Married in Haste (5 page)

Brenn didn’t know what to answer. Fortunately, she didn’t expect one.

“Neil, my brother, and I were close until he married. His wife is completely selfish…and sometimes I’m scared because I fear I may be a bit like her—”

“You couldn’t be,” Brenn assured her, taking her hand.

“I don’t know,” she admitted with brutal honesty. “Life seems so empty. It’s a bit frightening.”

“Then find meaning,” he told her with conviction. “Don’t let yourself be like people you don’t admire.”

“It’s hard.” She looked down at their joined hands as if just realizing how close they sat to each other. A dark flush rose to her cheeks and she stood.

“I was right, you know,” she said.

“About what?”

“About your being different. I can’t imagine how we ever strayed to such—” She hesitated searching for the right word. “Personal subjects. Of course, you aren’t one to toady up to people, are you?”

He stood, taking a step toward her and reaching for her arm so that she couldn’t run away. “Toadying has never been my strong suit…although I would do many things for a beautiful woman.” He touched her then, drawing a line down the velvet curve of her cheek.

Miss Hamlin caught his hand before it could stray further, her gaze holding his. “Most men don’t go beyond the shell of the woman—or look past the fortune. Are you a fortune hunter, Lord Merton?”

Her directness, and its accuracy, caught him off guard. He recovered quickly. “If I was, would I admit it?”

“No.”

“Then you shall have to form your own opinion.”

It was a challenge and he knew she would respond to a challenge. She didn’t disappoint. Her hand released his. “Tell me about Erwynn Keep.”

“If you wish.” He led her back to the balustrade, sitting her down beside him. “But first, you must close your eyes and imagine the land.”

She shot him a suspicious look.

“What?” he asked. “Do you think I’m going to trick you into a kiss? No, this is the only way you can truly picture Wales. Otherwise, you won’t hear what I’m saying. Now close your eyes.”

He didn’t think she was going to do it, but then her lids fluttered closed. “What does the land look like?”

she demanded.

He smiled. Her skepticism was charming.

He leaned close to her ear. “Wales,” he said, making the single word a statement. “Picture a countryside that is not only rugged but magical. The mountains were formed when a great clan of wizards and magicians had an argument. In their anger, they kicked mounds of earth at each other until the mountains were formed and the valleys carved out. They threw off their capes and robes and those formed the green pastures. The hats they knocked off each other’s heads became the forests.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“It’s all true,” Brenn assured her. Their lips were only inches from each other’s. He ached to taste her.

“I…think you made the story up,” she whispered. Her breath was hot and sweet against his skin.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh, I think you would.” She opened her eyes. A flicker of surprise appeared in them when she realized how close they were to each other—but she didn’t move back.

Brenn said, “I think I’m going to kiss you.”

She blushed, the sudden high color charming.

“Don’t tell me,” he said. “Gentlemen rarely ask permission before they kiss.”

“Oh, they always ask, but I’ve never let them.”

“Then I won’t ask.” He lowered his lips to hers. Her eyelashes swept down as she closed her eyes. She was so beautiful in the moonlight. So innocently beautiful.

He tasted her, his lips just pressing against hers—

“Tess, are you here?” begged a female voice.

Miss Hamlin jerked away. The moment of the kiss was spoiled.

A young woman stepped out on the terrace, the light from the ballroom spilling over her.

Miss Hamlin cast an apologetic look to Brenn and rose to her feet. “I’m here, Anne.” He came to his feet with her.

Anne rushed across the terrace. Miss Hamlin met her halfway.

“All is ruined, Tess. Deland Godwin learned about our wager and is telling everyone. The duchess of Westley ordered Daphne home before she went off into a swoon. The duchess has great power at Court and Lady Garland swears that you have ruined her rout!”

“I’d forgotten all about the wager. But calm down, Anne. It can’t be as bad as all that. The duchess and Lady Garland are overreacting.”

“No, Tess. It is worse than you can imagine. Every mother is dragging her daughter away from here. I had to dodge my aunt three times in my search for you. I fear what will happen once she finds me because the other girls are crying and telling everyone that you, I, and Leah were the ringleaders of the wager. Deland Godwin is positively gleeful!”

Brenn took a step closer. “Perhaps I can help. After all, Miss Hamlin has been with me this whole time.”

But before Miss Hamlin could answer him, her brother charged out onto the terrace. “Tess.” He put a wealth of meaning in that one word, and none of it boded well for his sister. “This time you’ve gone too far!”

Chapter Three

Neil had never been more angry with his sister.

Inside the ballroom, matchmaking mothers, grande dames, and debutantes were in a madcap uproar and the blame rested on Tess’s shoulders. He’d never get her married off—not after this scandal. He was ruined.

His mood wasn’t helped when Tess replied, “Oh poo, Neil. It was only a game. A silly wager.”

“A silly wager?” he repeated before words failed him, choked by incoherent anger.

Sensible Anne made a soft sound of alarm, but his impudent younger sister stood her ground. “We wanted to liven up the ball.”

Neil practically roared his frustration. “You are too far out of the schoolroom to not know the implications of your prank! It’s outrageous to think that young women of quality would be so bold—and callous enough—to wager on who could receive the first offer of marriage at a ball!”

Tess’s eyes, so like his own, hardened. Her stubborn chin jutted out. “Men place bets on this sort of thing all the time.”

“What men do and what women are allowed to do are very different subjects,” he said forcibly.

“In some matters, yes,” she dared to answer. “But this isn’t one of them. I admit that perhaps we demonstrated a want of sensibility but nothing that can’t be remedied.”

“Can’t be remedied?” he repeated incredulously. Jabbing a finger in the direction of the ballroom, he said, “Already a Mr. Breedlove is swearing injury because he had a secret agreement with the duke of Westley to marry the duke’s oldest daughter. He’s furious that she was encouraging other men.”

“Flirting. She was flirting with other men—”

“Tell that to Mr. Breedlove. Apparently the man is monstrously insecure. Worse, the duke’s daughter now knows about the agreement and she told Breedlove to his face that he was ugly and she was tired of him tromping on her toes when they danced.”

Tess’s eyes gleamed with elation. “She said that to him? Bully for her.”

“Tess, stop talking like a stable lad.” He took a step away and then turned, so angry he had to vent his rage or explode. “Marriage is a business arrangement! A contract binding two parties. Whether Breedlove stomps on the girl’s toes or not, she should do as her father wishes. ’Course, now she won’t and Westley will blame me. Everyone will blame me!

“Stella is right. You’ve grown too high in the instep. I should have married you off years ago. If I had, none of this would have happened! But now you will never find a husband. You’ve run through all of your suitors. They’re tired of flirting with you and they’ve had enough. And now! Now it is too late—”

He broke off, hearing the desperation in his voice. Ah, yes, his sister had destroyed him. Soon his folly would be discovered.

Tess placed her hand on his arm, pools of tears forming in her eyes. “Neil, I’m sorry. I did not expect matters to go in this direction. I will make apologies. I’ll talk to Lady Garland. Deland Godwin will spread gossip, but I will be so gracious and pleasant, everyone will forgive me. Anne,” she said, turning to her friend, “don’t worry about your aunt. I will tell her it was all my fault. Nor will I let Leah or the others pay. I can do this, Neil. You know I can.”

He stared down into her shiny eyes and wished that they could turn back time. He took her hand in his own and remembered when, as a baby, she would grasp his finger and never let go. “Too late,” he whispered hoarsely. “It’s too late for you, me, Stella.”

“Neil, don’t talk that way,” Tess whispered. “We’ll see our way through. Don’t you remember?

Together.”

Together. It was their family watchword and had been for generations. Now it mocked Neil.

“Perhaps I can help,” a deep male voice said.

Neil turned, and registered with surprise the presence of another man. He’d been so angry when he had come out on the terrace, he’d been oblivious to everything but his sister.

The gentleman bowed. “Brenn Owen, earl of Merton.”

The title was vaguely familiar. Neil frowned and then recollected. “Heard about you at my club. You’ve recently come into the title, is that not correct?”

“It is.”

Neil took in the earl’s appearance. He’d heard the earl of Merton was lame. The man in front of him appeared far from a cripple. In fact, his presence was so formidable, Neil didn’t understand why he hadn

’t noticed him sooner. He shifted uncomfortably, afraid of what his temper might have allowed him to reveal in front of others.

“I thought the earldom of Merton was a Welsh title,” he said cautiously.

“It is.”

“You’re rather tall for a Welshman, aren’t you?”

The earl’s teeth flashed white in the moonlight. “There’s Viking blood in my ancestry. The earls of Merton are known for their height. And for their willingness to take a risk.”

“A risk?”

“I’d like to make an offer for the hand of your sister.”

“What!” The word burst out of Tess, but Neil was no less surprised.

“You’re joking,” Neil said bluntly. “Haven’t you heard anything I’ve been saying? She’s ruined and taken her family with her.”

“All the more reason to marry her off,” the earl said cheerfully. “It would save your family further scandal.

I marry Miss Hamlin, whisk her off to Wales, and within a few months, no one will remember this evening

—with the possible exception of your aunt,” he said regretfully to Anne.

Neil’s mind seized upon the idea. This could be the answer to his prayers.

“That’s the most ridicu—” Tess started but Neil cut her off, almost pushing her aside.

“Yes, there are possibilities here. Wales is a good distance from London, isn’t it?”

“A good ways,” the earl answered dryly.

“Wait!” Tess shoved her way between the two men. “I’m not marrying anyone. Not now; not ever.”

Neil felt as if his blood was boiling. How dare she contradict him in front of the earl! Did she believe she had no responsibilities to her family name?

He faced Merton. “My sister accepts your proposal, my lord. Call on me on the morrow and we shall discuss the settlements.”

“Neil! No!” Tess stamped her foot. “I will not marry him!” She bit each word out.

And suddenly, Neil was tired, exhausted from juggling his obligations to his sister and his wife and his own wants. Here was a way out of danger. He and Stella had a baby on the way.

Tess’s whims no longer mattered.

“She’ll marry you within the week, my lord. See to a special license. I shall go in and announce the engagement.” Without looking at his sister, he turned on his heel and walked back to the ballroom.

Tess stared after her brother, scarcely believing her ears. Anne placed her hand on her shoulder. “He’s angry. He’ll change his mind.”

“He’s drunk,” Tess answered flatly. She immediately felt the sting of disloyalty. Neil had been drinking too much lately but he was still her brother.

She turned on the person solely responsible for this nonsense. She confronted Lord Merton. “How could you?”

“I merely offered a solution,” he said with false modesty.

“I’d rather be sold into slavery.”

He frowned. “Come now, marriage is much preferable to slavery.”

“Marriage is little different,” Tess countered. “Once a woman marries, she no longer has anything she can claim as hers. Even her identity belongs to her husband.”

“I take it this is more enlightened thinking from your former governess.”

Tess gave him a bitter smile. “Yes. Are you ready to cry off?”

His level gaze met hers. “No, Miss Hamlin. I’m ready to prove you wrong.”

“You won’t have the chance,” she assured him proudly. With a swish of her skirts, she gave him her back and hurried to the ballroom to repair whatever damage she could. Anne followed close at her heels.

Inside, the chaos that Anne had described had subsided. But many of the girls who had made the initial wager were missing, as were their chaperones. Tess straightened her shoulders. As people became aware of her presence, all eyes turned to her. It was deadly quiet.

Neil stood in front of the musicians. “I’ve just announced your betrothal, sister dear.” He raised his punch glass. “To my sister’s happiness.” The other guests joined him in the toast. Except for Lady Garland who sat sprawled in a chair by the door, fanning herself as if distressed beyond bearing.

“And to Lord Merton,” Neil added.

Merton had come in from the terrace. He didn’t stand by Tess but joined Neil and took a punch glass.

“To the most beautiful woman in the room,” he said, raising his glass in her direction. The toast was dutifully hailed.

Deland Godwin maneuvered himself close to Tess. “So the magnificent Miss Hamlin has been run to ground, the victim of her own cleverness,” he said in her ear. “Of course, who would have thought a cripple would be the one to outfox you?”

Tess stiffened. Suddenly tired of playing polite games, she smiled. “Don’t worry, Mr. Godwin. Even with his limp, he is more of a man than you will ever be.”

Godwin jerked as if he’d been struck. The comment was overheard by several people. They laughed and repeated it to others.