His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2)

by Charles, Jane

  She took a seat beside Ramsey and poured herself some tea, unable to look either gentleman in the eye and politely asked after Juliet.

  “She is resting,” Ramsey answered. “Juliet and I have been discussing the situation.”

  Sabrina turned toward him thankful for a topic of conversation.

  “We don’t think it is necessary to wait to introduce you in the spring.”

  Mr. Parker leaned forward and looked at Ramsey.

  “I don’t understand.” Sabrina noted Parker’s interest.

  “If you were straight out of the school room, Sabrina, I would never consider the notion. But, Juliet insists and I have to agree.”

  “I am still not following you, Ramsey.”

  “A number of the families return to London in the fall, for the Little Season.”

  Sabrina nodded. She had heard reference to the Little Season before.

  “There are still balls, soirees, and dinners with so many in London, though not nearly as many,” Parker offered.

  “Not to mention the theater and musicals,” Ramsey added.

  “It sounds much like the season to me.” Sabrina asked, “What makes it so different?”

  “Everything is at a slower pace and not nearly the constant entertainments. Plus, the only young ladies likely to be present are those who had been introduced the earlier spring.”

  Sabrina simply nodded, not sure she really did understand the difference.

  “Given you will attain your majority in March, Juliet and I thought it silly to wait. Besides,” Ramsey continued, “Juliet wants to introduce you to some of her friends. She won’t have that opportunity when the Season officially begins.”

  “I agree,” Parker said. “Why should Sabrina miss all the fun for the next five months?”

  Her throat tightened and she tried to swallow past it. He probably wanted her married off as quickly as possible so she didn’t have any illusions about the kiss they shared. “If you are positive it is proper.” Sabrina hesitantly agreed.

  * * *

  Sabrina was grumbling to herself and pacing back and forth in the gazebo when Marius came upon her. If he used half the intelligence he had been gifted with, he would turn right around and leave. For the past few days he had done everything in his power to fight his desire to find Sabrina and kiss her senseless. To act on this need would only increase his growing frustration and possibly tempt him to proceed too far. Marius wasn’t sure he could stop with just kissing so he spent a good part of these last days in the Sandlin kitchen and avoiding Sabrina.

  In the past, cook had never minded his presence before. Today she actually kicked him out before he destroyed the evening meal by kneading the dough to death. It was the first time that this had ever happened to him.

  It was all because of a woman. Now, that very woman was before him, pacing back and forth, muttering to herself. Could he hope that she was as frustrated as he? Perhaps another kiss wasn’t such a poor idea. It might help relieve some of his own need, Marius lied to himself as he approached the object of his raging desire.

  Sabrina turned and saw him. Her frown deepened.

  Marius studied her as he stepped into the gazebo. What had gotten her so upset and why was she glaring at him? He nodded. “Sabrina.”

  Sabrina politely acknowledged his greeting before stepping around him. “If you will excuse me.”

  Why was she angry with him? Reaching out he gently grabbed her arm. “I would like a moment of your time.”

  Stopping at his side, she looked up at him. “Yes.”

  Marius stepped in front of her. “Why are you angry with me?”

  Sabrina gave him a short laugh. “I thought it was the other way around. I haven’t been the one to exit as soon as we found ourselves in a room together. I was simply going to save you the trouble and leave first.”

  So she had noticed he avoided being alone with her and was miffed. Marius tried to keep the smile away that tugged at his lips and took her reaction as a positive sign. “I’m sorry if I offended you. It was never my intention.”

  “It is clear my presence aggravates you.”

  The smile continued to pull at his lips. “I believe frustrates is more appropriate.” He no longer bothered to hide his smile.

  A gasp of outrage escaped her lips. “If that is how you feel, why don’t you simply leave? Nothing is keeping you here.”

  Her indignant anger was as attractive as her dimpled smiles. Marius took a step forward.

  Sabrina stepped back.

  Marius continued to advance while she continued to back away. What was she afraid he would do? “I can’t leave. My transportation back to London is the same as yours.”

  Sabrina’s eyes flew wide. The last thing she wanted to do was ride in a confining coach, all the way to London, with a man who admitted she frustrated him. She continued to back away, wishing she was close to the entrance when her back came against a beam.

  A triumphant smile came to Marius’s lips.

  “What do you want?”

  “I want to kiss you,” Marius answered beginning to lower his head.

  With a screech, Sabrina ducked and ran under his arm. Stepping back in panic with one hand on her chest and the other straight out in front of her to keep him away. “Oh, no, you don’t. You are not kissing me again.”

  Turning towards her, Marius watched her curiously. He could have sworn she had enjoyed the kissing as much as he. “Why not? I had thought what we shared was pleasurable.” He advanced on her again.

  Sabrina’s cheeks began to turn pink and she maneuvered from his advance. “Ever since you kissed me, you have avoided me until now. You even admit I aggravate you. I will not kiss you again.”

  He didn’t understand her panic, but enjoyed it just the same. “Frustrate.”

  “Fine. Frustrate.” Sabrina threw up her hands and backed away again.

  When Sabrina came up against another beam, Marius brought his arms up, ready to block her escape. Sabrina looked up at him with panicked eyes. If she was truly distressed about kissing him, Marius would have left her long ago. However, along with the distress in her eyes, he also read the longing as well. He also noted that she hadn’t denied that their kiss had been pleasurable. “Aggravation and frustration have two separate meanings.” Marius explained.

  “They were close enough. Both indicate that I irritate you.”

  Marius chuckled. “Someday, I’ll explain the differences, but for now.” Lowering his head, Marius placed his lips on Sabrina’s. He didn’t make the mistake of beginning with a chaste kiss. He wanted her to understand his unvoiced intentions.

  Sabrina remained rigid where she stood and clutched her skirts with her fisted hands. Her eyes remained open and she stared at the roof of the gazebo. Worse, she kept her lips pursed tight.

  He kissed her for a few moments, but when she didn’t soften towards him, Marius lifted his head to see what was wrong this time. He had never seen someone so intent on remaining unaffected before and had to fight not to laugh. If the internal fight had not been revealed in her eyes, Marius would have to believe she was unmoved by his attentions. “What is the matter, Sabrina? I know your kisses can be warmer.” He was trying not to let the humor he felt be heard in his voice.

  “Nothing is the matter. I am simply more prepared and am trying to behave like a lady.”

  “Does that mean your kisses last time were unladylike?”

  “Exactly. After a good deal of thought, I would say my behavior was wanton. Lady Davies had warned that could happen. So, I will not kiss like that again. You will no longer have any need to be aggravated with me.”

  “The word is frustrated, Sabrina.” Marius laughed at her misguided notions, though she had read the situation somewhat accurately, whether she realized it or not.

  Stiffening further, Sabrina looked him in the eye. “I am glad you can find the circumstances entertaining.” Sabrina turned and made her exit.

  Marius collapsed onto a bench
in the gazebo as he watched her walk away, with her skirts swinging suggestively in her wake. Soon, he found himself laughing at their conversation. “Yes, Sabrina. You are definitely frustrating, aggravating, and irritating.”

  * * *

  Sabrina, along with her cousin, Ramsey, his wife Juliet and Mr. Parker left the Sandlin estate as the sun rose in the east. Juliet had no desire to spend the night in an inn so they pushed forward, only stopping when absolutely necessary. Sabrina was in complete agreement, not wishing to prolong the trip.

  For the most part, Juliet dozed off and on while Marius and Ramsey engaged in conversation over various topics. Phoebe had loaned Sabrina Sense and Sensibility to finish, which she tried to concentrate on during the daylight hours. Unfortunately, Marius’s presence beside her made the plan next to impossible, and she used every effort she possessed to block him from her mind, or at least, ignore him.

  Each time she succeeded and became absorbed in the story, Marius would do something to remind her he was there. Once he yawned and stretched, bringing his arms across the back seat, resting one directly behind her. As soon as she was involved in the story once again, he brought his arms down. The day continued in that manner until it was too dark to read and she had given up. If he wasn’t stretching, he would move as if to find a more comfortable position, momentarily brushing her thigh with his own. All of the touches and gestures probably appeared innocent to Ramsey and his wife, if they were paying attention at all. A couple of times Sabrina had even shot Marius an irritated look, only to have him return an innocent one.

  Maybe all his movements were innocent and it hadn’t been his intention to distract her. Either way, by the time they were on the outskirts of London, Sabrina had finally admitted to herself it wouldn’t have mattered if he had sat perfectly still because his very presence was a distraction. Since he had tried to kiss her in the gazebo, Mr. Parker had been less short tempered, if not downright considerate. Sabrina didn’t know what to make of his sudden change in mood and, on numerous accounts wished he had found somewhere else to be.

  Perhaps with Parker away from her, she could deal with this new situation better. During the last few days in the country, though he had not tried to kiss her again, he often escorted her from the room, placing his hand, if only momentarily, on the small of her back. Other times, he held her hand just a bit too long. Maybe his actions were unconscious, and he had taken it to heart not to kiss her again. Sabrina’s problem was that she was too aware of his presence. It didn’t help that her skin tingled wherever he touched her. She just hoped it wouldn’t be this way with every gentleman she met or she would never make it through the next months with her sanity.

  Chapter 9

  “Mother,” Marius began. His voice broke, as if he were a lad of twelve again. This would not be easy and he felt no different than when he stood before her as a child, ready to confess, or admit something he knew would disappoint her.

  She looked up, a sweet smile on her lovely face, soft lines crinkled around her eyes, and Marius almost changed his mind. “Yes, dear?” She was straightening the greenery along the mantel in preparation for Christmas Eve. His older brother, sister-in-law, their children, along with aunts, uncles and various cousins had descended on the household just yesterday for the holiday festivities. Marius tried to enjoy their company but his mind was on Sabrina.

  He swallowed and clenched his fists. “You see, I, well . . . you see . . .”

  Her eyes sparkled with humor. “Well, what has you in such a dither, dear?

  “Well. . .” Marius stopped, cleared his throat and straightened. He was a man after all. “You see . . . there is a lady.”

  His mother straightened. “Go on, dear.”

  “You see, I would, well, I want to return to London, tonight, to see her on Christmas Eve.” He closed his eyes and waited. This was his mothers’ favorite holiday, and she always insisted everyone in the family be present. He knew that in a moment after she absorbed the enormity of what he just announced she would make clear her disappointment. There would be a tisk, a sad shake of her head, and she would tell him to do what he thought best, though her tone would be low, depressed. His shirt was damp with the waiting but all he received was complete and utter silence from his mother. He dared to open his eyes. She had sat in a chair next to the fire, the gentle smile back on her lips and an eyebrow lifted with intrigue.

  “You would rather miss Cook’s Christmas pudding for this lady?”

  Marius resisted the urge to tug at his cravat even though he was sure to suffocate shortly for the tight bind around his throat. “Yes, Mother.”

  “And the billiards?”

  He stood back, unaware she knew.

  She rolled her eyes and dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “Did you think I didn’t know you and your brother, and adult male cousins tend to get deep in your cups, making ridiculous bets around the billiard table after we have retired?”

  His face heated. Marius believed her ignorant of their annual gathering, fearful she would not approve. “Yes.”

  “Yes, you think I didn’t know or yes, you are willing to miss your billiard game?”

  Marius cleared his throat. “Yes, to both.”

  “And the name of this lady?” Both eyebrows rose with question but his mother didn’t exhibit even the slightest sign she was angry or upset.

  “Lady Sabrina Chester.”

  His mother pursed her lips in contemplation. “Is she related to your friend, Lord Chester?”

  “His cousin,” Marius dutifully answered.

  “And why haven’t I heard of her before? Surely she isn’t so young she hasn’t had a Season.”

  Marius almost choked on the idea. He barely tolerated the debutants that were old enough. “She is twenty, mother. And, she did not have the opportunity to travel to London.” It was best to spare his mother the details at the moment.

  “And you wish to see this lady, tonight, knowing how important Christmas Eve is to me?”

  Here it came, as soon as he uttered yes, her disappointment in him as a son would be evident, and he would feel like a heel. Not that he would remain home. His evening would just be dampened. “Yes, Mother.”

  A smile broke on her face, which completely confused Marius. “Please, go, with my blessing.”

  “But, I thought, well . . .,” he stammered.

  She approached Marius and placed a hand against his cheek. “Do you know how long I have waited for you to find someone you were taken with this much? I can only hope it leads to matrimony. You aren’t getting any younger, nor am I, and I want to see your children.”

  So, that was behind her unexpected acceptance. He shouldn’t be surprised. The woman had been trying to get him married off for the past five years.

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “Go, don’t keep this lady waiting.”

  Marius didn’t wait another moment more and bolted for the door. He had just enough time to ride to London, change his clothing and be on the Chester doorstep by early evening. He just hoped they were in attendance.

  * * *

  Sabrina folded the blankets and laid them on top of each other in the crate. She and Juliet had spent the last weeks mending them, as well as knitting scarves, when she wasn’t out shopping for new clothing. Sabrina much preferred knitting to being fitted for new gowns.

  “I have all of the scarves in this crate.” Juliet stood and brushed off her hands.

  She and Sabrina looked around the room, pleased with all they accomplished.

  “Lady Chester,” Thomas, the footman, interrupted, “Mr. Parker has come to call on Lady Sabrina.”

  At the mere mention of his name, her pulse increased and Sabrina wiped her hands against her gown, fearful they were perspiring already.

  “Please, send him in,” Juliet instructed when Sabrina failed to say anything.

  She certainly wasn’t expecting him tonight, of all nights. She assumed he would be with his family. It wasn’t as if she
saw him that much as it was. He only called a few times a week, yet those visits were lovely. He took her riding in the park or for a stroll. If the weather was not conducive to outdoor entertainment, he would sit with her in the parlor, discussing whatever came to mind. If she didn’t know better, she would think Mr. Parker was courting her. Though she wished it were true, she was afraid he was only being polite as he was one of the only three people in town that she knew. As Lord and Lady Sandlin would not arrive until after the New Year, it was decided that Sabrina wouldn’t be introduced or be taken into society until that time. She was comfortable not to endure the Little Season and believed with additional friends the few gathers they attended would not be so daunting.

  Mr. Parker stepped into the room, and Sabrina’s breath stopped for but a moment. Why did he have to be so handsome? His brown eyes were dark with warmth, a smile on his face. He nodded to both women, took a step forward and immediately fell over a crate in the middle of his path. If she didn’t fear he was hurt, Sabrina would have laughed. Never had she seen someone roll over a crate and land on his back the way Mr. Parker did. Now he just lay on the floor staring up and she ran to his side.

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Would you take care of me if I were?” His voice was low and silky. Butterflies beat their wings in her stomach.

  “I am sure I could find you a capable nurse.” She pulled away but his hand came up and clasped her arm.

  “I would have you tend me. I was injured in your house by a crate you left in the middle of the floor.”

  Sabrina suspected he was completely fine but went along. “It is my cousin’s house, and Juliet left the crate in the middle of the room.”

  “And I would certainly object to my wife taking care of you,” Ramsey’s voice bellowed from the door way.