Lord Weirlane

by Gianna Thomas

  The only disappointment he had suffered was his son being more than a little irresponsible, and the duke had worried the dukedom might suffer. So, as a result, he had left a large amount of money and two very lucrative estates to his son hoping at some point Crispin would see the need to take up his responsibility as The Duke of Weirlane. If, and when he did so, his heir would be informed that the considerable balance of his father’s investments and estates would then become his.

  His father would have been pleased to see Crispin Alan Copley beginning to do that very thing.

  ***

  At first, Catherine demurred when the duchess kept adding more clothes to Catherine’s wardrobe until Crispin’s mother sat her down and explained what would be involved in becoming the Duchess of Weirlane.

  “Catherine, you must understand how important your wardrobe has become and why so many ball gowns, day dresses, underthings, gloves, and other accessories are needed. If a countess or marchioness needs a large wardrobe, a duchess needs one twice as large.”

  Shocked by the duchess’ disclosure, Catherine gaped. “You are bamming me, Your Grace.”

  “Decidedly not, my dear. And a piece of advice, do not allow cant to pass your lips. The men may use it from time to time without criticism. However, coming from your mouth, it might become the latest on dit with the haut ton. That is totally inappropriate.”

  Catherine blushed at the reprimand and quietly said, “Yes, Your Grace.”

  The duchess smiled and patted her hand. “Do not let it trouble you unduly. But do be aware of the high position you will hold, and the many who will be looking at you. If you’re not sure, say nothing until you learn what is appropriate for a duchess. I have no doubt with the training your mother gave you and a little time, you will make Crispin a fine duchess. I’m already proud of you, and I know he is also.” With that comment, Her Grace looked sideways at Catherine and gave her an encouraging smile which Catherine returned in kind.

  ***

  Most days Crispin had lunch at White’s with the other three lords and endured their banter concerning his marriage. He understood it was just good-natured raillery, and they suspected he didn’t regret marrying Catherine at all, but they couldn’t resist the temptation to tease him about it.

  “Enjoy your freedom, Crisp. There is not much of it left.” Jules’ tone was good-natured though he was resentful of the wager being amended to include love matches that developed after the wedding day.

  “Ah, Crispin, you are the youngest of us all, and the first to get leg-shackled. I wonder what that foretells for the rest of us.” Fox had a sly wit but there was always a grain or more of truth in it, many times to the chagrin of the others.

  And when they had finished with Crispin, they started in on Matt. “Matthew Fremont, with all these wedding plans, you are never going to have your wedding night. It will just be one long list of this and that to be done. Then more will be added to the list.” Laughter ensued as all four lords guffawed, then Matt added his comments.

  “Tease away, my lads. I have a fiancée who can put up with me, my five sisters, my parents, and she is a passionate creature to boot. There is no way I’ll not have a wedding night.”

  Jules piped in with a slightly sarcastic note, “Are you planning a run to Gretna Greene, Matt? First the wedding would take place in six weeks, then it was scheduled for two months away, and now it is three months hence. At this rate, you will be old and grey before enjoying your marriage bed.”

  Other patrons in White’s outer rooms heard the hoots of glee emanating from the private dining room. At first there were quizzical looks on their faces, and then as they recognized the voices, they just smiled and shook their heads. The whole membership was holding their collective breath at the fact that, not one, but two of the four lords were getting married within the next three months when none of them had been expected to be caught in parson’s mousetrap for years. Wagers had been placed in White’s book as to ‘why’ the four lords were suddenly interested in marrying. Little did they know they might never learn the reasons for the changes of heart.

  ***

  Except for the days the duke met with his stewards, the evenings were devoted to Catherine and his family. He had secured the special license. However, with all the fittings, her wedding gown and essential parts of her trousseau took time for the modiste to make ready, and they would wed in two weeks. Crispin found himself very impatient. He never thought he would look forward to being married, but with Cat, he looked at it differently. He’d had a taste of her passion, and now, he looked forward to his wedding night with anticipation. He really wasn’t aware of how possessive he appeared when it came to her, but the thought with him always was she’s mine, all mine.

  His mother was surprised to see her son smiling almost all the time, but she was pleased and happy for Catherine. The duchess just wondered how long it would take him before he realized he loved Catherine more than anything in the world. Foolish man.

  Crispin found it difficult to see Cat and only be able to kiss her hand or claim a short kiss of her delectable lips as they were always interrupted by one or more of his sisters. He surmised that the duchess may have been behind the interruptions, but never gained proof for or against her machinations. And the interlopers continued to wreak havoc just when he wanted to be with his fiancée. But he wanted more and wasn’t used to having to wait. Especially, he didn’t want to have to wait for Cat. He missed the passion. The duke, however, needed to learn the fine art of patience. And he was proving to be a very poor student.

  ***

  Twelve days after bringing Catherine to his mother’s townhouse, the entire family went to Weirlane Keep, and a small wedding—with the three lords attending—was to be held in the family chapel. His three friends didn’t meet Catherine until the day before the wedding, and they were stunned at the auburn-haired beauty. Her hair was not a fiery red such as Lord Brookton had, but a deep, rich reddish brown with golden highlights that gleamed in the sun. She had a fine figure with curves in all the right places, and the duke found she fit against him perfectly. When it was realized Catherine had no one to give her away, a scuffle almost ensued to decide who would do the honor.

  While the other two were debating, Lord Foxdown approached Catherine and declared, “Lady Catherine, if you would allow me, it would be my privilege to have the honor to give you away.”

  With a smile, Catherine nodded and said, “Thank you, Lord Foxdown. I would be pleased to have you do so.”

  Catherine had agreed, but Crispin nearly objected as Foxdown had most of the widows and many of the debutantes pursuing him and looking for ways to catch his attention. With his looks and his joie de vivre, every simpering miss was willing to give him anything he asked. Crispin knew this, and, for the first time in his life, he experienced the green-eyed monster—jealousy. Then Fox bent and kissed Catherine’s hand, and the duke nearly gave his friend a facer. When Crispin took Fox to the side to ring a peal over his head, his friend assured him that although he was tremendously impressed with his wife-to-be, he would never seduce Catherine.

  “Crisp, you are a very lucky man. She is every inch a lady and a gracious one at that. She will be an excellent duchess for you. And I hope you both will be very happy.”

  “You had me worried for a while, Fox. You’re too attractive to the ladies,” Crisp said in a sardonic tone.

  “Perhaps,” Fox replied off-handedly, “but I don’t play with married ladies. I’ve always honored the married state whether I agreed with being leg-shackled for myself or not. It is the one area where I practice ‘do unto others.’ All my partners are either widows or single, willing women. I have never pursued one who was married.”

  Crispin studied his friend for a moment then said, “I never realized that about you. I supposed you took any chit you wanted.”

  “I do." Leering, he offered a self-satisfied half bow. “They’re just not married.”

  For the rest of the evening, the duk
e contemplated what Fox had related to him. Crispin had not been as discerning the last couple of years, and one of his liaisons had been an unhappily married woman he had severed ties with about six months earlier. He later learned her husband loved her madly, though, his feelings were not returned, and they wound up separating. Crispin still experienced unease with his part in their separation. The man could have demanded an affaire d’honneur, but he was too broken-hearted to care about Crispin. As for the lady, he hoped she had moved on.

  As Crispin mulled over that unfortunate affair, he began to regret some of his other choices with regard to women of the past years. He’d admitted to Cat that he was among the dregs of society attending Lady Meriweather’s house party. Now, if only he had a bit more character to offer his future wife.

  He could offer her wealth, to satisfy any material want, and a title. In regard to children, he would delight in all of the passion to give her any number of children she could want. Regret that he did not have a more savory reputation to share with the genteel woman he would marry drove him deep into thought. And he was just selfish enough to not deny that marriage at all. He would wed Cat, and he would make love to her until the end of his days. He swore to himself he would make her happy as well.

  “My, my, Your Grace. You are looking awfully serious to be marrying on the morrow. Having second thoughts, Crisp?” Matt looked askance at him as he commented.

  Crispin sighed and replied, “No…no regrets. Cat will be the perfect wife and the perfect duchess. Just…a little dissatisfied with myself.”

  Matt dismissed the thought of ‘a lady in the drawing room and a tart in the bedroom’ without voicing it aloud. Instead, he asked his friend why he felt so disparaging regarding himself.

  Crispin shook his head. “Just wishing I had done things a little differently the last few years. If anything, that is where I have regrets. Cat deserves a better man.”

  “Perhaps, it’s a case of you not realizing you have been a better man. Maybe, not so much in regard to the women you’ve slept with, but with friends, I have none better than you, Fox, and Jules. You’re as loyal a friend as one could ask for. You’ve stuck with me through some tough times a year ago, and you would give me the shirt off your back if I needed it.” With his left hand Matt grasped Crispin’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “And you are acting honorably in marrying Catherine, a fine young woman. Unless, I miss my guess, you will live up to your beautiful wife’s expectations and become an even better man. The looks she gives you have all the love of the world in them, and if you tell me you don’t love her, I’ll call you out as a liar.”

  “But, Matt…”

  “I don’t want to hear it. You tell me you don’t worship the ground she walks on in six months, and I might believe you. But until then…I know different.”

  “I do…like her very much.”

  “You do and much more too. When you face your feelings about her, you’ll be an even better man. Mark my words.”

  At that, Crispin gave up denying he loved Cat. Do I love her? I don’t love any women except my mother and my sisters. Do I not? I do look forward to having her in my bed…every night. He had to hide his body’s immediate response to his thoughts, and he put his mind elsewhere. But he really did look forward to his wedding night.

  Chapter VI

  The next morning at 10 o’clock, Lord Foxdown escorted Lady Catherine Benton down the aisle to the Duke of Weirlane’s side. Crispin’s breath hitched as he watched the most beautiful woman in England walk to him as he stood by the parson.

  Lady Catherine was wearing a wedding gown of pale green with darker green and pink flowers embroidered across the neckline, sleeves, and hem. She wore her mother’s emerald and diamond necklace and earrings, and the jewelry shot fire as sunbeams through the stained glass windows hit them. Her beautiful hair had been upswept and threaded with darker green ribbon studded with tiny emeralds. Crispin couldn’t believe that vision of loveliness had said ‘yes’ to his offer. He would be eternally grateful she had.

  Even though the marriage ceremony was lengthy, the time seemed to fly as thoughts of his wedding night kept intruding into the parson’s comments until he had to be asked a second time when they were saying their vows. All he could concentrate upon was the heat from her he felt even through his sleeve. Setting his mind to the task, he finished promising to love and cherish. We shall say no more about how he felt when he had to say, “And with my body, I thee worship,” just that truer words were never spoken.

  Afterwards, they signed the register and received everyone’s congratulations. Catherine smiled, thanked them, and no one seemed the wiser about how heavy her heart felt. Her wedding night loomed ahead of her, and she was terrified.

  The duchess had approached and accepted a hug from her son; then she stood in front of Catherine. No longer the duchess; she was now the dowager, and Catherine Benton Copley was now Her Grace, the Duchess of Weirlane. “Congratulations, my dear. You make a lovely bride and duchess.” With that, the dowager hugged her new daughter and kissed her cheek.

  Catherine smiled and thanked her and tried not to quake in her slippers. Lord Foxdown approached and took her hand laying a kiss on the back of it. “You make a stunning bride, Your Grace, and you will make an even better duchess. My best to you both.”

  “Thank you, Lord Foxdown. And I appreciate your willingness to give me away. “

  “Ah, never fear, Your Grace, I never would have let either of those rogues take you down the aisle.”

  Lord Windmere and Lord Brookton both came forth with protestations that Foxdown had sneakily acquired the privilege, and they both rang a peal over his head for it.

  He offered a polite smile. “Since you two were willing to be part of a mill in order to escort Her Grace, I refused to be party to such lowly actions. Of course, I sneaked permission.”

  Such a comment generated laughter from the entire group including the parson who had presided. All, including the cleric and his wife, were invited to the main house for the wedding breakfast. Although the family together with guests made a small party, it was a merry gathering, and several called for dancing as Jocelyn attended the pianoforte. Crispin startled when he realized that his sister, Anna Marie—just three years younger than he—had caught the eye of Lord Foxdown. As they danced the set, they seemed to have eyes for no one except each other. The duke warned his mother to not let Anna Marie out of her sight and told her why.

  “Oh, dear. Could that be a problem?”

  “I…don’t know. Keep watch, and we will prevent any such.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  The afternoon progressed toward the evening, and Crispin breathed a sigh of relief as he knew he and Catherine were no longer required to be in attendance. He was wound tight from the strain of watching Lord Foxdown and Anna Marie for several hours until they settled with other people—Foxdown with the other lords and his sister with her siblings—and he could breathe easier.

  “Is anything wrong, Crispin?”

  “Nothing is wrong, Cat. Everything is finally right.” And he gave her a smile she felt to her toes. When she shivered, though, he asked if she was cold, and she shook her head.

  “I’m just a little nervous.”

  He drew close and whispered, “I’ll be gentle.”

  Catherine blushed bright red then turned her back to the room and hissed, “Crispin!”

  He just chuckled. It would be marvelous to make love to her tonight. He could already feel her in his arms. Only a little while longer.

  Just then, the dowager walked up inquiring, “Have you shown Catherine your new suite of rooms?”

  “Not yet, Mother. They did a fine job of the renovation, and I want Cat to be surprised when we retire.”

  Catherine looked at him with a question in her eyes and asked, “What was renovated?”

  “Since we agreed my mother would prefer to stay here than move into the dower house, and rather than have my mother change from the
rooms she shared with my father for so many years, I had the entire west wing renovated. It’s to be our private quarters with our bedchambers, drawing room, parlor, my study, our private library and even a music room for entertaining small groups of guests. The dowager, my sisters, and any guests will continue to occupy the east and back portions of the Keep. I do hope you are pleased.” As it was, Crispin grinned like a cat in the cream at surprising his new wife. He’d made her happy if the look of pleasure on her face was any indication.

  “Oh, Crispin, what a lovely present. May we go see it now? Has your family seen it? I am so excited.”

  “Family may see it later. Tomorrow or the next day.” He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Tonight is just for us, and ‘yes’ we can go see it now.” Gently, he put her hand around his elbow and led her from the room.

  As they reached the door, he caught Matt’s eye as Matt grinned and nodded his approval. Crispin whisked Cat out the door and nearly ran with her to the west wing.

  “Crispin, slow down, I’m getting breathless.”

  “Sorry, love. I just didn’t want anyone waylaying us before we got away. I have you where I want you, all to myself.” This time he didn’t smile, and Catherine could see the heat of desire in his eyes as he pulled her closer and gave her a kiss that seared her to her toes.

  When he reached her bedchamber, he picked her up and carried her through the doorway. Annie squeaked as she jumped up expecting to help the duchess prepare for her wedding night, but Crispin looked at her and excused her for the evening. He wanted to prepare his wife himself, and that’s what he did after setting her on her feet and later on her thick feather mattress. The house party was nothing compared to the passion experienced by the two of them that night, and they didn’t rejoin their guests for two days.

  However, when Crispin slept after their intense lovemaking, Catherine crept out of their bed and went into his bedchamber. She couldn’t get enough intimacy with him, but he never once declared that he loved her. It broke her heart to hold back all the words of love she wanted to say to him. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her also, but it was the passion he loved, not her. And she despaired he would ever love her.