A Vow for an Heiress

by Helen Dickson

  Rosa watched as the two of them swept onto the floor. At the same time William slipped a hand beneath her arm to whisk her into the dance as the orchestra struck up a waltz.

  ‘Come. I would have this dance with you before you are swept away by yet another overzealous swain.’

  On the dance floor Rosa abandoned her waist to his encircling arm. It was as steady and firm as a rock. He held her close to his firm body, closer than was proper, she thought, but she could not have objected if she wanted to. Feeling as if she were in a dream, she placed her gloved hand in his and looked up at him as he whirled her round with a relaxed grace. He was a superb dancer. As he spun her into the dance she seemed to soar with the melody. It was as if they were one being, their movements perfectly in tune.

  They danced in silence for a few moments, a silence in which William noted the strange lights dancing in her shining hair and her slender shoulders gleaming with a soft, creamy lustre. ‘You look ravishing,’ he murmured. ‘And this is pleasant, is it not, Rosa?’

  Feeling his arm tighten about her, Rosa looked into his eyes. ‘Do you usually snatch your partners away from their chaperons in that way?’

  He raised one well-defined eyebrow, looking down at her. A faint half-smile played on his lips as if he knew exactly what was going on in her mind. ‘Only when I think they might need rescuing.’

  ‘And what made you think I might needed rescuing?’

  ‘Come now, Rosa. Admit you would rather be dancing with me than your uncle. Besides, I could not resist the opportunity to dance with you—the most beautiful woman in the room.’ His hooded eyes captured hers. ‘So, have I given you enough time to consider what I confessed to you on our last meeting?’ he asked, twirling her round.

  ‘Yes—although I’m disappointed that you left it so long to see me,’ she admitted, feeling the music possessing her as her body moved to the melody, melting into him.

  ‘Can you not now agree that if we are to get to know each other on more intimate terms,’ he went on, lowering his head so that his mouth was very close to her ear, ‘it should allow us privileges above the usual stilted decorum of strangers.’

  ‘But you and I are not strangers, are we?’

  ‘Have you missed me?’ he asked.

  Gazing up at him, she was happy to see his eyes were serious and devoid of his usual arrogance. His question and the anticipation of her answer was warmly evocative when he spoke and she felt as if she were dissolving inside when those soft, mellow tones caressed her senses. She wanted to tell him that she had missed him more than she would have believed possible, that she had missed his presence, his quiet strength, his lazy smile and the way he was looking at her now.

  ‘Yes,’ she admitted softly, feeling his warm breath fan her cheek, which was almost her undoing. ‘After saying what you did, when you left me I was so confused I didn’t know what to think. Before I left Berkshire, when you came to tell me you were not going to marry me after all, I was too hasty to have you gone. I’m sorry. I was hurt and upset, but I realise now I should have given you the opportunity to explain in more detail why you had changed your mind.’

  ‘I should have made the opportunity. I should have told you. I should have made you listen. I want to explain everything to you—when the music ends I will.’

  ‘Thank you. I would like that.’

  ‘You are not still angry with me?’

  ‘Why? Should I be? I know I said things—we both said things...’

  ‘Forget them. It was a misunderstanding. A silly, pointless misunderstanding. Everyone says things they don’t mean in the heat of the moment—and as I recall,’ he murmured, a spark of laughter in his eyes, ‘the temperature was definitely heated on one particular occasion that I strive to recall all the pleasurable details.’

  Rosa flushed and her heart began to throb in deep, aching beats. The reminder of that night she had lain in his arms, his touch, had been branded on her memory with a clarity that set her body aflame. She raised her eyes to his, seeing them darken and his expression gentle. ‘How could I possibly forget.’

  William’s lips curved in a soft, satisfied smile and tenderness washed through him at the sincere honesty of her reply. ‘As an experienced man of the world I never would have believed that I would fall victim to a beautiful, innocent young woman who has the power to amuse, enchant, bewitch and infuriate me as no other woman has done before.’

  The tenderness in William’s eyes warmed Rosa’s heart.

  ‘You dance divinely, by the way.’

  ‘So my two partners have told me.’

  ‘Saucy minx,’ he murmured, smiling.

  ‘And you dance very well, too.’

  ‘Praise indeed,’ he quipped, sweeping her into another dizzying whirl.

  Content to let the music carry them along, they fell silent. Rosa gazed up at William’s achingly handsome face and into his bold, hypnotic eyes, lost in her own thoughts, before she realised that his gaze had dropped to her lips and his arm tightened around her waist, drawing her against the hard rack of his chest.

  ‘Don’t look at me like that unless you want me to kiss you, Rosa,’ he murmured huskily, his eyes dark with passion.

  Rosa’s cheeks burned. The reminder of his kiss, his touch, had been branded on her memory with a clarity that set her body aflame. She raised her eyes to his, seeing them darken and his expression gentle.

  ‘You, my love, are blushing.’

  ‘Any female would blush when you say the things you do and look at them like that. Please stop it, William. People will notice.’

  ‘Then let us go somewhere more private.’

  Before Rosa knew what was happening, William had deftly danced her through one of the French windows on to the balcony, drawing her away from the light and standing close beside her near the balustrade. Warning bells began ringing inside her head, telling her of the impropriety of being on the balcony alone with him, but she felt far too light-hearted and happy to object and refused to listen to them.

  Chapter Ten

  Appreciating the feel of the cool air on her face, Rosa breathed deeply, aware that William was watching her.

  ‘H-how is Dhanu?’ she asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. ‘Has he got over what happened to him?’

  ‘Yes—which is surprising.’ His expression became grave. ‘Unfortunately the constables had to let Kapoor go.’

  ‘What? But—but why? I don’t understand.’

  ‘They had nothing on which to hold him. There’s not a scrap of evidence against him. He had done nothing to justify arrest. Kapoor said he and his friend were walking in the street on that night when they encountered you and Dhanu. He told them that when the barrels toppled over they went to offer their assistance, but their actions were misconstrued. Fearful of being arrested, his friend—always of a nervous disposition—ran from the scene. Apparently he hasn’t been seen since—although as a foreigner becoming lost in the murky underworld of St Giles, anything could have befallen him.’

  ‘I see. And—and now what? Do you think he will return to India?’

  ‘Not for one moment—not until his assignment has been accomplished.’

  ‘Don’t you know where he is?’

  ‘No. He’ll surface at some time, I suppose, and when he does I’ll be ready for him.’ William moved closer to Rosa, looking down into her dark eyes. ‘I am well aware that my behaviour of late must seem somewhat bizarre to you—coming to London and declaring my undying love for you. Since I cannot think of any excuses off the top of my head, I realise that nothing will do but the truth.’

  ‘I would appreciate that. Please don’t laugh at me...but—well, when Lady Willoughby called on you at Ashurst Park saying she had a proposition to put to you, I—I thought...’

  ‘What? What did you think, Rosa?’

  ‘That knowing you
were in dire straits—she might have come to offer you the money to retain Ashurst Park?’

  William’s eyes twinkled with humour. ‘I think what you would really like to know is did she ask me to marry her in return?’

  ‘Well—yes. That is what I thought had happened,’ she said, having decided not to divulge her own conversation she had had with Lady Willoughby. It had been a private conversation with an acquaintance, an acquaintance she was looking forward to becoming a friend if she returned to live in Berkshire.

  ‘Caroline Willoughby and I are friends, Rosa—good friends. Nothing more than that. She did offer to buy the estate that day, but I refused her offer. I have told you how I obtained the money.’

  ‘Yes, the gentleman who also came to inform you that your friend—Tipu, had died. The news must have come as a terrible shock and must be painful for you.’

  ‘Yes—more so when the messenger informed me that he had been poisoned by the Rajah’s wife.’ He shook his head slowly as fond memories of his friend entered his mind. ‘Poor Tipu. He did not deserve to die like that. His letter to me, written in the final moments of his life, was an emotive one. With not long to live and knowing of my struggle to save Ashurst Park, he bequeathed to me an astounding sum of money. Ahmet, the messenger, was Tipu’s most trusted servant. He is also here on behalf of the Rajah of Rajinda—Dhanu’s father.’

  Moving closer to her, he stood, looking down into her expressionless face. ‘So you see, Rosa, I find I can now court you honourably, as you should be courted—on my terms, knowing that my feelings for you are not influenced by any mercenary motives.’

  He pulled back slightly and took her face between his hands, staring passionately into her eyes. ‘Forget about Caroline Willoughby. Yes, she did offer to buy the estate, but I sold her a small parcel of land adjoining her own. Nothing more than that. You were the woman I wanted to marry. The more I saw you the more I wanted you. I’m not referring to your beauty,’ he added softly. ‘I’ve known many beautiful women, but not one of them was like you. You have given me a sense of belonging which, after India, I thought I would never feel again.’

  She quivered at the intensity of his passionate gaze. ‘You told me you love me. Is it true?’

  He nodded. ‘I do. Very much, as it happens. When you came to see me at Ashurst Park I felt there was a connection between us. And every time we’ve been together since, my certainty has grown stronger. I’m not one to wear my heart on my sleeve, but I’ve never experienced anything like what I feel for you.’ He sighed, brushing his hair from his brow with his hand. ‘In the beginning I tried telling myself ours was a practical match, for the sake of saving Ashurst Park. But that did not take into account my feelings. I wanted to court you as a lover. Your father’s money got in the way of that.’ He held her eyes with his. ‘Does that make sense to you?’

  Rosa looked at him silently, seeing in his eyes the naked strength of emotion that had unsettled her so deeply when he had held her in his embrace and kissed her. Gone was the awful feeling of loss, of lost opportunities. She did not glance away, or try to get away to quiet her own inner tumult.

  ‘Yes—yes it does. But I also believe your feelings for Lydia Mannering didn’t help.’

  William swallowed audibly. ‘That I cannot deny.’ Taking hold of her shoulders he drew her close, needing to feel the nearness of her, the warmth of her. ‘But things have changed since then—much has happened. My remembrance of her has become diminished by the passage of time and meeting you. Only now am I able to see myself in a whole new different light. Now I have you. In degrees of love, I have to admit that my feelings for you transcend anything I have felt before. It seems impossible and yet I know it is true, for here I am, totally enamoured with you.’

  Releasing her he looked down into her upturned face. ‘As my wife, I promise you that you will never want for anything. As for your wealth—put it to some good. I am sure that between you, you and your Aunt Clara with all her charities will work something out.’ His gaze caressed her face. ‘And you, Rosa? How do you feel about me?’

  Her hand was captured and she found his eyes looking straight into hers. She was trembling. He tightened his grip on her fingers and almost pleaded, ‘Say it, Rosa. Say you love me. Admit it.’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered, ‘I—I do love you.’

  He smiled. ‘I knew it. It wasn’t so hard an admission to make after all.’

  ‘No, it wasn’t difficult because it is true. I love you. I believe I always will.’

  ‘I want you to share my life. Let me explain how it’s been for me, how leaving India affected me to the point where I did not think I would survive it. I want you to understand.’

  They stood gazing at each other for a long moment, in a silent communication more eloquent than words.

  ‘Tell me,’ Rosa said at length.

  ‘I have a strong affection for India. India was my life, my work. It went way beyond the Company. I could think of no other way of living. Even after my parents died I still had India and my work. Yes, I was a soldier and I have known days when I struggled in battle to stay alive. I was as much a native as you were on Antigua. You, more than anyone, should understand how I feel. I felt it was my home. Like my father before me I loved India with a single-mindedness and passion. People have died, Rosa—Tipu, my dearest friend died—and I felt a deep sadness and regret that I was unable to help him. I felt the same when I learned of Charles’s death. I wasn’t there for him, either. Now I feel as if I have a second chance, and I intend to make Ashurst Park what it once was. For me, things changed all the time—some good, some not so good—but India was always there. It is in my blood. In my soul. It will always remain in my mind and never leave me.’

  * * *

  Rosa was moved by the intensity of his words, his manner. She looked at him in a new light, seeing a side to him she had never known existed. Why, she thought, he is grieving. Why hadn’t she seen that? He’d never spoken of the sacrifice he’d had to make when he’d had to leave India for ever. Despite the noise of the laughter and music drifting through the French windows, the night wrapped itself around them. For a long moment they stood together in silence at the balustrade, then Rosa said, ‘I do understand.’

  ‘I have told you this because I want you with me at Ashurst Park as my wife. I confess that at present I am finding all that has happened difficult to deal with. It is important that you know how I feel. Now your wealth is no longer an issue I can tell you that I have chosen you not only because I love you and that you are a lovely and desirable woman any man would be proud to have as his wife, but because I see in you all the qualities I want in the woman who will be my wife and companion.’

  ‘Aren’t you being a little presumptuous, my lord?’ she exclaimed, a smile quirking her lips.

  His eyes danced with mischief and he grinned. ‘Where you are concerned, my dear Rosa, I have to be.’

  ‘As yet I have not said I will marry you.’

  ‘No. But I hope you will,’ he said quietly.

  ‘Then, yes, since you ask so nicely.’

  ‘Thank you. There is so much about you that I love. There is a fascinating quality about you. I see your goodness and honesty and sincerity. You are realistic and generous and temperamental—all admirable qualities—and I believe you were destined to be a countess. We are well matched, equal.’ His gaze settled on her mouth and he watched as her tongue passed over her full bottom lip in the most seductive manner that made him acutely aware that his body was stirring to life with alarming intensity. ‘Shall I go on?’

  ‘There is no need,’ she said softly.

  ‘Then before your aunt comes looking for you, I think it’s time you kissed me. We haven’t much time left and I don’t want to waste a minute of it.’

  Happy to do as he asked, Rosa leaned forward and placed her lips against his. Her eyes darkened with a love she wasn’t tryi
ng to conceal from him any more. ‘What do I have to do to please you?’

  He smiled down at her. ‘I am open to suggestions. Show me.’

  William’s lips were warm and then hot—a combination that was astonishingly delicious. Rosa’s own mouth opened beneath his willingly. Nothing in her imagination or her memory had prepared her for the intensity of his embrace, or the eagerness of her own response. It was as though it had never happened to her before, had never felt his arms about her, had never felt the touch of his kiss or his naked body pressed to hers. Neither wanted to let the other go.

  When they finally drew apart he cupped her face in his hand and looked deep into her eyes.

  ‘Is this what you want, Rosa—to be my wife? I want you to be sure—without doubt.’

  ‘Yes, William. Without doubt I am very sure.’

  ‘We will discuss the matter of our future later, but now...’ Lowering his head, he captured her lips once more.

  * * *

  The only thing that marred the days before the wedding was the fact that Kamal Kapoor was still lurking on the streets of London somewhere. Knowing this and taking no chances, William made sure that Dhanu was watched at all times. Ahmet, determined that the Rajah would see his eldest son returned to his rightful place, was at his side all the time. He was impatient to return to India as soon as it could be arranged. William was in agreement and, despite the threat Kamal Kapoor still posed, he reserved comfortable quarters for Dhanu, Mishka and Ahmet on board a Company vessel that was to leave London just days after his marriage to Rosa. Previous to sailing, he would have the passenger and crew lists checked to make quite sure Kapoor was not on the vessel.

  ‘Try not to worry so much, William,’ Rosa said gently, knowing how concerned he was about the young boy, trying to maintain an air of calm. ‘With everyone watching Dhanu, nothing will happen. Hopefully he will be halfway to India before Kapoor realises he is no long in England.’