Protection (4 page)

“You care for Lord McGivern, don’t you?”

Rebecca nodded. “Father says I can’t see him until he’s proved himself worthy, but
he won’t say how he is to accomplish such a task. I fear Lord McGivern must think
me flighty for the way I pretended interest in Lord Edgeley. Plus there are the matters
we discussed on the journey. For all I know, he could be planning to keep a mistress
after he weds—if he doesn’t have one already.”

“Rebecca!” Nathaniel’s eyes widened.

“Oh really, Nathaniel.” She gave her brother a look of disdain. “After everything
that has occurred, you cannot possibly believe I’m still ignorant of what goes on.
Keeping a mistress isn’t even the worst of it. What’s to stop Lord McGivern, or whomever
I should marry, from visiting those dreadful places where women sell their bodies?”

“Not necessarily by choice,” Lisa said, and Nathaniel shifted in his seat. It pained
her to acknowledge he’d been party to the behaviour considered appropriate for young
gentlemen—visiting brothels and assuming the young girls working in them were grateful
for the opportunity to service the gentlemen who paid for the privilege.

“I’m aware of society’s double standard,” Rebecca continued. “Personally, I don’t
know what’s worse—the damage that must be done to the character of young gentlemen
instructed in such duplicity or the misery inflicted on young ladies forced to deny
their natural inclinations. They are supposed to pretend they have no desire for their
husbands, and are doomed to a life of deceit as both victim and resentful perpetrator.”

“And then there are the poor women the men turn to in place of their wives, some mere
girls, used and abused by a society that condones both cruelty and blatant hypocrisy.”
Lisa spoke with passion, only questioning the appropriateness of her words when Nathaniel
winced. “Not that I’m saying you or Lord McGivern would have ever . . .”

“Knowingly hurt a child?” he finished for her when her words trailed away. “I should
hope not, but we’ve done little to defend them.”

The silence that followed Nathaniel’s admission alerted Lisa to the fact their elders
had interrupted their conversation to listen in. Her heart sank. She was used to being
able to speak her mind with Nathaniel, and would have to remember to temper her words.
“I’m sorry.” Her shoulders tensing, she looked from her father to her future parents-in-law.
“I shouldn’t have brought up such an indelicate subject.”

“It is true that ladies aren’t supposed to know about such things,” Margaret said.
“And if we become
aware, we are to pretend ignorance.”

“That sounds awful.” Rebecca hugged herself around her middle. “I don’t think I could
bear it if my husband were unfaithful.”

Lisa didn’t either, though she was aware there were worse things. Ruth had told her
Margaret’s story, of how her first husband, Lord Haversham, had treated her badly
while abusing the young girls in his service . . . Ruth included.

“Such behaviour is condoned by society and what most gentlemen expect.” Margaret reached
for Thomas’s hand, and the couple exchanged a look, hers filled with gratitude and
his with compassion. His expression hardening, Thomas faced the room.

“It makes me wonder how I shall trust any
man with my daughter.”

“The same way I am willing to trust your son with mine, I imagine.” Sir George’s mouth
flattened into a line. “By making sure he knows what is required of him and the precise
consequences of failing to live up to his word.”

Nathaniel squirmed at Lisa’s side, and she wondered what he’d been threatened with.
Despite assuring her father she’d entered willingly into the relationship, he seemed
to place the blame solely at Nathaniel’s feet.

“Yes, but there’s only so much influence a father can have over his daughter’s well-being
once she is married,” Thomas continued. “Lord McGivern seems
like an honourable fellow, but how can I be sure? From my understanding, his treatment
of Anneliese was far from exemplary, and he has some questionable acquaintances.”

“They were my acquaintances also.”

Lisa shuddered at Nathaniel’s glum admission then reminded herself there was nothing
to worry about. She didn’t imagine Lord McGivern would have maintained his friendship
with Lord Edgeley after Nathaniel banished the crude fellow from Worthington. As for
keeping in contact with Lord Copeland, that was out of the question now the man had
been denounced and fled abroad.

Recalling how Lord McGivern had come with Nathaniel to her rescue in the markets of
Worthey, she was inclined to be forgiving of his less-gentlemanly comments. From the
sadness in Rebecca’s eyes, Lisa suspected her friend was halfway to being in love
with the enormous Scotsman.

“I have a suggestion,” she said and then snapped her mouth shut.

Margaret smiled. “We’d all like to hear it.”

Lisa wasn’t so sure, fearing her intention to behave in a more decorous manner was
destined to be short-lived. At Nathaniel’s nod of encouragement, she continued. “During
my time masquerading as a servant, I became aware that many young women face grave
dangers
in their places of employment. Some are even stolen off the street and forced to work
as . . . well.” She spread her hands, her listeners’ solemn nods assuring her they
knew to what she was referring. “Needless to say, their plight has become very dear
to my heart. If not for Nathaniel, my
story might have had a similar end.”

Lisa wanted him to know she considered him the hero in her tale,
not
the villain, but his expression remained grim. As far as she was concerned, his willingness
to give up everything in order that they should wed more than atoned for his perceived
wrongdoings. But she was beginning to suspect that his belief he’d behaved dishonourably
would not be so easily assuaged.

Hoping her plan would give Nathaniel the avenue he needed to mollify his conscience,
and Rebecca a chance to discover if Lord McGivern was the man she wished to spend
her life with, Lisa continued. “I’m assuming there must be charitable organisations
that help young girls, and I’d like to support them.
I thought we all
could.”

“That’s a credit to your compassionate nature,” Thomas said. “But I’m curious as to
what bearing your benevolent intentions have on my being able to discern a young gentleman’s
trustworthiness?”

“It’s a matter of education.” She sat forward. “My belief is the majority of young
gentlemen are ignorant of the dangers girls face when they are without protection.
One way Lord McGivern could prove his sincerity is by becoming acquainted with the
reality of the situation and working for the betterment of the women he may have,
inadvertently, disrespected in the past. That’s if you think he’d be willing?” Looking
to Nathaniel again, Lisa hoped she hadn’t overstepped the mark.

“I’m sure he’d be willing, as would I,
not
that we were ones to overly indulge in that sort of thing.”

The uncomfortable silence that followed his words was broken by Margaret.

“That’s an excellent idea, one that would give us all the opportunity to make a difference.”

“In a way I suspect will test the mettle of any young gentleman,” Thomas added dryly.
“Thank you, Anneliese, for sharing your unique perspective on a challenging issue.
Now I think it’s time we called it a night.”

“It has certainly been a long day,” her father said. “But before Anneliese and I retire,
I’d like a few moments with her and Lord Marsden.”

His tone revealed nothing of his intentions, and Lisa crossed her fingers in the hope
he wasn’t planning to harangue Nathaniel anew.

“You wished to speak with us, sir?” Nathaniel asked, after his parents and sister
had said their good nights. He stood to attention, and Lisa sidled closer, whether
to offer support or find comfort, she wasn’t sure. Not that she was afraid of her
father, of course. Well, not for herself.

“I wanted to offer you both my personal congratulations on gaining the King’s approval
for your nuptials—qualified though they may be. I’m sure he’ll come around, and I
must say I am relieved. The idea of relocating abroad at my age was hardly appealing.”
A smile twitched his lip, and Lisa breathed a sigh. That her father’s sense of humour
was reasserting itself was an excellent sign.

“By way of an early betrothal gift, I thought I would mention it will probably take
me a good five minutes to make my way up the stairs. I shan’t require Anneliese’s
company until I reach the landing. Good night, Lord Marsden.”

“Please, sir, call me Nathaniel.”

“Very well, Nathaniel.” Her father nodded before turning to Lisa. “My dear, I’ll see
you at the top of the stairs in a little while. Five minutes to be precise.”

“Of course, Papa, and thank you.” She ducked her head to hide the grin she had no
hope of suppressing. As soon as he left the room, she spun to face Nathaniel, wondering
what he would make of her father’s extraordinary offer. At the sight of his desire-darkened
eyes, the breath she was holding escaped on a sigh, and she moved into his arms.

“Lisa.” His lips brushed her forehead, his hands resting gently at her waist.

Rising up on tiptoes, she entwined her arms around his neck and reached for his mouth,
murmuring with dismay when he forestalled her.

“I’m afraid if I start kissing you, I won’t be able to stop.” His breath tickled the
tender skin below her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure Papa will intervene if we get carried away.”

Groaning, he buried his face in her hair, and Lisa could have kicked herself for reminding
him.

“Kiss me, Nathaniel. You promised.”

Leaning back, he met her gaze. “So I did.”

Lisa’s eyes fluttered closed, the desire to replace treasured memory with far more
satisfying reality coursing through her. When his soft, warm lips touched hers, she
whimpered, her fingers clutching his shoulders. Eager for him to deepen the kiss,
she opened her mouth, but he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. She hid her
disappointment, savouring the kiss and determined not to be ungrateful. Their time
was short, and he was right to be wary of getting too
carried away. When she felt the hardness of his arousal brush against her stomach,
however, she couldn’t help feeling relieved she wasn’t the only one so affected.

“I could
sneak out of my room tonight,” she whispered between kisses. “Ruth would cover for
me.”

“I beg your pardon?” Nathaniel pulled back with a start.

“You don’t want to
be
with me after so long?”

“Of course I do, but I promised your father I’d be respectful, and well . . .” He
ran a hand raggedly through his hair.

“Gentlemen don’t lie with ladies to whom they are not properly wed.” Lisa’s cheeks
flamed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made such an offer.”

“It’s all right, sweetheart. It’s not your fault.”

“It isn’t?” Her hopes rising, she closed the small distance between them.

“No. I shouldn’t have given you the impression I expected more. I treated you abominably
in the past, and I will do better in future, I promise.”

Abominably?
The passion from but a few seconds earlier was replaced with apprehension as Lisa
considered his words. She’d hoped her fears would prove unfounded, but it sounded
like he didn’t want things to return to the way they’d been between them—that he viewed
their time together very differently than she did. Uncertain how to respond, she kept
perfectly still for his final, chaste
kiss.

“Pleasant dreams,” he said, stepping back.

“And you.” She mustered a smile in a vain attempt to hide her aching disappointment,
before they made their way up the stairs to where her father was waiting.

Chapter 4

Acquaintance

With sleep unlikely, Nathaniel called for his carriage. Slumped in the seat on the
drive to his gentlemen’s club, he tried to make sense of the momentous events of the
day. It wasn’t easy, as they tumbled over one another in their determination to be
considered. Nor were his emotions under any better control. Being reunited with Lisa
was akin to having a great weight lifted from his shoulders, his joy knowing no bounds.
The few minutes alone her father had granted them—an event he would have never foreseen—had
barely whet his appetite for the woman he loved, the woman he’d been ready to give
up
everything
for. He could have kissed her for hours . . . forever. Holding her in his arms was
a literal dream come true, except for the fact that everything about their shared
past had been cast in a new light with the revelation that she was the daughter of
a princess. His Lisa! As to her unexpected offer, he didn’t know what to think.

A harsh breath escaped his lips.

Of one thing he was certain . . . taking her up on it wasn’t an option if he wanted
to keep his hide intact. Becoming acquainted with her father at the palace, while
Lisa spent time with the King, had been every bit as daunting as he’d imagined. His
gut churned when he recalled the encounter . . .

Sir George’s pallor was alarming. It didn’t take a physician to know the man wasn’t
yet fully recovered from the life-threatening injuries Copeland had inflicted. Not
for the first time, Nathaniel wished he had gotten his hands on the rogue before he’d
escaped the country. The disgraced baron would have thought twice about engaging in
such treachery again after he was done with him.