Protection (8 page)

Lisa huffed a breath. Only the night before he’d said he valued her openness, but
if he was going to take offence at every little thing, she would keep her mouth shut
in future.

Chapter 7

Different

Spending hours being fitted for an extraordinary array of gowns, with the endless
choices to be made regarding fabrics and styles, soon lost its appeal. While the offerings
were undeniably beautiful, Lisa couldn’t conceive of requiring anywhere near the number
of ball gowns, evening gowns, cloaks, day dresses, pelisses, riding habits, bonnets,
shoes, bags, gloves, and all the other accoutrements her mentors insisted she would
need in the coming weeks.

“Fashionable society will be flocking to make your acquaintance once your relationship
to the King is made public.”

Margaret’s intention was not to be unkind, but her words caused a feeling of dread
to settle in Lisa’s stomach.

“Even without knowing about your royal connections, the ladies of the
ton
are atwitter over the opportunity to meet the courageous young lady who outwitted
the dastardly Lord Copeland and survived an unimaginable ordeal, masquerading as a
servant.” Rebecca’s flair for melodrama imbued her description of events with a theatrical
tone.

Lisa already felt like she was playing a part, one for which she feared she’d been
miscast. There were times she thought living up to her new, aristocratic role was
harder than adjusting to being a servant. Adding to her woes, her plan to keep that
aspect of her adventure a secret had fallen by the wayside, with gossip now running
rife in all spheres of society. Journalists had begun loitering around Stanton House
as soon as news leaked Sir George Barlow and his daughter were in residence.

Lisa could only assume that the servants Thomas brought with him from Worthington
Hall had divulged the tale, which was hardly surprising. What was unexpected was the
sympathetic nature with which the story had been reported . . . to date. She worried
someone would eventually tell the truth rather than the sanitised and, frankly, implausible
tale Thomas had concocted, that Nathaniel had known all along who she was but had
kept her identity a secret in order to keep her safe.

“Ye don’t need to worry,” Ruth said one evening while she was helping Lisa dress for
dinner. She went on to assure her of the staff’s staunch loyalty to the Duke and his
household, of which Lisa was now considered an integral part.

“For them to discover the pretty lass working in their midst is practically a princess
and related to the King . . . well, everyone’s proud as punch to ’ave been involved
in keeping ye safe. And then there’s yer impendin’ betrothal to Lord Marsden. Downstairs
are just waitin’ for the announcement to celebrate and toast yer ’appiness. It’s like
something out of a fairy tale, Lady Anneliese, and ye’ve made them all a part of it.
There won’t be any nasty gossip comin’ from that quarter, I can guarantee it. The
servants lucky enough to work for His Grace will defend yer ’onour to their dying
breath, as will Ben and meself.”

Touched by her speech, Lisa couldn’t resist the urge to embrace the girl. The maid
only allowed it for a moment before shooing her mistress off with an embarrassed dismissal
of her worthiness.

“You were a good friend to me when I thought I’d lost everything, Ruth.”

“Aye, and ye’ve been a good friend to me.” Ruth’s shy smile faded, and Lisa cocked
her head to the side.

“What is it?” she asked when Ruth remained silent.

“Ye’ll still do what ye said ye would, back at Worthington?”

“Help girls who have been hurt?”

Ruth nodded, and Lisa thought back to the morning she’d first heard her friend’s terrible
tale, her heart aching for what she’d been through. Lisa had been reeling from Nathaniel’s
seduction and the shock of finally understanding the inferences people around her
had been making. But hearing of the dreadful abuse Ruth had endured when she was just
a girl had brought her own troubles into stark perspective.

“I’m
determined
to do what I can to help, regardless of my position in society.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to ’ear that.” Ruth breathed a big sigh. “Yer going to be so busy,
what with practically being a part of the King’s family, but I knew ye wouldn’t forget
yer promises.”

“Never,” Lisa said, reminded of the one Ruth had made to accompany her when she’d
thought she might have to flee abroad. Theirs was a true friendship, and as far as
Lisa was concerned, nothing would change that, not her station, marriage, or fortune.
After dinner that night she asked Nathaniel if Ruth and Ben might be able to stay
with her after they were wed.

“Whatever you desire,” he said.

His willingness to oblige her was a source of relief, although what she really wanted
was to spend time with him alone. Unfortunately, it would have been asking too much
to expect her father to grant them such liberties again. Their interlude in the garden
was a singular event, one that ended on an awkward note with her stammering an apology
and his assuring her it wasn’t necessary.

Lisa was unconvinced. Nathaniel acted differently towards her now that she was his
betrothed and not his mistress, more reserved. Of course, that was only to be expected,
his manner perfectly acceptable . . . for a traditional beau.

Things would be better once they were wed.

With a sigh, Nathaniel put the report he had been reading aside. His estate manager
appeared to have things well under control, but he missed taking a hands-on approach
to the running of Marsden Park, especially the breeding programme that was producing
some of the finest hunters in the region. Lisa liked to ride, or so she had admitted
when he had questioned her about her real upbringing—daughters of innkeepers were
not afforded the luxury of learning to ride sidesaddle, so she had necessarily kept
that from him. Between his commitments to the current parliamentary debate and preparations
for the King’s ball, he’d not had time to find her a suitable mount. He would rather
choose one from amongst his own stock, but it would be some weeks, possibly months,
before they were able to retire to his country estate. Once their betrothal was announced,
they would need to wait the proscribed weeks until they could wed. Quickly, quietly,
and with a minimal of fuss was Nathaniel’s preference—Lisa’s, too, he assumed
.
Although sometimes he wondered how well he knew the woman he loved.

His confusion was not her fault. She’d had no choice but to live a lie at Worthington,
first as a maid, then while conforming to Nathaniel’s image of the perfect mistress
in exchange for his protection. Now she was having to adapt to an entirely new
role. He’d have liked to have been introduced under conventional circumstances, to
discover her temperament and tastes when she wasn’t living under a cloud of fear,
anxiety, or expectation.

Lisa’s admission that she didn’t regret the way they’d met had taken him aback. Not
to mention her reference to dreaming of them engaging in an intimate act, one she
had described as pleasant but also shocking and something of which he
would not approve. Nathaniel shook his head. What could be more shocking than the
things he’d already required of her?

He couldn’t deny he was curious, having enjoyed any number of dreams featuring Lisa
in the starring role. He wouldn’t have hesitated to indulge his salacious fantasies
when she was his mistress, the thought causing him to shift uncomfortably in his seat.
But she was to be his wife, and it would be asking too much. Wouldn’t it?

“Problems at home?” Hugh gestured to the reports on Nathaniel’s desk, both men at
loose ends with the ladies busy with the never-ending fittings for gowns and fripperies
necessary for those of their station.

“No, all’s well.” Nathaniel leaned back in his chair. “What of your estates? Is your
father pressuring you to return?”

“Not without a bride.” Hugh grimaced. “I’ve been told, in no uncertain terms, to find
a bonny English lass of high standing, with a respectable dowry and congenial disposition,
to increase the standing of the clan.”

“And you’ve chosen Rebecca?”

“You question your sister’s suitability?”

Nathaniel laughed. “Not in the least. I’m just not sure
congenial
is a word I’d have chosen to describe her. Managing, impetuous, strong-willed—”

“Passionate?”

Nathaniel’s expression sobered. He was glad that his father had given permission for
Hugh to come courting Rebecca—after taking a leaf out of Sir George’s book and threatening
to skin him alive if he behaved inappropriately. But he was uncomfortable thinking
of his sister as being of marriageable age, no matter how eager she seemed to secure
Hugh’s affection. As for her experiencing passion . . .

He shuddered, and Hugh shook his head.

“I take it you’re still struggling with the idea of blue-blooded ladies behaving in
a red-blooded fashion?”

“A little.” Nathaniel shrugged. “I agree that Lisa and
Rebecca deserve better than the conventional marital experience typical for those
of our class. A husband at least has the expectation of finding, if not love, some
degree of affection outside the marriage bed, an option unavailable to his wife.”

“Not according to Lucinda.” Hugh smirked.

“True,” Nathaniel said without inflection. His anger at her deception was fading now
that he was free to marry the woman of his choosing.

A lady of impeccable breeding, Lucinda had had no more intention of honouring her
wedding vows than Nathaniel would have if they’d wed.

“I’m not saying her ‘what’s good for the gander is permissible for the goose’ approach
is ideal,” Hugh continued. “I can’t see too many husbands tolerating their wives engaging
in dalliance.”

“Of course not.”

“But it proves the point that high-born ladies are equally capable of passion, given
the opportunity.”

“My father certainly seems to have found something with Margaret.” Nathaniel shook
his head, never having thought to make such an admission. “His face lights up whenever
she comes into the room. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him happier.”

“Nor I you when you were spending time with your
Miss Brown
back at Worthington.”

At Hugh’s pointed look, Nathaniel’s chest heaved with a drawn out sigh. “I’ve promised
her I’ll be an exemplary husband, but I need to work out what the role entails. I’m
beginning to suspect society’s dictates and Lisa’s preferences might not coincide.”

“And that’s a bad
thing?”

“Not necessarily
.
” Nathaniel had been hesitant to give the possibility consideration, as it seemed
self-serving in the extreme. Not to mention fraught with the potential for abuse.

There was no denying Lisa was a passionate young woman. The far-from-ordinary circumstances
in which she’d found herself had created the opportunity for her to explore a side
of her personality she’d have otherwise suppressed. While Nathaniel wasn’t about to
applaud the part he had played in her physical awakening, it was clear the notion
he’d readily accepted—that the females of his class were intrinsically different to
those of the lower, and therefore incapable of experiencing physical desire—was flawed.
Which didn’t mean
everything
he’d done was acceptable in terms of how a husband should treat his wife.

“Have you considered you might be able to enjoy the best of both worlds?” Hugh’s query
snapped Nathaniel from his reverie. “Marriage to a lady who meets all the necessary
requirements for a marchioness—exceeds them, in fact
—
whom you also desire?”

“I’m considering it now.” Nodding slowly, Nathaniel’s lips curved in the beginnings
of a smile.

Chapter 8

Duty

Lisa clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking, thankful her gloves absorbed
the dampness caused by her sweaty palms. Sharing morning tea with Queen Adelaide was
a civilised undertaking but cause for apprehension nonetheless.

Twenty-seven years the King’s junior, the then Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
had met her husband, a duke and younger son of King George III, a week prior to their
wedding. The marriage had been arranged when it became apparent he would ascend to
the throne and was in need of a legitimate
heir.