An Improper Seduction

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by Quill, Suzanne


  Angeline sighed but said nothing.

  He hugged her close as he let out a sigh of his own. If she did not relent soon, he would have to look for other options.

  He did not relish the thought.

  His carriage came to a halt at her front steps. Seconds later, the carriage door opened, the steps flipped down. After climbing out, Geoffrey turned to place both hands at Angeline’s waist and set her on the ground.

  Not having a bonnet, Angeline shielded her eyes as she looked up into his face. Her groom was untying Aphrodite from the back of the carriage and leading her away.

  “Geoffrey, you did not have to come all this way with me. I could have ridden in the carriage alone.”

  “I know, my angel. I just wanted to spend a few more minutes with you. And we were alone together.”

  “The quiet was wonderful. Thank you.” She reached down to take one of his hands in hers. “Geoffrey, you are such a dear. Thank you for taking such good care of your staff. It does you credit. I do not think Ronald would have been so kind and generous to those in his care. And, we know Hexford would not.”

  “You would have done the same, would you not, Angeline?” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. His fingertips, lightly holding her wrist, could feel her pulse, just a little quickened, beneath the warmth of her skin.

  “Of course. It is our responsibility to do the best for those in our households. If we take care of our servants, then they take good care of us.” She flashed one of her generous smiles.

  “And, that is why I did it. I want my help to be happy and stay with me. I want no one to be able to lure them away or bribe them to unearth my secrets. Good help is difficult to find. I am sure that is just as true here in the country as it is in London.”

  “As you say. I must go in now. Papa must be wondering what has happened to me.” Angeline started to turn away, releasing his hand.

  “Not tonight, Angeline,” he whispered. She turned back, a question on her lips. “You are much too spent. Rest and rest well. I’ll come by tomorrow to court you. That will make your father happy. Tomorrow night we can tryst again.” Was it disappointment that made a fleet move across her face?

  He bent and placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek, savoring her fragrance for the brief moment he had with her.

  “As you wish, my lord. May you have sweet and restful dreams yourself.” She turned and climbed the stairs toward the open front door. Though he could not see him, Geoffrey was sure Thomas was lurking just inside watching the exchange between them. Angus would be consulted when the moment presented itself. That was as it should be. He would expect no less from his own butler if he were lucky enough to have a daughter.

  If only . . .

  Angeline found her father in his library. He rose to come round the desk when she entered.

  “Are you well, my dear?”

  “Quite, Papa. Just very, very tired. I shall fall into bed momentarily.”

  Taking her gently by the elbow, Angus led her to the chair before the fireplace. “Come, sit for just a moment. Tell me, is all well with the babe and its mother?”

  “It’s a girl, Papa. Mother, daughter and father are all well. I stayed to see the parson marry them this morning. They are young, Papa. But so very in love. It warmed my heart to see that little family start a new life together. Geoffrey has them all set up over the stable. They should have a happy go of it now.”

  “Ah, love! Well that is a special thing now, is it not? It is good it all worked out in the end. Geoffrey mentioned something about the goings on during our visits. It took quite some time for his butler, Graham, to figure out the father. Then Geoffrey had to decide how he could bring them together. He was determined to do so, too. And, it all worked out for the best. It is good to know our neighbor takes as good care of his staff as we do of ours. Is that not so, my dear?”

  Angeline shifted in her chair. Her clothes were feeling very constricting, there was a lump in her throat and she was having a time of it trying to stay awake. Trysting in the middle of the night or delivering babies did not help her gain the rest she needed.

  “Yes, Papa. He does take care of them. We discussed it only moments ago. But, now,” she rose from her seat, “I really must get some rest. I am just too tired to talk anymore.”

  “But the babe, Angeline. What of the child?” Angus rose to walk her to the library door.

  Tears filled her eyes as she looked up into her father’s face. “She’s a beautiful little girl, Papa,” she said as a tear made its way down her cheek. “And, to thank me for my help, they named her after me. Angela, her name is Angela.” She stifled a sob. “I will ring if I wish to take dinner in my rooms tonight, if you will tell Thomas. I will see you come morning.”

  Tears made a steady track down both of her cheeks. Angus bent to kiss her on the same cheek Geoffrey kissed just moments before. He said softly, “Of course, I will, my dear. You need rest. Trust me, everything will be better tomorrow after you have rested.”

  Angeline burst into her room on a sob but stopped in her tracks when she saw her maid, Margaret, turning down the bed. With effort she stifled any further show of distress. Margaret had been her nursemaid since before she could walk. As Angeline grew, Margaret’s duties had changed appropriately. But Margaret had never married and Angeline doubted she could confide these particular troubles to the woman despite her years and their friendship.

  “Are you all right, Lady Angeline?” Margaret laid down the pillow she had just plumped up and came toward her mistress. “Can I get you something? Shall I call for your father?”

  “No, no, Margaret. I have had a trying time of it with the coming of the baby at Colburn Park. As Papa said, I just need some rest. You may go now.” Angeline moved toward her bed as she started unbuttoning her gown.

  “Can I help you, my lady? I’ve placed your nightrail on the bed.”

  “Please, Margaret, I’ll be all right. Just leave me now. I will call for you if I need anything. Don’t wake me for dinner. I will ring if I want to eat.” She looked over her shoulder. The maid was wringing her hands, much too worried about her.

  “As you wish, my lady. Just ring and I’ll come to you, no matter the time. You get your rest. Baby birthings are exhausting, I expect.” Margaret gave a pert curtsey then let herself out the door closing it silently behind her.

  The maid was old enough to know about birthings but still being unattached Angeline doubted she had any idea as to exactly how much of an ordeal it was. Not only on the mother, but the envious midwife as well.

  She pulled her nightrail over her head as her day gown dropped to the floor. She climbed into the sheets, laid flat on her back and stared up at the canopy above her.

  Exhausted. Yes, she was that. And confused and frustrated, too. She wiped more tears from her face with the sleeve of her nightgown. She worried her father had some notion of exactly what was bothering her. It was doubtful anyone else had any sense of it, especially Geoffrey.

  She was sure Geoffrey felt everything would be quite all right if she would just relent and marry him so she could have her children and he could have his heir.

  How could men be so simple-minded? How could they be so insensitive?

  She sobbed again.

  She was sure every unattached female in the county, if not the country, would jump at the chance to be in her shoes. The opportunity to marry a rich, good looking and sexually attractive marquess did not fall into a lady’s lap every day. So they would say yes, without hesitation, the moment the marquess popped the question.

  Which she was sure he would do once again after experiencing the birth and the wedding. That was just what the man needed to demonstrate it was possible to have his wife and child too. Of course, it had been a girl, but then why would he stop at one? He would just get his wife pregnan
t as soon as he could, then be off on his wild ways again.

  There was the crux of the matter. His wild ways. How could any female in her right mind believe a rake such as he, one of the first water, as it were, would be happy to settle down to one woman and fatherhood.

  No, she couldn’t believe it. After all, a tiger does not change its stripes. Once the initial glow of married life dulled and the heir and spare were produced, Geoffrey would be off to conquer new territory, probably in London, leaving his wife and the brood at home unless they were needed.

  And for what would they ever be needed? Nothing unless he died too young from a carriage accident, a footpad or a jealous husband who caught the rake in the act with his wife and shot him dead on the spot.

  She rolled over, pummeled her pillows with her balled fist then flopped down on her stomach. The tears had finally stopped.

  So there she would be, if she consented to be his, home alone with the children, no husband and a broken heart.

  Better to be alone with a broken heart than to bring the complexity of children into it.

  Wasn’t it?

  But every other woman she had ever known would take the chance. She thought of Gertrude as her young, innocent face flashed into her mind. And, each would relish whatever moments her spouse deigned to bless her with. Then, when he left to prowl the ballrooms of the Ton once again, she would live on the memories of those few moments of glory they had shared and wait patiently in hope of the prodigal husband’s return to her arms and her bed.

  That return might never come.

  She sighed deeply as her heavy lidded eyes closed and Morpheus overcame her.

  Chapter 18

  After sharing a quiet luncheon with her father, Angeline put on her garden hat, her gloves and grabbed her tote bag filled with her tools. She made her escape out the garden door and headed for the rose garden. But once there, she did not feel like pulling weeds and pricking her fingers. She was in enough pain already.

  Her slumber had been fitful despite her exhaustion. She had dreamt of Geoffrey and weddings and babies. She would soon go mad if even her dream hours throttled her with choices she did not wish to accept.

  She continued to meander down the garden paths choosing to cut a stem of flowers here and there while ignoring the tending that never ended but usually brought ease to her soul.

  It was not to be today.

  She made a turn onto a well-tended path she had not frequented in some time. The gardeners were doing their jobs, too. She headed toward a bower that had been her special retreat as a child.

  She parted the green tendrils of a willow and found the mossy earth and shade loving flowers a blessing in the increasing early summer heat.

  The swing was still there. And the huge, old willow tree that held its ropes was none the worse for wear.

  She dropped her tote near the base of the tree then shed her gloves as well. Surely a swing would lift her spirits. It always had as a child.

  She settled herself on the board as she checked the ropes. Finding everything in good order, she pushed off. She stretched her legs long as she came forward then pulled them back as the swing retreated. This was not so easy in long skirts. Nor was her father, mother or nanny there to push her.

  She pumped again.

  Geoffrey had timed his visit after he knew luncheon would be complete at Hartfield. He had stayed only briefly with Angus giving him a short but thorough report on the events at Colburn Park. Angus, in turn, had shared the distress Angeline had shown upon her return home.

  This would not do.

  Maybe she was ready to give over.

  Angus sent him out to the garden but after wandering around for quite some time had no luck finding his lover. Then he bumped into a gardener who had pointed him in the right direction.

  The willow was old and impressive. Not too far behind it was a meandering stream which probably explained the tree’s flourishing good health. The leaves shook gently as he neared it. What in the world could she be doing in the bower?

  Silently, he parted the leaves.

  A swing. She was settled on the seat, humming softly and exhausting herself trying to pump herself higher with her gown wrapped around her legs.

  He stood motionless for a few minutes to take in the view and let his imagination play havoc with his thoughts.

  He cleared his throat, gratified by a startled little shriek as Angeline dragged her foot to stop her motion.

  “You frightened me, Geoffrey. I do wish you would stop sneaking up on me like that.” Angeline ran her hands down her lap to smooth her skirts.

  “It’s not intentional, my angel. I became quiet of foot after years in the King’s Service. At times, it is quite handy but I had not planned to scare you so.

  “You look quite a picture on this swing in the bower. Do you come here often?” Geoffrey came through the leafy curtain to stand in front of her.

  “I have not been on this swing in years. In fact, I was surprised to find it in such good repair. I will have to compliment the gardeners.” She was looking up at him, her face giving nothing away.

  “And, so you should. I would like to have a picture painted of you just so. You are quite a lovely sight. May I sit down?” Before she could answer, he sat at her feet and watched her face tilt down toward him. “Ah, this is much better.” With one knee up and the other leg tucked under, he leaned back on his hands.

  “So how fare you today, my angel? Did you get some rest? You certainly needed it.”

  “I went right to bed. I skipped dinner and slept through till morning. But what I really need to know is how our little family is doing? How is Angela doing? You know they needn’t name her after me. Dr. Wesley would have done as much as I did and they certainly wouldn’t have named the child Murgatroyd even if it had been a boy.”

  “Wesley’s name is Murgatroyd? What mother in her right mind would do that to her son?” Geoffrey leaned forward and played with the hem of her skirts. She was shifting back and forth in the swing, her feet not leaving the ground. His hand fell on her ankle. Angeline blushed fully, shook her head and moved her foot away.

  “He told me it was a family name. He typically uses his first initial and his middle name. I think it is Michael.”

  “Regardless, when I have a son I shall not burden him with such a foul epithet. There are so many strong names for a boy. Nicholas, Jonathan, Brandon. The list is endless.”

  “Of course, you shall pick the name and the mother would have not a word to say about the matter.” Angeline’s lip curled. She obviously was not pleased with his latest comment. “What if she wanted to name him after his sire? Is that not a reasonable request?”

  “Do you think this world could handle two Geoffrey Reynolds Chisholms, Angeline? Of all people, I would have thought one of me would be enough.”

  “This is true. So why bother to have a child to begin with?” Angeline was back to swaying with her feet on the ground. Her face was beautifully flushed from the fresh air and her soft gauze skirts wafted around her ankles. He dare not touch her again. Not yet, anyway.

  “Don’t be a fool. You know as well as I that I have a duty to uphold. I need an heir. A spare, as they say, wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Especially considering how many marquesses this family went through before me.”

  “It was tragic Ronald lost two older brothers as well. That line of the family certainly did not have its share of good luck.”

  Geoffrey cleared his throat. What better time than now since the conversation was already on the subject of heirs?

  “Don’t ask it, Geoffrey.” Angeline stopped swinging to look down upon him with a stern, steady gaze. “Don’t ask me again. The answer shall be the same and I do not want to repeat myself. It is out of the question.” She turned her head away.

&
nbsp; Was that sorrow he saw fleetly flash across her face? Hurt? Anger?

  “You want children, Angeline. I saw it in your face when you held Angela. You ache to hold a child of your own.”

  “Just like a man. There is so much more to raising children than just having them. You were there last night. Did you not see what went on between Lester and Brenda? A child needs more than just the love of the mother and the occasional attention of its father. I will not bear children just so you or any man can have a bloody heir.” She pushed off with her feet, pumped her legs nearly knocking him over as she flew over him.

  Geoffrey rose as he brushed off his backside. Why had she not softened to the idea at all? She ached for her own children. He would give her as many as she wanted. And would enjoy the pleasure of doing so. He’d best lay another plan.

  “Let me push you, Angeline.” He came round to the back of the swing to give it a hard shove.

  “That is not necessary. I can pump myself to a decent height.”

  “But I can push you higher. It will be like being a child all over again. Feel the rush of wind on your face, Angeline. Have you ever stood at the bow of a ship when it races through the waves? You can taste the salt water on your tongue. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride.”

  For many moments, Geoffrey pushed her higher and higher. She started to giggle. Then it turned to full-blown laughter.

  At least he had lightened her mood.

  Thomas pushed through the leafy curtain. He hesitated before looking up and shouting, “My lady, your father wishes you to attend him in his library.”

  “Must I come now, Thomas? I am busy here.” She looked down at the butler but Geoffrey could not see her face, only hear the disappointment in her voice.

 

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