The Wicked Wallflowers

by Tammy Andresen

  “It would not,” Annabelle said from a few feet away.

  Chloe’s head snapped up and she made to back out of his arms, but he held her fast.

  “You’ll come home with me.” Annabelle stepped closer. “Why didn’t you tell me what was happening to you?”

  Chloe shook her head. “I didn’t want you to worry. We all have our own predicaments.”

  Annabelle sighed. Then she turned to Fin. “You’re not going to hit her aunt, are you?”

  He tensed against Chloe. “I know my reputation precedes me but I’m not a heathen.” He turned back to Chloe. “Do you need her permission to marry?”

  “Of course, if I am to collect my mother’s inheritance.” She closed her eyes for a second. “She gets a portion of it for facilitating the match.”

  “And if you ran away?” He tightened his arms about her. “What then?”

  She’d considered it numerous times. She intended to leave with her friends if no offers presented themselves before her twenty-fifth birthday. That was when she legally inherited without her aunt’s guardianship. But that was still years from now. Did she dare to venture out into the world without a penny to her name? She shivered in fear. Did she dare stay? “My fate would be decided.”

  * * *

  Fin clenched his teeth to keep from letting out another string of curses. Her aunt deserved a good whipping for what she’d done. Actually she deserved several.

  Reeves’ words came back to him. If he married Chloe, he could see her dowry returned to her, as the patriarch. He could also ensure that her aunt lived out the rest of her life in some backwater village in the North of England. Chloe, in turn, could provide him with a domestic appearance that would further his business interests. They’d be helping one another. He just couldn’t let Chloe too close to his heart. For her sake and for his. What if he fell back into old habits?

  Slowly, he let Chloe go and moved a half-step back. “Meet me at your aunt’s at ten tomorrow morning. We’ll see all of this sorted. In the meantime, try to get some sleep.”

  Fin rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension building there. He ached to pull her back into his arms. Kiss each little line on her arm until he’d soothed the angry skin back to right.

  But affection was not to be part of their arrangement. He’d have to make that clear. After heading for the door, he went straight home, then sent a missive to Reeves requesting his immediate attendance. It didn’t matter that the time was after midnight. Reeves was awake and would come. The man probably already knew he’d seen Chloe again. Damn spy, that man was.

  Half an hour later, Reeves entered looking as fresh as he would at ten in the morning. “Does this meeting have anything to do with your second garden tryst involving Miss Finch?”

  “I don’t have trysts.” He gave Reeves his fiercest scowl. “I nearly died in disgusting opium dens. I don’t have moonlit walks in the garden.”

  Reeves rolled his eyes. “That’s the point. We want other people to see you as a man who has moonlit walks. We’re trying to hide the fact that you have a shady past, or at least, distance you from it. Add an aura of domesticity so that you get that contract. But you go around scowling and beating men and then they all remember what you were.”

  “All right. Fine. I trysted. I had a tryst. Whatever. She’s lovely, and beautiful, warm, and charming, and I am terribly in love. Is that what you want to hear?” The words were supposed to have sounded fake and hollow, but they rang with a truth that made his insides twist.

  “After two nights? Oh my dear chap, you can’t be in love yet. Now you must court.”

  Fin banged his fist on the desk. He didn’t have time for that nonsense, and he didn’t have the ability to go through such a ritual and keep his heart out of it. “I’ll marry her now by special license. See to the details. Also, her aunt is set to receive some portion of her inheritance. Look over the contracts and find a loophole. I want the woman to receive the smallest amount possible and I want her moved to northern England.”

  Reeves gave him a bored look. Damn the man. “That won’t help your image.”

  He sagged back in his chair. “Those terms are non-negotiable.”

  Reeves nodded. “I understand. Funny enough, for your hard exterior, you’re a good man.” He rose. “I’ll see to the details and I expect an invitation.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to meet the woman who’s taming my most beastly client.” Reeves turned toward the door. “Get some rest.”

  Fin didn’t respond. Was that what was happening? Was Chloe shining light in his darkest places? He wished it could be true, but he doubted it very much.

  Chapter Nine

  Chloe woke the next morning and marveled that the sky hadn’t fallen. Birds chirped merrily outside her window as a rare bit of sun shone down into the garden. She rose from the bed in Annabelle’s guest room and crossed to the window, cracking it open. The air was chilly but crisp and she drew in a deep breath. Her lungs filled with air and her heart with hope. She’d left her aunt.

  Snapping the window closed again, she washed up and dressed. Annabelle had allowed her to borrow a gown, which was too small in the bust and far too long, but it would have to do for today. Holding her skirt high, she made her way to the breakfast room where Annabelle sat waiting for her.

  “Is your father joining us?” Chloe had only met the man once. A lovable yet flighty man, who spent all his days hidden in his workshop creating inventions of various sorts.

  “Doubtful.” Annabelle shook her head. “He was still working when we arrived home.”

  Chloe gave a nod, her shoulders sagging in relief. Not that Lord Marks would care a wit about her predicament, but she didn’t want to face anyone this morning. “What do you think Fin will do at my aunt’s?”

  “Fin?” One of Annabelle’s eyebrows lifted. “Dryden, you mean?”

  “No, I meant Fin.” Her mouth twisted in a half smile. “I’ve been thinking about why I allow myself to talk in front of him.”

  “Me too.” Anabelle plopped her chin on her fist. “It took us weeks to get you to speak.”

  “You were warming me up.” She reached out and touched her friend’s other hand. “The only answer I can come up with in regards to Fin is that I instinctively trusted him from the first moment I saw him.” She pulled her hand back, sitting up straighter. “I trust him now, and I will trust today that he has a plan.”

  Annabelle nodded. “I trust him too.”

  Chloe’s mouth dropped open. “Really? I wasn’t sure you liked him.”

  “Trust is different from like and I have no idea what sort of man he is outside of how he treats you. Where you are concerned, he absolutely has your best interests at heart.” She stretched one finger out from the fist under chin and began tapping her cheek. “How he plans to make sure you get your inheritance, I’ve no idea. Marriage is the only sure course—” She stopped, straightening.

  “He can’t mean to marry me?” Surprise, delight, and then fear trickled down her spine. They’d only known each other a few days. She’d been nothing but trouble in that time. She was damaged goods. She couldn’t be a countess.

  Annabelle didn’t answer, instead she picked up her fork. “Only one way to find out. Let’s eat so that we can arrive in a timely fashion.”

  Chloe tried. But she mostly picked at her food. When the clock struck quarter past nine, she sighed in relief. “Let’s get on our pelisses and order the carriage.”

  Annabelle gave a nod, her gaze casting to Chloe’s. “Agreed.”

  Within twenty minutes, they’d set off, neither speaking. Chloe wasn’t sure what she was more nervous about, facing her aunt or Fin’s plan. She did trust him, and she knew she was drawn to him, but her life was a shamble. She wasn’t meant to be a powerful lord’s bride. She twisted her fingers in her skirts. She couldn’t host parties, run charities, help the people who lived on his lands. She couldn’t even speak to them.

  They pulled
up to her townhome and Chloe peeked out the window. Fin’s carriage already waited outside the front door.

  She let out a deep sigh.

  “It’s all right.” Annabelle held her hand in her own. “If I know one thing for certain, Dryden won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She didn’t answer as the door snapped open. Fin stood waiting to hand her out. The moment they touched, she calmed. His dark, stormy eyes met hers and the tension left her body. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said, without thinking.

  He gave a stiff jerk of his head. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

  Her mouth pinched as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. Those words made her insides tense and flop about. He didn’t want to be here, and she couldn’t blame him.

  * * *

  Fin knew he was making a mistake. One look at her open expression and he’d wanted to fall to his knees and beg her to care for him. He’d press his cheek to her belly and swear to fight off every demon in the world if only she’d love him.

  He clenched his fist. He’d told her about his past. The opium addiction that had followed his financial ruin. What he hadn’t shared was the complete despair of knowing his life would be spent in debtor’s prison, the euphoric escape of drugs, and the descent into the filth of opium dens and the vile addiction that had followed. How he’d intentionally tried to kill himself to escape all of it.

  He didn’t deserve her love. While he’d spent the last five years building a new life, the old one still haunted him. Hell, his reputation was proof of that. But inside, he still felt empty. Chloe might fill him. It was a possibility. Or he might drain her of all that beautiful love and warmth while attempting to fill the dark places inside his soul.

  Chloe climbed the steps and raised the knocker. “How strange. Calling at my own door.”

  “Who owns the house?” he asked.

  Chloe’s mouth twisted. “It was my mother’s but then she married. I’ve no idea if it went to my aunt or to me.”

  He looked over at Annabelle who’d come up just behind them. “Gads, she really does need your help,” Annabelle whispered.

  “I heard that,” Chloe chided. The door opened and Chloe turned back to the butler.

  The man scowled as he ushered them inside. Fin could only assume that this particular servant was loyal to Chloe’s aunt. He’d have to be sacked. Perhaps the entire lot of them would go.

  “I’d like to speak with Aunt Mildred,” she said, straightening her shoulders.

  The man’s scowl deepened, lines appearing all over his face. “You’d think that you’d have the decency to use the back door instead of—”

  “Fetch Lady Hartworth at once.” Fin pulled his voice from deep within his chest. The other man’s eyes widened and he turned and left.

  “This way.” Chloe waved to them. “We’ll see ourselves into the front sitting room.”

  “Do you want the house?” Fin asked as they entered the room. It was well appointed, with large windows looking down on the street. Unfortunately, they were mostly covered with dark, heavy drapes.

  Chloe sat, twisting her hands together. “I honestly don’t know. It depends, I suppose.” She drew in a long breath. “I’ve no idea what my future looks like after the next half hour.”

  Fin’s jaw dropped. Bloody hell, he was horrible at this. Had he not told her the plan? “We’re to be married, of course.”

  Her head cocked to the side. “Married? Oh, I don’t know.”

  “What?” Annabelle asked, sparing him the indignity.

  Chloe gave a shrug. “I’m not sure it’s wise.”

  Smart girl. She knew a hopeless case when she saw one. Unfortunately, there weren’t many other options for her. He should have explained last night but he’d been intent on protecting her. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I am afraid you’re stuck with me. I haven’t read your father’s will but without marriage, you’ll very likely be destitute. Do you have other offers or another benefactor?” The words choked his throat.

  Chloe let out a giggle, but it didn’t sound joyful, more hysterical. “Other offers? For the mute girl?”

  Irritation made his throat tight. She should think better of herself. “You aren’t mute.”

  “I will be as your countess,” she choked out.

  “Maybe not,” Annabelle leaned forward. “You speak when Dryden is near. And you’ve faced your aunt, your reason for silence in the first place.”

  “Oh that will be lovely. As my husband, you’ll have to attend every event I do. How do you feel about ladies’ tea in the afternoons?”

  At least she hadn’t said something like, I can’t have a man with a past like yours. “You don’t need to attend tea, you just need to provide me with an heir.”

  Both women stilled. “Oh,” Chloe said the word in a loud exhale. “I see.”

  “In fact, once you do, you’ll mostly be free to do as you please.” Far away from me and my demons.

  “You could come stay with us as often as you like,” Annabelle supplied. “With you no longer tied to London and your aunt, we’ll be free to go.”

  “That’s true,” Chloe answered, but her voice was distant and her brows drew together.

  This was his plan. As he stared at her, however, he wanted to take it all back. He wanted to beg her to stay by his side forever. But he wouldn’t. He’d keep this free of that sort of attachment. A marriage of convenience only.

  “You get your freedom and I get my heir and a better public image,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “My barrister seems to think I desperately need one.”

  Chapter Ten

  She clamped her lips shut to keep them from falling open. Fin wanted a better public image? With her? He’d gone mad. But he was right. She needed him, very much so. And after she’d given him a child, she could go live with her friends.

  That sounded…ideal. Or dreadful. A shiver ran down her spine. She wasn’t sure.

  But her aunt walked through the door and Chloe ceased worrying about the merits of the plan. I just need to make it through the next half hour.

  “How dare you come back here?” her aunt spit. “You heathen of a child. I’ve tried my best to raise you as a proper lady, but you can’t help it. Your blood is tainted with your mother’s filth.”

  “Enough,” Dryden said it loudly, sharply so that even Chloe jumped. He stood, towering over her aunt. “You will cease to speak to Chloe directly from this moment forward.”

  “I beg your pardon. She is my niece. I’ve every right—” Her aunt stopped when Dryden leaned forward.

  “You’ve no rights anymore.” Then he straightened. “I assume you told no one that Chloe didn’t come home last night.”

  “Of course I didn’t. Why should I have to be burdened with her shame?” Her aunt’s lips curled.

  “Good. My barrister will be here this afternoon with all the necessary paperwork. We’ll marry this Saturday by special license. You’re to attend. Then you will pack your belongings and leave.”

  “Leave?” Her aunt blinked several times, her hand coming to her throat. “This is my home. I’ve run this house for the last six years.”

  “It’s Chloe’s home. You’ll move to a cottage on my northern estate.”

  “Northern?” Her aunt’s voice cracked. Chloe’s heart actually tugged. Her aunt had lost everything in her life…her son, her husband, her brother.

  “Fin.” She stood and crossed to his side. “My aunt will stay here.”

  His lips pulled taut over his teeth. “She beat you. The scars…”

  She touched his hand. “It’s the only way she knew. And she bears them too. It was her mother’s way before it was hers.” She turned to her aunt. “I know you didn’t like my mother, but try to understand. Your brother wanted love not discipline. He and my mother, they loved each other.”

  Her aunt sniffed loudly. “He always was a baby. He wanted to be coddled. Look where it got them both.”

  “Aunt Mildred,” Chloe’s
voice rang with a warning. She was trying to help the woman now, but her aunt made her efforts difficult. “Let it rest.” Then she straightened. “Keep the house as part of your allowance. Stay away from me.”

  “You. A countess?” Her aunt gave her head a shake. “Mark my words. You’ll come crawling back for my help.”

  Chloe’s shoulders hunched. Her aunt was likely right. She could very well fail. “I might need help, but it won’t be from you.”

  Fin gave her hand a squeeze. “If you’re sure, there is nothing else to say.” Lifting her hand, he tucked it into his elbow. “It’s time to leave this place.”

  Leave? Sounded lovely. But as he escorted her out the door, Annabelle behind them, he didn’t look at her. Didn’t say a word.

  First handing her and then Annabelle in the carriage, he gave her a quick nod before he snapped the door closed. Then he was gone. She slumped back against the seat. They’d marry and yet he was more distant than he’d ever been before. Worry fluttered in her belly. Had he realized what she already knew? She was a terrible choice for a wife?

  * * *

  Fin climbed into his carriage. He’d trapped her into marrying him. Not intentionally of course, but the result was the same. He’d burn in hell for certain. Who was he kidding? He had already secured his spot in the fiery abyss.

  He scrubbed his face with his hands. He needed to share with his family that he’d become engaged. His cousin, Tricia, had risked life and limb to save him and her husband, the Duke of Landon, had loaned him the money necessary to get out of debt and set his entailed property to right so that it could make a profit.

  He owed them a chance to meet Chloe and with the wedding in three days, he didn’t have much time. Fortunately, with Christmastide around the corner, they had returned to London. He’d have to host a dinner and invite them, along with Chloe’s friends. Tricia would enjoy their company, he was certain. She preferred to skirt the rules of society and, as a duchess, could now afford to do so openly. So why did the idea of dinner make him mildly nauseous? Likely because he was having a harder and harder time controlling his reaction to Chloe.