Convenient Proposal to the Lady Read online

  He’d be able to save that talent for use on other women. Somehow, the thought didn’t cheer her.

  At that moment, the gentleman walked in, each coming over to claim his respective lady. ‘You are right—she is fascinating,’ Maggie told Ben after giving her husband a kiss.

  Tawny claimed Alyssa’s hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles in a gesture that sent a shiver down her body. Flashing him a frown of warning, to which he responded with an unrepentant wink, she pulled her hand free—with more reluctance than she should have.

  ‘Didn’t I tell you?’ he said to Maggie. ‘She’s unique.’

  ‘She is indeed! Alyssa has been relating to us the circumstances behind your engagement,’ Maggie informed Ben. ‘Faith and I agree that we should put it about that Lady Alyssa has known you for some time, but, after your persistent wooing, found her feelings transformed from friendship to love.’

  ‘The persistent lover?’ Ben said with a grin. ‘I like that role.’

  Maggie turned a penetrating gaze on them—as if she could feel the sensual connection between them Alyssa was trying so hard to ignore. ‘I don’t think you’ll have the least difficulty playing it.’

  Alyssa feared he’d be all too good at that as well.

  ‘Father, did Ben tell you about his intended’s amazing talent?’ Maggie said as Lord Witlow walked over to usher them towards the ladies by the hearth. ‘She does watercolours of British birds, which are to be published in a volume similar to Mr Audubon’s Birds of America.’

  ‘Indeed? No, he didn’t tell me. Congratulations, Lady Alyssa. You must have a superior talent! I hope you’ll do us the honour of showing us your work.’

  ‘She is wonderfully adept,’ Lady Aldermont said, looking fondly at her daughter.

  ‘So, when is the wedding to be, young man?’ Lady Sayleford asked Ben. ‘All that political discussion is well enough, but we ladies prefer to concentrate on domestic issues.’

  ‘As soon as the solicitor has the legal documents prepared,’ Ben replied. ‘I’ve already obtained a special licence.’

  ‘You must allow me to give the wedding breakfast,’ Lady Sayleford said. ‘No, Anne, I insist!’ the Countess added as Alyssa’s mother protested. ‘You didn’t open Aldermont Place and it’s not fitting that the fête be held at the groom’s house, since I expect the happy couple will repair there after the ceremony. They should have some privacy! I shall very much enjoy launching them. Of course, I can then vouch for their devotion, should any...rumours surface.’

  ‘Rumours?’ Lady Aldermont said faintly.

  ‘I’ve already acquainted Lady Lyndlington and the Duchess with the circumstances, Mama,’ Alyssa said. ‘Though I wasn’t aware Lady Sayleford knew of them.’

  ‘If anything happens to anyone in society, Aunt Lilly will find out,’ Maggie said. ‘She has more sources of information than every newspaper in London combined.’

  ‘Nothing I’d like better than giving a check to young men whose behaviour isn’t as it should be,’ Lady Sayleford said. ‘You’ll let me know the date for the wedding, so I can make my plans?’

  ‘That would be most generous,’ Lady Aldermont said.

  ‘It would be, Lady Sayleford,’ Alyssa said, feeling a sense of panic as the once-distant event suddenly loomed closer. ‘But please, only something simple.’

  ‘It will be just our small group of friends and family,’ Lady Sayleford said. ‘I would invite your father, too,’ she added, turning to Tawny, ‘but he’s presently out of London.’

  If she weren’t so preoccupied by her own worries, Alyssa might have asked Ben how he felt about including the man who’d played so little part in his life. She knew her own father wouldn’t bother to attend, even if he were in London, and was glad to know he was permanently out of her life.

  ‘What of your mother, Ben?’ Alyssa asked. ‘Don’t you wish her to be present?’

  After an awkward silence, Ben said stiffly, ‘She isn’t received, Alyssa.’

  Before she could retrieve herself from that faux pas, Ben continued, ‘In any event, she never leaves the country.’

  ‘It’s a momentous achievement, getting this lad to the altar,’ Lady Sayleford said, smoothly changing the subject. ‘An event well worth celebrating—no matter how it came about.’

  Forcing a smile, Alyssa tried to calm the flutters in her stomach. Yes, she was getting the dynamic Ben Tawny to the altar. How was she going to handle what came after?

  The happy couple will repair to the groom’s house...they should have some privacy.

  All her attention focused on obtaining her bequest and the freedom it would allow her, Alyssa hadn’t thought much about the wedding, except as a detail she must accomplish before leaving London to begin her work.

  She’d like to do so as soon after the event as possible, but it would look odd in the extreme were she to depart immediately after the ceremony.

  But spending the night...alone together. Just her and Ben Tawny?

  He’d promised not to beguile her. But simply standing silently beside her, doing nothing more than gazing at her with those intense green eyes, his whole body radiated a masculinity potent as a siren’s song, luring her towards shipwreck on the dangerous rocks of her own desire.

  Could she keep herself from succumbing to the temptation he posed?

  Chapter Eleven

  Three days later, Ben Tawny stood beside Christopher Lattimar in the front parlour of Lady Sayleford’s town house, waiting for the guests to arrive for the wedding. After much consultation between Lady Aldermont and the Dowager Countess, it had been decided that the ceremony would be officiated over by the rector of Lady Sayleford’s parish church, with both the wedding and the reception held at her home.

  After which, the newlyweds would depart for Ben’s town house on Queen Street. And he would have to work in earnest on the promise not to beguile her.

  It wasn’t going to be easy.

  He had seen little of Alyssa the last several days, even having to visit the solicitor on his own after Lady Aldermont begged him to excuse her daughter so that they might finish the shopping necessary to complete her trousseau. He smiled, recalling the eye-roll Alyssa had given him behind her mother’s back, but she was obviously too fond of her mama to deny her the delight of fulfilling what that lady saw as her obligation to see her daughter properly outfitted.

  They’d dined in company each evening, once at Lady Sayleford’s, so that the ladies could review the Countess’s plans for the wedding, and then again at Maggie’s. With her mother accompanying them in the carriage, and the guests coming over to speak with them before and after dinner, he’d hardly had a private word with his intended. He had, however, been gratified to see how much more at ease she’d seemed with his friends, who had been as supportive and encouraging as he’d expected.

  After days of company and chatter and activity, tonight it would be just the two of them. The very thought brought a rush of arousal to a body that hungered for her, the need sharpening the longer he had to deny it. He couldn’t seem to push his mind past that longing into planning some way to pass the time that would not end up with him leading her to his bed.

  He’d better think of one, though, and quickly. He had a strong suspicion that if he couldn’t keep his desires under control, she would reject him and quit the house immediately, angry and feeling betrayed by his failure to keep his promise.

  Having her succumb to his overtures and letting him make love to her would probably be worse. She’d end up furious with him for breaking his word and with herself for allowing passion to lure her into doing what she’d vowed she would not.

  Either way, he might lose her before he ever had a chance to win her. If he wanted to make a success of the marriage to which they were now committed, turn it into the union of friendship—and ev
entually passion—he knew it could be it, he must deny his own desires until Alyssa convinced herself it was safe to indulge her own.

  ‘That’s a profound sigh,’ Christopher observed, pulling him from his reflections. ‘Not having second thoughts, are you? Hardly useful at this late date.’

  ‘No second thoughts about marrying,’ Ben replied, surprised to realise it was true. He might have some doubts about how to conduct himself during the early days of the union, but he had no reservations at all about wedding her. ‘Actually, it feels...right. The longer I’m around her, the surer I am that she will make me an admirable wife. Independent enough to go her own way, with work of her own to occupy her, not needing constant attention to keep her happy. Intelligent and thoughtful enough to provide a unique and different point of view.’

  ‘I admit, I had my doubts at that first dinner, when she was initially so withdrawn and silent. But since then, she’s shown herself to be intelligent, articulate, amusing, and enormously talented. That sketch she showed Maggie last night! I defy Aububon himself to produce a better one.’

  ‘They are all just as excellent. The only reservation I do have,’ Ben said, finally admitting the one doubt that still troubled him, ‘is thinking it may not be quite fair, using the unfortunate circumstances to push her into marrying a man like me.’

  ‘A man like you?’ Christopher repeated, frowning. ‘Educated, intelligent, personable, dedicated to serving the nation—what is wrong with a “man like you”?’

  ‘An earl’s daughter normally can do much better than a bastard. All of you may have had...difficulties in your upbringing. But the stain of illegitimacy can never be washed away.’

  ‘I’d make light of it, except it obviously troubles you. I know, growing up, it must have been difficult. But you have your father’s recognition and support now, in addition to the reputation you’ve earned on your own. You can’t change the past, but your present has made the facts of your birth insignificant, to most.’

  ‘It doesn’t seem to matter to Alyssa—now. If I can help her achieve her dreams, maybe it never will. Having the resources and the time to pursue her drawing is all she wants.’

  ‘I should think she’d worry more about whether you’re ready to settle down. Hard to ignore the lure of the ladies.’

  ‘Depends upon who is waiting at home. Neither Giles nor Davie have any problem with that.’

  ‘True, but neither were as...active as you’ve been. Still, Lady Alyssa is arresting. When she speaks of her art, there’s a passion about her that’s almost palpable. What a honeymoon you’ll have, you lucky dog!’ Christopher said, giving him a jab in the ribs.

  Ben resisted the temptation to confess that it would likely be more frustrating than fulfilling and that he had her permission to look elsewhere if he chose. The promises about intimacy given between them were for him and Alyssa alone; he’d not discuss the details even with his closest friend.

  Another measure of how different this relationship was from every previous one, he realised with another little shock. He’d had no qualms before about discussing his amorous adventures with Christopher.

  And with Alyssa to come home to, he had no interest in looking elsewhere, for now. No matter how frustrating these first few weeks or months might be.

  A murmur of voices in the hallway announced the arrival of the rest of the party. Lady Sayleford came first, escorting the vicar, followed by the Lyndlingtons and the Smiths. At the last walked Lady Aldermont and Lady Alyssa.

  His bride.

  She looked lovely, he thought, her unruly brown hair corralled into an intricate coil of braids beneath a fetching bonnet, her gown a subtly patterned deep green that whispered of forest glades and made him think of the day he’d first met her, sketching in the dappled shadows. The wide sleeves and full skirts emphasised the smallness of her waist, cinched by a brown-velvet belt.

  The untamed beauty of a wildflower confined in a vase. His lips curved of their own accord into a smile as something tender, deep and aching swelled in his chest.

  He must make sure he kept his promises, helped her achieve her dreams—and proved himself worthy of her.

  She looked over to see him watching and their gazes met and held. But his smile faded as he noted that, though her expression was composed, in those expressive eyes, he read wariness and uncertainty.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen, shall we take our places?’ the vicar said.

  She drew in a sharp breath, panic flickering in her eyes, disappearing so soon he couldn’t be quite sure he’d seen it. Ben had a sudden fear that she was about to call it all off when, with another deep breath, she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and walked over to him.

  While the small congregation took seats set up for them before the hearth, Ben leaned down to kiss her hand. ‘You look beautiful,’ he murmured.

  ‘Thank you. I convinced Mama to narrow the sleeves and leave off the lace, so at least I don’t look as if a dress shop had exploded around me.’

  He retained her fingers, so that she had to look up at his face. ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’

  ‘Are you?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  She gave him a brave smile that was only partly reassuring. ‘Then, yes, I’m ready.’

  At that, she turned towards the vicar and nodded, and the service began.

  * * *

  The rest of the afternoon was a blur, the solemn ceremony followed by signing the parish register, after which Lady Sayleford ushered them into the dining room where a sumptuous repast had been set out. The party broke up into a constantly changing arrangement of small groups, conversations touching on politics, travel, fashion and current happenings among the notables of society threaded in and out.

  Watching his bride closely, Ben observed that although she nodded and smiled and took part in the discussions, there was still about her a subtle tension that, having seen her relaxed and confident at their meetings in the woods at Dornton, he couldn’t help noticing, even if no one else appeared to see it.

  It was more than the sensual awareness that always hummed between them. There was a defensive edginess to it, an unease similar to what he’d first noted in her on the drive from Aldermont into London.

  He didn’t want that feeling to set the tone for their marriage—or have her remember their wedding day as a trial of endurance. Somehow, he would find a way to put her at ease.

  * * *

  It wasn’t until several hours later, after their friends sent them off in a flurry of well wishes, that Ben finally had his bride to himself. Having accepted an invitation from Lady Sayleford to stay with her for a few more weeks before returning to the country, Lady Alyssa’s mother had moved her belongings to the Countess’s town house that morning.

  Not wishing to begin what might be a serious conversation on the short coach ride back to Queen Street, Ben occupied the drive with observations on the wedding. To which his bride returned monosyllabic answers, or none at all. Holding herself rigid, she perched at the edge of the seat, as far away from him as she could get in that small space.

  Retreating from him, exactly as she had during their return from Aldermont.

  Biding his time despite his impatience to discover what had made her so unsettled, Ben waited until they were seated in the parlour, glasses of wine poured and all the servants dismissed. ‘What is it, Lyssa? What is bothering you?’

  She took a sip before setting her own glass down with trembling hands. ‘How do you come to be so observant? I thought I managed to look quite serene. No one else noticed anything—not even Mama.’

  ‘She was too caught up in seeing all the plans carried out. And I suppose I watch you more closely than the others.’

  ‘My father and brother have watched me closely on occasion, without having any idea what I felt. You are unusually sens
itive to a woman’s feelings, for a man.’

  ‘Neither of them is exactly a model of masculine sensitivity.’

  ‘True. But I met many gentlemen during my Seasons, and after. None of them seemed able to discern what women were thinking, even those who claimed to care. You are more attuned.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ he allowed. ‘I spent my early years with my mother as almost my sole companion. Though I was as self-absorbed as any child initially, by the time I was six, I couldn’t help noticing how other people treated her—us—the few times we walked into the village. At first, she told me that people kept away from her because they thought she’d done something bad, although she hadn’t. Later, when boys threw rocks at the cottage and called her “whore”, she explained that meant a woman who lay with a man for money, but she’d never done that. She’d only been with my father because she loved him and that acts done out of love couldn’t be bad. She would soothe me when I got angry or frightened after the other boys mocked or tried to bully me. As I got older, I realised she must feel the same hurt and anger and outrage herself, but she gave little outward sign of it. I learned to watch for subtle changes of expression in her eyes and the set of her body. So I was better able to help and cheer her when I could.’

  ‘She must be so brave.’

  ‘She is. The bravest, most unselfish person I know. Despite our circumstances, she tried to give me a normal childhood, never letting me doubt I was worthy of love and loved completely. From the first, she’s wanted what was best for me, no matter the cost to herself. It would have been much easier for her to go to some distant place, where she could have started a new life claiming to be a widow, her husband killed by war or accident. But I was a viscount’s son. To claim the future my heritage offered, I needed to be educated and make friends among the class of my birth. So she settled in a nearby village, accepted my father’s help and, when I was old enough, let me go away to school. And lived her life ostracised from polite society as a fallen woman.’

  ‘I wish I had her courage. It’s silly, I know, but I can’t seem to stop these...mindless fears. I trust you, truly I do, but then I remember that, as my husband, you have complete control not only over my wealth, but my person, too. Beat me, starve me, lock me up—no one would stand against you and the law would do nothing to help.’ She shivered. ‘It’s as if there are little demons trapped deep in my bones, screaming out a warning, and there’s nothing I can do to silence them.’