Miss Watson's First Scandal (A Miss Mayhem Novella) (13 page)

Imogen faced her and smoothed her hair back from her face gently. “What am I going to do with you? Do you really want him?”

Abigail slowly nodded. She’d thought of him every other moment. She wanted to know what he did with his day, all alone in his empty house. She didn’t like him being on his own. He should have someone with him to make him laugh.

“Your brother promised me he would end his foolish plan to banish Hawke from visiting. Absurd idea. I imagine if Hawke’s heart is engaged and he’s the good man you claim, following that discussion he might request to call on you.”

Abigail surged to her feet, anxious she might have missed him. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Imogen chuckled. “Well, you’ve been berating me so well for settling on a marriage of convenience I thought you’d best get it out of your system as soon as possible.” Imogen kissed her cheek. “Go on. Off with you. You’ll never be satisfied until you see Hawke again.”

Abigail hugged her friend tightly to her. “Thank you.” She fled for home, snatching up her bonnet and gloves from the startled housekeeper’s hands. She burst onto the street, turned for her house and barreled into a broad chest.

“Miss Watson,” David murmured as he steadied her. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Abigail stared up into David’s face and couldn’t contain her smile. “Good morning.”

He winked. “I had just called on you, but was told you were out visiting your friend. May I walk you home?”

When he held out his arm, Abigail blushed as she took it. “Thank you.”

They strolled the very short distance to her house and when she entered, David followed her inside and handed his hat and gloves to her butler. “I trust everything is in order.”

Abigail stepped into the parlor, conscious that the man who’d introduced her to the delights of the bedroom lingered a painfully short distance away and she couldn’t touch him yet. She glanced around him and caught her butler’s eye. “Simpson, might we have tea sent up and make sure to include the seed cake that was made this morning.”

“My favorite,” David murmured when Simpson had gone, leaving the door ajar.

Abigail grinned and sat down on the settee. David sat at her side, turned slightly so he faced her. He held her gaze a long moment and then he swooped in to kiss her lips. When he lifted his head, Abigail’s senses were spinning wildly.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

The heat in his eyes drew her closer to him. At the last second, Abigail found the sense not to throw herself into his arms. Simpson would return at any moment. She shook her head to clear it. “That’s what every woman wants to hear.”

“Hmm.” David caressed her cheek. “Is all well between Imogen and yourself? I fear the proposal has caught you unawares since I was sure you had your sights set on an entirely different bride for Peter.”

She caught his hand and held it tightly against her skin. “Yes, I’m just worried she’ll come to regret her decision. She doesn’t love him and he surely does not love her.”

“I thought that the case, too. But everything has been arranged now and there is nothing to stop them. The banns will be called on Sunday and the marriage should happen shortly thereafter. You’ll be glad to know the bank has no further interest in this house.”

“So you’re free to return to London.” Abigail stood and hurried to the front window, staring outside at the bright sunny day without really seeing anything beautiful in it. He was leaving and there wasn’t anything she could do to change his mind. He had responsibilities and he would honor them. Tears threatened to fall down her cheek and she held them back ruthlessly. When he was gone, she would blubber all she liked. But she wouldn’t waste what was left of their time together.

“I’m not as free as you think. I made a promise to stay, if you remember. But there is one other important affair that must be settled before I could possibly return to the capital. Something that has become very, very urgent and important to me.”

“Princess.” She sagged. “I suppose now my brother’s future is assured I am able to take care of her for you.”

“Good.” He moved to stand behind her, hands resting lightly on her upper arms. “However, she is not at the forefront of my mind right now. And if I can resolve that issue to my satisfaction then Princess’ care will be assured.”

Puzzled, Abigail faced him. His expression had become serious once more. “What is it?”

“I need you to do something for me,” he whispered so softly that Abigail strained to hear.

When he said nothing more immediately, Abigail nodded. “Anything.”

“You agree without knowing exactly what my request entails?” David brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I want to marry you, my love.”

“You do?” Abigail clenched his coat lapels to keep from falling. She had hoped but never dared let herself believe that he would propose today.

He cupped her face with both hands, smiling down on her with a wide grin. “I couldn’t possibly have had any other thought in my mind after the events of the past few days. I should have explained myself better last night, but you’ve turned my world upside down and I must confess I like the confusion very much. I love you. Marry me. Come live with me in London and I promise to give you everything you need. My name. My boundless devotion. My every spare moment.”

“Oh.” Abigail’s eyes filled with tears. He wanted to marry her. She couldn’t believe it really was happening. She closed her eyes to savor the moment and memorize how she felt. Having all your dreams come true was like spinning in the dark with only the bright moon to ground you. The tears fell down her cheeks, but she quickly blinked them away and raised her face in case he got the wrong idea of them.

David, however, frowned at something over the top of her head. “My love, I don’t mean to be impatient, but I’ll need an answer very soon. Your brother is about to come home and will not be happy to see us alone like this. Your reputation means everything to me.”

He removed his hands from her face as the front door opened. He stepped back just as Peter reached the parlor doorway.

Peter blinked. “Hawke, what the devil are you doing here?”

When David glanced at her, she nodded quickly. “I will.”

Peter approached, glancing between them. “What’s going on? Have you been crying, Abigail?”

“Of course I have.” She smiled at David. “I’ve just been made the happiest woman in Brighton. Mr. Hawke—David—has asked me to marry him and I’ve gladly accepted.”

“Like hell you have.” Her brother turned on David, fists clenched. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble? You stay away from my sister.”

“I cannot do that.” David’s gaze flicked in her direction, another smile broke free, making him appear so much happier than before. “I love her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You only love money.”

David sighed, a little sadly. “I do love Abigail and cannot bear the thought of not seeing her every day.”

Abigail caught David’s hand and clung to his arm. “I feel exactly the same. Please be happy for me.”

“Utterly out of the question,” Peter snapped. “You’ll be miserable and I’m putting a stop to this nonsense now before it goes too far.” Then he stormed out of the house without another word or backwards glance.

“Now that reaction I hadn’t considered,” David muttered. He drew Abigail closer and pressed his head to hers. “My darling. My love. I’ll convince him.”

“How? He seems so set against the idea.”

“Leave it to me.” He twisted to kiss her cheek, and then brushed his lips softly against hers. “I’m not so easily put off as to believe his first answer. I count myself a skilled negotiator.”

Abigail threw her arms around his neck, afraid to lose her chance at happiness. “Maybe he’ll change his mind by the time you come back from London.”

His arms tightened. “I’m not leaving Brighton until you’re mine,” he murmured against her ear. “Who knows what scandals you’ll embark on if I’m not here to distract you?”

She laughed and drew him closer. “There is nothing to fear. I’ve saved all my scandalous plans for you.”

David returned her embrace, his warm hands cradling her against him.

Afraid their time alone was short, she raised her head and kissed his lips hungrily, hoping to remind him of the passion they had shared last night and what was to come when they were married.

When he drew back, Abigail had successfully rumpled him.

“I should go before someone else walks in.” He glanced around, guilt clear in his expression. “But hold onto that feeling until we’re married. No more sneaking into my house.”

Abigail pouted. “If you insist, but it will not be easy to stay away.”

He kissed her again, a deep drugging kiss that went on and on. He lifted his head and began to laugh. “Abigail, what would I do without you? I am the luckiest of men, but I want everyone to know it before the next time you’re in my bed for I doubt I’ll let you out again.”

Abigail laughed with him, but she also plotted her next scandalous adventure in his arms. The idea of never leaving his bed was
very
appealing.

EPILOGUE

Waves crashed and fell in a steady rhythm along the shoreline of their swimming spot, but David didn’t pay them any attention. His heart pulsed with a different rhythm now, part panic, part exhilaration. Abigail would be his wife. He just had to convince her stubborn brother it was in everyone’s best interests without revealing the extent of the relationship. Abigail had already seduced him and he’d taken advantage of her too. There was only one course of action he could take. “I haven’t changed my mind. I won’t.”

Beside him, Peter Watson let out an exaggerated huff. “How could you possibly marry her?”

“The better question is how could I not want to? She’s lovely, sweet, intelligent, and makes me far happier than I’ve ever been. There is no one else.”

And there never would be. He was quite certain it was Abigail or no one. He’d be a bachelor until his last breath without her.

The frown on Peter Watson’s face grew. “She hasn’t a penny.”

David shook his head. “Money plays no part in this.”

“It does for some of us,” Peter said somewhat mulishly.

David sighed as he realized the real cause of Peter’s objection. David wanted to marry Abigail because he loved her, whereas Peter would marry an heiress he didn’t love for money. If David didn’t know Miss George so well, he might have felt some pity for Peter. But Miss George was capable of great passion, as proved by her many stories. The man just needed to discover it for himself.

He tried another tack. “I understand you’re surprised by this turn of events. In truth, I never imagined I would propose to Abigail when I first arrived in Brighton. But I love her and I will not leave without making her my wife. I’ve written my business partner and have taken leave from my duties in London until we are married.”

Peter’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You’d make that big a sacrifice?”

David worked to suppress a smile as he thought of last night. “Waiting for Abigail is no sacrifice.”

“Hawke,” Valentine Merton called.

David glanced behind and spotted his friend picking his way across the rocks to reach them. He waved. “Where have you been?”

“I was up late and slept late as a consequence.” Valentine gave him an amused look. “Saw another fascinating constellation last night. It seems the night sky is growing more and more interesting every time I view it.”

David suppressed a groan. Valentine had seen him and Abigail together again in the garden. “Never fear, I was just discussing the matter with Peter.”

“Liar. We were not discussing the damn stars.” Peter gestured at David angrily. “This fool thinks to wed my sister and I don’t believe they’ll suit.”

“Congratulations, Hawke,” Valentine said instantly, slapping David on the shoulder. “He’s a lucky fellow, Watson, not a fool. Oh, and congratulations to you too. My sisters have just finished relaying the news that it’s all set between you and Miss George. They say she is utterly delighted.”

Peter scowled.

Valentine suddenly rubbed his hands together. “My, my, this has been an exciting time in Brighton. Two proposals in the same week, and one scandal in the wind.”

David frowned. “A scandal?”

Valentine wagged his finger. “You’ll have to stick around to find out. You miss out on so much by disappearing so quickly each year. A week is nowhere near long enough. Summer is a very exciting time to be in Brighton and this year seems to be the most promising.”

“I’ll be here,” David assured him.

Peter scowled. “He’d better be here. I’m sure Abigail and Miss George are plotting a double wedding even as we speak.”

David drew in a deep satisfied breath of sea air and then smiled. That was the yes he’d been waiting for all his life.

The End

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