Tainted Bride (16 page)

“And that is what you want, to be an old maid with no life beyond some cottage in the country?”

Somehow, he’d made something quite pleasant sound lonely and dark. “Don’t worry, my lord, I shall manage.”

He ran his hand through his hair felling the wavy locks from their queue. “But I shall not.”

If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought he was truly injured by her rejection. She stood and brushed out her dress. “Oh, I think you’ll be just fine. You are the type of man who always survives. You are the type of man who will never lack for the company of women.”

“I want you.”

“Yes, so you said. I have also made it clear I do not wish to marry. You will have to look elsewhere. I’m sorry.” She said all of this graciously and in what she hoped was a slightly haughty tone. Whenever Lady Collington used an air of superiority in her voice, people tended to listen to her and not argue.

“Sophie.” It was a whisper. He still sat on the ground, but he looked up at her in such an imploring way she wanted to kneel down and take him in her arms. She wanted to protect him, to cradle him and in turn, to be comforted by him. Impossible.

“You want me, too,” he said.

Snapping her head around, she looked out toward the lake. She needed answers, but she had none. She didn’t understand the feelings she experienced when she was with Daniel, but she knew fear and whenever his desire for her grew or their kisses went too far, terror filled her and she wanted to scream. She wouldn’t make a good wife. That much was certain. If she couldn’t perform her wifely duties, he would go to his opera singer or some other woman and that would be unbearable. “It makes no difference. I cannot be a wife. You have seen what happens.”

He stood and faced her. “Then the only reason you will not marry me is because you think you will never make me a proper wife in bed. Is that right?”

She nodded and in spite of the fact she wanted to appear worldly, her cheeks were on fire and she trembled.

“What if I said I would not demand that of you?”

“Really, Daniel, you must think me a fool. You will not do without your husbandly rights. No man would tolerate that. Besides, you must have an heir.”

“True.” He put his hand on his chin and stared at the ground. “I have an idea, but it will require you to be quite a bit forward thinking.”

“I’m an American.”

“You don’t trust men because of what Pundington did and I understand that. What you know is violence and pain. I want to prove to you that what happens between two people who are in love bears no resemblance to what you have experienced. I suggest I come to you tonight after the others have gone to sleep. You will have to trust me, my love, but if I can prove we will satisfy each other in every way, will you marry me?”

The sound of her own heart beating was so loud in her ears it drowned out all the other sounds of the country. The idea didn’t repulse her. If she was honest with herself, she found the notion rather exciting. A clandestine meeting with Daniel in her bedroom while the rest of the house slept.

“I think I must sit down.” She plopped herself back down on the ground.

He sat too but fidgeted and plucked at the grass. His eyes remained downcast and nothing about him was the Earl of Marlton. This was just Daniel.

“I agree to your terms, but I would ask one thing.”

“Anything.” His smile was so bright she almost forgot her demands.

“I would prefer to wait until tomorrow night. It has been an exhausting day and I don’t think I can take much more drama.”

He examined her. “Promise me you will not run.”

She thought her best curse word. “I promise.”

He reached out and helped her to her feet. “Very well then.”

She took his hand and he pulled her forward until he kissed her nose. “It shall be tomorrow. I’ll come to you one hour after everyone has retired. Send your maid away and leave your door unlocked.”

They didn’t find the ball. When they returned from the search, Daniel laughed and joked with the others while Sophia prayed she didn’t become ill.

“Oh, Sophia, your slippers are ruined,” Elinor said. “No wonder you look so unhappy. Your feet must be freezing. You should go back to your room and put on a new pair.”

Sophia looked down at her feet. The light pink satin slippers were now dark where the water had soaked them and mud had caked all around the bottom edge. It was rather uncomfortable now her attention was on it. “I’ll go directly.”

Elinor smiled. “I’ll go with you. The game is over and I would like to rest a while before dinner. I think Lady Marlton intends for there to be dancing later tonight. Wouldn’t that be lovely?”

Elinor didn’t require an answer. She talked all the way back to the house. She talked about her dress and the dress she would wear later that evening. She talked about Sir Michael and how wonderful he was and how attentive. Her monologue was so thorough, Sophia was now in possession of the knowledge that Sir Michael and his friends would be staying the entire week. And wasn’t that exciting?

Sophia nodded when it was necessary, which wasn’t often. She was glad for the company and the constant chatter as it kept her from dwelling too long on the events of the day or the promise she had made.

“Tomorrow we have planned a nature walk. Lord Gautier, it turns out, is an amateur botanist and he has agreed to take us all out and explain the local flowers and plants for us.” Elinor never lost her enthusiasm for whatever subject she flitted to.

Sophia forced a smile when it became obvious Elinor wanted some reaction. “Really? Won’t that be nice?”

“Sophia, really, they are only slippers. You should not get so upset about your clothing. I’ll admit they were a lovely pair, but you have others and I’m sure Lady Collington will replace those as well.”

Sophia giggled. Daniel and the following night bounced around her head and were so incongruous with the chatter from Elinor. It was funny. “You are right, Elinor. I’m just being silly. Everything will be all right.”

“Of course it will.” Elinor patted Sophia’s arm.

Once she was alone in her room, she considered her agreement with Daniel. All she had agreed to was to allow him to try to make love to her. He would stop if she asked him to. He’d proven that. She also knew she would never be able to go through with it. The deed was too horrible. She cringed at the idea of ever letting anyone do to her what Pundington had done. She would allow him into her room and a few kisses, which she would enjoy tremendously. There was nothing at all to worry about. Pleased with herself, she lay back on her pillow. She had not slept the night before and it had been a difficult day.

* * * *

Daniel left the playing field and went to his study where he planned to get some work done before dinner. It was almost half an hour later, and he still sat aimlessly staring out the window and wondering how he would ever manage to wait a full day and a half to touch Sophia again. The fact he was begging a woman to marry him when few days ago, he would have bet a thousand pieces sterling he wouldn’t marry until Janette forced him to do so, amused him. Now, he worried he wouldn’t be able to convince her that he was the one for her.

One thing was certain, Sophia was afraid and with good reason. Another big problem, Alistair Pundington, and how to deal with him. Destroying that evil bastard topped Daniel’s to-do list. His hands balled into fists on his desk.

“You look about to have a pugilistic endeavor, Dan.” Thomas stood in the doorway. “I hope I am not the object of your rage.”

Daniel relaxed and waved Thomas into the room. “Close the door. I’m glad you’re here, I need to discuss something with you.”

Thomas’s brow rose and he sat stretching his legs out in front of him. “Oh?”

Daniel stood and paced. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked from one end of the room to the other. His friends from Eton found amusement in his pacing. It was something he did whenever he had a lot on his mind and needed to sort through it. Thomas had dubbed it “the earl walk” years ago.

“What is it, Dan. Has someone died? Blyth, perhaps? You do not have to protect me. If Lady Blyth has turned toes up, I can take the news.”

He stopped pacing, not minding that his old habit gave Thomas an opportunity to poke fun at him. “I have decided to marry Miss Braighton.”

Thomas’s smile faded. “I see. Has the lady agreed?”

“Not yet.”

“Are you telling me this because you would like me to withdraw my proposal?” Thomas sat as if he hadn’t a care in the world, but his eyes showed he was not entirely happy with this development.

Daniel sat across from Thomas. “Are you in love with her?” It annoyed him how much he was worried about how he might answer. The fact was he would be Sophia’s husband and if that meant Thomas would be hurt he would regret that, but it would change nothing.

“Of course not. Though, I’m fond of her and I would not like to see her hurt.”

“And you think I will hurt her.” Daniel did his best to hide his relief.

Thomas leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “I think she is the perfect woman for you, Dan. I’m sure if you allow her to, she will heal all your wounds. I’m also aware you have never recovered from your last engagement, harbor deep issues about women and fidelity, and you will make Sophia suffer for those issues. Are you in love with her?”

“Maybe.” He ran his hand through his curls. “I cannot seem to do without her. She is all I think about. Is that love?”

“More likely lust, but it’s a start.” Thomas’s good humor returned. “I’ll withdraw my proposal, but I warn you if you do not marry her, I will.”

“I’m going to marry her, Tom.” His stomach did a little flip when he said the words. It was not at all unpleasant.

“Shall we drink to it?”

“An excellent idea.”

* * * *

Dinner was similar to the evening before, except Sophia sat closer to the head of the table. Tom was on her right and Emma on her left. Lady Blyth sat at the other end of the table speaking loudly to poor Serena who looked ready to cry.

Regardless of how annoying the twins were, Sophia felt a great deal of pity for the poor girl’s situation.

“Do not look. You will get drawn into it,” Thomas warned.

She turned toward him. “Tom, don’t be so cruel. The poor girl is going to need your help in a moment, just as I did last night.”

“Let March save her. I have done my part already this week. We have enough men to rescue young women for each day we are forced to dine with Lady Blyth.” He spoke softly so only Sophia heard.

Sophia giggled. “I suppose that’s true. What if the other men here are not as gallant as you and leave the poor girl to be devoured?”

Thomas sighed dramatically. “I have faith in my sex, Miss Braighton, but should they fail, I shall be forced to swoop in and save all the fair maidens.”

She continued to chuckle and the second course was brought to the table.

Just then, Lord March got up and offered the teary girl his arm and the two of them left the dining room.

Sophia would have to ask the cook to send a small plate up to Serena’s room later so she wouldn’t starve. When she looked down the table at Lady Blyth, she was babbling to Aunt Daphne as if nothing had happened. Sophia shook her head and turned back to her meal.

* * * *

Daniel trusted Thomas with his life. Still, the exchange between him and Sophia forced a wave of jealously over him. He pushed away the foolishness, praying in time he would be able to watch his wife interact with other men without having the urge to bash someone in the face.

The notion made its way into his mind that this beautiful American would soon be his wife. Joy started as a bud of warmth in his belly then expanded outward until it engulfed him as if it was a wool blanket on a cool night. Now he only needed to convince her that she needed him just as desperately. His train of thought had him pondering the following night’s clandestine meeting. His groin tightened and the necessity to think of something else became urgent.

“My lord, do you agree?” Dorothea Flammel broke into his daydream.

“I beg your pardon, my lady, I was lost in thought. What am I to agree to?”

“Sir Michael and I were just discussing the conditions of coal mining sites.”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I did not realize your interests ranged so widely, Lady Dorothea. What position did you take on the matter?”

“I believe it is the responsibility of the government to make certain the people of England are not taken advantage of by greedy landowners.” Her voice firmly dared anyone to challenge her.

Sir Michael weighed-in without fear. “It is the obligation of the landowner to keep his own people safe, my lady. When government involves themselves in our everyday existence it can only cause chaos and misery.”

“What is your opinion, Lord Marlton?” Dory asked.

Sophia and Thomas had turned away from their private discussion to hear what he said. How much did his little American beauty know about politics? He hoped she was, at least, curious. He couldn’t wait for evenings filled with hearty debates with his wife.

Daniel left a pregnant pause to gather his thoughts and focus on the issue. “I think it is best to leave government out of the day to day workings of local business. However, if there is a misuse of the citizens of England, then it is the responsibility of the government to investigate, step in when required, and make provisions when necessary.”

“Spoken like a true politician.” Thomas punctuated his comment with a chuckle.

“I don’t know,” Sophia said. “As an American, I believe government should stay out of the lives of its citizens. However, greed can often lead people to forget they have those lives in their hands. The landowner must not only think about the men who go down into their mines, but also the families of those miners. If the men in charge do not consider such issues, then government must create regulations to make them do so.”

“A rather naïve view, Miss Braighton,” Sir Michael said.

Her response pleased Daniel more than it should. Perhaps it was the anticipation of political debate being part of his daily life. “Not naïve, Michael, human. Women have a viewpoint we would do well to add to our own. They think beyond the silver crown. It would not hurt you to go and investigate your own mines and see why they are not profitable. Perhaps it is the treatment of those workmen, which curtails the value of a day’s work.”