His to Keep (Regency Scoundrels Book 2) (22 page)

“Oh, aye, you don’t need anyone to help you stay out of trouble. No that knack comes naturally to you.”

“Don’t be cheeky, sir,” she muttered.

“Oh, but it’s so much fun,” he murmured against her hair. “We shall have to find a way to row along with Mallory, he shan’t just disappear.”

“Oh, how I wish he would.”

She drew back and poked him on the chest. “I can say that, but you can’t,” she said. “Mallory might be no saint but your Louis-Daniel isn’t any better.”

“If anything,” Archie groaned, “he might be worse. Why don’t we agree not to bicker about our brothers, eh? They’re both scamps, we shan’t ever be able to reform them that’s Elizabeth’s job now, and someday God willing, Louis-Daniel will have a lady fair to reform him of his rakish attributes.”

“I wish that lady luck. She’s going to need it,” Gemma laughed. Sobering, she looked away from him as something occurred to her. “Before you send Lord Lustleigh away to his uncle perhaps, perhaps, I should tell my sisters to stay away from his place. He has an elderly aunt that stays with him so they go over to call on him quite a bit.”

“She must be ancient,” Archie breathed.

“She is up in years, but I gather she wasn’t very old when her nephew was born. After she was widowed, he invited her to come and live with him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a codicil in his will saying that she must be provided for should he predecease her, as he is devoted to her.”

“That should amuse Louis-Daniel.”

“Do you think so?”

“Oh, aye. As for your sisters, I wouldn’t worry about them. Louis-Daniel only pursues those he knows have already fallen. He shan’t do anything untoward to your sisters.”

“Even if he finds out they are Mallory’s sisters as well?”

“Even if,” he said. “Louis-Daniel is a chivalrous fellow.”

“You wouldn’t know it by the way he behaved at Welford Abbey.”

“I think you will one day forgive him for that.”

“I might,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. 

“I know you will,” he murmured, kissing her ear, then trailing down to her cheek, and finally searching for and finding her mouth. She gave way to the glorious feelings he inspired within her.

“Just one moment.” He let go of her and walked back toward the door, shutting it firmly, he secured the lock. “We wouldn’t want any untimely interruptions.”

Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “You actually think you’re going to have your way with me? Are you certain that you’re up for it?” she teased, good-naturedly. 

“I assure you, my lady, I am quite up for the task of seducing you, as long as you aren’t too worn out.” He stalked toward her slowly, like he was hunting prey.

“I thought I was the one that was going to be seducing you,” she murmured walking toward him.

“Perhaps, we shall call it a mutual seduction.” A shiver went up her spine, he wasn’t even touching her and she was anticipating the feeling of his hands and his mouth roaming across her body. She fell into his arms, and decided at that moment that she would never ever leave his side for as long as she lived.

“Well, then, sir, we have played a merry chase long enough—I think it’s time for you to completely ruin me. Ravish me, my Lord Northam.”

“My angel, my Lady Northam,” he murmured, hungrily kissing her.

Her life…her life was with Archie now.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Three loud raps on the door, rose Archie from his slumber.

Careful not to disturb Gemma, he slid from the bed and reached for his own dressing gown. Tying it around his naked body, he padded to the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Gibbons, sir. I was asked by Lord Lustleigh to fetch you.”

Louis-Daniel’s valet sounded exhausted. “Tell him that whatever he wants can wait. I paid his bit of muslin last night,” he grumbled, irritated that Louis-Daniel would annoy him this morning.

“Thank you, sir, I think Lord Lustleigh realized that. Alas, that is not what he has sent me to retrieve you for. It would seem he has a very irate husband after his blood this morning. He is downstairs waiting to, as he so boldly put it, punch the bloody snot out of the blackguard.”

“This wouldn’t happen to be the same man that challenged him last night at the soiree he attended?”

“I think you would be correct in that assumption, Your Lordship.”

“You may tell Louis-Daniel that I am on my way. You may also tell Louis-Daniel that he is to remain put, and he’s not to engage in any form of conversation with the man waiting downstairs,” Archie ordered. He couldn’t let Louis-Daniel go on his own. He could kill the man.  

“I shall do that immediately, sir. If I might speak bluntly myself, Lord Louis-Daniel is in no state to meet with anyone this morning. He can barely remain upright, as he keeps teetering back and forth when he does try to stand,” Gibbons sighed.

“I’m not surprised. On your way, Gibbons, I shall shortly follow.”

“Aye, sir.” Through the closed door, he heard Louis-Daniel’s valet walk away.

Turning to the bed, he stared at Gemma drinking in her brilliance. Afterglow really did become her. He didn’t want to wake her, and quite frankly, she was better off getting rest than associating herself with the mess that Louis-Daniel had gotten himself into.

Sighing, Archie set about getting dressed. When he was done saving Louis-Daniel’s neck, he was going to be tempted to squeeze the life out of his scoundrel of a brother. He’d definitely had his fill of his libertine ways. The man went too far, he’d been looking forward to spending a leisurely morning making love to his wife. Instead, he was going down to intervene in what could turn out to be a very bad day for Louis-Daniel.

Taking one last glance at Gemma, he left the bedroom.

Setting off down the hall, he made his way first to Louis-Daniel’s room, walking in unannounced to find Louis-Daniel attempting to walk from his bed to his dressing table, and he was walking like a sailor. “Oh, my head,” he moaned.

“Serves you right. You should learn not to imbibe so much.”

“Ah, I fear I shall never learn that,” he muttered. “I’m a glutton for punishment, it seems. Did you punch me last night, or did someone else do this?” he asked, gesturing to his fat lip.

“That would be someone else’s handiwork, of course, I was tempted to draw your cork last night.”

“And yet, you didn’t,” he muttered.

“I think, there are a few things we need to discuss, Louis-Daniel.”

“Can we do it later?” he asked. “I really am not in the mood for gabbing right now.”

“No, you will listen to me now. You must make peace with my wife, and also you must make peace with her family.”

“I shall make peace with everyone except for that brother of hers. He may go to hell.”

“Louis-Daniel, she is a part of this family now.”

“And I am not?”

“No, that isn’t what I meant. You shall have to find a way to row along with her and also to contend with her family.”

“What if I don’t want to?” he asked sullenly. 

“Well, the funny thing is I think you shall have to because…well…”

“Spit it out, brother.”

“It seems we live in a small world, Louis-Daniel.”

“How so?” he asked moodily. “Where the hell is my coffee? I rang for my breakfast ages ago.”

“Mama probably wants to see you down in the morning room.”

He groaned. “I’m not fit for her eyes.”

“She already knows what you’ve been up to. It seems you came home one night while I wasn’t in residence, and they had to deal with you.”

Louis-Daniel’s face went a bright vermillion. “What about it being a small world?”

“Your uncle the one in Sussex…well…he knows the St. Martins.”

“Bollocks.”

“Oh, it is not nonsense, Louis-Daniel. I’m serious. He is quite fond of the family, and he even gave them gifts during their hard years to see them through.”

Louis-Daniel now looked quite sullen. “That man is far too nice.”

“You could be like him too, Louis-Daniel. You have it in you.”

He continued to pout, and looked away from Archie.

“What do you propose I do?” he asked grumpily.

“I propose you make peace with them so that when you are called to Sussex you do not make a cake of yourself. You uncle will not look kindly upon you being rude to such dear and close friends.”

“Fine,” he relented. “I shall extend the olive branch.”

“Good,” he said, relieved that he had finally found a way to get his brother to see sense.

“Is that everything that you wanted from me, Archibald?” he asked.

“Aye,” Archie said. “And you can start by behaving like a gentleman around my wife.”

“Fine,” he said again a little more sullenly this time.

“She has a gaggle of sisters, Louis-Daniel all of them should have dowries now.”

“Are they as fine on the eyes as she is?”

“I would imagine,” Archie murmured.

“Mayhap, mayhap, having her as a new addition to the family won’t be so bad after all.”

“Glad you see it that way.” He walked over and thumped his brother on the back, which given his miserable state this morning almost sent the man flying. He turned on his heel, and was about to leave the room, and then thought better of it. “St. Martin is on his way as we speak.”

“Let him come,” Louis-Daniel growled.

“Now, Louis-Daniel, you won’t be shedding his blood.”

“And what should I do if he happens to attempt to shed mine?”

“You will not do anything to provoke his anger, do you understand?”

“Fine,” Louis-Daniel sighed.

“As for the man that you are about ready to bludgeon, you will let me deal with him.”

“I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”

“I know…but I don’t need you going out there and killing the man. I’m off to clean up some of your mess as we speak. Any recollection of why he is so pissed with you?”

“Maybe.” Louis-Daniel grimaced. “I think I might have screwed his wife silly last night,” he sighed. “If only I hadn’t gotten myself foxed and befogged while I was at it.” He shook his head ruefully.

“How many women did you bed last night? Strike that, I don’t want to know. It’s easier that way. I just want you to know that you are disgusting,” Archie hissed. 

“I know,” Louis-Daniel said with a grin.

Archie shook his head. “I don’t know what we are going to do with you.”

“The women last night knew exactly what to do with me.” 

He shook his head, groaning. “Any idea how I should expect to rid ourselves of the irate husband?”

“Maybe you should tell him that you know about him that you know he’s a Molly, not that I have anything against them, but he takes great pains to keep it a secret.” 

“How did you find that out?” Archie grunted, rolling his eyes.

“I have my ways. I’ve had to warn him off flirting with the footmen at the various dinner parties, balls and routs I’ve attended.”

“Was the attention unwanted?”

“You could say that.”

“They must have a hard time keeping staff in their household.”

“I expect so,” Louis-Daniel muttered. “I did tell him that if I caught him trying to force his attentions on another lad, I would relieve him of his ability to use his little lad.”

“Good. I shall take care of him.”

“I know you will handle him with kid gloves,” Louis-Daniel said with a grin.

“I don’t want you to come home in that state again, do you understand, Louis-Daniel?”

“You forget, brother, I am older than you.”

“Aye, and I have more sense than you. You need to bloody well come to your bearings, Louis-Daniel. I think, I think I shall write to your uncle and tell him that you wish to have a good long visit with him.”

“You devil,” Louis-Daniel muttered.

“Ah, now, Louis-Daniel, you know that out of the two of us, I am the angel.” He bowed to him, and paused, “I’ll ask Isla to bring you something up for your pounding head.”

“Thank you,” Louis-Daniel said sheepishly.

Without another word, Archie left the room. 

*****

Gemma awoke to silence.

Stretching in the bed, she threw off the covers and sat up. The cool air brushed against her skin making her shiver. She looked to the window. Maybe some fresh air would do her some good, even though the chamber did feel a little cool. For the time of the year, the morning was unusually chilly, despite the fact that a fire blazed in the hearth.

Thoughts that she didn’t need cluttered her mind. She’d just reached for her dressing gown when the doorknob on her door rattled.

Stiffening with apprehension, she waited, stepping behind the dressing screen at just the right moment.

“Archie,” she breathed with relief, resting her eyes on him, devouring him with every glance.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?”

“You can say that again.”

“I’ve had a bath drawn up for you in the adjoining room, which I usually use as my bathing room.”

“Thank you.”

“You are welcome.” He lifted an eyebrow at her. “Is there anything amiss?”

“I’m worried about Mallory coming here. I fear what he might do. I can’t shake the feeling that something bad shall happen.”

“Your brother is not going to shatter what we’ve built.”

“I’m not worried about Mallory,” she sighed, at last wriggling out of his grasp, to walk to the window and stare out at the surrounding lands. The ragged cliffs edging out to the sea shimmered in the distance. The early morning light glinted off the rock, sand and water.

“I guess you’re ready to deal with him, then?”

“I’m never ready to deal with him, but I don’t know…I just feel a bit shaken,” Gemma whispered. 

“We will weather any storm Mallory brings to us.”

“Together, nothing can hurt us.”

“Indeed,” he murmured.

“And before you were hiding things from me, I know everything now, don’t I?” she asked softly.

“Aye. You know it all.”

She nodded her head. “Good. Then, Mallory cannot think to tear us apart. Why weren’t you there when I woke up?”

“I had to attend to my brother he had a visitor that wanted to create quite the hullabaloo. I dealt with him before anyone else in the house would have to deal with the blackguard.”

“Your brother needs to distance himself from that life.”

“I know. It’s not that easy. One can’t just tell Louis-Daniel what to do.”

“You have the same problem. You are both too stubborn for your own good.”

“As are you, wife.”

She smiled at him, and sighed. Everything was good between them right now…Mallory…Mallory couldn’t ruin her happiness. She wouldn’t let him.

“Come now, my lady wife, let me spoil you.” She laughed as he gathered her up into his arms.

She had found the man of her dreams.