Gavotte

by Marina Oliver

  'Because you are forced into it!' Isabella cried. 'Do you not see? Everyone will think the same as Jack! My reputation could be ruined, though I care little for that, and you feel obliged to make amends by offering marriage. It was sheer accident that brought me here, and you were too kind not to think of the consequences, but no one will believe it!'

  'I am not craven enough to be coerced into a marriage I do not wish,' Jason answered firmly. 'Do not talk nonsense, my love. I am not self-sacrificing enough to offer marriage to a woman I do not love. I have been wanting to tell you ever since we met!'

  She looked up at that, astonished.

  'The first time we met? Why, how can you? That was when you were being so abominable to Clare!'

  He laughed. 'Are you going to blame me for paying attentions to pretty girls before I met the love of my life?'

  She stared at him, too amazed to reply.

  'Yes, I was attracted to Clare, for she is very lovely, but I forgot her the moment you appeared.'

  'I cannot – I do not believe it! Clare is so lovely. How could anyone prefer me to her?'

  'Beauty is not all a man wants, though you have that anyway. You also have spirit, and courage, and all the qualities I want in my wife.'

  'But I have no money!'

  'I have ample.'

  'You did not seem to like me when we met,' she protested, still not daring to believe he spoke the truth.

  'We did seem to quarrel rather a lot,' he said laughing. 'Are you afraid because I have been accounted a rake? I have been, in searching for a woman I could love and cherish, a woman like you. I never found one, but the moment I set eyes on you I knew my search was over, and I have had no thoughts for any other. Can you believe I love you?'

  Isabella shook her head, speechless.

  'Do you not trust me?'

  Gently he kissed her, and Isabella, her senses swimming, surrendered to the delicious sensations aroused in her. At length Jason paused, and whispered in her ear as she lay with her head on his shoulder.

  'You prove you are made for love, so why do you scorn it? Is it because you have been disappointed before?'

  Isabella sat up at that, startled.

  'What do you mean? How do you know?'

  'You talked in your delirium, while I watched over you,' he explained gently, 'and methinks I understood. A young man called Henry hurt you very badly.'

  Slowly Isabella's eyes clouded over, and she nodded.

  'Tell me if it would help.'

  'I was very young,' she said softly, 'only just sixteen. He lived in Brussels with his family. They were exiled also. He vowed he loved me, and would never leave me.' Her voice broke and she caught back a sob.

  'And he was found unworthy?'

  'His family left Brussels, and he swore he would return to claim me when he was able to offer me a home. I believed him for three years, then I heard he had married a French heiress only a few months after leaving me.'

  'And from that time on you have not had faith in men? My poor Isabella, how unhappy you have been!'

  'That was why I tried to dissuade Clare from accepting Edward. I did not think love was enough! It does not last!'

  'We are not all the same as the fool who let you go, my sweet. It would be difficult to promise eternal fidelity to a woman one did not love, but I have never before even wished to offer it. I do to you, Isabella. I have, as I am sure you will never allow me to forget, had wide experience,' he chuckled, 'and so I can say you are different from all the rest. Isabella, will you dare risk loving me?'

  Her eyes shining, Isabella still could not totally accept the wonder of it, though she knew beyond doubt she loved him.

  'Jason,' she said hesitantly, 'you half persuade me! But what of my abominable temper? Could you live with that?'

  He grinned, his eyes warm and loving. 'It is undoubtedly fiery, my dearest one, but I do not fear being unable to control you! You need a man who is not afraid of you, and there are not many such!'

  Isabella was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

  'Then you have been warned! Oh, my dear!'

  His lips came close to hers. As his eyes smiled deep into hers he murmured, 'Most likely we will fight on occasion, but most of the time we will love!'

  His embrace left Isabella breathless, and she forgot all else but the bliss of being in Jason's arms. It was he who eventually released her.

  'My own beloved! 'Tis fortunate your cousin is here to play propriety for one night. Tomorrow I must take you to London, for you are much too disturbing to be alone with me until we are safely wed!'

  THE END

  ###

  Marina Oliver has written over 75 novels, all are available as ebooks.

  For the latest information please see Marina's web site:

  http://www.marina-oliver.net

  More novels by Marina set in the 1660s:

  Lord Hugo's Bride

  Hugo, Earl of Winton, needs a wife and an heir if his weak cousin William and his unpleasant French wife Hortense, with the son who might not be her husband's, is not to succeed him.

  He decides Philippa Stannerly will be suitable. She is pretty, and an heiress.

  Philippa, in love with Charles, is distraught.

  Then her French cousin Sophie du Plessis comes to London and promises to help her. Their mothers were twins, and the girls are sufficiently alike to confuse people who do not know them well.

  When Hugo sees Sophie on her own he offers her a lift home, intending to pursue his suit in the belief she is Philippa. She maintains the deception, hoping to prove to her uncle that Hugo is not a fit husband for Philippa.

  Her behaviour is, however, unlike Philippa's shy response, and Hugo is intrigued.

  *

  Lord Hugo's Wedding

  The Earl of Winton was a notorious rake at the Court of Charles II, but falls in love with Sophie when he abducts her in mistake for her cousin Philippa.

  They plan their wedding, but Sophie and her parents must go home to France, where her grandmother is ill.

  Strange happenings follow them, and they suspect Hugo's discarded mistress, Kate Trent, and Monsieur de Terville, a probable agent of King Louis XIV, both of whom wish them ill.

  *

  Restoration Affair

  Callias is brought to the Restoration Court by her husband John Cobden, who married her for her money, but once there he neglects her.

  She is pursued by many amorous gallants, including the King, but has eyes only for Sir Richard Weston.

  His betrothal to Anne Laver, arranged by their families, is broken by her jealous cousin.

  Fate, in the guise of an angry John, a malicious Anne, and even the intervention of the King, separates them, and Callias faces terrible danger.

  ***