An abbreviated knock at the door was her only warning before Catherine burst into the room with an excited flourish. Louisa could only stare in wonder as her sister twirled in front of her, showing off her pale rose gown and the elaborate upsweep of her hair. She dismissed the maid and greeted her sister with a hug.
Catherine drew back with a laugh and looked her over.
“You are beautiful, Louisa,” she said with a sigh.
Louisa smiled. She hadn’t had had any doubts, but seeing Catherine so happy and excited about the future reaffirmed that she was doing the right thing. She wouldn’t be able to feign the excitement her sister was feeling, but at least she’d banished her nerves. If only she’d been able to speak to Nicholas one more time before the wedding. It seemed like such a long time since she had last seen him.
“I spoke to John,” Catherine said, “and I warned him not to scowl today.”
“I’m sure that once everyone learns Overlea has married someone he barely knows and who is so far beneath him, tongues will start wagging in earnest. What is a frown or two from a disapproving relative after that?”
Louisa aimed for levity, but in truth she tried not to think about the ball that would be held later that night. Lady Overlea had explained that everyone thought Nicholas was going to be announcing his betrothal tonight. The news that he had already married would come as a surprise.
“Yes, well, I told John that I would never speak to him again if he ruined your wedding.”
Her sister’s vehemence surprised her.
“Don’t worry,” Catherine said. “I probably wouldn’t last more than a couple of days without speaking to him. I don’t want him to know that, though.”
Louisa couldn’t help but laugh. At some point in the last three weeks her sister had taken on the role of champion of her upcoming wedding. She knew Catherine was looking forward to her upcoming Season next spring and hoping to have a similar wedding in the not-too-distant future.
“I am trying not to think about John,” Louisa admitted. “He’s been so quiet these past few weeks and rarely speaks to me anymore.”
“He loves you, but he thinks he has failed us. Just when he had determined he would sacrifice his education for the well-being of the family, you snatched that away from him with your own sacrifice. His pride is a little put out.”
Louisa could only stare at her sister in amazement. “When did you grow up and become so wise?”
Catherine smiled fondly at her. “I have had a very good teacher.”
Louisa dabbed at the tears that sprang to her eyes at her sister’s words, which caused Catherine to frown at her.
“There’s to be no crying,” she said, waving a finger in front of Louisa in mock admonition. “Today is a day for happiness only.”
Louisa took a deep breath and gave her sister a weak smile. “I will do my best.”
Another knock sounded at the door and her heartbeat sped up. It was foolish, but she wondered if Overlea had come to see her. She was disappointed when the maid entered and announced that the carriage was ready to take them to the chapel.
“Is my brother ready?” she asked.
“He has already left and asked me to let you know he would meet you there.”
Louisa nodded and turned back to Catherine. “Are you ready?”
Her sister’s haste in leading the way was answer enough.
The drive to the chapel was blessedly quiet. Normally Catherine liked to fill any silence with chatter, but she must have sensed Louisa’s need for quiet. As the carriage came to a stop, however, Catherine reached across the seat and squeezed her hand. “Everything will be fine.”
Louisa smiled, relieved that for once she could sit back and allow someone to give her comfort. It was clear she no longer had to worry about her sister.
A footman opened the carriage door and held out a hand to help first Catherine, then Louisa, down. It was a perfect fall day. The air was crisp but not too cold. The leaves were beginning to change color and she couldn’t help but note that she, too, was changing. Her old life was dropping away, soon to be replaced by a new one. She only hoped she would not have to go through a barren, metaphorical winter before that happened.
She looked up at the chapel. It was a small country church, a fact for which she was grateful. Given his position in society, the Marquess of Overlea could have insisted they have their wedding in a London cathedral in front of heaven only knew how many guests.
“Aside from your brother, everyone is inside, my lady,” the footman said.
Louisa spotted John then. He’d been waiting at the side of the chapel and was coming around to meet her. This was the first time she had ever seen him dressed in formal attire, and it made him appear older than his eighteen years. He stopped when he was a few feet away.
“If you are determined to do this, I would like to give you away.”
Profound relief swept through her and she closed the distance between them to embrace him. A sense of peace settled within her. Everything was going to be fine now.
The small group followed the footman into the chapel. Louisa and John waited in the vestibule while Catherine was shown to her place. John’s expression was intent as he searched her features, and she knew that her brother was looking for any sign of doubt. She smiled at him and took his arm.
The music started and together they stepped into the main area of the chapel and started down the aisle. Overlea was true to his word and the wedding was a small one. As expected, only her family and his grandmother were present. She didn’t recognize the man standing by his side, but she spared him only a quick glance before her attention became riveted on her future husband. His dark gaze locked with hers and she could see the approval in his eyes.
She must have made a little sound because her brother swung his head to look at her, his brows raised in question. Knowing he would like nothing more than to spirit her away from the chapel, she shook her head in a small, abbreviated movement and turned her attention back to the man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She wasn’t certain, but she thought she detected a hint of relief in his expression. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who’d thought the other might have changed their mind about the marriage.
The walk down the aisle was a short one and before she knew it, her brother had placed her hand in Overlea’s. In a low voice John warned him to take care of her before he retreated to his seat. Nicholas squeezed her hand to reassure her and she couldn’t stop the smile that sprang to her lips.
She tried to keep her attention on the reverend, but Overlea drew her eyes and attention like a magnet. Despite the preparations of the last few weeks, she still found it difficult to believe she was actually standing here, about to marry him. He was more handsome than any man had a right to be and could have any woman he wanted. With his black hair and dark eyes, he also exuded an intriguing hint of danger. There was a provocative edge to the man that was almost impossible to resist.
Before she knew it, they were married.
Overlea bent to kiss her. It wasn’t a long kiss, merely the light brushing of his lips against hers, but it served as notice that her future and that of her siblings were now in his keeping. In a daze, she remained silent while Overlea placed her hand on his arm and led the way out of the chapel. The small group of witnesses gathered outside where Lady Overlea swept her into a surprisingly firm hug and welcomed her into the family. Overlea spared a moment to introduce her to his good friend, the Earl of Kerrick, before leading her to their waiting carriage. She couldn’t help but wonder at his haste.
He handed her in before following and taking the seat opposite her. In the small space, she was very aware of how he seemed to fill the entire carriage. Of his scent and the way his long legs seemed to take up all the available space. She leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing in an attempt to hold back the nerves that were threatening to surface now that they were alone. It was difficult to take a deep breath becau
se of the tightness of her stays, but the undergarment did wonders to accentuate her bosom.
She opened her eyes again when the carriage began to move. Nicholas was staring out the carriage window, but upon sensing her gaze he turned his complete attention on her.
“How does it feel to be the new Marchioness of Overlea?”
She frowned. “I didn’t marry you for your title.”
“True,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion, “but I am sure it will be of great consolation to you.”
Something was different about him, but she couldn’t say what.
“I wasn’t sure you would return,” she said after a short pause.
“I had little choice in the matter.”
“You are the Marquess of Overlea. You could have done whatever you wished.”
His lips twisted ruefully at her words. “There are some things that are beyond even my reach.”
“Such as?”
She was curious about what had caused his strange mood. He was silent for a long time and she didn’t think he was going to reply, so was surprised when he finally said, “My illness.”
Was he going to tell her what had happened to him that night? And his phrasing made it sound as though it was not something that was in the past.
“Are you feeling unwell, my lord?”
“Nicholas, remember?”
She licked her lips. “Of course. But you haven’t answered my question.”
He shrugged. She hoped he was about to confide in her, but the carriage began to slow then.
“We’re almost there.” There was a subtle shift in his demeanor and she knew they wouldn’t be returning to the subject of his health. “Has my grandmother told you what to expect today?”
She nodded. Since there would be a ball later that evening, they were doing away with the traditional wedding breakfast. Instead, she would go to her new bedroom, where the same maid who had helped her to dress earlier would be waiting to assist her in changing out of her wedding dress. Later that evening, after the guests arrived for the ball, she and her new husband would enter together and she would be formally introduced as the new Marchioness of Overlea. Invitations had gone out to those families who lived within a few hours’ drive of Overlea Manor, which included those who had town homes in London. It seemed that upon hearing the rumor Overlea would be announcing his betrothal at this ball, a number of families had returned to town just so they could attend the event.
“This will be your first ball?”
She nodded, trying not to think about all the eyes that would soon be on her. When she failed, she covered her face with her hands. “Everyone will be whispering about me.”
She heard him move, and he was beside her when he pulled her hands away and tilted her face up to his.
“They can think what they like, but no one will dare insult you and risk displeasing Grandmother and me.”
She sighed. “After tonight everyone will know that ours is not a love match. I suppose it doesn’t matter. Such arrangements are made all the time.”
He tilted his head and looked at her, a slight frown marring his brow. “That was important to you? Marrying for love? I thought you were more practical than to wish for such nonsense.”
She blushed under his intense scrutiny. “Most women hope for as much. They may not say so, but the desire is there nonetheless.”
His voice lowered as he asked his next question. “Do you regret agreeing to marry me?”
He seemed to genuinely want to know. She thought back to the last three weeks. To the doubts she’d had and the internal struggle that would follow where she told herself she was being practical and doing the right thing for her family. She remembered her unease as the days passed and Nicholas hadn’t returned from London. Her worry about whether he’d changed his mind, and her intense relief when she’d received his letter telling her that he would be returning the day before the wedding. At the time she’d told herself she was only worried because of the uncertainty surrounding what would happen to her family if he called off the wedding, but then she thought about the jolt of awareness she’d experienced when she saw him again today, waiting for her at the end of the aisle. And there was also the undeniable attraction between them now.
“No, I have no regrets.”
He seemed relieved at her assertion. Her breath caught and held when he lowered his head.
“I’m glad,” he said before his lips met hers.
It was the merest brush of his lips against hers, no different than the kiss they had shared at the end of the wedding ceremony, yet a jolt of awareness coursed through her body at the contact. He pulled back to stare down at her and the very air seemed to thicken around them.
The carriage came to a halt, interrupting the moment of intimacy, and Nicholas looked away.
They remained silent as a footman handed her out of the carriage and Nicholas escorted her up the short flight of stairs to Overlea Manor. She hesitated when Sommers opened the door and she saw that the staff was waiting, lined in two long rows along the hallway. She had already met many of them over the past weeks, but couldn’t help feeling self-conscious when she was formally introduced as Lady Overlea. She’d spent the last three weeks surrounded by preparations for today’s wedding and the ball that was to follow tonight. During that time she’d tried not to think about her future role as the Marchioness of Overlea, but she could no longer ignore how much her life would change. The reality was overwhelming.
She managed a few words to the staff, although she couldn’t say afterward what they were, before Nicholas dismissed them. She expected him to have her new lady’s maid accompany her to her rooms and was surprised when he escorted her himself. It occurred to her, then, that he might intend to consummate their marriage right away, and the thought caused her to stumble on the stairs. He reached out to steady her, his warm hand on the small of her back, and a shiver of awareness went through her. If Nicholas noticed he didn’t say anything, but he did remove his hand when they reached the landing.
She already knew the way to her rooms, which adjoined Nicholas’s, and preceded him down the corridors. With every step she was conscious of his very masculine presence at her side. The silence that stretched between them threatened to suffocate her and it only grew more oppressive with each step. Desperate for something to break through that stillness, her thoughts settled on the one unhappy face she couldn’t help but notice after their arrival at the manor.
“Your valet doesn’t like me,” she said.
Nicholas stopped and she turned to look at him. He was frowning, but his face cleared before he spoke. “Harrison is like that with everyone.”
He started to walk again and she had to hurry to catch up.
“Why did you hire him, then? Surely you’d prefer someone who wasn’t so…” She searched for the right word to describe him and finally settled on “sour.”
Nicholas shrugged. “I didn’t hire him. He was my father’s valet, and James used him as well when he inherited. I didn’t have the heart to let him go when I became marquess. He was loyal to them and I have doubts he’d be able to find another situation. Just ignore him, his negativity isn’t personal.”
Louisa wasn’t so sure about that, but she tried to shrug off her unease. They’d finally reached her bedroom and there was another moment of awkward silence when Nicholas turned to look at her.
He spoke first. “I’ll take my leave of you now. I’m sure Grandmother has seen to it that your rooms will be satisfactory.”
She looked up at him. “You’re not coming in?”
His expression was shuttered and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. It left her feeling at a distinct disadvantage.
He raised a hand, brushing the back of his fingers against her cheek. “You look tired.”
She swallowed hard before replying. “I slept very little last night.”
He dropped his hand and took a step back, and she felt the absence of his touch acutely.
&nb
sp; “You should rest, then, before tonight’s celebration.”
She could only nod in reply before slipping into her room.
* * * * *
Nicholas made his way to the study and sank heavily into the oak chair behind his desk. He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling, seeing again the way Louisa had looked at him in the carriage. For a moment he’d allowed himself to believe she was with him because she wanted to be there and not because her family needed his protection. She’d been surprised just now when she realized he wasn’t going to join her in her bedroom, but not nearly as surprised as he’d been by the strength of his desire to make love to her. It was true that there were ways to avoid pregnancy, but he could not risk fathering a child and passing on his illness.
No, it would be better for everyone involved if he stayed away from his wife. Theirs could never be a real marriage.
He’d been attracted to Louisa from the start, but today, watching her walk down the aisle, no longer enshrouded in drab colors, he’d been struck anew by her beauty. He didn’t regret choosing her for his marchioness, but he now realized how dangerous she would be to his peace of mind. He needed Kerrick to agree to his plan, and with any luck she would conceive a son with her first pregnancy.
He hated the thought of his wife and his good friend together. They had only been introduced briefly after the wedding ceremony and already he wanted nothing more than to send Kerrick away. He’d never given any thought to marrying, but he’d always assumed that one day he would wed. He never would have imagined, though, that he would then have to stand back and hand his wife over to another man.
He stood and walked over to the small cupboard where he knew his brother had kept a bottle of brandy and poured a small amount into a glass. It was still early, but he needed the extra strength to get through the hours until the evening’s celebrations.
Loving the Marquess Page 9