I cannot she began.
You dont have to decide tonight, he interrupted before she could ruin all his dreams of a new life in the new house, with Corie in the doorway, holding a babe like in the forged print. His baby. But you ought to know we need to stay betrothed until Susannas ball. I invited your father.
Now she screamed loudly enough to wake Lady Cora, if that woman hadnt had her ear pressed to the connecting wall.
It was the only proper thing to do if we were making a formal public announcement of the betrothal. Why, Trowbridge already asked permission to pay his addresses to my mother when his mourning period is over. Hes bringing his sons to meet her over their summer holidays.
What did you tell him?
That my mother was a dab hand with boys. Theyll love her.
Not Trowbridge, you ninny. What did you write to my father?
Only that I was marrying his daughter. I didnt ask his permission. I could not bring myself to do that, no matter the conventions. I just said my mother was announcing it at her ball, and you ought to be wearing your diamonds then. Your real diamonds. Oh, and he could discuss your dowry with the familys solicitor when he arrived in Town. Our man Glessing will not let Abbott cheat you of that, either.
Corie had to sit down because her head was spinning. She chose the bed because it was closest. I thought you didnt care about the jewels or the dowry.
I dont, but you do. This way the solicitor can tie the money up for our daughters. Or for you, to have money of your own. Of course youll have to marry me to get it. And to get daughters.
You are only offering for me out of pity, and we both agreed that was no basis for a match.
He came to the bed. Pity? Pity me, trying to do this up right when I know Im making a hash of it. He took her hand. Lord, Corie, Ill do my best to make you happy. I know Im no nonpareil, no true gentleman, but I do love you. He waited, but felt no itch. I do! Yes, I do love you. I wasnt sure, never having fallen before. I wont live in that house without you. Ill never want to share it with another woman. Only you.
Now he did get down on his knees. Please. But he looked down and saw her perfect pink toes, so he kissed them instead of pleading his case.
She laughed. That tickles. Get up, you looby.
He did, and sat beside her on the bed, taking her hand back.
She let him, too concerned with her father coming to London. Do you really think he will attend the ball?
I may have mentioned Id call on him when I returned to the manor if I did not see him before. With my cousins, big, sturdy chaps, you know. And my uncle, the earl.
He could threaten the squire with a regiment of warriors, a raft of nobles. They were not enough. No, I cannot stay here. I cannot see him. Ill go visit a friend or
Hush, sweetheart. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. No one will hurt you. Youll never be alone with him. Ill see to that. And you wont have to say a word, either. I have a few Ive been saving for him, though. You cannot disappoint Susanna on her big day, can you? Or my mother. She planned for us to be thrown together, you know.
She was wrong. Wed never suit.
We suit perfectly. He took her into his embrace, breathing in the intoxicating scent of her. He cursed his clothes, all the layers Deauville thought proper for an improper midnight visit. He cursed his cut lip, which ached, and his privates, which ached worse.
He forgot it allhis name, his honorable intentions, his mother in the next roomwhen Corie kissed him.
You are the nicest man I have ever known, Daniel Stamfield, she told him when they had to breathe.
But can you love me, just a little?
She showed him how much, with her eager kisses.
He was lost. The time, the place, everything was wrong except the woman. She was kissing him with a hunger he recognized, a need to be needed, a passion to become one with the only one who mattered.
I love you, he kept whispering, when he could. Too fast, he panted when he couldnt bear any more. In an instant his shirt was off, her nightgown was across the room, and his shoeshad he been wearing shoes?Daniel couldnt recall, and did not care. Corie was naked beside him, and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. All those paintings, all those masterpieces. They cannot compare, he murmured, thinking he could just look at her forever and die a happy man. No, he could not. He had to touch her.
He started with her toesand worked his way up to her trim ankles, her firm calves and luscious thighs, then her belly, which made her laugh, and her breasts. Oh, he lavished his attention on her beautiful breasts for hourswell, enough for her to squirm and pant and pull at his hair. So he moved on to her neck, her ears, her eyelids. Then her mouth again.
Oh, Daniel, I never knew. Francis
He stopped her with a tiny bite to her lower lip. The man was a cad. He cared nothing about the treasure he held. I do, and mean to cherish you forever. I never want to hear Snellings name again. Certainly not in my bed.
She laughed. This is my bed.
Not tonight, it isnt. I wish it were a garden bower. No, thered be prickers and ants. A grotto is too cold, the beach too sandy. This is perfect until we have a bedroom of our own to share, the way my parents did. None of that separate-chambers twaddle. Unless you hate my snoring. Youll have to tell me, honestly. And also if I do something that distresses you, or touch you in a way you do not feel pleasurable. I would never force you or embarrass you or
She reached out for the closure on his pantaloons.
I see. Youre not shy. Thats good. She cradled his manhood in her hand. Oh, that is very, very good.
He touched her, every silken petal, every dewy bud, and followed with hot kisses that had both of them burning.
More, she urged.
No, you greedy wench. Not until you agree to marry me. There have been enough babies born early in this family. And if I begot one out of wedlock altogether, Harry would murder me.
But Corie could not say it in words. She could not trust herself to a man. Shed gladly give her body to Daniel tonight, because he gave her a womans pleasure she never knew existed, and he made her understand there was so much more. Yes, she could give her body, despite the risks, despite her principles. But her heart and soul? Her very existence?
I need time.
Daniel did not know how long his mother, or Dobbson, was going to leave them alone in Cories bedchamber. They both must want the match badly, to allow this much leeway, although Daniel decided to throw Dobbson down the stairs if he interrupted with anything less than a fire bell. Still, he knew he could not stay until dawn, when the maids were about and footmen carried coals to replenish the fires. Cories reputation was too important to her. Her answer was too important to him.
But he did his best to convince her in the few hours left. He might not be a swordsman of note, or a member of the Four-Horse Club, an orator, or a poet, but at loving a woman? His best at that was very, very good. Hed been practicing half his life for just this moment, just this woman.
Chapter Thirty
C
orie woke with her muscles like meringue, her bones like butter, and a smile like a satiated woman. She was alone except for a rose on the pillow beside her and her nightgown tucked into the bed under the covers. How thoughtful he was, to think of her embarrassment when the maids came in, in the morning.
She rolled over, hugging her pillow that smelled like him.
Last night had been magical, and not to be repeated. They both agreed on that. They disagreed on last nights results.
Daniel felt they had to be married now. If he hadnt looked so smug by the candles last light, she might have considered his proposal. But he had, as if hed planned to seduce her, to guarantee her consent. Just like Francis Snelling.
No. I am still a virgin, so no harm was done to an already-tarnished reputation. I doubt any of the servants will speak, since they are loyal and like working here.
Daniel laughed. You might be a virgin, technically speaking, but only because I managed to keep my wits about me. There is no doubt that you are my virgin. My bride. You have my fingerprints all over you. Hell, you have my saliva all over you.
She was glad the candles were so low that he could not see her blushes. Do not be vulgar.
Do not tempt me to make you mine entirely. We both know I could do it, the way you were begging for more.
Gracious, her cheeks must be glowing. Do you think me a wanton for enjoying your attentions?
He kissed her, which led to more wantonness on her part, then said, I think you are wonderful and will make the perfect wife, lover, and friend.
So Corie agreed to keep up the engagement, at least until after Susannas ball. She had no place to hide, and had no desire to leave this house, this room, this bed, this man, but the thought of facing her father alone had her shaking. Daniel held her then, and he would protect her at the ball. But who would protect him from her fathers filth?
She agreed to the betrothal, but not to a wedding, not until Daniel heard what lies her father told, how many ways hed cheat her of the dowry money and a future he felt she did not deserve. Only then, if Daniel still wanted to marry her, would Corie feel really promised, really able to marry in good conscience.
Now, by the light coming through the curtains, she smiled to herself, and kept hope nestled inside her like a tiny seed. Daniel would know her fathers words were false. Somehow, by some miracle, he believed what Corie said about Francis Snelling. He believed everything she told him, except the lie she did not love Daniel enough to marry him.
" * *
The house started to fill up days before the ball. The earl and countesss rooms were readied, and a suite for both cousins and their wives. The nursery was cleaned and aired for Rexs twins, and more rooms for the additional servants.
Lord Morgan offered to move back to his own house, but no one listened. He was part of the family now. Besides, Miss Reynolds was too busy with the invitations, acceptances, and seating charts to worry about him alone in that shabby place. He helped Dobbson select wines, without sampling too much of the earls collection.
A surprise visitor was the vicars assistant from St. Cecilias Chapel near Stamfield Manor. The Reverend Mr. Barnaby Choates arrival was a surprise to Daniel, at any rate. Lady Cora had written to the young curate that Lord Trowbridge had a living coming open at his estate, if the bishop approved, and if Mr. Choate agreed.
The way Susanna flew down the stairs and into the curates arms was the real surprise to Daniel. The curate? That was why she didnt care about any of the men she met in London? His mother smiled.
Susanna was babbling about how a vicarage suited her to a cows thumb, and her darling Barny could look as high as a bishop, and now Daniel would accept his offer for her hand without misgivings.
He would have loved you, anyway, she said, then wiped her nose. I am just so happy to see you, I cannot help crying. London wasnt half as much fun as it would have been if you were here. And waiting until the Season is over was forever!
What about Clarence Haversmith? Daniel whispered to Corie, while a beaming Susanna introduced Barny to Lord Morgan.
Oh, he is to wed his Maisy this summer.
Daniel watched his sister skipping across the room, the curates hand firmly in hers. Hed never seen her look so happy. The pregthat is, the dairymaid?
From what I understand, Maisy is no servant. She is the daughter of his head tenant farmer. They raise cows, very successfully. She is no milkmaid, and the family is very respectable.
Until Clarence got his hands on her. Why arent they wed already? I am surprised her father did not insist.
Mr. Haversmith told Susanna that Maisy wanted time to gather a trousseau, and she wanted Clarence to see some of London, so he does not regret settling in the country so young. There is plenty of time before the baby comes.
According to Mr. Choate, there was less time until Squire Abbott arrived in London. Lady Royce thought I should ride ahead and tell you. He bowed toward Corie. What can I do to help?
Daniel decided he liked the lad, even if he had no chin to speak of. A beard could fix that. Very biblical. I will handle Abbott myself.
Barny was to stay at Royce House. Abbott was not.
Sorry, Daniel told the older man when Dobbson showed him into the library, but the house is full, what with the entire Royce family coming. And Miss Abbott is far too busy helping with preparations for the ball to stay with you at a hotel. I recommend the Grand. Excellent meals there. He handed over his solicitors card. Mr. Glessing is expecting you.
