“No, I didn’t refuse, exactly.”
“What do you mean…exactly?”
“Sit down.”
He waited until she sat, then rose to close the door. He didn’t want any of the servants to overhear their conversation.
“Haywood asked my permission to court you,” he said after he sat in his chair. “With intentions of marrying you.”
“What did you say?”
“I listened to his offer and tried to keep an open mind. He made some remarks that caused me concern.”
“What kind of remarks?”
“Remarks about his intentions concerning the money he will receive upon marrying you.”
“Is that all?” The frown dropped from her face and was replaced by a smile. “He needs my dowry to make improvements to his estate. He’s told me about them.” She paused. “Are you worried he might not use my money wisely?”
“You know his father’s and brother’s reputations.”
“Jonah’s not at all like either one of them.”
“How do you know? You just met him a month ago.”
“Hadleigh, how ridiculous. We’ve known Jonah our whole lives.”
“Yes,” he said in a louder voice than he’d intended. “Which is exactly why I’m warning you about him.”
“Then you can save your breath. I know all I need to know.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Cecelia rose from her chair and walked to the window that looked out onto their mother’s garden. “We might as well quit this bantering of words. It’s getting us nowhere. Why don’t you tell me what it is that you think I need to know about Jonah?”
“I have a question for you first,” Hadleigh said. He had to handle this right. He wanted to cast a few doubts in Haywood’s direction. Overdoing it would ruin everything.
“Yes?”
“What are your feelings for Haywood?”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Do you imagine yourself in love with him?”
She laughed and he took great relief in that reaction. Of course she hadn’t fallen in love with him. How could she have? She didn’t know anything about him. She didn’t know how deceitful he could be. How he couldn’t be trusted. What little regard he had for anyone.
It was his fault Melisande was dead, and he’d never forgive him for that.
“I knew you couldn’t be in love with him,” he said, feeling more sure of himself. “You are far too intelligent for that. It’s just that it’s so easy for people to give him more regard than he deserves.”
“Do you think people regard him too highly?”
Bile rose in Hadleigh’s throat and he thought he might choke. “Of course people think too highly of him. He’s not a bloody hero, you know. He wasn’t wounded in a battle, exactly.”
“I thought he was,” Cecelia argued.
“He wasn’t. It was only a minor skirmish. Hardly worth having its own name.”
“I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do.”
Hadleigh rose to allow his towering height to place more emphasis on his words. His nearness was bound to make his accusations more effective. He walked to where she stood. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You think Jonah will hurt me?”
“I think you will be hurt if you make the mistake of falling in love with him.”
She seemed to ponder his words. He was glad.
“I see,” she answered, pacing the small area in the front of the room. She stopped and turned to face him. “What else would you like to warn me of concerning Lord Haywood?”
“Like you said, Cecelia, I’ve known Haywood for a very long time, and I’m not sure he’s capable of love.”
“Capable of love?” she asked. “Or capable of loving me?”
“I’m not sure there’s a difference. The man has no heart. I learned that three years ago when he caused Melisande’s death.”
“Did you refuse his request to see me, then?”
“Of course not. That would have been the surest way of inviting you to defy my wishes.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I would give him six months to court you. That I would not entertain talk of marriage until that time was over.”
“Because you think I will come to my senses in that time and realize what a villain he is?”
“Yes. Or that you will at least realize what kind of man he truly is and walk into any connection with him with your eyes wide open as to his faults and the reason he’s determined to marry you.”
“And that is?”
“Your dowry, Cecelia. Haywood is no different than any other suitor who has asked for your hand. He only wants your dowry.”
Cecelia placed her hand on the nearest piece of furniture as if she needed the support it offered. His words had shocked her. His accusations had bothered her.
“You don’t think he can love me?”
“Of course he can’t love you. He’s incapable of the emotion.”
Her voice was small, unsteady, and he wanted to celebrate. He’d planted the seeds of doubt, and they’d already taken root.
Today had turned out better than he’d imagined.
“And yet you gave him six months to court me?”
“Yes. I know it will no doubt take you less than half that long, but I want you to believe beyond question that—”
“I won’t need the six months, Hadleigh.” She faced him with a bravado he hadn’t expected to see on her face. “I doubt that it will take me even one month to discover the kind of man he is.”
“Only one?”
“Yes. But to make sure of his intentions, I’ll accept your six-month stipulation.”
Hadleigh held his breath. Oh, he hoped he hadn’t done too good of a job discouraging her. Her refusal to continue seeing Haywood would ruin his plan. Haywood hadn’t begun work on Haywood Abbey yet.
“Actually, I’m glad you gave Lord Haywood a specified amount of time to court me. You can be assured I will use every moment of that time wisely.”
His sister gave him a reassuring smile, then made her way to the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Hadleigh, I think I’ll take the carriage out to call on Amanda. I told her I would help her decide on the material she selected for a new gown.”
Hadleigh sat back in his chair and took a swallow of the brandy he’d poured before Cecelia had arrived. This was indeed a day to celebrate.
He hoped his sister was correct in the length of time it would take her to discover Haywood’s true nature. He hated to think of her spending too much time with a man who possessed such a black heart.
Chapter 11
Celie looked across Lady Windemere’s crowded ballroom in search of Amanda. She couldn’t wait to tell her what had transpired over the last few days. The minute she spied her, she left Hadleigh’s side and walked toward her.
“It’s about time you arrived, Celie. I’ve spent the last half hour listening to Lady Ruggers and Lady Coleton explain all their aches and pains and the remedies they’re taking to alleviate them.”
“It serves you right. I told you we wouldn’t be early. Hadleigh was locked in his study all afternoon with his man of business. I was afraid they’d never finish.”
“I had no choice. My brother insisted we leave early, and since I wanted to speak to him, I took advantage of the opportunity I’d have when we were confined in a carriage and he couldn’t escape.”
Celie looked at her friend. “Uh-oh. That sounds serious.”
“It is. I spent the afternoon going over the estate books my brother has neglected for the last few months. The accounts weren’t encouraging.”
“Did you ask him about it?”
“I tried. He always has an excuse as to why things aren’t as good as they could be. Mostly, though, the reason is his lack of responsibility and his overspending.”
Amanda looked concerned. “Father did Stephen a great disservice
by giving him such free rein. But enough of Stephen.” Amanda waved her hand in front of her and her frown quickly dissipated. “I want to hear about you. You’ve got that dreamy look in your eyes. What have you been up to for the last few days?”
Celie couldn’t help but smile. “Jonah asked for Hadleigh’s permission to marry me.”
Amanda squealed in delight, then pulled Celie to a secluded corner. “Did your brother say yes?”
Celie nodded.
The look of shock and surprise on Amanda’s face made Celie laugh. “He said yes, but with one stipulation.”
“What?”
“That Jonah court me for six months before he gives his approval.”
“Why six months?”
“Because he’s certain that, in those six months, I’ll realize what a villain he is. That I’ll come to my senses and see him for the blackguard he really is.”
“Then your brother is a fool.”
Celie studied her friend. “You don’t believe Jonah is only courting me to exact revenge on my brother? Or to gain my dowry?”
“The truth?” Amanda asked seriously.
“Yes. The truth.”
“That may have been his initial intent, but that changed after your first meeting. It’s obvious to everyone that Haywood is head over ears in love with you. Everyone except your brother.”
Celie smiled. She’d smiled a lot since Jonah had returned home. She suddenly wanted her best friend to experience that same happiness. “Is there anyone special in your life, Amanda?”
“Oh, no you don’t! Don’t you dare try to play matchmaker with me.” Amanda stepped back a foot and let her gaze roam the ballroom. “You and I pledged to remain old maids and replace the Chipworth sisters when they retired. We decided to be the next terrors of London Society. My plans haven’t changed. I still intend to follow that course, even though you’ve abandoned me.”
Celie laughed. “Isn’t there someone?” Celie encouraged a second time. “And don’t attempt to lie. I always know when you’re not telling me the truth.”
Amanda gave Celie a wrinkle-faced look and turned her attention back to the ballroom floor. “Very well. Perhaps there is someone I consider special.”
“Who?”
“Oh, no,” Amanda said, “I’m not telling you.”
“Why ever not? I’ve always shared everything with you.”
“This is not something to share.” Amanda brushed away a speck of imaginary lint from her gown.
“But maybe I can—”
“There’s nothing you can do, Celie. There’s nothing anyone can do.”
Celie saw a glimpse of something she rarely saw on Amanda’s face—defeat mixed with a hint of despair. What was even more heart wrenching was that Amanda’s voice contained a hopelessness she rarely heard from her friend.
Celie clutched her hands to her middle. “Oh, Amanda. You’ve fallen in love with someone who’s already married.”
Amanda didn’t deny her assumption, and Celie ached for her friend. Now that she knew what it was like to love someone, she couldn’t imagine what it must be like to give your love to someone who could never love you in return.
“Is there something I can do?” Celie asked, knowing the futility of her question even as she asked it.
“Yes, you can erase that maudlin expression from your face so we can enjoy ourselves tonight.”
Celie caught sight of Jonah walking toward her, and she couldn’t stop the smile from lighting her face. She would always feel Amanda’s loss, but nothing could stop the elation she experienced every time she saw Jonah.
Love did that. And her heart overflowed with love for the man walking toward her.
The waltz ended and Celie took Jonah’s arm and walked with him out onto the terrace. A full moon shone above and a gentle breeze blew softly as they made their way down one of the cobbled paths in the garden.
“I haven’t told you how beautiful you are tonight,” he said, keeping her close to him as they slowly walked through Lady Windemere’s garden.
“And you, my lord, are undoubtedly the most handsome man here,” she answered in return.
“Then perhaps you will be content with that thought until I return.”
“Return?”
“Yes, I have to be gone for a few weeks,” he said when they were seated on a small iron bench overlooking a small pond. “I have some estate business to attend to.”
“You’re going to Haywood Abbey?”
“Yes. The manor house is in desperate need of repairs, and I want to start before winter.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“I don’t know. Several weeks, I’m sure. Perhaps longer.”
Jonah’s words affected her in a way she wasn’t prepared for. She realized she didn’t want to be separated from him for even a few days, let alone several weeks. She turned to face him. “I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the country. Would you mind if I accompanied you? I’ll take Amanda with me, of course.”
A smile brightened his face. “I can think of nothing I’d enjoy more. But do you think your brother will allow it?”
“I’m sure he’ll send an army of chaperones along to guard my every move, but Amanda can be a most impressive diversion. I’m sure we’ll find at least a little time to spend together.”
Jonah laughed. “The thought of having you there to help make some of the decisions is perfect. And no one is more capable of creating a diversion than Lady Amanda.”
The sound of his laughter surged through her like molten lava rushing down a hillside. Its blazing warmth filled in every crease and crevice and covered her with an inescapable heat. That’s how Jonah affected her. His nearness created an intense sense of need and desire.
“When will you leave?”
“In two days. There are several items the carpenters need that can’t be obtained in the village. I’ll leave as soon as I get the supplies the workmen need. Will you be able to be ready by then?”
She smiled. “That will give me plenty of time.”
Celie lifted her head and her gaze locked with Jonah’s. He reached for her hands and held them in his.
“Did your brother tell you I visited him this morning?”
“Yes. He said you requested permission to marry me—which he granted, with the stipulation that includes a six-month waiting period. He thinks I’ll come to my senses before the time is over and realize what a bad choice you are.”
“Perhaps he’s right,” Jonah said.
The tone of his voice sounded so serious she was suddenly frightened. “Do you think he is?”
“I pray to God not, but you could do much better. I have nothing to commend me.”
“You have more to your credit than you realize. You possess the qualities I most admire in a man. I want nothing more than what you can provide.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself to him. Even though he’d never said the words, she knew he loved her. Just as she knew her brother loved her, even though he’d never said the words, either.
Jonah deepened his kiss, touching her, possessing her until Celie could barely breathe. She wanted him.
She wasn’t sure she could have described that thought; she wasn’t even sure she knew where it had come from, but every fiber in her body said she wanted Jonah. And only Jonah.
He kissed her again, then lifted his mouth and pulled her close to him when they heard a noise from somewhere nearby.
She thought she heard him whisper something about the next six months and the longest of his life, but she wasn’t sure. “Did you say something?” she asked, listening to his heart pound beneath her ear.
“I was reminding myself that I am the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”
“You must have read my mind,” Celie said, smiling up at him, “for I was just telling myself that I’m the most fortunate woman alive.”
Jonah lowered his head to give her one last, brief kiss, then separated himself from her be
fore someone saw them.
Chapter 12
Celie stood at the top of the stairs and watched several footmen carry one heavy trunk after another out the door and to the waiting carts. From the amount of luggage waiting to be loaded, it was obvious her brother hadn’t changed his mind about accompanying her.
She said a silent prayer that they would survive the trip to the country without a fatality. The journey would only take a couple of hours, but that was more than enough time for the atmosphere to become explosive. She was courting danger by confining her brother and Amanda in the same carriage for that length of time, let alone the volatile tension that was always there when he was anywhere near Jonah.
She didn’t know how they would arrive at Hadleigh Manor unscathed.
She reached the bottom of the stairs as Amanda walked through the front door. Amanda stopped and surveyed the mound of trunks and baggage.
“I thought we were only going to the country for a few weeks. You didn’t tell me it could be years.”
“We will only be there a few weeks.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “Celie, please tell me all these trunks are yours and they’re not your brother’s.”
“I…uh…”
Amanda’s fists tightened at her sides. “You promised you’d be able to talk him out of going.”
“Well, I couldn’t. You know how he can be. With Haywood residing at the neighboring estate, he insisted on coming. Then, when he realized that you would be there, too, well…”
“I can imagine. He was thrilled.”
Celie stifled a giggle. “Come with me. I’ve had tea and a tray sent to the morning room. I hoped sending us all off on a full stomach would help our dispositions.”
“I don’t think there’s any help for your brother’s disposition once he’s locked inside a carriage with his archenemy.”
“That’s where you will help.”
“Oh, no. Not me. I’m not playing buffer between Haywood and your brother. That’s like entertaining a death wish.”
Celie laughed. “Silly. Come with me. Tea will help.”
“Nothing will help,” Celie heard her friend mumble behind her. She hoped she wasn’t right.
The Most to Lose Page 13