The Wagered Bride (20 page)

Milli
folded her arms across her chest and pinched her lips into a mutinous line,
refusing to speak.

"Millicent,
I refuse to play these games."

Milli
shrugged.

"All
desserts will be put away when it comes to your dinner if you do not answer me.
By Jove, I will forbid you to attend any plays or lectures for the next three
years."

Milli
dropped her hands to her sides and glared at him. "You made his lordship
marry Elizabeth. There!"

William's
brow furrowed as the sound of carriage wheels clattered along the cobblestone
streets. "Poppycock! Where did you hear such a notion?"

"I
have very good ears, Papa. And when I put them to a door, I can hear everything.
Well, almost everything."

"What
door?"

"Why,
the duke's door. Of course, I thought I would hear nothing, for you would think
a duke would have better doors in his townhouse. I could not hear everything
before we left, but I heard enough to know that you made Lord Stephen pay his
debt by marrying Elizabeth. You wanted a titled son-in-law and in effect
obtained a handsome lord for Elizabeth." Her eyes glittered romantically.
"It would make a grand play, Papa."

William's
face lost all color.

"You
see, Papa, I would never have thought of such a dastardly plot. Not that I
condone it, but if the story included a secret agent of some sort, it
would—"

"Millicent!"

She closed
her mouth and stared at him. 

"Are
you telling me you were eavesdropping on the duke?"

She
nodded.

William
pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his face. "Did you say anything about
this to your sister?"

"No."

"Good."

"Then,
will you trick a prince into marrying me, Papa?"

"Not
another word about this. Do you hear me?"

Milli
sat back against the seat with a pout. "I hear you."

"Very
good. Your sister will be married as soon as it can be arranged and she need
not know anything about this conversation. Understand me, girl."

Milli's
lips thinned.

"Yes,
well," William Shelby said, glancing out the window. "The only
problem will be your Aunt Polly. Listen here, Milli, I'm dropping you off at
Tavton Hall. I am hoping to see his lordship at the club, and this entire mess
about Elizabeth postponing the wedding will be ironed out in no time."

"But
she does not want to many him, Papa. She thinks he does not love her. Maybe you
should not have done what you did."

"Don't
matter."

"Yes,
it does. The more I think of it, the more I see that Lizzie should have a
choice!"

"Sometimes
it is better to listen to your parents, my girl, and not make such a fuss over
the little things."

"Oh,
forgive me. I should not have questioned you."

William
closed his eyes and sighed. "A father knows best about these things,
Milli. You will see."

Milli
glared out the window. "Yes, I see everything now."

Late the
following morning, Stephen made his way to the kitchen, hatbox in hand. "I
would like to have one of Egypt's kittens, Mother. That one there, off to the
side."

Lady
Bringston looked up from her kneeling position. "I'll not have you getting
into mischief with my babies."

Stephen
rolled his eyes. "What do you take me for?"

The lady
lifted a haughty brow. "You let that wonderful girl leave here. I doubt
her aunt is ill. Something happened and I have no idea what you might do
next."

He
stiffened. "I am going to marry Miss Shelby."

His
mother stood, holding the requested kitten in her hand. "If you do not woo
that precious girl, all is lost for you. I am hoping she will still come to our
soiree this week."

"Why
is it that everyone believes I should woo my fiancée?" Stephen was
definitely going to have a word with Roderick. "I am going to give the
kitten to Elizabeth, Mother. Are you willing to part with it?"

The lady
smiled, handing him the kitten. "Now, that is wooing, my boy. Remember,
Pharaoh will need a lot of attention."

"Pharaoh,
is it?"

"Yes.
Then there is Cleopatra, who has been given to Milli, and you know King
Tutankhamen. I have yet to name the other two."

Tutankhamen
had been given to Stephen's nephew, Richard, for a christening present, though
the babe could not play with the tiny kitten until both of them were bigger.
Emily had been touched.

His
mother returned to the kittens. "At least I know that with Elizabeth,
Pharaoh will be in fine hands."

Stephen
let out a twisted smile. Oh, to be a kitten.        

Chapter Fourteen

H
e had come.

Lifting
her chin, Elizabeth dragged her hand along the banister, slowly making her way
down the stairs with her aunt by her side. The strains of a concerto rose to
her ears and she stopped short just outside the drawing room. Stephen was
seated at the pianoforte, his slender fingers running up and down the keys as
if he were Mozart himself.

He was
so beautiful her heart ached. His dark head was bowed and his eyes were closed.
He did not seem to notice her or Aunt Polly as they entered the room.

"My
lord." Aunt Polly interrupted the musical dream and Elizabeth felt her
bubble burst.

Stephen
stood immediately. The light in his eyes dwindled. "Forgive me. I found
myself drawn to the keys."

Elizabeth
regarded him with a thoughtful gaze. How many other things had he hidden about
himself? "You play wonderfully."

Deep
brown eyes met hers. "Thank you. A compliment from you is a compliment
indeed."

The
intimacy of his glance caused her to look away.

"Tea?"
Aunt Polly broke the spell, showing him to a seat on the sofa. Elizabeth moved
to a wing chair opposite him.

As the
refreshments were served, Stephen peered up at her, his gaze flickering with
amusement. It was as if he had known he had been kept waiting.

"You
are well?" he asked Elizabeth.

"Very
well, thank you."

"Mother
says the kittens are growing bigger every day."

Elizabeth
peered over the rim of her cup. "And the baby? How is little
Richard?"

"The
babe has changed Stonebridge into an unequivocal ninny. His high-pitched voice
is still ringing in my ears."

Elizabeth
laughed. Lord Stonebridge could never be called a ninny in her book. "And
your sister?"

"Ah,
Emily is the only one in that house that has a pinch of sense. They are moving
back to their townhouse today."

Elizabeth
dropped her gaze. "Oh, I believe the duke has more than a pinch of sense,
and the young duchess outshines all those brothers of yours." Her eyes
tilted to meet his.

"You
think so?" he asked, a smile working its way to the corners of his mouth.

She
nodded. The silence was palpable as she sipped her tea.

Moreover,
Aunt Polly appeared to be watching with such indifference it was unnerving, for
Elizabeth knew the lady was mentally listing everything being said.

"The
duke is quite fond of you."

Elizabeth's
cup stilled in midair. Her cheeks grew warm. "Well, yes, in the end we did
get along quite nicely. In fact, all your brothers were extremely kind."

Stephen's
hand tightened around his teacup. Was he jealous?

"Madam,
your solicitor has arrived."

Aunt
Polly looked up at her butler's announcement. "Good heavens, Wallace, I
completely forgot about my appointment." She rose and exchanged wary
glances between Elizabeth and Stephen. "You will forgive me, but I have a
most pressing problem that my solicitor and I must go over. You do
understand?"

Stephen
stood. "Of course. Do not feel you have to chaperone us, madam. We are,
after all, engaged."

Elizabeth
rose unsteadily, her thoughts running wild when she saw the devilish twinkle in
Stephen's eyes. She could not stay alone in this room with him and remain neutral.
One touch from him turned her to mush.

She
turned a pleading glance toward her aunt. "Perhaps his lordship could
return tomorrow?"

Polly
gave Lord Stephen Clearbrook a curt glance and patted Elizabeth's hand
affectionately. "Nonsense, my dear. He is correct on all accounts of
propriety, you know. You are engaged."

The lady
leaned down and whispered in her ear. "But by no means let him kiss you. Once
you do, he will lose all respect."

Lose all
respect? Well, that was a lost cause already.

Elizabeth
swallowed past the lump in her throat and watched her aunt depart. How would
she keep her distance from this man?

She
would inform him that on no account would she come back to him. She turned
around to tell him just that and found herself face to face with his broad
chest.

He
gripped her shoulders to keep her from stumbling backwards. "Elizabeth,
you have nothing to fear."

Her chin
shot up. "I am not afraid of you, my lord." She was afraid of
herself. Afraid she had fallen in love with this man who would surely break her
heart.

One side
of his mouth quirked upward. "Then what are you afraid of... my
kisses?"

She
pulled away. "No... my lord."

He
scowled, pushing a hand through his hair. "My lord this, my lord that. We
are to be husband and wife. Can you not call me Stephen?"

He had
always been Stephen to her, but he would have too much power over her if he
knew the extent of her love. "I have told you that I do not wish to marry
you."

He pursed
his lips and then, suddenly, he turned toward the pianoforte, his strong
fingers playing a simple country song she remembered from childhood. "But
you have not told me why."

She
glanced at the door. This was not working well at all.

"Running
away does not solve this." His voice was hard, almost angry.

Elizabeth
turned back to him, her brows narrowing in outrage. Why should he be the one
who felt angry, when it was she who was being forced into this marriage?

"I
cannot run away, my lord. You and my father have cornered me like some fox in a
hunt. However, I still don't wish to marry you. Even your kisses could not sway
me."

A
mischievous light appeared in his eyes. "My kisses do not move you,
then?"

"I
did not say that, my lord."

"Then
what are you saying, Elizabeth? That you do not want to be my wife?"

With a
panther-like grace he rose from his seat and strode toward her. Her stomach
clenched.

"That
you do not wish me to touch you?" His hand reached for hers. "Or that
you do not wish me to kiss you?"

His gaze
traveled to her lips. "I want you, Elizabeth."

She
blinked hard. "Y-you want me?"

The
smile he sent her made her heart leap. He kissed her then, brushing his lips
against hers with such tenderness tears filled her eyes. "Say you love me,
Elizabeth. Say you will marry me, sweetheart"

He
wrapped a strong hand around her waist and drew her against him. The sweet
familiar scent of bayberry seeped into her senses as she flattened her hands
against his chest.

"I
think I loved you from the first time I saw you," she whispered.

He
groaned into her ear, kissing the soft skin beneath it. "I have waited
forever for you, my darling."

He
tugged her toward the pianoforte. "See here, I have brought you a
present." He reached beside the bench and pulled out a hatbox. He lifted
the top, and a small kitten peeped out, its ears twitching curiously. "My
mother named him Pharaoh."

Elizabeth's
heart swelled as he cupped the tiny kitten in his hands and gently placed it
into hers.

"He's
the most beautiful one of them all," she whispered, stroking the cat's
fur.

Stephen's
hand covered hers. "He reminds me of your heart, Elizabeth. So soft and
full of life ..."

A lump
formed in her throat, and she blinked back tears. "I don't know what to
say, except thank you."

"Say
you will marry me. I want you. It has nothing to do with your father's
money."

Her
defenses immediately fell away. She believed him. "Yes, I will marry
you."

He cupped
her chin. "Don't cry, sweetheart."

"I'm
... crying because I'm happy. I love you."

She
pressed a hand to his cheek. "I would trust you with my life just like
this kitten trusts me. You would never hurt me."

She
waited for him to answer, for him to tell her he loved her, too. Instead, his
mouth grew taut and he stepped away.

"Stephen?"

A frown
settled in his eyes and a cold numbing silence blanketed the room.

Her
heart slipped a notch. He... he didn't love her.

"Elizabeth,
there is something I must tell you."

No,
please, no!

Before
he could speak, the door opened and Milli bounced in.

Elizabeth
swallowed, trying to stem her anxiety. "You should knock before you enter
a room, young lady."

Milli
shrugged, plopping herself onto the sofa. "Oh! The kitten with the black
and white paw. May I hold it?"

Elizabeth
handed the small ball of fur to Milli. "Get it some milk. I think
Pharaoh's hungry."

"Pharaoh,
is it? How utterly wonderful!"

Milli
frowned, taking in the sight of Lord Stephen's motionless form in the middle of
the room. "What's wrong with you? You look as though you sold your soul to
the devil."

Stephen's
eyes snapped as if Milli had stuck him with a pin. Milli looked back at
Elizabeth's flushed face and let out a heavy theatrical sigh.

"Ah,"
the girl said, petting Pharaoh. "He has told you about Papa, then. I
promised not to tell, but since he has told you, well, you can see it is best
to have everything out in the open. Secrets should not begin a marriage, you
know. I was reading a play once where the lady—"

"Millicent,"
Stephen interrupted with a deadly calm. He was beside the girl in two seconds.
"How would you like to visit Drury Lane later this week?"

Elizabeth's
blue eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Told me what about Papa?"

The
girl's face lit up with delight. "Drury Lane? You have a box?"

Stephen
nodded, taking the girl by the elbow and escorting her toward the door. "I
do. You and your sister will be my guests."

"Milli?"
Elizabeth's sharp voice cut across the room.

Milli
stopped and turned, the kitten riding high on her shoulder. "Hmmm?"

"What
is this about Papa?"

The
girl's face fell. She regarded the grim expression on the lord's face beside
her and backed up toward the door.

"Oh,
did I not tell you? He is staying with Lord Baxby for the next few days. You
know Papa and Aunt Polly. They fight like cats and dogs." She gave a
forced laugh, pulling the kitten to her cheek.

Elizabeth
knew her sister was keeping something from her. "What is it, Milli? What
are you hiding?"

Milli's
eyes grew wide with guilt. "Uh, nothing."

"Run
along, Milli." Stephen tapped her shoulder in the direction of the door.

"Milli,
stay here."

"Will
you two stop throwing me around like some ball? I feel as though Papa were
trading me instead of Lizzie here."

Elizabeth
froze. "What do you mean, trading?"

Stephen
quickly turned toward Elizabeth. "No one traded anyone. It was nothing
like that."

Elizabeth
felt her breath quicken. "Then why are you two acting like this is some
deadly secret? It is not as if I hadn't known about the monetary transaction
between Stephen and Papa." But in fact for a few glorious minutes she had
almost forgotten all about the arranged marriage and her father's money.

"Monetary
transaction?" Milli asked. "Is that what you call it? I had no idea
you would take it so well, Lizzie. I would have told you myself. I mean, when I
heard that Papa made Lord Stephen pay his debt at the card table by marrying
you—"

"Millicent,
that is quite enough." At the sound of Stephen's curt command, Milli
dashed out of the room.

Pay his
debt?

Elizabeth
wrapped her hands around her stomach. She could not breathe or remember how. Short
gasps of air fell from her mouth. Her legs were unsteady and she fought to
stand.

Her
father had made this man marry her over a debt? The sudden knowledge pierced
her like a spike to the heart.

Stephen
had never wanted her at all. She was nothing to him but a wager. And honor
demanded he not back down.

A fiery
heat spread through her veins. What a fool she had been! An utter fool! She
could see it all now. A man like Lord Stephen Clearbrook would never marry for
money at all. He had too much integrity to do that.

But he
should have told her. It was her life, too.

"Elizabeth,
I can explain." His voice was strained.

She
shook her head. "Don't come near me."

"Elizabeth,
please. You don't understand."

Tears
clogged her throat. "Oh, I understand. You owed my father money, and he made
you pay your debt by marrying me. Is that not correct, my lord?"