Frances stared at him. Was that true? She searched her memory for the bits of gossip she’d heard about Lord Kendall. Yes, his brother had died. But she hadn’t been out in Society then and hadn’t known much about the man. The only Lord Kendall she’d known of was the current one and he had always been linked to the Employment Bill. But it stood to reason that the bill had been around before Lucas had taken up the earldom.
“The truth is,” Lord Bellingham continued, “you’re the one who was able to show him how wrong he’d been about the law, Miss Wharton.”
The man could have knocked her over with a piece of parchment. “Did he tell you that?”
“I’m not at liberty to say, but if there’s one thing I know it’s that the world is not black and white. There are many shades of gray, Miss Wharton, and if you had let Kendall explain why he did something as seemingly insane as pretend to be a footman at a house party, you just might begin to see the gray.”
She furrowed her brow. Now the man was speaking in riddles. “What gray?”
“Kendall wanted to find a lady who was kind to servants, who thought about others, and who loved him for himself. He found that in you.”
“He didn’t have to lie to me.”
“No, but think about what happened from his perspective. He only intended to serve dinner. To see which young ladies he might want to meet later. He never expected a young lady to catch his attention so thoroughly by asking him to look out into the hall for her. Then he saw her again the next day while trying to do his chores in the library. They struck up a conversation and he began to look forward to talking to the young lady.”
Frances shook her head. Tears blurred her vision.
“He began to realize he’d found the young lady he was looking for,” Lord Bellingham continued. “Only how exactly does one admit that one has been pretending to be a footman?”
Frances sat blinking at the marquess for several seconds. Before Lord Bellingham had entered this room, she would have told anyone who’d listen that she wouldn’t forgive Lord Kendall until her dying breath, but now she was actually beginning to question herself. “You’re confusing me, Lord Bellingham. I can no longer decide if I’m right or if I’m being petty and merciless.”
Lord Bellingham steepled his fingers together in front of his chest. “Have you ever made a mistake, Miss Wharton? One you wished with every bone inside your body that you hadn’t made?”
Frances blinked at him again. She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Lord Bellingham let his head fall back against the chair cushion. “You’re fortunate then. Because I have, and let me tell you, there’s not a day that goes by that regret is not my constant companion.”
“That sounds awful,” she breathed, staring out into the gardens again.
“It is. Take it from me. The moment you make the decision you’ll regret for eternity can also feel very much like being perfectly right.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Lucas sat at the desk in his second-floor bedchamber at Clayton’s estate. He had just finished writing the final letter to the last of the members of the House of Lords asking him to reconsider his vote for the Employment Bill. He’d also written a letter to the Chancellor, asking him to stop the vote. He was sending all the letters out by courier at his own expense so they would get to London as quickly as possible.
Lucas intended to return to London immediately as well. He hoped to beat the storm that was gathering outside. He would have to tell his mother his decision about the law. She wouldn’t like it, but he didn’t care. He was through trying to live his dead brother’s life. From now on, he was going to be himself, make his own decisions, and the devil take the consequences.
A knock at his bedchamber door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he called, already annoyed. No doubt it was Bell come to blather on with more unwanted advice. The man could be a complete nuisance when he wanted to be.
He heard the door open slowly behind him.
“If you’re here to tell me some more drivel about how I’m a quitter I don’t want to hear it,” he said brusquely without turning around.
“What did you quit?”
Lucas’s heart stopped beating. He swiveled quickly in his seat to see Frances take a small step inside the room. She was wearing an ice-blue gown with silver trim. Her dark hair was swept up in a chignon and she’d never looked more lovely.
He swiftly stood. He couldn’t believe it was her, standing there, looking gorgeous and actually talking to him. “I…I thought you were someone else.”
“Who?” she asked. Was it his imagination or was a slight smile riding her lips?
“One of my idiotic friends,” Lucas replied, rubbing a palm across the back of his neck. He was half-mad with worry. If he said the wrong thing she might leave.
“Lord Bellingham, perhaps?” she asked next, primly folding her hands together in front of her.
Lucas narrowed his eyes on her. “You know Bell?”
“I do now,” she replied with a slight laugh. “Are you…alone?” she asked next.
All Lucas could do was nod. If he took a step toward her, he feared she would disappear like an apparition he’d conjured from his imagination.
“No one saw me come here,” she said, shutting the door behind her. She took one more small step forward. “At least I didn’t see anyone in the corridor.”
Another nod. He felt like a damn fool, but for the second time in his life, he was completely tongue-tied. She did that to him.
“I wanted to…speak with you,” she began, biting her lip.
Lucas allowed himself to take two tentative steps toward her. He reached a hand toward her, wanting to do nothing more than grab her up in his arms and spin her around. “Frances, I—” He swallowed. No. He needed to listen to her for once and stop trying to explain himself. “What did you want to say?”
She tossed back her head and lifted her chin. A gleam of determination shone in her eyes. “I…came to ask if…your offer still stands.”
Lucas’s heart thudded in his throat. His pulse raced. “My offer?” He had to be certain of what she meant. He couldn’t risk raising his hopes only to have them dashed again.
“Yes.” She nodded, not looking away from his gaze. “A wise man came to visit me. He told me I should reconsider before I undermined myself.”
“Bell?” he breathed, closing his eyes. By God, he would give Bell his entire fortune, his estate, anything the man wanted.
“Yes. However, he had to admit he wasn’t just Lord Copperpot’s valet.” She arched a brow.
“He’s pretending to be a valet,” Lucas offered.
“So I gathered. Apparently, it’s a popular game for the noblemen of the ton of late.” She arched a brow.
“Frances, I—”
She lifted a hand to stop him. “So? Does your offer still stand or not?”
Relief swamped Lucas’s body. It was as if a dam had broken and pure joy released into his blood. He closed his eyes. “Yes,” he breathed. “My offer still stands. Always.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t have a dowry, you know?”
He shook his head. “Darling, I’d pay you to marry me.”
She laughed, but quickly clapped her hand over her mouth. “You may have to depending on what my mother says. I’ve no idea how much Sir Reginald offered them.”
“I’ll pay triple what he offered. I’ll—”
“Not so quickly,” she said, her tone matter of fact. “I do have some questions for you first.”
He searched her face and nodded. “Ask me anything.”
Frances folded her arms across her chest and stepped forward until she was able to walk around him in a circle. This interrogation would be anything but simple. And he deserved it. Every single word.
“Did you think about telling me?” she asked. “Before that day in the drawing room, I mean.”
Lucas wanted to reach for her so badly his hand trembled, but
he understood these answers were important to her and he owed her the truth. He clenched his hands into fists to keep them at his sides. “I thought about it nearly every day. I hated myself for lying to you. But then you told me how much you detested Lord Kendall and I…was frightened that I would lose you.”
She stopped circling for a moment. Her skirts swished against her ankles. “I didn’t think about that. I did tell you I detested Lord Kendall, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but I still should have told you,” he continued, turning his head to look at her. “I never should have allowed it to go on for so long. I have no excuse other than…I loved spending time with you. Loved talking to you. Loved—”
“Kissing me?” she offered, quirking a brow, her arms still crossed.
He tugged at his lower lip with his teeth. “Yes, that too. Very much.”
She resumed her circling. “Didn’t you think I was a fool when I told you how much I hated noblemen?”
“No.” He smiled at her and shook his head. “I thought you were magnificent and honest. And unique. How many ladies would say something like that?”
“I thought I was talking to a footman,” she replied, her tone stern.
“That might be true, but you are magnificent and honest, Frances. You’re also unique.”
She resumed her steps. “What about the time I said gentlemen of the Quality were the most boring lot of overbred stuffed shirts you could imagine?”
Lucas shrugged. “I couldn’t argue with you, and I came to believe you were correct. I only hoped you didn’t find me to be an overbred stuffed shirt.”
She tapped one fingertip along her jaw. “And when I said the talk at ton events was boring?”
“I agreed with you.” He held out one palm. “Why do you think we never met during the Season? I loathe that endless round of meaningless social events.”
She came to a stop directly in front of him and eyed him carefully. “You didn’t think I was foolish?”
“Never,” he breathed. “But it wasn’t just those things you said, Frances. It was much more. I like to talk to people about the things that really matter, too. You made me see how wrong I’ve been on half a score of issues.”
Her brows shot up. “For example?”
“Well, I intend to revoke the Employment Bill and write a new proposal, one for a bill that repeals the worst of the trade laws and provides more safety and rights for servants and the working classes.”
A huge smile spread across her face. “Truly?”
“Truly.” He nodded.
She clasped her hands together at her side. “Oh, Lucas. I do think that’s an excellent idea.”
He couldn’t stop himself any longer. He reached for her elbow and gently encircled it with his hand, caressing her skin just above where her glove ended. “I have you to thank for it, Frances. Will you help me write it?”
She stopped and stared him in the eye, her lips forming a small O. “Are you quite serious? There’s nothing I would like more.”
He laughed and pulled her into his arms, hugging her close before lifting her up and spinning her around. When he sat her back down, he said, “I thought you might say that. With both of us working on it, it’s certain to be the best law in the land. Though I sincerely doubt we’ll win Sir Reginald’s vote.”
She laughed. “That’s a risk I’m quite willing to take.”
“Me too.”
Frances stared up into his eyes, a pensive look on her face. “There’s one more thing I wanted to ask you.”
He placed the back of his fingers along her cheek and gently stroked her skin. “What’s that, my darling?”
“Do you love me, Lucas? I mean…Ken—”
He rubbed her shoulders. “I am Lucas. I always was the man you fell in love with. And yes, I love you madly.”
“I’m awfully glad to hear that.” She gave him a pretty smile. “I love you too.”
He lowered his to look into her eyes. “Does this mean…you’ll marry me?” His words were tentative. By God, she hadn’t said yes yet.
“It depends,” Frances replied, batting her eyelashes at him.
“On what?” He held his breath. His chest felt so tight he thought it might burst.
“On whether you ask me again. I was a bit preoccupied that last time.”
He expelled his pent-up breath in a heated rush and pulled her against his chest, pressing his cheek against hers as he whispered in her ear, “Frances Regina Thurgood Wharton, I love you more than words could ever say.” He dropped to his knee in front of her, clasping her hands with his. “Will you please, please say you’ll marry me?”
Her eyes filled with tears. She nodded. “Yes, Lord Kendall. I’ll marry you.”
He jumped up and pulled her tight again, then lowered his head and kissed her as if he would never let her go.
Moments later, he pulled his lips from hers and declared, “I’m going to make you the happiest countess in the land.”
“I intend to hold you to that promise,” she replied, laughing.
He spun around in a circle, energy coursing through his veins. “I want to shout our engagement announcement to the rooftop!” He squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss the back of her glove. “Should we go tell your parents right away?”
She shook her head. “Not quite yet. I think there’s something else we should do first.”
He searched her face. “What is it, my love?”
Her cheeks flamed. She cleared her throat and glanced away, plucking at each of her fingers. “I…suggest you…ravish me…just in case Mama objects to the engagement.”
He frowned. “You think she’ll object?”
“Let’s see, me marrying one of the most eligible men in the ton? I’m certain I can talk her into it, but I can’t say that being ravished doesn’t hold its own appeal.”
He arched a brow and allowed a wide grin to spread across his face. “Your wish is my command, my lady.”
* * *
When Lucas pulled her into his arms and kissed her once more, a shiver made its way down Frances’s spine. She’d been slightly worried that he wouldn’t do this. She thought perhaps he would insist upon doing the noble thing and refuse, but instead, he pulled her close and kissed her. Then he scooped her up into his arms and made his way over to the giant bed. He laid her carefully atop the mattress and then left her momentarily while he went to lock the bedchamber door.
As he returned to the bed, his gaze caught hers. He untied his cravat and another shudder went through her body. She was about to see him completely naked and there was nothing she wanted more. She sat up on the bed and pulled off both of her gloves, then kicked off both slippers. Next, she began plucking hair pins from her head. Unlike the gloves, which ended up on the floor, she laid the pins carefully on the bedside table. She would need those later if she ever hoped to leave this room with a modicum of dignity.
Grinning, Lucas sat on the edge of the bed. While he pulled off first one boot and then the other, Frances didn’t remain idle. She slid across the mattress until she was on her knees behind him. He’d already discarded his cravat and as he began unbuttoning his shirt, she wrapped her arms around him from behind and gently bit his earlobe as he had done to her once in the library. She slipped her tongue along the crevice of his ear. His powerful body trembled. She reveled in the feeling of power. To make this strong, capable man tremble was a heady sensation, indeed.
She helped him pull his shirt over his head. He tossed the garment on the floor before he turned toward her again and slowly pushed her back onto the bed. He was naked from the waist up, with only his breeches on. He kissed her again, deeply, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Soon, he pulled away from her and she let her eyes wander over his broad chest with its smattering of dark hair, and his muscled abdomen.
“What do you think?” he asked, nuzzling her collarbone.
“I think you’re magnificent,” she breathed.
His hands had traveled
behind her back and were steadily undoing the long row of buttons on her gown. When they finally were free, she sat up and helped him pull the gown over her head. It, too, met the floor with haste and she was clad only in her stockings and shift.
“I’ve never done this before so I’m not entirely certain how to proceed,” she admitted, her cheeks burning. She felt it best to be honest even if it made her feel like a ninny.
“Don’t worry,” he said, biting his bottom lip in a way that made her want to kiss him again. “I have and I do.”
“Good then,” she said, nodding like a complete fool.
But when he kissed her again, lowering her onto her back once more before moving down her body to caress her breast through her shift with first his fingers, then his tongue, she was mindless. She moved against him, her hips rocking of their own accord.
“What would you have me do next, my lady?” he asked in a husky tone.
She lifted her head and looked down at him through lust-fogged eyes. “Is that Lucas, the footman, talking?”
He gave her a roguish smile that made her squirm. “Your wish is my command.”
A hundred thoughts raced through her mind, each one more tantalizing than the last one. He was at her service…in bed? What could possibly be better? She searched for the perfect response and finally breathed, “Pleasure me.”
His eyes flared and he inclined his head toward her, the roguish smile still on his lips. “As you wish.”
Frances sucked in her breath. Truthfully, she had little idea what she’d meant by ‘pleasure me.’ She’d once read something along those lines in a book she probably shouldn’t have been reading. It seemed like the appropriate thing to say to one’s lover while in bed. She only hoped he knew what it meant. Fortunately, he hadn’t hesitated or given her a strange look or anything, so she was fairly certain he knew what to do next.
Moments later, Lucas shifted his weight farther down her body. She had scant idea what he was planning to do until she felt her shift moving up along her thighs. His handsome face was hovering just above the juncture between her legs. He couldn’t possibly mean to—
The Footman and I: The Footmen’s Club Trilogy Page 21