She had shocked him, perhaps twice. She hurried away before he recovered sufficiently to question her—and ran into the Prince Regent just outside the music room where her family was waiting for her. He appeared jovial. His meeting with Albert must have gone well! Her father’s wide smile confirmed it.
After she curtsied to him, George said to her, “I’m glad not to be kissing a bride today, ’deed I am. You can thank your champion for my interference, m’dear.”
She stared after the corpulent fellow as he sauntered toward the front door. William put his arm around her waist. “What did he mean by that?”
“I have only a slight idea, so I’m not going to say. Can we please leave this house? And you have been invited to stay at Mother’s house, where you will have access to all three of your daughters. Don’t refuse just because it’s hers and not yours.”
“I believe she and I are still married, on paper at least, which means . . .”
She laughed. “That it’s yours, of course. How male of you, Father.”
Chapter Fifty-one
VANESSA WAS LOOKING FOR William later that day and was about to check in the study for him when she heard her mother inside it saying in an accusing tone, “You did it deliberately, didn’t you? Raised her to be exactly what she ought not to be just to spite me!”
“I did nothing of the sort,” William replied. “But I wasn’t going to treat her like a delicate flower in Scotland, and she was so happy doing the same things I did that I didn’t have the heart to stop her and curtail her activities. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to give at least one of our girls more options in life than being a wife and a mother. So yes, I raised her differently than you would have, gave her a more thorough education, prepared her for anything that might come her way, and I bloody well won’t apologize for it.”
Vanessa put her hand on the doorknob to interrupt them. Her parents couldn’t even wait a single day before fighting with each other. But she paused when she heard Kathleen say, “I hate to admit it, but she makes me so incredibly proud that she’s mine.”
“Then maybe you should thank me instead of complaining. And why are we rehashing the past?”
“Because you never listened to me when I explained what really happened! Henry set me up, Will. He had everything planned ahead of time, he showed up wherever I went, he made sure people saw us together and heard me laugh at his jokes. He made it appear as if we were already lovers when we weren’t.”
“Is that really your excuse, Kathy? It appeared so, so you might as well make it so? Was that your logic?”
“No, that was his logic, and his blackmail. He threatened to spread the rumor that we were lovers if I didn’t agree to make it so. I did exactly what you did, William. I was willing to make a sacrifice to prevent a scandal. Why is it perfectly fine for you to protect our family that way, but not for me? But you stopped it from happening. It never happened!”
Vanessa wasn’t interrupting that. She turned about and headed to the little garden behind the house. And stewed. Her parents still weren’t going to tell the twins the whole story. She learned that from her father when she rode home with him on his horse, despite the wedding dress. “Perhaps when they are older. Perhaps never,” William had said. Instead, he was going to give them a few dreadful details about the islands and nature’s vengeance thwarting him again and again, and nothing more—other than the assurance he would never go back to the West Indies because he’d sold the bloody plantation.
She’d dealt with the truth fairly well—no she hadn’t. She’d ended up hating her mother. Did she still hate her, when as Kathleen had just told William, Kathleen was only trying to protect her family from a scandal just as William had done, but in a different fashion? Maybe it was just as well that her parents were getting that fight over with, though she didn’t think it would mend the boat, as it were.
“I heard it went well, that you’re back on the marriage mart.”
She turned about to see Monty approaching her with that heart-stirring smile he seemed to reserve just for her. “Heard from who?”
“George, of course.”
“So you’re my champion?”
He shrugged. “He owed me a favor. I gave up a promised property for it.”
She chuckled. “No, you didn’t. You’re just good at fixing things.”
“I’m better at it when the problem doesn’t break my heart,” he replied.
“Stop teasing. Have you met my father yet? The Prince Regent wasn’t the only one who objected today to that wedding.”
He laughed. “Your father was there? Was that your doing, letting him know so he could arrive in time to save you?”
“No, of course not. That was the last thing I wanted, for him to endanger himself and provoke the very scandal he left England to prevent. An old friend of his found out about it and let him know, even though he promised me he wouldn’t.”
“I’m pleased for you, Nessi. I expected it to be another few weeks before your father returned to England, but now your every wish has been granted.”
Not quite. Dare she tell him that she had no desire to get back on the marriage mart? That her heart was already his? She didn’t really need to hide it anymore, did she? But he didn’t want to marry. To push him into it would be the worst sort of manipulation after everything he’d done for her. But she didn’t have to avoid his kisses anymore—if he still wanted hers.
She tested that thought and put a hand on his chest. He teased, “Still practicing seduction?”
“Is it working?”
He pulled her close and kissed her in answer. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, wondering if this might be the first time she happily swooned. It felt like she might. This was where she wanted to be. They should be painted like this. She could pose for hours pressed this closely to him. . . .
“Vanessa?” William called out.
She leapt back. Her father’s voice was too close. Having both parents in the same house wasn’t going to give her much privacy!
And then William appeared at the entrance to the garden. “Your mother is looking for—”
“I’ll find her!” she cut in, and rushed past him into the house.
Chapter Fifty-two
“AND WHO MIGHT YOU be?” William asked from the doorway.
Montgomery bowed slightly, uncomfortable with the frown forming on the older man’s visage. “You would be William Blackburn, Earl of Ketterham, home from the war, as it were? I am Montgomery Townsend. My ward and I have been guests of your wife’s for a few weeks now.”
The frown deepened. “So my wife keeps her lovers under her roof now?”
Montgomery started to say he preferred younger women, but with William in London now—if he’d heard the rumors that Montgomery pursued older women, he just might try to kill him. So he stated the truth. “I’m in love with your daughter.”
“I have three.”
“Nessi.”
“She told you my nickname for her?”
He was relieved that at least the earl’s frown was gone. “It was a mistake. She meant to say Nestor. She was wearing britches at the time—and brandishing pistols when we met.”
William stared hard at him for a moment, but then laughed. “You’ll have to tell me all about that—before you have my blessing to court my daughter.”
Just court? He wanted more than that! “Well, Lord William, if you have a couple of hours I will tell you all about my acquaintance with Vanessa, recount every delightful hour I’ve spent with her. And by the by, I’ll be happy to sign her contract.”
But then Mr. Rickles appeared to announce, “You’re needed on the third floor, my lord.”
“Who is?” William asked.
“Our guest is,” the butler replied.
“I’m also a bloody guest,” William stated, a very clear complaint.
“My ward is on the third floor, so I think he means me,” Montgomery said. “We’ll talk again I’m sure, Lord William.”
/> • • •
IT WAS BEDTIME, EARLIER than usual tonight because the day had been so thrilling, but exhausting, too, with so many emotional ups and downs. Vanessa had spent most of it with her father and her sisters, who were happy that she could enjoy the remainder of the Season with them and choose her own husband. William had gone to his own house because that’s where his luggage was, but he planned to move in to Kathleen’s house tomorrow to be with his daughters. After he left, Kathleen had mumbled about needing a sleeping draught tonight. She was obviously upset and disappointed over his cool reaction to her.
Vanessa was frustrated because she didn’t get another chance to talk more with Monty after her father interrupted them. He and Charley had both stayed out of the way of the family reunion. It didn’t take much mental arguing with herself to decide to seek him out now while the house was quiet. She even put her pants on for the visit, remembering the effect they usually had on him.
When he answered her knock on his door, his surprise was evident. He waved a hand for her to enter before he asked, “Should I be delighted—or wary?”
“I couldn’t sleep. And I still have questions that I would have asked earlier if my father hadn’t interrupted us in the garden.”
“I seem to recall something else had already distracted you from whatever you intended to ask.”
He grinned with the reminder of that wonderful kiss they’d shared in the garden. It was a good opening for why she was really there, but she suddenly got a little nervous. She might be bold, but not so much when it came to him.
So she asked, “Why did you use up one of your favors with the Prince Regent to get him to object to my wedding?”
“Because that wedding was a tragedy, and it occurred to me that George could stop it, since you wouldn’t—yes, I know, helping your father was more important, but George could and did negate all that. So can you tell me now what Rathban’s blackmail was about?”
“Must you know?”
He smiled. “When you’re ready will be soon enough.”
“You’re too accommodating.”
“A flaw?”
“Not a’tall! So why did you come with us to London to risk stirring up that hornets’ nest of rumors again?”
“There was a lure I tried to resist but, in the end, I couldn’t.”
She snorted. “You like this town that much?”
“London can be amusing, but I’m not that fond of it.”
She realized he hadn’t answered her. “So what was the lure?”
“You know.”
It wasn’t just that answer but the sensual look he was giving her when he said it that made her gasp softly. Yes, she did know. He was as strongly attracted to her as she was to him. She didn’t care if he was a rake and passion was all he could offer her. He was her kind of rake and she loved him.
He suddenly asked, “Are these questions really why you came to me tonight?”
“No, with the tragedy—as you so aptly named it—averted, I have a strong urge to celebrate.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Her boldness reared up. “You.”
It was almost instant, the space between them disappeared as he wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her. Such a primal attraction they had for each other. Every time she was near him, this was what she wanted to do. Resisting these urges had been incredibly hard. Tonight she didn’t have to.
“As much as I like seeing you in pants, I’d rather see you out of them right now,” he said as he led her to his bed.
She stretched out on the bed as she watched him remove his shirt. He did so slowly, his eyes roving up and down her body. Did he really want to take his time when she was so eager for him to be inside her?
She harked back to their first time in a bed, giving him an alluring look and whispering, “I’m not wearing any drawers under these pants.”
“Show me.”
She drew in her breath, his look got so hot. He wasn’t taking his time now! She quickly slipped out of her pants. He was quicker getting out of his. And then she felt his skin, all along her length. She felt a moment of blissful happiness. This was where she wanted to be for the rest of her life, next to him, touching him, feeling him, tasting him.
He was kissing her so ardently, stirring that chord deep inside her, then her neck, her breasts, all over, every single touch of his mouth heightening the urgency. “You’re frustrating me again!”
He laughed. “There is much to be said for anticipation—but, perhaps not when you’re so new to this. Shall we”—he paused to give her one more long kiss—“celebrate now?”
“Yes!”
He mounted her, slipped easily inside, then slowly turned over so she was lying fully on top of him. But she wasn’t sure what to do up there so she sat up to have more options, at least gain some control, but that was a mistake—or perfect, because it put him even more deeply inside her and her eyes closed as the orgasm washed over her.
“You’re amazing,” he said, sounding a little awed. “Can you slow down now?”
“I can sleep now.”
“Bite your tongue!”
She grinned and slowly rolled her hips. “I was teasing. You can proceed at your preferred pace.”
“After that incentive, you must be joking.”
He flipped her on her back and thrust only twice before he exhaled deeply and put his forehead to hers to whisper, “You surprise me at every turn.”
“Is that why you think I’m amazing?”
“That and in so many other ways. I think it would take a lifetime to know them all.”
She smiled dreamily as he rolled to her side then snuggled her against his side. She’d like to give him that lifetime, but that wasn’t a subject to broach when they were both influenced by sublime bliss. Perhaps tomorrow, when logic and reason would prevail to ensure he had no regrets.
But it wasn’t long before she heard a noise downstairs. He heard it, too. “The hour isn’t that late. Perhaps your father is returning, after all?”
She nodded her agreement. He added, “I’ll just check to be sure. If you fall asleep, I’ll carry you back to your room.”
How could she sleep after that thrilling experience they’d just shared? She did.
Chapter Fifty-three
BEFORE MONTGOMERY REACHED THE stairs he heard the clanging of swords downstairs. Practicing at this hour? But when he came around the corner for a full view of the hall below, two things caught his eye immediately. Rickles, the butler, was pressing his full weight against the front door as if he expected intruders to push their way in. And Charley was engaged in a sword fight with a stranger. Instead of helping, Arlo just stood back out of the way!
Montgomery bounded down the stairs, but before he could say anything, Charley knocked his opponent’s weapon from his hand and pointed the tip of his sword at the man’s throat. A lot of whispered gibberish spilled from the obviously terrified man’s mouth, so Montgomery waited for it to end before demanding an explanation.
When Charley finally lowered his sword, he glanced back at Arlo and said quite drolly, “They wish to be forgiven before you go on a rampage of head chopping. They got word before we did that the uprising is over, the palace has been reclaimed for the monarchy. This one, seeing only one of us armed, made one last attempt to take a hostage so they wouldn’t have to beg for their lives.”
“I thought head chopping was your prerogative, Charley,” Montgomery remarked dryly.
The boy turned with a grin. “That was just one of my many exaggerations, my friend, to embellish my role. But my king doesn’t chop heads, either.”
“Your king?” Montgomery said, and cast an incredulous look at Arlo, who gazed back at him with an inscrutable expression. He turned back to Charley. “Then who the hell are you?”
Charley bowed with his usual flourish. “Sebastian Bahmann, from a long line of Bahmanns whose sole duty has been to defend Feldland’s royal house. I have spent all of my
life training in the lethal means to perform that service, to protect my king at any cost.”
Montgomery snorted. “Should I be impressed by all of seventeen years’ training? Make that seven years, at the most, maybe nine—you know bloody well you weren’t training as a child.”
Charley chuckled. “If age matters, I’m actually twenty-seven, older than you, I believe? Seventeen was merely a number we determined would better match my pretty face—as you termed it. And it did, didn’t it? Not once did you doubt seventeen was the age of this package,” he added, waving a hand over his body.
Montgomery pinned Arlo—or was it Charles now?—with an annoyed look. “I suppose you aren’t seventeen, either?”
“Nineteen, and don’t be angry with Sebastian. Swapping identities allowed us to come to England safely.”
“I was charged with your care, not that of your bodyguard servant who apparently can protect himself. Can you?”
“He doesn’t need to when I protect him,” Sebastian said in a deadly serious tone Montgomery hadn’t heard from him before. “You were charged with secreting us away, which was my idea, not you in particular, just someone of your caliber to help us deal with the riffraff.”
“Let me guess, you annoyed the hell out of George deliberately to make that happen?”
Sebastian nodded. “It was necessary. Carlton House is too open. They even let in tradespeople! And it was utterly boring there. I was right to change our location. One of the rebels learned of our whereabouts from a servant at Carlton House after pretending to be a supporter of Charles’s. The Prince should be warned his servants gossip too loosely.”
“Were the golden locks an exaggeration, too?”
“Blond is my natural color,” the king said. “Which I have sorely missed.”
Sebastian added, “Mine, too, but I don’t usually wear such fine attire and jewels. Our disguises began as soon as we were safely out of Feldland.”
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