To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance) (14 page)

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Authors: Adrienne Basso

BOOK: To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance)
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“If you must know, the marquess is referring to the proposal of marriage he made to me yesterday afternoon.” Lady Meredith waved one careless hand. “Not that it is any of your business whom I marry, Mr. Wingate.”
“Devil take it,” Wingate said, scratching the side of his head. “If you are going to marry Dardington, why are your brothers dueling with the man?”
“Why indeed?” Meredith gave an irate sniff and pointed her nose in the air. “It is, I grant you, a most peculiar way to welcome someone into the family. But surely you must have heard that we Barringtons are an eccentric, unconventional lot.”
The twins turned and looked at the marquess with identical expressions of shock and incomprehension on their faces. Trevor imagined his own face contained the exact reaction.
For it appeared Lady Meredith had just announced, in a most forthright manner, that she was going to marry him. Fancy that!
 
 
It was a most unusual wedding, considering the stature and rank of the bride and groom. A hastily contrived service, taking place in the bride’s home, with only her brothers and a handful of loyal servants as witnesses. There was no one in attendance on behalf of the groom.
The special license had been obtained by the bride’s brothers, who had a rather busy day by any gentleman’s standards: a near duel in the morning; rushed, secretive wedding preparations until noon; and a private late afternoon nuptial ceremony for their only sister.
As Meredith watched her two brothers share a toast of fine French champagne with her new husband, she told herself she had made the only decision possible. Marrying the marquess would keep the twins safe from duels defending her honor. Accomplishing that task alone justified the sacrifice she had made.
She had never known greater fear, nor felt such a depressing sense of helplessness as she had early that morning, witnessing Jasper and the marquess standing so straight and calm, their pistols pointed at each other’s hearts. The sight was mesmerizing, in a terrifying, helpless way, and she had nearly fainted when she first viewed it.
To think her careless actions had brought the twins to such desperate measures was a somber, heart-stopping realization. She knew in that moment she would have to concede, would have to marry the marquess to save them all from the possibility of grief.
Meredith looked down at the nosegay of violets in her hand. The simple bouquet had been a gift from the marquess, presented with casual sincerity just before the wedding ceremony began. The romantic gesture had pleased her greatly, and she had felt the faint warmth of a blush creep on the back of her neck when she accepted the flowers and then stammered a quiet word of thanks.
“Come join us for some champagne, Merry,” Jasper called out gaily. “Dardington had a case of the stuff sent over, and we’ve only polished off one bottle.”
“Yes, join us,” Jason insisted. “If we cannot put a respectable dent in the case we shall we forced to bathe in it. Just like Brummel.”
“You’ve got that wrong,” Trevor interjected. “Brummel does not bathe in champagne, but ’tis said he has his boots cleaned in it.”
“Really?” Meredith smiled and moved forward. “That seems like a ridiculous waste of good wine.”
“Indeed.” Trevor filled a crystal flute and placed it in her hand. All four clinked their goblets together, then exchanged a hearty laugh. Meredith took a large sip of her wine and felt a surge of optimism. Even though there had been long stretches of silence before and after the ceremony, the prevailing feeling had been one of ease.
There was some tension. How could there not be, given the circumstances of the wedding? Yet there were no barbed undercurrents. This unexpected and most welcome sense of serenity gave Meredith reason to hope.
Yes, she had undertaken this marriage partially for the sake of her brothers, to save them from future foolishness. She had also done this partially for the marquess’s sake. Though she still doubted her abilities to be the type of wife he might expect, she felt confident she could at least provide some of the essential elements of a comfortable marriage.
Companionship, if he so desired, lively conversation, a warm, welcoming home, perhaps even a child or two someday, if the marquess wished. She remembered the strength of his kisses, the heat of his caress, and her heart skipped a beat at the thought of creating that life.
And so that was the last bit of truth. She had married him in part because of her brothers, in part because he needed someone to take care of him, and in part because she knew her feelings for him went beyond mere concern. Beyond mere attraction. She was in love with him. Unexpectedly, inexplicably and foolishly in love with him. Meredith had been deeply afraid to acknowledge that truth to herself because she had been frightened of the implications.
Yet she could not hold back her emotions when it appeared the marquess might not live to see another dawn. If that happened, Meredith conceded it would be nearly impossible to face each day that remained of her life.
And now, if given the chance, she could make him and herself very, very happy. Meredith took another large gulp of her champagne and nearly laughed out loud at her own sense of arrogant self-importance. Though a part of her acknowledged it was comical to believe she could control the world when she lacked the power to command her wayward heart, she was nevertheless determined to try.
She was not like other brides, filled with false illusions about a lifetime together that would be filled with only love, happiness, and good fortune. She was prepared to face the challenges of the difficult and uncertain times that lay ahead.
Meredith’s gaze was pulled to her new husband. He had dressed formally in a dark coat, knee breeches, silk stockings and black shoes. The embroidery on his waistcoat was an exquisite creation of wildflowers done in threads of gold and silver. The sight was mesmerizing.
Her mouth had momentarily fell open when he swept into the room earlier. Fortunately she managed to snap it closed quickly, hopefully before he noticed.
“More champagne?”
Startled, Meredith abandoned her thoughts and extended her empty goblet toward her husband. She tilted her chin so she could gaze fully upon his handsome face, then muttered a quiet, “Thank you.”
The marquess returned her perusal. His expression was set and locked, almost grim. She could feel his eyes searching her face and had no idea what he saw. Her feelings were such a mass of contradictions that she knew no one emotion could be clearly displayed.
Then he lifted his glass fractionally, smiled and wet his lips. The small edge of fear that she might have made a monumental mistake by marrying him vanished. Meredith imitated the marquess’s gesture, emptying her glass in the process.
No matter what occurred, she would do all that was within her power to make the best of it.
The first test of her union came less than an hour after she had spoken her vows, when Jason innocently inquired where the newly married couple would reside.
“I no longer keep a house in London,” the marquess answered slowly. “However, I do own three estates, two of which are of considerable size. The nearest is in Devon. Would you like to take up residence there?”
“Today?”
“We could leave within the hour.” The marquess stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Though I rarely visit Hawthorne Manor, I employ a full staff that prides itself on always being ready to receive me with no advance warning.”
“How long would we stay?” Meredith inquired.
Marquess shrugged. “Indefinitely. However if Hawthorne Manor is not to your liking, you may travel to Chester House. Or Billingsworth Castle.”
“Are these properties close to each other?”
“Not exactly. Billingsworth Castle is very picturesque, if you enjoy the country.” A puzzled expression appeared on the marquess’s face. “Do you enjoy the countryside? It occurs to me you might prefer to stay in town, at least for a few more weeks. The Season has yet to reach its full height.”
“The activities of the Season do not hold great appeal for me,” Meredith answered truthfully, wondering if it would be a wise or foolish thing to leave London. “However, I would not like to give the impression we are running away from anything by suddenly going off to the country to rusticate.”
The marquess’s eyebrows drew together. “You are now my wife, under my protection, and, as the Marchioness of Dardington, are therefore above the petty gossip that so amuses the
ton
.”
With effort, Meredith bit back her cynical retort. She suspected just the opposite was true, and she would in truth be the object of much gossip and speculation. Yet she had no wish to start an argument with her husband, especially in front of her brothers. “I see no pressing need for us to remain in town. I can be ready to leave for Hawthorne Manor whenever you wish.”
“Fine. I shall be pleased to escort you there and leave instructions with my staff that you are to be brought to the other properties if you so desire.”
“Will you not accompany me if I travel to the other estates, my lord?”
The marquess gave her a questioning look, but said nothing. Meredith faltered. His silence clearly meant something significant, yet she refused to believe the obvious.
The air in the room suddenly felt icy. “You plan on returning to London without me?” she finally asked.
“Of course.”
“When?”
“I am not sure.” He continued, ignoring her sharp intake of breath. “Most likely in a week. Two at the most.”
“And I am to be left behind in the country? At Hawthorne Manor?” There was an uncomfortable churning in her stomach and a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Don’t look so stricken, my lady. I assure that it is a fine estate,” Trevor said in a level tone. “And I have already given you my permission to move to the other estates if you feel the need.”
“What if I wish to return to London?”
Trevor frowned. “You just said there was no pressing need to remain in town.”
“What if I wish to remain with my husband?” she asked curtly. “What if I object to being left in the country while you spend your days and nights in town? Without me.”
“You just said the social activities of the Season are of little interest to you.”
“And so they are, but I must confess your activities are of interest to me.”
He was clearly taken aback by her blunt response. “It makes little sense to journey to the countryside if neither of us has any intention of staying for any length of time. We might as well remain in town.”
“Fine.” The strain of keeping her tone even and steady was difficult. “Since you have no appropriate lodgings, I shall have rooms prepared for us here. I am certain we can make you comfortable.”
Meredith turned her head swiftly and glanced over at the twins. Their eyes were filled with sympathy. She smothered a sense of anger and irritation. More than anything, Meredith hated to be pitied.
“I will not impose upon the hospitality of my newly acquired in-laws as though I were some indigent fortune hunter,” the marquess snapped. “Especially when your parents are not available to grant their permission.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake, we are all family now,” Meredith cried out. “If you require permission, my lord husband, then I will grant it to you.”
The moment the words fell from her tongue Meredith wished she could call them back. The thunderous expression on the marquess’s face let her know this was not a solution he found acceptable.
“We need stay only until your man of affairs can locate a property in town for us to rent,” she added hastily.
Chilled by the mask-like expression of determination on the marquess’s face, Meredith wisely made no more additional suggestions.
“Instruct your maid to pack your clothing.”
To Meredith’s ears the words sounded all the more forceful because they were spoken with such quiet, stubborn authority.
She made a slight curtsy before quitting the room. Yet Meredith made a point of returning quickly, dressed in her newest walking cloak and matching bonnet. “I told Rose to pack a smaller case with any garments that are needed for a few days. The rest of my clothing and personal items can be sent for later.”
The marquess looked startled when she made her announcement. Meredith nearly smiled. Had he expected her to refuse? To delay until the hour became impossibly late? Or to defy him and lock herself in her room?
Suddenly it was time to go. There were hugs and kisses of farewell for her brothers. Meredith clung to them tightly, surprised at the depth of emotion she was experiencing. She never thought it would be this hard to leave them.
“We wish you joy,” Jasper said softly in her ear. “But if you ever have a need for us, for any reason, send word. You are our sister, and we shall always love you.”
“I know.”
She gave Jasper’s broad shoulders a final squeeze, then turned away. The marquess was looking at her expectantly.
“I am ready, my lord.” Meredith straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.

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