Redeeming the Marquess

by Beers, Laura

  “If you had looked closely, you’d have seen that it was always there.”

  “Perhaps, but it helps when there is a friend along for the journey.”

  They held each other’s gaze for a long moment, and Roswell knew that his feelings for Miss Bentley were much deeper than he’d previously thought.

  He suddenly realized that he was in real danger of losing his heart to her.

  15

  With a cup of chocolate in her hand, Ellie snuck a glance over at Lord Bideford as he read the morning newspaper. She couldn’t help but acknowledge the growing attraction she had for him, especially since he was helping her so valiantly. What was she to do? He had given her no indication that he held her in high regard. Quite the opposite, in fact.

  He wasn’t as dismissive as he once was to her, but he was still quite aloof at times. He’d hardly spoken a word at dinner last night, and adjourned to his study for the evening rather than play card games with them in the drawing room.

  Ellie even went to the library last night in hopes of seeing Lord Bideford, but he wasn’t there. Her mind had been reeling about the possibilities of her future, and she’d hoped she could speak openly to him about it. In such a short period of time, she had come to greatly value his opinion. She trusted him, completely.

  If everything went according to plan and she received her inheritance, would Lord Bideford be interested in someone like her? She would be an heiress, but would that be enough for him? Would he be willing to overlook her many flaws to be with her?

  She placed the cup on the saucer and stifled the sigh that was beginning to form on her lips. Why did she have to develop feelings for the one man who never showed her any interest? He treated her as a friend, but gave no indication he wanted more from her.

  Lord Bideford spoke up, breaking through the silence. “Would you care to see the Society page?” he asked, glancing over the top of the newspaper.

  “I would not,” she replied. “I fear that it is just filled with gossip and whatnot.”

  “I would mostly agree with you, but there is some pertinent information.”

  “Such as?”

  Emma’s voice came from the doorway. “How else would we learn about engagements?” she asked as she walked further into the room. “I do love seeing who is next to marry.”

  Lord Bideford rose when his sister walked into the room, and she waved him back down as she stepped over to the buffet table.

  “Good morning,” Lord Bideford greeted before returning to his seat.

  Ellie reached for the piece of toast on her plate, then asked, “How was your ride with Lord Charles?”

  Emma turned back around with a plate piled high with food. “It was delightful,” she replied. “May I ask why you didn’t join us?”

  “I’m afraid I didn’t sleep well last night. I had a lot on my mind,” Ellie admitted.

  Lord Bideford lowered the newspaper. “That is understandable, but you need not fear about your future.”

  “I know, but I found myself worrying about my mother.” Ellie brushed the crumbs off her fingers. “I can’t help but wonder if Lord Worthington has discovered I am gone.”

  Emma sat down next to her. “Do you think Lord Worthington will punish her for keeping your whereabouts a secret?”

  “I truly hope not,” Ellie replied.

  “My offer still stands. I would be happy to retrieve your mother and allow her to reside here until your case has been resolved,” Lord Bideford said.

  “I’m beginning to think your offer has real merit, especially given the circumstances,” Ellie remarked.

  Lord Bideford smiled, drawing her attention towards his lips. “I am happy to hear that,” he responded. “Should I arrange for the transportation, then?”

  Ellie nodded. “That might be for the best.”

  “Lovely,” he said. “My mother will be thrilled at the news.”

  Emma shifted in her seat to face Ellie. “I am excited to meet your mother. Pray tell, what is she like?”

  “She is petite, but fierce,” Ellie shared. “When she has set her mind to something, nothing will stop her.”

  Lord Bideford gave her a knowing look. “That sounds like someone else we know.”

  “She is still mourning my father deeply,” she said.

  “That is to be expected, since it has only been a year since his death,” Emma remarked. “Do you suppose she will go into half-mourning soon?”

  “I don’t rightly know,” Ellie admitted.

  Thorne stepped into the room and met her gaze. “Lord Worthington is here to call upon you, miss,” he announced.

  Ellie felt the blood drain from her face. “Did you say Lord Worthington?”

  “I did,” the butler replied, looking unsure. “Are you available for callers?”

  “I am,” she managed to force out.

  Ellie felt Lord Bideford’s hand over hers. “Would you like me to join you?” he asked.

  “I would greatly appreciate that,” she replied with a shaky breath.

  Emma pushed back her chair and rose. “I will go, as well!” she exclaimed. “I would like to speak to this man about his horrible treatment of you and your mother.”

  “Sit down!” Lord Bideford ordered. “Antagonizing Lord Worthington will solve nothing.” He turned his attention back to Ellie. “Would you prefer if I go speak to him on your behalf?”

  “No,” she replied, meeting his gaze. “I think it would be best if we spoke to him together.”

  Lord Bideford rose but kept a hold of her hand. After he assisted her out of the chair, he placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “You need not fear,” he encouraged. “I won’t leave your side.”

  “Whatever do you think he wants?” Emma asked as she reached for her teacup.

  Ellie felt dread in the pit of her stomach. “Whatever it is cannot be good for me.”

  Lord Bideford patted her hand. “Are you ready?”

  “I am.”

  As he led her from the breakfast parlor, Ellie squared her shoulders as she prepared to meet with Lord Worthington. She had no doubt that she could speak to him with Lord Bideford by her side.

  They stepped into the drawing room, and Lord Worthington was standing next to the window, looking out towards the gardens. His hands were clasped behind his back and the sun reflected off his bald head.

  “Lord Worthington,” she greeted, hoping her words were cordial enough. “What a pleasant surprise.”

  He turned back to face her with a frown. “I have come to collect you and return you home to where you belong.”

  Rather than reply to his blunt remark, she gestured towards Lord Bideford. “Have you met Lord Bideford?”

  Lord Worthington tipped his head respectfully. “I have not had the pleasure, but I have seen him in the House of Lords on occasion.”

  Ellie glanced over at Lord Bideford and saw that his jaw was tense. It was evident that he had no intention of replying to Lord Worthington.

  “Would you care to sit?” she asked.

  Lord Worthington shook his head. “I would not,” he said. “I would prefer it if you would go collect your things, and we will be on our way.”

  “Miss Bentley is not going anywhere,” Lord Bideford declared.

  “I beg your pardon?” Lord Worthington asked.

  “I said, ‘Miss Bentley is not going anywhere’,” Lord Bideford repeated.

  Lord Worthington’s eyes narrowed. “And why is that?”

  “Because you have treated her most deplorably, and I have no intention of letting her go back into your care.”

  “Miss Bentley is my responsibility,” Lord Worthington said. “Not yours.”

  “I absolve you of that responsibility.”

  Lord Worthington shook his head. “I am not sure what Miss Bentley told you, but we have an understanding between us.”

  “We do not!” Ellie exclaimed with a wave of her hand. “I have no intention of marrying you, not now, not ever!”

/>   “Your mother already granted her permission for us to wed,” Lord Worthington said.

  Ellie gasped. “She would do no such thing.”

  Lord Worthington nodded. “I assure you that it is true,” he responded. “I learned that you were in London when I read the society page and discovered that you have besmirched our good name.”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “If that is the case, then why has your reputation been tainted?”

  Ellie pressed her lips together. “It matters not,” she replied.

  “But it does,” Lord Worthington argued. “Your mother was as saddened as I was to see your name in the Society pages, and she sent me to come and retrieve you.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Lord Worthington took a step closer to her, and Lord Bideford visibly tensed in response. “Do be a good girl and go pack your things. We have quite the journey ahead of us.”

  Lord Bideford put his hand out in front of Miss Bentley. “I’m afraid I won’t allow that.”

  “You have no say,” Lord Worthington declared. “Miss Bentley has not reached her majority yet, and her mother is still her guardian.”

  “Where is the proof that Lady Worthington wishes for you to return with her daughter?”

  Lord Worthington huffed. “The only proof I need is my word.”

  “That is not good enough.”

  Taking a step closer to them, Lord Worthington said, “Then I shall go get the magistrate, and he shall sort out this mess.”

  “By all means, you are more than welcome to,” Lord Bideford replied. “I have no doubt that Judge Bradford would be happy to speak to you.”

  “There is no reason to protect Miss Bentley from me,” Lord Worthington insisted. “I only have her best interests at heart.”

  “Is that so?” Lord Bideford asked.

  “It is.”

  “Then you will be happy to know that your predecessor left a copy of his will at the church probate court, and my solicitor is asking a judge for it to be enforced,” Lord Bideford said.

  Lord Worthington’s mouth dropped open for a moment before he slammed it shut. “You have no right to pry into my business!”

  “Was it your intention to deprive Miss Bentley and her mother of their inheritance?”

  “You know not what you are speaking of,” Lord Worthington argued, “but you will see that Miss Bentley will have no choice but to return home.”

  Lord Bideford slipped his arm around her waist. “My betrothed is not going anywhere.”

  “Your betrothed?!” Lord Worthington stumbled out. “That is impossible!”

  “It is not,” Lord Bideford said. “We were just about to post the banns.”

  Lord Worthington stormed over to Lord Bideford, stopping in front of him. “You have just made a dangerous enemy out of me.”

  Lord Bideford shrugged. “That is not the way I see it.”

  Brushing past him, Lord Worthington departed from the room, which was promptly followed by the main door slamming shut.

  Placing a hand on her hip, Miss Bentley turned towards Roswell with an expectant look on her face. “Do you want to explain to me why you just told Lord Worthington that we are engaged?” she asked, her voice taking on an edge.

  Roswell smiled. “It’s brilliant, isn’t it?”

  “How so?”

  “By pretending to be engaged to me, Lord Worthington will stop trying to force you into marriage,” he explained.

  “But we aren’t truly engaged.”

  “True, but Lord Worthington doesn’t know that.”

  “I understand that part, but what happens when we don’t marry?”

  His smile slipped. “We just have to carry on the ruse long enough for you to reach your majority, or until you win your court case against Lord Worthington.”

  “I don’t reach my majority for six months,” Miss Bentley pointed out. “Furthermore, according to your solicitor, the court case could go on for years.”

  Roswell shrugged his shoulders. “Then we shall have a long engagement.”

  “What happens once I reach my majority?”

  “Then I give you permission to jilt me.”

  Rearing back, Miss Bentley asked, “Won’t that damage my reputation if I call off an engagement?”

  “Once you are an heiress, you can do whatever you want,” he replied. “You will have suitors lining up to court you.”

  “That is only if I receive the funds from Lord Worthington.”

  Roswell reached out and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “You are overthinking this,” he assured her. “By pretending to be engaged, you are under my protection.”

  He felt her shoulders slump slightly under the weight of his hands. “Won’t this adversely affect your reputation?”

  Roswell smirked. “If you must know, I do not give a fig about my reputation,” he replied. “Men’s reputations are not nearly as brittle as young women’s.”

  With a shake of her head, she murmured, “I won’t ask you to do this for me.”

  “It is already done.”

  Miss Bentley glanced at the open door, then asked, “What do you think your mother will say about this?”

  “I have no doubt that she will think this is a terrible idea.”

  A giggle escaped Miss Bentley’s lips, and she brought her fingers up to cover her mouth. “You have to be the one to tell her.”

  “Why me?”

  “Because you are her son, and she likes you more.”

  “I daresay she is quite fond of you, as well.”

  Roswell realized that he was still touching Miss Bentley and dropped his arms to the side, but he remained close. “Perhaps it might be best if we just tell her together,” he suggested.

  He could see the uncertainty in her eyes as she asked, “How is this fake engagement supposed to work?”

  “Well, to begin with, we must kiss each other, constantly,” he replied flirtatiously. “It is the only way for this to work.”

  She laughed, drawing his attention to her lovely mouth. “That can’t possibly be true.”

  Leaning closer, he suggested, “It might be best if we practice.”

  Miss Bentley placed a hand on his chest, stilling him. “I would prefer not to,” she said, her eyes full of mirth.

  “That is a shame,” he teased as he leaned back. “The only way you will get better at something is by lots of practice.”

  “I’m afraid that I have never kissed anyone before.”

  “There is no shame in that,” he replied. “It just means that you are saving yourself for the right partner.”

  She looked at him curiously. “Have you kissed anyone before?”

  A smirk came to his lips. “I am smart enough to know not to answer that question.”

  “Fair enough,” she said.

  Reaching for her hand, he brought it up to his lips. “If we want this engagement to work, we must put on an act for the world to see.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I am pleased to hear that, but you will need to look at me as though you are a woman in love.” He kissed her knuckles slowly and he was pleased when he heard her slight intake of breath. He hoped that meant she was not immune to his charms.

  His mother’s voice came from the doorway. “What is the meaning of this?” she asked.

  Roswell released her hand and took a step back. “Miss Bentley…” His voice stopped, and he corrected himself. “Ellie and I are engaged to be married.”

  Harriet clasped her hands together. “How wonderful!” she exclaimed.

  “But—” Ellie started.

  His mother cut her off. “We need to post the banns at once.”

  Ellie turned her attention towards him, her eyes pleading.

  “Mother,” he started, “there is something that you need to know.”

  Harriet glanced between them, her smile intact. “Which is?”

  Roswell shifted uncomfortably, then replied, “This is a
fake engagement.”

  His mother’s brows drew together. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  “We are merely pretending to be engaged so Lord Worthington will stop pressuring her to wed,” he explained.

  His mother frowned. “That was a cruel thing to do to me.”

  “I am sorry,” he responded. “I should have been more forthcoming about it when I first told you.”

  “Yes, you should have,” his mother chided. “But I shall forgive you.”

  Emma and Charles stepped into the room. “We heard cheering,” Emma said. “Did something happen?”

  His mother turned towards them. “Your brother and Ellie have entered into a fake engagement to ward off Lord Worthington’s advances,” she explained.

  Charles lifted his brow. “Isn’t that a little bold, brother?” he asked.

  “No,” Roswell replied. “I thought it was rather ingenious on my part.”

  Shifting her gaze towards Ellie, his mother asked, “Did my son pressure you into this decision, my dear?”

  Ellie glanced at him before saying, “It did come as rather a surprise, but I do think the plan has some merit.”

  His mother looked unconvinced. “What becomes of Ellie once she cries off this engagement?”

  “I can assure you that her reputation will not suffer from this arrangement,” Roswell responded.

  “How can you be so sure?” his mother pressed.

  Roswell offered Ellie a strained smile. “If anything goes wrong, then I will have no choice but to marry her,” he declared in a curt voice.

  There was a long silence before Ellie quietly said, “I am not going to force you into marrying me.”

  Roswell turned to face her, and his voice softened. “My words came out much harsher than I intended, but I truly don’t believe it will come to that.”

  “I hope not,” she murmured.

  “Why do you say that?”

  Ellie stared at him for a long moment. “I can’t ask you to give up your future for me.”

  “You are doing no such thing, especially since this plan of mine will work.”

  “I wish I had your confidence,” she said as she stepped back. “If you will excuse me, I wish to be alone.”