him all day. The way he’d touched her; she wanted more of that. But she wasn’t certain he did too.
He grinned as he came closer. “How was your morning?”
“Quite productive. Mother agrees the village girls could benefit from having instruction. Mrs. Beck will move into my cottage with her boys tomorrow. Lessons will begin as soon as she is settled in. I even managed to find a position for that farmhand’s sister. Twice a week, Miss Sweet will clean and do laundry for the new school and Mrs. Beck.”
He grinned. “You did all that in one morning.”
“Not just me alone.” She closed the distance between them and laid her hands on his chest. “Having Mrs. Beck restart the old school was originally your idea. I offered up my cottage and Mama approved the funding. Papa had already agreed to that last night.”
“We make a good team, don’t we?” He smiled, warming her all. “The note you left on my bed could have gotten you in trouble. Why did you want to see me? Was it just to tell me what you’ve done for Mrs. Beck?”
“No.” She swallowed. “I just couldn’t wait to be alone with you again.”
When he cupped her cheek in his palm Jessica leaned into the touch.
“Don’t risk your reputation over me. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”
Relief filled her. “Good.”
Gideon lowered his head the remaining distance and at last kissed Jessica the way she had been dreaming about all day. Jessica wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him tightly. Gideon did not hold back his passion today. He held her close, and allowed the kiss to continue until she was growing hot and very bothered.
Jessica pushed at him, forcing him against a wall. She brought her hands up to tangle in his hair, loving that she could touch him, and that he seemed to like her doing so.
He wet his lips. “We have to stop.”
“Why?”
“Luncheon will be announced soon. We are expected to sit down with everyone shortly.”
She pouted and caressed his ear. “I don’t want to go. I like this.”
“I do too, but I will not have your reputation called into question.”
She understood his concern, even if she didn’t like it. “It’s not fair.”
“No, it is not. Patience.”
She tried not to smile. He would be just down the hall tonight. If he would not meet her in the garden, the other option was to visit his room. “Patience, and then we might do other things together tonight.”
He kissed her lips. “We have to slow down, but no matter what you hear, remember, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I.” She met his gaze again. “Giddy, who do you imagine my husband might be?”
“I never liked to speculate before.” He pressed his lips to her brow and peppered kisses over her skin. He drew back too soon. “I hope he will be the man who already loves you very much,” he whispered.
A nervous laugh escaped her, and she wound her arms tightly around his neck. She hugged him, and he responded by lifting her feet from the floor and twirling her about in a circle.
“I can tell that pleases you but,” he set her back down to earth to look into her eyes, “I fear your father will begin to talk of taking you back to London to continue your season soon.”
“Why?”
He traced her jaw with his fingers and she shivered all over. “So you might meet more eligible men.”
“Oh? What? No!” There was no one more eligible to be her husband than her Gideon.
“Jess,” he said carefully. “I am much older than you.”
“That’s obvious.”
He sighed and released her. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have a title, either, which has long been a requirement of your father’s.”
She set her hands to her hips. “I don’t care about that.”
“But your father does, and you could, too. I would hate for you to become bitter like Mrs. Warner one day, reminding everyone every moment of every day that she’s a duke’s daughter. She married beneath her, even if her husband had funds enough to make him acceptable.”
Jessica shook her head. “That is not actually why she is bitter. It’s my fault, sort of. She hates that I’m the favorite.” Jessica stared at him as her words sank in. “You are handsome and kind, you make me laugh. You are someone I could grow old with.”
His brow crinkled. “I’m already old.”
Jessica loved to shock Gideon. She grasped the lapels of his coat urgently. “Then we should waste no more time. We should elope.”
Gideon’s eyes widened in shock, and he stumbled away from her. “Absolutely not!”
“Why not?”
Gideon paced away a few steps and then turned. “Because if we eloped, your new mother could not attend your wedding and your father might never speak to either of us again.”
“Oh.” The appeal of an elopement died instantly. “Having my parents at our wedding was something I was looking forward to.”
“Never suggest eloping again,” he warned.
“Yes, Giddy,” she murmured in a tone she hoped conveyed agreement. However, she would not rule out r
eturning to the subject at a later time.
“Do not be concerned, I’m not in my dotage yet,” he promised, and his grin was decidedly wicked.
“No, you are not.” She grinned at him. He seemed very lively when she was in his arms. “Now, where were we?”
He frowned at that. “What do you mean?”
She sauntered forward, adding a little sway to her hips. “I’m old enough to know what I want, and that, my dear sir, is more of you.”
Gideon backed up a step. “We should discuss a plan for the next few days.”
Jessica smiled in triumph as he collided with another wall. “We’ll manage to see each other without anyone suspecting, the way we did at Christmas.”
She placed both hands on the wall either side of Gideon’s shoulders, preventing his escape. He tugged at the cravat around his neck as if he were too warm. “We’ll be on our best behavior until Lord Newfield and Lord James leave. If only we could send Mrs. Warner away, too.”
“Oh, Rebecca will not be a problem. She might even be a help,” she suggested. Jessica pulled his head down and kissed him until it was time to join everyone for luncheon.
Chapter 16
With the issue of her future husband decided upon, Jessica smiled much too much. Her sister suggested she moderate her expression so that Lord James was not encouraged by mistake. Her mother smiled indulgently, and Father asked if she was feeling at all well.
Gideon merely watched from afar, his cravat slightly askew from her earlier handling of him and a knowing smile hovering on his very kissable lips.
Being married to him would be lovely. The more time they spent alone together, the more Jessica’s imagination and hopes soared for the future. She’d had the talk from seven people after all, so she knew what to expect and, combined with her new experiences kissing Gideon, she nearly couldn’t sit still.
She ached where she perhaps ought not to. She had the most incredible urge to cross the room and perch herself on Gideon’s lap. She hadn’t done that since, well…it must be years now. Although she was sure that, once on Gideon’s lap, she would behave in a different manner than she ever had as a child.
