A Scandalous Marriage (32 page)

Ben adored his father. The two were inseparable. Devon carried a laughing, chattering Ben on his shoulders when he visited the wharves. The two become such a familiar sight that the silhouetted image of a man carrying a child on his shoulders soon became the sign for the company of Marshall and Son.

Leah blossomed with marriage. The former debutante who had so jealously struggled for acceptance was replaced by a compassionate woman at peace with the world. She surprised everyone when she started a charity for foundlings. She funded it with the money she had asked of Devon. Originally she had wanted that money in case she and her son had been forced back into the world alone. Now, she knew the bonds between herself, Devon, and Ben were unbreakable.

Even her parents were eventually accepted back into society. Julian surprised everyone when he decided to stay in the country. At first, Leah worried it was his way of evading her and Devon, but when his betrothal was announced to a squire’s daughter, she heaved a sigh of relief.

Rex and Venetia were not happy.

In spite of receiving Montclef and a reasonable maintenance allowance from the Kirkeby estate, Rex and his mother didn’t hesitate to tell everyone that Ben was not Huxhold’s natural son. Few cared. What concern was it of theirs—especially since the marchioness was such a kind and considerate creature?

Ben would not inherit; the world would go on. Soon people of consequence and distinction grew tired of Vainhope’s carping and began avoiding his company.

It was the third day of September when Leah went in search of her husband. She found him in his study.

The book-lined room was his special haven. Ben played with a ball. He’d roll up on the desk, right on top of Devon’s papers, where his father would have no choice but to throw it, and Ben would happily chase it.

As Leah entered the room, Devon looked up. He’d taken off his jacket and tossed it over a chair. His valet would not be pleased, but Devon didn’t care. He’d already caused four to leave his employ in an artistic huff. What was one more?

“Hello,” he greeted her, his smile still having the power to make her heart beat faster.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hello,” Ben echoed, tossing the ball in her direction. She rolled it across the India carpet before standing by the edge of her husband’s desk.

Devon scratched his head, lost in thought. “These figures are incredible,” he said. “The percentages are all in our favor.” He looked up suddenly. “I may be buying my fourth ship.”

“Good. We must maintain Madame Nola’s goodwill at all costs,” she teased.

He smiled absently and returned to his column of figures. He loved adding and subtracting, scribbling out percentages, and considering new ways of making money. Sometimes, Ben would sit on his knee with his own pen and paper and pretend to do the same.

She remembered the day on the wharves when Devon had boasted to her of the business empire he would build. It was now a reality. Furthermore, his prediction of it being a new age had also been correct. His business acumen was now envied among their peers, who often solicited his advice.

Trailing her hand along the smooth mahogany of the desk, she worked around to where he was sitting.

Her movements disturbed his papers. He didn’t even blink but patiently put them back in order and kept working.

She decided she needed to try something else to capture his attention. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she began kneading the muscles of his neck the way he liked it.

Now she had his attention. Devon leaned back in the chair, a smile crossing his face.

“You work too hard,” she chided softly.

“Not always. But right now, Rusky wants to invest in a tin mine. The markets are in a devil of a state.

I’m wondering how we can do it and make good money.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll manage,” she said. She ran her thumb up and down the back of his neck.

“That feels good.”

“Ummm,” she answered.

Devon turned. “Something is not right here.”

She stopped the massage. “What do you mean?” she asked, innocence itself.

“The expression on your face.” He studied her a moment. “You look like a cat that has been in the cream.”

Leah laughed. “I have.”

“Oh?” He sat forward, his voice dropping. “Any cream in particular?” Ben rolled the ball up on the desk. Devon caught it before it fell off the other side and tossed it for him. The toddler charged after it, his body almost getting ahead of his feet.

Leah sat on the edge of the desk. “I have a secret.”

“One that includes me?”

She nodded.

He ran his hand up and down the top of her thighs.
“These
are my favorite secrets,” he told her with a sleepy leer.

She caught his hands. “I’ll wager one week of backscrubbing every day that you can’t imagine what my secret is.”

He grinned, intrigued. “Does it have anything to do with Ben?”

“Maybe a little” She reconsidered. “Actually, quite a bit.”

“So it is about Ben and me?”

“Especially you.”

“And it is good news?”

“Oh, very good news.” She practically sang the words, adding, “Unless you are Rex or Venetia.”

He mouthed her last words. “What could it be that Rex and Venetia wouldn’t like?” He laughed, lifting his hands heavenward. “What wouldn’t it be? They are turning into absolute fustians.”

She smiled her agreement before offering, “Would you like a hint?”

Relentless, Ben walked up at that moment and threw the ball. Devon caught it with one hand and tossed it. “We do this all day,” he admitted dryly. “And yes, I want a hint.”

Leah placed his hand against her abdomen. “Do you feel anything?”

“Should I?”

“Oh, Devon. Think of miracles and wishes and dreams and the almost impossible.”

“Almost impossible,” he repeated. “That doesn’t make sense—? Wait.” He caught her meaning.

“Leah?” he asked incredulously.

She nodded, happy tears coming to her eyes. “Yes. We are going to have a baby.”

His reaction was everything she could have imagined. With a loud whoop, he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her round and round.

Laughingly, Ben chased them, begging for his turn at a ride in Papa’s arms.

Alexander Marshall, who the family called Alec, was born seven months later. It was an easy delivery, although Devon did not attend this birthing. He and Ben were perfectly happy to pace back and forth outside the bedroom door as the very professional doctor took care of matters. Ben was overjoyed to have a brother, someone who would be pleased to play toss and fetch all day.

Devon held his newborn son in his hands, fearful that he would feel more for this child than he did for Ben. But in truth, he discovered he loved Alec and Ben equally. They were both children of his heart.

Yes, Alec would someday be Viscount Huxhold, heir to the marquess of Kirkeby, but Leah and Devon would insist that both their sons learn to be men of the world. And so they were.

Benjamin Marshall and Sons Names New Head
London Financial Express
15 April 1999, sec.

C: 6

One of Britain’s most influential and established money houses, Benjamin Marshall and Sons, named a new president this morning. Delia Marshall will step in to fill the position left vacant since the departure of Sir Scott Carrollton due to illness last month. International markets rose across the board in reaction to the news.

Considered by some to have the keenest financial mind of this century, Miss Marshall was groomed personally for her new role by Sir Scott. In a statement issued from his home in Sussex, Sir Scott said,

“Delia is an energetic visionary who will successfully guide Benjamin Marshall into a new millennium.”

Miss Marshall is the first female head in the almost two hundred years of the bank’s history. She assured this reporter she has no plans to change the company’s logo of a silhouetted man carrying a small boy on his shoulders, considered by many to be one of the most trusted and recognized trademarks in the world.

A direct descendent of bank founder Benjamin Marshall, she is also the cousin of Britain’s ambassador to France, Vincent Marshall, Lord Kirkeby.