“Simon, please. Listen—”
“My answer is no.”
She could swear the cracking in her chest was audible in the small room. The sad thing was, she’d known this was a distinct possibility. She’d just hoped it wouldn’t happen this way. If only he’d listen to her.
“Is there nothing I can do to persuade you?”
~ ~ ~
The misery in Kaylee’s voice nearly broke Simon into more pieces than he could handle. This whole conversation was already more than he could bear, but this was too much. She was killing him.
He gave a bitter laugh. “How can you ask that? The mere thought of marrying me has thrown you in great sorrow.”
She shook her head vehemently as she took a step closer to him. “That’s not why I was crying. I’ve been betrayed by the ones I love. Simon, I’m offering you a marriage of convenience to help me escape my situation and allow you to meet your father’s guidelines. That is all.”
How could he believe her after what he’d seen from her? He felt much too raw to handle this. When he’d arrived, he’d come with every intention of proposing marriage to her, a real marriage. Not one of convenience. This just didn’t sit right with him.
“Why me? You have refused my suit in the past. Have your ideas about me changed so drastically these months?”
She let out a deep breath. “I have come to you because you are my friend, and I trust you. Besides, as I said, you will benefit as much as I will. And, I refused you because I knew you only proposed out of obligation. I didn’t want that. This is different.”
Crossing his arms, he studied her. “Somehow I think this is much worse.”
“That’s another benefit of our arrangement. It doesn’t have to be forever. I simply need a husband now, and you need a wife in four months. For good measure, I would recommend our union last for six months.”
His mouth fell open. “What are you saying?”
“After the term, you can turn my dowry over to me, and we can get an annulment. I can live in the country during our marriage so we are not questioned at the end of the six months.”
Simon was shaking his head before she finished her vile plan. “Absolutely not. If you want a marriage of convenience, then it damned well better be convenient. I’ll have a real wife. In my house. In my bed. That’s not negotiable.”
With a shrug, she brushed off his concern. The more they talked about this, her sorrow seemed to dissipate. She must have been telling the truth about her tears. Clearly the idea of marrying him and sharing his bed didn’t seem to bother her.
He let out a growl. It damned well shouldn’t bother her. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to happen. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, he studied Kaylee’s face. She looked terrified, yet hopeful. He would do anything to help her, and just as much to have her, so fighting was getting him nowhere. In the end, he knew he would relent.
“What do you say, Simon?”
“No time period. I’ll not have a date looming over my head just like I have at the moment.”
Panic flooded her eyes. “That’s not a good idea. I can’t agree to that. I need someone who is willing to be temporary.”
He clenched his fists. “You only have me, and we are negotiating, remember?”
“And, I’ve already given in. You have me in your bed, and I’ll have the stain of divorce, not an annulment. Where are you going to give?”
“The divorce is your choice, not mine.”
She shrugged. “That’s one point I must have. I will, however, give you more time if you don’t feel six months is sufficient. But, don’t get carried away, for the scandal to be less condemning, it’ll have to be less than a year.”
“Fine. One year.” Simon crossed his arms.
The sigh she let out was long-suffering. “Nine months.”
“You win. I’ll give you your nine months, but they better be the best of my life. I expect you to act like my wife in every way. And, at the end, if you wish to remain married to me, you are mine forever. No more talk about ending it.”
The disbelieving smile she shot him challenged him. “Very well. Do you have any other requirements?”
He shook his head. “Not that I can think of. I simply need to contact my solicitor to make sure a divorce won’t refute my claim. I’ll have to make covert inquiries, of course.”
“Good. I do have one other rather small matter.”
“You sure ask for a lot. I’m beginning to wonder if this arrangement will be convenient at all.”
In a very uncharacteristic move, she wrung her hands. “This is a very simple request. My mother seems to think my husband will provide for her future.”
Lifting his hand, he nodded. “Say no more. I will provide for the woman. Regardless of our supposed divorce.”
Kaylee shook her head vehemently. “You misunderstand. I do not want this to happen. I don’t want my mother or brother to profit in any way from our union.”
Seeing the heat in her eyes, Simon understood. They had been the ones to betray her. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. It was more painful to have the people who were supposed to help you be the ones to do something so terrible.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
Although sad that she didn’t feel the desire to confide in him, he respected her wishes. “I understand. I will be there when you’re ready. I believe I should leave you now, so I can see to the arrangements. You will receive word from me if all is well. Then, we can make our way to Gretna Green.”
“Thank you, Simon.”
The look of gratitude on her face followed him for the remainder of the day. And, after receiving all the necessary assurances, he made his way back home. Once depositing his cloak, he found a missive from Anson. Apparently his friend had decided to take his wife back to the country. He took the news with mixed emotions. He would miss his friend, but at least he wouldn’t be forced to explain his current situation to him.
Simon arranged for his luggage to be packed for a week’s long trip, then he went to his study and hastily poured himself a much-needed brandy. The liquid set fire to his throat in a pleasant way. Even after everything that had occurred, the reality of the situation didn’t fully sink in. A few days from now, he would be married to Kaylee, the only woman who stirred anything inside him.
Dropping into his chair, he ran his hands over his face. This should be the happiest day of his life, but it wasn’t. The damned convenience of it ruined everything. He fully understood what Anson was going through. Keeping Kaylee would be so much more difficult than having her agree to marry him. Strangely enough, just as Anson had said, that had been the easy part.
“I thought I heard you had returned.” Weston entered the study without knocking. “May I join you?”
“Of course.” Simon poured his cousin a brandy and refilled his own. “I have news I’d like to share with you, in any case.”
Weston took the glass with an appreciative grin. “Is that so?”
“Yes. I am leaving tomorrow to go to Gretna Green. In a few days I will be married to a lady who meets all my father’s requirements. Then, you shall be free to pursue my sister at your pleasure.”
The look of shock on his cousin’s face was insulting. “It isn’t that I’m surprised you found an agreeable woman, but this is definitely a change from what you previously claimed you wanted. What has happened?”
Swirling his brandy in the glass, Simon realized he had lost the desire for the drink. “Quite a bit, actually. Strictly between the two of us, the lady isn’t sure how long she wishes to be remain my viscountess, but for the time being, she shall be my wife.”
Weston set his glass down, hard. “Will breaking the union violate your father’s will? I don’t believ
e Lana would handle that well.”
“No. I was careful in my questions, but my father didn’t consider a temporary marriage as a possibility. In truth, neither did I.”
“Is that really what you want to do? It doesn’t sound like a wise move to me?” Concern laced Weston’s voice.
Simon laughed, but there was no mirth in his body. “Absolutely not. However, this is the only way I could convince her to marry me.”
The two men sat there in silent contemplation for a while.
“Very well.” Weston said. “Lana and I will not pursue our relationship until you’re happily wed. Of course I won’t tell her of your arrangement, but you will have her help regardless.”
After the man left, Simon sat there staring after him dumbfounded. He wanted to refuse, but he worried that he would need all the help he could get.
Chapter 13
Kaylee stared out at the fields of Scottish heather wondering how her life had taken such a drastic turn. A few short days ago she’d left her brother’s house without so much as a note, and then traveled to Gretna Green with Simon.
The journey had been long as she’d been too lost in her thoughts to handle much more than small talk with Simon. Eventually he’d given up and kept to his own counsel the remainder of the journey. In addition, his true thoughtfulness had been evident when he’d insisted upon two rooms each time they needed to stop. It hadn’t been a discussion and the small comfort had been something she’d needed.
But, now she was his wife, at least for the next nine months. She suspected there would be no more separate rooms and certainly no more privacy from him. It wasn’t that she didn’t desire him, but the idea of taking him to bed as her husband seemed so much more intimate than before. That was something she wanted to avoid.
“Are you well, Lady Washburne?”
The sound of her new title on Simon’s lips brought both a tingle of excitement and trepidation up her spine.
“Why do you ask?” She cringed at the squeaking in her voice.
“You look troubled.” He walked toward her. “Do you regret the decision to marry me? It’s been less than an hour and you have tired of me already. Perhaps I’m not charming enough.”
She forced a smile at his attempt at levity. “I suppose that’s to be your cross to bear.”
He slid his hands up her arms and she felt his warmth even through the fabric of her coat. “Are you thinking about them?”
Although she wanted to deny it, she let out a sigh. “How can I not? They are likely worried sick. My actions were selfish and I wish I could go back and at least tell them where I’d gone. They deserve at least that much.”
Silence fell between them and when she turned and peered into Simon’s eyes, she read his guilt. She should be furious with his decision to do something like that without seeing her approval first, but she could only feel gratitude.
“I know I should have told you, but I wrote to your brother. Considering I took from him the ability to grant his consent, I decided the least I could do was notify him about it.”
She nodded. “In the future, I request you consult me before contacting my family, but in this instance, I thank you.”
“Would you like to talk about it now?” His words were soft, but she could hear unease in his voice.
“About what?” Feeling cautious, she moved out of his grasp.
“You were quite adamant about your mother. I simply thought it would help for you to talk about what occurred between the two of you.”
That was a subject she certainly didn’t wish to speak on. She clamped her lips closed and turned back to the view of the Scottish countryside. The sight was as diverting as it had been moments earlier. Part of her wanted to confide in Simon, but the other part of her felt it would be better to keep the details of the betrayal to herself.
“I have a better idea. Why don’t you talk to me about Miss Jubal?”
“Why would you want to speak about her?” His tone was defensive.
Fury fueled by the fire of all the difficult emotions of the past few days rolled through her and she spun on him. “And, why wouldn’t you wish to talk about her? Do you have any idea the amount of strain your stupid game put on her? Why, the girl could hardly think of anything else.”
Simon tilted his head as he studied her. “First, I have no idea what you are talking about, and second, why are you so upset with me?”
Unable to contain it, her anger ignited. “How can I not be upset with you? I’ve been moving around in your circles, and I’ve heard the whispers. You use women like we are disposable, and I suspect you had plans for that lady as well.”
Fire flashed in his eyes. “Is that what you think? Well, it can be said that you are no better. Tell me, dear wife, why does Lord Leyson act like a spurned lover? I wondered after his behavior, but this explanation is the only one that makes any sense to me.”
Stunned beyond measure, her mouth fell open, but she quickly closed it again. “How dare you accuse me of willingly doing anything with that vile man? You have no idea the sort of person he is.”
“I know exactly. He’s the very type you are accusing me of being. Do you honestly believe me capable of ruining Miss Jubal?”
Realizing his argument was valid, she took a deep breath to release some of her anger. This was not how she envisioned her first day of marriage. Honestly, she’d never taken the time to think on it, but she suspected arguing with one’s husband wasn’t how life together should begin.
“I suppose not.” She bit her lip. “Tell me why you are making her answer questions for you. I don’t see what you’d hoped to gain from it.”
Simon let out a sigh then thrust his hand through the short strands of his hair. “If you insist, I’ll tell you”—she nodded, urging him on–“it’s my way of helping the poor girl. You see, the lady doesn’t seem to have an original thought in her head. Everything in there had been placed by her mother to attract a husband.”
“So, you’re forcing her to think for herself?” Kaylee couldn’t keep the astonishment from her voice.
“In a way, yes. I only intended to have her considering what she wanted for herself. Something beyond marriage and what she wants from it. Otherwise, when she has achieved her goal, I fear the lady will be as controlled by her husband as she is by her mother.”
“I’m speechless.” She stared in awe at her husband. “Please accept my deepest apology. I misjudged you.”
He shot her a half smile. “Let’s not tell anyone. After all, I have a reputation to uphold.”
Her brows furrowed. “Why would you want that when—”
“I told you my secret, so do you intend to tell me what happened with you and Lord Leyson?”
She stiffened. That was definitely one memory she didn’t want to relive. Nor did it have a positive message as Simon’s story did. Why did he want to know? And, how did she tell him?
“That isn’t a pleasant tale. It’s better to allow those days to remain in the past where they belong.”
Without warning, his soft hand cupped her cheek, pulling her to look up at him. “Did he hurt you? Tell me, Kaylee. I will make this right for you.”
As she looked into his eyes, a feeling of safety enveloped her. “There is nothing you need to do about it. He was punished.”
Simon’s jaw clenched. “What did he do?”
She shuddered at the anger in his eyes and the memory of that day. “Nothing much. Constance arrived before anything could happen, and she stopped him. I was lucky, and he was banned from the House of Reform.”
In an instant, she was in Simon’s arms. It was Heaven to be there, and she reveled in the comfort of him. Never before had she felt such security, and she was pleased to have been granted the opportunity to marry him, even if only for a short time.
Loving the ferocity of his promise, she lifted her face to look at him. “Take me home.”
~ ~ ~
Anticipation permeated Simon as the carriage neared his townhouse. The week spent with Kaylee in Scotland had been glorious, although they hadn’t seen much outside of the bedchamber. It hadn’t mattered. Being married to her had far exceeded his expectations.
“Did you tell them about me?” Kaylee’s small voice pulled him from his musings over their private time.
“Who?” The panic on her face had him feeling guilty for not noting her distress sooner.
“Your sisters. Do they know you are bringing a wife home? I can’t imagine what they must think of me. Running off to Scotland isn’t exactly a proper thing to do.”
Taking her hands, Simon hoped to lend her his confidence. “I informed them before we left. My sisters would never think you improper. I believe they are pleased that I’ll be bringing you home as my wife.”
She nodded, but he could tell she wasn’t appeased.
Determined to ease her, he moved his hands up her arms, then clasped her around the waist and pulled her across the carriage to sit on his lap. She called out his name in protest, but he ignored her as he nuzzled her neck. She needed to relax and he knew exactly what to do to help in that regard.
“This is highly inappropriate.” She sucked in her breath when he closed one hand over her much too covered breast.
“I disagree.” He smiled when she arched into his palm. “Tell me, Kaylee. Do you enjoy it when I touch you like this?”
Her cheeks turned red, and she drew back from him. “That’s beside the point.”
“No. That’s the entire point. There is nothing wrong with feeling like this, or with enjoying what you have with me.”
She cleared her throat, obviously trying to keep herself unmoved. “Perhaps, but there is a time and a place for such things.”
To Tame a Viscount (Reformed Rakes Book 2) Page 16