Suzanna Medeiros (9 page)

She took another deep breath before lifting the heavy brass knocker and letting it fall. The door was opened immediately by a footman. He looked at her and then glanced beyond. She could see him stiffen when he realized she was unattended. She could only imagine what he must be thinking.

“I am here to see Lord Overlea.”

The footman did not bother to hide his disapproval. “The marquess is not in.”

He was actually going to close the door on her. Out of sheer desperation, Louisa stepped into the doorway. He would have to physically remove her if he wanted her gone.

“Could you please tell him that Louisa Evans is here to see him?”

She was surprised when his demeanor changed almost instantly. He opened the door wider and stepped back to allow her to enter, all solicitousness now.

“Of course, Miss Evans.”

He led her to the drawing room and retreated, closing the door behind him.

Louisa drew in a shaky breath. She’d crossed the first barrier, gaining entrance, but her nerves were still unsettled. The toughest part lay ahead. Asking Overlea for assistance she wasn’t certain he would provide. Edward Manning was, after all, his cousin, and given the marquess’s reputation he might see nothing wrong with the arrangement Edward had proposed. It was, after all, very common for men of their stature to have mistresses.

She wondered if Overlea had a mistress and found the idea bothered her more than she cared to admit.

Her thoughts were so full of her upcoming meeting with Overlea that she barely took in her elegant surroundings. She perched on the edge of a cream-colored settee and it took all her focus to keep from fidgeting. As the minutes passed, she found herself growing more anxious. She had been waiting a full quarter of an hour before it occurred to her that Overlea might refuse to see her.

She waited another quarter hour before deciding to seek out the footman. She had just reached the drawing room door when it swung open. Startled, she took a step back.

She’d thought the Marquess of Overlea a handsome man before, but the last time she’d seen him, his clothes had been rumpled from a night of tossing and turning and dark stubble had covered his jaw. He had seemed approachable then. Now, clean-shaven and impeccably dressed, he took her breath away. He wore a coat of deep green that stretched across shoulders that seemed broader now, a waistcoat in a lighter shade of that same color, and fawn buckskins that molded to his muscled thighs and disappeared into boots she suspected were the same ones she remembered removing from him. She was acutely conscious, as she had not been before, of the difference in their stations.

That Overlea was surprised to see her was evident, especially as she was alone. He couldn’t know, then, that her reputation was already on the verge of being ruined. That she could very well find herself with no alternative than to accept Edward’s proposition if he refused to help her.

“Miss Evans,” he said, inclining his head.

She acknowledged his greeting but found herself unable to speak for a moment.

“Please,” he said, indicating the settee she had abandoned, “make yourself comfortable.”

She sat and watched as he settled himself into a chair opposite her.

“I would ring for tea, but I sense this is not a social call.”

“No,” she said, before lapsing into silence again. Now that she was here she didn’t know how to begin. How could she tell him what his cousin had proposed?

“You appear well today, my lord,” she said in an attempt to stall the inevitable uncomfortable conversation. “I assume that your illness has passed?”

“Yes,” he said.

His posture was stiff and it was clear he didn’t wish to discuss it. She had no alternative but to get straight to the reason for her visit.

“I know you weren’t expecting to see me so soon.”

“I hadn’t expected to see you at all.” He shifted forward in his chair, a slight frown pulling at the corners of his mouth, and continued. “You will excuse me for being direct, but what could possibly have happened in the past two days to bring you here? You left me with the impression that you didn’t wish to have further contact with me or my family.”

She resisted the urge to squirm under his intent gaze.

“It must be quite serious for you to come here unescorted. I thought I would be dealing with your brother, if anyone.”

“My brother and sister cannot know I came to see you.”

His eyebrows rose at that. His gaze never left her as he leaned back in his chair.

“I’ve had a visit from your cousin.”

“Mary?” he asked, his confusion evident.

She shook her head.

“No, your cousin, Edward Manning.”

His frowned. “Why would that bring you here? Are you not his tenant?”

“Not precisely.” She hesitated a moment before continuing. “How much do you know about what happened between my father and your uncle?”

“A fair bit,” Overlea replied, his features shuttered.

She was grateful to be spared having to relay the details of what had transpired all those years ago.

“After… well, after what happened, we moved from our old house to where we now live. I suppose after everything he’d taken from us your uncle decided to show us some mercy.” She failed to hide the note of bitterness in her voice. “The cottage is one of the larger ones on the estate. I remember my father being worried about the rent now that he didn’t have the income from the estate, but your uncle allowed us to live there without having to pay it.”

“And now?”

From his almost unnatural stillness, it was clear he suspected what she was about to say.

“Your cousin has informed me that we are to start paying rent immediately.”

“And you cannot afford it.”

“No,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

It was several moments before Overlea replied. “Why are you here, Miss Evans? I know you’re not here for charity. Would you like me to speak to Edward? Convince him to give you more time? Or perhaps to continue to allow you to remain in your home under the same conditions as when you father was alive? If that’s the case, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I don’t have that much influence over my cousin’s actions.”

She would have to tell him everything. The subject was already an uncomfortable one, but the kiss she and Overlea had shared on that morning after he woke in her room made it even more so. Keeping silent, however, might have grave consequences. Especially for Catherine.

“There is something else,” she said, her embarrassment acute. Unable to broach the subject just yet, she stood and walked over to the window. She gazed out at the perfectly manicured grounds for a full minute before taking a deep breath and turning to face him again. Overlea stood, but he didn’t say anything, giving her the time she needed. She was grateful for that. “Your cousin did offer me an alternative to paying rent. One that would involve using a currency of a different, much more unpalatable sort.”

It took him only a moment to catch her meaning. He scowled and swore softly, but she continued before he could say anything. “John and Catherine know nothing about this, and they must never hear of it. John is hotheaded enough to do something foolish. And Catherine—” Her voice hitched. “He offered to approach her directly and make her the same offer if I refuse.”

“Surely she would never agree to such a thing. Not if you speak to her first and give her your support.”

“Mama died in childbed during Catherine’s birth. A part of her believes she is responsible for the series of events that led us to where we are today. That Papa never would have fallen into your uncle’s trap if she’d never been born and Mama hadn’t died. Papa never would have turned to drinking, never would have gambled away the estate and our home. Of course,” she added, rushing to reassure him lest he think she shared that belief, “Catherine is not to blame for our father’s actions, but she might accept your cousin’s offer as a way of atoning for all that has happened.”

His dark eyes settled on her for what seemed an eternity. She squirmed, uncomfortable being the sole subject of that inscrutable gaze. Finally, he spoke.

“I believe I can help you.”

Intense relief washed over her and she had to close her eyes for an instant. She started to thank him, but his words stopped her.

“You may want to hear my conditions first.”

An icy finger of dread snaked up her spine. Had she made a mistake in coming here? Was it possible he was as despicable as his cousin?

“Perhaps you should be seated for this.”

She stiffened. “That is quite all right. I am comfortable here.”

She threw a hasty glance at the door, wondering at her chances for escape, but realized she was being foolish. This man had spent a considerable amount of time under her roof and he’d had several opportunities to make unwanted advances. Other than the one kiss they had shared when he’d woken and mistaken their relationship, an action for which he had later apologized, he had been circumspect in his attentions.

Nevertheless, she shivered when he approached her. His movements were smooth, almost predatory. There was no hint of the caution with which he had moved on that other occasion.

He stopped a few feet from her. She couldn’t make out what thoughts lurked behind his dark, intent gaze, but she sensed he was coming to a decision. She didn’t have to wait long for him to reach it.

“You require my assistance and I am inclined to offer it to you, but I have something to ask of you first. Without your agreement, I fear I will be unable to help you.”

Louisa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He was about to make her the same offer Edward had made. She was disappointed. For some reason she’d expected better of him.

He was silent for a moment, as if he were choosing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, they were the last she expected to hear.

“I need a wife.”

Other Books By Suzanna

Dear Stranger

Landing a Lord series

Dancing with the Duke

Loving the Marquess

Beguiling the Earl—coming soon

Hathaway Heirs

Lady Hathaway’s Indecent Proposal

Lord Hathaway’s New Bride—coming in 2014

About Suzanna

Suzanna Medeiros was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love for the written word led her to pursue a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree, but graduated at a time when no teaching jobs were available. After working at a number of interesting places, including a federal inquiry, a youth probation office, and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, she decided to pursue her first love—writing.

Suzanna is married to her own hero and is the proud mother of twin daughters. She is an avowed romantic who enjoys spending her days writing love stories.

She would like to thank her parents for showing her that love at first sight and happily ever after really do exist.