An Unlikely Alliance (9 page)

Turning as he pushed himself out of the
chair, all of his nervousness hit him again, full force across the
chest. It was suddenly hard to breathe. He swallowed to give
himself a moment to think as he stared.

And stared.

And then stared some more.

Good thing she knew him to be one who was
sometimes speechless, because at the moment he was gawking.

Her gown was fully white all the way to the
floor, but tipped around the edges in black satin. As she turned to
grab her gloves he was able to see the scoop of the back. He
groaned. It was scandalously low. Her mask covered only half of her
face, making her eyes stand out so much it hurt for him to stare
directly at her.

He was an idiot to think she would say yes.
Beautiful women like her married princes and titled gentlemen. They
sailed to Europe and married a duke, much like his relative the
Duke of Tempest. They didn't marry merchants. And they didn't marry
him. A man who didn't deserve to breathe the same air as someone so
pure and innocent.

"You are beautiful," he choked out as he
went to take her arm. She flinched at his touch and gave a small
curtsy.

"Shall we?" Without waiting for answer, she
walked ahead of him until they reached the waiting carriage. The
gown she was wearing shimmered in the moonlight, taking his breath
away.

He was mad for her.

Getting into the carriage behind her was no
easy task as his eyes were transfixed by the fullness of her form.
He wanted to worship her. Surely God wouldn't mind if Royce
reverently worshipped one of His finest creations?

"Are you well?" Royce bit his lip as he
waited for Evelyn's response. Why were her eyes so downcast? Was
she unwell again?

"I am."

Her response was clipped.

"If you're too tired, Evelyn, we can go
back." He wanted to kick himself as he watched her shoulders slump
even more. Something was wrong. It was probably him. Wasn't it
always him? "What did you do this afternoon, love?"

"I went shopping." Licking her lips, she met
his eyes.

He nodded and smiled. "Ah, yes, shopped the
day of the ball. Whatever did you shop for?"

"A mask for the Valentine's Ball."

"It is a lovely mask." The tension in the
carriage was awkward. Clearing his throat, he pried further. "And
where else did you shop?"

"Franklins glove store, the one on the other
side of town."

Something wasn't right. As the carriage
rumbled to a stop it hit him.

"The glove store on the other side of town?
The same glove store next to the disreputable areas? This
afternoon?" Leaning in as he questioned her, he noticed Evelyn's
lip quiver. She turned away and stepped out of the carriage.

"It's not what you think." Desperately Royce
tried to sound reassuring, even though everything inside him
screamed, "Idiot!"

Evelyn nodded and smiled as they donned
their masks and walked into the great entryway. After they were
properly introduced, Royce held out his arm and led her into the
ballroom. Brilliant colors of red and white were littered
everywhere within the ballroom. It was a romantic's dream come
alive. It was supposed to be the perfect night for him and Evelyn,
but instead he sensed her pulling away from him.

Evelyn tensed next to him "Maybe they'll be
dancing; we should split up…"

"Don't. Evelyn, you need to know the truth.
What happened. I can explain."

Pulling away from him, she said through her
teeth, "I think I've seen enough to come to my own conclusions,
Royce."

Insanity seeped into his brain again. Upset
more at himself than at poor Evelyn, he did the only thing he knew
to do. He grabbed her arm and began pulling her past shocked
guests. He led her down the hall and threw open the first door he
found. Luckily it was unoccupied.

"Sit." His voice was commanding.

She followed orders but still refused to
meet his gaze.

"Evelyn, look at me." She shook her head and
clenched her fists. "Evelyn, look at me right now. Let me explain
myself, and then you can be angry. I'll even let you take my pistol
if it makes you feel better."

"Do I get to point and shoot, Royce?"

He chuckled. "That's my girl. Yes, you get
to point and shoot. Just try not to look so thrilled about it." He
lifted a silent prayer that God would give him words. "Evelyn, I
love you. I'm an idiot and a fool, and I love you. I can't imagine
spending my life with anyone but you."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but he
pressed on. "I was at Madame's house today in the broad daylight,
where anyone could see me, and I didn't care. Do you know why I
didn't care?"

She swallowed.

"I didn't care because I don't want that
life anymore. I can't even believe it was me living that life. I
let my family down; I let down the woman I would one day love, and
I hate myself for it. I went to let go of my past. To apologize to
both women whom I've hurt. Yes, one of them ran after me, but it
was only to say thank you."

His shoulders trembled as he knelt on the
floor before Evelyn. "I'm the worst type of man. But you make me
want to be better. Being with you makes me better. I'm better than
this. I let a time of grief over my father dictate my choices. And
for that I'm sorry, because it shows you my weak character. I love
you, Evelyn. And…" he took another deep breath. "I want to make you
my wife. Forever. I want to bind myself to you for eternity. I want
to spend my life serving you rather than myself. I want to put your
needs before my own. I want—"

"Shh!" Evelyn's fingers brushed his lips.
They tasted of salt and … dare he hope? Forgiveness. He did hope,
for he never wanted to be the cause of her tears again.

"I love you, too."

"What?" Voice hoarse, he gazed into her
eyes. "What did you say?"

"I love you—"

He didn't wait. Kissing her lips first, then
her eyes, then her neck. He covered her with reckless abandon.

Royce lifted her off of the small chair and
carried her to the sofa. Reluctantly he pulled back and gazed at
her grief-stricken face. "I never want you to cry again. If you cry
again, I might have to jump in front of a moving carriage. I cannot
handle your tears."

Evelyn laughed a rich laugh and pulled him
toward her. "Then you shall have to try to make me so very happy,
future husband, for I would hate to see you injured by a
carriage."

"Well, when I said carriage, I meant a small
carriage—pulled by donkeys, not horses—so, in all honesty, I'm not
sure how injured I would be. Maybe a swollen ankle you could nurse
back to health with your kisses, or your body, or—"

Evelyn silenced him with a kiss. Growling,
he pulled at her hair, allowing it to fall across her shoulders.
"My God above, you are beautiful."

Lifting an eyebrow, she touched his face. "I
hope that was said in reverence."

He rested his forehead on hers and
whispered, "Oh, it was, my love. It was."

Chapter
Fourteen

"I knew it! I just knew it!" Mr. De Jarlias'
voice boomed into the room, nearly giving Royce a heart attack.
Thanking his lucky stars that it wasn't anyone else who could
easily ruin Evelyn's reputation, he let out the breath he had been
holding.

Then he saw Mr. De Jarlias' face. Royce
glanced down at Evelyn with new eyes and suddenly realized what it
must look like. Royce on top of Evelyn. Her hair down around her
shoulders, face entirely flushed and lips swollen, and naturally,
Royce's hands were resting dangerously close to Evelyn's
breasts.

Perfect.

At least he had a chance at love before he
was shot.

Slowly, as to prolong the time before his
demise, he pushed away from the sofa and walked the plank towards
Mr. De Jarlias. It was at that moment his mother walked in and
gasped.

Make that two killings in one night. If it
was possible to be killed twice, that is.

He opened his mouth to speak just as Mr. De
Jarlias opened his.

"By all means…" Royce said, allowing him to
speak.

"You must marry at once!"

"Oh." Royce looked at Evelyn and laughed.
"Whatever shall we do, Evelyn?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, and
he winked.

Evelyn, wide-eyed, gasped then and cried,
"Are you sure, Daddy?"

"Oh, I'm sure!" Apparently Southerners could
yell quite loudly.

Royce shrugged his shoulders in mock
surrender. "Well then, sir, I should like to make my offer. May I
have your daughter's hand in marriage? You see, well, I'm sure you
can see here, it's best we get married sooner rather than later.
Don't want any grandchildren out of wedlock, now do we?"

Evelyn turned an attractive shade of red.
"Royce!"

Mr. De Jarlias turned the same color.

Royce grinned fiendishly.

His mother scowled. All in all, it was a
normal day in the life of Royce McArthur.

"You've, you've…" Mr. De Jarlias couldn't
seem to get the words out.

"Consummated?" Royce offered.

"Royce McArthur!" His mother, appalled and
embarrassed, raised a hand to slap him, which he knew he deserved,
but he ducked anyway.

"All of you stop this at once! Royce, I have
no idea what has gotten into you. Oh well, fine. I know exactly
what's gotten into you. You're insane, but you've been insane since
I met you, so why should I be shocked?" Evelyn's voice was also
loud but pleasing to his ears. "Daddy, I'm marrying this man
because I love him. And no, we have not consummated." The scarlet
flush of her face deepened at the word. "Royce, wipe that
ridiculous grin off of your face before I take your pistol." His
smile froze. "And how dare you come in here and accuse us of going
behind your backs and being ill-behaved, when both of you…" She
pointed at both parents. Royce crossed his arms and took a seat. It
was a good show. "Yes! Both of you—our own parents—were going
behind our backs and courting!"

"Courting?" Mrs. McArthur looked sheepishly
at Mr. De Jarlias. "We've only been spending time together."

Evelyn laughed. "Drinking wine! Having
picnics? Shopping?"

"Have you been spying on us?" Mr. De Jarlias
interjected.

"I, uh…" Evelyn looked to Royce for help. He
shook his head with a no thanks and invited them to continue with a
wave of his hand. Naturally he would pay for his betrayal of Evelyn
later, but this was too good to pass up.

However, when all of them began talking at
once, he felt the sudden need to settle the mood before the
masquerade was ruined. "Let's just be honest. I am in love with
your daughter, and it seems you two…" He pointed to both parents.
"Find joy in each other's company. Shall we just leave the details
to ourselves and enjoy the Valentine's Ball before we ruin the
night?"

All eyes were on Royce, each with mouth
gaping in turn, as it slowly dawned on them that for once, Royce
was the reasonable one. They all nodded, apologized, and walked out
into the hall arm in arm.

"I think you'll be a good husband after
all," Evelyn whispered.

"I'm shocked and appalled all at once! You
had your doubts?"

Her eyes twinkled as she stopped and took
his face in both hands. "No, Royce. I no longer have doubts about
you. I love you with every fiber of my being."

Her kiss was deep, seductive—he wanted more.
"You know, we can always go back into that room and…"

"Royce." Evelyn's voice edged with warning
as she gave him a stern look.

"Or," he offered diplomatically, "we can go
see what kind of meats are at the buffet table."

When her face lit up, he realized he
couldn't wait to spend his life with her by his side.

Chapter
Fifteen

The Worthington's Valentine's Ball had been
the perfect night for Royce. It was the first time in his life he
felt truly excited about the holiday. In his memory it would always
serve as a reminder that love really did exist.

They were married quickly the next week, and
in typical male fashion he could not wait to be alone with his
wife.

As they entered the large mansion, Royce did
not allow any time to be wasted. Instead, he gathered Evelyn into
his arms and carried her up the stairs. He stopped at his bedroom
and slammed the door behind him. Never once did his lips leave
hers. Tenderly he tugged at her hair, allowing it to flow freely
around her shoulders. Her soft moan encouraged him to dig his hands
into the thick locks.

He chanced opening his eyes, and then wished
he wouldn't have. She was precious—his—perfect. All his.

Royce still couldn't believe that Evelyn's
father had agreed to the match so quickly, partly because her
reputation would have been ruined, but Royce liked to think that he
and Mr. De Jarlias had an understanding. The understanding being
that Royce was head over heels in love with his daughter.

Possession like none he had ever experienced
in his life pounded into him as his body ached to touch hers. To
show her his passion—his love.

The way the firelight danced across her face
nearly did him in. Grasping at her body, taking care not to break
her, he lifted her onto the bed, covering her with his form as his
jacket was pushed off his shoulders by her delicate hands.

Never had a woman's hands felt as warm and
possessive as Evelyn's.

He prayed this moment would be sealed into
his memory forever; then as she kissed innocently along his jaw he
knew it would. How could something so perfect ever be lost in his
memory?

"I love you," he said, voice hoarse.

Evelyn smiled. "And I love you."

Royce met her forehead with his own and
closed his eyes. A soft thump was heard in the distance. "Did you
hear that?"

Evelyn nodded her head and pulled back.
"Someone's just outside our door, I think?"