Two Beaux and a Promise Collection (8 page)

Richard cursed himself, but relief was stronger than irritation. Lady Beatrice would expose Herriard, and she would let Georgiana prove herself worthy. One meeting would convince her of Georgiana’s character.

He needed to return to the cottage posthaste but kept himself in check for another quarter hour while Lady Beatrice related the news of the day. Then he excused himself and headed back to Kensington.

* * * *

Georgiana nearly followed Richard out of the sitting room. She knew nothing about entertaining lords – not even barons like Derrick. What was she supposed to do with a marquess?

The question was answered when Tester silently deposited a tea tray at her elbow and departed. It had been years since she’d presided over one, but she hadn’t forgotten how.

Inslip set her at ease with tales of her grandfather, who had been one of his closer friends. They were alike in many ways. While she suspected that Inslip could be ruthless when necessary, today he had chosen kindness and the same bluff camaraderie she had found with her grandfather. Perhaps she could be comfortable with his family after all.

“It would be best if you accepted invitations immediately,” he said once he’d explained how the guardianship would work. “All else aside, your appearance will go far to lay Herriard’s lies to rest.”

“You do understand that my governess left when I was fifteen.”

“It doesn’t show. And my wife will review manners with you. Your most pressing concern will be learning the names and stations of those you will meet. And clothing, of course, though her dressmaker can remedy that soon enough.”

Her reply died when Tester returned, a round silver tray resting on one palm. “A message for you, my lord. Urgent, he said.”

Inslip accepted the missive and broke the seal. His forehead creased into a frown.

“Problem?” asked Georgiana as Tester departed.

“A small one, but it needs immediate attention. If you will excuse me, my dear?  We will expect you by dinner tomorrow. Tell Hughes to arrange for a decent gown. Mademoiselle Jeanette dresses my wife. Let her know that Lady Inslip will return with you on Wednesday to order a complete wardrobe.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

He pressed her hand, then left.

Georgiana paced the sitting room, turning the meeting over in her mind. Richard was right. Not all nobles were venal. Her grandfather had been a loving man who had tried always to do the right thing. Inslip seemed the same – as did Richard, she admitted. He was kind and caring and nothing like his reputation. He might be a prankster, but he wasn’t callous or cruel. Even the bear had served a purpose and done no real harm.

She was guilty of judging without facts. Worse, her complaint that Richard blew hot and cold and held himself aloof applied a higher standard to him than to herself. She was doing the same thing – pushing him away for fear that he wanted her trust.

I have no use for heiresses.

It was true. He’d not turned cold until Stagleigh mentioned her inheritance. Then his eyes had flashed in fury – not because she’d withheld information, as he’d claimed, but because he wanted none of her money. If anyone had seen them together and cried compromise…

She reviewed everything that had happened since she’d entered St. George’s. He’d put himself out to help her, even during his sister’s wedding. He’d protected her from Derrick, made arrangements for an honorable future, and kept servants close at hand to guard her reputation even as Derrick was blackening his. Not once had he taken advantage of her. She wished he had.

You are so blind!

She needed his arms around her. And not just because she felt safe in his embrace. He stirred her as no other man could, making her long for his touch, his lips, his—

It was only gratitude, she insisted, refusing to believe that she could fall in love so quickly – and with a rake, of all people. She’d been desperate to escape Derrick. Richard had stepped in to help. Of course she would feel grateful.

But her heart didn’t believe it. Inslip’s plan to bring her out did not interest her. She did not want to parade about London’s marriage mart seeking a husband. The only man she wanted would walk through that door any minute.

So how could she overcome his antipathy to her fortune? 

Pacing produced no ideas. Nor did leafing through those books. They merely raised peculiar sensations she didn’t know what to do with. She was wondering if throwing herself into his arms might work when a commotion in the hall announced his return.

She sank onto the couch and raised the cup of now-cold tea to her lips.

Derrick strode through the door.

Tea splashed across the carpet.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded coldly. But her heart was already hammering in her chest. She’d seen that look before, though never directed at her. The last time, he’d beaten his heir badly enough to confine the boy to bed for a week.

“Returning you to the bosom of your family.”  His smile belied his cold eyes.

“No.”

“I am your guardian, Georgie. You will do as I say.”

“The bishop disagrees. Now leave. You are not welcome here.”

He laughed, a dangerous sound. “The bishop won’t rule until tomorrow. Today I’m your guardian and master of your fate. Did you really think to escape me?”

“How did you find me?”

“Followed Inslip. The minute I got that notice, I knew he would lead me to you.”

“So you lured him away.”

“Enough. It’s time you learned your place, Georgie.”

“Never!”

“You have no choice. My word is all that matters. The arrangements are made. You will be Stagleigh’s wife by dinner.” 

“Not when he learns how badly you are cheating him.”

“I have a signed contract. There is nothing he can do now.”  He jerked her to her feet.

She screamed, dragging her nails down his face before he could pin her arms.

“You’ll pay for that,” he grunted as she kicked him. His slap snapped her head sideways. Twisting her against him with an arm like a steel band, he dragged her toward the door.

Tester was sprawled in the hall, unconscious.

— 8 —

Richard spurred his horse toward Kensington, a growing fear that something was wrong urging him faster. It made no sense, but he had to make sure that Georgiana was safe.

He dodged through a narrow gap between two wagons and cut down an alley, grateful to have his own horse beneath him instead of Saturday’s slug. It willingly broke into a canter.

Tension mounted as he considered the disasters that might befall her. He shouldn’t have left her behind, even with Inslip. The man didn’t understand how beastly Herriard could be.

Logic stepped in to point out that Herriard didn’t know where she was. There was no need to ride
ventre à terre
to her rescue. But he didn’t slow. Nor could he outrun Lady Beatrice’s voice, which still hammered at his head.

She could not seriously believe that Herriard’s lies could harm Georgiana. Not with both she and Inslip denying them. So she must mean to manipulate him into marriage. She smiled indulgently on young men sowing oats, as long as they played by the rules. But her indulgence ended at age thirty, by which time she demanded responsibility and an eye to the future. Since he was rapidly approaching that age, she would expect him to set up his nursery. Jacob’s marriage had cracked the carefree image of the Beaux, encouraging her.

He admitted that he needed a wife. Just not Georgiana. No matter how much he liked her – and two days in her company had made him like her a lot – she remained ineligible. His allowance let him live comfortably. Once he acceded to the title, he would have even more, though he hoped that day would not arrive for many years. He did not need to fill his coffers with someone else’s fortune.

He turned a corner and nearly ran down a carriage headed toward Mayfair. Not until it passed did he identify the crest.

Inslip.

He kicked his horse to a gallop. There was no reason that Inslip’s departure should portend disaster, but he knew Georgiana was in trouble. His dread increased when he spotted a strange carriage in front of the cottage.

Herriard. It had to be.

He tossed the reins over a bush, then charged through the door. Tester lay bleeding on the floor. Herriard was dragging Georgiana from the sitting room. His bloody face stirred Richard’s pride that Georgiana had put up a good fight.

“Let her go,” he snapped, leaping forward. His fist caught Herriard’s shoulder.

Georgiana twisted free.

“You’ve annoyed me for the last time, Hughes.”  Herriard shoved Richard off balance.

Richard ducked a would-be facer, then landed a blow to the chest.

Herriard yelled for his coachman.

* * * *

Georgiana gasped as Derrick’s coachman jumped down from the carriage, clearly visible through the open front door. She bolted across the hall to lock it.

“Bitch!” snapped Derrick even as his fist slammed into Richard’s jaw.

The housekeeper rushed in and screamed when she spotted her husband.

Derrick sidestepped a punch, tripped on Tester’s leg, and staggered.

Georgiana pulled the butler out of the way as Richard took advantage of Derrick’s distraction to aim a kick at his groin.

“Foul!” cursed Derrick, twisting so the blow landed on his thigh.

“Gentlemen’s rules apply only to gentlemen,” snapped Richard.

“Then counter this.”  Derrick pulled a long-bladed knife from his boot and charged.

“No!”  Georgiana grabbed Tester’s tray and spun it toward Derrick. It struck his wrist, deflecting the blow. She jumped on his back, ripping at his hair as Richard grasped the man’s knife hand.

“I’ll kill you!” choked Derrick.

“Never!”  Richard’s free fist plowed into his jaw. A second blow struck his temple.

Derrick crumbled, unconscious.

Richard kicked the knife aside, then pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?  He hit you.”  His hand gently traced her cheek.

Sparks raced down her spine, weakening her knees. She hooked her arms around his neck to keep from falling. “It was only one slap, but thank God you arrived when you did.”  The memory set her whole body trembling.

“Steady, sweetheart,” he murmured, pulling her head against his shoulder. “You acquitted yourself well. Don’t fall apart now.”

“I c-can’t stop.”

“Reaction. I should have realized…”  He sat on the stairs, pulling her into his lap. “Put your head down. You’ll feel better in a minute.”

Rushing blood muffled all sound. Spots danced before her eyes, but closing them but made the world seem even vaguer. From a great distance, she heard Richard send the housekeeper for cord.

By the time the woman returned, Georgiana had pulled herself together, so Richard set her down and trussed Derrick, then bent over Tester.

“Is he all right?” she asked, irritated that weakness kept her from helping. But the thought of rising turned her stomach over.

“He’s coming around. Can you get him to bed?” he added to Mrs. Tester as the butler shakily sat up.

The housekeeper nodded.

“Good. Send for a constable when you have him settled.”

* * * *

Richard helped Georgiana into the sitting room, berating himself for leaving her. He should have postponed his visit to Lady Beatrice. Salvaging his reputation meant nothing compared to Georgiana’s safety.

Seeing her in Herriard’s grasp had put his pride in perspective. He loved her. The thought of her wed to someone else made his blood boil. No one would cherish her as he could – and would. The devil with what others might think of his choice. And the devil with whatever names they called him.

Instead of settling her on the couch as he’d intended, he pulled her against him, needing her warmth to convince himself that she was truly all right.

“Forgive me, sweetheart,” he murmured in her ear. “I should have protected you better.”

“You did everything you could.”

“Obviously not. Herriard found you.”

She pulled back to meet his gaze. “Richard, you have done more than anyone could expect. If not for you, Derrick would have caught me at St. George’s. Or at Hawthorne House. Or the Yellow Oak. Or any other place we’ve been.”  Her hand cupped his cheek.

He turned to place a kiss on her palm. “I should have done more.”

“Why?”

“Because I love you.”  When her eyes widened, he kicked himself for making the declaration sound like a curse. “I love you,” he repeated, softening the tone. “I should have realized it earlier, but my pride refused to accept that Fate had offered me the perfect wife when I least expected it.”

“Pride can be a problem,” she agreed, sliding her hands into his hair. “I’ve enough of it myself. When I realized who you were, I thought you were helping me so you could take over my inheritance.”

“I ignored my attraction because I didn’t want your inheritance.”

She nodded. “I finally realized that. Only then could I admit that I love you.”

His heart swelled at the words. Bending, he kissed her softly, then with increasing urgency. Her taste exploded in his mouth, branding itself on his soul. Her hands explored his shoulders as she pressed closer against him. Love burned away the last fear, opening the doors to a future he had never dared consider.

“I love you,” he repeated, laying her on the couch. “You’re mine. Forever.”

Epilogue

Four weeks later Richard stood before the altar at St. George’s of Hanover Square and watched Georgiana approach. She was breathtakingly beautiful in a gown that showed off her glorious bosom and clung to her sleek legs. Her smile made him wish the service was over so they could be alone.

Totally alone. The past month had been too frustrating.

Herriard had escaped from the constable and fled the country. But he was no longer a problem. If he ever returned, he would be hanged, thanks to Stagleigh.

Stagleigh’s fury when he discovered Herriard’s deceit had forged an alliance with Richard. His revelations had not only supported Richard’s charges but added new, more serious ones, sealing Herriard’s fate.