by Dawn Brower
“That one?” the man laughed. “She would be betrothed to a fancy nob. Do you know what a spitfire she is?”
The man had no idea what Angeline was capable of doing. “Quit stalling and unlock the cell.”
Angeline glanced up at that moment and met his gaze. Puzzlement filled her face when she met his gaze. “Lucian?”
“She seems to know you.” The man opened the door and gestured for her to exit. “You’re lucky you have such a powerful man as your fiancée. Otherwise, you would be spending a lot of time locked in here.”
“Fiancée?” She scrunched her eyebrows together. Her cheeks pinkened slightly. “I…”
“Not now, Angel,” he said. “We can discuss your rebellious behavior after I take you home to your father. He’ll want to hear all about your adventures today.” He didn’t think it was possible, but she blushed even more after he said that.
Once they were out of earshot, Angeline would rail at him, and if he was lucky, she’d forget to kick him in the bollocks. Either way, she’d not show him an ounce of gratitude for helping her escape her fate. No good deeds went unpunished…
Chapter 5
Lucian guided her out of the police station. He kept his gaze forward and wouldn’t look at her. Angeline wanted to push her elbow into his side, or maybe a quick jab would work. At the very least, it would gain his attention. His stoic silence was driving her mad. She still didn’t understand what had happened. How had he even known to find her at the police station? Had Emilia given him her whereabouts, and did Lucian know what she’d been doing to get arrested? She had a bad feeling that he was in possession of all the facts and would use them against her.
They had put some space between them and the police station when Angeline couldn’t take it anymore. She dug her heels in and refused to budge. He turned and glared at her. “I don’t have the patience for your stubbornness. We have a distance to go to reach my carriage, and I’d like to see you safely home sooner rather than later. I do have other plans for my day.”
“I’d hate to take you away from your afternoon of sin,” she said scathingly. “Don’t let me delay you. I can see myself home. I’ve managed plenty of times in the past.” She shouldn’t let him off so easily, but she also had no desire to hear any lectures from him. He shouldn’t have known where to find her or what she’d been doing. That whole fiancée thing had to be a mistake, a horrible jest. How could he do that to her? She’d never been so hurt by someone’s misguided assistance in her entire life. All she wanted was to put some distance between them and nurse her battered heart in private.
Lucian sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Angel, you drive a man to drink.” She hated when he used that infernal nickname. He was the only one that called her Angel. At first, she’d adored that he had one for her at all, but over time she’d grown to hate it. He made it sound like an endearment and a curse all at once. The endearment part she could have grown used to…if only it had actually meant something to him. “As much as I wished my plans were of the pleasurable sort, your actions have ensured that is the last thing I can do.”
She scrunched her nose and tilted her head. What was he blathering on about now? Why couldn’t he do—well, whatever it was he implied with his words. Truthfully, she didn’t want to know what he did when he was wicked. She’d rather pretend he didn’t desire anyone other than her. Even if that was unrealistic—she understood that he didn’t see her as anything more than a little sister… It killed her a little bit every time she had to remind herself of that fact. That was the main reason him claiming to be her fiancée hurt so much. It made her want things she’d never have, and she wanted to hit him for that alone. “I appreciate your assistance. Truly, I do, but I don’t understand why you are insisting on accompanying me home.”
“Don’t you?” He sighed again a little heftier than before, as if he couldn’t find an outlet for his frustration. “I supposed you wouldn’t. You don’t fathom the consequences your actions have caused today.”
Angeline was in no mood for a lecture. She’d lived through those consequences as he’d put it. Yes, she still believed in women’s rights, but she didn’t want to be quite so active in achieving them anymore. There were too many pitfalls she had never considered. Not to mention, her entire body ached, and she probably had more bruises than she cared to count as well. Lucian had always looked down at her and had no problem judging her. Just once, she’d like to have him glance her way with more than disdain spilling from his silver eyes.
Why had she fallen in love with him? He’d been much nicer when she was younger. Now he didn’t seem to want to be anywhere near her. “You don’t need to be so melodramatic. I think I’ve learned my lesson.”
“A hard one too, no doubt,” he agreed. “But there is still a penalty to pay for it.”
“I really don’t wish to debate the merits of my take from today’s debacle,” she replied. Her annoyance had risen to all new levels. Why was he being so darn difficult? “I want to go home and rest for what remains of the day. Can you please let me have some peace and leave me be? Honestly, I don’t need an escort home.”
“No, I have to talk with your father.” He wound his arm with hers. “Now quit stalling and let’s keep moving. The carriage isn’t much farther ahead.”
Her heart froze in her chest. He was going to tell her father about her little visit to the jail. He’d probably tell him far more than that. If Emilia had given him the information about her involvement with the suffragettes… Angeline swallowed the lump in her throat. “Please don’t do this.”
“What?” He glanced at her and lifted a brow. “Ensure your safety? Take you home? Talk to your father? You’ll have to be more plain, my dear.”
Would it be bad to say all of the above? This was one of the worst experiences of her life, and she had the bad luck of spending it in his company. What had she done to deserve this? Her traitorous heart rapidly beat inside her chest whenever he neared. Except for the fear that kept momentarily seizing it, this time was no different. She came more alive in his presence. In a more perfect world, she could tell him how she felt about him. Lucian would be horrified to find out how much she desired him.
Maybe she should tell him. She’d be willing to bet that would have him running scared. He might even abandon this idea of taking her home and speaking to her father. She chose to ignore his questions and ask him one of her own. “What, pray tell, do you need to discuss with my father?” She hoped he wasn’t about to go tell him about her participating in the suffragette march, but she doubted Lucian would keep that part to himself. Her father would be displeased and disappointed… There was nothing worse than the latter. Dealing with that always proved much worse than yelling. It left her feeling unworthy and a failure.
“You really don’t understand what happened in the police station do you?” Exasperation echoed through each word as he spoke.
She’d been arrested. What else was there to understand? “Let’s pretend I don’t and explain it to me. Use small words—so my female brain can comprehend them,” she said scathingly.
“Angel, you are not, and have never been, unintelligent.” They reached his carriage and he opened the door. As he was helping her inside he said, “Don’t pretend to be an idiot now.” He nodded at the driver and gave him their destination. “Torrington House.” Then he hopped inside the carriage and shut the door. No one paid them any mind and she was perfectly all right with that. She didn’t care if she ruined her reputation. Why should a woman have to concern herself over every little detail when a man could do whatever he pleased? As far as the police officers were aware Angeline was Lucian’s fiancée and the rest of the world didn’t know her well enough to dispute it. Her family wouldn’t think twice about it. Lucian was considered extended family since they’d grown up together—though she’d never considered him as such. She wanted something more from him…
She met his gaze. “I never said I was stupid.” Her sarcasm was lost on
him…
“You implied it with your sarcasm,” he quipped. All right maybe he had understood… “Now think real hard, my dear, and tell me why you think I must speak to your father.”
She tilted her head and considered his statement. Her first assumption had been that he’d tell him about her reckless behavior. She had no doubt that would indeed be one of the topics of their conversation, but then it dawned on her what he might instead discuss with him. “You can’t be serious.”
“There’s no helping it now. It has to be made official.”
“Lucian…” She nibbled on her lip. “No one would hold you to that. We both know you have no wish to marry me. There has to be another way.” They hadn’t gotten around to processing her and no one bothered to ask her name. This whole plan of his was unnecessary. Why was he being so insistent?
“You weren’t there. It was the only way I could get you released.” He shook his head lightly. “No, there’s nothing else to do. We have to marry. I’ll discuss it with your father, and then we can formally announce it later this week. After the banns are read we’ll have the ceremony.”
Angeline closed her eyes and prayed for patience. This should be the happiest day of her life, except it was quickly turning into her worst nightmare. Lucian wanted to marry her, but not for anything as romantic as love. It was duty and nothing else. Her heart broke a little at that realization. She could have the man of her dreams, but she’d never really have him. What kind of life would that turn out to be?
Lucian never thought he’d find himself in a situation like this one. He found he wasn’t as opposed to marriage to Angeline as he’d thought he’d be. They would have a lot to work out in order to make it work, but he was confident they could. After he talked to Viscount Torrington, he’d discuss it more with her. They would have to plan the wedding and much more than that. He fully believed they could be happy.
“We’re going to make each other miserable,” she replied. Her voice had a hint of despondency to it. “There has to be another way. Maybe we can pretend to be betrothed and call it off after a month or two.”
“That will not solve the dilemma we have found ourselves in,” he answered. “Your reputation will be in tatters. It won’t take long for the news of this calamity to reach the ears of the ton. I won’t allow you to be shunned, and besides, my declaration was a promise I intend to keep.”
Why was she protesting so much? Did she hate him? He’d always thought they’d gotten along well. Sure, they hadn’t been close since they were children, but they still had something to build on. She’d always been friends with Emilia and barely noticed him, but they’d remained cordial through the years. Lucian did find her behavior ridiculous at times; however, he could help her tone that side of herself . He appreciated everything about her, but society wouldn’t. There were expectations… Maybe in time he’d realize that she shouldn’t be so brazen—at least not in public. He wouldn’t mind if she were more assertive and shameless in the privacy of their own home. Her parents let her run wild. As a future duchess she couldn’t act like that.
“I won’t hold it against you if you break your word.”
“But I would,” he replied. “Quit fighting the inevitable. We will be married.”
Emilia probably would be ecstatic. She considered Angeline a part of the family already. His parents would probably welcome the match too. His father was close friends with Angeline’s. Their marriage would tie the two families together forever. The downside was Andrew and Alexander. They might not look favorably toward their union. Angeline was their little sister and Lucian wouldn’t want his own sister to marry a man like himself. He’d been a dissolute rakehell for quite some time. Not that his friends were any better, but that was the point. They all knew each other rather well. He hoped they wouldn’t make things difficult. This really was the only way to truly protect Angeline—from herself, more jail time, and her lack of care for herself in general; as well as, her reputation.
“I can’t accept it,” she said belligerently. “I’ll fight it until I find a way out of this.”
“You can certainly try.” He lifted his lips upward. “It’ll be interesting, to say the least.”
“You don’t have to be so smug about it. Why are you so insistent? I thought you had no plans to marry.”
He shrugged. “Plans change. No one can foresee what their future holds. It turns out you’re meant to be my wife. I’ve accepted my fate, and after awhile, you will too.” Lucian was calm about it. He never really knew until that moment, but he did want to marry her. If it had been left solely up to him, he might not have realized that fact. He could be obtuse at times. Angeline was his match in every way—even her wildness. Taming her would prove to be entertaining. She was a hellion, and her fire burned him. He appreciated her wildness and perhaps he didn’t want to suppress that side of her entirely. There were benefits to a brazen woman. “Tell me why you’re so against it.”
She lifted a brow. “So you can find fault in my logic?”
“No, I want to understand.” He couldn’t fight her fears if he didn’t know what they were. “It won’t change the inevitable, but perhaps I can ease some of your concerns.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said and turned her head. Angeline stared out the window with a frown on her beautiful face. “As you said, nothing is going to change.”
He hated to see her so disheartened. Perhaps it would be better to change the topic of their conversation. They had some time to discuss their upcoming nuptials. He’d find the root of her concern later. “Why did you decide to participate in the march today? What did you think you’d achieve?”
“I certainly didn’t expect to be affianced at the end of it,” she replied acerbically. “If so, I’d have definitely stayed in bed all day.”
Lucian liked the idea of her in bed—with one caveat. He wanted to be beside her. The idea of staying in all day and loving her… Heat spread through him like wildfire—intense and all consuming. He closed his eyes and tried to suppress the need that suddenly overtook him but it was proving impossible. Lucian had to direct his inner most desires away from the one thing he wanted. It was not the time or the place. Having her though…he shook the images away fast and hard—much in the way he wanted to have her one day. He couldn’t though, at least, not yet. Those thoughts had to be stored away for later. If he kept that in his head he’d have to adjust his pants or his desire would become too evident. He didn’t need the proof of his desire around as he spoke to her father. “It’s too bad you can’t go back in time and change your decision, then. You now have to live with the idea of spending the rest of your life with me instead.”
“Please don’t remind me.” She continued to stare out the window. “Can you be quiet?” I’d like some peace for the short distance we have left to travel.”
He decided to give her the reprieve she’d asked for. They had plenty of time—the rest of their life—to spar with each other. He could give her some space to acclimate to what he’d already accepted. She’d acquiesce to their inevitable marriage, and he’d ensure she enjoyed their time together, once they wed. It would be his privilege as her husband, after all…
Chapter 6
October 1906
Angeline couldn’t believe the mess her life had evolved into. A fortnight ago she’d never have predicted the direction her life would take. They hadn’t formally announced their betrothal. There had to be some way out of her ridiculous engagement to Lucian. So far, nothing that had been done couldn’t be undone. Once the entire ton found out, it would escalate from there. The first thing she had to do was stop the announcement in The Times. She had no idea how to prevent it. Maybe she should visit Emilia. She might be able to help. After breakfast, she’d go to Huntly and talk with her.
She left her bedroom and moseyed toward the dining room. Her parents were already at the table with plates of food in front of them. Lucian had done as he’d said he would and asked her father for permission to ma
rry her. Angeline had hoped he’d change his mind once they’d arrived at her home, but no, he had brazenly waltzed in and sequestered himself with her father in the study. She would have loved to have been able to listen in on their conversation. She still had no idea what had gone on behind those closed doors, but at the end of it one fact was very evident—she was betrothed.
“Good morning,” her mother greeted her. “I trust you slept well.”
If by well she meant tossed and turned all night—then yes, she did. Her maid would have a difficult time untangling her bed sheets from her quilt. “Of course,” she replied and pasted a smile on her face. Her mother thought Angeline and Lucian were madly in love. Angeline didn’t have the heart to tell her it was completely one-sided. Lucian did not have any romantic feelings for her. His decision had nothing to do with love and everything to do with his need to save her from something that didn’t exist. No one would expect them to actually marry because he’d declared he was her fiancé at the police station.
Her father folded his copy of The Times and set it aside. “Are you seeing Lucian today?”
God, she hoped not. She was tired of the pitter-pat of her heart rapidly beating whenever he neared. Angeline wanted to put some much-needed distance between them. Maybe then he’d realize how ridiculous a marriage between them was and that they should end it before they regretted everything. He didn’t love her, and she deserved a man who not only adored her, but also treated her as his equal. One that respected her and the things she wanted out of life. She was starting to wonder if Lucian could be any of that for her.