THE LEGEND OF NIMWAY HALL: 1888 - ALEXANDRA

by Victoria Alexander

  “Secondly—”

  “Not so fast.” He smiled. “It’s my turn.”

  She heaved an annoyed sigh. “Go on.”

  He thought for a moment. “No foolish female chatter before noon.”

  “I’m not entirely sure what you mean by ‘foolish female chatter,’ but I can assure you I have never been prone to ‘foolish female chatter,’ especially in the morning. Should I ever be inclined to do so, I can agree to limit it to the afternoon.” That was every bit as insignificant as her edict about cigars and easy to agree to. Good. Compromise was an excellent way to begin. She doubted it would last.

  Alex glanced at her list. “This one is the very basis for the merger.”

  “Marriage.”

  She ignored him. “You will provide the funds for the immediate repairs and maintenance for Nimway Hall, the outbuildings, the grounds, and everything involved with the estate. Including rehiring the staff.”

  “I thought that was understood as the underlying premise for this arrangement, but I am more than willing to confirm it.” He paused, adding up the costs of this union, no doubt. “And I will expect you to continue to assist in the restoration of Brynmore as per our original agreement.” She started to respond but he stopped her. “Without financial compensation.”

  “Agreed. We need to discuss …” She summoned her courage. This was not going to be easy. “Consummation.”

  He bit back a grin, but his eyes sparkled with laughter. “Consummation?”

  “Yes, you know.” She huffed. “Consummation. Marital relations. Intimacies. Lovemaking, that sort of thing.”

  “I didn’t know it required discussion.” It was obvious the man was enjoying her discomfort.

  “Well, it does.”

  “I do not intend to have a marriage lacking in consummation, marital relations, intimacies, lovemaking, or anything else you wish to call it,” he said mildly.

  “I didn’t think you did.” She tapped her pen on the desk. “On my part, however, I do not intend to leap into your bed the instant we’ve said our vows.”

  For a moment, the amusement in his eyes was wiped away by a smoldering heat. “Pity.”

  An unexpected chill of excitement raced down her spine. The result of those annoying dreams, no doubt. She cleared her throat and searched for the right words. There didn’t seem to be any. “I do understand that at some point, you and I, well …”

  “Don’t doubt it for a moment. You said it yourself, Alexandra—marriage is forever. I have no intention of abstaining from relations for the rest of my life. Although …” He considered her thoughtfully. “I could have a mistress, I suppose.”

  “No mistress.” She tapped her finger on the page in front of her. “I have that on the list. I do expect fidelity.”

  “So you don’t want to be with me, but I can’t be with anyone else?”

  She frowned. “Admittedly, it doesn’t sound at all fair when you put it that way.”

  “It doesn’t sound fair because it isn’t.”

  “I’m not talking about forever, Robert. I’m simply saying that—”

  “There will be no consummation until you decide the time is right?”

  She raised her chin. “Yes.”

  “When might I expect the time to be right? Within a month? A year? Ten years?” He shook his head. “I am willing to make allowances, but I am not about to agree to celibacy for the rest of my life. If you are not willing to compromise on that particular item, then this negotiation is over.” He turned and started toward the door.

  “Wait.” Surrender sounded in her voice, and he paused. “I withdraw my condition. The right time will be a … a mutual decision.”

  He turned back to her. “Do you really believe I’d make you do anything against your will?”

  “I don’t know. Probably not.” She grimaced. “But my judgment of men has never been especially good.”

  “Then you should know this about me.” He moved to the desk, braced his hands on the edge, and leaned closer, his gaze locked with hers. “I can’t imagine having a woman in my bed who didn’t want to be there to be the least bit enjoyable. For either of us. I will not demand my conjugal rights on our wedding night, but I will not wait forever.”

  The look in his eyes caught at her breath and triggered the oddest simmering sensation low in her midsection. She ignored it. “We’re agreed, then. And there’s something you should know about me as well.” She rose to her feet and mimicked his stance—her hands braced on the desk, her gaze unwavering. “I do not like to be towered over. Not at my desk, not in my home.”

  For a long moment, they stared at each other, then he smiled slowly. “I do like how you stand your ground. Delightful in an annoying sort of way.”

  “One can’t ask for more than that.” She smirked and retook her seat.

  He straightened, stepped back, and dropped into the leather chair. “I assume you’ll want to continue to reside at Nimway, given that guardian business.”

  “That’s not negotiable.” And could well be a sticking point between them. After all, his life was in London and New York. “I wouldn’t think of living anywhere else.”

  “I expected that.” His gaze skimmed the room. “Nimway has an odd effect on people. I missed it. Even the leak in my room when it rains. Perhaps there is magic here after all.”

  “I wouldn’t count on that.”

  “I’m not averse to permanent residence at Nimway, but this trip to London has shown me I need to be there far more often than I had thought. I will be making frequent trips to London, and I will expect you to accompany me.”

  “How frequent?”

  “At least once a month, maybe twice.”

  She scoffed. “I’m not going to London twice a month. I have an estate to run.”

  “I’ll need my wife by my side, or it doesn’t do me any good to have one.”

  “Yes, well, you do have a point there, but I have responsibilities here.” She paused. “I suppose I could go every, oh … three months.”

  “Every six weeks.”

  “Two months.”

  “Six weeks, and that’s my final offer.” An unyielding note rang in his voice, and she suspected further argument would be useless.

  She wrinkled her nose. When it came right down to it, she needed this match far more than he did. “Fine.”

  “In addition to the estate here, I have leased a house in London with an eye toward purchase. I will expect you to manage that household as well as act as hostess when necessary.”

  “As I would expect to do.” She huffed. “Goodness, Robert, I was properly raised, you know. I do understand the appropriate duties of a wife.”

  He raised a brow.

  She ignored him, but an embarrassing wave of heat washed up her face.

  “I will also have to return to New York once or twice a year. My business and my family are there. You will come with me.” He narrowed his eyes. “This is nonnegotiable.”

  He obviously expected her to object. But the man was willing to reside at Nimway. Occasional trips to New York did seem reasonable and rather exciting.

  She nodded. “I’ve never been to America. Agreed.”

  “Good.” The slightest touch of relief edged his word. “Is there more?”

  “Yes.”

  He chuckled. “I thought there would be.”

  “Only one more. You might not like it, but it’s not negotiable.”

  “I can hardly wait to hear it.”

  She drew a deep breath. “I maintain exclusive ownership and control of Nimway. Nimway is to be passed on to a daughter. We always have daughters in my family.”

  He considered her for a long moment then nodded. “I can agree to that. Nimway is your heritage and your legacy to pass on. However, I have a legacy of my own, and we frequently have sons in my family.” He leaned forward. “When we marry, Nimway and Brynmore will merge and become one property. I now have a title to pass on to a male heir. Brynmore should accompany
that. Should I or my brother have a son, the estate will be divided into its original boundaries, and he will inherit Brynmore.”

  “That seems reasonable.” She’d never imagined having a son, but it was a possibility. As much as she’d always liked the idea of adding Brynmore’s land to Nimway’s, this did seem a fair arrangement. She rose to her feet. “Now that we have established the terms of a union, I shall consider your proposal.”

  He stood. “And I’ll await your decision.”

  “Good evening, Robert.” She nodded and swept out of the room with all the dignity she could manage.

  “Sleep well, Alexandra,” his voice trailed behind her.

  She doubted she’d sleep at all. She had a decision to make that would affect the rest of her life and Nimway’s future as well. But as the guardian, she would do what was in the best interest of Nimway. It was her duty, her responsibility, and her destiny.

  Whether she liked it or not.

  Chapter 11

  A loud crash shattered the stillness of the dark and shook the room. “Wake up, Robert.”

  Robert bolted upright in his bed, his mind groggy with sleep abruptly interrupted. “Who? What?”

  “It’s time to get up.”

  Was that Alex’s voice? But her head was between his legs and her mouth occupied … Damn it to hell. He’d been dreaming again. The real Alex was not engaged in activities designed to make even the hardiest of men weak with bliss but stood in the doorway at the far end of the room, silhouetted by the light in the hall. Too bad, really.

  He groaned. “What do you want?”

  “I want you to get up and get dressed. We need to be on our way.”

  “What was that noise?”

  “The door slammed against the wall when I opened it. Quite by accident, I assure you,” she added.

  He doubted it.

  “It fairly flew out of my hand, much harder than I expected.”

  “It sounded like the end of the damned world,” he muttered.

  “The hinges may need tightening. I shall put it on my list of repairs. Regardless, it did wake you up.”

  “It’s the middle of the night.”

  “On the contrary, it’s nearly dawn, and we need to be on our way.”

  He stared, trying to make sense of her words. “On our way where?”

  “To London. If we leave Nimway in the next half hour, we can make the early train to London.”

  “London?” Robert shook his head to clear it and make some sense of her words. It didn’t work. “Why are we going to London?”

  “To be married, of course. It will be much quicker in London. We can have a civil ceremony or acquire a special license.”

  At once, he was fully awake. “You’re accepting my proposition?”

  “Your proposal.”

  “And you want to be married immediately?”

  “You said yourself time was of the essence.”

  “I did, didn’t I.” He grinned, doubting she could see it from the doorway. At least he hoped she couldn’t. She’d probably find it annoying as it was no doubt smug and self-congratulatory. Alex was going to marry him! Why wouldn’t he be smug?

  He’d wanted other women before but not like this. Not with this aching, gnawing need. He could blame those dreams that visited him nearly every night, but only in part. In spite of her obvious reluctance to spend more time with him than necessary, he’d grown to like and admire her, and respect her as well. Alex was strong and fearless, independent and spirited, intelligent and kind. She was a woman any man would be proud to call his wife. Who wouldn’t want her? Her past fiancés were obviously shortsighted fools. And he wanted her for the rest of their lives. He’d been gone from Nimway no more than a day when he realized the truth. Like an idiot, he’d gone and fallen for the one woman who was apparently immune to his charms.

  “We’ve agreed to the terms, so I think we should get on with it. If we leave today, we can be back in less than five days and then immediately begin repairs.”

  He frowned. “You don’t want a grand wedding?”

  “No.” She paused. “Do you?”

  “I’ve never really given it any thought.” Actually, the idea of something short and immediate had a great deal of appeal. His mother and sister would be furious, of course, but they were an ocean away.

  “This is a business arrangement, remember? A marriage of convenience. I’m marrying you for money, and you’re marrying me for position.”

  “Still, it is forever.”

  “There is that.” Alex nodded at the figure behind her. “Pearson will help you dress and pack your bag. I shall see you downstairs.” She turned without waiting for a reply.

  “Look forward to it!” he called after her.

  Pearson entered the room and lit the lamp, then moved to the wardrobe, pulled out Robert’s leather bag, and began packing his clothes.

  Robert was getting married. Who would have thought? He’d been nearly as shocked as Alex when his proposal had sprung from his lips without any real consideration. Not that the idea hadn’t already crossed his mind. He could thank Lady P for that. When he’d run into her at yet another hot, crowded, pretentious event, she’d pointed out the benefits of an appropriate wife and had then proceeded to recommend a number of prospective brides. But the only woman he could see spending the rest of his life with was Alex. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. He’d never felt this way about a woman. Never gave marriage so much as a passing thought, at least not seriously. Never imagined he would. But being away from her for a full week had been a unique form of hell.

  Certainly her feelings for him were not the same as his feelings for her. At least not yet. He’d never set out to make a woman fall in love with him. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth it. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that this was right for both of them.

  Pearson cleared his throat. “You’re grinning, my lord.”

  Robert laughed. “I suppose I am.”

  “Might I suggest you dress if you’re going to make the train to London.”

  “Yes, of course.” Robert threw the covers back and slid out of bed. “Fine day for travel, don’t you think, Pearson?”

  “Indeed, my lord.” The butler’s tone was noncommittal, but a smile shone in his eyes.

  “Do you believe in fate, Pearson?” Robert pulled on his trousers.

  “I really couldn’t say, my lord.”

  “What about magic?”

  “I reside at Nimway, my lord,” the older man said smoothly. “It’s impossible not to accept that there are things in this world beyond our understanding.”

  “I never have. Well, not as an adult. I’ve never believed in fate either. I’ve always thought we make our own destinies.”

  “Indeed, sir.”

  “I still believe that,” he said firmly.

  “As do we all, sir.”

  Even so, when one thought about the sequence of unexpected events that had brought him to England and to Nimway—a title and estate he had never even known existed—one had to allow for the interference of a higher power. Fate, perhaps? Magic? He discarded both ideas. It didn’t matter what had brought him to this point. To Alex.

  It only mattered that it had.

  “Perhaps you misunderstood,” Miles said slowly. “When I said the right wife would serve you well, it was a suggestion. I didn’t mean you should rush out immediately and find one.”

  “Actually, it was your aunt’s idea.”

  Miles groaned. “My apologies.”

  “Not necessary.” Robert smiled. “It was an excellent idea.”

  “Was it?” Doubt sounded in Miles’s voice.

  Robert laughed. “Surprisingly so.”

  “Then might I point out I suggested it first.” He picked up a glass and raised it to his friend. “Unless of course this goes horribly wrong, in which case, Aunt Phoebe is responsible.”

  “It won’t,” Robert said firmly. “I fully intend to make a succe
ss of this marriage.”

  The two men sat, cigars in hand, on the back terrace of the house Robert had leased in London. A table with a whisky decanter sat between them.

  Robert glanced over the expansive backyard—back garden in England, apparently. “I think I’m going to buy this place. Alexandra will like it.”

  “Perhaps you should get her opinion before any purchases of items like houses. I’m told wives like to be consulted about those sorts of decisions.”

  Robert chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Say.” Miles glanced around the flagstone-paved terrace and beyond to the perfectly groomed grounds. “Not that it isn’t pleasant enough, but why are we out of doors?”

  “Cigars.” Robert aimed his cigar at his friend. “Alexandra doesn’t like them in the house.”

  “But she’s not here,” Miles said slowly.

  They had agreed Alex would stay with her aunt while Robert resided at the house he had leased. They’d arrived yesterday accompanied by Lady P and her maid. Alex had informed the older lady about her decision to marry Robert before she’d told Robert himself because she wouldn’t think of waking Lady P in the early morning hours without warning. Why, she might keel over with shock, and the last thing Alex’s reputation needed was the unfortunate death of a chaperone. Not that Alex cared about such things—or so she claimed—but it did seem rude not to give Lady P some advance warning about their return to London. Oddly enough, the older lady didn’t seem particularly surprised. She had bid them farewell at Victoria station but would join them at Lady Wescott’s for the wedding ceremony. She absolutely refused to miss it.

  “You really are smitten, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know what I am.” Robert considered the question. “But I think it’s love.”

  “Really?”

  “I have no idea. Never having been in love, I can’t be sure.” Robert blew a long plume of smoke into the late-afternoon sky. “If it is love, it’s not quite as poetic as one would imagine. It’s unsettling and disquieting, more than a little frustrating, and somewhat confusing.”

  “Sounds like love to me, at least from what I’ve heard. It certainly explains your rush to the altar.”