She turned to tell the maid, “Wait in the foyer for me, I won’t be long.” Then to Daniel as she took off her gloves, “If you’re going to apologize you should have come to me, not asked me here.”
Now he was surprised. “Apologize for what?”
“You were talking too freely in a crowded room on our last encounter. I only wanted privacy to finish our conversation, not for anything else.”
He snorted, even waved a hand dismissively. “That was nothing.”
Vanessa was trying to contain her own surprise. It hadn’t occurred to her that the summons had been from him. And apparently, wounded pride didn’t account for his conspicuous absence this past week. Was there some other reason Daniel had avoided her?
Carefully, she said, “I beg to differ.”
Vexed, he stood up and grumbled, “Fine, apologies for whatever I did wrong.”
She smiled. That was too easy. Daniel Rathban malleable? Why the devil had he invited her here?
She was too curious not to mention, “You have been noticeably absent from recent social events.”
He shrugged. “I was washing my hands of this entire . . . confusing business. I even bought passage to leave the country. And visited the properties that were given to me the day I was born so I could arrange to sell them, only to find out I don’t actually own them yet. I’d been given the incomes from those properties but the deeds won’t be mine until I marry. My father has kept me on a rope from the day I was born, but I hadn’t realized it until now.”
There was the bitterness she was more accustomed to hearing from him. So she steered him away from the subject of his father and pretended nonchalance that he was leaving England. “When does your ship sail?”
“It did, yesterday.”
Had he stayed because of her? Or had Albert done the right thing and told him about his son?
He disabused her of both notions when he continued. “I squandered away the fortune I had when I turned eighteen. Don’t ask me on what, because I honestly don’t remember those years. I was rarely sober. But I had depended on the fortune I would gain from the sale of those properties. Without them, I can’t really afford to live anywhere else, so I’m still unable to cut that bloody rope my father tied on me.” And then with a snarl he added, “I have often thought of killing him, I hate him that much. Do you find that strange?”
She would probably feel exactly the same if she had a father like his. “No, I confess, I don’t like your father, either.”
He snorted. “I still suspect my father’s machinations have brought about your interest in me, though Mother swears it’s not so.”
“Didn’t I tell you that as well?”
He ignored that and warned, “Don’t expect me to be faithful.”
Out of the blue! As if he’d asked her to marry him and she’d already accepted. But considering everything that had led to this moment, she wasn’t going to insist he propose the normal way.
“Don’t expect me to be, either.”
He narrowed his eyes on her. “Do as you like after you produce a male heir. That is what this bloody marriage is about, after all, and it will get Father off my back for good. This is all so pointless! He could have acknowledged any one of the bastards I’ve produced—”
“Spare me the details,” she said dryly. “I’m really not interested in how you’ve populated half of London. But I wasn’t joking about shooting you. I’m not a scullery maid. You will deal with me gently or not at all.” And having stressed that, she smiled and asked, “Shall the banns be read this Sunday? I’d rather not have a long engagement.”
“No banns. Apparently, Father obtained a special license the very day I turned eighteen.”
She laughed, though it sounded hollow. “That’s definitely planning ahead. So you told him the good news?”
“I don’t speak to him unless I’m forced to. I left it to Mother. We will have a private ceremony here this weekend, only family invited. Don’t worry about a wedding dress. My mother has offered hers if you don’t have one.”
This weekend! Her heart began to pound, not with happiness, but dread. And she didn’t dare try to delay the inevitable. She’d put this marriage in motion herself.
Chapter Forty-nine
WHEN VANESSA ARRIVED HOME, she was only a little late for luncheon with her family. Even Charley and Monty were at the table today. Charley stood up to bow in greeting in his usual flamboyant fashion. She avoided Monty’s eyes as she took her seat and tried to concentrate on the plate set before her—without much luck. She was too aware of Monty across from her, could feel the heat from his eyes without looking up to see it.
“I would like a word after you eat, darling,” Kathleen said.
Rickles, that traitor! Of course he would have let Kathleen know about that summons. And of course she would be eager to know what Vanessa had found out this morning at the Rathban house. It didn’t require a lengthy explanation, though she’d barely had time to digest it herself.
“I hope you weren’t looking forward to planning a big wedding, Mother, at least not for me. I’m to be married in four days at the Rathbans’ London residence. They have a special license to allow it.”
How dull her voice sounded! Vanessa hadn’t meant to just drop it out there like that, either, but was glad she did. Anything to do with this wedding couldn’t be over and done with soon enough for her.
The twins squealed with excitement over her news and got up to hug her. Kathleen was more reticent, saying, “This weekend? Why so soon?”
“Less time for wedding jitters?” Vanessa suggested, adding, “The date wasn’t my idea, though I’m not displeased by it. And they want a private ceremony, with only the immediate family present.”
“Hiding it?” Kathleen said, clearly annoyed. “The Rathbans better have a good reason. Yes, I did expect you to have a grand wedding that I was looking forward to planning—not this!”
Vanessa chuckled wryly. “Considering jilted brides are the bane of that family, I would guess it’s merely a precaution to ensure less embarrassment, should one of us end up being jilted.”
Kathleen actually stood up. “He wouldn’t dare—that is, he did ask you?”
“More accurately, he took it for granted that I would agree, but yes, this is his idea. Do sit down, Mother. We are getting exactly what we both wanted. But if you’re worried about it, maybe you should hire someone to keep a pistol on his back until we’re wed. Monty perhaps?”
Levity was so uncalled for, and Vanessa regretted it immediately. She had avoided glancing at Monty after her announcement, didn’t want to see his reaction to it, might end up crying . . .
But Monty actually replied, “I would pull the trigger.”
An embarrassing, telling, overly dramatic response that left an uncomfortable silence in its wake. Vanessa was likely the only one there who didn’t think he was joking, in poor taste or not.
Kathleen took her seat again and cleared her throat before returning to the subject of the nuptials. “Since we didn’t prepare this far ahead, I would be honored if you would wear my wedding dress, Vanessa. It is exquisite, inlaid with seed pearls. You will be pleased with it.”
“Thank you,” Vanessa replied. “Daniel offered his mother’s gown, which is no doubt moldy by now, she’s been married so long.”
The twins giggled, though a little nervously, which didn’t surprise her considering the mood at the table.
Vanessa still couldn’t bring herself to look directly at Monty. Now she regretted having made her announcement with him in the room. But he would have found out, likely later today. Her family would no doubt be talking about nothing else for the next four days. And wasn’t it better that he hear directly from her that she had attained her goal? Bloody hell, he’d even helped her attain it!
And then Charley lamented, “I confess I’m devastated you will wed another. I would have made you my queen.”
Vanessa smiled at the boy. “Thank you, Charley, but you k
now that wouldn’t happen.”
“My mistress then?”
She rolled her eyes. “Not bloody likely.”
“I’m too young to have my heart broken.”
“Young enough for it to heal quickly.”
He sighed. “I suppose.”
But Monty stood up and his remark broke her heart. “Don’t do this.”
Kathleen gasped at his temerity and said sternly, “Lord Monty, this is none of your concern.”
To which he tossed his napkin down and left the room. A moment later the front door slammed shut behind him, leaving yet another pregnant silence.
Vanessa managed not to cry right there at the table. But she did cry, a lot, over the next three days, so her eyes were quite red and puffy on the day of the wedding. Thank goodness for wedding veils. And that day arrived far too quickly.
The twins had cornered her the night before. They had been her only source of comfort at this trying time. Monty hadn’t returned after storming out. Emily and Layla knew she wasn’t happy about the marriage she’d agreed to. They kept asking her why she was marrying Daniel when she so obviously didn’t want to. She didn’t even try to deny it at that point. She just told them that some things were more important than love, that they would understand one day. Very soon, she hoped.
“Can we even wish you happy?” Emily asked.
“Or is it pointless to?” Layla asked.
“I am going to find some happiness in this marriage,” Vanessa assured them. One way or another she would.
But it was hard to keep that thought in mind when she stood at the improvised altar next to Daniel Rathban. They were being married in the mansion’s music room only because it already had chairs in it. No decorations had been added, not even flowers, to brighten up the dreary room, which was mostly filled with Rathban relatives. Actually, there was one bright spot, Charley, who was wearing a lot of gaudy jewelry and a bright gold jacket. He’d been allowed in for the ceremony only because he was a guest at the bride’s house. Monty could have gotten in, too, for the same reason, but he hadn’t tried.
The handsome groom took her hand when she joined him and whispered to her, “We got here on an angry note, you and I, which I apologize for. I will try to make this work, Vanessa.”
Which made her want to cry again! She would have rejoiced at the words if she’d heard them before she knew where her heart really belonged. So how could she make it work when she loved another? She could still run. The last words hadn’t been spoken yet. But then her father would remain away from his family for the rest of his life.
And then the priest asked if anyone objected to the marriage and Vanessa held her breath. Only Monty would be bold enough to do that, but he’d given up! He hadn’t tried again to dissuade her. She had the sinking feeling that she’d never see him again.
“I do,” was said loudly at the back of the room.
Vanessa turned, eyes wide, but then another man said, “I do as well.”
Vanessa saw only her father and immediately ran to him. Everyone else in the room saw only Prince George.
Chapter Fifty
“WHY WASN’T I INVITED, when I reside only a paltry few blocks from here?” George asked calmly.
The Prince Regent had availed himself of Albert’s chair behind the desk in Albert’s study.
But Albert was enraged and not hiding it very well because he had come so close to getting Daniel married, only to have those machinations ruined by an interfering royal. “If your objection to the wedding is because of that oversight, Highness, I assure you it wasn’t intentional.”
“Not a’tall. I confess I was merely curious. So the reason was?”
“My son wanted a small ceremony—”
“Or you did?” George cut in. “I’ve been apprised that it was a ceremony steeped in the distasteful business of blackmail.”
“No! The marriage was arranged amicably.”
“Your terminating an earlier blackmail scheme in exchange for a wife for your son was the bargain, was it not? Amicable or not, that is still a new instance of blackmail. Are you beginning to see where you erred, dear Albert? What you did previously was to usurp a power that is only mine to wield. Only I can banish one of my lords from my kingdom. Do you deny it?”
Albert dropped into a chair in front of the desk. “He killed my youngest brother.”
“So there was a duel?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you,” George said. “That was the missing piece of the puzzle.”
“There was no puzzle. Blackburn was asked, begged, to stand down, and he wouldn’t.”
“Perhaps you aren’t familiar with my father’s chronicler? A strange fellow with an even stranger memory. He doesn’t need to write down the facts he gathers from one end of the country to the other, though he still does, because everything he has heard, has been told, or has ferreted out as pertains to our kingdom stays in his head.”
“What has that to do with any of this, Highness?” Albert demanded.
“Everything, since I had reason to summon him this week once I became aware of your distasteful dealings. He told me immediately why there could have been a duel the year of your brother Henry’s death, though you managed to keep it quite secret, that your youngest brother had very obviously pursued Lady Blackburn that summer. So it would seem there was a reason for that duel, and it would seem you were less than honorable to blackmail Lord Blackburn because of it.”
And then almost as an afterthought, George added with a tsk, “As for your recalcitrant son, you should have approached me with your worries, Albert. I could have found a suitable match for your boy without resorting to the unsavory business of blackmail.”
“You don’t understand—”
George cut in, “But I do, actually. Remember the chronicler? Five disappointed debutantes, wasn’t it? I’m also aware that the gel has feelings for another and is only here to get her father home, which is redundant, since he now has my permission to return without consequences.”
“My boy won’t agree to this. He actually wants the chit.”
“I will deal with your son. I can be very persuasive. Be assured, he will marry whom I tell him to marry. And you will consider the revenge you exacted on the Blackburns to have run its course and is now over.” George stood, his affable manner gone. “You don’t want to cross me on this, Albert. You have broken laws that could have serious consequences for your entire family if the courts are so informed. Do we understand each other?”
“Perfectly.”
“Splendid. Now about your son . . .”
• • •
AT THE BACK OF the music room, even as she hugged her father fiercely, Vanessa exclaimed, “Why would you do this? You’ve exposed yourself!”
He hugged her just as fiercely, but in a calm whisper assured her, “It’s all right. I had hoped to sneak into London and speak to you privately to forbid this, but I didn’t get here in time, was almost too late to stop this nonsense that Peter informed me about.”
“Peter! I asked him not to do that.”
He smiled gently. “Don’t be mad at my friend. He knew I would never allow this farce of a marriage. But it’s still all right, Nessi. That was the Regent I came in with. He was also apprised of what was happening and why. He’ll be wiping the slate clean for us, or the Rathbans will know royal vengeance. Well, that is the Regent’s intention,” he said with a laugh. “Whether Albert agrees or not, we will know soon enough.”
There was no time to say more when the twins excitedly arrived for their reunion with their father. Vanessa laughed as she was pushed out of the way. She could never have imagined this wedding being aborted so—royally. And the relief she felt was so overwhelming she was afraid she was going to start giggling and not be able to stop.
“Is he really back? For good?” Kathleen asked behind her. “Without this wedding taking place?”
Vanessa moved to join her mother, who was nervously hanging back from the re
union. “It would seem so—thanks to royal intervention.”
“How did that come about?”
“I haven’t a clue, but it’s ironic that this day has turned out to be such a happy one after all. However, I have a feeling the twins will balk if they don’t have full access to Father now, after all this time. So you might want to invite him to stay at your house for the duration of the Season at least, or they are likely to insist on moving to his house with him.”
“Will you ask him?”
“You wanted him back, Mother. Now he is here. You aren’t afraid of him, are you?”
Vanessa regretted the question immediately, when it was very obvious that Kathleen was experiencing some trepidation. “I just recall the last time we spoke. It was—difficult. And if he is still angry at me I’d prefer that you girls not witness it.”
“Many things have changed in these last years, but he has his life back now—most of it, so he may not feel like fighting with you, may only want to get reacquainted with the twins. But of course, I’ll ask him for you.”
Most of the Rathbans had already moved past them to leave the room. The priest even walked by, but glancing to where she had almost married the wrong man she saw that Daniel hadn’t left. He was standing exactly where she’d left him. And he was staring at her with—confusion? Or was that regret? She cringed inwardly. He wouldn’t be there if she hadn’t poked, prodded, seduced in her fashion, and lied. She had let him think she loved him, all for a good cause, but still, she felt bad about it now.
He did not deserve her pity, as nasty as he’d been about their courtship, so why did she pity him? She walked over to him and said, “I’m sorry. I can’t marry you, but I can do you a good turn to maybe make amends. Your true love gave you a son before she died. Your father has cared for him very well, even made him a member of your family. You both know each other as cousins. Do with that knowledge what you will, but I hope it will lighten your heart, Daniel Rathban.”
Temptation's Darling Page 29