Love With an Improper Stranger (16 page)

“But you base your conclusion on the presumption that I will let you fail.”  He shifted his weight.  “I know you have reservations, but they are baseless.”  When she opened her mouth in protest, he forestalled her dissent with a finger to her lips.  “Pray, have patience.  While my offer of marriage remains on the table, I would secure one more indulgence, if you will humor me.”

She nodded her assent, yet deep down inside, where ruthless honesty persisted, she struggled with doubt—not in Blake, but in herself.  And never would she risk shaming him.

“All I ask is that you invest the smallest measure of faith in me, as I will not disappoint you.”  In that very second, her usually arrogant captain appeared almost vulnerable, as he brushed his knuckles along the curve of her jaw.  “But for now, I would like to hold you.  My married brothers swear nothing compares with the experience, and I would know for myself, if you would cooperate.”

“And you will do nothing more?”  The minute she asked the question, she regretted it.

“Darling, I have told you I will not claim you until we have taken the vows, as I am nothing if not honorable.”  He snatched a blanket from the ottoman and draped the wool swath over her.  “But now that you mention it, I would have your promise to tell me the very second you make your decision.”

“You require so little, in exchange for everything you have done for Lucilla and I.”  For some reason she could not explain, she slackened, and her eyelids grew weighty with a sudden desire for sleep.  With a vociferous yawn, she snuggled close, safely ensconced in his arms, and yielded to the ever-encroaching yearning for a nap.  “All right, Blake.  As soon as I decide what to do, you will be the first to know.”

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Amid heavy snowfall and a howling gale, the sumptuous traveling coach bobbled up the graveled drive to Courtenay Hall, and Blake checked his timepiece and then smiled at Lenore.  Given they took the long route via the town of Portsmouth, instead of crossing the harbor by boat, to avoid Lenore’s seasickness, they arrived a full eight hours later than planned.  As the equipage slowed to a halt, he drew the blanket from his mother, as she stretched at his side, folded the plush fur, and disembarked after the footman opened the door.

As expected, Lucy almost tumbled to the ground, in her characteristic zeal, but Mama required assistance.  And as he anticipated, Lenore, ever the lady, emerged last, and he would not miss an opportunity to hold her in his arms.  Pulling her close, he let her slide down the front of him, and he counted her blush a tender prize.

“Your Grace, you should not linger, as someone might see you.”  She frowned as he adjusted her black silk poke bonnet.  “And you should not treat me with such familiarity.  We would not want anyone to form the wrong conclusion.”

“My dear, this is a family gathering.”  And there he had her, much to his pleasure.  “Familiarity is a given.”

“Blake, stop tormenting Lenore and bring her inside, before she catches her death.”  Tapping her foot, Caroline cast an expression of reproach.  “And you must share her with the others, as everyone is excited to meet her.”

“Will you mind your own business?”  Not for a minute would he willingly surrender even a second with his lady, and he anchored Lenore to his right and led her up the entrance stairs.  “Do you not have another babe to birth?  I should speak with Trevor, as you are a bit too full of yourself, and I suspect you are past due for a sound beating.”

“A lot you know.”  His not so little sister snickered and hugged her now not-so-round belly.  “Trevor would never hurt me, especially when I have just delivered our fourth Lockwood.  And as for spankings, I quite favor them, when my husband is in the mood to play a tad rough.”  Caroline shrugged and strolled into the foyer.  “How else do you suppose he gets me with child so easily?”

“No, no, no.”  An image of such illicit games popped into his brain, and Blake winced.  “I know precisely how he gets you with child, and I am desperately trying not to think of it.”  He turned to the butler.  “Good evening, Hicks.”

“Your Grace.”  The manservant bowed.  “And this must be Miss Teversham.”

“Hello.”  Lenore doffed her outerwear, and Blake noted her pale cheeks.  “I am happy to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh, so this is the famous Miss Lenore.”  Mrs. Jones tottered into the hall.  “It is lovely to meet you, my dear.  If there is anything we can do to improve your stay, please, do not hesitate to ask.”

“Ah, there she is, my true love.”  With a grin, Blake gave the housekeeper a hearty hug.  “If you were ten years younger, I should marry you for your delicious jugged hare.”

“Your Grace, you are shameful.”  Mrs. Jones giggled.  “And Miss Lenore, you will have your hands full this one, but if I was your age, that is trouble I might enjoy.”

Although Lenore laughed, her tight grip on his arm belied her elegant façade, which fractured just then, and he escorted her to the drawing room, in search of diversion.  The scene that confronted them could have been derived from a comedy on Drury Lane, as the Brethren of the Coast, in full attendance, chatted, played with their children, swapped war stories, and Trevor and Everett argued about whose new daughter was the fairest.  That was his family, and he loved them beyond comprehension.

As Blake and his bride-to-be loomed in the doorway, a hush fell on the chamber, and a swell of pride surged in his chest.  But when he took a step forward, Lenore remained at anchor.  He gave her a gentle nudge, but she refused to budge.  When he met her stare, what he spied shook him to his core.

The sheer terror invested in her gaze rattled him to his toes, and he paused.

“We are so glad that you decided to attend our impromptu Christmas celebration.”  Daphne, the newest member of the group, took Lenore from his side.  “But I am Daphne Randolph, and this is my husband, Dalton.  Welcome, Miss Teversham, and may I address you informally?”

“Of course.”  Lenore peered over her shoulder at him, and he winked.

“How were the roads?”  Dalton shook Blake’s hand and grinned.  In a low voice, he said, “It is all right.  Daphne suffered the same reaction, the first time I introduced her to everyone.”

“The lanes were a muddy mess, thus we took accommodations at a coach inn at dusk, every evening.”  Without question, Blake followed Daphne and Lenore into the study of the grand home, which the newlyweds had just restored to its former glory.  “Did you receive my missive?”

“I did.”  In the man’s domain, which featured an odd arrangement of two desks facing each other, one masculine and the other decidedly feminine, Dalton strolled to a side table and poured a brandy.  Then he retrieved another bottle and nodded.  “For the lady, we have coconut rum.”

“Dinner will be served in an hour.”  Daphne patted Lenore’s hand.  “It is warm by the hearth, which is perfect after a lengthy journey.  Take your ease, and join us when you are ready.”

“There is no rush.”  Dalton wrapped his arm about Daphne’s waist.  “If necessary, we can delay.”

“Or I could send a tray to your room, Lenore.”  Ever the hospitable hostess, Daphne inclined her head, and in silence Blake thanked her.  “You need only let me know what you prefer, and I shall make your excuses, which everyone will understand.”

“I do so appreciate your kindness.”  As soon as the door closed, Lenore ran into his arms.

“Darling, you are shivering.”  Without a word, he collected their glasses, led her to the large overstuffed chair near the fireplace, sat, and then pulled her into his lap.  “Take a drink, sweetheart.”

“I am sorry, but I am nervous.”  Her fingers shook as she sipped her favorite liquor.  “What will happen if I fail you?  What if I embarrass your family?  How can I meet their standards, given their prestigious standing?”

“Calm yourself, my dear.”  It dawned on him then that hers was no device to garner attention or sympathy, not that he considered it such.  Rather, he had discredited her protestations as much ado about nothing, but he was wrong.  Indeed, her despair represented genuine apprehension regarding their possible union, and he could not discount it, so he rubbed the small of her back until she relaxed.  “Better?”

“Yes.”  As had become her habit when they shared a seat, she snuggled close to his chest.  “I know not what came over me, but I panicked.”

“I believe I owe you an apology.”  It was a strange sensation, not altogether pleasant, putting her needs before his.  Never had Blake thought himself a selfish sort, but where Lenore was concerned, he was downright greedy.  Yet he had to ask himself how much he desired her.  To his chagrin, her anguish rendered him helpless, as he manifested the source of her torment.  “While you have repeatedly voiced trepidation, I have ignored your pleas, and I regret it, as those are not the actions of an honorable man.”

“Are you teasing me?”  Lenore perched upright.  “Would you taunt me so?”

“No.”  It hurt him to realize she doubted his sincerity.  Cupping her cheek, he sighed.  “As much as it pains me, I must admit I have not done right by you, and that ends here and now.”  A foreign ache settled deep in his bones, as he formulated his response.  “Although I remain certain of our compatibility, and my conclusions are unimpeachable, in regard to our mutual fate, I will not force you to the altar.  The decision is yours.”  In that instant, he transported to the past, to another time and place, when he made the same vow to Caroline, after discovering her in a compromising position with Trevor, and everything changed.  “Have I ever shared the details preceding my sister’s marriage?

“I do not recall it.”  She consumed an impressive gulp of rum.

“Permit me to relate the details.”  Over the next half hour, Blake explained the dreadful situation involving Lord Darwith’s pretend courtship, Caroline’s resulting humiliation and heartbreak, and her desperate run from London, aboard Dalton’s ship, whereupon Trevor mistook her for a courtesan and kidnapped her.  “Given the circumstances when I found them, Trevor and Caroline left me little choice in the matter, and I threatened violence if he did not restore her honor.”

“Which necessitated hasty nuptials, I presume?”  She slipped her arms about his waist.  “You must have been furious.”

“Aye.”  Then he chuckled.  “But on the day of the ceremony, I offered to steal away with my sister, if she opted not to marry Trevor, as I wanted nothing more than her happiness.”

“You would have done that for her?”  Lenore shifted and met his stare.  “Despite her ruin?”

“Caroline means more to me than anyone’s good opinion.”  He kissed Lenore’s forehead.  “As do you.  So if you would prefer not to share my life, when your uncle arrives from America, I will let you go.”

“Really?”  Her expression of relief cut him like a knife.

“Truly.”  It damn near killed him to proclaim it.  “But until that time, I encourage you to make the most of the opportunity to acquaint yourself with my family.  Yes, I know they can be overwhelming to the newcomer, but they are also supportive, accepting, and loving to a fault.”

“Which is why I would rather die than disappoint them.”  With her brow a mass of furrows, she inched close and claimed a whisper of a kiss.  “Or you.”

“That is inconceivable.”  A pall of sadness blanketed him, as he fathomed his world without Lenore in it.  “But if it is your wish to part from me, I will not stop you.”

CHAPTER NINE

Blake’s beneficent offer
of freedom should have put Lenore at ease.  After all, it was what she wanted, was it not?  To her dismay, his sacrifice served only to increase her discomfit, as she could not imagine her world without him in it.  So she followed his suggestion and participated in the holiday festivities.  Just as he predicted, she fell in love with the Brethren.