The Hero Least Likely

by Darcy Burke

  “It wouldn’t hurt you to look at events from a more optimistic perspective.”

  “You might be an idealist, Perry, but I will always be a realist.”

  Unable to resist the urge to joke, Perry said, “I often wonder how Claire can bear with your constant need to seek out the bad in every situation.”

  “That’s not fair. I seek out plenty of good when the situation warrants it.”

  Perry chuckled and shifted to his other foot. “Are you done panicking over my future?”

  After brief pause, he nodded. “I suppose so.”

  “Good.” Anxious to return to Miss Leighton, he headed back into the ballroom.

  Paula shifted in the chair, trying her hardest to pay attention to what Lady Roderick was saying even though she kept scanning the ballroom for Perry. She hoped he didn’t slip away like Lord Holloway had right before they reached Gretna Green. She shoved the reminder aside. Perry wasn’t Lord Holloway. And besides, she had witnesses who would testify to the kiss they shared on the veranda. Even so, the longer he took to return, the more anxious she became.

  “But of course, not everyone enjoys riding a horse,” Lady Roderick rambled. “I, for one, don’t. I’ve been on them, but I don’t like the lack of control I feel when I’m on one. Sometimes I worry I’ll slip and fall off. What do you think about horses?”

  Paula forced her gaze to her and smiled. “I love riding them, but I prefer to walk.”

  Lady Roderick let out a cry of delight and clasped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! Lord Clement adores horses.”

  Interest piqued, she leaned toward her. “Does he?”

  “Yes. He even has a couple he keeps in London so he can ride at Hyde Park.”

  “What else does he enjoy?”

  “He hosts a lot of dinner parties but only invites those closest to him. He’s very sociable once you get to know him. He enjoys chess and politics when he’s with my husband. The two have known each other since childhood, and they spend a lot of time together at White’s but not so much that you’ll feel neglected. Oh, and he has a wonderful sense of humor and has a good heart.”

  “Does he also easily forgive?”

  “He’s one of the most forgiving people I know.” Lady Roderick paused then offered a reassuring smile. “You have no need to worry. Unlike some gentlemen, he’s not the kind who holds a grudge.”

  That was good to hear. She hated to think he might resent her for their entire lives because she trapped him into a marriage. With a glance at the room, she saw him walking in her direction.

  Lady Roderick rose from her seat. “We’ll talk again soon.”

  Paula nodded and smiled her thanks before she walked away. A cautious scan around the room assured her that her brother wasn’t anywhere in sight. Good. She had enough to worry about without dragging Perry into the unsavory situation with her brother.

  “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” Perry said as he settled into the seat next to her.

  “No.” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. So far, he seemed amiable. That was good. “Lady Roderick kept me company.”

  “She’s a good friend.” With a grin, he added, “She’s the better part of her husband.”

  Returning his smile, she said, “I understand you and Lord Roderick are good friends, too.”

  “Yes. I keep him from getting too serious and he admires me for it.”

  She chuckled at his joke. Lady Roderick was right. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and that was very refreshing.

  He rubbed his thumb along the handle of his cane, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I suppose since we are to be married, then I have your permission to ask what your name is?”

  “Paula.”

  “That’s a lovely name.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I gather you caught my name since my cousin referred to it often enough?”

  “Yes. You’re Perry.”

  He nodded then asked, “About your brother, am I safe to assume he doesn’t have your best interest at heart?”

  How much did she dare tell him? If she told him too much, would he still be willing to marry her? “Well,” she began, testing each word in her mind before she spoke, “my brother and I don’t agree on some things.” She held her breath, wondering if he’d expect her to explain further.

  To her relief, he didn’t. “I think I understand. Going to Gretna Green isn’t a fast trip. It’ll take us a few days to get there, and we’ll need to have some things packed and stay at some inns along the way. I can have your belongings brought to my townhouse while we’re gone. I assume from what you told your brother that you wish to leave tonight?”

  She bit her bottom lip and wondered if she had the right to be so insistent on what they did. “Well…”

  “I don’t mind leaving tonight,” he assured her. “We have plenty of time to talk while in the carriage. Shall I have my butler collect what you’ll need for this trip?”

  “I won’t have to see my brother?”

  “Not unless you want to.”

  She shook her head. “I’d rather not.”

  “Then you won’t have to. I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.” He stood up and held his hand out to her. “We can leave now if you wish.”

  “I’d like that.” She accepted his hand, noting how firm but gentle his grip was. She didn’t know how she managed to luck out in finding him, but one thing was for sure, she’d never take him for granted. Not after what she’d gone through with Lord Holloway. She rose to her feet and smiled. “Thank you.”

  Squeezing her hand in silent encouragement, he led her out of the ballroom.

  FIVE

  Paula’s hesitation to tell him about her brother revealed more than Perry needed to know. Whatever relationship she had with her brother, he sensed it wasn’t the best that two people could ever have. And it was probably why she felt the need to get involved in a scandal. In time, he was sure she’d tell him what had prompted her to kiss him on the veranda, and given that they would have the rest of their lives together, he could wait.

  He ignored Christopher’s amused grin as he took her out of the ballroom. While he might be secretly grateful to have had his cousin’s help in getting a wife, he felt no need to let the younger gentleman gloat excessively over it.

  On the way to his carriage, he caught sight of her brother who was scowling at her. This didn’t bode well. Sooner or later, he would have to confront the gentleman, but now wasn’t the time, especially not when she was in a hurry to get out from under his control.

  Turning his attention to her, Perry gestured for her to enter the carriage. Once she was comfortable, he instructed his coachman to go to her townhouse. “Afterwards, we’ll stop by my townhouse and then head out to Gretna Green. So gather what you need for the trip.”

  Though the coachman’s eyebrows rose in surprise, he nodded his consent.

  Perry got into the carriage and waited for the coachman to lead the horses forward before he offered her a reassuring smile. “You have no need to worry. Your brother won’t be able to tell you what to do anymore. You’re under my protection now.”

  She didn’t answer right away, and when she did, her voice was so soft, he had to strain to hear her. “You’re very kind.”

  Pleased by her compliment, he fiddled with his cane and shrugged. “It’s only proper that a lady is treated with honor and respect.”

  She slightly winced, something that didn’t make any sense to him. But before he could inquire about it, the carriage came to an abrupt stop and someone rapped on the door. Surprised, he turned his attention to the small window. Nate wouldn’t go through the trouble of running after him in order to rescue him, would he? Peering out the window, he fully expected to see his friend, but instead he saw a gentleman who had to be twice his senior.

  Beside him, Paula gasped.

  He glanced her way. This probably had something to do with her bro
ther. “I’ll handle this.” Grabbing his cane, he leaned forward and opened the door. He stepped out of the carriage and confronted the irate gentleman. “May I help you?”

  “Yes, you may. You’re kidnapping my betrothed.” He gestured toward Paula who shifted further from the door until her back was pressed up against the side of the carriage.

  Perry turned his attention back to the gentleman and moved so that he was blocking his view of Paula. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. She’s going to marry me.”

  “Are you saying Mister Leighton accepted your payment for her hand?”

  “Payment?”

  “I’ll have you know I was going to pay a handsome fee for her, and that’s something I don’t take lightly.”

  “I see.” Poor Paula. So that was why she created a scandal. “You’ll have to take that issue up with her brother. There were witnesses who saw me kissing Miss Leighton at the ball, and there’s no undoing the scandal. I have to marry her as a sense of duty.”

  “You did this knowing she was promised to me?”

  “On the contrary. I had no idea you and her brother had an agreement. I simply meant that I couldn’t resist her. She’s an enchanting lady.”

  “One might think so.”

  Perry wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but he sensed the underlying note of disdain in his voice. After a moment, he forced himself to smile. “I gather that this new turn of events won’t trouble you then. In that case, all is well. Have a good evening.”

  He turned to get back into the carriage, but the gentleman grabbed him by the arm. “This isn’t a wise move on your part.”

  “The scandal has already been done. I have to marry her. There is no debating this.”

  “I don’t take kindly to gentlemen taking what belongs to me.”

  Sensing the challenge in his statement, Perry drew himself to his full height and met his gaze without flinching. “With all due respect, she wasn’t married to you when this happened. That means there was nothing to steal. Now, if the matter of money concerns you, you’ll have to take that issue up with her brother.” He gestured to her brother who was still standing by his carriage, watching them. “Our business here is done.”

  Before the gentleman could protest, he slipped back into the carriage and shut the door. He tapped his cane on the roof to instruct the coachman to leave.

  As the carriage lurched forward, he offered Paula a reassuring smile. “We’ll be out of London soon enough.”

  She fiddled with her gloves. “Are you worried about him?”

  “No. Should I be?”

  “His Grace has a tendency to get drunk, and when he does, he acts like a fool. I’m not really sure what he’ll do.”

  “Well, whatever he does, I can handle it. If I frightened easily, I never would have taken Mister Robinson under my wing after his parents died.”

  Her eyes met his in interest. “You took him under your wing?”

  “No one else in the family had the courage. Christopher was known for getting in trouble. There were some who doubted if he’d make it to adulthood. I won’t say he didn’t frustrate me at times or that I didn’t feel like giving up on occasion. But if he’s taught me anything, it’s how important it is to stick with a decision once you make it, and I’m determined to be a much better husband for you than His Grace would have been.”

  Her eyes filled with tears and she lowered her gaze. “I don’t deserve you.”

  He wondered what made her say that but the carriage came to a stop in front of her residence, so he turned his attention to finding out what she needed for her trip to Gretna Green.

  They didn’t stop at an inn until the next evening, and had it not been for the good quality of the carriage, Paula didn’t think she would have made it through the night and day as well as she had. For the most part, she and Perry had kept up a pleasant conversation in between periods where one fell asleep for a short nap.

  By the time they stopped for the night, she was more than ready to get out of the carriage, eager to stretch her weary muscles and for the promise of a good, hot meal and a nice bed. There was a moment’s hesitation where she wondered if he’d insist on sharing a room with her, but her growling stomach pushed the question aside and she gladly accepted the coachman’s help off the carriage.

  The inn was one of the nicest ones she’d ever seen, which told her that her soon-to-be husband was a gentleman who wasn’t miserly like her brother. That, in itself, was a relief. Had her brother not been so greedy, he wouldn’t have seen it fit to try to sell her.

  “I hope you don’t mind if I tell the owner you’re my sister,” Perry softly said as he stood beside her. “I know it’s a lie, and usually I don’t like to engage in deception, but I don’t want people to think less of you because you’re traveling without a chaperone. We’ll have our own rooms, of course, and I won’t take any liberties until we wed.”

  She stared at him for a long moment, wondering if she should deny him marriage to another lady—one who would deserve him.

  “Is that all right?” Perry asked.

  Blinking, she forced a smile and said, “That’s fine. And very considerate of you.”

  “You’re a lady. I wouldn’t dream of being anything but considerate. You stay here with my coachman, and I’ll get our rooms.”

  She nodded and watched as Perry entered the inn. Despite the warmth from the evening sun, she hugged herself, feeling more vulnerable than she cared to admit. The coachman offered her some water to drink, so she thanked him and took a few sips. As she did, she realized she was queasy, and as much as she told herself it was only because of the long and trying journey, she knew it was much worse than that.

  She really should run off. That, or tell Perry that this was a mistake. When she sought out a gentleman to trap into a scandal, she thought she was trapping someone who would be better than the one her brother wanted her to marry, but she never thought she’d end up with someone who was a saint. She expected the gentleman she snared would have some flaws, some traits that would make him comparable to her with her faults. But Perry was far more honorable than she anticipated.

  The sound of a cane tapping the steps directed her attention to the entrance of the inn. Perry descended the last two steps and approached her. “They have two rooms close together, so if you need anything, I won’t be far. Since you must be exhausted from the trip, I ordered a hot meal to be brought to your room.”

  As he turned to the coachman to ask him to bring her valise to her room, she pushed aside the stab of guilt that pricked at her.

  “I’ll show you to your room,” Perry added and gestured for her to join him.

  She debated whether or not to suggest he should take her back to London and let her live with the shame of her behavior, but he looked at her with those sweet blue eyes of his and she lost the words on the tip of her tongue. Tomorrow morning. Maybe after a good night’s sleep, she could tell him that she had no business marrying someone like him.

  The evening before they were due to arrive in Gretna Green, Paula picked up a quill and dipped it in the ink. She brought the candle closer to the small desk so she could see her paper better. With a deep breath, she examined the room she was staying in. Undoubtedly, Perry gave her the best room at the inn. She couldn’t recall a time when anyone had been so generous with her. And not once did he try to take liberties with her.

  Turning her attention back to the paper, she dipped the quill again and thought of the best way to write her apology for running away. Maybe she could find a new life in Scotland. She wasn’t sure what she’d do, really. She heard that the inn in the next town needed a woman to do laundry. It was far down from the life she’d lived in her brother’s home, and it wouldn’t be as comfortable as the life she could have as an earl’s wife. But it seemed necessary. She’d get rid of her brother and spare Perry the disgrace of being married to her.

  She closed her eyes and composed herself. She needed to do this. Pres
sing the quill to the paper, she began writing. Never have I met a gentleman as sweet and noble as you. You should have a wife who deserves you. There are things in my past, things I’m not proud of—

  The knocking on the door made her stop. “Who is it?” she called out.

  “Perry. I thought you might like a hot bath tonight. Is this a good time or should I tell them to come later?”

  She bolted to her feet, dropping the quill and paper. Quickly retrieving them, she stuffed both into the drawer of the desk and pushed the inkwell aside so he wouldn’t see it. She smoothed out the skirt of her dress which was wrinkled due to days of travel then opened the door. He stood in the hallway, his cane at his side. Behind him stood a woman who worked at the inn, holding a folded towel with a bar of soap on it.

  When Paula didn’t say anything, he asked, “Would you like a bath?”

  “Oh, yes. That would be lovely.” She quickly stepped aside so the woman could put the towel and soap in the room. “Thank you.” She looked at Perry. “I hope it’s not an inconvenience.”

  “Not at all. I’m only sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” As the woman came back out of the room, he asked, “Will you tell the innkeeper my sister’s ready for the bath?”

  The woman nodded and hurried down the hall.

  Paula tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear. “I’m afraid I’m not presentable.” If she’d thought about it, she would have at least combed her hair after she unpinned it.

  “You’re fine,” he assured her. “It’s been a long journey. I thought a bath would help relax you. I also thought you might like to wear something new.”

  “Something new?”

  “With your permission, I thought I’d take you to a dress shop not far from here.”

  “You want to buy me a new outfit?” she weakly asked, not expecting such generosity.

  “We only brought one change of clothes, and I don’t know about you but I feel like a pig who went through a slop bath.”

  Giggling at his analogy, she said, “I wouldn’t quite put it like that, but yes, I do feel a bit disgusting.”