“Yes, my lord.” Harris sounded insulted by the question, which was not Richard’s intent.
“Good. When Lord Merrick awakens, please tell him I would like him to join me in my study.”
“I do believe he has already risen. I’ll go to him directly.”
“Thank you,” Richard replied and leaned back in his chair to wait.
Richard knew this upcoming conversation with Greyson was past due. Although aware of his duty to Stonemede, Richard had been reluctant to give up his portion of the London club. However, everything had changed now. After Kirkwood attacked Brianna, he knew the necessity of this next step. He took his time reviewing his options, and after speaking with Jonathan, Richard decided to offer his portion to Greyson.
Of the three friends, Greyson had always been the one who spent the most time at Ravenhurst. His reasons for doing so were personal and completely different than the other two men. Understanding this, Jonathan readily agreed with Richard’s decision.
The knock on the door was proof of Harris’ efficiency, and Richard smiled as he granted entry. As expected, Greyson walked in behind Harris wearing a curious expression. With a dismissive nod to his butler, Richard was left alone with his friend.
“You wished to see me?” Greyson approached the desk.
“Yes. Please have a seat,” Richard offered. “I wanted to talk to you about Ravenhurst.”
“Oh.” Greyson raised his brows. “As far as I know, we are no longer experiencing any problems. After you discovered Kirkwood’s involvement and put a stop to him, all our troubles vanished.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but the daily running of the club isn’t the reason I wanted to speak with you. What I wish to discuss is ownership.”
“What about it?” Greyson snapped as he straightened his back and narrowed his eyes.
Richard inwardly shook his head at his friend’s assumption that the discussion arose from a problem with him. Ignoring Greyson’s reaction, he continued as if he didn’t notice.
“Since my obligations are now to my estate, I’m interested in selling my portion of ownership. After discussing it with Jonathan, we both agreed you should have the option first.”
“Jonathan agreed with this?”
“Yes. Since we are all equal partners, I didn’t feel right about approaching you without obtaining his consent first.”
“Did he not have any reservations?”
“No. As a matter of fact, not only did he concur, but he stated it was the wise thing to do.”
Greyson paused, studying Richard closely before answering. “I would be happy to purchase your portion. If Jonathan would rather split it and be equal partners, I would be amenable to that as well.”
“He is leaving the decision to you. From what I understand, he is at ease with you owning the majority of the club. His only caveat is that the shares stay between the two of you. If you are unwilling to take the larger burden, he will assume the remainder of it.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll purchase your portion in its entirety,” Greyson declared, his satisfaction obvious as he relaxed in his chair. “I appreciate you trusting me with Ravenhurst, and I guarantee it shall continue to be successful.”
“I have every faith in you. You can have your solicitor draw up the paperwork, and we will settle everything when Brianna and I are in London next.”
“From the looks of it, you will be returning to London sooner rather than later.”
“I assume you are speaking of Elizabeth and Lord Winsler.” Richard smiled at the reminder of his sister’s happiness.
“I noticed their interactions recently, and I suspect they will not be agreeable to extending their betrothal for any length of time.”
“Considering I felt the same way barely a month ago, I will not offer any objections. If they decide to set the date soon, I shall extend my blessings.”
“I have never understood the point of a betrothal. If you have already come to an agreement with the lady as well as her father, why have any delay at all?”
“I suppose it’s in order to make the wedding preparations, as well as settle any other matters women feel the need to.”
“Yes. Their little frivolities must be taken into consideration,” Greyson agreed, brushing his thumb and forefinger along his jaw.
Richard studied his friend’s thoughtful expression and felt positive the man was planning something. Greyson was meticulous, and Richard silently wished his friend luck in whatever venture he decided to undertake. He was a good man who had been dealt a bad hand of cards, and he deserved happiness like the rest of them.
“Now that our business is settled, we should check on the ladies. They are no doubt at a loss without us.” Richard put his hands on his desk as he lifted himself out of the chair.
Greyson nodded and followed suit. The two men headed out to join the other guests for breakfast. Loud voices could be heard as they made their way to the dining room, and Richard was pleased the guests were already enjoying themselves.
Once he entered the room, he felt as though he had been struck in the chest by the blindingly beautiful smile Brianna bestowed upon him. He had risen early and left before she awoke, so he didn’t have an opportunity until now to determine her mood. She had not appeared this happy in quite a while, and he felt pleased to have been the one to make her so.
“Good morning,” Richard announced brightly and accepted the well wishes from the assembled guests.
“Is everything prepared for the hunt today?” Jonathan asked as Richard settled into his seat with his plate.
“Yes. I approved the details just this morning.”
“I’m anxious to demonstrate my superior skills.” Jonathan’s teasing grin fastened on Brianna. When he winked at her, Richard instantly felt his fingers tighten on his fork, but he willed himself to relax. He knew his friend meant no harm, but if Richard found out otherwise, it would be Jonathan he hunted this afternoon.
“We will be lost without you gentlemen today.” Elizabeth turned her love-stricken gaze to Winsler.
Richard shook his head at the concerned look his mother shot in Winsler’s direction following Elizabeth’s confession.
“Nonsense,” his mother chimed in. “We shall be perfectly content in their absence.”
Her concern proved unnecessary as Winsler only appeared to be aware of Elizabeth, and was obviously pleased by her statement. If they had their say, Richard imagined the day would be filled with wedding plans.
The meal passed in idle chatter, and then the guests went their separate ways to prepare for the activities of the day. Brianna was the only one who held back, and by the looks she cast him, she wished for him to stay as well.
“Richard, could I have a word with you?” she asked after the last person left the room.
“Would you care to join me in my study, or would you prefer to speak here?”
“The study would be perfect.” She beamed up at him. Since her mood remained jovial, he wondered what she wished to speak to him about that would require privacy.
After leading her to the study, he allowed her to precede him as he closed the door.
“What would you care to discuss?” he asked as he crossed the room. Leaning on the edge of his desk, he crossed his ankles and gave Brianna his full attention.
“I have decided where I would like to take Grace today, so I’m here to ask your permission,” she said the last word as if it were distasteful to her.
Immediately he understood her need for privacy. Although she was obviously displeased with having to ask, he didn’t feel the necessity of requiring her to obtain permission was unreasonable.
“Where are you planning to go?”
“I thought it would be nice to take Grace to the stream you took me to a week ago.”
“I have a better idea. Why do you not choose another location to go today, and I’ll take you both there at a later date. Preferably when we have fewer guests.” He hated denying her, particularly when she was making a
n effort to appease him. However, there was no way he could allow her to go so far unescorted. Putting aside the less likely situations, she could get lost even while following clear instructions.
“I would much rather take her there myself. We will not go anywhere else, and I promise to return at the first sign of danger.”
“You could get lost, either on the way there or coming back. The majority of the terrain appears the same if you don’t know what you are looking for. It would be too easy to make a wrong turn.”
“We can follow the stream. I’ll begin at the mill and keep to the water. Then once we are done with our visit, we will take the same way back,” Brianna assured.
She had obviously taken the time to perfect her argument before approaching him.
“That would not be easy or practical with the wagon, and I will not have you on horseback in your condition,” he said.
“Then we will take the wagon as far as we can, and stop there.”
“I can’t have you two going out alone in unfamiliar territory. The rain the past few days has moistened the ground, and a wheel could easily get stuck.”
“Please, Richard. I know I can do it without any harm to myself, Grace, or the wagon. The sun this morning surely dried up anything that could pose a problem, and I’ll avoid any potential pitfalls.”
“I will not allow it,” Richard proclaimed, his tone final. “There are many beautiful places nearby that the two of you could visit.”
Although her points were valid, he could not have his wife wandering around the countryside unescorted. Not only did he fear for her safety, but it was not proper behavior for a marchioness.
“But—”
“No!” he bellowed, his voice ringing throughout the room.
Brianna shrank back from him, but he could not allow himself to regret his tone. It was time she learned that as her husband he would be obeyed, not argued with.
“Yes, my lord,” she whispered, and then fled the room without looking back.
He knew he angered her, but before long she would forgive him and return to her wild antics. Sighing, he circled around his desk and sank into the chair cushions. He closed his eyes, not wanting to think about Brianna or the ache he felt knowing he upset her.
Opening his eyes, he looked down at the papers on his desk in disgust. He knew once the old paperwork was handled, his job would be much easier going forward. There was over an hour before the hunt would begin, and he had no desire to see anyone at the moment. Selecting one of the papers, he forced himself to concentrate on the words, hoping to keep his mind occupied.
The knock at the door startled him. Glancing at his pocket watch, he noted that not more than thirty minutes had passed since he sat down. Settling back into his chair, he granted the visitor entrance.
As the door swung open he worked hard to keep the surprise off his face. Lady Grace’s governess, Miss Ashley, stood in the doorway. He never had an occasion to speak more than a few words to the girl, and he wondered what could possibly have brought her here now.
“I-I’m sorry to bother y-you, Lord Stonemede,” she stammered, stopping only inches into the room. “I was sent to find Lady Brianna, and I believed her to be here.”
“Has she not returned to the drawing room to join the other guests?” he asked, concern clouding his voice. Had she disobeyed him and taken Lady Grace to the stream?
“No, I searched the rooms downstairs but didn’t find her.”
He stood so quickly his chair nearly toppled over. Steadying the frame with his hand, he took a moment to calm his anger before speaking. “Is Lady Grace missing as well? I understand it was my wife’s intention to take her sister on an outing.”
“It was Lady Grace who asked me to locate Lady Brianna for her.”
“Have you spoken with Harris, the butler? Typically he is helpful in locating people.”
“I did talk with him before seeking you out. He was not informed of her whereabouts, but he did tell me no one has left the manor.”
“I’ll find her. Don’t worry,” Richard assured, although, strangely, the girl looked far from worried.
Leaving her standing in his study, Richard set off to check the marchioness’ chambers. Considering Miss Ashley didn’t mention checking upstairs, he hoped to easily find Brianna.
Climbing up the stairs two at a time, he hurried to her door. Grasping the door handle, he was relieved to find it locked. She was inside. Knowing she had a reason for isolating herself, he refrained from going through his bedchamber and entering unannounced. Lifting his hand, he rapped his knuckles on the door.
“I said go away, Ashley. I already told you, I don’t wish to talk about it.” Brianna’s muffled voice came through the door. So the governess had been lying, but why? Since there was obviously a motive, he knocked again. “Please,” Brianna begged, her voice full of pain. “You don’t understand how hard it is to live like this.”
Richard reeled back as if he had been struck. Had he really made life that difficult for her? Although he knew he had been harsh, he had believed he was doing the right thing, but now he was not so sure. Brianna became so important to him that allowing her to endure this misery was unacceptable. He needed to do something to right the wrong.
“Do you want to know what the worst part is?” her tearful voice continued. “I have not only lost my inspiration to paint, but I have lost my desire to.”
His mouth fell open. Painting had always been a large part of her life, and he could not imagine her ceasing the activity. With her simple words, he felt his heart break, and he staggered backwards.
Brianna, his wife, sat in there hurting because of him. He hesitated, realizing he could finally put a name to the feelings he had been experiencing. Although a foreign thought, he was not surprised. He loved Brianna. He had no trouble admitting it now while enduring the proof stabbing through his chest.
He straightened. He had to fix this. He had to remove her pain and once he had, his would be alleviated as well.
Thinking over her actions and requests this past month, he realized she didn’t want anything too outlandish. Neither could they be overly harmful to his reputation or hers. Although still greatly concerned over her well-being, he understood he had reached a point where he would have to trust her judgment.
The image of his perfect bride that had been the driving force in his decisions regarding his wife melted away and was replaced with the perfect image of Brianna. He would no longer force her to become something she was not, for the woman he’d fallen in love with was ideal just the way she was.
As he stumbled into his bedchamber, and then to the door leading to the marchioness bedchamber, he felt his overwhelming love for Brianna filling him, propelling him forward. Opening the door, he saw his wife seated on the edge of the bed with her face in her hands. Without hesitation, he rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms.
“Oh, Brianna, I’m so sorry,” he said softly.
“What are you doing here? You should not see me like this,” she cried and buried her face into his chest.
“You are wrong. I should be forced to see the effects of my decisions.”
She went silent for a moment and then spoke in a muffled voice filled with misery. “I just don’t understand why you don’t trust me. When have I proven myself to be so untrustworthy?”
“Never. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but rather everyone else around you. I worry over your safety, but I now understand what I have been doing to you,” he admitted, then tilted her face back so he could look into her eyes. “I’m no longer going to try to change you or your nature. From this day onward, you will have more freedom, my love.”
The sadness drained from her face, replaced by unadulterated joy. “Really? You will grant me the use of the carriage? Without my having to ask for permission?”
Richard nodded and cupped her face. “Yes, my love.”
“And walks through the estate, will I still be required to bring Maude along with
me everywhere?”
“Only if you chose to invite her. I will leave the decision up to you.”
“Why?” she asked with a slight frown. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
“Because I love you.” He waited for the words to sink in before he continued. “I fell in love with you just the way you are. You are perfect, and I love you more than I can say,” Richard rasped
“Though I can’t always promise to obey you, I do promise not to embarrass you, and I will never endanger myself or our child.” Her voice grew thick with emotion. “I love you, too. You make me feel safe, cared for, and, until most recently, you allowed me to be myself. Hearing you say I may do so again is like painting a rainbow.”
The beautiful words resounded through his body, giving him more pleasure than he thought possible. Bending his head down, he captured her lips.
As he pulled her tighter against him, he was grateful the door remained locked. The only thing he cared about now was Brianna. Their guests and the hunt no longer mattered. Desperate to prove his overwhelming love to his wife, he brought her down on the bed, intending to make this moment memorable for both of them.
A Preview from the next book in the Perfect Series: His Perfect Game
Greyson Thorpe, Viscount Merrick, gritted his teeth as perspiration dripped down his face. This was it: The game he had been waiting for. After months of preparation and endless plans, everything rested on this one moment, on this one hand. Piercing his opponent with a steely gaze, Greyson reveled in the man’s discomfort.
Hammond Everett, Duke of Donetic, had something Greyson wanted, and he would do anything in his power to obtain it. The stakes in this game were higher than Greyson could afford to lose, and he didn’t refer to the paltry funds scattered about the gaming table. They didn’t amount to anything compared to the vast fortune he had amassed from his luck at cards.
The duke shuffled his cards again. Although his face remained masked, his fingers shook and his Adam’s apple bobbed, betraying his true state. He presented the sight of a man who lacked faith in himself. Greyson could not have asked for a better display.
His Perfect Bride Page 28