The Reluctant Bride Collection

by Megan Bryce

  “Yes, you’re right. I must start looking for a suitable girl. He’ll never find one on his own.”

  “Get him a nice one, someone not too bossy. He deserves it after growing up with you.”

  Jameson reached for her hand and slowly pulled her to him. “Was that it, then?”

  “I can not currently think of anything else requiring our attention. Although I reserve the right to amend said contract.”

  He said, “Seems a fine idea. We’ll draw it up and sign later but for now how about sealing it with a kiss.”

  Amelia took a deep breath and went to him without fighting. If she was to marry him, she would have to get used to this after all.

  He leaned toward her, his face blocking the light.

  She whispered, “Jameson? This will change everything.”

  He stopped, watching emotions flicker in her eyes. “Yes, it will. But it might be a change for the better.”

  She glanced at his lips. “Maybe. What if it’s not?”

  “Better to know now rather than later.”

  “A very valid point.”

  “May I continue?” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A sweet puff of air tickled his face. His rapidly beating heart told him this was no mistake, and why in God’s name had he taken so long to get here?

  She said, “All right. Do your worst.”

  He chuckled, lowering his lips until he brushed a feather kiss against hers.

  He pulled back, looking at her with bemusement. “Amelia, what are you doing?”

  Her eyes were screwed tight and her mouth puckered. Her eyes blinked open.

  “Jameson, I’m trying my best here. Would you please shut up and get on with it?”

  He leaned back. Her face was flushed and if he didn’t know better, that would be panic in her eyes.

  He said, “We have done this before, if you will recall.”

  “Yes, well, that time you surprised me. I’ve had time to think about it now.”

  “I didn’t realize this would be so hard for you. Am I that repugnant?”

  “No. As I’m sure you’re well aware.”

  “Then why are you making that face?”

  She sighed and took a small step away from him. “There are two problems, and you’re both of them.”

  “I usually am.”

  “You usually are.”

  He said, “Tell me.”

  She glanced away and he said, “Or I’ll start to believe you’re the two problems.”

  “Well, first of all, and believe me when I say I have nothing against you personally–”

  “Thank you.”

  She pinned him with her gaze. “But you’re a wastrel and a rake. And though I forgive you, I believe there will be quite a number of ladies, and others, to compare me with.”

  Jameson nodded sagely. “You’re afraid you won’t compare favorably. Well, you’ll just have to try harder. The second problem?”

  “I’m adding a third.”

  His teeth flashed.

  “The second and third problems are, and you just demonstrated this quite well, you are you.”

  “I see. I think my thick skin just took a beating there.”

  “Oh, Jameson. I mean we’ve known each other forever. We grew up together. You were like an older brother and I adored you.”

  “That doesn’t have to change, although I never saw you adoring me. You might want to rethink how you express that particular emotion.”

  “Never fear. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to.”

  He said, “I do understand. More than you know. A growing man, frankly, must rein in his libido.”

  “Oh, yes. Did you ever try that?”

  He ignored her. “And no matter how lovely your frock was, or how much you had to go swimming with us, I always had to remember you were off limits.”

  “I always thought you and Robin didn’t want me swimming with you because you were mean.”

  Jameson nodded. “That, too.”

  She huffed out a breath. “You are not helping your case here.”

  He grinned. “Very well. Then I shall simply say, Amelia, that you think entirely far too much.”

  And he grabbed her and kissed her.

  And she stopped thinking entirely.

  Amelia headed to breakfast in a surprisingly good mood. Say what you would about Jameson, he was an excellent kisser. She was still reeling from the night before. Perhaps marriage would agree with her, after all.

  She greeted her mother warmly, who nodded to the newspaper sitting on the sideboard and said, “Jameson has been up to his usual tricks.”

  “It is too early. Perhaps after breakfast I will care.”

  Amelia filled her plate, ignoring the paper. There had been too many days lately of Jameson’s usual tricks. She felt slightly numb.

  But after a few bites she sighed loudly and went to retrieve the paper.

  Her mother had conveniently left it open to the offending page and there in large letters it read:

  Lord Nighting Engaged Again! To none other than Lady Amelia Delaney. Our source? Lord Nighting himself!

  “Oh, Lord. I have lost my mind.” Amelia threw the paper on the table. “I’ll have years of this ahead of me.”

  Her mother smiled. “He does like to make a scene. And dear, you would have had years of this even if you weren’t the one marrying him.”

  “I had thought his wife would take over the duty!”

  “So she will. Perhaps when you are living under the same roof you will be able to steer him a little easier.”

  “Easier? I doubt it. Earlier, perhaps. That may be all I can expect.”

  “Perhaps once you are married, you will find ways to distract him that are unavailable to you at present.”

  Amelia looked in astonishment at her mother. “Yes, well. . . hmm.”

  She hastily changed the subject as Jameson entered, bringing two bouquets of flowers. “For you, Lady Beckham. I must stay on the good side of my future mother-in-law.”

  She smiled as he kissed her cheek. “Flowers will do it nicely.”

  He offered Amelia’s flowers to her with a flourish. “And for my lovely, blushing bride.”

  Amelia looked at the proffered flowers. “Well, thank you, Jameson. This is new; usually you bring me charred pheasant.”

  He kept his face quite neutral. “It’s a gift to my affianced. Or a bribe to get her in a better mood. It could go either way depending on if you’ve seen the paper or not. You seem rather in a good mood so I think you must not have yet.”

  Amelia handed the flowers to the butler and settled back in her chair.

  “You proposed to me on a dance floor. It can hardly surprise me that you would take out an advert in the Times when I finally accepted.”

  He grinned. “I simply thought none would believe me unless I made an announcement.”

  “I think it likely none will believe you still.”

  “Which is why I think a nice walk along the green with you on my arm is in order for the day.”

  She sighed loudly. “I suppose if I’m to marry you, others will have to know about it.”

  “Take heart, my dear. Most will think I either tricked you or seduced you with my evil ways. There are none who know you that will ever think you less for it.”

  Amelia looked at him. “Jameson, everyone who knows me will think less of me for it.”

  He acquiesced. “I suppose it is inevitable; even I think you have gone barmy. Which is why I am announcing it to all and sundry.”

  “Again with the all and sundry. At least this time you are using the phrase correctly.”

  “You have no idea. Even the flower purveyor was forced to hear how I won your hand. He was quite excited about his elevated prospects; he for some reason thinks I will need a regular supply of flowers.”

  Lady Beckham chuckled and Amelia nodded. “An astute man. Although flowers are too easy. Perhaps I shall write you up a list for those times you put your foot in i
t.”

  “Ah, well, the flower man will be disappointed. But a list is an excellent idea; we’ll put it in our marriage contract.”

  Amelia laughed. “I do believe we will have the most peculiar marriage agreement.”

  “Only fitting, as we are two of the most peculiar members of the ton. Shall we to the green?”

  “Let us get this over with. I can not imagine what we will be subjected to.”

  “None will believe me until they hear it from your own mouth.”

  She sighed heavily, then rose to join him. “You should have brought more than simple flowers for today.”

  Jameson grinned. “Let’s see how bad it is, then you can tell me how much your gift will have to cost.”

  She looked at him with an interested expression. “An intriguing idea. Shall we add a remuneration scale to the list? I shall simply tell you what grade blunder you currently are paying for?”

  “That will certainly make things easier for me.”

  “It does make one wonder how much that trip to Smithfield’s would have cost you.”

  He said, “My dear, that black mood would have cost me my entire fortune.”

  She looked at him archly. “Yes, it would have. Let’s hope today’s outing does not upset me quite that much.”

  “I do hope, with all sincerity, that I never upset you that much ever again.” He bowed and took her hand. “And not just because it will now cost me my fortune.”

  Amelia smiled at him. “How very sweet. Although, the thought of some recompense does make the inevitable future embarrassments less intolerable. I am very nearly giddy with excitement that today will be horrible enough for the landau I’ve been wanting. Robin has continued to deny me due to the expense.”

  He looked appalled. “I think it highly unlikely today’s outing will be worth that.”

  She took his arm and smiled. “One never knows.”

  Jameson groaned, hoping she was kidding. But indeed, one just never knew.

  “Miss Underwood!”

  Clarice curtsied, her furious face refusing to smile. Robin Delaney was always kind, never talking down to her. She appreciated it more than he knew. It was a shame he was friends with that reprobate. Not to mention she was here for his sister’s blood. He might not look so kindly on her once she was done with Amelia Delaney.

  “I wish to see your sister, Lord Beckham.”

  Robin’s face turned slightly pink. “Ah, well, unfortunately she’s not here.”

  She stared at him.

  “She’s, ah, on the green.”

  “With him?”

  Robin turned to look for inspiration but found none.

  “Let me call for my mother, Miss Underwood.”

  “No, thank you. I would like to give Lady Amelia my message in person.”

  Robin cleared his throat. “This engagement was very sudden.”

  “What I find reprehensible is she pretended to be my friend. She tried to make me think it was for the best and what a terrible husband he would have made. And I believed her.”

  “Dear girl, he would have made you a terrible husband. He’s much too wild for a sweet girl like you.”

  Clarice sighed. “A terrible husband is better than no husband.”

  Robin frowned. “Miss Underwood, you deserve far better than that. You deserve better than Jameson Pendrake.”

  She nearly softened, then stamped her pretty little foot. “And now I’ll never get it, thanks to him. I’m a laughing stock. I was thrown over! And for Amelia Delaney!”

  She gasped but Robin took no offense. His sister was hard-nosed, stubborn, and painfully intelligent. Not exactly the traits most men looked for in a wife. Whereas Miss Underwood was pretty, petite, and normally very sweet. Robin suspected that any woman’s disposition would crumble under Miss Underwood’s recent travails.

  “I’m sorry, Lord Beckham. I shouldn’t speak this way to you.”

  He smiled kindly. “May I offer you tea?”

  Clarice blinked. Lord Beckham was so quiet and always a companion to his sister or him that he was easy to overlook. But he was just so kind. And now, right now, Clarice needed kindness more than anything.

  She smiled shyly at him, nodding. “Thank you.”

  There was silence between them as tea was brought.

  She said, “I wanted to thank you for escorting me home the other day as well. I’m afraid I was not good company.”

  He smiled. “You had received quite a shock. Please forget it.”

  “I do not wish to forget it. I was engaged to him, left by him, and he barely acknowledged me. He only looked at her.”

  She took a deep breath and looked away from him for a moment. Then, “You are his friend.” He nodded. “Her brother.” He nodded again.

  She opened her mouth to say something, then apparently changed her mind. She said instead, “Are they always like that?”

  “You mean exhausting?”

  She looked at him in surprised disbelief, then nodded fiercely. “Yes! They are so. . . much.”

  He smiled slightly. Then he laughed.

  She blinked at him and her mouth twitched. She held a handkerchief up to her mouth to hide her giggles.

  When their laughter had died down, Robin said, “Miss Underwood, that is quite the understatement.” And the giggles erupted again.

  Eight

  The marriage of Lord Nighting to Lady Amelia Delaney had been a spectacle, there was no other word for it. Despite Amelia’s assurances that she was indeed engaged to Jameson, none could quite believe it. Most thought it a horrible joke, although on whose part no one was sure.

  Carriages had lined the streets and gawkers had lingered outside the church. Amelia had glared at Jameson and indicated he would be paying an obscene amount of money to make up for ruining her wedding day. He’d only nodded; Jameson could all too easily understand why the ton had insisted on seeing this wedding. He could not believe she had capitulated so easily himself.

  But there she was. Beside him, as she would be for the rest of his days.

  He helped her with her plate and sat down, famished. The stress of the morning had worn him down, and now that the affair was over he was quite relaxed.

  “Now tell the truth, Amelia. You didn’t think I’d go through with it.”

  She sat heavily in the chair. “Of course I didn’t. I could hardly expect Robin to get you to show if you decided to bolt.”

  “I’ll tell you again. When a man is ready to marry, there’s no stopping him.”

  She snorted. “You were afraid of what I’d do to you.”

  He nodded. “True. A little. Miss Underwood was bad enough and she is not nearly as dangerous as you. And there was the fact that I didn’t actually think you’d show.”

  She smiled into her drink. “Admit it, you would have deserved it.”

  “Everyone knew I did. Why do you think the church was so full? The ton wanted to see my comeuppance.”

  “I’m sorry I disappointed them.”

  “I’m not.”

  She shook her head. “You always did get out of your punishments.”

  “I am too charming by half. A joke and a smile and all is forgiven.”

  “Perhaps it is best that I am your wife now. Those measures hardly work on me.”

  Jameson took a big bite, excitement growing with every moment they were left alone. Dinner was a quiet meal between the two of them and he was entirely conscious of the newness of it.

  Amelia seemed to be quite aware of how alone they were as well but instead of an increased appetite she had an increased thirst. A copious amount of liquor was finding its way down her throat.

  He said, “I am sure I will from now on be punished exceedingly for every infraction.”

  “You don’t seem too upset at the prospect.”

  “My dear, think of it. I am no longer looking for a wife; I will not have to sit through boring conversations with virginal debutantes, no endless dances. Just think of the free time I
have now to devote to gaming, riding, and my toilet. If the price to pay is an occasional scolding from my wife, well, my dear, you were quite fond of scolding me before we were married.”

  “Jameson, really. We have been married for not one day and already the rose has lost its bloom. Can you not pretend that we are still unaware of the other’s bad habits?”

  He grinned through his forkful. “If you insist. But I must admit that the complete lack of newness makes me most comfortable. Just think how awkward this dinner would have been with Miss Underwood. Why, I hardly knew her! What would we have talked about?”

  She glared at him. “The last thing I would like to hear about on the night of my wedding is you and Miss Underwood.”

  He paused in his gorging and looked at her. Really looked at her. “Oh, my dear. Come here.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t think so. Kindly refrain from embarrassing me in my new household.”

  “But you are thinking. Again. I suppose it is to be never-ending work for me to get you to stop. Come sit on my lap while we sop up that alcohol you’ve been swilling.”

  She guffawed. “I will not. Are we savages?”

  He rose, making his way to her. “Tonight we shall be. I am sure you will enjoy it, if only for the novelty. Up, up you go.”

  Jameson bent over her, kissing her loudly on the mouth, and lifted her bodily from the seat.

  “Put me down, you great oaf.”

  He sat in her chair and positioned her atop his lap. He grabbed a piece of bread and plopped it unceremoniously in her mouth as she opened it to berate him. And he sealed her lips shut with his own.

  He mumbled, “Shall I chew it for you as well?”

  Amelia looked haughtily down at him as best she could, then began to chew. Her lips rubbed angrily against his as she chewed. Her breath huffed against his face.

  He settled back in the chair, keeping her close. “I find the strangest things exciting when I am close to you.”

  “Stop talking against my mouth.”

  He laughed lightly. “Of course. Another slice?”

  He continued to feed her, kissing her between bites. Her breath came slower and his trousers grew tighter until he finally stopped feeding her between kisses.