At the Earl's Convenience

by Maggi Andersen

  He gave a deep chuckle.

  She firmed her lips. His laugh was low and infectious. If she weren’t so hurt, she would laugh with him.

  When he turned her shoulders, his big hands were gentle. He searched her face in the lamplight. “I have to confess to little desire to marry. Don’t doubt I will make a very poor husband. In my defense, I’ll never be consciously cruel to you and can offer you a title that goes back to the Saxon wars. And, by way of consolation, I like you.”

  “And desire my fortune.”

  He stiffened as if she’d struck him, and then he nodded. “Halcrow Hall falls into disrepair; its lands lie fallow. I can’t afford to make repairs. My great-great-grandfather lost a considerable amount of money when his ships were sunk during England’s war against Spain. Another gambled much that was left away. My father had no head for business, and the family fortunes have been dashed on the rocks ever since. I can’t bear to watch Halcrow sink into the ground, Selina. I believe I do have a head for business, given half a chance. If I had funds, I could put the estate to rights and improve the lot of my tenants.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s my heartfelt desire to return the estate to the magnificence it once enjoyed.”

  She drew breath at the fire and passion brightening his eyes. His hunger wasn’t for her, but she still found herself helplessly caught up by it. Her resolve and her common sense began to give way like a fortress under siege. “You intend to devote your life to restoring the mansion and its lands?”

  “I first must pay off my father’s creditors.” His humble tone surprised her. “As you know, I’ve sold out of the army, and I’m running out of time.”

  “Why leave while England is at war?”

  A flash of humor crossed his face. “I turned twenty-nine and want to live beyond thirty.”

  “And General Wellington agreed?”

  “He appreciates my need for an heir. So here I am.”

  The thought of giving him an heir was her undoing. A blond son like him. Perhaps a baby would prove to be ample compensation for not having his love. His eyes searched hers for a sign that she wavered. She stiffened her shoulders. “Why me? There are other heiresses. Pretty ones.”

  “I’ll be damned if I’ll get leg-shackled to a shallow bore or a long-nosed, humorless wench.” He opened his eyes wide in alarm. “Or a bluestocking!”

  She laughed. “Not all of them, surely.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve looked them all over, believe me. You’re the only one I would consider spending the rest of my life with.”

  “Well, at least you don’t pay me Spanish coin.”

  He grinned. “And men do?”

  “I have had my fill of suitors. My sister Anne is determined to have me married before the year is out.”

  He leaned close and lowered his voice to a husky whisper, his eyes capturing hers. “Then marry me, Selina. Say you will.”

  She chewed her bottom lip. She hadn’t expected him to ask her again. Anne didn’t like him, but that might be because he would take Selina away from Bath. But she couldn’t be expected to keep refusing him, she thought crossly. She was only flesh and blood after all. Few women on earth could resist the pleas of a man such as Devereux. The last of the fortifications around her heart gave way. “We might arrange a marriage of convenience of sorts, I suppose,” she said cautiously.

  It would certainly rid her of fortune hunters and provide her with a home of her own, even if the property wasn’t in the best of repair. She refused to consider what her real reason might be, to see his face at breakfast every morning. A horrid thought struck her. Would she be replacing her tidy, organized life for one of disorder and heartbreak?

  “Don’t think I’ll live with you without the pleasures of the marriage bed,” he warned, breaking into her thoughts.

  “Oh! Do hush, my lord.” She glanced around, her face burning. Another couple stood not far away but seemed engrossed in their own conversation.

  “I wanted to make that plain.”

  She suppressed a shiver of anticipation as his strong, agile body leaned toward her. She found herself wondering what he looked like naked, the feel of his skin, the muscles and bones beneath. The tautness of a male body against the softness of hers. She grew warm and swallowed. “Then you must ask me properly.” Had she gone mad? This was a recipe for a broken heart if ever there was one.

  When Devereux sank down on one knee before her, an exclamation of delight came from the woman promenading with her partner.

  If only you knew, Selina thought.

  “Miss Wakefield, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked in a throbbing accent, which made her want to giggle. “I shall cherish you all your life. Should dissipation not carry me off before you,” he added with a wicked grin.

  She hadn’t expected the powerful emotions that swept through her; he’d stirred her passion and her sense of adventure, but he also caused deep misgivings. “I accept. But please do rise, my lord, before we become a spectacle and have the gossips chattering for months.”

  “I doubt we can avoid it. I have to warn you there are some who are critical of me, and they will disapprove of you too, as my wife.”

  “I don’t seek approval.” She gave a tiny shrug. She was curious though. “Is it because you’ve resigned your commission?”

  “This is something for another time, perhaps. We don’t want to spoil the moment.” He slipped an arm around her shoulders and raised her chin with a finger, his musky male scent enveloping her. “Let’s seal the promise.” He brought his mouth down on hers before she could protest, probing the cavern of her mouth with his tongue and rendering her shocked and breathless.

  “Oh! That’s so romantic,” the lady said to her companion.

  Devereux drew away, looking annoyingly smug.

  Selina held on to his arm for support. “You promised to behave,” she said shakily when she could find her voice.

  “According to my standards, I am,” he said in a silky voice. “You didn’t stipulate.”

  Chapter Two

  It suited Giles to marry in Bath. A grand ceremony held at St. Georges, Hanover Square, would have created far too much attention. As no announcement was to appear in the London newspapers, he was as confident as he could be that his marriage would escape the ton’s notice, whilst most were heading for their country estates. It was the best way to protect his wife until he was in a better position. He’d ignored the advice to remain single; a man had to listen to his instincts, which had served him well to date.

  Giles was well pleased with his choice. He hadn’t looked for a love match. Instead, he’d sought an independent woman with strong opinions, able to stand on her own two feet should she have to. Right now, that chance was unfortunately quite high. And he liked Selina. She fitted his requirements perfectly. Arranged marriages were often successful, and this one began with promise. As long as the fates were kind, he would keep his end of the bargain.

  ****

  “Are you sure you are doing the right thing, dearest?” Anne asked again. “Some of Halcrow’s exploits Harry’s told me about, I couldn’t repeat to you. He sounds shockingly loose in the haft.”

  Her sister had asked Selina this question repeatedly since the bans were first read in church three weeks ago. That Devereux was known to have vices and scant respect for proprieties came as no surprise to her. “Don’t tell me he has killed someone in a duel?”

  “No nothing like that, but there are”—her voice grew faint—“inamoratas, I believe they’re called.”

  “He’s a single man, Anne. At least they aren’t Haymarket ware.”

  “Selina! Where do you hear these things?”

  “I read, my dear sister.”

  “I’m cross with Harry for giving you unsuitable books for an unmarried lady!”

  Selina patted her shoulder. “I didn’t have to read them. Please don’t blame your husband for my impropriety.”

  “The Hussars are known to be fea
rfully wild.” Anne turned a worried face toward her. “Some men can’t be tamed, Sel, perhaps it’s bad family blood.”

  She gave Anne the same answer she’d given her every time they’d had this conversation. “I just know he’s the only man I’ll ever love.” But he didn’t love her. The thought still made her draw breath. She’d accepted the situation, had she not? Or did heartbreak lie ahead?

  “But, darling, you can learn to love someone,” Anne said. “And you can just as easily fall out of love with someone.”

  Selina resisted laughing at such a cold-blooded statement from her gentle sister. Anne didn’t believe it of course. She was completely devoted to Harry. “Then it’s a gamble either way.” Selina took off her straw bonnet and raised her chin, enjoying the last few days of summer warmth.

  Anne slipped an arm around her waist as they strolled down the leafy lane toward the house. The three children and dogs romped ahead. “We shall all miss you most awfully.”

  “Oh, and I you. Every one of you. Even Busker.”

  Anne gurgled with laughter. “Oh no. Not Busker!”

  Busker was the children’s large white rabbit, which ran riot amongst the cats and dogs.

  “We have become firm friends. Particularly after I fed him carrots.” She sobered. “I don’t like to leave you when you’re increasing, dearest.”

  “You are not to worry about me, Sel. I’m well and in the best of hands.”

  Selina gazed at her. Anne was glowing, the condition definitely agreed with her. “As soon as I receive word, I shall come and visit. I look forward to meeting the new edition to the family.”

  “You may soon be in the same condition,” Anne said.

  Selina’s breath caught, it was entirely possible. “I suppose so.”

  “You are going to make a beautiful bride, Sel.”

  “Liar,” Selina said softly. “I look horrid in white.”

  “Put your hat back on, darling,” Anne said tactfully.

  Selina tied the strings of her bonnet. “Think, Anne. Once I’m married, I shan’t have to wear white ever again.”

  “I know you won’t become a slave to fashion, dearest.” Anne laughed. “Oh, I hope he makes you happy. You deserve it, dearest, you really do. Unselfishly taking care of Mamma the way you did, then Papa, and now us.”

  “I like to care for the people I love.”

  Anne gave a sad shake of her head. “And you love the Earl of Halcrow.”

  “Yes. God help me, I do.”

  “He’d better treat you well, or Harry will come and pound on his door.”

  “Promise me Harry won’t, Anne. It’s time I took care of myself.”

  “Knowing how capable you are does reassure me.” Anne smiled, but her eyes looked anxious. “Marriage to an earl should be a wonderful adventure.”

  “I know it will be,” Selina said with a false note of confidence.

  Pushing the gate open, they entered the grounds of the creamy-walled house set in its cottage garden. They walked up the carriage drive and crossed the lawn to a path bordered by lavender.

  “You can always come back to us,” Anne said, sounding wistful.

  “Thank you, dearest.” Selina bent to break off a stem of lavender. She held the stem to her nose. It was known to be calming but had little effect on the excitement coursing through her. She firmed her lips. No matter how hard things became, she would never return here to live. That would be admitting she had failed, but she would miss them all so very much.

  The morning wedding was a small affair. Devereux wished it that way, and Selina felt the same. Society was already agog at the match; she didn’t want to be the subject of scrutiny from the ton. Apart from the clergyman, and the parish clerk to ensure formal logging in the register, there were twenty guests occupying the pews of the Bath church, all but one on the bride’s side. If residents of Bath hoped the beau monde would come en masse, they were destined to be disappointed, for only an aged bachelor uncle attended.

  Devereux’s brother had died some years ago in a riding accident, and his parents had both passed away. If he died without issue, the title would die with him, for apart from his aged uncle there wasn’t so much as a cousin to claim it. Selina well understood his need for an heir and his desire to remove himself from the dangers of war until it came about.

  It seemed like a good omen when, after days of rain, a watery sun emerged from the clouds. Anne had taken control of the church decorations. Festoons of roses and lavender hung at the church door while, inside, white ribbons adorned the end of each pew.

  Selina arrived at the church in a white muslin gown with a pretty lace trim. She’d added a primrose shawl and a lace cap covering her hair. Her mother’s pearls, the something old, were at her throat and her ears. For something borrowed, she pinned a small diamond brooch of Anne’s to her breast. A bow sewn onto her petticoat served for something blue.

  She’d thought it odd that Devereux had forsaken a best man. He stood alone at the altar and turned to watch her as Harry escorted her down the aisle. His royal-blue coat, which highlighted his blue eyes and fair hair, sported a white rose boutonniere. How tall and elegant he looked in fall-front grey breeches and a white silk waistcoat. Excitement and anticipation pushed her doubts aside.

  Selina handed her posy of white roses tied up with lace to her bridesmaid, Elsbeth, wearing a muslin gown with a yellow sash.

  With a deep breath, Selina took her place beside Devereux at the altar, and the vicar cleared his throat.

  After the ceremony was completed, a line of guests followed along behind them as they walked home for the wedding breakfast.

  They were to honeymoon in London, their wedding night spent at an inn just outside Reading on the way. After the guests had enjoyed their breakfast, eaten as a fiddler played a tune, the newly married couple took their leave. At the gate, Selina threw her bouquet into Elspeth’s hands. Her delighted laugh rang out as they entered the carriage and it rolled away down the road.

  Chapter Three

  Devereux took her hand. “That went well, Lady Halcrow.”

  “It was perfect.” Smiling into his brilliant blue eyes, her breath caught. She was a countess. She’d given that aspect of their union very little consideration. Her thoughts were always on him.

  “No regrets?” His gaze roamed her face as if searching for a change of heart.

  “Of course not. Why would I have?” She swallowed, wondering why he would ask her that.

  He squeezed her hand. “You look charming.”

  “Thank you.” Had his voice lacked conviction? She’d changed into a carriage dress of grey twill with three rows of silk frogs and a matching pelisse.

  “I shall enjoy advising you on your clothes.”

  “Will you?” Was that something a husband did? Or didn’t he like the way she looked?

  “When the war is over, we shall visit Paris. The French fashions are incomparable.”

  Selina pushed away the thought that he would be an expert on ladies’ fashions, including their underwear. And how best to remove them. She tensed. Was she to be compared with a bevy of beauties? His thigh pressed against hers as he leaned toward her. It was enough that he wanted her. She was determined to make theirs a good marriage and wanted to learn all about him.

  “How old was your brother when he died?”

  “Henry was twenty-two, two years my senior. He was the heir and had been schooled to take over the title and estates. As second son, I was either to join the church, the law, or go into the army. I chose the army. When Henry’s horse fell, crushing him, my father wrote to ask me to come home.”

  “But you didn’t.” The church wouldn’t have been a good fit for Devereux, nor would the law. He seemed a law unto himself.

  “No.”

  Selina clamped her lips together; his flat tone had brooked no more questions.

  “Are you nervous about your new position in society?” he asked.

  “A little.” She swallowed on the l
ie and fear tightened her rib cage as she tried to come to terms with all that would entail.

  “Have no fear. I shall be there at your side.”

  “I don’t believe being a countess will much change who I am.”

  “Nor should it,” he said emphatically.

  They were both rebellious in their own way. Perhaps that was part of the attraction.

  “What does a lady call her husband?” She’d observed ladies of the ton referring to their husbands by their titles, but Halcrow seemed too formal. As he referred to himself by his surname, she’d got into the habit of thinking of him that way.

  “You may call me anything as long as it’s complimentary, madam, but my friends call me Devereux.”

  She frowned. “I hope you don’t call me madam.”

  He laughed. “It depends on how you behave.” He placed his arm around her, and his hand settled warm on her ribcage. “Or misbehave.”

  She stilled, breathing in his musky scent. “Devereux then.” If the day came when she could call him by his given name, Giles, she would feel they were truly bonded in marriage.

  “You’ve had a very busy few days,” he said, settling her closer. “You must be tired.”

  “Only a little.” Encased within his strong arm, she was too apprehensive and excited to be tired.

  “We shall rest before dinner.”

  Did he really mean to rest? Did people make love in the middle of the day? Her cheeks burned as uncertainty returned. She felt so unprepared. This man had experienced so much and she so little. Anne had tried to advise her, but she was easily embarrassed. Selina did know the mechanics of it. She was a country girl after all. But the idea of making love in broad daylight seemed overwhelming. Her stomach tensed.

  “Perhaps we might take a walk. I’ve seen little of the countryside around Reading.”

  Devereux’s mouth twitched. “You look very appealing.” His long fingers stroked down her cheek. “Very unsure of yourself, for once. And very kissable.”

  When he shaped her face with his big hands, her heart began to thump madly. He lowered his mouth to hers. The slow, drugging kiss left her breathless and warm all over.