Gavin listened as his aunt counseled him not to force his ward to come back to London with him.
He didn’t reply immediately, but took time to consider her words.
At his age, he need not marry for land, wealth, or alliances. He came to believe that love in its romantic form was unreliable and comprised of false illusions—like a child’s fairytale. Some form of affection, taken with a grain of salt, seemed the wise course if one is to be content when wedded. He proposed to Emily Dancy mainly because of Lilianne. And now, of all things, his ward refuses to come out. Because of it, there was no reason for Emily to remain as her governess. Or become his wife and his countess either. None of it would be necessary. Emily recently acquired wealth along with an elevated status just because of her connection with her mother’s relatives. She was now independent.
Perhaps, except what occurred last night.
And he had changed.
Emily was not as beautiful as his former wife, but she was quite pretty, intelligent, compassionate, and comfortable to be with, besides being extraordinarily courageous. Neither was she as naïve as he surmised. He recalled again at her commonsense, her candid way of thinking for one so unsophisticated. It reflected in her maturity. Was that another reason he offered her a marriage bargain?
If he was honest to himself, Gavin admired Emily from the beginning. Other things about her also kept him awake at night. It dawned on him that he never need fear betrayal by Emily the way his first wife did. There was no guile or guilt inherent in her mannerisms, behavior, or words.
I think I must find a way to keep her. No matter what.
* * * *
Gavin rose from his bed the following day without sleeping well. Pacing his room, his thoughts were caught up in a messy tangle of words and deeds. He burst out too quickly regarding his betrothal announcement upon their arrival at his aunt’s. Emily agreed to remain as Lilianne’s governess, but, in truth, she never accepted his marriage proposal. Even after he lost his wits and showed her how things might be between them when they wed.
He strolled into the breakfast room this morning and found Lilianne as its sole occupant.
She flinched subtly when he entered, but she allowed a tiny smile to greet him. “G’morning, my lord.” Lilianne was uncomfortable sitting across the table from Leathem.
“Er…good morning, Lilianne,” he responded.
“I hope you slept well, my lord.”
He mumbled an affirmative although he had lain awake for hours, his mind creating, then dismissing schemes to coax Emily into becoming his wife.
“My aunt surprised me last night, Lilianne, with news concerning your desire to remain here in Oxfordshire with her rather than return to London with me.”
Lilianne pulled in a nervous breath, pressing her lips together for a moment. Finally, she answered, “My lord, I know your responsibilities were forced upon you by my parents’ will. I had no knowledge it was their wish. It had never been mine.”
Gavin said nothing, and remained quiet. It seemed he was learning to listen and wait for what came from females these days.
“I was truly grateful when you took me in, Lord Leathem. Even more so, when you hired Miss Emily to tutor me. I’m country bred like my parents were. And I like living in the country. I never dreamt I’d be living in London nor seeking a husband there.”
Leathem flipped his coat’s tails away and lowered himself into a chair across the breakfast table from his ward. “Go on. Finish,” he said tersely.
“I’m comfortable here, my lord. Your aunt, Lady Parcells, is…well, someone—a lady I greatly admire. Perhaps…”
“Perhaps what?” he interjected.
Lilianne swallowed twice to loosen her throat muscles. “I believe Lady Parcells and I are very much alike, no matter our ages. And I may not marry at all. At least, very soon.” With that brief comment, Lilianne laced her fingers together on the table to stop them from trembling. She found the courage to meet the earl’s ebony gaze.
Gavin was silent for a time, his eyes lingering on his ward’s anxious countenance. Finally, he said, “Then don’t worry, Lilianne. I won’t force you to return to London if it is not your desire. But you must realize that I, too, have a certain duty to see you settled. Your father’s will takes precedence over all else.” Gavin held Lilianne’s gaze for a long time before he continued. “You may remain here with my aunt for now. You have both of our permission to do so—until next Season. Then, I expect to see you in London. You will be presented to the queen, make your bow to society, and seek a suitable husband. That done, I shall have done my duty written in your father’s will.”
Eyebrows arching like a raven’s wings, Gavin peered hard at his ward. “Promise, Lilianne, that you will adhere to my wishes.”
* * * *
If Earl Leathem wants a promise, then with all honesty, Lilianne wasn’t sure she could give him one. She’d spoken at length with Lady Parcells the past few days, and they hit it off. They conversed as if they were granddaughter and grandmother. Her fondness for the aging noblewoman grew stronger by leaps and bounds. When they spoke, questions and many things became apparent. Things she wanted to experience when Lady Parcell reminisced with her about years she spent in London. Reading more about those years took hold of Lilianne’s eager mind, and she became engrossed in reading for hours at a time. She never read a novel until she wandered into Lydia’s library on the second day of her visit and picked up a book that thoroughly intrigued her. She knew how to read, but never took time nor a desire to do so. Now she devoured books on Lady Parcells’ library shelves. Lydia had also purchased Lilianne suitable writing materials when she excitingly mentioned her goal was to become a published authoress.
In the breakfast room, Lilianne crossed her fingers so tight together they turned pale beneath the tablecloth. She nodded, even knowing she probably couldn’t keep the promise the earl had asked her for. She’d rather remain in the country…and write novels. Excusing herself now, Lilianne left the earl to eat his breakfast alone. She hurried up to the second story and tapped lightly on Emily’s room.
“Miss Emily?” She pressed her lips against the oak panel and whispered, “Are you awake?”
“If that is you, Lilianne, come in,” Emily answered. “I’m just finishing dressing.”
The two young women hugged again, eagerly. It had been days since they parted in Mayfair.
“How was the duke’s house party, Miss Emily? Was it as wonderful as you thought it would be?” Uninhibitedly, Lilianne plopped herself atop the bed’s rumpled bedclothes. “Tell me all about it, please?”
“Oh good heavens, Lili! So much has happened since I last saw you. I don’t know where to begin.”
“Is it true, though? Are you really betrothed to the earl? And gracious, me, how did that happen?”
“It came about because of you.”
“Me?” Lili squeaked, her eyes wide, her brows arching in stunned surprise. “I don’t understand.”
“Leathem wanted Lady Parcells to sponsor your come out, but then—”
Lili interrupted, again forgetting her proper manners. “I know that, Miss Emily, because Aunt Lydia broke her ankle, and now it’s hard for her to get around. It’s possible to do so in her rolling chair, but besides—”
Emily interrupted her this time. “Lili! Listen to me. The earl still need someone to sponsor you. There’s more to tell, but I can’t sponsor you if we are not wed.”
Lilianne’s expression twisted into a horrified grimace. “You? But—you can’t! Don’t you see! I’m not coming out! I’m not going back to London with you. I’m staying here with Aunt Lydia! Oh, Miss Emily, the earl promised!” Lilianne groaned, jumping up from the bed and wringing her hands in front of her.
“Who promised?”
“Leathem. Just now. I spoke with him only minutes ago.”
“And what did he say?”
“He said I may stay here with his aunt
until next year.”
Emily sucked in a breath. The news had even astonished her. She gasped. “Unh, that is certainly a surprise!” She swallowed, mumbled what sounded like, “Or I must be badly mistaken.”
Emily turned aside.
I hate it when I don’t know what to do!
Then it dawned on her. If Lilianne didn’t come out, she didn’t need a sponsor. And the earl didn’t need her to become his countess.
Now I can visit Wilma. In London. Or I can go to Lesser Bodem and visit my grandfather.
Both destinations led east from Oxfordshire.
“Lili, I must ask you to excuse me. I-I think I had best continue to pack my things.”
“Why so soon, Miss Emily? You aren’t leaving? We didn’t have time to talk!” Lilianne’s pretty face crumpled, showing her disappointment.
“I’ll let you know a little later what’s happening. I promise.”
“But…you said you are marrying the earl—”
“First, I must speak with Leathem. Excuse me, please.” Emily nudged the girl toward the door.
Confused at what was happening, Lilianne left.
Emily backed into the room, and stared blindly at her open trunk. Confusing thoughts tumbled through her head. She had donned one of her newer gowns for her chat with Leathem’s aunt today. Now, depending on what she needed to hear from the earl, she may instead need a change of traveling clothes.
* * * *
Emily discovered Gavin still sitting at the breakfast table. He had just poured himself a fresh cup of coffee when he noticed her standing in the doorway.
He rose to greet her. “Good morning, Emily. Did you sleep well?”
“Quite well, Leathem.”
He pulled out a chair for her. “Will you join me?”
When she did so, he offered, “Shall I fix you a plate? Porridge? Eggs? Ham? Or perhaps, kippers or sausage?”
Yesterday’s lunch had been a cold collation she had only nibbled on. Last evening she had been too weary to do justice to the food his aunt’s cook provided. Now she was famished. “Eggs, please, and a slice of ham. Some toast and jam. And a pot of hot tea, if I may.”
Gavin prepared her plate; a footman soon arrived with a teapot of freshly brewed tea. Emily wondered how to broach the news she heard from Lilianne, but the earl brought it up himself.
“I understand,” he said, clearing his throat and returning to the table with her food, “that my ward wishes to stay in Oxfordshire with my aunt for a time, instead of returning to London. So, if you like, we can leave here in another hour and head for London. I had a more comfortable carriage readied for our trip.”
Emily inhaled a small breath. “Leathem, I changed my mind.” She gulped down a quick sip of tea. “I’m not sure I wish to return to London. Since there is now no reason for me to remain her governess, nor sponsor Lilianne.”
Gavin looked surprised and irritated as well. “What? What do you mean, Emily? You can’t renege. You promised to return to Town with me.”
Emily’s mind flew back to when he showed her wicked, erotic things that she now knew went on between a man and a woman. Things belonging in a marriage bed. Naughty things. Things Wilma did with her husband.
Leathem lured her with masterful kisses, touching her like no man ever had—and she enjoyed every moment. Such delicious, wicked pleasure! She forgot her maidenly resolve. She never once begged him to stop…well, not until…but by then…he had leapt from the bed, explaining lovemaking must wait until they were wed. He said her reputation had not been ruined, because only she and he knew what took place. She made up her mind then to accept his offer, but didn’t tell him outright. His announcement to his aunt jolted out of her, but she didn’t argue the point. Now, everything was different. Drastically changed.
Emily did not allow her feelings to show on her face. Speaking precisely and succinctly, she said, “Lord Leathem, I’m sorry, but I won’t be going to London with you. I’ve decided to visit my grandfather in Kent instead.”
"You can’t renege! Why would you do something like that?” His words huffed out filled with annoyance. “I mean…I thought…well, after last night, I thought you agreed to—”
“My lord, what I agreed to was that I would accompany you and Lilianne to London, and stay with her until she makes her debut. But it seems it isn’t going to happen. Until next year. So, I’ve made up my mind to visit my grandfather and get to know him better.”
A strained silence stretched between them. “I see,” Gavin responded slowly. A deep frown gouged his forehead. “I take it your mind is made up, Miss Dancy.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes, my lord Leathem. Lady Parcells is more knowledgeable about London’s doings than I could ever hope to be.”
The atmosphere in the morning room had changed drastically. Even their tone of voice and the use of formal address sounded cool and even chilly.
Gavin didn’t wish to show his disappointment although he felt a swift kick in the gut. Initially, he was dumbstruck by Emily’s pronouncement. Frowning, he slowly replaced a half full cup of coffee in its saucer. He still wanted Emily as his wife and countess. And his lover. No matter what. He was convinced she had feelings for him after their lovemaking last night in Reading. But this morning she blithely said she would rather visit her grandfather and not return to London with him. That she simply changed her mind.
Dratted, all flighty women!
“However, my lord, I wonder if you would be good enough to allow me to travel with you as far as Kent? There I can hire a coach and driver to take me the rest of the way to Lesser Bodem.”
A better idea—one more inviting—jumped into Gavin’s head. Sagely, he nodded. “Of course, you may travel with me, Miss Dancy."
“You’re very gracious, Lord Leathem. I appreciate your kind consideration.”
Emily had no way of knowing where exactly in Kent their journey would end. But the earl must know a safe place to leave her so she could continue to her grandfather’s abode.
Gavin did. But he was damned if he’d let her off the hook that easily. Reject him and his marriage offer would she? Ha! Never! Not since he made up his mind to keep her as his countess.
The decision made, their meeting concluded—not satisfactorily to his way of thinking—but Gavin arose from the breakfast table. “I’ll meet you out front at my carriage.” He drew a gold pocket watch from his waistcoat and glanced at its face. “Forty minutes from now should do it. Be ready to leave by then. We face another long drive.” He itched to get going now that he knew where they were headed. This drive would take them to Wrotham.
Emily threw down a napkin, excused herself, and hurried upstairs. The earl had astonished her with his quick about face. He sounded more autocratic, more aristocratic, this morning. Much like he was when he hired her. Of course, he was used to being obeyed by those in his employ, which, for the moment, she still was. She never actually resigned from her governess position.
Emily changed into traveling clothes. She yanked on a bell pull for a footman to come and deliver her trunk to the earl’s waiting carriage.
Emily had said her thank yous and goodbyes to Lady Parcells earlier.
Together on the front steps of Leathem’s aunt’s mansion, Emily clasped both of Lilianne’s hands and squeezed them hard. “I promise to write to you, Lili, but you must promise to write me back. And often, do you hear?” Emily smiled warmly at her young charge. “I need to know you are well and learning much from Lady Parcells. She knows everything there is to know about London, its etiquette and how you must behave when there. There are somethings I am not as wise about not having lived long in London myself.” Emily smiled sadly. “Lady Parcells will be of major help when you finally come out. And, I hope Lilianne, we shall see one another if I am in London, too. If that happens, it would be lovely to watch your debut!”
“Where shall you be in the meantime?” Lili asked.
“
I’ll be at my grandfather’s home in Kent. We just recently found each other.” Emily smiled a little more brightly. “He is somewhat ancient and also rather crotchety, but Squire Morrow is my last, real family, and I want to get to know him better while I still can.”
“Oh…Miss Emily, I’m going to miss you awfully.”
“I’ll miss you, too, Lili, but remember, you mustn’t forget to write.” She hugged the girl again, and stepped into the earl’s fancy traveling coach.
Gavin had waited, mounted on Pegasus. He tipped his hat to those watching them depart, and trotted ahead of the carriage going east. Gavin did not share the carriage with Emily. However, he told her they would need to stop overnight again before reaching Kent.
Emily dozed as the carriage rolled along the uneven dirt roads, mesmerized by acres of planted fields and lush greenery. She woke up from a nap wondering if she was doing the right thing. Remorse crept over her, triggered by the sudden decision she made this morning. The earl seemed unprepared by her change of plans. Did he expect her to marry him even though Lili no longer needed him as her sponsor? Her heart turned somersaults in her chest. Of course, once she was settled in Lesser Bodem with her grandfather, she would likely never see Leathem again. Could she live with that thought? Gavin Fielding would never be easy to forget. He had been her white knight, protecting her from harm. Should she change her mind? Could she?
She never loved Kendall, but she cared deeply for Leathem. She often wondered what real love felt like. It felt strange, because she missed him already although he was right outside riding his horse. Perhaps, after lunch, he would ride inside the carriage with her.
But he didn’t.
It was almost dark when the driver reined to a halt in front of the Blue Boar, the same inn where they stayed two days ago. The driver settled the horses and had them fed. Meanwhile inside, Gavin and Emily were again greeted by a tasty meal and clean, rented rooms.
The Marriage Bargain Page 30