by Heather Boyd
“Well, I know what my grandmother would advise if she was alive today, my lord. She’d tell you to come to your senses. Of course you cannot marry someone like me.”
Price ignored Lenore’s protest for a moment as he moved to ring the bell, summoning his housekeeper, while hoping the butler would come, too.
He paced the room while he waited, keeping one eye on Lenore Griffin. She seemed uncomfortable, but he wasn’t anymore. He was thinking of the future at last. He was arranging their marriage…and it was sudden and strange, and he was doing it quite coldly.
And he could see why he’d picked her out of anyone he’d known before. Loyalty, compassion, and kindness had always been part of her character. He liked her.
She was sweet, and yes, he had said nice things to her when he’d been drunk as a callow youth. Those small flatteries had washed right off her shoulders, not that he’d been serious or smitten with the woman at the time. She’d been part of the Edenmere family. One of them, and by extension of her late grandmother, part of his family already.
He’d made a surprising but entirely acceptable choice for his peace of mind.
The housekeeper arrived, followed by the butler. Their expressions openly expectant of happy news about to be delivered.
“Ah, thank heavens you have come Mrs. Baker and Mr. Humphries.” Lenore gestured the servants to sit as if they were her honored guests. “As you will remember, Lord Carmichael’s letter summoned me to London to take up a position as a companion.”
Mrs. Baker smirked. “That’s not what it said, dearie.”
Lenore threw her hands up in the air. “Why didn’t you say something?”
Humphries winced. “We felt the letter could be best explained by his lordship and decided not to interfere.”
Lenore’s eyes narrowed on them. “You tricked me into staying.”
Price stifled a laugh behind his hand. She was incensed, and that proved she was worthy of becoming his countess there and then. She didn’t crave the position, but out of anyone he knew he thought she deserved it.
The butler winced. “We felt it better for all concerned if you remained here for your safety. The city is a dangerous place for a respectable young woman alone.”
“True,” Price added. “Unfortunately, I do not remember writing the letter myself, or I would have said something of it to someone before now. Do either of you recall the day I wrote that letter?”
Both nodded.
“Could you please verify that I was not coerced to write it, for Miss Griffin’s enlightenment only, of course?”
Mr. Humphries shifted in his seat, looking very uncomfortable, but he nodded. “I’m sure you did write to her, my lord, without any coercion. I recognize your handwriting, and the address from your prior correspondence. I did not know the contents until Miss Griffin arrived on the doorstep. Miss Griffin showed it to both Mrs. Baker and myself.”
“And since everyone here is aware of the contents, there is but one course of action to take,” he finished with a firm nod. “Am I right?”
Lenore turned to him, her look imploring. “We could all just pretend you never wrote it. But I still will need your help obtaining a new position. You see, I left my last place of employment without waiting to receive a reference. It might take a few weeks for my last employer’s letter of recommendation to arrive.”
He laughed softly, finding her lack of interest in marrying him almost funny. He’d hardly finished his proposal before Angela Berry had accepted him. Any woman of the ton would be shouting about this from the rooftops by now. Not Lenore, though. “You spent the night under my roof. In the eyes of many, I’ve already ruined you.”
Her mouth opened. “You certainly did not, and I wouldn’t have let you.”
“I mean theoretically, not actually. I’ve no doubt you would have screamed murder should anyone have tried, which unfortunately would still force the same solution upon you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t think for one second there will ever be an actually.”
The housekeeper and butler exchanged an amused smile before she spoke. “Go on, luvvie. We can’t have you ruined because of his absentmindedness. He’s a good lad, under the right circumstances. It could only have been his idea, and he will do the right thing by you in the end. You’ll make a fine countess. A real lady, too.”
With that ringing endorsement hanging in the air, he caught his servants’ attention and with the toss of his head, dismissed them from the room.
When he was sure they were gone, he faced Lenore. She was being unnecessarily stubborn when they both had so much to gain. He offered her a good life, free of hardship and toil, and she only had to do one little thing for him in return. It might be blunt, but he had to be sure she knew what he wanted her for. “I intend to be considerate of your feelings, but when we marry, I will want a son or two. Perhaps a few daughters as well. Would you not do your duty if you were the wife of any other man?”
Lenore’s face turned bright red with a blush.
He smiled to himself. Lenore was most likely a virgin. A blush like that was all too telling. Hero had done his job well protecting Lenore from scoundrels while they’d been apart.
He called the dog to him and gave him a good rub as thanks for his devotion.
When he turned back to Lenore, she was staring at him.
She was not smiling.
He spread his hands wide. “It is the perfect solution to both our problems. I get to marry someone I trust and like, and you never have to toil in the service of another demanding employer again.”
“Oh, you remind me of your father,” she said, gesturing around her own face. “All smiles but seriously tricky behind a beard.”
It hadn’t occurred to him that he might look so much like his father. Lenore had been frightened of the late earl.
“It will be gone tomorrow,” he promised. “See, I am willing to compromise to make you happy. Other than that, I don’t imagine either one of us must change very much to make this marriage work.”
“This is madness.” Lenore nibbled on her thumb. “What about parties and dances and such? I’ve not had a lady’s education, and you know it,” she warned. “I’ll trip over my own feet and be such an embarrassment, you’ll wish you’d never heard of me.”
He shrugged. He hadn’t considered her lacking in accomplishments, but there was an easy way to manage Lenore’s introduction to society—he’d keep the marriage quiet at first and, as he was avoiding most of society already, awkward introductions would be few and far between. “Everything you need to know can be learned. We can marry, take our time becoming properly acquainted, and whatever instruction you might need in deportment can be discreetly done far from the prying eyes of the ton.”
She still looked uncertain, and he moved to sit beside her. “Would you truly remain a poorly paid companion rather than the mistress of all you survey now? And more, too? I am offering you a life of wealth and comfort in exchange for putting up with me.”
Her eyes softened a little. “Surely there are better choices for a bride.”
“I can’t think of anyone living, and believe me, I have looked. I have offered for you now, and I think we’ll do well together.” He nodded. “I might have chosen to ask for your hand while in my cups, but I don’t think it was ever a mistake. What do you say, Piggy?”
She bit her lip and then looked up at him. “I should like a little time to think about this.”
He smiled. “Let’s have tea and discuss the matter in greater detail then. Hero is looking a little hungry, don’t you think?”
Lenore immediately turned to her pet and Price quickly arranged refreshments to be brought to them. They sat down at one end of the dining table, the dog between them gobbling up anything that came his way. “He’s a happy dog. Would you not like children of your own for him to play with one day?”
She was quiet for a while. “To be honest, I never imagined I would have any.”
“Now you c
ould imagine anything you want. I’ve wealth enough to support a large family of children, and dogs, too. You do remember the size of the nursery at Edenmere, don’t you?”
“It always seemed so large and lonely a place.”
“The perils of being an only child. I would have a dozen children running about if I had my way, getting into the sort of mischief we sometimes did.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “I hardly ever got into mischief that you didn’t start.”
Lenore had been a reluctant playmate. He regretted each adventure that had got her into trouble enough that she’d been punished for. “I know. I was a terrible influence.”
Finally a soft smile broke over her face. “You were always encouraging me to run off and play.”
“I still am.” She would have a position in society to take up and more responsibilities than she’d ever known but she would also have more freedom. He didn’t imagine she’d become wild or reckless when his back was turned. Still, they’d only spent a few days together as an adult, and corresponded once a year by letter. There was of course the chance they would not suit as husband and wife. Only time would tell if that turned out to be true. “Only this time, it’s not really play and you’ll never get in trouble again. I propose an immediate marriage to protect your reputation.”
Lenore looked around the room quickly and groaned. “We’re alone again.”
He took a quick sip of his tea to hide a grin. “Hero does make an admirable chaperone,” he noted.
“No one will believe that,” she grumbled, her eyes fixed on her pet. Price chose another piece of cake and broke it in half. He gave one portion to the dog and started eating the other. “At least I will never have to face your godmother now.”
Price stilled. “You heard about her?”
“It was in the papers. The murders. Her name,” she admitted. “I remember her visiting Edenmere Park when we were children. Forgive me for saying this, but I was always glad when she was gone. They way she looked at me sometimes made me afraid of her too.”
Lenore, a servant and a friend, might have been another victim if he’d not secured Lenore a position far from him. At least there, he’d done some good. “No need to apologize. Your instincts were better than mine.”
“But you loved her. She was almost a mother to you. You must be deeply troubled by her actions.”
“I guess I never really knew her, did I?”
“I suspect no one did,” she whispered. “I would need time to prepare before the marriage was consummated.”
Now it was his turn to blush. He did not tell Lenore that for months now, the idea of bedding anyone but Angela had been like getting doused in very cold water. His sexual appetites had gone away the day she’d died. He would have to work himself up to sharing a bed with Lenore eventually. Marrying her was one thing, being immediately intimately acquainted quite another. “Filling the nursery is not urgent.”
“Good.” She looked at him shyly. “Before I do agree to anything though, I want your word that after we do marry, you will not seek to control me. That I may come and go as I please. Have my own friends and interests.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He raised one hand. “I swear I will never be demanding of your company. I give you carte blanche. Once we marry, you may have anything you want so long as you never fall into bed with one of my friends and embroil me in your scandals.”
“I don’t want to be in yours, either. If you should ever become pestersome, I really would hate to have Hero teach you some manners,” she warned with a small grin. “It could be painful for you.”
He nodded, glancing at the dog, noticing his teeth were bared now. Price felt his manhood shrink in his trousers and quickly offered the dog a biscuit. “That side of our marriage can wait until you are ready.”
Until they were both ready.
“Thank you.”
He studied Lenore, looking for some insight into what she thought of his proposal now. A home, security, protection were hers for the taking. It was what most women wanted, he’d thought, but Lenore did not seem overwhelmed with gratitude or eagerness. “So, we are in complete agreement about everything? We will become man and wife, soon, and then we’ll go our separate ways most for the time?”
“Indeed.”
Lenore held out her hand, and they gripped each other, the same way they had the last time they’d said goodbye. This time, however, her grip was decisive, and slow to withdraw. Her hand was more of a match to his larger one now. Still delicate and feminine but exuding pleasing confidence in her decision. She was no retiring miss making a desperate bargain to save her reputation. “Thank you, my lord. I don’t think we need ever discuss today again, or that letter. Do you think the housekeeper and butler will gossip, though?”
“Oh, they’ll hold their tongue if they want to keep their positions. I’ll make sure of that.” He shrugged. He’d pay both his servants handsomely to forget knowing about his proposal by letter too. “I’ll do my best to be a good husband to you,” he promised.
“That’s what they all say,” she murmured. She did not look reassured, but then, she had no reason to believe otherwise. Once she got to know him better, she would understand and believe he only had her best interests at heart.
He would care for her, protect her, provide for her and their children. He’d given himself no choice but to make this match, really. He’d made a promise he couldn’t break. His honor would not allow him to weasel his way out of this unplanned marriage. “I’ll have marriage contracts drawn up for you to sign this afternoon.”
She nodded.
“Do you have somewhere else you could stay before we wed?”
She blinked a few times. “I do have friends who live in London, though I have not seen them in some time.”
“Why don’t you pack most of your things and go and visit them this afternoon. If they invite you to stay, well and good. Otherwise, I shall secure lodgings for you at the best hotel money can buy.”
She nodded slowly, and then she frowned again. “What about love?”
Price blinked. “I am not in love with you.”
“Nor I with you. But you could still find love if we didn’t marry each other.”
“I have proposed, and you have accepted.” Price leaned forward and touched the back of her hand where it rested on the table between them.
Hero began to growl, low and menacing. Price was unwilling to have the dog dictate his behavior. He would most likely touch Lenore’s hand often even if he did not make love to her. The dog would have to learn to share his mistress. “Love isn’t at all necessary in a marriage like ours.”
She blinked quickly and shrugged. “I suppose it isn’t.”
When Lenore remained silent, staring at him with a frown, he sighed and stood. He couldn’t love her, but he could give her happy memories to share with their children one day.
He rounded the table and dropped to one knee beside her. Lenore’s eyes widened in surprise, and he took up her hand in his. “Lenore Griffin, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
That hadn’t been at all difficult to do a second time round. Quite easy, really.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Price moved back to his chair and took another sip of his tea, pleased that he had done the right thing. “Good. Very good.”
Since he had the marriage side of his life once more decided, he supposed he really should take more of an interest in world affairs, starting by showing his face in the House of Lords again perhaps.
Chapter 5
Lenore had only a few close friends, but the ones who were living in London happened to be the most dear. She hoped they were home. The Hillcrest women, all cousins, had moved from the countryside and taken up residence together in a townhouse in Albermarle Street upon receiving their separate inheritances.
Lenore strode up to their door with more confidence than she felt, dog and small traveling case in hand, and applied the knocker.
Lord Carmichael’s carriage remained standing before the house—waiting to take her on to a fancy hotel if need be. Although Lenore had snuck out through the mews behind Lord Carmichael’s home, her journey here had been conducted in a level of luxury she was quite unaccustomed to. People had stared at the carriage as she’d passed them by. She felt like such a fraud to have been sitting in it that she’d drawn down the curtain beside her to hide behind.
The Hillcrest butler appeared and looked her up and down but then he smiled. “Yes?”
“I was hoping to speak with any of the Miss Hillcrests. We are old friends.”
“And your name?”
She told him, explaining that she’d found herself in London unexpectedly.
He invited her in, casting a glance at the fine carriage waiting outside before the house. “The ladies are with a caller at present, Miss Griffin,” he apologized profoundly.
Lenore smiled. “I do understand, and I’m happy to wait to speak to them for as long as it takes.”
The Hillcrest cousins conducted a business from home to supplement their income by offering instruction to gentlemen in need of help polishing their manners for undertaking a courtship of a proper lady. What they did, they did discreetly, but it was still a tiny bit scandalous that they took money from strange gentlemen. They were probably interviewing a client now. Lenore hoped it was going well.
The butler bowed. “Very good, Miss Griffin. If you could come with me.”
Lenore glanced behind her, wondering if it was all right to make the earl’s grooms wait, too. They had been told to look after her well by Lord Carmichael himself, but should she send them off and find her own way to the hotel later?
The decision was taken away from her as the butler shut the front door and locked it. She was led to a small room at the back of the house, perhaps it was the morning room, given what was strewn about. Embroidery hoops and books were stacked up on any available surface. “Would you care for tea while you wait, Miss Griffin?”