Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Choc Lit)

by Christina Courtenay

  Jason leaned back against the closed door to his own bed chamber and gritted his teeth. Walking away from Ianthe after only a chaste peck on the cheek was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he felt he owed her that much. As he’d said, everything had been done in a rush and it was his fault. He hadn’t wanted to stay in town a moment longer than necessary, but had he been selfish?

  I never actually asked her if that was her wish too.

  His conscience pricked him. She’d seemed happy enough to fall in with his plans, but how much of that was due to the fact that her relatives were over the moon about her marrying a marquess? No doubt they’d told her to do whatever it took to secure such an advantageous match.

  And now it was done. She was his wife and it must all feel very strange to her.

  I have to woo her properly, gently. In the country they would have peace and quiet in which to get to know one another. Then he would initiate her into all her marital duties when he felt she was ready. It seemed only fair to allow her some breathing space and they had all the time in the world, after all.

  I definitely don’t want to frighten her. Especially after what Gervaise tried to do. No, if it was the last thing he did, he’d take it slowly and court her the way he should have done at first. She was spirited and courageous, but she was also very young and inexperienced and he never wanted her to be afraid of his touch.

  Somehow I’ll manage it, even if it kills me. Because he knew he wanted her to desire him as much as he did her, and patience was key.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Wyckeham Hall turned out to be an enormous building made of golden sandstone that shone in the sun as they approached. Ianthe gasped in delight.

  ‘You didn’t tell me how beautiful your house is, my lord,’ she exclaimed.

  Wyckeham smiled. ‘It’s your house too now, my dear, and did I not tell you to call me Jason?’

  ‘Oh, yes, of course. It’s just that it’s all so new.’ Ianthe still had trouble believing he was her husband and that everything he owned was now at her disposal.

  ‘We’re nearly there now. Are you ready to meet the staff? No doubt they’re lined up and waiting to greet you. I sent word to say we were coming.’

  ‘I look forward to meeting them.’

  ‘There is one person, however, who doesn’t know – Caroline, my stepmother, Robert’s mother.’

  ‘Oh, how so?’

  ‘Well, I have to confess I thought it best not to inform her in case she decided to cause a scene at our wedding. She’s rather prone to those, unfortunately, so I didn’t invite her.’

  ‘But why would she want to do that? I don’t understand. Surely, she ought to be happy for you?’

  ‘Well you see, she’s been living here ever since she married my father and is used to ruling the roost, but as my wife it will be up to you to run the household now. I rather fear her nose will be put out of joint, especially as she’ll now be The Dowager Marchioness since you have supplanted her, so to speak.’

  ‘Oh, but I wouldn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes. If she is used to dealing with matters, perhaps it’s best to leave it at that? I don’t mind.’

  ‘But I do. I want her out of my house and I’d been meaning to ask her to move to the Dower House in any case, I just hadn’t got round to it yet.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll understand once you explain. After all, offering her a house of her own is very generous of you.’

  He smiled. ‘Somehow, I doubt she’ll see it that way, but I hope you’re right.’

  Ianthe soon found she wasn’t, however. Only moments after they set foot inside the enormous hall, a woman came hurrying down the stairs. In a loud voice that echoed round the marble that was everywhere, she began to berate Wyckeham without bothering to greet him first. Ianthe stared at her, amazed by such blatant rudeness.

  ‘So you’ve finally deigned to come back, have you?’ the woman said. ‘You’ve been away an age and never so much as a tiny letter to let me know how things are progressing. Where is Robert? Have you found him a wife yet? I do hope it’s someone suitable and not some impecunious miss with only her pretty face to recommend her. I—’

  ‘Caroline,’ Wyckeham interrupted her flow as she came to a halt next to him, ‘may I introduce my wife, Ianthe.’

  ‘Your what?’ The Dowager Lady Wyckeham’s face went white with shock, then a dusky pink with some emotion that Ianthe could only assume was anger since the woman was scowling mightily.

  ‘My wife, Caroline. We were married yesterday.’

  ‘But … you? I thought … Robert was the one who was supposed to marry, not you. Of all the underhanded, low-down … What do you mean by it?’ Lady Wyckeham was spluttering, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. Ianthe wondered if she was going to have an apoplexy.

  ‘Mean by it? My dear Caroline, I have a right to fall in love, same as everyone else, surely?’ He glanced at Ianthe as he said this, throwing her into confusion. She wondered if he meant it or whether he was only pretending in front of his stepmother. ‘Now I would be grateful if you would greet my wife in a fitting manner and order us some tea. We’re famished.’

  ‘Well, if this isn’t the outside of enough.’ Without so much as a word to Ianthe, Lady Wyckeham marched off, back up the stairs and soon a door could be heard slamming. Ianthe saw several members of staff trying to hide a smile. She decided to pretend as if nothing had happened and continued to greet them, smiling and trying to remember their names. The housekeeper, Mrs Melmoth, was the last person in the line up, and she curtseyed and smiled. ‘May I show your ladyship to your room so you can freshen up before tea?’

  ‘Thank you, that would be lovely.’

  At least the staff were kind, Ianthe thought to herself as she followed the housekeeper upstairs. But as for Jason’s stepmother – she simply couldn’t believe the woman’s conduct. Still, it wasn’t her problem and no doubt Jason was more than capable of sorting her out.

  Jason smiled to himself. Caroline’s outburst couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment, contrasting as it did her behaviour with that of the new marchioness. Ianthe would probably have managed to charm the staff in any case, he thought, but Caroline’s rudeness made his wife’s friendly overtures and kind words even more appreciated. Even Melmoth, the butler and husband of the housekeeper, deigned to smile and bow low to his new mistress, which was something of a miracle.

  As Jason watched his new wife go off with Mrs Melmoth, he couldn’t resist ribbing the butler slightly. ‘That went well, don’t you think?’ he commented.

  ‘Er, if you say so, my lord.’ Melmoth’s expression had returned to neutral as always and Jason grinned at him.

  ‘I thought it best to surprise Lady Wyckeham. The Dowager Lady Wyckeham, I should say. At least it silenced her for a while.’

  ‘Not for long, I’ll wager,’ Melmoth muttered, then coughed as he realised he may have said too much.

  Jason laughed. ‘No, I’m sure I shall be treated to a scene or two, but rest assured there will be an end to them soon. Don’t think I haven’t noticed what’s been going on here. I’m sure the staff will be relieved to know her ladyship is moving to the Dower House.’

  ‘Yes, my lord, I can’t deny it. Now where would you like your tea?’

  ‘In the small sitting room, please. And could you make sure every member of staff has a glass of champagne with the evening meal to toast my marriage.’

  ‘Very well, my lord, thank you. I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.’

  As Jason made his way to the sitting room, which was at the back of the house, he felt rather pleased with himself. Everything had worked out surprisingly well. Still, it was going to be incredibly difficult to keep his hands off Ianthe for any length of time, but he’d be damned if he’d rush things like a callow youth. He was determined to make this marriage a happy one. The last thing he wanted was for history to repeat itself – with Elizabeth it had been lust at first sight and look where that got him?
Ianthe was different and although he sensed their physical union would be just as explosive and satisfying, he didn’t just crave her body. He needed all of her, mind and soul included, and that didn’t happen overnight.

  I must give her time.

  A short while later Ianthe was shown into the small salon, where Jason and a tea tray awaited her. He smiled ruefully. ‘I apologise for the rude reception earlier. I hadn’t thought to have to confront her by the front door.’

  ‘Don’t worry, you had warned me and I shan’t take any notice. No doubt she’ll become used to the situation. It was a shock, that’s all.’

  ‘I’m not so sure, but I’ve told all the staff to take orders from you and no one else, so don’t let her try and usurp your role.’

  ‘Are you sure that is wise? Would it not be better for us to share at first, while I’m learning the ropes?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, I think a clean break is best. I will tell Caroline this evening that she must move to the Dower House within three weeks at the latest. I’ve had it cleaned and made ready. Now come and join me for some tea. Cook has excelled herself. Then I’ll take you on a tour of your new home.’

  Ianthe liked the sound of that, very much.

  Lady Wyckeham, however, refused to budge so much as an inch.

  ‘You’ll have to carry me,’ she said, crossing her arms over her chest, but her histrionics didn’t seem to impress Jason.

  ‘Very well, that’s exactly what I’ll do then,’ he retorted and simply gave her the date on which she was to leave. No doubt he was hoping she would calm down and accept the inevitable sooner or later, but Ianthe realised his stepmother wouldn’t give in that easily.

  ‘I’d like you two to be friends,’ Jason said at breakfast the day after their arrival. ‘You must be Ianthe and Caroline to each other as you’re family now.’ To Ianthe it sounded more like an order and she was happy to comply, but although the new dowager reluctantly did likewise, she managed to make Ianthe’s name sound like an insult every time she used it. In fact, the woman began to make trouble in every way, and Ianthe steeled herself for a battle – there was nothing for it but to fight for her rights as chatelaine.

  The staff all seemed to be on her side, which helped, but Caroline still interfered wherever she could, trying to wrong-foot Ianthe and questioning her every decision. It didn’t help when Jason was called away to one of his other properties to deal with some emergency only a day after their arrival. Ianthe felt very much on her own.

  ‘What on earth do you think you’re doing?’ Caroline had come sweeping into the small sitting room at the back of the house where Ianthe was writing a letter to her mother. Four spaniels kept her company, two lolling on a settee and the others around her feet. Caroline was regarding the animals with loathing. ‘Dogs are not allowed in the house,’ she stated.

  ‘They are now. I like dogs and Melmoth said these were house-trained,’ Ianthe replied calmly and continued to write.

  ‘They’re filthy creatures and they shed hair everywhere. Look at that, how could you allow them on the furniture? Have you no sense?’

  Ianthe turned to look at the woman and sighed. ‘Jason said I could do whatever I liked in this house and I wanted some company. Dogs are so peaceful, don’t you think? They don’t screech at one all the time,’ she added pointedly.

  ‘They’re not staying, I tell you. It’s disgusting and I won’t have it. Go on, out with you, out I say!’ Caroline flapped her hands at the dogs, trying to shoo them towards the door, but the two by Ianthe’s feet half stood up and growled deep in their throats. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake.’ Caroline took a step towards the dogs on the settee, who both bared their teeth at her, making her jump back. She glared at Ianthe. ‘You’ll pay for this, see if you don’t. And I want you gone as well.’

  As she slammed out of the room, Ianthe sighed once more. She had a bad feeling about Caroline, and until the woman left for the Dower House, she wouldn’t rest easy.

  As soon as word spread about the marriage, Ianthe began to receive calls from their neighbours, but although they were friendly enough, she found most of them superficial and not many of them were her own age. When she went to church on the Sunday, however, she finally met someone whose company she truly enjoyed – the vicar’s daughter, Harriet Everly.

  Harriet seemed shy at first, but as soon as she noticed that Ianthe wasn’t high in the instep, she began to chat more and they realised they had a lot in common. ‘Do you ride?’ Ianthe asked.

  ‘Yes, my lady, when I get the chance. We only have one old nag at the moment, and Papa needs him most days.’

  ‘Why don’t you come over to the Hall and ride with me? I’m sure there are any number of horses you can borrow and I’d appreciate the company. Also, I’d like to visit all the tenants on the estate, but without my husband I won’t know who anyone is. Perhaps you could help me? I’m sure you must know everyone hereabouts.’

  ‘I’d be delighted to and I’m sure they would enjoy meeting you too.’

  ‘Excellent, that’s settled then. Would tomorrow at ten suit you?’

  ‘I’ll be there.’

  For the next several mornings they rode out together and Harriet introduced Ianthe to all the local farmers and tradesmen. ‘I think they like you,’ Harriet said after their first outing together. ‘You’re not at all condescending, not like The Dowager Lady Wyckeham.’ She clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘Oops, I shouldn’t have said that, should I?’

  Ianthe smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. And I can assure you I will do everything in my power not to be like her.’ She decided to change the subject. ‘Now tell me, do you like books? My husband has the most wonderful library here and if you’re anything like me, you’ll find it an absolute treasure trove.’ She’d been almost overwhelmed the first time she had set eyes on it herself and couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than being surrounded by books on all sides. She’d been reading at every opportunity. Harriet, it seemed, was of the same mind.

  ‘You’d allow me to borrow some?’ she said, her eyes shining.

  ‘Of course. I’m sure Jason wouldn’t mind. He said they were to be enjoyed.’

  ‘Then thank you, I would love to have a peek and I promise I’ll look after anything I borrow very carefully.’

  Ianthe thought to herself that she was extremely lucky to have found such a like-minded friend.

  Jason returned at last, and seemed pleased to see his wife.

  ‘I hear you’ve been making friends,’ he said with a smile.

  ‘Who told you that?’

  ‘Oh, news travels fast in the country, you must know that. Actually, it was Caroline. She seemed most put out that you’ve been welcomed by our neighbours.’

  Ianthe shook her head and sighed. ‘I can imagine. I’m afraid we haven’t been dealing too well together. I’m sorry if I’ve let you down. I know you would prefer peace in your household.’

  He came over and pulled her into his arms, gazing down at her with a serious expression. ‘My dear, I know full well that such a thing is not possible with Caroline. We can only hope she decides to see sense soon when she notices that she is outmanoeuvred on every flank. I take it the servants are doing your bidding, as I asked them to?’

  ‘Yes, they’ve been most helpful.’

  Ianthe was having trouble concentrating on his words, the sensation of being held by him was overwhelmingly wonderful. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off by kissing her.

  It was a gentle kiss, as before, but it went on for a long time and began to change subtly while his lips moved over hers as if urging her to respond. She did so without thinking, and the kiss deepened. The rest of Ianthe’s body felt strangely detached and tingling, and she began to think that the only thing keeping her upright was Jason’s arms.

  When the kiss came to an end, he smiled at her, and put up a hand to gently caress her cheek. ‘Ianthe, I think …’

  A knock
on the door interrupted him, and he sighed and let go of her before calling out, ‘Enter.’

  Ianthe sank down on to the nearest chair, her wayward legs still jelly-like.

  ‘I beg your pardon, my lord, but there’s an urgent message for you from London.’ The butler had entered the room, proffering a silver salver.

  ‘Thank you.’ Jason took the letter and slit it open. ‘What now, I wonder? Am I never to have any peace?’

  Ianthe saw him frown as he read it. ‘Is anything amiss?’

  Jason’s jaw tightened and he nodded. ‘Yes, it’s Rob. Seems he’s got himself into some serious trouble. I must go and rescue him.’ He bent to put a hand on her shoulder. ‘I’m very sorry I have to leave you again so soon. I had hoped … but it will have to wait. Will you be all right?’

  Ianthe could see that he was genuinely troubled and wished with all her heart she could help him. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said stoutly and he gave her an approving smile.

  ‘That’s my girl. I’ll be back before you know it and then perhaps we can finally spend some more time together.’

  Ianthe felt herself blush. ‘That would be nice.’

  They were still sleeping in separate rooms, but his kiss had made her hope this might be about to change. She sighed. I’ll just have to be patient, she thought.

  Robert was a sorry sight when Jason finally brought him back to the Hall. He had a black eye, a broken wrist and untold bruises all over his body. His mother was appalled.

  ‘Robert, dearest, what on earth has happened to you? Who did this? I thought Wyckeham was supposed to look out for you. Some guardian you are,’ she spat at Jason.

  Robert frowned, and winced when that hurt his swollen eye. ‘This has nothing to do with Jason, Mother. You should be thanking him. If it wasn’t for him, I may not be alive now.’

  ‘How so?’

  ‘I’d been gambling and I couldn’t pay my debts. The people I owed money to hired someone to give me a going over and they simply wouldn’t stop. He came just in time and now he’s paid my dues it won’t happen again.’ He hung his head in shame. ‘I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you, Jason. I’ll have to hand over all the revenues from my estate for the next ten years at least.’