The Earl's Wallflower Bride

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Warren turned to face his half-brother, not bothering to hide his displeasure. “You can’t touch her. She’s a lady. She’s not one of those women who spend time in bed with everyone they meet.”

  Byron gasped and pressed his hand over his heart. “I don’t always go after those types of ladies. I’ve had a virgin or two in my time.”

  Warren gritted his teeth. Words couldn’t describe how much he loathed these times with his half-brother. “You’re not to go near my wife. I don’t want you looking at her. I don’t want you talking to her. You will have nothing to do with her. Do you understand?”

  Byron shrugged. “I suppose it’s just as well. Virgins are boring. They get squeamish at the slightest thing. And it takes time and effort to get past their maidenhead. Ladies who’ve been around are much easier and more entertaining. Plus, they aren’t afraid to do new things.”

  With a scowl, Warren snapped, “I’m not interested in hearing about your debauchery.” He crossed his arms. “Why are you here?”

  “You refused to acknowledge my missive, so I had to pay you a visit.”

  “I already gave you the monthly stipend Father’s will requires. You won’t get any more money until next month.”

  “I had an unexpected expense come up.”

  “A night of gambling isn’t an unexpected expense.”

  “I was sure to win,” Byron told Warren as Warren walked over to the decanter. “It was unexpected that I lost the money. Besides, how did you know that’s how I lost the money? Have you been following me?”

  Warren snorted. “I have better things to do with my time than worry about what you’re doing to ruin your life.” He poured himself a glass of brandy and then put the lid back on the decanter. “Your problem is that I know you. If it wasn’t gambling, you would have wasted your money on wine and immoral women. You’re much too predictable.”

  “As are you. Once again, you fail to give me the courtesy of a drink.”

  “I have to waste my hard earned money to furnish your lavish lifestyle and reckless spending.” In fact, Warren had to do it for his stepmother as well, but at least she didn’t make it a point to show up in his townhouse to annoy him. Shooting Byron a sharp look, Warren added, “The last thing you need is brandy anyway. You get drunk often enough as it is.”

  “Well, I’m perfectly sober right now.”

  “Good. Then you’ll understand me when I tell you that you’ll have to wait until next month to get more money. If you don’t like my answer, then find a way to earn an honest living. It’d give you an appreciation for the value of money.”

  “You’re a selfish gentleman, Warren. You have more wealth than you’ll ever need. Our father gave you the largest portion of the inheritance.”

  “Because I inherited the title,” Warren interrupted. “You should be glad I did, too. If it’d gone to you, you would have squandered all the wealth away. Then where would you be?”

  Byron chuckled. “I would have married a wealthy lady. I hear your wife is the daughter of the Duke of Hartwell. He has a sizable estate.”

  So they were back to Iris. “She’s my wife, and because of that, she’s under my protection. You will not have anything to do with her.”

  “I don’t want her. In fact, I don’t care if I ever see her again, even if she is a pretty thing. All I need is a little raise in my monthly allotment. I want an extra crown.”

  “No.”

  “Half a crown?”

  “No!” Warren slammed his glass on the desk, and since it was still full, some of the brandy spilled out and splattered on the smooth surface. Irritated, he yanked his handkerchief out and wiped the desk. “You’ll have to make do with your current allotment. It’s not my fault you’re reckless with your money. If you took the time to save some—”

  Byron let out a loud, frustrated sigh. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ve heard all this before. If only I was boring like you and saved and invested, then I’d be worth something. Spare me the speech. I don’t care to hear it. You want to know why no one likes you? It’s because you’re always telling others what to do.”

  “Well, your example leaves a lot to be desired. How many illegitimate children do you have by now? Children you don’t bother providing for with that money I give you each month, I might add.”

  “There’s no proving any of those children are mine.”

  Warren was ready to answer when it occurred to him they’d done this same routine every time they talked. Why was he wasting his time? He had a bride to think about. He didn’t need to spend the afternoon with his reprobate half-brother.

  “I’m not giving you any more money than the amount Father made me promise to give you,” Warren said.

  To this day, Warren still hated that their father made him swear to give Byron and his stepmother any money. The only one he didn’t mind providing for was his half-sister, Opal. She’d been ten the last time he saw her, and that was six years ago. Given the unfortunate accident when she was thirteen, she’d never even see a Season. So she needed the money.

  Warren sighed. He didn’t want to think about it. This was his wedding day, and he intended to spend it with his wife. He picked up his glass and headed out of the room. “If you don’t leave, I’ll have the butler escort you out,” he told Byron.

  “That money is as much mine as is it yours,” Byron called out from behind him.

  Oh? Did Byron take the time to save and invest? Instead of asking the rhetorical question, Warren chose to ignore him and summoned the butler.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Iris noted the change in Warren’s demeanor the moment he came to the open door of her bedchamber. His grip on the glass in his hand was a little too tight, and his posture was stiff.

  “I was wondering if everything meets with your approval,” Warren greeted as he came in. “If not, then I can make any changes you require.”

  He offered a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes, further giving evidence that whatever had transpired between him and his half-brother had bothered him. However, for her sake, he was struggling to be pleasant, and she supposed that counted for something. It meant he cared at least a little if he was willing to see to her comfort.

  “Everything is fine,” she replied. Then, scanning the room, which reminded her so much of the one she’d grown up in, she asked, “Did you ask my father on ways to decorate this room?”

  He hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yes. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I thought it was the safest way to go.” With an uncertain look, he added, “Are you disappointed?”

  “No. I think that was a very practical thing to do.”

  “You do?”

  Catching the bewildered tone in his voice, she felt the hint of a smile tug at her lips. “I happen to like the practical way of handling things. There are fewer surprises that way. Things are more predictable. Stable. I like knowing what to expect.”

  “I do, too.”

  They grew silent, and after an awkward moment passed between them, she figured maybe she would give him the benefit of the doubt. He’d been honest with her in the carriage. If he was still standing in her doorway, then it indicated he wanted to talk to her. He had nothing to gain from doing so before it was time for bed.

  Clearing her throat, she asked, “Would you like to see the old Sovereign I own?”

  She noted the interest in his expression. “You’re willing to show it to me?”

  “Well, you seemed interested when my father mentioned it.”

  “I am,” he said, stepping further into the room. “I’ve only seen a drawing of one.”

  “It’s one of my most prized possessions.” She went to the valise on her vanity and opened it. “I won’t let anyone touch it. Well, except those I trust.”

  She slipped on a pair of gloves. Next, she pulled out the small leather pouch from the inside pocket of her valise. After she loosed the strings, she took the coin out. Then she walked over to him.

  “I’m afraid I don�
��t have gloves on,” he said.

  He made a good point. She went back to her valise and took out a handkerchief. “You can use this.”

  With a nod, he set his glass on the dresser then came back to her. As he took the handkerchief, their fingers brushed, and an involuntary shiver raced up her spine. Oh, how she hated that! Her body was much too responsive to him. She’d thought she was safe by focusing on something important to her, but it seemed no matter how much she prized the coin, it failed in comparison to him. Marriage to him was going to only complicate things. As much as she wanted to hold onto her anger at the way he’d treated her—thereby adding a layer of protection around her heart—it seemed the tactic wasn’t going to work.

  Forcing aside her dismay, she waited as he smoothed the handkerchief on his hand. She gently put the coin on his palm. Then she removed one of her gloves and gave it to him.

  “You don’t expect me to put that on, do you?” he asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.

  Despite her nervousness, she chuckled. “Of course not. You’d stretch it out. Then what use will it be to me? I figure you can use it to turn the coin over.”

  “I don’t blame you for being careful with this coin. I would be, too, if it was mine.” He studied the portrait of King Henry VII in his full coronation regalia then turned the coin over. The back featured the royal arms resting on a double rose. “It’s exquisite. The drawings don’t do it justice.”

  “No, they don’t. It’s a shame the Royal Mint stopped making them. The new Sovereign is attractive in its own right, but I prefer the beauty of this coin.”

  “Seeing it for myself, I’m inclined to agree with you.” He turned the coin over again and continued studying it. “How did you get this?”

  “I wasn’t able to get it directly. I had my father’s help.”

  He glanced up at her. “You did?”

  “My father takes my money and invests it in ventures I think will pay off. In this case, I had him put a good sum of my money into a jeweler’s business.”

  “Because you like jewelry?”

  Once again, she caught a teasing tone in his voice and couldn’t help but smile. “No. My mother’s the one who fancies adornments, not me. I thought the jeweler gave a convincing argument to my father when he came over to ask my father for money to start the business. He claimed he could design the jewelry better than his competitors.”

  This time Warren stopped studying the coin so he could study her. “Your father lets you in the room while he discusses potential business ventures?”

  “My father discusses business during our dinner parties. That way I can hear what the gentlemen are saying. The gentlemen aren’t aware I’m also listening to them, carefully weighing the pros and cons of investing in their business.”

  “Really?”

  She couldn’t be sure, but he seemed impressed. “You’d be surprised how many gentlemen think ladies don’t have the capacity to understand what they’re talking about.”

  His expression softened. “You’re right. We have a tendency to think ladies ignore what we’re discussing.”

  “I’m curious. What do you gentlemen think ladies are thinking about while you talk business?”

  “Fashion, balls, the latest gossip. All senseless pursuits.”

  “They are senseless pursuits, which is why I don’t bother wasting my time on them. I’d much rather partake in the conversations gentlemen have.”

  He chuckled. “Not all gentlemen have meaningful conversations. Some enjoy worrying over nonsense like gambling and gossip.”

  “I haven’t come across those conversations.”

  “Given who your father is, I’m not surprised. Your father has the sense to avoid gentlemen like that. I didn’t realize he invited you to listen to investment proposals, though.”

  “One thing I admire about my father is his ability to be subtle about things,” she said. “He has a way of doing things so others aren’t aware it’s happening.”

  “That’s a good trait. I think he’s able to do it because he’s good with people. I wish I could be so skilled.”

  “I do, too. I might be his daughter, but I don’t have his gift. I spend most of my time listening to people. It’s safer that way. You don’t risk doing or saying the wrong things if you’re quiet. My father manages to find the right things to say, regardless of the situation.”

  “You know,” Warren slowly began as he placed the coin in her gloved palm, “we might not be so different after all. I’m not good with people. Except, unlike you, I don’t know when to keep quiet. As soon as a thought comes to mind, I speak it. So I actually do say the wrong thing. I think most people tolerate me because of my money.”

  “Most people tolerate me because of my father.”

  “I’m sorry for the way I treated you, Iris. I was too full of my own conceit to see what I was doing. I meant it when I said I want to be better to you. In the little time we’ve talked, I realize you do have a lot of your father in you. If I enjoy my conversations with him, it only makes sense that I’ll enjoy spending time with you. I’d like to start over.”

  It was hard not to give in when he was looking at her in a way that made her knees weak. Her gaze went to the coin in her hand, finding it safer to focus on that instead of him. “I’m afraid of being hurt again,” she admitted.

  “I know, and I’m to blame for that.”

  She clasped the coin in her hand and ventured another glance in his direction. He seemed sincere. Everything he’d done and said today seemed sincere. She only hoped she wasn’t letting months of unrequited love get in her way of making a sound decision.

  “All right,” she said. “We can start over.”

  She noted the relief that flickered across his face. “Thank you.”

  Not knowing what else to say, she offered him a nod then went back to her valise so she could put the coin back into the leather pouch.

  “So, how did that investment with the jeweler go?” he asked.

  Glad for the change in topic, she said, “Better than my father expected. My father gave the jeweler my money to put into the business, and the jewelry became the talk of the Ton. As soon as Lady Cadwalader and her friends started wearing it, business took off. I made thirty percent profit. I took the profit and bought the old Sovereign.” She tightened the strings of the pouch and slipped it back into the secret pocket of her valise. “My father still can’t believe that investment paid off so well.”

  Warren grinned. “I can’t, either. I always thought money was better invested in ships going to Africa to get the jewels.”

  “My father thought so, too.” She took off her glove and accepted the handkerchief and other glove he held out to her. She slipped them back into the valise. “I’ve listened enough to my mother to know ladies can have some influence in London. Even if gentlemen don’t often listen to their opinion, they spend lots of money. And jewelry is my mother’s favorite item to buy.”

  “I never would have thought to consider what ladies are buying in choosing what to invest in. I suppose it wouldn’t do me much good anyway. I don’t make it a habit of talking to ladies. I talk to gentlemen, and as you pointed out, they don’t often listen to what ladies think. Like I said, we think you’re only discussing things like fashion, balls, and gossip.”

  Noting the teasing tone in his voice, she looked up from her valise so she could see his expression. He seemed much more relaxed now. She had no idea he had a sense of humor. She’d thought he was serious all the time.

  “Well,” she began, not hiding her own smile, “there’s something to be gleaned from those things. Jewelry is just one example.”

  “Given your ability to afford something like an old Sovereign, I have no doubt that’s true. But be honest. Can you see me sitting with a bunch of ladies?”

  “No, I can’t. You strike me as a gentleman who doesn’t spend his time in the company of ladies.”

  And that had been one of the things she’d liked about him early
on. He didn’t have the reputation for mistresses or other indiscretions. More than that, he chose to surround himself with gentlemen who didn’t, either. She’d taken that as a promising sign he might be one of the few gentlemen who wouldn’t take a mistress after marriage.

  “I have a hard enough time knowing what to say to gentlemen, and I share things in common with some of them,” Warren admitted. “I can’t even begin to imagine what I’d have to say that ladies would find of interest.”

  “All it takes is an inquiry into the latest fashion or to see if a certain item of gossip is true.”

  “I’m sure that would work. It’s just…”

  Curious, she turned to him. “Just what?”

  “Well, I hate to say this, especially since you are a lady, but such talk might put me to sleep.”

  She burst out laughing. “It bores me, too. I have to make sure I drink something that helps me stay awake.”

  “I could use something to help me stay awake when I have to be around certain gentlemen.”

  “I have yet to come across gentlemen who aren’t interesting to listen to, but then, my father only entertains those who share his love of money and politics.”

  “So you do enjoy those topics?”

  She nodded. “I’m not like other ladies. It’s why I didn’t fit in.”

  “Did you get lonely because of that?”

  “From time to time, I did. But as my father said, it’s better to have one or two good friends I can trust than a room full of friends I can’t.”

  “I take it Bethany’s such a friend.”

  “She is. She accepts me, faults and all. Do you have friends like that?”

  “I think so. I’d like to believe I do.”

  Surprised by the admission since he seemed to get along with several gentlemen, she said, “I thought Lords Worsley and Durrant enjoyed your company the other evening.” Granted, she hadn’t had a good evening, but it seemed as if he had.

  “I don’t know if they enjoyed my company. We do business with the same merchant. It seemed logical to get to know them. I assume they think the same thing. In business, it behooves gentlemen to find the right partners. Sometimes friendship comes from it. Sometimes not. But the important thing is we all walk away from it with a profit.”