“You think I’m mad? For wanting a husband that sees more in me? Am I mad for not just picking the man with the best title?”
He tightened his hold on her waist. How had she known that was what he needed to hear? He wanted to turn her around and kiss her senseless. “In all likelihood, yes. But I find I quite like it.” He wasn’t getting out of this match. Far from it. He was going to marry a siren.
* * *
Maddie closed her eyes, the feel of his hand on her waist caused pulses of raw desire to throb through her body. The man was like an actual force of nature, like waves crashing on a beach, washing away her will.
She was supposed to be strong. Instead of asking, she was demanding. Would it be wrong to beg?
“I like you too. More than I thought I would.”
He chuckled. “Well aren’t we a pair.” His nose brushed the lobe of her ear. An ache between her legs tugged at her core. “If you consent, then I shall have your brother draw up the papers.”
His lips tickled her ear as his breath blew across her skin, causing her to shiver. “I need some time to think on it,” she whispered between ragged breaths. He was wreaking havoc on her skin, as goose pimples rose all over her body. At this moment, she wanted to say yes but she couldn’t be certain if that was her mind or her body making the decision.
“Of course, my lady,” he replied, his lips lightly brushing the back of her neck. “After all, you might find me lacking as a potential husband.”
She should push him away. He was practically asking her to. But then why was he kissing her neck? And why did he insist they have a proper marriage.
Though she didn’t want the usual relationship, she had to confess the idea of children of her own was terribly appealing. Bar had been right about that. Her nephew was the most precious thing she’d ever held.
Could she have all of she wanted from a marriage?
Did it matter? With that garden kiss, her options had been narrowed significantly. She had some choices to make yet, but she was going to have to compromise somewhere. “Can we meet again tomorrow?”
He slid his hand from her waist to her hip. She placed her gloved fingers over his, with the intent of removing his hand but instead, she gripped his fingers with her own.
“Of course,” he answered, giving the soft flesh of her hip a small squeeze. “I’ll return during your calling hours tomorrow morning.”
Then he slipped away from her. She instantly missed his heat, the feel of his hand upon her skin.
She didn’t look back, refusing to watch him walk away. Instead she pressed her forehead to the cool glass. She knew of all the offers she’d received his was the best.
He wanted a real marriage. If she weren’t going to have a relationship that revolved around social change, she may as well start a family. And he didn’t seem to care about her dowry, though she hadn’t asked. But men who were interested in her money always left clues.
They complimented the fine furniture in her home, the quality of her dress. They asked questions about her brother’s holdings and her dowry, all subtly worked into the conversation. But not Kingsley. He only seemed interested in touching her. She smiled. Could be worse.
Perhaps he was more forward-thinking than she’d first imagined. If he’d discuss current events with her, would he be willing to allow her to affect change? If not, perhaps she could convince him over time.
Of course, her other option was to become a spinster. Once ruined, she was certain her family would support her. They’d hate it but she would be free to discuss her ideas on society, her desire for change. No one would listen, of course. That was the catch. As Adam’s wife, however, she’d have a much more powerful voice.
Either way, one kiss in the garden had taken away her voice. That was the very problem she’d been trying to fight against.
And that kiss had also left her with a taste of what she’d be missing if she chose the life of a spinster.
Chapter Nine
The next day brought clouds and rain and few answers. Maddie stood nearly in the same spot she had the day before, puzzling over the same problem with her potential husband.
Her maid, Mary, bless her soul, continued her embroidery. “Expecting visitors today, my lady?”
“Yes,” she replied, the thought of Kingsley making her pulse jump.
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. “Lady Madeline,” the butler started.
“Send him in,” she answered before he could finish. She was going to watch Kingsley walk into the room. However Kingsley made her feel in that first moment, would determine her decision.
She pivoted away from the glass, fanning herself. This was it. The moment she made a decision.
Only everything went wonky. Kingsley did not appear in the doorway. Instead a stranger stood behind her butler. A man several inches shorter and far less broad that Maddie didn’t recognize. His eyes were shrewd and watchful but his face was tired.
“Mr. Charles Delaney,” her butler announced.
Maddie realized her mistake at once. She’d assumed Abbot had been about to announce Kingsley, instead, he’d likely wanted to tell her that a man with no card had requested an audience. Drat. “When Lord Kingsley arrives, see him up,” she answered.
The butler gave a nod and turned to go. Mr. Delaney’s face hardened. “I am interrupting an expected visit.”
There was no point in pretending. “He has offered for my hand, considering my current situation.”
Mr. Delaney took a seat in one of the wingback chairs, the audacity of the move making her breath catch. She supposed, after the letters she’d written, he might expect her to be amenable to such a breach. But considering the predicament he’d left her in, she found it beyond rude.
His lip curled. “And is he the reason for your current situation?”
“We’re parsing out blame?” She straightened her spine looking down at him. “What percentage do you think you should be given?”
His shoulders hunched. “This was not how I wanted our first meeting to go. Based on our letters, I had such high hopes.”
She nearly choked but swallowed her protest back down. “Perhaps if you hadn’t published my gaffe for all of London, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Perhaps if you hadn’t kissed another man when you were supposed to be meeting me, this wouldn’t have happened.” He stood again, his face turning red.
“I didn’t know what you looked like. I thought he was—”
“You thought I was him?” a deeper voice called from the door. “That is the man you wanted to kiss?”
She looked at Kingsley. She’d promised herself that she’d make a decision based on her first feeling upon seeing him. What did she feel? Relief. She was glad he was there. “I didn’t want to kiss anyone,” she replied crossing the room. “I only wanted to meet Mr. Delaney. We’d been corresponding about…” What would Kingsley think if he knew.
“Tell him, Lady Madeline. Or should I say MB,” Charles called from where he stood. His lip had curled as he crossed toward them. “This conversation isn’t over.” Then he started for the door.
Maddie’s heart was racing in her chest. What would happen if everyone discovered what she’d written? It was meant to be a nom de plume only. No one was supposed to know. “Please,” she whispered.
Kingsley looked at her for a moment before he took a step back and blocked the door. “You’re right. This conversation isn’t over.” Then his brown eyes met hers. They seemed to search her gaze. “I think Lady Madeline has more she’d like to say to you.”
Maddie swallowed. Kingsley was right. She did have a great deal more to say but she had the distinct impression that she was about to lose everything she’d wanted. Nothing was going to be left unsaid. “Please don’t publish our correspondence.” Her voice shook with fear. Both for what Delaney could do to her and how Kingsley might react. She knew Bar would be disappointed. She sounded pathetic, not strong. She clasped her hands together, tryi
ng to gain control.
Charles spun about. “Why shouldn’t I? I thought you were going to help me bring about real change?”
She took a step toward him. “I still could. We could write together, publish our thoughts—”
He let out a harsh laugh. “Foolish woman. I don’t care about your thoughts. I wanted your dowry and I’ll bloody well get it or everyone in London will know it was you who—” But he couldn’t finish because Kingsley had him by the collar.
Charles was much slighter than Kingsley and he came up on his toes as the other man held him. Mary gave a cry from the corner, her embroidery momentarily forgotten. “You’ll never touch her or her dowry. I’ll see to it myself.”
Then he turned and began dragging Charles down the hall. Mary dashed by her, lifting her skirts. “I’ll get your brothers,” she cried.
Her throat tightened. The last thing this situation needed was more witnesses. She lifted her own dress and began following Kingsley. “Lord Kingsley, please. You’re causing a scene.”
“I don’t bloody care. He threatened you.” Kingsley only picked up speed as he raced down the grand stair.
When he reached the front door, he jerked Charles until their faces were only an inch apart. “You’ll stay away from Lady Madeline or I’ll see that you pay.” Then he opened the front door, and like he did it every day, tossed the man out onto the front step and slammed it shut.
“Oh my,” she whispered, staring at the spot where Charles had just been. Her skirts where still bunched in her hands as her mind began to run through the possibilities. “What if he does what he threatened to do? What if he—”
“I’ll break him into a thousand pieces,” Kingsley growled.
Thundering footsteps sounded in the hall and Maddie jumped. “I haven’t told my brothers about what I wrote.”
He quirked a brow. “You haven’t told me either.”
“Maddie,” Bar boomed.
“Maddie,” Kingsley whispered. “Are you going to tell me?”
She gave a small nod. “Yes, I’m going to tell you.” She dropped her skirts, smoothing them. She had to admit that having Kingsley here today had made her feel far safer. She supposed that there were definite advantages to having a male protector. “Are you using my given name now?”
He smiled and stepped closer. “Are you accepting my offer?”
“Yes,” she answered. She didn’t know how she’d face this situation without him. It wasn’t a question of want but need. And not just because of society. Inside, she needed his strength to boost her own.
“Then yes, I’m using your given name. Mine is Adam.” He moved closer still and as usual, this bubble of intimacy seemed to surround them.
“Adam.”
“Maddie,” Bar boomed even louder. “What the devil is going on?”
“Let me handle your brother.” Adam’s hand came to the small of her back.
Yes. There certainly were advantages to marrying Adam. Now if only she could forget what she might be giving up.
* * *
Adam refused to let her go. For a moment, when he’d first walked into the parlor, he’d been certain that history was, in fact, repeating itself. He was once again the loser in a love triangle.
But that fear had evaporated almost as quickly as it had come. Even now, Maddie was sheltering herself in the cradle of his arm.
She needed him even if she didn’t want him. And, honestly, he needed her. Well, he needed her in his bed. Which meant he’d marry her and do his duty to his earldom by creating an heir.
And he’d meant what he said. He had no intention of sharing her ever. There would be no separate lives. But he also required to maintain an emotional detachment. If he’d needed a reminder of that, he only need think of the scene upstairs when he’d thought that she had feelings for another. His blood coursed through his veins at the memory.
“What the bloody bollocks is going on?’ Bar stomped down the stairs. “Why did Mary say a fight had broken out?”
“It wasn’t a fight,” Maddie answered.
Without thinking, he drew her closer. Bar’s eyes narrowed.
“Charles Delaney, if I am correct?” He looked to Maddie who nodded her agreement. “He was hoping to gain Maddie’s favor in light of her current situation. I disinclined him of the notion.”
“Charles Delaney? Editor of the London Standard?” Bar stopped. “Was he responsible for the article?”
Maddie raised one shoulder. “I would assume so.”
“Was he also the man who kissed you?” Bar took a step closer, his voice dropping.
“No.” Adam straightened even as he tucked Maddie behind him. “I kissed Maddie.”
“Maddie?” Bar said the single word so low, it came out as an accusation.
“It was an accident, Bar. A case of mistaken identity.” Maddie tried to come around him, but he held her just behind. Whatever storm was coming, he’d shoulder it himself.
“Mistaken identity, my ass.” Bar came nose to nose with Adam. “You knew exactly who you were kissing.”
Adam gave a single nod. No point in denying it. “I did.”
Bar grabbed his collar and Adam nearly laughed. It was his turn to get tossed out by the neck apparently. “That’s why you were so quick to offer. Did you mean to ruin her?”
“No,” Adam answered, looking Bar directly in the eye. “Mr. Delaney believes himself jilted. He did it for spite or…”
“To force a match.” Bar loosened his grip slightly.
“I’m sure he assumed I wouldn’t offer, and he’d be the one to rescue her.”
“And collect my dowry,” Maddie added. “He wanted to use my money to further his social agenda.”
“And how would you know what his social agenda is?” Bar let go of his collar and turned to look at his sister.
“What’s important now is that Maddie has agreed to be my wife. I’ll have the banns posted and we’ll marry within the month.” Adam didn’t want to discuss Delaney and he knew Maddie didn’t want her brothers finding out the truth. She’d be telling him, though, sooner rather than later. “If you’ll draw up the contracts, I’ll see them signed.”
Bar let out a long slow breath. “Once you’re done your visit with my sister, why don’t we discuss them in my office.” It wasn’t a question.
“Of course.”
Bar looked to Maddie again. He didn’t look angry, but his brow furrowed as his head cocked to one side. “You may return to the front parlor, leave the door open. Mary need not return.”
Unchaperoned time? He rubbed the back of his neck. He was officially engaged. Now to start unraveling his little mystery.
Chapter Ten
Maddie stared at Adam, who lounged across from her looking completely relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, feet crossed at the ankles. He’d tossed a man out, he’d nearly been tossed out by her brother, but he appeared to not have a care in the world.
“Tell me about your darling Charles, and don’t leave a detail out,” he said.
A muscle in that strong, square jaw ticked. Perhaps he wasn’t as relaxed as he was letting on.
She dropped her voice and looked at the open door. “I sent him an essay I’d written on social reform. It discussed how women who can’t hold property are left at the mercy of an often cruel world.” She licked her lips leaning forward. She wanted him to understand. “My sister-in-law, Emily, would have been destitute if not for my brother.”
“The future duchess?” He asked, his face tightening.
“That’s not the point.” She straightened, irritation rippling through her. “She lost everything before Bar found her. How is that fair and right? If women are the fairer sex and need to be protected, shouldn’t we be protecting them against that type of miserable situation?”
He leaned forward then and covered her hands with his own. They were large and so comforting. “Relax, Maddie. I agree with you.”
“You agree?” She blinked
in surprise, hope making her dizzy.
“I do,” he answered. “Not only is the system detrimental to women but men are forced to compete based on their title and fortune rather than their merits.”
“Oh.” She leaned closer to him, shifting her hands to hold his. “Does this have anything to do with the woman who chose another man?”
She felt him stiffen. “You’re quite perceptive.”
“Thank you,” she replied, tilting her head to study the chiseled curve of his lip. She remembered the feel of them on top of hers. “Do I get to hear about her?”
He looked away from her. “Another time. Today, we’re discussing your past.”
“Why is today my day?” she asked as she laced her fingers into his.
“Because today your past tried to blackmail you.” Then he gave a little tug, pulling her up to stand. Maneuvering her around the table, he settled her into his lap. She glanced at the door again. She’d never been given this sort of leave and it made her a bit uncomfortable even as his strength underneath her filled her with both comfort and desire.
“Fair point.” She placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating under her palm. She drew in a breath. “He wrote back saying that he found the article insightful and moving. He asked me how I had such experience. Looking back, I answered with a great deal more honesty than I should have.” She swallowed down a lump of shame. “Each letter got more personal as I shared more of my views and he began to discuss how we might work together to bring about real change.”
“I begin to understand. You thought that meant writing together and he thought that meant marrying you and spending your dowry.”
She let one shoulder rise up as she nibbled her lip. “In the name of being honest, I wanted a man who wasn’t afraid of my views. Who wanted more than just my face or my dowry.”
“What about your curves? They’re lovely,” he said and then he leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss.
The kiss filled her with a deep ache but also soothed her jangled nerves. “Very funny. You know what I meant.”
Taming a Wicked Rake (Taming the Duke's Heart Book 9) Page 5