‘Would you be so kind as to swear to the matter?’ Summoner turned away and walked to the nearest bookshelf. When he turned back, he was holding what appeared to be the family Bible. He set it down on the desk between them.
‘Of course. But...’ Was it truly necessary?
‘I would not normally be so demanding. But Belle is...special.’ There was the choke in his voice again, as if he could not bear to be parted from her.
Even so, if a man gave his word, an oath should not be required. But if a man’s life was based on lies, then did he truly have honour to swear on? It was a question that he’d asked himself many times over the years. But today was not the day to search for the answer.
Summoner sensed his doubts and pushed the book towards him. ‘Swear to me, that, from the time you leave this room until the end of your life, there will be no second thoughts and no regrets at your haste. Swear you will do nothing, no matter how small you might think it, to hurt my daughter.’
‘As you wish,’ Ben said and laid his hand down on the leather cover. ‘I swear before God that I will care for your daughter and do only what is best for her.’
Summoner nodded. ‘Very good.’ He laid his hand down as well to cover Ben’s. ‘For I swear, if you break this oath, so shall I break you. You have a bright future in front of you, Boy. But if you hurt my child, embarrass her, disgrace her, or do anything to sully her reputation, there will not be a scrap of hope left in you, once I have finished with you.’
The threat was made with such conviction that Ben wanted to snatch his hand away in denial. But it did not matter what he wanted to do. It was already too late to change his mind. The man had said no retreat and he had promised.
Since the prize was Belle Summoner, it would not be a hard promise to keep, as long as he stayed far away from Amelia. And once she realised she was free of her responsibility for Belle, she would not be a spinster for long.
It would take a particularly brave man to stand up to both her strong will and her protective father. But he should not be brooding on it. That woman’s future was no longer his concern. She could kiss as many men as she liked, in Vauxhall or a cupboard. Since she was not to be a member of his household, he need never know of it.
Considering how much the prospect of Amelia kissing other men annoyed him, the less he knew about it, the better.
Chapter Twelve
When Amy awoke the morning after Vauxhall, the sun was surprisingly bright and the sky an unusually clear shade of blue. Her breakfast chocolate was delicious as well. The song of the sparrows on her window sill was so delightful that she raised the sash and rewarded them with the last of the crumbs from her toast. Fortunately, she was too practical to mistake the reason for her euphoria.
Benjamin Lovell had kissed her.
It had been almost three years since the last time she’d been kissed. Was that long enough to forget how it had felt? She remembered those early kisses as awkward, wet and messy. When her beaus had felt confident enough to risk a caress, she had been more annoyed by it than aroused. They always seemed to be holding her too tight, or not tightly enough.
And to a man, they had seemed to enjoy the whole thing more than she had. They’d sighed and moaned, and swore that they would not eat or sleep until next they held her in their arms.
In return, she’d felt nothing in particular. She had grown good at dissembling, for it hardly seemed polite to tell them she felt no matching ardour. If she was doing it wrong, she had no intention of admitting her ignorance. But in the end, she had come to the conclusion that when it came to love, men were actually the more flighty and fanciful of the sexes. To spare their masculine pride, women pretended to have the more sensitive feelings and the delicate and easily broken hearts. It certainly seemed that the men who courted her were genuinely disappointed when she refused their offers.
But what else could she do? She had found no real favourite amongst them and she did not think she could abide an entire life pretending to more than she felt for any of them. And there was always Belle and her future to consider.
Then she had kissed and been kissed by Benjamin Lovell. Had she been overly vulnerable because she was so used to handling all problems herself that she had forgotten what it was like to lean on anyone? Was it because he was a much more handsome rescuer than her previous suitors had been? Was it the masterful way he had come to her aid when Belle had disappeared, stunning her to reticence and taking control? For the first few minutes she could do little more than allow him to lead her about the park, searching crowds and questioning strangers. Sensing how frightened she was, he had teased her until she regained her nerve. Then, when they had found Belle in a compromising situation, he had sworn to keep her secret. She had needed a hero. And when she had turned to him, she’d found no sign of the unfeeling social climber she had overheard at Almack’s.
Was it the combination of all those things that had made their need so immediate and mutual when, at last, they were alone together in the dark? As they had been in the cupboard at the musicale, his kisses had been so rapturous, his so touch possessive, her body had tingled, even in the places he was not kissing.
With other men, she’d always ended things before they got out of hand and demanded a return to the lights of the pavilion. But last night, if Mr Lovell had asked her to lay down in the grass and submit that instant, she’d have done it without a thought. She’d had to depend on his clear head to rescue her from disaster. He had been the perfect blend of gentleman and rogue. In the space of an hour, she was undone and happy to be so.
What was he thinking today? She doubted he was dancing around his rooms as she had done earlier and laughing over nothing. But she hoped that he was thinking of her and smiling as he did. Perhaps he was contemplating their next meeting. And maybe, just maybe, he was planning to call on her, to take her driving, or for a walk in Kensington Gardens.
She was infatuated. She had been so before, when she was a silly young girl. It would pass, in time, like a cold or a mild influenza. Passionate arousal was an unfamiliar and possibly new symptom. But as long as she did not explore any more dark, secluded spaces with him, she would survive it as well.
But suppose it was something more?
It was probably not. She did not have the time or the desire to fall in love. Nor had Mr Lovell given her reason to hope. He had not even offered the use of his first name. She absolutely refused to fall in love and allow her heart to be broken by his uninterest.
If anyone was going to fall in love first, it should be him. Then, if she felt so inclined, she would love him in return.
To that end, she dressed with exceptional care in her favourite morning gown of gold-striped muslin that suited the amber cross Father had given her on her last birthday. Admiring herself in the mirror, she’d never have claimed to be as beautiful as Belle. All the same, she looked exceptionally pretty this morning. One might even call her adorable. She had only to find her disciple to test the effect.
Even though she had prepared for company, she didn’t actually expect it. The last person she expected to find when she descended the stairs to the ground floor was Mr Lovell, already standing in the hall with a puzzled expression on his face, staring down the hall towards her father’s study.
‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded. There were no trace of society manners in the question. She stopped to remind herself that, even though he was used to her treating him with brusque uninterest, things had changed between them. As an afterthought, she softened her words with a smile and a toss of her head and prepared to start again.
‘I just spoke with your father,’ he said. The response was delivered in a monotone that proved his usual town bronze had abandoned him. Neither did he answer with the smile he’d worn last night, when they had parted.
‘Is something the matter?’ If Father had got wind of what h
ad occurred at Vauxhall he might have summoned Ben to account for it. Since her father had done nothing about her previous trips into the dark walks, it was surprising that he should take an interest now.
‘No,’ Ben said slowly. ‘Nothing is the matter. We have been discussing your sister’s future.’
After what they had done last night, he had come to talk about Belle. Her mind flooded with responses, but the one she most wanted to give was the one pride would not let her say aloud.
How could you?
Instead, she answered in the distant tone she’d used with him when she was trying to put him off. ‘Really? You obviously did not consult her in the matter, since she is still abed. What did you two men decide between you about Belle’s life and happiness?’
‘I am on my way to arrange for a licence,’ he said, his voice still flat. ‘The banns will be read for the first time this Sunday.’
‘And at what point do you mean to speak to the bride?’ she said, horrified. She had known his plan. Why did she think a few kisses would change it? ‘And when you do, will you tell her what happened last night, after we found her?’
‘Last night was a mistake,’ he said. Though he stood a few feet from her, it was as if he was delivering a line in a play, speaking in her direction, but not to her. He looked at her, but not into her eyes.
‘A mistake? Yes, I believe it was.’ It was the biggest mistake she had made in years. The sort of error a green girl would make before she learned to protect her heart as carefully as her reputation. She had lost her head and kissed him, and encouraged him to kiss her in return. Then she’d allowed herself to believe that it might be more than a typical male response to her wanton behaviour. Now he was about to tell her that any further contact between them would be impossible, since he was going to marry Belle, just as he had meant to, all along.
She spoke before he could. ‘Do not worry. My curiosity is satisfied. There was nothing about the experience that I wish to repeat.’
His gaze snapped to meet hers. She could see by the sudden flash of anger there that he wanted to insist that she was lying. The kiss had been phenomenal. It was the sort of passion that came along once in a lifetime. How dare she deny it?
Then he remembered that, for all their sakes, the kiss had to mean nothing. The light in his eyes died and he responded in the same unemotional voice. ‘I am glad we are in agreement.’
‘On that, perhaps,’ she said. ‘But my opinion of your marriage to my sister is the same as it ever was. You will not suit.’
He raised an eyebrow. Some of his original Almack’s hauteur was returning. ‘Lord Summoner approves of me and has sanctioned the match. You do not have a say in it.’
‘The fact that you do not value my opinion makes it no less valid,’ she said. ‘You will know soon enough that I am right. Then perhaps you will find the decency to withdraw your offer.’
‘Disabuse yourself of the notion, Miss Summoner,’ he said, finally showing his annoyance. ‘I gave my word that the wedding would go on, no matter what happens. Your father is happy with it, I am happy with it and your sister will be happy as well, because I promised that I would make her so.’
‘If you are happy, then why are you shouting?’ she asked triumphantly.
‘I am happy! And I am not...’ he lowered his voice and finished ‘...shouting.’ He took a deep breath and returned to the impassive man whom she’d found at the bottom of the stairs. ‘The only one not satisfied with the situation is you. But there is no pleasing a person who makes such a concerted effort to be contrary. Now, if you will excuse me? I have a marriage to arrange.’ With that, he turned and left her.
She waited only a moment before turning down the hall in the opposite direction and hurrying to her father’s office. She did not bother knocking or waiting for permission to enter, but barged into the room and threw herself into the chair in front of the desk.
‘Amelia?’ Her father looked up, not even trying to pretend that he was too busy to give her his full attention.
‘What have you done?’
‘If you are here, then you already know. I assume you spoke to Mr Lovell in the hall.’
‘He said you sanctioned the match.’
‘He is the perfect choice,’ her father said with a nod of satisfaction.
‘He is not the man for her. Guy Templeton...’
‘Is not the equal of Lovell,’ her father finished. ‘Lovell is known as the quickest wit in London, just as his father was. Cottsmoor was a genius.’
‘The Duke of Cottsmoor.’ When they had been alone in the cupboard, Lovell had denied a connection. But how could it be possible to embarrass a man by accusing him of legitimacy?
‘His ambitions mesh well with his intelligence. After they have married, I assured him there will be a place for him in government.’
‘You had to bribe him to marry Belle?’ It was all that Ben Lovell had wanted from the first. How had she allowed herself to forget it?
Her father gave her a surprisingly disarming smile. ‘It was not a bribe. It is perfectly natural that I would want to assure my daughter’s husband will be successful.’
‘And did you assure that Mr Lovell was aware of her difficulties before he agreed to wed her?’
‘Belle is a trifle foolish, but no more so than other young girls,’ her father argued.
‘And I suppose later, when he returns to you and argues he has been tricked, you will tell him to lower his opinion of the female gender to the abysmal level you set for it,’ Amy snapped.
‘On the contrary, I have nothing but respect for the fair sex,’ he argued. ‘But there is a reason that you are not allowed to make decisions for yourself, your children or your country. Women are far too emotional to be trusted with the future.’
‘So says a member of the gender that has got us into two wars while the factory workers riot in the North,’ she said.
‘We are not discussing the Luddites,’ he said, turning back to the papers on his desk. ‘We are discussing Arabella. If Lovell finds some reason to be dissatisfied by the match he has made, then he should have taken the time to know her before accepting my offer.’
‘Then you admit you tricked him.’
‘I admit nothing of the kind,’ he said, reaching for a pen and taking out his knife to sharpen the nib. ‘Only a fool thinks all the advantages will be on one side of a bargain. If Mr Lovell was naïve in his expectations about the ease and tranquillity of marriage to Belle or anyone else, then he is no different than all other men his age. Now run along, Amelia. I have business to attend to.’
‘And I have needlework,’ she said, even more annoyed by the dismissive nod that proved her sarcasm was lost upon him.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Lovell!’
Ben quickened his step down Bond Street, in no mood to stop and chat with anyone. His mind was still in an uproar over the turns his life had taken in one short day. He needed peace, quiet and solitude before he could calculate his next step.
Or perhaps he simply needed time to accept the fact that his entire future had been organised by another and done so quickly that he could no longer separate his decisions from Summoner’s.
Such a thing had happened to him before, first with Cassandra, then with Cottsmoor. In the end, most things had worked out for the best. He told himself often that the gains outweighed the losses. But he had vowed that, from now on, his life would be his own to plan. And then he’d met Lord Geoffrey Summoner.
‘Lovell! Hallo, sir.’ Templeton was coming across the street towards him, impossible to avoid.
It took but a second to affix a confident expression that reflected what he should probably be feeling on such a momentous day. ‘Hello to you, Templeton. You must be the first to offer me congratulations.’
His friend looked
at him with a surprised smile. ‘Good news? And I surmise it involves a young lady.’
‘You are correct, sir.’ He forced an answering smile. He had no reason not to. His fondest dreams were about to be realised. Therefore, he was a happy, happy man. He had but to remind himself of the fact and act accordingly.
‘Does the engagement involve a member of the Summoner family?’ Templeton responded with playful encouragement.
Ben nodded. ‘It hasn’t been announced yet, of course.’
‘But it is only a matter of time, I’m sure. Special licences are all the rage.’
‘I am a conventional man,’ Ben countered. A regular licence would take three weeks minimum to read the banns. But if this marriage was what he had wanted, why stall?
‘More time to prepare the guest list. It will be the event of the Season, I’m sure.’
‘I want nothing less.’ Though the prospect of notoriety had appealed to him at the beginning of the Season, now he wanted nothing more than to get the marriage over with as quickly as possible.
Eventually. In a month or so. Maybe two.
‘Good for you, my friend.’ Templeton was clasping him by the hand, pumping vigorously. ‘And congratulations to Miss Amelia.’
‘Amelia?’ Ben shook his head. ‘I am sure she would as soon spit in your hand as shake it. She was none too happy, when she heard the news.’
‘But I thought...’ The handshaking stopped, as Templeton understood the truth.
‘I am engaged to Miss Arabella,’ Ben said, fighting back a panicked laugh. It was easy enough to confuse the sisters. He had made that mistake himself while swearing away his future in Summoner’s office.
For a moment, Templeton said nothing at all. Was the idea that he’d done as he planned really so shocking? Then the man stuttered, ‘B-but you barely know the woman.’
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