Before she could continue, he was shaking his head. “You can conjure all the excuses you’d like, but it changes nothing. My decision has been made.”
Stunned by his arrogance, her jaw dropped. “Then, I have no choice?”
“You don’t. I intend to speak your brother as soon as I leave here. I think one month’s betrothal is fair. We shall wed and as we both currently live in London, I see no reason to change that.”
She crossed her arms. “It sounds like you have everything planned.”
“It’s the least I could do after putting you in this position in the first place.”
Ire arose within her. “Clearly your memory is faulty. I was the one who invited you to my bed, not the other way around. In a way, you can say I ruined myself. In addition, how dare you think I would even consider marriage to you when you can’t even offer me the courtesy of asking me?”
He moved toward her. “Is that what this is about? You refuse me because I’ve gone about this the wrong way?”
When he reached for her hand she pulled away. “No. I would refuse you regardless of your delivery. Know this, I don’t want to marry you, Simon. You can go along with your plan. Call the banns if you wish, but I will not be there.”
Fury darkened his eyes. “That’s where you are wrong. You will be there. I don’t know what you hope to gain by denying it, but you want me. Too many times I’ve seen your passion. I saw it last night as you danced with me.”
“Simply because I enjoy your company doesn’t mean I want to marry you. There’s a big difference between those two.”
He took a step forward, but she held her ground. “I daresay you feel a bit more for me than a simple enjoyment of my company. You enjoy my touch as well.”
Swallowing, she tried to remain unaffected as his hands slid up her arm. Unfortunately, her traitorous body refused to fight back. His low voice combined with his light touch and the soft look in his eyes, and she was lost.
In that instance, he transformed back into the Simon who had charmed her. The one who had made her question her previous decision against marriage. The one who she would have considered marrying. But, not any longer.
His lips captured hers, and she lost the ability to think. This weakness irritated her. How dare he try to coerce her? But, as his skilled lips moved over hers, she could do nothing but clutch onto him and return his kiss for all she was worth.
Memories of how he’d taken her against the wall of her studio had her body aching. How simple it would be for him to do so again. Dear God, she wanted him. Surely marriage to him wouldn’t be so bad. Especially if that meant she would be able to have him whenever she chose. That thought had her pushing at his chest.
“I know what you are trying to do,” she exclaimed through heaving breaths. “But, it won’t work.”
“What am I doing?” His feigned ignorance only irritated her further.
Frustrated, she shoved at his chest again, happy when he staggered back a step. He was using her desire against her on purpose, and she didn’t like it. Nor would she let him get away with it. This was unacceptable.
“Tell me. How many women have shared your bed?”
His eyes narrowed. “What? Why would you ask something like that?”
She glared at him. “Just answer my question.”
Clearly agitated by the inquiry, he rubbed a hand across his jaw. “I don’t think you really want to know the answer to that.”
Honestly, she didn’t. “In any case, I think it’s safe to say the number is higher than one. So, for those other women, I assume you desired them, just as I desire you. And, how many of them have you proposed marriage to?”
“That’s different. This—”
“No. It’s the same.” She lifted her chin, defying him to refute what she knew to be the truth.
He let out a heavy sigh. “Very well. I’ll concede on that point, but this isn’t over. As I said before, I have questions for you.”
Relieved that they were moving from the topic of marriage, she relaxed her shoulders. “Then, I give you leave to ask me.”
“If not to wed, why have you decided to return to your former life?”
Not seeing a reason to keep the truth from him, she returned to her seat, waiting as he did the same. “It’s at the request of my mother. She felt she was not there for me during my season, so she’s trying to make up for it now.”
“I see. What will happen to all your clients while you are redoing a season in which you have no intention of finding a husband?”
“All of them will be transferred to other instructors.”
He nodded. “And, you think I would be amenable to that? To what? Have Lady Regina take over for me?”
She shrugged. “In the end, it’s your choice. I understand you have already decided on two ladies for the position of your wife. Ask one, and be done with it.”
“Then, I suppose I can accept this as the last lesson from you and conclude my services with the House of Reform?”
“As you wish.”
“I have one last question for you, Kaylee.”
She lifted an eyebrow, wondering why he didn’t just get it over with. “Yes?”
“Will you marry me?”
Irritated beyond measure, she burst from her chair and headed for the door. She was done with this conversation. Clearly the man had an overabundant sense of duty. She would have to break him of that.
When she reached the door, she turned back to look at him. He appeared shocked, but also a little dejected. Good. He needed to understand she was serious.
“To answer your question, my lord. No. I won’t marry you.”
Chapter 8
Simon threw back his glass, having lost count how many he had imbibed prior to this one. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. Regardless of how many he swallowed, he couldn’t dull the vision of Kaylee’s face as she declared that she wouldn’t marry him. He’d never been so thoroughly rejected in his life.
“Another round?” Anson appeared oblivious to the acute pain slicing through Simon’s chest at present.
“Why not?” Simon slammed his glass back on the table and allowed his friend to pour him another. It was strange being on the other side of the situation. Usually he was the one pouring drinks while trying to limit his friend’s intake. The trouble tonight being no one was monitoring them.
“I’m so glad you came to get me tonight. Miranda was driving me to distraction. I just don’t know why women do that. You know women. Can you tell me why?”
Simon laughed, but ended up in a coughing fit. “That’s no longer the case, my friend. I always thought I knew them, but I never did. I know their bodies, that’s it. They are simple enough to read, but their minds are different entities. Did you know they can even override what their bodies tell them?”
“And, they are such nice bodies.” Anson’s slurred voice and glazed eyes indicated his thoughts were otherwise engaged.
Shaking his head, Simon tried to block out the thought of Kaylee. “You never told me how you finally got Miranda to agree to marry you. I spoke to her on your behalf, and it didn’t go over very well. Then, you waltz over there and the next thing I hear, you are betrothed.”
Anson chuckled then lifted his glass to look into the amber liquid as if all the answers were floating inside. “It was the damnedest thing. I think she just wanted to know that I wanted her. That was it.”
That was not exactly what Simon had been hoping for. Kaylee knew he wanted her. He’d proven his desire time and time again. In addition, his proposal alone should be enough to show his interest. Where did that leave him?
“I need to marry, Anson. Do you not have any better advice for me?”
His friend’s dark eyes studied him. “First, I think you need to make dam
n sure you are positive about this. If you still are ready to go forward, you must ensure that you have the right woman.”
Allowing every memory he held of Kaylee to flood his mind, he pictured his life with her. It was easy to see her in the position of his wife. She fit seamlessly into every aspect of his daily routine. They would be happy in London, enjoying the fast-paced life he currently had. In addition, he could see them in the country leisurely taking it one day at a time. Nothing they did together would be wrong.
“And, then? How do I win her over?” Desperation crept into his voice.
Anson laughed. “You court her and ask her. And, most important, don’t give up. When she realizes you won’t leave, then you have a fighting chance.”
That thought was more depressing than helpful. So, the best he could hope for was that Kaylee would get tired of him asking and eventually give in. He shot back another drink. In the end, he supposed he would take the advice. If that was the only way to have Kaylee, it would have to be enough.
Early the next morning, Simon groaned at the grating sound of his sisters’ voices. Their appearance was not what he needed this morning. He hadn’t had a chance to recover from last night, and wasn’t ready for them at present.
“Please, Simon. You never let us have anything,” Gina used her most wheedling voice.
“Probably because he doesn’t love us,” Wendy chimed in. “No doubt if we’d been boys he would buy us anything we wanted.”
The indomitable voices continued, but Simon did his best to ignore them. They had used this routine on him far too many times for it to be effective any longer. Besides, his headache was prominent enough that the pounding could block out a significant amount of noise today.
Now, he could admit that last night he and Anson had shared way more alcohol than he should have allowed. In the end, he couldn’t quite remember the majority of the evening, but it was probably for the best. He just wished his lapse in memory could have encompassed the conversation he’d shared with Kaylee earlier in the day as well.
Her absolute refusal to consider marriage to him bothered him more than he cared to admit. When he’d gone sulking to Anson’s townhouse, he had decided to give up. However, one good thing had come from last night. He recalled Anson’s advice and he was not going to give up on Kaylee. After all, he was far from done with her. She simply needed to see the benefits of being the Viscountess Washburne.
“Simon, are you listening to us?” Wendy’s lower lip stuck out in the pout she’d done since she was a baby. At sixteen, he had hoped she would have grown out of such things, but she hadn’t.
“Truthfully, no. I’m not.” He looked into both sets of shocked eyes and tried not to laugh.
Gina let out an unladylike snort. “Don’t be daft. I know you were listening. And, you know as well as we do that we need new hats. Lana should be the one to take us, but that horrid Weston is ruining everything.”
The sound of his cousin’s name caught his attention. Lana had been very reluctant to speak of their relationship, and if he were being honest with himself, he’d been too busy with his own interests to delve into Lana’s personal relationship with Weston.
“How is he ruining everything? I understood he was a decent fellow. So much better than we’ve been led to believe.”
Wendy groaned. “He’s always hanging around. And, Lana listens to every word he says. I think she was going to go with us to the milliner’s, but that man said we didn’t need new hats, and she agreed with him. Can you believe the nerve of him?”
“Did she seem upset by his decision?” Simon wouldn’t stand for anyone, even their cousin, to browbeat his sisters into accepting his view of things.
“That’s the worst part,” Gina added, horrified. “She actually smiled at him. How could she do such a thing?”
Relieved, Simon leaned back in his chair. Well, at least one aspect of his life decided to fall into place. He had no idea what horrors would befall him during Gina or Wendy’s seasons, but at least Lana would be settled.
“So, what do you think?” Wendy demanded.
“About what?”
Gina let out an exaggerated breath. “The milliner, Simon. Are you taking us or would you rather we purchase the most extravagant hat available and charge your account?”
The throbbing in his head returned. It had been a long time since he had visited the milliner. The last time he’d purchased a hat it had been for Kaylee. He had selected the one she had mentioned a desire for, but she hadn’t wanted to use the funds on something so expensive. He’d never forget how she’d reacted to receiving that hat. The very thought of that night brought an ache inside him.
Kaylee was very fond of hats. Perhaps that was the way to win her over. And, his sisters certainly knew the latest fashions and styles. They would certainly prove to be helpful in this endeavor.
“I believe you two girls are correct. You both need new hats. Why don’t you collect your belongings? We shall leave at once.”
After a round of squeals, they hurried from his study in search of their coats. He certainly couldn’t let them know about the third hat, but he wouldn’t leave there without placing an order for Kaylee. Although it would take a lot more than a hat to sway her to his side, it was definitely a beginning.
~ ~ ~
“I’m telling you, Kaylee, I married a man with two completely different personalities. One minute he’s attentive and loving, and I begin to believe that he does harbor such feelings for me, then in the next instant, he is gone.”
Kaylee focused her attention on her friend. Miranda had the tendency to become a little dramatic, and this was no exception. “I think you are exaggerating.”
“I assure you, it’s the truth. I’ve arrived to the point where I have to keep myself emotionless until I discover which person he is going to be in that instance. But, still, I can’t ever let my guard down because that may change.”
That didn’t sound good. Kaylee always thought marriage was supposed to be the end of the trouble with men, clearly it was not. The whole lot of them were problematic from beginning to end. But, she hated to believe that of the marquis.
“There has to be a reason for it. I saw the two of you together on those first days. He seemed to be as taken with you as you were with him.”
Misery crept into her friend’s eyes. “Looks can be deceiving. Besides, too much has happened to make those days even relevant.”
Kaylee couldn’t stand seeing her friend like this. The majority of their relationship, she’d been the strong one who helped her friend. It was time to put aside her own issues and do so again.
Scanning around her beloved studio, the thought that she would soon be leaving it made her sad. She couldn’t believe she’d allowed Amelia to talk her into moving back in with her brother. In the end, she had relented because the girl had been right, but it didn’t make her happy about it.
As she continued searching for the right thing to say, she spied a blank canvas. Yes. That was it. She had always expressed herself better through her work, anyway.
“Hand me the blue. This talk is making me depressed,” Kaylee requested as she hauled out the blank canvas and set it up in place of the Hyde Park scene she’d been working on.
As soon as Miranda handed her the tin, she dunked her brush in it as unceremoniously as possible, uncaring as the paint overflowed and dripped on the floor. She had a point to make, after all.
Allowing her hands to randomly flow across the canvas, she made swirls and valleys at different depths and levels of paint. She took care to spread the color as unevenly as possible.
“Sometimes I feel like this. A swirling of confusing, emotional sadness. But, this painting is rather plain don’t you think?”
The relevance of this painting to her current life was not lost on her. Simon had t
urned her into this with his ridiculous proposal, but she would not allow that to get her down. Would not allow him to ruin her time with her friend.
“Of course, it needs something else.” The confused look combined with Miranda’s shrug proved she had no idea what Kaylee was talking about.
Desperate to get her point across, Kaylee pointed the brush at her friend, trying to ignore the blue spattering on the floor. “Exactly. Something else. We all need it. Especially when we are so blue. But, what do you give it?”
“Another color?” Excitement rose in Miranda’s tone.
Kaylee smiled, feeling as though she were getting through. “Perfect. Hand me the sunny yellow. After all, everyone wants happiness, right?”
As she repeated the motions as she’d done with the blue, the points where she’d left more paint mixed with the yellow, creating a green. Once it mixed on the brush, the majority of the paint began to change from blue to green. Kaylee took care to move the brush in a similar pattern as she had done before to achieve the maximum effect.
“I suppose that doesn’t work, now does it?”
“No. You can’t force happiness on yourself or anyone else for that matter. The blue just gets greedy, eating up every bit of the joy in the yellow. But, wait.” Kaylee took the tin and brush and spattered globs of yellow paint around so that it would hold up to the green and not mix. “The sun will always find a way to shine through if you handle it in the correct way.”
“So, you are saying I can’t force Anson love me.” Miranda’s tone was dry.
“Yes and no. You see, if you handle it properly, you will be able to paint the entire canvas yellow, even while the paint is blue and still wet. However, it’s not an easy feat and not every canvas can handle that much paint. But, it doesn’t have to only be one color. You can still make him happy, and yourself as well, if you try.”
“How?” Misery shown on Miranda’s face and seeped through her words.
To Tame a Viscount (Reformed Rakes Book 2) Page 10