What a Lady Wants

by Victoria Alexander

  The day had lasted much longer than either of them had expected. Between their wide-ranging talks and the work that needed to be dealt with, it was early evening when his father had declared they’d done enough for today. When Nigel had at last taken his leave, his father had clasped his hand and said he was proud of the person his son had become. And added that he had never doubted it.

  That too made Nigel feel like a new man.

  Now he was impatient to get home to his wife. If this blasted cab could manage to maneuver through the congested London streets a little faster, he’d be home by now. Last night had been, well, magical was the only word for it. At the ball and afterward in their bed, and still later holding her in his arms while she’d slept, he’d had the most profound sense of satisfaction and peace and perfection. As if it were all meant to be. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of last night or the talks today with his father, but Nigel had decided it was time for his own confession. Time to tell Felicity the last thing he wanted was to live his own life. Time to tell her he loved her.

  He chuckled to himself. No doubt that would come as just as big a surprise to her as it had to him. Although it probably shouldn’t have. Still, he’d never been in love before. Lust was another matter. He was well acquainted with lust. Love hadn’t even occurred to him until Norcroft had mentioned it last night. But there wasn’t so much as a doubt in his mind now. This was indeed love.

  His cab stopped in front of his house just in time for him to note his own carriage pulling away. Blast it all, Felicity was obviously off to her evening of what ever it was she’d been doing. He hesitated, then told the driver to follow her carriage, at a discreet distance, of course. Now that their separate lives were at an end, what was the harm in finding out what she’d been up to? After all, he was more than willing to tell her what he did. He had nothing to hide. He ignored the unwelcome thought that perhaps she did.

  Felicity’s carriage pulled into a drive a half block in front of his cab and he watched her get out and hurry into a house. Abruptly he recognized the house as his sister’s. He’d been too busy thinking about what Felicity was doing to notice their route. Unexpected relief flooded him. He hadn’t realized he had been quite that concerned about Felicity’s activities, but given the way it seemed a weight had lifted from his shoulders, obviously not knowing had indeed preyed on his mind.

  Well, there was certainly nothing that said he couldn’t call on his sister as well. He stepped out of the cab, paid the driver, and started toward the door. His presence was no more than a happy coincidence. One could even call it—he grinned at the thought—fate. Now that he was here, why, he could escort his wife home. And once home, as awkward as it might be, he would admit his mistake. Admit he’d been an idiot and recant his desire to lead separate lives. He would confess his love for her and ask her to forgive his stupidity.

  He reached for the door knocker. And they would live happily for the rest of their days. There was no question of that.

  After all, it was their fate.

  “…and he further insisted that we attend every social event we’ve been invited to.” Felicity paused for emphasis. “Together.”

  “Together?” Madeline raised a brow. “Oh, that is progress.”

  “And last night was…” Felicity wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to share last night even with Madeline, who had indeed become the sister Felicity had never had.

  She and Nigel had danced nearly forever and had laughed almost as much. There had even been a moment when she’d thought he would declare his feelings. Feelings that went beyond merely liking her. It was impossible to believe that he didn’t feel something more. Something…wonderful. Especially after last night. And later, when he’d taken her in his arms…She sighed. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

  “You’re not going to give me any details, are you?”

  Felicity grinned. “Absolutely not.”

  “That’s as it should be. It’s all working out beautifully, but then I always knew it would.” Madeline beamed with satisfaction. “Is Nigel still curious about how you’re spending your nights?”

  “He asked again yesterday.”

  Her sister-in-law chuckled. “I would wager it’s driving him mad. It’s all very well and good to talk about a husband and wife living their own lives, but when it comes right down to the reality of it, no man wants his wife to live a life that excludes him. Beyond that, men, as a group, are insanely curious. More so than women, although they would, each and every one, deny it.”

  “Madeline,” Felicity said slowly. “Do you think, if Nigel wants us to go everywhere together, as husband and wife that is, that he has had a change of heart?”

  “Possibly.”

  “I think I should tell him.” Felicity swept a wide gesture at the room that had become her observatory. One wall was hung with star charts. Stacks of notebooks sat on a table set up beside her telescope. Her celestial globe dominated one corner. “About all this, that is.”

  “Why?”

  “I have always been honest with him.”

  Madeline raised a brow.

  “More or less,” Felicity said quickly. “I’ve never actually lied to him.

  “And you’re not lying to him now,” Madeline said firmly.

  “It certainly feels as though I am.”

  “Rubbish.” Madeline cast her a pitying look. “You have no real experience with the way men think, do you?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Madeline sighed. “You have so much to learn. Well, there’s no time like the present to begin.” She pinned Felicity with a pointed stare. “First of all, did he or did he not tell you that you should concentrate on your work?”

  Felicity nodded. “He did.”

  “Are you or are you not doing exactly that?”

  “I am. Why, I have nearly filled an entire notebook with observations.”

  “An unexpected benefit.” Madeline nodded. “Now, have you even once lied to him about your activities?”

  “Certainly not.”

  “So all you’ve ever really done is not tell him you’re doing precisely what he told you to do in the first place.” Madeline nodded with the satisfaction of a point well made.

  “You’re right.” Felicity stared at her sister-in-law. “Why, I have done nothing wrong whatsoever. Whereas I have allowed him to…to…”

  “Dictate to you?”

  “That’s it.” Felicity punctuated her words with her finger. “Without so much as a—”

  “Protest on your part?”

  “Exactly.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I’ve been an idiot.”

  “You are well matched,” Madeline murmured.

  Felicity’s brows rose in indignation. “Pardon me?”

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” Madeline said quickly. “I simply mean that in terms of love, you are both…” She thought for a moment. “Inexperienced. Yes, that’s good. That’s what I meant.”

  “Inexperienced?” Felicity snorted. “I daresay Nigel is the most experienced man I have ever met.”

  “In one respect, admittedly, but what I mean is that Nigel has never been in love before. He’s never especially seen women as anything other than a romp, and a temporary one at that. And you’ve told me you’ve never felt about anyone the way you do about Nigel. You’re both extremely inexperienced at this. At love, that is.”

  “You think he’s in love with me?” Felicity held her breath.

  Madeline stared in surprise. “My dear Felicity, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know. Not really.” She heaved a heartfelt sigh. “I simply hope.”

  “Well, there isn’t a doubt in my mind.” Madeline studied her sister-in-law. “You’re very good for him, you know. You and the responsibilities Father has given him. I’ve noticed a distinct change in him of late. He’s more…” She thought for a moment. “He’s finally grown up, I think. Lord knows, it’s past time. It would have happened eventually, I suppose. St
ill, I had begun to fear—”

  “Good evening ladies.” Nigel’s voice sounded from the doorway.

  “Nigel!” Felicity stared. So much for whether to tell her husband what she’d been doing.

  “What are you doing here?” Madeline said sharply.

  “Delighted to see you too.” He strode into the room, a smug smile on his face. “I simply thought I would visit my sister, as my wife was not at home.”

  “I did not expect you to be home,” Felicity said cautiously. “I thought you would be out to night.”

  “And indeed I am out.” He glanced around the room. “What on earth is going on here?”

  “It’s not precisely on earth,” Madeline said under her breath.

  “It’s an observatory of sorts.” Felicity paused. “My observatory.”

  “Your observatory?” He raised a curious brow. “I see.” He glanced around the room, then wandered in an aimless manner toward the telescope. “It’s a perfect room for it, isn’t it?”

  “Indeed it is.” Felicity studied her husband. There was a thoughtful light in his eyes she didn’t like one bit. What was the man thinking? “Your sister was kind enough to offer it to me for my work.”

  “My sister is nothing if not kind.” He bent and gazed through the telescope. “Ursa Major, I see.” He glanced at Felicity. “Specifically Benetnasch?”

  Felicity stared at him. Benetnasch was a second magnitude star, the first in the handle of the Dipper. “How did you know?”

  He straightened and shrugged. “You talk about the stars a great deal. And I have recently had the occasion to glance through a book or two on the subject.”

  Madeline snorted. “You?”

  “Yes.” A firm note sounded in his voice. His gaze moved slowly around the room. “This is quite remarkable. It must have taken a lot of time and effort.”

  “Not at all,” Felicity said carefully. “It was simply a matter of moving my telescope and globe and charts and things here. It took no particular time at all.”

  He met her gaze. “Still, I didn’t notice they were missing.”

  Felicity chose her words with care. “You have scarcely been at home to notice.”

  “Indeed.” He chuckled in a sardonic manner. “How very clever of you both.”

  Madeline and Felicity exchanged glances.

  He looked at Felicity. “You could have told me, you know.”

  “Yes.” She sighed. “I probably could have.”

  “But,” he said slowly, “that would have spoiled the fun, wouldn’t it?”

  Felicity caught her breath. “The fun?”

  “It must have been quite enjoyable for the two of you to lead me to believe Felicity might be doing something untoward.”

  “We did nothing of the sort,” Madeline said staunchly.

  “You”—he nodded at his sister—“provided her with someplace to go and something to do—”

  “You were the one who told her to pursue her stargazing while you were out living your life,” Madeline said sharply.

  He ignored her and directed his gaze toward Felicity. “And you.”

  Felicity narrowed her eyes. “I what?”

  “You refused to tell me where you were at night.”

  She stared at him, an awful sensation growing in the pit of her stomach. “And?”

  “And you knew it would drive me mad.”

  “Frankly, Nigel, I knew nothing of the sort.” She raised her chin. “All I truly knew was that I was married to a man who did not wish to be married, who had furthermore said—no, announced—in no uncertain terms that he fully intended to act as if he were not married.”

  “And yet you didn’t object.” His tone was deceptively mild.

  She stared in disbelief. “You gave me no choice.”

  “So you turned to my sister for help in deceiving me.”

  Felicity gasped. “Deceiving you? I have scarcely deceived you.”

  “That’s rather harsh of you, Nigel, and not the least bit fair.” Madeline glared at her brother.

  “Isn’t it?” He stared at his sister for a long moment. “Why did you invite Felicity to your party?”

  “Why? Well, why does anyone invite anyone to a party?” A defensive note sounded in Madeline’s voice. “I had met her and I thought—”

  “When,” he snapped.

  “When what?” his sister asked.

  “When did you meet her?”

  “I don’t know exactly.” Madeline shrugged. “One meets so many people, particularly during the season, it’s impossible to say with any precision exactly when one meets—”

  “She met me when I came to her to tell her I intended to marry you.” Felicity met Nigel’s gaze directly. “The day after we met at Lady Denton’s ball.”

  “Met again,” Madeline muttered.

  “I see.” His eyes narrowed. “So from the very beginning the two of you have conspired to trap me into marriage.”

  Felicity stared. “Trap you?”

  “We did nothing of the sort.” Madeline scoffed. “I simply advised her—”

  “Successfully!” He fairly spit out the word.

  “If we were successful, it’s because you couldn’t resist her!” Madeline glared. “You were the one who sought her out over and over again.”

  “She was everywhere I looked!” Fury snapped in his eyes. “Everywhere I went. I could scarcely breathe without tripping over her.”

  Madeline snorted. “And trip you did. At every opportunity, I might add.”

  “Every opportunity you arranged.” He gestured angrily. “You invited her to your party. You arranged for her to fail to receive a note about it being moved—”

  Felicity looked at Madeline. “Did you?”

  Madeline winced. “I might have.”

  “You made certain we would be alone together.” His jaw clenched. “Was there really even a flood, Maddy?”

  “Yes, of course there was a flood.” Madeline huffed. “I would not go to the trouble of moving an entire party even for you. That was simply—”

  “Fate?” He snorted in disdain. “I actually believed all that nonsense about fate but I daresay we can now call fate by its real names: Madeline and Felicity!”

  Felicity stared with horror and a growing realization. This was never going to work. Nigel hadn’t wanted marriage, and the fact that he wanted her scarcely mattered. He might well want her in his bed but he’d never wanted any woman permanently. And hadn’t she told Eugenia that the appeal of a man like Nigel was the very things that made him unsuitable in the first place? What on earth made her think that he’d change simply because he’d taken vows?

  “I wouldn’t put the blame on fate or on us.” Madeline aimed an accusing finger at her brother. “The blame here rests squarely with you. If you hadn’t—”

  “That’s quite enough.” A hard note sounded in Felicity’s voice. “It scarcely matters who is at fault for what. There is only one thing that matters.” She squared her shoulders. “This has been a mistake.”

  Nigel crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “I should say so!”

  “Felicity?” Apprehension shone in Madeline’s eyes, and she stepped toward her.

  Felicity held out her hand to stop her. “I realize this is your house, but might we have a minute alone?”

  Madeline’s gaze met hers, and Felicity realized the other woman knew exactly what Felicity was thinking. “I don’t think—”

  “You’ve been most kind to me and I am extremely grateful.” Felicity smiled at her sister-in-law. “Indeed, you’ve been all that a sister should be and I shall remember that always, but now I need to have a word with my”—she almost choked on the word—“husband.”

  Madeline moved to her and took her hands. Her gaze searched Felicity’s. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m not really sure of anything.” Felicity forced a short laugh, an odd, mirthless sort of sound. “But I think this is what needs to be done.”

  Madeline sta
red at her for a moment longer, then pulled her into her arms and whispered into her ear. “Well, I for one shall never give up.”

  “I’m not giving up,” Felicity said softly. “I am accepting the inevitable. Fate, if you will.”

  “Are you two plotting again?” Nigel said irritably.

  “You should have shot him when you had the chance.” Madeline gave her a quick hug, released her, and headed for the door. She cast her brother a scathing glance. “You are an idiot.”

  “Hah!” he snapped.

  “Excellent answer,” she muttered and took her leave.

  “Well?” Nigel glared at Felicity. “Have you nothing to say?”

  She stared at him for a long time. How could she possibly love him as much as she did and still do what she had to do? As much for herself as for him. She searched for the right words. “You should know the extent of our conspiracy, as you called it. There was very little to it. All your sister did was to make certain you and I were invited to the same social events. To put me in your path, as it were. The rest was up to—”

  “Don’t tell me fate.”

  “I wasn’t going to.” In the back of her mind she noted how remarkably calm and cool and unemotional she sounded. Odd, she’d had no idea she had that kind of strength. “I was going to say you. You approached me at the garden party. And the night of your sister’s dinner—”

  “When she arranged for us to be alone.”

  “You could have sent me on my way. But instead you…” She struggled for control. “Instead you danced with me.”

  “And what about the cards? And the wager?”

  “The game was not prompted by anyone other than Lord and Lady Fernwood, and it’s silly of you to imply that it was. Neither I nor your sister had anything to do with that. And the wager was entirely your doing.”