Seduced by the Dandy Lion

by Suzanne Quill

  “In my defense, the letter arrived only yesterday. I’ve hardly had time to answer.”

  Was that annoyance in his wife’s tone?

  Drew prepared to enter but paused once again when he heard the discussion continue.

  “What am I to do when he abducts you and I am given no word, no notice? How am I to protect you?”

  “Stop. Robert, let go. You’re hurting me.”

  “I’m sorry, Marianne. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. My only concern is for you and your well-being. But you are acting so differently. Waltzing at all the balls. Not telling me of your plans. Disappearing without a word. Not answering my letter. None of this is like you at all. He’s having a bad influence on you and I don’t like it.”

  Drew decided he’d heard enough and entered the room to enter the fray.

  ~ ~ ~

  Relief rushed over her as Drew strode into the drawing room and stole her attention and breath. His chestnut brown trousers and brown tweed riding jacket fitted him to perfection as the fabric moved easily over the muscled length of him. He must have just returned from riding. His hair slightly mussed, his scent held traces of sandalwood, leather, and his own personal musk. The energy around him was invigorating. Though he feigned nonchalance, something in his deportment warned he was in no mood to be toyed with. Her husband was not a happy man.

  Returning her gaze to Robert, who by contrast looked travel-worn and poorly put together, she caught the scowl etched upon his face just before it transformed into a conciliatory smile. He released the hand which had held her upper arm in a vise grip only moments before.

  “My lord, I’ve been so concerned. I have not heard from Marianne, Lady Reignsfield, for days. That is so unlike her I made inquiries as to her whereabouts so that I could be assured of her well-being. I took the liberty of coming here to assure myself that all is well with her, and, of course, you and Lady Andrea.” He made a perfunctory if insincere bow.

  Drew strode over to Marianne all confidence and possession, bowed over her hand, and placed a kiss upon it, sending shivers up her spine as memories of their lovemaking the previous night flashed in her mind and heated her person. He then moved over to the hearth, placed an elbow on the mantel and looked Robert up and down with disdain and something akin to impatience. Or could it have been loathing? Marianne thought he would have drawn out his quizzing glass if he still carried one in his pocket.

  Such a shame. This would have been the perfect moment for such an action, one just shy of a cut direct. Even she could not believe her friend’s consummate audacity to show up with no invitation or notice, no matter what the circumstance.

  “Gentilly.” Drew drawled as if he could only spare a moment on the interloper’s presence. “Welcome to our humble home. I see my wife has greeted you.” His gaze returned to her but gave nothing of his thoughts away before his attention returned to their guest. “I’m sure she has made you feel at ease. I sympathize with your concerns for . . . our well-being. As you can see, we are both fine and our daughter is happily absorbed with yet another new kitten. It is quite the journey from London. That being said, you must stay the night and renew yourself before you return to town. Marianne, have you given instructions to Wellingford to have a room prepared?”

  “Not yet, my lord, but it will take just a moment.” She tugged the bell pull only inches away and sighed her relief when Wellingford materialized almost instantaneously. “Please see Sir Gentilly to our most comfortable guest accommodation and make him as welcome as possible.”

  “As you wish, my lady. If you would follow me, sir.” Wellingford turned to leave.

  Drew stepped away from the hearth. “Once he’s settled, Wellingford, please bring him to the dining room to join us for luncheon.”

  “Yes, my lord.” The butler headed for the door, obviously expecting his charge to follow with no further instructions.

  Robert looked at her, then at Drew, then back at her, frustration so evident on his face Marianne was surprised he did not sputter aloud and protest how he had just been summarily dismissed. Finally, he gave a slight bow to each of them and trundled off after the butler.

  The door closed quietly behind the two. Marianne watched them leave then turned back to find Drew studying her. “Honestly, Drew, I didn’t know he was coming. I didn’t invite him nor did I expect that he would just arrive unannounced.”

  Her husband seemed to study her, his gaze direct, his brow slightly furrowed, as if trying to discern the truth of her statements.

  “I expect not; however, you have not really discouraged him either. He is living on hope that you will choose him and accept the censorship that will follow after the divorce, no less than the challenges you will personally face when you have to leave Andrea behind.” Drew strolled over to take her hand. He lifted it and placed a warm, wickedly wet kiss on the inside of her wrist. “Make no mistake, Marianne, I want you. I want you to stay and be a full partner in what I hope will be a long and wonderful life together. If you should choose Gentilly over me, however, I will never let you take Andrea with you. You will have all the visiting privileges you wish as long as I remain unmarried. Once I wed—I need a legitimate heir, after all—I would have to make arrangements with my new bride. Andrea will remain in my care no matter what transpires in the upcoming weeks.

  “Please note that I am not saying this to pressure you or to force your hand with an ultimatum. I only want to be clear so that you may make your choice with all the facts. You should know what you are going to and what you are leaving behind and be clear on the matter.”

  He squeezed her hand gently, then let it go. “Let’s retire for luncheon. I think the dining room shall be more appropriate with company. Don’t you?”

  “As you wish, my lord.” She knew with little doubt he was using his station and the manor to intimidate Robert. There was no question as to the fact he was very put out with her friend’s unannounced arrival. So was she, if truth be told. Robert could not be thinking clearly to take such a desperate action. Why in heaven’s name would he think her own husband would abduct her unwillingly? Drew was more of a gentleman than that, especially after what he’d experienced in his own life.

  “My lady?” Drew broke her reverie. She placed her hand on his offered arm. She knew she had to decide soon. If she did not, things could get quite out of hand.

  Chapter 25

  Drew reined in his horse at the front of the manse as one of the grooms ran out to take charge of his steed. Heading up the granite steps, he hadn’t made it half way when the door swung open.

  “My lord.” The butler made to take the gloves Drew had just pulled off. “Mrs. Pins delivered the riding ensembles you ordered. I had them placed in the proper bedchambers. There were multiple boxes for each as I believe you ordered all the appropriate accoutrements.”

  “Just so. Thank you. Where is my Lady Marianne?” Drew raked his hand through his hair hoping that would be enough to reorder it as he really did not want to take the time to go to his bedchamber to freshen up.

  “She is in the back gardens with Lady Andrea.”

  “I’ll just head back there. Can you bring tea?”

  “Certainly. But, my lord . . .”

  Drew turned back from his trek down the marble tiled hallway. “Yes?”

  “She is with the visitor. Sir Gentilly.”

  Could Wellingford possibly be attempting to subvert a sneer?

  “Of course.” Drew nodded, then headed toward the gardens to look for his wife.

  Heading through the French doors in the morning room and down the veranda steps, the scent of burgeoning flowers welcomed him to the ever beautiful gardens his mother had so loved and his father had begrudgingly maintained after her death. In spite of cutting the gardening staff in half, the floral beds closest to the house were still a sight to beho
ld, maybe more so since many had been left to revert back to their natural state.

  Walking along the paths he could hear chatting near the ancient weeping willow whose lower bough held a swing much like the one he had made for Andrea in London. It had been one of his favorite places as a child and it pleased him that his wife had discovered the entertainment and brought their daughter there.

  As for Gentilly . . . that was a different matter entirely.

  As he neared, he could clearly hear the discussion going on and decided he would pause once again to discern the direction of his wife’s thoughts on the unrelenting interloper.

  “Robert, I told you before I’m sorry I did not communicate with you. I didn’t even contact my parents. We left in such a hurry and I hoped that I might get the bailiff on this property to do as I requested. I just didn’t take the time to send you, or anyone, a note.”

  “Marianne, it’s been over a week. You’ve had the time. You could have made the time. The mail is not that slow. Has he caused a change of heart so easily, so quickly? Have the last two years and my dedication to you meant nothing?”

  “Of course, they have meant a great deal. You have been there for me all this time. And you have been patient. I cannot help that the earl returned. I had no expectation he would when runner after runner came back with absolutely no proof he still existed. I, too, had expected to have the legal processes begin to free me from his responsibilities. And you know that meant the rightful heir would have been found and I would relinquish all responsibilities for running the estate, as well as all the proceeds that we reaped from them. I had no idea what income would be left for me to provide for Andrea. Or for our life together.”

  “Mama, push. Don’t stop. Push.”

  “I’m sorry, little one. I’ve gotten distracted.”

  “Yes, mama. Yes!”

  Evidently Marianne’s persistent suitor distracted her from her real purpose.

  “Your money is irrelevant, my dear. I would have taken care of you regardless. Though I am not wealthy like the earl, the two of us would live quite comfortably.”

  Gentilly never mentioned Andrea. Never reminded Marianne she must give her up to choose to spend the rest of her life with him. Drew would wager Gentilly didn’t want to muddy the waters with that decision. Given the choice, wouldn’t a good mother such as Marianne select the best course for her child?

  Drew knew clearly that was something he held in his favor and had been very forthright about it. Even if she considered it blackmail, that was not his primary intent. Andrea was his child and he was in a position to properly care for her at the highest levels. Who knew what this usurper would provide for their daughter? He did not even include her in his discussions. And, what if Marianne provided him with a child of his own?

  Some men could be very nasty to children of prior liaisons, regardless of who the father was. Or because of it.

  Thankfully, he had survived to return to his wife and his unexpected but most appreciated child.

  Gentilly’s agitated voice fractured his reverie. “So, he has returned. Give him back his properties and their ledgers. Let them be his problem now. A woman such as yourself shouldn’t have to deal with such complicated and mundane matters. He should be able to run his own affairs. If he can’t, what difficulty should that be to us? We’ll go on about our business and be the happier for it.”

  “Robert, what a terrible thing to say. I feel useful dealing with his estate and the bailiffs.” Marianne’s voice sounded shocked and annoyed. His rival might have overplayed his hand by demeaning her intelligence and contribution. “I feel accomplished when the yields improve and all of us improve our financial situation. I would miss being an integral part of such a successful endeavor.”

  Drew smiled. Another stroke for him.

  It was time he ended the discussion and move things in a more beneficial direction for himself and their daughter. He walked around the high hedge that had shielded him from view and separated the hanging leaves that shrouded the tree, the swing, and the threesome.

  The conversation abruptly halted and a charged hush fell between Gentilly and his Marianne.

  “Papa! Papa, push me. Push me high. Mama doesn’t.”

  Bless Andrea’s heart for discharging the tension. Today she wore a big red bow in her hair to coordinate with the red and white gingham dress with its little white ruffled pinafore. As usual, she looked quite adorable. He smiled warmly at her. “Of course, my little love. But not too high. I haven’t a strap to keep you on this swing.”

  Marianne beamed at him as she stepped aside. “Good afternoon, my lord. How was your ride over the lands?”

  Drew nodded and smiled back as he gave Andrea a push. “All is well. Smith has everything in hand and the other crofters seem pleased with the change.”

  “Wheeee! Uppy, uppy, Papa!”

  Drew gave another little push. “Marianne, the riding garments have been delivered from Mrs. Pins and Smith delivered the promised pony for Andrea yesterday. Might we plan our first lesson early tomorrow morning?”

  Marianne stepped back and watched him push their daughter on the swing. “I think that could be arranged.”

  After another squeal, Andrea said, “Pony! Yes, I want to ride the pony!”

  Gentilly rose from the garden bench with a huff. “Really, Marianne. I no longer know who you are. Disappearing from London. Learning to ride a horse. Gallivanting all over the countryside. What in the world has come over you?” His outburst complete, the interloper stalked off through the willow’s cascading fronds.

  Marianne turned back from watching her suitor’s exit. “I’m so sorry, Drew. He really has no right to complain.”

  Drew gave the swing another gentle shove. “No matter. I expect he’ll be on his way shortly. Will you leave with him?”

  Surprise flared in Marianne’s face. “Why, no, my lord. I have no expectation of leaving at this time. We have work to do here.”

  “Higher, Papa. Higher!”

  Drew nodded and brought his attention back to Andrea. “Of course, little one. Just a bit higher until I fix the swing.”

  Chapter 26

  Finally ensconced in his bedchamber, Drew dismissed his valet and proceeded to shed his shirt.

  Dinner had been a brief but tense affair.

  Gentilly made conversation awkward with constant dismissive and disgruntled noises from his side of the large dining room table. There did not seem to be a single topic of discussion in which the man could find a positive thing to say. Not politics. Not religion. Not science. Not literature. No matter the topic he or Marianne raised, their visitor disagreed with every point made.

  How could one person be so constantly contrary?

  A quiet tap on the adjoining chamber door broke his contemplation and gave him pause. It could only be his wife, Marianne.

  He sighed heavily, not knowing what could possibly happen next. Though he had tried to be civil with the man, could Marianne be angry with him for the stilted conversation at dinner? “Come.”

  She floated into the room like an angel of summer, her hair down and loosely braided, her batiste nightrail a drift of translucent snow over her smooth, pale skin. He caught his breath as every cell in his body flared to life, every desire he ever had diminished in comparison to the want, the need, he had for his wife at that very moment. “Marianne,” he said on a soft sigh.

  “Drew . . .”

  She stood before him, her hands at her side, her left hand fidgeting with her wedding ring, a nervous habit he had noticed right after his return. “Yes, my love?”

  “I want to apologize for Robert. I have never seen him so obtuse, so contrary, so rude. He has never been like this before. I am so sorry he has been so unappreciative of your hospitality, especially since he arrived without invitat
ion and unannounced.”

  She continued to fidget but now she looked toward the floor, her face tinged with a blush of embarrassment.

  Walking to her, he lifted her chin to gaze into her sorrowful eyes. “Marianne, his behavior is not your responsibility and is in no way a reflection upon you. He has been inconsiderate the entire time he has been under our roof. It surprises me since he most desperately wants you to leave me and go with him. I don’t believe it is a wise choice on his part.”

  “But I don’t want to go with him.”

  Drew stilled. Had he heard correctly? She had made her decision? Her choice? She would stay? “Do not let me misconstrue, Marianne. This is too important for me, for our daughter, for the future. You have chosen to stay with us? To give Gentilly up and let him go?”

  Still looking at the floor, still spinning her wedding ring, she whispered, “Yes, Drew, if you still want me. If you’ll have me.”

  Without hesitation, Drew swept her into his arms. “Of course, I’ll have you. It’s what I’ve wanted since my return. It’s what Andrea wants, for us to be a family.” His mouth descended on hers with the force of relief and joy he could barely contain.

  He placed his hands gently on each side of her face as he plundered her mouth, her skin soft and warm against his calloused palms. She opened readily to him, sighing as his tongue touched hers and the heat of their kisses intensified.

  He felt her hands, still tentative in their untutored knowledge, glide up his arms until her fingers slid into the hair at his nape. Her fingers spread wide and she kneaded and tugged gently among the strands as if urging him on.

  He pulled back to gaze into her pale blue eyes now heavy-lidded with desire. He pulled the ribbons of her nightrail, then gently pushed the gauzy fabric off her shoulders.