Convenient Bride for the Soldier & the Major Meets His Match & Secret Lessons With the Rake (9781488021718)

by Merrill, Christine; Burrows, Annie; Justiss, Julia

  With a deep ache in her heart, she watched him kick his horse to a trot, the girls following eagerly as he bantered with them, conveying just the right mix of teasing familiarity and courteous deference. Any suspicious mama watching him would see, not a rogue who might endanger her daughter, but a thoughtful, articulate and courteous gentleman who would make a perfectly proper suitor.

  She steeled herself to face the fact that he had no need of further lessons.

  Fighting off a wave of desolation, she reminded herself that she’d suspected today’s outing would prove exactly that. That terminating their arrangement at once would be better. She had kept her pledge to him without losing her self-respect, and was certain he could enter the polite world, ready to defuse any suspicions about his character. Ready to charm cautious matrons and Virtuous Virgins alike, and find the lady destined to be his bride.

  Though she was gratified that their experiment had been a success for him, for her it had been a disaster. Rather than discover faults that would allow her to master her feelings for him, being with him so often had deepened her affection, making her long for his continued presence. As for passion…what had been only a suspicion of the sweetness and power it could wield had grown, over the course of their interludes, into a compulsion for intimacy that forced her to resort to meeting him on horseback to resist its mesmerising spell.

  It was time for her to shut him out of her life, before her heart shredded any further or her control over those desires collapsed.

  Arming her heart and mind to the necessity of ending it, she rode up to meet the group, which had pulled up before the Park gates.

  ‘A true delight to meet all of you ladies, but the morning is advancing, and I must turn you back into the care of your grooms,’ Christopher was saying.

  ‘What a lovely ride, Mr Lattimar! I’m so glad you were able to accompany us,’ Miss Higgins cried. ‘I hope to see you again soon.’

  ‘The date hasn’t been set yet for the ball my sponsor will be holding for me, but I will see that you are sent a card,’ Lady Audrey said. ‘You mustn’t try to steal a march on us, Miss Wanstead,’ she continued, looking at over at Sophie, ‘just because he is a friend of your sister’s.’

  Even Sophie gave Christopher a flirtatious look before replying, ‘In love and war, every girl must look out for herself. Do you not agree, Mr Lattimar?’

  ‘So the saying goes,’ he said with a smile. ‘I hope I’ll have the pleasure of seeing all of you again.’

  ‘Tess, I’ll be meeting you at Lady Saylebrook’s later, yes?’ At her nod, Sophie turned back to her companions. In a chatter of girlish voices, trailed by their grooms, they rode out of the park. As Christopher stared after them thoughtfully, the even more depressing thought struck her that Sophie might be perfect for him.

  That possibility should strangle her yearning at once. She didn’t even want to imagine meeting him in future—as Sophie’s husband.

  As she tried to rid her mind of that awful image, Christopher rode over to her.

  ‘I think that went off rather well,’ he said, looking relieved. ‘You were right—they weren’t too terrifying. Though I’d still prefer Genghis Khan’s hordes.’

  ‘You handled them beautifully, showing respect, a little deference, and a great deal of skill in drawing out thoughts and opinions. You certainly impressed them. It’s not often that a gentleman makes more than a cursory effort to ask a young lady’s opinion, or listens to it so attentively. Most men spend their time favouring a girl with their own.’

  ‘Sound like dead bores,’ Christopher said.

  Despite the ache in her heart, she chuckled, as she knew he meant her to. ‘In any event, I think this excursion proves you’ve mastered all the lessons you need.’

  The smile on his face abruptly faded. ‘Surely you don’t mean to end them! There must be some finer points of etiquette I still need to work on.’

  The distress on his face so closely echoed the ache in her heart, she couldn’t make herself utter the words that would terminate their association. Silently chiding herself for her weakness, she temporised, ‘At the moment, I can’t think of any. But I will reflect further on the matter.’

  That reassurance restored his smile. ‘Even if I know most of the rules, I could use more practice, to build my confidence. As it was, I rode the circuit in a state of wary caution, like an impostor worried at any moment he might be found out.’

  ‘You’re not an impostor! You truly are the courteous, intelligent, engaging gentleman they all saw here today. And you are ready to meet them on their own turf, at the balls and drawing rooms of the ton.’

  Where he could not help but be a success. You ought to send him away now and begin moving on, she urged herself silently.

  While she agonised, he said, ‘Can I escort you back home?’

  Temptation beckoned. They were on horseback, which would forestall any contact. But after the horses were led away…

  She might not have the strength to break with him completely, but she could summon up enough resolve to be prudent. ‘Thank you, but that’s not necessary. After I return the habit and the horse, I must visit the school. I owe the girls a story today.’

  He grimaced, but thankfully didn’t press her. ‘As much as you enjoy riding, you should borrow both more often. I’m sure Mama wouldn’t mind.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to impose. Best not to become accustomed to riding again, since keeping a horse of my own would be much too expensive.’

  For an awkward moment, they sat regarding each other, neither of them ready to bid goodbye, but having nothing further to say that could delay their parting. For a few more moments, Ellie let her gaze rove over his handsome face, admiring the fine figure he made astride, losing herself in those mesmerising turquoise eyes.

  He seemed equally content just to gaze at her.

  Finally, pulling herself free of his spell with an effort, she said, ‘Thank you for accompanying me today. I think it provided useful experience.’

  He nodded. ‘It did. Thank you for including me. I feel somewhat easier about the project ahead now.’

  That’s what she should do—concentrate on the project ahead. His being marriage to that Virtuous Virgin, while hers led to the school. ‘I’m glad. Good day to you, then.’

  Before she could ride off, he waved a hand. ‘Wait a moment! When will I see you again?’

  Instead of the ‘never’ she still could not voice, she found herself saying, ‘I’m not sure. I’ll send you a note.’

  Exasperated that she had passed up two perfect opportunities to declare their association over, she kicked the mare to a trot and rode out of the park, conscious of his following gaze.

  Resisting the strong urge to look back, she did instead what she must—ride away from him.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Several hours later, habit and horse returned and dressed back in her own gown, Elle returned to Dean Street. But her musing over which of the tales from the Arabian Nights she would read to the girls halted the moment she entered the workroom.

  Instead of students seated at the tables working on stitchery or studying lessons, she found two of the girls wrapped in each other’s arms, weeping, Mrs Sanders trying to soothe them, while Lucy argued with a white-faced Artis.

  Sweeping past an anxious Jenson, she cried, ‘What’s wrong? What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s Artis, miss,’ Lucy said, turning towards her. ‘She says she’s going to leave us. You must convince her to stay!’

  Surprised that Artis, who’d seemed so excited and grateful for her new opportunities, suddenly wanted to go away, she said, ‘We can’t make her stay against her will, Lucy. But—won’t you come to the office and tell me what is troubling you, Artis?’

  Refusing to meet her eyes, Artis nodded. ‘Aye, I owe you that. Wo
n’t make no difference though, Lucy. I’m still agoin’.’

  The dejected slump of the girl’s shoulders and her obvious sorrow mystified Ellie further. Alarm building, she realised the intelligent, enterprising girl had already carved a place in her affections. She’d be as distressed as Artis appeared if the girl truly wanted to leave them.

  With the imminent departure of Christopher, she didn’t feel up to dealing with yet another loss.

  Closing the office door, she gestured Artis to a seat. ‘What is wrong, Artis? Have someone done something to distress you?’

  ‘It’s Gentleman Bob, miss,’ the girl said, pleating her skirt with nervous fingers. ‘He knows where I am, and he’ll be coming to fetch me, I know it.’

  ‘But he doesn’t control this area, which is why you came to this part of the city to begin with. What makes you think he knows where you are?’

  ‘That day I took you and the toff to the Tottenham market, I seen one of his boys. There weren’t no reason for Keppy to be hangin’ about there, exceptin’ the Gentleman sent him, even if this isn’t his usual lay. You remember how I led you away all sudden-like, in and out of them side lanes? I thought I lost Keppy, and I knew he hadn’t followed us back. I been more careful than ever, any time I went out to run errands for Mrs S., but comin’ back yesterday, I seen Keppy again—not two streets from this house. The Gentleman musta had Keppy drop a coin here and there among the merchants, so’s he could figure out where I was staying. Gentleman always used to boast to us that he never let loose of what was his, not while it lived. So I gotta move on, miss, some place outside London, prob’ly.’

  ‘You don’t need to run off! Jensen is here to protect us. I don’t believe even Gentleman Bob would be bold enough to kidnap someone from within a locked house! You must simply remain safely inside until this Keppy gives up.’

  ‘Mr Jensen’s got a fiercesome uppercut, but it’s more than that,’ Artis said with a sigh before continuing, ‘I’m a sight better looking now than when you took me in, but compared to me, Sally is an angel, and Lucy’s a real beauty. If Keppy hangs about long enough, lookin’ to capture me, he’ll find out there are other pretty girls here, all of ’em havin’ no more than one man and Mrs Sanders to protect ’em. Considerin’ how much the Gentleman could earn off ’em in one of his schools, he’d want the lot, and he’d send more than just one boy to get ’em. I can’t put all of ’em in danger, miss! I gotta lead Keppy away afore he discovers the other girls.’

  Ellie paused, considering. Initially she’d been inclined to discount Artis’s alarm—they were well away from the rookeries here, and Jensen was quite capable of handling one adolescent thief. But she knew enough of the flesh markets to realise Artis was right, both in her estimate of the other girls’ value and their vulnerability. They’d be a prize worth the risk of capturing for someone like Gentleman Bob, for if he managed to make off with them, he’d not have to worry about irate families trying to retrieve them or powerful fathers sending the law after him.

  She certainly didn’t want Gentleman Bob learning anything more about her school. But neither was she prepared to send Artis off on her own, the sacrificial lamb giving herself up for the welfare of the group.

  ‘You are right, you must leave, and visibly enough to draw Keppy away. But I won’t have you going off alone to some other town, to be discovered by Keppy or fall into the hands of another Gentleman Bob—or even just to go back to thieving. We’ll find another way to keep you safe and still protect the other girls. Gather your things while I talk with Jenson. And don’t despair! I don’t let loose of what’s mine, either!’

  Looking a little reassured, Artis went off to the dormitory and Ellie walked back to the workroom to beckon to Jensen—who’d been standing guard by the window, a frown on his face. With a nod, he followed her back.

  ‘What can we do, miss? I’d protect all these lasses to the death, but there’s only one of me. Gentleman Bob’s a pretty powerful name in Seven Dials. There’s lots of ruffians he could finger to help him snatch ’em.’

  ‘I’m sure there are, and Artis is correct, we must move her and lure Keppy away before the Gentleman enlarges his plan beyond capturing just one girl. Even once we do, though, I’d like to have some extra protection for the girls, until we are sure the danger is past. Do you have some friends you could recruit?’

  The big man nodded. ‘Have a couple mates who owe me favours. Once I’ve explained the situation, I’m betting there are several who would come help me watch day and night for a spell.’

  ‘Good. Assure them I will pay them.’

  The big man grinned. ‘They’ll come for certain, then!’

  ‘Can you find some this very afternoon?

  Jensen nodded. ‘Shouldn’t take me long to turn up a couple. I’ll have them tell their mates I could use a few more, that the toff I works for has friends what needs extra watchmen for a spell.’

  ‘Excellent. Go at once! I’ll keep the doors and windows locked until you return.’

  ‘What of Artis, miss? You’re not jest sending her away, are you?’

  ‘We’ll do for Artis what we did for your sweetheart. Find her a place where no Gentleman Bob dares venture.’

  Satisfied, the watchman nodded. ‘I’ll be off, then.’

  Ellie followed him out, locking the door behind him. Looking over to Mrs Sanders and the frightened girls, she said, ‘No need to worry. We shall be safe enough here until Jensen returns with some friends. But it would be a good precaution to bolt the kitchen door and coal chute, Mrs Sanders. Girls, would you help me close and latch the shutters?’

  They were busy about that task when Artis returned to the workroom, her few belongings tied up in a bundle. Walking over to Ellie, she held out the book Christopher had bought for her.

  ‘Best give you this, miss. Won’t be nowheres safe to keep it where I be going. And, if you please, I’d like to ask Mrs S. for my old duds back. I’ll travel safer if’n I’m dressed as a lad.’

  Accepting the book, Ellie motioned for the girl to follow her back to the office. As soon as Ellie closed the door, Artis said, ‘Shall I get into those duds here, miss? The sooner I’m gone, the better. I do thank you for everything you done, and I’m so s-sorry…’ Her voice breaking, the girl went silent, her brave front at odds with the despair in her eyes.

  Setting her book on the desk, Ellie walked over and pulled her into her arms, holding her close while Artis shook with silent sobs. She recovered herself in a moment, pulling away. ‘Sorry, miss.’

  ‘No apologies necessary.’ Ellie picked the book back up and returned it with ceremony. ‘You will definitely have a place to keep this where you are going.’

  ‘No, miss, you don’t understand—’

  ‘Really, Artis, you can’t believe I would truly send you away to deal with this alone? As soon as Jensen returns, I’ll take you to a place where you’ll be better protected.’

  Artis shook her head sadly. ‘You try to help me, he’ll figure a way to hurt you, too, and I couldn’t stand that. Ain’t no place in Lunnon beyond the Gentleman’s reach.’

  ‘Not even the house of a marquess?’

  Artis’s eyes widened. ‘Cor, miss, is your nob a marquess? And him not at all high in the instep! I shoudda been m’lording him!’

  ‘No, not Mr Lattimar. But one of the sponsors of this school is a marquess, and he would take it very ill that some rookery rogue was threatening my students.’

  ‘A marquess,’ Artis marvelled. ‘That’s almost like a king, ain’t it? But…would such a person concern himself with the likes of me?’

  ‘He’d want to make sure you are safe. We’ll go first to see his daughter, Lady Lyndlington—whose husband is a viscount. She’ll know the best place for you to stay. I doubt even a devil like the Gentleman would dare test the power of a marquess.’

 
‘I spec’ not,’ Artis said.

  ‘As soon as Jensen returns, I’ll have him summon us a hackney, and we’ll go straight to Lady Lyndlington’s. Although I hope Keppy will follow us, I doubt one boy would be bold enough to try to intercept us in broad daylight in front of a viscount’s town house.’

  ‘Will I…never see you no more, after this?’ Artis asked, a catch in her voice.

  ‘Of course you’ll see me! I consider you one of my most promising students! We’ll settle the details later, but you will either return to the school, if we deem it safe, or continue your education in whatever household Lady Lyndlington places you.’

  Artis jumped up to give Ellie a hug. ‘Thank you, miss! Ain’t nobody cared nothing for me since Ma died! If there’s anything I kin do for you…’

  Ellie hugged her back. ‘Promise to study hard, so you may some day attain a position that will make me proud. I know you can do it.’

  Ellie smiled at Artis, heartened to see her spirit rekindled, and gratified that she could be the reason for it. Caring for girls like these is a worthy life’s work that will atone for any loss, she told herself firmly…until the image of Christopher’s handsome face focused in her mind.

  While she tried to convince herself the school would compensate her for even that, there was a rap at the door. ‘’Tis me, Jensen,’ a voice called.

  Ellie hurried to the front door, unlatching it to admit Jensen and two companions as broad and heavily muscled as he was.

  ‘Come in, gentlemen! And welcome.’

  ‘This be Smith and Thomas, miss,’ Jensen said. ‘Both handy with their fives, and up to any rig.’

  ‘I’ll trust you to keep everyone safe, then. Jensen, will you call us a hackney? Artis will be going with me.’

  Nodding, her henchman walked back out, one of his compatriots latching the door behind him, while Ellie gathered up her things. A few minutes later, Jensen returned, scratching at the door to inform them the hackney stood outside.