Seduced by the Dandy Lion

by Suzanne Quill

  She snuffled and wiped her cheeks with the sheet. “It was all so horrible, Drew. I met him purely by accident in Solihull after I spoke with Mrs. Pins. He invited me to lunch. I said yes so we could talk quietly.”

  Drew ran his fingers through her disheveled tresses. “It’s all right, Marianne. You don’t have to say anything more. Let’s forget all about it.”

  She pulled away. “No, I want to tell you.” She sat up just a little straighter. “While we ate, I told him of my decision to stay with you. He listened patiently so I thought he understood, that all would be well and we, he and I, could just be friends.” Tears kept seeping from her eyes. She wiped them away again.

  “I don’t know when he did it, maybe when I spoke with Mrs. Pins, but he must have put something in my tea. When we rose from the table, I felt dizzy and my legs gave way. Robert helped me outside but then I found Honey gone. I have no idea how she got loose. I know I tied her to the hitching post properly.”

  “I’m sure you did but he could have released her with an easy tug as he walked after you. That’s how we knew something was wrong, you know. Your mare found her way home just as I told you she would. She ambled in during the dinner hour while Chase and I discussed what to do about finding you.”

  “I’m so glad she is all right. I worried about her when my mind functioned. But Robert told me he would take me home in his gig. I trusted him, so he helped me up onto the seat. I must have fainted. When I woke up the sky had darkened but he said we were almost there and handed me a flask of water. I took a few sips. How could I have known he had laced it with some drug?”

  Drew held her tight and rocked her gently. “He probably dosed you with laudanum. Marianne, there is no blame to place at your door. Gentilly had been a friend and confidante for over two years. Of course you trusted him and took him at his word. In the same situation, any of us would have.”

  “Drew, how could he? He drugged me all the way to the ship. I woke up on board. I threatened to scream and carry on but he told me he explained to the captain I was ill and delirious so no one would come to my aid. I told him I wanted to stay with you and Andrea. He dismissed you and told me we could have other children, that Andrea didn’t matter. He thought I’d leave my daughter. Then he told me the captain would marry us once we were at sea. I said no, I was already married and intended to remain so. He said you and Andrea were my past and that he was my future and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried to leave the cabin. Really, I did. I slapped him when he tried to stop me but he just slapped me back, then left and locked me in.”

  “Marianne, it’s all right. You’re safe now. They’ll soon be out to sea and we’ll see nothing more of him.”

  She sobbed. “I was so scared. And I could only think of how terrified you must have been when you were abducted all those years ago. How you didn’t know anyone on the ship or where you were going or if you’d even survive.”

  He rose, holding her tight to his chest, and took her to the bed. Removing the bath sheet, he slid her between the covers and climbed in with her, taking her into his arms. “Hush now, you’re safe. He’s gone and we’ll go on living our lives together.”

  He kissed first one cheek then the other. “Let me love you, Marianne. Let me show you what our life will be from now on. Filled with love and the promise of a happy future.” He settled his lips against hers ever so gently.

  His entire being responded to the nearness of her but when she opened her mouth and tangled her tongue deliciously with his, his entire body hardened with the need to be closer to her, part of her, united with her. He sat up on the bed, legs crossed, straddled her legs around his hips, settled her derrière in his lap, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. With gentle, coaxing strokes he kissed her deeply, felt the gentle pressure of her pebbled nipples against his chest, slid his hands up and down her back, into her hair, still slightly damp from the night before.

  He broke away to nibble on one ear lobe, then the other as he whispered, “I’ll never have enough of you. When I thought I’d lost you, my heart was devastated. I obsessed about finding you, saving you from that bastard who pretended to be your friend.”

  Marianne’s fingernails gently scored his back. “I never wanted to leave you. I never want to leave you again. I’m yours, Drew, now, forever, yours.”

  He took her mouth again, ravenous for fulfillment, coupling, union. Placing a hand on each of her hips, he lifted her, then firmly pierced her with his hardness and stroked her sheath with the fierceness of a man struggling for a lifeline from a sinking ship.

  The rapture of their joining came upon them so quickly, so intensely, there was no time for more love words, more foreplay. Their breath came hard and fast as they held on to each other as if they might be separated once again and refused to let it happen.

  When their heartbeats returned to normalcy, Drew laid them down on the bed and enclosed her in the strength of his arms.

  “Forever it will be then,” he whispered softly into her ear and was rewarded with a contented sigh.

  Chapter 37

  After purchasing a small gig later that morning, they headed for home, taking their time, talking, laughing, and stopping for meals along the way. They spent the night in the best inn they could find and made love again as if they might be separated at any moment, their vows to one another endless and sincere. Nothing would come between them again.

  Late in the day, Drew drove the rig up in front of the manor. No sooner had he stepped down, handed the reins to the stable boy, and turned to help Marianne out than the front door swung open.

  “Papa! Mama!” Andrea, a smile on her face as bright as the sun, headed toward them but, before she could run down the stairs, her grandmama swept the child into her arms.

  “Let’s go down the steps together, little one. It would not do for you to fall on such an important day.” Margaret started down the steps quickly followed by her husband, George.

  Drew set Marianne’s feet upon the ground just in time for her mother and daughter to crush his wife with hugs. Moments later he, too, received the same level of attention.

  George hugged and kissed Marianne then turned to him with hand outstretched. “Thank you, my boy, for bringing my daughter back safe and sound. I can never repay you or thank you enough.”

  After a firm hand shake, Drew replied, “No need, sir. She’s my wife and there’s no doubt I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to find her and bring her home. But tell me, how did you get here? Is Chase back?”

  The small happy group turned to the house and headed up the stairs as his father-in-law explained. “Chase stopped by our house on his way out of London and told us of the misadventures taking place with that scoundrel Robert Gentilly. Margaret and I could hardly believe it. The nerve of the man. He is no gentleman, my lord.”

  “No, he is not. But we should have no need to worry further of him now as we left him aboard the ship and he should be well out to sea. Have you heard from Chase?”

  Wellingford stood at the open door to greet them. “We are most happy to have you and your ladyship home safely, my lord. Chef Jacques has prepared a fine dinner and you are just in time to enjoy it if all of you would retire to the dining room.”

  Drew couldn’t control himself. He smiled broadly and slapped the staid butler on the back. “It truly is good to be home. And I’m as relieved as you to have the countess back under our roof. Thank you for looking after her parents in the interim.”

  “My pleasure, my lord.” Wellingford closed the door behind them.

  Jane descended the main staircase. “So glad to see you, my lady, your lordship. We were so very worried. I do hope there will be no serious repercussions and that you are both well.” She reached the foyer and approached. “I’ll take Lady Andrea, my lady.”

  “No, Mama! No, Papa! I stay!�
� Andrea clasped her little arms even more tightly around her mother’s neck, as if fearing some unseen force would abscond with her once again.

  Marianne hugged her daughter close. “I think she shall dine with us this evening, Jane. Why don’t we bring her up after our meal? His lordship and I have missed her terribly.”

  “As you wish, my lady. Practice at the dinner table is an excellent lesson.” Jane gave a pert curtsy, then retired through the baize door.

  Wellingford led the way to the dining room and, after getting each of them comfortably settled into the appropriate chair, left to supervise the serving of the meal.

  Throughout dinner, Marianne and Drew explained all that had happened, what Gentilly had done, how Drew had found them, and any other tidbits that might entertain but also soothe Margaret and George’s sensibilities; obviously, they were still shaken. Margaret sat next to her daughter and kept reaching over to squeeze her hand as if to make sure she was really there.

  Andrea, on her best behavior, evidently realized what a very special treat it was to eat with the adults. But, still, her curiosity seemed to know no bounds and would not be held at bay. “Was it a big boat, mama?”

  Marianne glanced over to her. “Quite big, little one. It had one main large white sail and was filled with sailors to take it on its way.”

  “I want to go on a big ship someday. Papa, will you take me? Please?” Andrea looked over to her father as if he could drag the moon and the stars out of the sky if she wished it so.

  “Well, little one, we’ll have to wait until you get older but we can take a sea voyage if mama wants us to. For now, you best finish your dinner so we can have dessert and Jane can take you up for a bedtime story. It’s getting very late, you know.”

  “I know, Papa.” She dug into the remnants of her meal.

  Dessert was just being served when the door flew open and Chase ran in. Without hesitation, he strode over to Marianne and extracted her from her chair, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. “I thought I’d lost you. There were practically no ships in Liverpool. They’d left only a day or two before I arrived. I thought Drew and I would soon be searching the seven seas. I came back expecting we’d be making arrangements for the next part of our quest. Thank God you’re all right.”

  Waving to Wellingford who had hurried in after his brother-in-law, Drew said, “I’ll wager you’ve not eaten in at least twelve hours, maybe longer.”

  Wellingford nodded and with his usual instant understanding went to fetch a plate and utensils for the new arrival.

  “Chase, I can’t breathe.” Marianne gently pushed her brother away. “I’m fine. Drew found me and extracted me from the clutches of that evil man. How could I not recognize the terrible and vindictive side of Robert? I am so happy it’s all over.”

  Chase let her go and settled in front of the newly placed table setting Wellingford laid out. “Well, I do believe it surprised all of us a great deal. I never would have thought he’d have it in him. He seemed like such a milksop and namby-pamby. But at least it’s over. We can all recuperate and get on with our lives.”

  George finally chimed in. “I guess we should be heading back to London. We could probably be ready day after tomorrow.”

  It was Marianne who took Margaret’s hand this time. “Why don’t you stay for a while? There is an endless amount of room.” She turned to Andrea. “Shall we have Grandmama and Grandpapa stay?”

  Andrea lit up with the pleasure of being part of the adult conversation. She would not miss the chance to share her opinion. “Yes. Yes! Stay. Please stay. We’ll play in the garden and have tea and . . .”

  Margaret laughed. “Well, who could resist such a heartfelt and charming invitation? I guess it would not hurt to stay for a week or two. What say you, George? Chase, is anything, or anyone, calling you back to town?” She gave her son a sly look.

  George patted his mouth with his napkin before answering his wife. “I believe the business is under control, my dear. We can remain if you so desire.”

  Chase, very busy catching up on the meal’s courses, had made it through the soup but now tucked into the main dish. “I’ve no commitments and I wouldn’t mind tasting a few more of Chef Jacques’s dishes and desserts.” He looked hopefully over to Wellingford who, standing officiously by the door to the kitchen and pantry, nodded in acknowledgement.

  “It’s settled.” Drew raised his glass of wine for a toast. “To family. Thank God we are together again.”

  Andrea raised her cup of milk. “To famly!”

  Everyone laughed then sipped their drinks.

  The door next to Wellingford swung wide. The butler caught it as Chef Jacques made a decorous entrance. Carrying a tray with one large straight sided bowl on it, he placed it next to Drew. “Milord, soufflé au chocolat. Tres magnifique!”

  As the ensemble drew in a breath, Chase said, “Am I glad I’m staying.”

  “Me first!” Andrea waved her little hands in the air, the big pink bow in her hair flopping from side to side.

  “Little one.” Marianne turned to her. “Manners. We must have manners.”

  Properly reprimanded, Andrea pouted briefly before she tried again. “Me first. Please!” She beamed as if she had deciphered the Rosetta Stone.

  Everyone, including Chef Jacques, laughed. With seeming delight, he punctured the confection and, after it deflated, served everyone a healthy portion making sure Lady Andrea received the very first slice.

  Chapter 38

  As the following days turned into months and the warmer weather grew cooler, the family entertained each other in fine form. Drew and Chase, who extended his stay indefinitely, hunted in the nearby woods and brought home rabbits and even a wild boar upon which Chef Jacques performed gastronomical magic.

  Some days, Drew would take Marianne and Andrea for casual rides in the nearby fields so each could practice her horsemanship.

  Margaret and George returned often and took turns having long tea parties with their granddaughter as well as reading her books and playing games of Blind Man’s Bluff, pat-a-cake, and other games she could enjoy at her young age.

  On rainy days they stayed indoors and read, played music on the pianoforte or parlor games.

  On the third Sunday in September, they arrived in the front courtyard after church. Chase rode his horse down to the stable but the rest of the family alighted from the carriage before the driver pulled away.

  As they readied to take the stairs into the house a gig swerved up the lane, its driver lashing his whip wildly at the single horse. When the cabriolet entered the courtyard, he drew in the reins so quickly and so tightly that the horse, laboring to breathe and nearly foaming at the mouth, reared up and whinnied.

  “Stop, you damned nag.” The driver wrapped the reins around a support on the gig, then jumped out holding a gun in his right hand.

  The family stopped in their tracks.

  “Well.” Drew stepped in front of Marianne who held Andrea in a death hug against her chest. “I must admit, Gentilly, we had no expectations of seeing you this soon, or, in fact, ever.”

  Gentilly waved the gun. “I’m sure you did not. But I’m not so easy to get rid of as that. Marianne, come out here with that brat so I can see you.”

  George shuffled Margaret behind him and started to move forward.

  “Stay where you are, old man. I don’t want to shoot anyone but I will if you don’t do what I say.”

  Marianne stepped from behind Drew, then turned and handed Andrea to grandpapa George. She whispered, “Guard her with your life.”

  George nodded.

  “Stop that whispering. Marianne, it seems you’ve easily settled back into the routine of careless ease and riches. I guess our relationship means nothing when you can be wealthy and despoiled.”

&n
bsp; Marianne bristled. “We have no relationship. The man I knew would never have done the things you have. He was a kind man. A patient and giving man. There would have been no kidnapping or this farce of holding my entire family at gunpoint. What do you think you are doing? You can’t shoot all of us. You’ve only one gun.”

  Gentilly sneered as his free hand moved inside his rumpled coat to extract a second pistol. “I can’t shoot all of you but I can shoot some of you. I can start with you, Marianne. If I can’t have you, why should he? Or, I could shoot him.” He waved a gun at Drew. “And see how miserable that would make you. Or would you want me then if he were out of the way. Or . . .” Gentilly shuffled over to the side so he could get a clear view of Andrea. “I could shoot the brat as well as your fortune-hunter husband and see how heartbroken that makes you. Then I could leave you here to rot in your despair.”

  “Robert, that makes no sense and it’s more than cruel of you to even think it. What has Andrea ever done to you?”

  Drew was proud of his wife. No sniveling and begging from her to this deranged madman. He broke in. “What is it you want, Gentilly? How did you even get back here?”

  “I jumped ship. Evidently, I’m smarter than you were or cared to be. We went into port in Portugal and I jumped ship. It didn’t take me long to find another ship coming back to London. And it certainly didn’t take me long to find my way back here. Why did it take you so long, my lord?” Gentilly’s face was a mask of hate and vitriol. “Why did you not just come back to begin with? Then none of this would have happened. But, no. You had to travel the seas until you were good and ready to return home. Had you no thought for the people you left behind? The wife you left behind? Did you just expect her to pine away for you until she died? What was wrong with her finding another and starting a new life with me? I would have taken good care of her. I would have made her happy. I would not have deserted her, forgotten her, taken her for granted.”