Loving the Marquess (9 page)

“So soon?”

“The invitations have already gone out.” There was a flicker
of something in his eyes as he spoke, but she couldn’t define it. “There is no
point in waiting. I thought we could have a small ceremony that morning. Just
family, of course. And instead of presenting you as my betrothed during
Grandmother’s ball, you will be presented as my wife.”

“What?”

Louisa and her brother spoke at once. Her voice held a hint
of panic, while her brother’s was low with anger. John shifted away from the
wall and glared at Overlea.

“It is out of the question. If you marry so soon we all know
what people will say, especially if it becomes known you recently spent the
night here.”

Louisa hadn’t even considered that aspect of the situation,
but her brother had raised a good point.

Overlea’s expression was almost one of boredom. “I do not
conduct my affairs based on the fear of what others might say.”

“That is an interesting choice of words.” Her brother spat
out the words.

Louisa’s thoughts went to the kiss she and Overlea had
shared on the morning of his stay. She wondered if he was thinking about the
same thing, but didn’t have the courage to look at him.

Overlea stood, his movements slow, and approached John. She
feared her brother had gone too far.

“You do your sister a disservice if you believe her actions
that night were anything other than circumspect.”

His statement startled her. Was that why John was so angry?
Did he believe she and Overlea had already behaved inappropriately? While the
kiss they had shared was outside the bounds of propriety, it surprised her that
her brother believed much more than that may have transpired.

“I know your reputation,” John said.

“But it would appear you do not know your sister.”

John was about to reply, but Louisa could no longer sit there
and listen to them argue. “That is enough, John.”

Overlea took a step back when she stood and went to her
brother.

“Three weeks, Louisa. You know what people will say.”

“What do
you
think happened that night?”

“I try not to think about it.”

She was hurt that he thought so little of her but tried not
to show it.

“People will talk no matter how long our betrothal. After a
while, the rumors will cease and people will find something else to gossip
about.”

“I don’t like this. Why the hurry?”

She gave Overlea a pleading look then, which he deciphered
correctly. He went back to the settee and turned to speak to his solicitor.
Louisa faced her brother again and when she spoke her voice was low.

“Edward Manning has informed me that he is thinking of
renting this cottage to someone else. If he does, where would we go? We would
be the subject of gossip then as well. Worse, we would be an object of
everyone’s pity. I know you would hate that.”

His eyes widened briefly with surprise before narrowing
again. His hands clenched at his side. “You were planning to keep that piece of
information from me.”

It was clear he didn’t appreciate the fact that she’d
thought only to shield him from worry about their future.

“It no longer matters,” she said.

John looked away from her then and was silent for what
seemed an eternity before finally replying.

“I have to get out of here. I can’t stand to hear you talk
about selling yourself to a Manning.”

Louisa didn’t try to stop him. She could only hope he would
soon adjust to the path their lives must now take. She wouldn’t allow herself
to think about what could happen if he didn’t.

When she turned back to face her guests, Mr. Stephens was
already gathering up the paperwork. Overlea approached her.

“I believe we have covered everything that needs to be
included in the marriage settlement. Mr. Stephens will draw up the agreement as
soon as possible and have a copy delivered to you. You will, of course, have
someone review the contract for you to make sure everything is in order.”

Louisa nodded. “Reverend Harnick is John and Catherine’s
guardian. At five and twenty I don’t require one, but I’m sure he will know of
a solicitor who can act on my behalf.”

 “Good,” he said. “Perhaps it will ease your brother’s mind
somewhat.”

She had to concede he was right. Everything was happening
too quickly. She felt as though her life were spinning out of control. The
appearance of a mysterious stranger in need of help, followed closely by Edward
Manning’s indecent proposal that had forced her to turn to Overlea for help.
And now it would appear they were to be married, and much sooner than she had
expected.

Overwhelmed, she sank onto the settee. Overlea took it upon
himself to see his attorney out before returning to speak to her in private. He
lowered himself next to her.

“Will you be all right, Miss Evans?”

She gave a small laugh, one that she feared would soon turn
to hysteria if she didn’t get her emotions under control.

“It is all happening too fast. I fear I am out of my depth.”

He smiled at that and reached to take hold of her hands.

“You will do well,” he said, squeezing them gently. “You are
a practical and resourceful woman. I wouldn’t have proposed if I didn’t believe
you would make a fine marchioness.”

Louisa frowned at his unromantic words. Practical and
resourceful. Well, she supposed it could have been much worse. She stared down
where his thumbs were drawing little circles on the backs of her hands. The
sensations caused by that small movement made her intensely aware of the fact
she was alone in the house with him. Suddenly all she could think about was how
those same hands had cupped her breasts and started to caress her inner thighs.
Her breath hitched at the unexpected longing that swept through her.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now,” she said,
tugging gently at their joined hands until he released them.

 “I have some unfinished business in London I must attend
to. I expect to return within two weeks.”

“How on earth am I to prepare for a wedding?”

“Do not concern yourself. Grandmother is already planning
the ball and after leaving here I am going to speak with Reverend Harnick.” He
paused briefly before continuing. “Your brother is correct. Tongues will wag,
but I think we will be able to weather the storm together.”

She stifled a gasp as a thought occurred to her.

“What is the matter?”

“I will need a dress… oh, and Catherine and John also need
new clothing. I will have to buy material—”

“Miss Evans… Louisa.”

She stopped and stared at him. He was leaning toward her,
his gaze holding hers captive. His use of her given name added an intimacy to
their conversation that hadn’t been there before.

“I will speak to Grandmother tonight. I will be leaving
first thing in the morning, so I am afraid I won’t be able to introduce you to
her myself, but I am sure she will send word about when you may call on her.” A
corner of his mouth quirked up. “She had given up hope of my ever marrying and
is looking forward to meeting you. She will help you to make all the
arrangements. Grandmother could move mountains through sheer will alone.”

There was a rueful twist to his lips when he uttered that
last statement and it left Louisa thinking that he had often been on the
opposite side of that will.

“Was your grandmother terribly shocked at your news?”

“She was surprised when I mentioned your name, yes.”

“Does she disapprove? It’s no secret that I will bring
nothing to the marriage. I am certain she wishes you to make a more
advantageous match.”

“She has made no secret of the fact that she wants me to
marry, but she knows it would be better for all parties involved if I chose my
own bride. Would you not agree?”

He looked at her directly as he spoke, and she acknowledged
the truth of his words. She couldn’t imagine trying to force this man into
marrying against his will. In fact, she thought it would probably be impossible
to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do.

There was one more worry she had to discuss with Overlea
before he left.

“Your cousin will be expecting a reply soon to his…
proposition.” The word left a bitter taste in her mouth. “We may find ourselves
cast out before you return, or worse. He may approach Catherine directly.”

Overlea’s jaw tightened. “I will deal with my cousin. He
won’t come near you or your family.”

“Thank you, my lord,” she said, her relief vast.

Sensing that their meeting was at an end, she stood and
walked with Overlea to the front door. She turned to face him and found she was
at a loss for words. The next time she saw him they would be within days of
marrying. She imagined Overlea was thinking the same thing.

Her gaze met his and she felt herself being pulled toward
him.

“Miss Evans?”

“Yes, my lord?”

“Perhaps we should do away with the formalities. My name is
Nicholas.”

She balked at the intimacy. “Perhaps… I can call you
Overlea.”

He shook his head. “I wasn’t raised to be the next marquess.
Overlea was my father and then my brother, not me. I would prefer it if I
weren’t reminded of them every time you said my name.”

Couched in those terms, his request did not seem unusual.

“Very well, my lord… Nicholas.”

He smiled, a wicked, coaxing smile that served as testament
to his reputation as a rogue.

“That wasn’t so bad now, was it, Louisa?”

Standing this close to him, drawn in by his knowing gaze and
wicked smile, she was in danger of losing her detachment. Theirs was not a love
match, yet at this moment that fact didn’t matter to her. His head lowered and
for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her again. His mouth hovered over
hers and she closed her eyes, waiting. Abruptly, he took a step back and
disappointment swept through her. She took a deep, shaky breath and tried to
ignore her jangled nerves. When she looked up at him his mask of cool
detachment was firmly in place again.

“I will see you in two weeks,” he said.

She watched as he left. This time there was no fear for his
safety. Whatever weakness had overcome him that other night, it was clearly
gone now.

* * *
* *

Nicholas cursed at himself as he rode away from the home of
his future wife. Good lord, he had almost kissed her. Again. And afterward he
had fled from her presence like an untested, infatuated youth. The very last
thing he could afford to do, however, was to become romantically involved with
Louisa Evans. The future of the marquisate depended on it.

He didn’t know what had come over him. He had meant only to
bridge some of the cool formality that was between them. After all, it wouldn’t
do for her to call him “my lord” at their wedding. He’d looked into those gray
eyes of hers, however, and forgotten his intentions. Perhaps he was losing his
mind.

He tried to shake off his unsettled feelings surrounding
Louisa Evans and concentrate on the meeting ahead. It was time to deal with
Edward, and he found he was looking forward to the encounter.

As he rode to his cousin’s manor house, he tried to remember
when he had last visited. It had been several years since his uncle had been
alive, his death predating that of Nicholas’s parents. Although his father and
uncle were twins, they had never been close. His uncle had spent his whole life
knowing his brother would become the Marquess of Overlea because he’d been born
ten minutes earlier. Instead of the closeness that twins often shared, there
had been nothing but acrimony between them. Being a second son himself, Nicholas
knew all too well how everyone favored the eldest. He had been happy not to
have his every move monitored and had never coveted the extra responsibilities
that came with the position. His uncle, however, had felt differently and his
lifelong bitterness had been passed down to Edward.

His brother, James, had agreed to marry their cousin Mary in
an effort to mend the rift by uniting the two branches of the family. When he
died, Nicholas had become the new Marquess of Overlea. He had avoided the
subject of marriage at all costs, but since his brother’s betrothal had never
been formalized he suspected his aunt and cousins were under the impression he
would step in and wed his cousin. There was sure to be a scene when they
learned he was to marry another. Normally he avoided that side of the family
and all their drama, but today he was looking forward very much to informing
Edward of his upcoming marriage.

When he arrived, the butler led him into the drawing room
where Nicholas expected his aunt and cousins would keep him waiting. He was
surprised, therefore, when his aunt appeared within minutes.

“Nicholas!” she exclaimed. “We did not expect to see you
here today.”

He returned a short bow, more than a little surprised at her
effusive welcome.

Edward had inherited his coloring from his mother. Elizabeth
Manning had the same ice-blue eyes and light brown hair, but hers was threaded
through now with liberal streaks of gray. He could almost see the wheels
turning behind those eyes as she weighed the various possibilities for his
visit. She would have to wait, however. He wanted to see the look on Edward’s
face when he made his announcement.

“Are my cousins at home?” he asked. “There is some news I
wish to share with them.”

He was amused at the gleam that entered his aunt’s eyes.
Clearly she had settled on the belief that he planned to offer for Mary.

“Of course,” she said, her smile bright.

He waited while she rang for tea and requested that his
cousins join them. Her manner was overly friendly, something that had always
irked him even as a child when he realized how quickly that façade could—and
did—change.

His cousins didn’t make him wait long. Edward greeted him
with a curt “Overlea,” the name sounding almost like a curse. Mary was right
behind him. She met his eyes only briefly before curtseying and joining her
mother on the settee.