What a Lady Wants

by Victoria Alexander

  “Not as bad as all that?” Felicity raised her head and stared at her mother. “How could it possibly be any worse?”

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  Felicity sighed. “Yes.”

  “And he cares for you, doesn’t he?”

  “No. Not at all.” Felicity shook her head. “He wants me in…in a carnal sense but nothing more than that.”

  “That is a great deal,” Mother said firmly. “And an excellent place to start.”

  Felicity’s eyes widened. “Surely you’re not serious?”

  “Oh, but I am. The physical relationship between a man and a woman is most extraordinary.” She paused. “We should talk about that in detail before the wedding.”

  “Should we?” Felicity said faintly. She had learned a great deal about the relations between men and women during her travels, as one of her somewhat unconventional chaperones felt the best way to arm her charges against the wickedness of men was with knowledge. The very idea of speaking with her mother about such things now was unnerving.

  “Oh my, yes. The more you know, the less likely you are to be apprehensive. Besides, it can be most enjoyable, and I daresay, given Mr. Cavendish’s extensive reputation, he should be quite skilled—”

  “Mother!”

  “Have I shocked you?”

  “A little.”

  Her mother studied her for a moment. “I know you think your father and I are quite a stodgy, boring old couple.”

  “No.” Felicity said staunchly. “Not at all.”

  “It’s kind of you to say but in many ways we are. Now at any rate. It was quite a different story in our youth.” A wicked twinkle shone in her mother’s eyes. “I daresay, those details would indeed shock you.”

  Felicity smiled weakly.

  “But that’s beside the point. Suffice it to say, I know of a long list of happy marriages that began with little more than lust and desire. Love, my dearest, can grow from even the naughtiest beginnings.”

  Felicity shook her head. “But Nigel doesn’t want to get married.”

  “Few men do.”

  “He is being forced to marry and he hates me for it.”

  “Don’t be absurd. He doesn’t hate you at all. Felicity.” Her mother took her hands and looked firmly into her eyes. “No one is truly forcing him to do anything. Your father has not put a gun to his head, although I suspect he would have liked to.”

  “Nigel’s sense of honor will not permit him to abandon me.”

  “It sounds so good, doesn’t it? An honorable man does the honorable thing.” Mother scoffed. “I can tell you any number of stories about so called honorable men who did not do the honorable thing in circumstances like this. If Mr. Cavendish did not have some feelings for you, he would be on his way out of the country at this very moment.”

  “Do you think so?”

  Mother nodded. “I do. And I am confident that all will turn out well.”

  “Are you?”

  “Felicity, if I had any doubts whatsoever, regardless of the consequences, I would not allow this marriage.” She gazed into her daughter’s eyes. “I would lock you in your room if necessary to keep it from happening. And for good measure”—she smiled in a pleasant manner—“I would have the balcony ripped from the side of the house as well.”

  “And you do intend to marry this young woman?” Nigel’s father said in a thoughtful tone, but then he had been quiet and reflective throughout Nigel’s recitation of the details leading up to this point. He sat behind his desk considering his son in a calm manner that made Nigel want to squirm. A feeling not eased in the least by his mother’s steady perusal from a chair off to one side of the desk.

  “I do, sir.” Nigel sat in the chair facing his father’s desk and shrugged. “I see no other option.”

  His father raised a brow. “Are you being forced to marry then? By her family, that is?”

  “It certainly feels that way.” In spite of what he’d said to Felicity, upon further reflection, Nigel acknowledged there had been no real force involved. His anger had dimmed since this morning and he had realized that, for the most part, he had brought this on himself. Every bit of it. He sighed. “But no, I’m not. Her father simply made it clear that I was expected to marry her.”

  “Understandable.” The viscount nodded. “Go on.”

  “I don’t have a choice though, Father, do I?” Nigel leaned forward in his chair. “In spite of the apparently irrelevant truth that nothing of significance happened last night, the mere fact that I was discovered in circumstances of a scandalous—”

  “Highly scandalous,” his mother murmured.

  “Highly scandalous nature,” Nigel continued, “will, if it hasn’t already, destroy Lady Felicity’s reputation. Her chances for any kind of acceptable marriage are over. I cannot abandon her to a”—the word caught in his throat—“fate that is entirely the result of my stupid actions.”

  “I see,” his father said.

  “Do you love her?” his mother asked.

  “Love is of little relevance at this point, my dear.” His father shrugged. “Whether he does or doesn’t scarcely matters.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Nonetheless, I for one am quite pleased at this unexpected turn of events,” his mother said firmly. “I met the young woman last night and I must say I liked her at once.” She glanced at her husband. “You met her as well, dear, remember? The tall one with the small bosoms and the charming laugh. And she has the most unique eyes.”

  “I didn’t think her bosoms…” His father cleared his throat. “I did meet her and yes, she impressed me as well. Lovely girl. Exceptionally clever too, I thought.”

  “You undoubtedly could do worse, Nigel, and Lord knows I thought you would.” His mother shook her head. “To be perfectly honest, I think she is the one who could have done better.”

  “Better than me?” Nigel said indignantly. “I’m your son.”

  “She is the daughter of an earl, with a tidy dowry I would assume, and I’ve never heard so much as a whisper about her. And while you have good prospects, you are a scoundrel with an absolutely dismal reputation.” His mother pinned him with a firm gaze. “You are exceptionally lucky to have found her.”

  “I don’t feel lucky,” Nigel muttered and ignored the fact that just possibly his mother was right. He stared at her in disbelief. “Aren’t you upset about all this? The circumstances? The scandal?”

  “It’s not as if scandal was new to you. But of course it’s distressing. Most distressing.” She waved away the comment. “One never wants to have a wedding under these conditions but it can’t be helped. And, frankly, Nigel, I am relieved. I couldn’t have chosen a better match for you. She’ll make you a perfect wife.”

  “So I’ve been told,” he said under his breath.

  The viscountess rose, her husband and son promptly getting to their feet. “I realize it’s still early, but I am going to fetch your sister and we shall both pay a call on Lady Felicity and Lady Dunbury at once. There is much we need to discuss if we are to have a wedding in the next few days.” She favored her son with a brilliant smile. “There is nothing quite as exhilarating as putting together a proper wedding at a moment’s notice. I should thank you for this but”—her eyes narrowed—“I shall restrain.” With that she swept from the room.

  Nigel sank down in his seat and stared at his father. “Well?”

  His father settled in his own chair, leaned back, and folded his hands together. “Well what?”

  “Isn’t there more you wish to say to me? Chastise me? Reprimand me? Cut off my funds? Exile me to the country? Something?” Nigel braced himself. “Go on. I deserve it.”

  “Very well.” His father thought for a moment. “You are marrying the girl.”

  “Yes?”

  “You have accepted your responsibilities in this matter.”

  Nigel nodded. “Yes?”

  “Your behavior, after the fact as it were, can only be described as hon
orable.”

  “I would hope so,” Nigel muttered.

  “Then I see nothing to reprimand you about.”

  “Nothing?” Nigel stared. “Nothing at all?”

  “While your behavior in the past has been anything but exemplary, you’ve never before been in a situation where the consequences have been as severe as in this particular instance. Where a lady’s future was at risk.”

  “And?” Nigel held his breath.

  “And I must say”—his father’s gaze met his—“I have never been more proud of you than I am right now.”

  “Proud of me?” Nigel shook his head. “I have made a mess of it all. Of my life. Of Felicity’s life. Of everything.”

  The viscount chuckled. “And yet you are ending up with an exceptional young woman who will make you a fine wife. You have landed on your feet, my boy, and you have done so by doing the right thing. You’ve accepted your responsibilities like the man I’ve always known you could be. I am indeed proud.”

  “Proud,” Nigel said under his breath. Who would have thought?

  “Now that that’s settled”—his father opened a notebook and paged through it—“I should like to discuss a question that’s arisen regarding the estate tenants, one in particular.”

  Nigel pulled his chair closer to the desk, and a moment later father and son were both immersed in the details of running a country estate. Still, Nigel couldn’t quite put all that had happened out of his head.

  He had always known scandalous involvement with a lady of Felicity’s position and background would ultimately result in marriage. Precisely why he had avoided such women—virgins—in the first place. He had never questioned that he would indeed do the proper thing should circumstances require it. And if he were honest with himself, the fact that the lady involved was Felicity Melville made it somewhat more palatable.

  Still, he could not ignore this terrible feeling of being trapped. Like a beast captured in a cage. He would no doubt be put on display at any minute. As much as he realized he was at fault for all this, he couldn’t help but blame Felicity as well. It was irrational, he knew, but there it was. At least he would at last have Felicity in his bed. There was something to be said for that.

  This was perhaps the most significant scandal of his life, in terms of the repercussions, but no one seemed particularly upset. His mother was pleased at the thought of her new daughter-in-law. His father was proud of his actions. Maddy would certainly be delighted at the end result. Felicity wasn’t especially happy at the moment, but ultimately she was getting what she wanted. Was he the only one dismayed at this turn of events?

  It was as if the entire world was in a conspiracy to take control of his life. To make him into something he wasn’t ready to be. It had started with his father easing him into the family’s business affairs and now…now he was to be married whether he wished it or not. And while he could have fought it, any protest on his part would have only made matters worse. No, an honorable man did the honorable thing. Even if it killed him.

  Still, he didn’t like the feeling that his life was out of his hands. He didn’t like it one bit. And it was past time he did something about it.

  Ten

  What a mother really wants is a daughter who will not make the same mistakes she did. Or barring that, a life for her daughter that will turn out as nicely as hers has.

  Evangeline, the Countess of Dunbury

  Felicity glanced around the large entry hall at Cavendish House and handed her wrap to a footman. She couldn’t recall ever having been quite this nervous. Certainly brides were supposed to be nervous but the wedding wasn’t until tomorrow. By tomorrow she’d be a small, quivering pool of sheer anxiety. If she survived to night.

  To night she and her parents were to dine with Nigel’s family. There was nothing really to be nervous about. Her mother and Lady Cavendish had discovered they had a great deal in common and had already become fast friends. Apparently there was something about planning their children’s wedding that brought women together. One would have thought this was a long-awaited affair instead of a hurried marriage of necessity.

  No one expressed a single doubt that all would ultimately turn out well. Madeline had assured her that Nigel would come around eventually, and she knew him better than anyone. But in that she had more confidence than Felicity.

  To all appearances, the only member of Nigel’s family not pleased about his impending nuptials was Nigel himself. She hadn’t seen him since they had agreed to marry two days ago. It struck her that her nervous state had little to do with meeting the rest of his family and everything to do with seeing Nigel again. The man who would soon be her husband, for better or for worse. Felicity drew a deep breath, and they were shown into a salon.

  “There you are!” Lady Cavendish hurried across the room to greet them, Viscount Cavendish at her side. She kissed Felicity’s cheeks. “My dear girl, you look lovely to night.”

  Lady Cavendish turned to Felicity’s mother. “Evangeline, I am not sure you have met my husband.”

  “I have but it was a very long time ago.” Her mother’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “How are you, Edmund?”

  “Excellent, Evie.” Evie? Felicity had never heard anyone except her father call her mother Evie. The viscount took her mother’s hands and raised them to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. “You have not changed a bit.”

  Her mother laughed. “Nonsense. I am considerably older, and if I am inclined to forget, the mirror reminds me every day.”

  “You are as exquisite as ever.” Exquisite? Her mother? She’d never thought of her mother as exquisite although now that she considered it, her mother was indeed a lovely woman who wore her age well.

  “Apparently you do know one another,” Lady Cavendish murmured, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  Lord Cavendish dropped Evie’s hands and turned to her father. “Dunbury.”

  Father nodded. “Cavendish.”

  “It seems history repeats itself,” Lord Cavendish said somberly.

  “Indeed it does.” Father studied the other man. “You have done well, Cavendish.”

  The viscount shrugged. “I have spent these last thirty some years making a name for myself whereas you have spent them”—he broke into a wide grin—“living yours down.”

  Father laughed and gripped Lord Cavendish’s hand. Nigel’s father clapped the earl on the back and the men broke into the kind of lighthearted conversation that can only be had between friends too long apart.

  Lady Cavendish raised a brow. “Apparently you all know one another.”

  “It was a long time ago, Charlotte. Scarcely worth mentioning.” Her mother tucked Lady Cavendish’s hand in the crook of her arm and turned her away from the men and toward the other guests. “Water under the bridge and all that.”

  “What did Lord Cavendish mean about history repeating itself?” Felicity followed her mother.

  “It’s not the least bit important dear,” her mother said lightly.

  “More water under the bridge?” Felicity asked.

  “Exactly.” Her mother nodded and directed her attention to Lady Cavendish.

  Felicity had heard that phrase several times in recent days and always in reference to her parents. One had to wonder just how deep that stream might be. Once again, she realized there was much about her parents’ lives she didn’t know.

  Madeline and Lord Windham were present, as were Nigel’s brother, Robin, a tall young man who was very much the image of his brother; and Phoebe, Nigel’s younger sister. She was a pretty girl, and from the practiced tilt of her smile and the look in her eyes, Felicity suspected Lady Cavendish would have her hands full when Phoebe entered society. There were a dozen or so other assorted relatives, a gathering small by Cavendish standards, Madeline had said. The only member of the family who was conspicuously absent was Nigel.

  Madeline greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. “Nigel isn’t here.”

  “So I see.” An uneasy feeli
ng settled in the pit of Felicity’s stomach. “Where is he?”

  Madeline pressed her lips together in a firm line. “I have no idea.”

  “You don’t think he’s left the country or something of that nature?”

  “No, I’m sure it’s nothing of the sort,” Madeline said firmly. “His wedding is tomorrow. He’s agreed to marry you, and I’m confident he will do so. He has always been a man of his word.”

  “And so I remain.” Nigel’s voice sounded behind them.

  Felicity turned toward him, and her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t realized she had missed him so much. She hated the way they’d left each other; far too much remained unsettled between them. They had so much to talk about and had had no opportunity to do so.

  “My apologies. I had a previous engagement and was delayed. Madeline.” He gave his sister a quick kiss on the cheek.

  She raised a brow. “Madeline?”

  He ignored her, turned to Felicity, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. “You are looking well this evening.”

  There was the faintest air of cigar smoke and brandy about him. “Thank you, Nigel.”

  “I should greet your parents.” He smiled pleasantly and turned away.

  Madeline watched him move across the room. “He is up to something.”

  “Surely not,” Felicity said, although she agreed with Madeline. There was something not quite right about Nigel to night. “Perhaps he’s just nervous. I know I am.” Across the room, Nigel kissed her mother’s hand. “But he seems polite enough, quite pleasant really.” Nigel said something that brought a smile to her mother’s face and a laugh from Lady Cavendish. “He’s being most charming.”

  “Nigel is nothing if not charming.” Madeline studied her brother. “There’s something brewing in that wicked little head of his. I don’t trust him.”

  “I do,” Felicity said staunchly.

  “I’m not sure you should.” Madeline sighed. “Still, you really have no other choice, I suppose.”