The Marriage Bargain

by Blaise Kilgallen

  “I’ll ask you again. Why are you doing this? I need a good reason.”

  Emily had flinched and ducked away from the earl’s fingers. “My reasons are quite reasonable,” she replied. “First because of Lilianne. Her come out may be damaged if it’s learned I’m her governess and the ton linked my surname with my uncle’s. Rumors will follow. And if Eustace is found guilty, it will reflect upon me as his niece. I will be termed unsuitable. And by association, Lilianne may be found unsuitable as well.” Emily lowered her gaze. “My uncle could have spread ugly falsehoods about you and me already, my lord.”

  “What? What the devil are you saying?”

  Emily drew in a determined breath. “My father was an upstanding citizen in our village, my lord. My uncle was not. He was not even likable. Since he knows you hired me, he may be wicked enough to spread gossip—as revenge on me because I ran off.”

  “That’s a lot of dribble, Miss Dancy. The innuendoes you mention will never be believed!” The earl pounced on her words like a Russian bear, disallowing her reasoning. “Ton members do love ferreting out skeletons in a man’s personal closet. If you must know, they’ve done so in mine. But it no longer bothers me.”

  Gavin’s bride had cuckolded him early in their marriage. He surprised Elise and her lover, half naked in Four Towers’ stable loft. Later, it was known that Leathem was at Parliament when she and her lover broke into his strongbox and absconded with the earl’s heirloom jewels. Gavin learned the pair tried to swim their horses across a raging stream during a torrential thunderstorm. His wife’s lifeless body was brought back to Four Towers and buried in the family plot. The groom was never found alive or dead. Neither were the jewels nor the funds purloined from the earl’s strongbox ever retrieved.

  London’s rumor mill had run riot, hinting that Leathem may have found an easy way to rid himself of an unfaithful bride. Rife with juicy gossip, the ton thrived on the scandal. It was Wrotham’s magistrate who declined the nasty rumor when he discovered Gavin was in London at the time and could not be the cause of his wife’s unfortunate demise.

  So if Miss Dancy was worried about gossip, Leathem wasn’t. “Let me explain something.” His tone sounded almost avuncular. “If you’ve heard about my reputation, I must confess it has never been lily-white. So don’t worry your head about me.”

  Emily kept her mouth shut.

  “London’s haute monde has nothing better to do than entertain themselves with the newest, juiciest tales of scandal or misbehavior.”

  Emily’s crystal eyes widened.

  The earl’s heavy brows twitched. “Damnation! Hold on! You’re still conjuring up the nasty rumors, aren’t you?”

  Emily vehemently shook her head.

  “Yes or no? What is it?” He bent closer.

  She glanced up at him, swiveling her head a second time.

  “Then what the devil is troubling you? I sense you’re not telling me everything, Miss Dancy. I am a lot wiser than you, so I demand to know what they are.”

  Emily’s cheeks blossomed ruddy with heat.

  Gavin’s slashing ebony eyebrows arched a little higher.

  “Ahem!” He huffed, clearing his throat. “Well then, if you won’t tell me, let me guess. One of my grooms mentioned what you and Lilianne do when in Hyde Park. As you said, ton gossip is a coiled snake dispersed by word of mouth from its most prolific members. I heard you chatted more than once with Sir Hector Kendall’s son. My mistaken opinion was that young Kendall’s interest lay with Lilianne. But I learned later it was you in which he was interested. Am I correct?”

  Emily’s cheeks blushed rosier.

  “Have you been seeing Kendall on the sly, Miss Dancy?”

  Emily replied almost immediately. “I met with Anthony Kendall, yes, my lord, but I don’t call it sneaking out. You said I may do what I please on my time off, isn’t that so?”

  “Of course, you may,” Gavin responded in the affirmative. “I simply wondered if Kendall is your suitor. Tell me. Is he?”

  Miss Dancy had been quick to take affront, and he couldn’t blame her since he was spying. He’d be left high and dry if she left his employ. Therefore, Gavin spoke more cautiously. “Forgive my unwarranted curiosity, but I wondered if wedding bells are in the offing?”

  “Wedding bells? Uh, no, my lord, nothing like that. Mr. Kendall has been out of town, but I shall—”

  Gavin interrupted. “Shall what? Meet with him soon again, hmm?” He paused. “That’s right. Today is your afternoon off, is it not, Miss Dancy?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I’ve been party to a few secret trysts in my life, Miss Dancy.” A knowing chuckle rolled from the earl’s lips. Of course, it was quite possible young Kendall wasn’t toying with Emily Dancy’s affections. Perhaps, marriage was in the cards for them. She certainly was lovely enough to attract a young man’s fancy. But the earl was skeptical. He knew of Anthony Kendall’s rakish proclivities.

  The lust that surprised Gavin earlier had thrown him most disconcertingly for a loop, but it evaporated now. So, he asked quietly, “Will you be meeting Kendall today?”

  “Yes. I will. In a tearoom off Piccadilly. Strangely enough, it’s the same place where I met my uncle.”

  “Are you…interested in Kendall, Miss Dancy?”

  “I find I like him. I’ve met him a few times in the park. And, well, Mr. Kendall even mentioned a possible visit to his parents’ estate.” She glanced up at her employer’s deep set eyes. “But there has never been any promise made between us, my lord.”

  “Hmm…” Gavin murmured, his eyes glinting darkly. “I wonder how the Kendalls will react when they read the article in the Tattler. Kendall’s father is as pompous as all get out. And Kendall’s mother is just as straight-laced if I recall.” He blinked and looked away. “Never mind, Miss Dancy, I’ll have Jeffries drive you to your tryst. Save your coin. There’s no need to hire a hackney.”

  “Thank you, my lord, but I won’t inconvenience you. After the Tattler’s article, I dare not be seen in your fancy carriage. I may damage your consequence.”

  “Miss Dancy, please listen to me.” Reassuring words fell out of Leathem’s mouth. “Take advice with a grain of salt from someone who should know, hmm? If Kendall is fond of you, he should tell you right away not to worry, much the same way I did. It’s you he should be worrying about, not his consequence.”

  Gavin paused then, his chocolate-colored gaze boring into her blue orbs. “You’ll know soon enough if the article made a difference to Kendall or his high stickler parents.”

  Leathem felt a devilish urge to drag her up into his arms, comfort her, and hold her tight. Damnation, why had he felt that surge of lust during this last half hour? Emily Dancy must be half his age! He wasn’t a lecher—or a pervert! But he did manage to talk himself out of the desire that taunted him. He couldn’t—and wouldn’t—send her away! He needed her help with Lilianne. Afterward, he would be glad to see her leave.

  Chapter 2

  AN hour later, Emily wasn’t sure of anything.

  Again, the earl pressed use of his carriage on her, a crested lozenge on its doors, but she thanked him, and instead, hailed a hackney. On her way to meet Kendall, she mused on what the earl said. Should she wed Tony, they would surely be targeted by the ton’s gossipmongers because of her uncle. And, if tried and convicted, she would be part of the scandal when Eustace was either hanged or transported. A scandal like that would blacken Tony’s family’s reputation for years to come.

  She couldn’t let that happen.

  Anthony Kendall waited for Emily outside the teashop wearing a grim expression when he greeted her. Emily knew immediately that he’d read the Tattler’s article. Grasping Emily’s elbow a bit roughly, Tony hurried her into the tearoom.

  “I know people will talk, Tony,” Emily blurted out quickly when they entered, her heart fluttering like a wounded bird beneath her ribs.

  Without a word, K
endall escorted her to a table against the rear wall. He wasn’t smiling as he sat across from Emily. He ordered a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits without asking her.

  The skin on Emily’s nape prickled. She felt sure people were staring at her although they couldn’t know who she was. Were they whispering about the scandal? Telling herself it was nonsense, the feeling still crawled across her skin. She glanced at Tony trying to read his thoughts, but he didn’t meet her eyes.

  Finally, he looked directly at her. “Yes, people will talk. It happens in polite society.” Without further ado, he went on. “My parents and I were truly shocked when we read the article in today’s Tattler.”

  Emily smiled weakly. Would Tony let her explain? He must know this wasn’t her fault. Eustace was the only bad apple on her family tree, so things should be fine between them. Nevertheless, she cringed inwardly.

  Tony stared out through the shop’s windows until he snapped his attention back to her. “The damned article couldn’t have come at a worse time. It gave me a very nasty turn. But I was duty bound to pass it along to my parents.”

  Emily was sure her heart had stopped beating. He’d never once called her by name. His expression, his tone, his words, the spark that began between them days ago in Hyde Park—seemed to have flickered and died.

  Tony continued, “I made some decisions this morning.”

  Oh God, maybe he is going to face the ton’s gossipmongers after all.

  “The circumstances…” He coughed and cleared his throat. “Put a new light on things.”

  “Yes, I know, Tony,” she interrupted him. “But if you will allow me to—”

  “No, you needn’t explain. It’s best that we…err…what I meant to say is…that we need to put things off a bit, eh? Not be seen together. Not until things blow over.”

  “Put things off?”

  Emily’s throat dried up. She almost choked on her words. But she swallowed and posed a question of her own. “You mean my possible visit to your parents. Am I correct?”

  “Yes, of course, that’s what I mean. I postponed your visit—”

  Emily felt slightly breathless, as if she were punched in the stomach. Her gloved fingers lay clenched in her lap. She felt color draining from her cheeks. She hoped she wouldn’t swoon. That would be ridiculous. So, she staunchly drew in a deep breath instead and waited for Tony to reassure her. But his stoic silence remained intact. Her mind floundered like a fish in shallow waters. Across from him, she blinked as if impaled by a fishhook. She jerked her eyes away from him. Right now, she wanted nothing better than exit the teashop before tears leaked out and embarrassed her. But she hesitated. Perhaps she gave up too soon. Possibly, she misunderstood him, hoping against hope that she didn’t really take in what he meant.

  “I don’t believe I can cancel my holiday, Tony,” she began again. “Lord Leathem and Lilianne plan a visit to his aunt, so now is the ideal time for my visit to your parents.”

  It had been a flagrant untruth, of course. She never asked for time off. Not yet, and certainly, not today.

  “Perhaps in a few months those people of consequence in Town will have forgotten Eustace Dancy’s name and yours.”

  It’s so odd hearing excuses I would have expressed to cancel my visit. The words popped out of Tony’s mouth before I had a chance to say them.

  Kendall’s bald excuses hurt Emily deeply, believe it or not.

  “I’m sorry,” Tony was saying. “We can’t meet again until scandal about your uncle is forgotten.”

  Stunned into silence, icy water splashing down on her couldn’t surprise her more. She waited for a deep breath to fill her lungs, pressing her spine against the chair back for support.

  Doggedly, Kendall went on. “You must agree this is best, don’t you, Miss Dancy?”

  Miss Dancy? What happened to Emily? We used first names before, but I detect a different meaning in his strained voice. Drat it! I won’t let him hurt me like this.

  Emily clutched her weakening composure about her and met him head on. “What I believe, Mr. Kendall,” she managed to say rather curtly, “is that you never planned for me to visit your parents. Not anytime soon at least. And perhaps never.”

  Tony’s sulky mouth tightened into a straight line. “Well, yes…I mean, no. Well, maybe I never mentioned visit. But I didn’t because, umm, I first needed to ask m’parents’ permission.” He coughed behind his hand, a deep blush tinting his smooth, shaved cheeks. “I never said you would be visiting them.”

  “I’m certain you never mentioned me at all!” Emily began to laugh, lightly at first, then louder and longer.

  “Here now,” Tony spouted, his brow wrinkling with a pronounced frown. “Drat it all! What is so funny?”

  Seconds after enduring an uncontrollable spate of giddiness, Emily finally sobered. “Nothing,” she replied. “Nothing at all.” Her lips twisted wryly, forcing down his painful betrayal. Instead, she blandly added a touch of sarcasm to her tone. “I’m afraid it’s nothing a man like you would understand.”

  Male resentment clouded his blue eyes. “Nothing? What do you mean? To what kind of man are you referring? Drat!” He responded and puffed out an exasperated breath between tight lips. “It’s times like this I don’t understand women at all,” he muttered.

  “Oh, do forgive me,” Emily retorted. “I was laughing at myself, not at you, Mr. Kendall. I was truly worried how to explain things to you, but then you took the words right out of my mouth. You see, I would never have allowed your sainted family to suffer from nasty gossip about a scandal caused by my family’s name.”

  Was he really that thick-headed? Didn’t he hear the sarcasm inherent in her scathing tone?

  “You need not worry, Mr. Kendall. Your name and your family’s reputation are quite safe. You see, I quite understand your problem.”

  Tony stared at her blankly. “You do?” He huffed out. His words sounded more confident now. “Well then—”

  “Let me repeat what I just said.” Emily spoke rather quickly. “I’m quite aware of your concern and also of your true feelings. It seems I was dead wrong about you.”

  She saw the sullen, little-boy-pout tightening his lips. And she noticed for the first time, a slight thickening of his cleanly shaved jaws above his collar and fancy-tied cravat. The rest of him would probably turn to flab, too, she thought, when he turned thirty. She remembered the many bored looks he gave her when she mentioned what interested her. He never’ listened to her overmuch. She knew now how full of himself, how petty and selfish he was, the prissy, arrogant, London dandy.

  Good heavens! I’m so glad to end this silly farce. How could I have been so mistaken?

  “Dear me,” Emily murmured, loud enough for him to hear. “I don’t know you very well. But enough not to waste quality time with you. So…shall we say our farewells right now?”

  “What are you saying, Emily?”

  Earlier, fleetingly, she had wondered if he would bring a ring with him. If he had, she would have torn it off her finger and flung it back at his handsome face. Maybe then he’d understand why their relationship had to end so badly.

  Good grief, was it still my task to make it crystal clear to this brainless, unfeeling cad.

  “Allow me to explain again.”

  Lacing her gloved fingers primly atop the tablecloth, she said, “It is my feeling that if I am not acceptable to your family now, Mr. Kendall, I never shall be. So, you see I agree with you. Quite readily. It is best we sever our…acquaintanceship…right now, right here. Why fool ourselves? We were never compatible. You and your family are lofty members of the ton. My mother was gentry, but you still would never wed a…penniless governess.”

  A different kind of smile twisted Emily’s full lips. “Believe it or not, sirrah, you are far too prissy and haughty for my taste. Too full of hidebound and bloody ancestral arrogance.” Her suppressed anger finally came to the fore. “Besides, you never amused me, Kenda
ll. Honestly, you behave like a dry stick.” She winced inwardly. “I wanted more sincerity from you, too.” For a moment, she stopped and inhaled. “As being amused by you, well, I may have been for a moment or so now that I think about it.”

  Nevertheless, a twinge of sadness flashed through her, but she gallantly went on. “I daresay neither you nor I truly know yet what true love is, Mr. Kendall. I had hoped to find it with someone I could share everything. But I sought my Prince Charming in vain. I was fooled by a fairytale. I am sorry you were never my prince, nor my hero. It wasn’t meant to be. I know that now.” Emily’s passionate rant removed a heavy burden from her, one she hadn’t known she carried. She knew immediately Kendall never really cared for her.

  What kind of man did she really want to share her life? It came to her instinctively—a man she could give her love to with a full heart and soul. Out-of-the-blue, a sudden face sprang to mind—Leathem, the dark, handsome earl. Too bad he was completely unattainable—and well beyond her wild aspirations.

  She had, however, learned some new things about the earl today. Not about his aristocratic birth and upbringing, nor his title and wealth. Those things she already knew. So were his swarthy countenance and his masculine physique. But today, he had listened to her. And did so with unusual attentiveness and compassion. More than Kendall ever had.

  At first, she thought Leathem cool and standoffish. Today, however, they conversed somewhat like friends rather than employer and governess. She found him approachable, gentlemanly, relaxed, and concerned. Even likeable and caring. She never quite understood that one odd look from Leathem’s dark glance, a simmering spark that held her in thrall for several moments. It felt as if a kiss between them was inevitable but totally incomprehensible. She still wondered about it. It hadn’t been her imagination. Her heart had pumped a little faster during that interminable few seconds when their eyes locked and his fingertips grazed across her cheek. Pleasant shivers had skimmed over her skin.