Convenient Proposal to the Lady

by Julia Justiss

  ‘Very well. Though I hate to further delay your return to London, I agree to meet you here each morning—as long as you promise not to come to Dornton Manor. I don’t believe it will take much longer for Denbry to suggest an elopement. First, because spending time in my company must be wearisome for him, and second, because he can’t be sure my brother won’t unexpectedly show up and he knows Harleton would never believe he harbours “honourable intentions” towards me. Speaking of being found out, how have you managed to lurk about Dornton Village? Hasn’t the merchant who engaged you begun to wonder why a poor, unemployed former soldier remains in town, freely spending his blunt at an inn?’

  ‘I told him there was a possibility of getting some work at Dornton later—which is true!’ he added, holding up a hand to forestall her protest. ‘I didn’t specify when such employment might become available. Sooner or later, a large country house like Dornton will find itself in need of another gardener or groom or footman. And I’ve funded my food and lodging by engaging the locals in a few rounds of cards every evening. One couldn’t leave the army in India without becoming an expert at every known game of chance.’

  She shook her head at him. ‘You are the most complete hand! I only hope you didn’t fleece the poor villagers out of too much blunt.’

  ‘Just enough to pay my shot,’ Ben assured her with a grin.

  She glanced up, studying the slant of sunlight through the trees. ‘It’s getting late. I must go.’

  They both stood and he bowed to her. ‘I cannot wish you good luck with your plan, Lady Alyssa, but I do wish it swiftly completed.’

  ‘Fair enough.’ She offered her hand and, bemused at that conspiratorial touch, he shook it. A startlingly intense sensual connection rocketed from her fingers to his, firing the smoking attraction between them back to flame.

  For a moment, they stood that hand-clasp apart, gazes riveting, the desire he recognised in her eyes making it even more difficult for Ben to fight off the urgent need to kiss her.

  Before he lost the battle, she dropped her gaze and pulled her hand free. ‘No one has ever volunteered to be my champion,’ she said, her voice gruff. ‘I’m very touched by your offer—even though I can’t accept it. Until tomorrow, Mr Tawny.’

  ‘Until tomorrow, Lady Alyssa.’

  Absently rubbing his fingers, where her touch still seemed to tingle on his skin, he watched her walk away, battling the urge to follow and intervene, despite her express wish. He hated having his hands tied, even though he’d devised a plan that stood a reasonable chance of protecting her.

  Concentrating on how best to guarantee her safety might help him fight off the desire that simple handshake had just fired in him. He should also remind himself that a gently bred virgin was off limits, no matter that it seemed she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  Although he disagreed with almost every other particular, he thought she was correct in assuming Denbry would push to complete his plan in the shortest possible time. He certainly hoped so.

  Then he could get himself back to his work in London and bury any lingering regret at bidding farewell to the dangerously alluring Lady Alyssa Lambornne.

  Chapter Four

  Three days later, Alyssa walked in the early morning sunlight towards the clearing where, as promised, she’d been meeting Mr Tawny. She’d begun looking forward to those encounters far more than she should—the novelty of conversing with an intelligent man who listened to her opinions and observations as she reported on the progress of Denbry’s wooing; the delight of making him laugh as she described the timid, yet increasingly adoring behaviour that must be exasperating the Earl almost beyond bearing.

  And then there was that sensual awareness in his eyes as he watched her; the zing of attraction that made her pulses leap when she saw him and kept her awake at night, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Be possessed by him.

  In turning her back on marriage, she was likely shutting away passion as well—before she’d ever had a chance to fully taste its pleasures. Pleasures that what he’d admitted about himself, and what she sensed every time she was near him, said he’d be able to deliver in full measure.

  Sadly, their meetings would end before she had a chance to decide if it was worth the risk of pursuing that attraction. Yesterday, Lord Denbry had finally revealed his plan for the elopement he’d several times hinted at and last night was to have been the rendezvous.

  With a smile, she wondered how he had reacted when, instead of her ardent self, he received at the inn the note she’d had delivered.

  She doubted he’d return today to confront her—what could he possibly say, in front of her mother and the assembled guests? And she’d certainly not agree to any more cosy walks alone in the garden! Most likely, after cursing her soundly, he’d availed himself of the horses and carriage and set off—wherever it was dissolute young men like him set off to assuage their frustrations.

  Intent on watching the drive for signs of Mr Tawny, she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her until a branch snapped close by. Alarmed, she whirled around—but it was only Mr Rossiter, who’d ceased approaching her, once his charismatic friend had begun monopolising her time—though his hopeful gaze still followed her.

  Relieved that she wasn’t facing a potentially nasty interview with a furious Lord Denbry, she said, ‘Mr Rossiter! What brings you out so early?’

  ‘You do,’ he replied, giving her a shy smile. If she hadn’t known he’d been involved in the wager, she might almost have been charmed by it. ‘Your maid, Molly, told me you liked to come out early to sketch.’

  ‘I don’t wish to be uncivil, but she should also have told you I prefer to sketch alone.’

  ‘Oh, sorry—I didn’t intend to bother you. I—I guess Denbry did enough of that. Quite a joke you played on him.’

  ‘He told you about it?’ she asked, surprised that the Earl had confessed his come-uppance to anyone.

  ‘Yes. He was furious when he arrived back last night, but after telling Quinlen and me about it, realised that remaining so could only make him look ridiculous. We had a great good laugh. You needn’t worry that he intends to confront you; he decided it would be better to pen you a note of apology and take himself off quietly.’

  The gaze he fixed on her seemed so open and genuine. But she mustn’t forget he was one of Denbry’s friends. She would be foolish to relax her guard.

  She’d feel a lot better if she could induce him to return to the house before Mr Tawny arrived. This would probably be her last meeting with that fascinating gentleman; she didn’t want an uninvited intruder watching, imposing restraints over what should be their private victory celebration.

  Then a far more unpleasant realisation struck her. At present, Denbry had no reason not to believe she’d foiled the elopement all on her own. But if Rossiter were still lingering when Mr Tawny arrived, he would almost certainly conclude that Tawny had warned her about the plot—and inform Denbry. Which might well cause Tawny problems with the disgruntled conspirators.

  She didn’t want to repay his generosity by making him some rather nasty enemies.

  ‘I hope, now he’s gone, I might claim more of your time?’ Rossiter was saying, giving her that tentative smile. ‘I would like to get to know you better.’

  ‘That’s kind of you—but later, please? This morning light will be gone soon. Again, at the risk of seeming impolite, I work better alone.’

  ‘Of course. Before I go, won’t you have some of this?’ From a bag slung over his shoulder, he produced a jar. ‘The morning being chilly, I got the kitchen to make up some coffee for us. Surely you can spare the time to have a cup.’

  ‘Very well.’ Eager to get rid of him, she waited impatiently as he poured out some coffee, then drank hers quickly down, despite it being cloyingly sweet. ‘Very warming, thank you,’ she said, offerin
g back the cup.

  ‘Another one?’

  ‘No, that was quite enough. I’m anxious to begin,’ she reminded pointedly.

  ‘I’ll just gather these up and be on my way, then. Until later, Lady Alyssa.’

  Quickly she handed over the cup, gathered her supplies and made a show of walking from the glen, intending to return once Rossiter was out of sight.

  As she stepped down the pathway, she stumbled over the uneven ground and had more difficulty than she should righting herself. Her hands felt unusually warm, her tongue thick, her head woozy.

  And then Rossiter was behind her. ‘Is something amiss, Lady Alyssa?’

  ‘I—I feel suddenly so...strange.’

  ‘Let me help you,’ he said and reached out to steady her.

  An instant later, he pulled her into his arms and slapped a rag over her nose and mouth. For a moment, she flailed against him, but her arms and legs seemed clumsy, unable to obey her commands. And then her head started to whirl and dizziness claimed her.

  A few moments later, Alyssa’s vision cleared, but the weakness in her limbs continued, while her tongue seemed too thick for speech. With the rag wrapped around her mouth and nose, she had to take quick, shallow breaths to keep the blackness from overwhelming her again.

  Her feeble efforts at resistance did not prevent Rossiter from carrying her down the lane, where around the next bend a coach waited. So it was to be forced elopement after all, she thought, still too weak for the ripple of anger running through her to give her the strength to prevent it.

  Rest now and marshal your resources for later. She sank back limply against the seat, pretending to faint again. She was too angry to bandy words with Rossiter and, knowing how carefully schemed this was, there was little chance she’d be able to talk him out of it anyway.

  * * *

  She dozed off in truth, not waking until the jolting coach halted. They must have reached the inn, she thought muzzily. Now would be the time to make her escape. But a tentative moving of her limbs showed her she was still too impaired to fight off her abductor.

  ‘End this now...let me go...and I will...say nothing,’ she gasped under the confining cloth.

  ‘Rest easy, Lady Alyssa, I mean you no harm,’ Rossiter assured her. ‘Can’t have you sticking a spoke in the wheel now, though.’

  Before she could respond, he tightened the cloth until she could barely breathe. He wrapped her tightly in a long cloak before extracting her from the coach, carrying her into the inn and immediately up the stairs.

  ‘...sister...overcome on the road...’

  She heard Denbry’s voice in the background. A moment later, Rossiter carried her into a large room, shouldering the door closed behind him, and deposited her on the bed, her head reclining against the pillows.

  ‘Sorry for this, Lady Alyssa, but couldn’t have you shouting down the innkeeper,’ he said as he pulled off the rag. ‘No need for tears, though. As I said, I mean you no harm.’

  She took a deep gulp, the influx of fresh air helping to clear her muzzy head. ‘Just what do you think you are about?’

  He gave her a jaunty grin. ‘We’re eloping! Denbry promised once his “seduction” was complete, I could have you. That didn’t work out so well for him, but he’s kept his word on the other, so you will end up respectably married after all.’

  He had the gall to smile at her, as if his condescending to wed her excused everything.

  ‘Can you truly believe, after you drugged me and carried me off against my will, I would consent to marry you?’ she asked incredulously.

  He patted her hand, as if she were a dim-witted child. ‘You’re ruined now, so you’ll have to wed me. Won’t be so bad, really. You’ll be mistress of your own house in the country and I’ll be in London. I’m not adverse to children; if you want them, I can nip back now and then to do the deed.’

  ‘While my dowry funds your London activities, I suppose? I can’t imagine any other reason you would want to run off with me.’

  ‘Couldn’t marry a pauper. You’ve got the funds, the proper pedigree and, at your age, should consider yourself lucky to end up respectably wed.’

  Though her head was almost clear now, she still lacked the strength to give him the slap she would have liked to deliver. ‘I’m vastly sorry to spoil your dream of getting your hands on my dowry, but I have no intention of marrying you. That trick with the laudanum won’t work for a wedding; the church requires willing consent and that I will never give. Instead, I mean to lodge charges of assault and kidnapping against you with the first magistrate I can find!’

  His cheerful expression fading, he drew away, for the first time looking less than confident. ‘There, now, no need for anything like that! Made you a respectable offer of marriage, I did!’

  ‘You drugged my coffee, carried me off against my will and forced me into this inn. I don’t believe any of that qualifies as a “respectable”!’

  ‘But you have to marry me! An elopement is bad enough; when it gets out that you’ve come to the inn with me, your reputation will be ruined! No one in society would ever receive you again, nor would you ever have a chance to marry.’

  She nodded, pleased to find the motion did not bring a return of the dizziness. If she could keep him talking long enough for her to fully recover, she should be able to get away before he could bundle her back into the coach.

  ‘That may be true. But I would rather live in isolation with a ruined reputation than marry you. And since my reputation will already be destroyed, why should I be bothered by the additional scandal of bringing you up on charges of assault and kidnapping?’

  He blinked at her, obviously having never anticipated any reaction but tearful acquiescence. ‘You can’t really intend to bring charges against me.’

  ‘Unless you release me this minute, I intend to do exactly that.’

  He stared at her, a worried frown creasing his forehead. When she stared back, unmoving, he backed to the door and opened it a fraction. ‘Denbry! She says she won’t come with me. What do I do now?’

  So the Earl was still the puppet master. A moment later, the man himself walked into the chamber. ‘Lady Alyssa, you are making yourself quite a nuisance.’

  ‘Because I haven’t gone into weeping hysterics and gratefully embraced your scheme?’

  ‘You may not be weeping, but you must be hysterical,’ he said with a patronising smile. ‘Come now! What other reasonable option do you have, but to marry Rossiter? At least he’s willing to marry you! Surely you’re not stupid enough to imagine any other respectable man would offer for you, once word of this fiasco gets out—and it will, you know. Scandal this delicious can’t be hushed up.’

  ‘You’d be sure to see to that, wouldn’t you?’ she flashed back.

  Exasperation wiped the kindly expression from his face. ‘Listen, you contrary little...! I’ve got no more patience with your doubts and complaints. You’re going to accompany us downstairs and into the carriage with every evidence of cheerful compliance. If I hear any more about charges or protests, I’ll ruin you myself and leave you here. With no reputation, no wedding and perhaps a bastard brat to look forward to!’

  ‘Ah, fine, I can add attempted rape to the charges. And I’d rather bear a bastard brat than marry either of you.’

  ‘Attempted—wait, now!’ Rossiter cried, holding up a hand. Looking back at Denbry accusingly, he said, ‘You told me it would be simple! Just get her to the inn, she’d make a few token protests and then we’d be off to the border and I’d have a rich, compliant wife. I don’t want any part of rape, or assault, or charges! I’m finished here.’

  With that, Rossiter hurried from the room.

  Denbry looked back at her. ‘Stupid girl! You just lost your last bid for respectability. Rossiter would at least have married you. Whereas I
have no such intention. But after all the trouble you’ve caused, I think I’ll have a little fun before I leave you to your fate.’

  The longer the conversation lasted, the more recovered Alyssa felt from the weakening effects of the drug. She probably still couldn’t fight off a Denbry intent on raping her—but she could shout the house down. It was still early morning, with an inn full of guests and maids bustling about. Someone was bound to hear her.

  An angry glitter in his eye, Denbry advanced on her. But before he reached the bed, the chamber door flew open—and Benedict Tawny strode in.

  Closing the door behind him, he halted, his rapid gaze taking in Alyssa stretched out on the bed—and Denbry rounding on her. With a furious oath, he launched himself at the Earl, delivering a roundhouse punch to the jaw that sent the man reeling backwards.

  ‘Lady Alyssa, are you all right?’ Tawny cried. ‘When I found your sketchbook in the woods, I thought—’

  ‘I’m fine. Rossiter drugged my coffee so he could carry me off, but I’m almost over that now. And he—’ she motioned towards Denbry, who was staggering to his feet ‘—hasn’t touched me—yet.’

  ‘If he tries to touch you, it will be the last time he ever uses that hand,’ Tawny said furiously. Turning to the man, he said, ‘Get up. And get out, before I forget that I, at least, am a gentleman and pound the life out of you, you miserable cur.’

  ‘Tawny,’ Denbry said as he rubbed his jaw. ‘Should have known the wench couldn’t have figured this out on her own. How long have you been coaching her?’

  ‘You knew I didn’t approve of this...wager of yours. I thought it only right to warn her. Though I’d advised her to simply leave Dornton Park, rather than risk having things escalate to—this.’ He gestured around the room.

  ‘But it can still end well,’ Tawny said, turning back to Alyssa. ‘The innkeeper told me the gentleman’s “sister” found herself too unwell to embark on her journey, so as far as anyone knows, your reason for being in this room is entirely respectable. Once Denbry departs, I’ll await you downstairs, telling the innkeeper that though you’ve somewhat better, you’ve decided to return to Dornton Park.’