Reese's Bride (11 page)

Setting the book aside, he rose and beckoned her into his domain. “I was beginning to think you would not come.”

“I meant to come sooner. I hope I haven’t kept you up too late.”

“I rarely retire before midnight.”

“I have formed that habit myself.”

He motioned her toward the brown leather sofa, watched as she crossed the room. The last eight years had been good to her. Her curly hair was still as black as her dismal mourning gown, her skin as smooth as cream. Her figure was more voluptuous, her breasts a little fuller, making her even more womanly and desirable.

His groin tightened at the thought that if she agreed, she would soon be in his bed.

She toyed with a fold of her skirt as she sat down in one of the two brown leather chairs. She was nervous, he could tell, but then so was he. He had only made a marriage proposal one other time in his life—and it had been made to the same woman.

“I presume you have reached a decision,” he said, anxious to hear her answer. He had never been a particularly patient man and that had not changed.

“I have.” She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I have decided to accept your proposal—under certain conditions.”

He cocked a brow at the unexpected parry. “Which are?”

“The marriage shall exist in name only. A marriage of convenience.”

Reese just laughed. “I’m a man, Elizabeth. A man has needs. Since the day I first had you in the seat of the carriage I’ve wanted to have you again. I’ve imagined it for nearly eight years. I won’t agree to this marriage unless you become my wife in every way.”

Her cheeks flushed, making her look like the young girl she had been when he had first met her. “A number of years have passed. We scarcely know each other anymore. You are asking a very great deal.”

“And I am offering a very great deal.”

She glanced away, bit down on her lush bottom lip. Desire slipped through him. He could still recall the taste of her, the feel of her soft curves pressing against him, the way her nipples had tightened in his hand.

“If…if I agree, I’ll need some time,” she said. “I need to get to know you better before…before…”

He frowned. “You are not some simpering virgin, Elizabeth. You’ve been married. You’ve borne a child.
You understand what happens between a man and a woman. Aside from that, there is the not so small matter that you desire me, perhaps as much as I desire you.”

Her cheeks pinkened. “I enjoyed your kisses, yes, but I…I…”

“You what? You didn’t like the way I touched you, caressed you? Don’t lie to yourself, Elizabeth.” She opened her mouth to argue and he shook his head in defeat. Arguing would not get him what he wanted.

“All right, I’ll give you a week from the day we marry before I claim my husbandly rights.”

She glanced away and her chin wobbled. Rising to her feet, she walked over to the hearth, spent several long moments staring into the flames. Having learned how much she valued her independence, he had known the decision would not be easy, but it bothered him to think that she would deny his suit if she could.

Her head came up as she turned to face him. There was something in her eyes, something tenuous and fearful that made his stomach tighten.

Elizabeth squared her shoulders. “I’ll agree to your terms, but…even if you are my husband, I—I won’t let you hurt me.”

His chest squeezed. God’s blood, what had Aldridge done? He had never liked the man but surely her husband hadn’t physically harmed her.

Reese moved toward her. He had never meant to frighten her. “I won’t force you, Elizabeth,” he said in a gentler voice. “For God’s sake, I’ve never forced a woman in my life. I don’t intend to start with you.”

She looked up at him and her lovely gray eyes filled with tears. Reese felt her pain as if it were his own.

“I don’t know, Reese…I don’t…I don’t know if I can do it.”

He reached for her, eased her gently into his arms. What had happened in the years after he left? Was her life with Aldridge truly that unbearable? He felt her trembling and a tiny crack formed in the wall he had built around his heart.

Reese steeled himself against it. He couldn’t afford to show weakness, not when it came to Elizabeth. Still, he didn’t let her go.

“We’ll take it slowly, get to know each other again, discover each other’s likes and dislikes. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.” He tipped her chin up. “On the other hand, I’ll expect your cooperation. I won’t be denied forever.”

She looked up at him, blinked, and the tears in her eyes rolled down her cheeks. He wished she wouldn’t cry. She had never cried, not even once, when they had been together. Reese brushed away the wetness with the pad of his thumb.

“Say yes, Elizabeth. Let me protect you and your boy.”

Her gaze remained on his face, deep pools of gray filled with unfathomable emotion. Elizabeth slowly nodded. “All right, Reese, I’ll marry you.”

Something unfolded inside him. Something sweet and yearning. He ruthlessly crushed it down.

Bending his head, he very gently kissed her. He could feel her soft mouth trembling under his and knew this was not the time to press for more.

“There is one last thing,” he said as he eased away.

She eyed him warily. “What is it?”

“Once we reach London, you will abandon those dreadful black dresses. You will dress as my wife, not another man’s widow.”

For an instant, he thought she might argue. Instead, she almost smiled. “As you wish, my lord.”

“Then we are agreed. Tomorrow I’ll begin making arrangements. By the end of the week, we’ll be married.”

Elizabeth just nodded. Her shoulders began to droop and her bravado seemed to fade. “I hope you don’t mind, but I find I am suddenly tired. If you will excuse me, I believe I shall go on up to my room.”

“Of course.”

Turning away from him, Elizabeth walked out of the study.

Reese released a deep breath. In a few days’ time, they would be wed. He would be marrying a woman who had betrayed him, a woman he did not trust. A woman who still appealed to him far more than he ever would have imagined.

Reese prayed he was doing the right thing.

F
lat gray storm clouds hung over Briarwood Manor. A fierce October wind blew a bitter chill across the barren fields as Elizabeth stood next to Reese in the main drawing room of the house. In deference to Reese and because he refused to let Gilda return to Aldridge Park for more of Elizabeth’s clothes, she wore a gown of lavender silk with an overskirt of shot silver tulle, a garment made for her by the Duchess of Bransford, deftly sewn by the lady herself.

Standing next to Elizabeth in a velvet-collared, navy blue tailcoat and dark gray trousers, Reese’s hard-carved features, darkly forbidding appearance, and fierce blue eyes didn’t lessen his masculine appeal.

And yet she dreaded to think that soon she would be his wife.

Elizabeth steeled herself against the chill that swept down her spine and forced her attention back to the man in white satin robes in front of them, a thin, gray-haired, man with a sallow complexion. His voice droned on as
he spoke the sacred vows of marriage, words Elizabeth barely heard.

The guests were few. Reese’s brother, Royal, stood to his right, while the duke’s pretty blond wife, Lily, stood next to Elizabeth. Sheridan Knowles, Viscount Wellesley, a longtime friend of the Dewar brothers who lived on a nearby estate was there, a charming, sophisticated man Elizabeth had met on several occasions. A few feet away, her small son sat in a chair next to Reese’s aunt Agatha, Jared’s dark eyes solemn and uncertain.

Elizabeth had tried to explain to him what was going to happen today, that she and Reese would be married, that Lord Reese would be living with them from now on.

“Is he going to be my father?” Jared had asked, making Elizabeth’s stomach churn.

“Why, yes, I suppose he is.”

“What should I call him?”

Dear God, when she had accepted Reese’s proposal, she hadn’t considered how to handle any of this. “For now, why don’t you just keep calling him Lord Reese?”

Jared had looked up at her and simply nodded. As was often the case, she had no idea what he was thinking.

The vicar’s use of Reese’s name dragged her back to the moment.

“Wilt thou, Reese, take this woman, Elizabeth, to be thy wedded wife, to live together in God’s holy estate of marriage? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Reese’s deep voice said firmly, “I will.”

“And wilt thou, Elizabeth, take this man, Reese, to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor
and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Elizabeth’s voice trembled. “I will.”

Reese clasped her icy hand and slipped a heavy gold ring embedded with rubies on her third left finger. The ring was old and beautiful and she wondered what significance it held. Placing her shaking hand on the sleeve of his coat, he turned once more to the vicar.

“By the giving of a ring and having consented together in holy wedlock, therefore, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” He smiled. “You may kiss your bride, my lord.”

Reese leaned toward her and Elizabeth closed her eyes. Very softly, he settled his lips over hers. She didn’t expect the jolt of heat that flared inside her, or the feel of a warm blush rising in her cheeks. She didn’t expect that when the kiss should have ended, Reese deepened it, claiming her in some fashion before he let her go.

Reaching toward her, he touched the heightened rose in her cheeks. “Everything is going to be all right,” he said softly, and dear God, she wanted to believe it.

“Your aunt, Lady Tavistock, has arranged a wedding breakfast in your honor,” the vicar said with a smile. “I for one am quite looking forward to it.”

“As am I,” Reese’s frail aunt said, rising shakily to her feet, “and I am certain this young man is hungry, too.”

Jared grinned, and all of them laughed, grateful for the break in the tension. They were on their way to the dining room when the front door burst open. On a gust of wind, Rule Dewar strode into the entry.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, sweeping off his greatcoat.
“Damned roads were a bloody—” he coughed behind his hand “—muddy nightmare.”

“Rule!” Reese smiled and moved toward him, leaning a little on his cane. Elizabeth had noticed he hadn’t used it during the ceremony. She wondered how much it had cost him. “I didn’t expect you to travel all the way from London on such short notice.”

Rule, the youngest and perhaps the most handsome of all three Dewar men, enveloped his brother in a hug.

“Are you mad?” Rule said. “My brother is getting married. Did you think I wouldn’t want to be here?”

Reese smiled, obviously pleased. “You’re a little late for the actual event but I am damn—extremely glad to see you. Thank you for coming, little brother.”

Rule turned toward Elizabeth. “Welcome to the family, my lady.” He had the same blue eyes as Reese and as they perused her head to foot, she caught the gleam of male appreciation. “It appears my brother has as fine an eye for women as he’s always had for horses.”

Elizabeth laughed at the lopsided compliment, certain she was going to like the youngest Dewar brother. “I hope you will call me Elizabeth. We are, as you say, family now.”

Rule had been just fourteen when she and Reese had first meant to wed. She remembered seeing him only once, when he had been home on a visit from boarding school. Perhaps his youth was the reason he seemed less resentful of her, more inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Whatever the reason, she was grateful to have one less problem to deal with.

She motioned for Jared to come forward, then rested her hand reassuringly on his small shoulder. “I would like to introduce my son, Jared.”

“Handsome boy,” Rule said, then went down on one knee in front of the child. “I’m your uncle Rule. It’s nice to meet you, Jared.” Rule stuck out his hand and the little boy shook it.

“You’re my uncle?”

“That’s right. You have two of us now.” Rule grinned and dimples appeared in his cheeks. “Your uncle Royal is right over there.”

Royal waved at the boy, accepting his role without question and Elizabeth’s heart pinched. Reese’s family was clearly ready to accept the child, even without knowing the truth of whom he was. This was what Jared had missed. A loving family.

In that moment, Elizabeth realized she had made the right decision. The Dewars would protect one of their own no matter the cost, and Jared had just become one of them.

Her eyes welled. She felt Reese’s solid presence beside her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded. “I just…” She looked over at Rule, still talking to her son. “Thank you.”

Reese’s gaze followed hers and he seemed to understand. “I won’t let anything happen to him, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth managed a smile. “I know you won’t.”

“I’m starving,” Rule said, rising and taking hold of Jared’s small hand. “At least I made it in time for the food.”

All of them laughed and everyone headed for the dining room, eager to sample the sumptuous buffet.

The wedding breakfast was a small but elegant affair, orchestrated by Lady Tavistock. Well wishes were given and received. Toasts were made, one by each of the brothers, one by their friend, Sheridan Knowles.

“I know this day has been a long time coming,” the viscount said, raising his champagne glass. “But the best things in life are often worth the wait. To the bride and groom. May they find many years of happiness together.”

“Hear, hear!” the small group agreed.

By twelve o’clock, Reese’s coach-and-four had been loaded and brought round to the front of the manor in preparation for the journey to London. Goodbyes were said to Aunt Agatha, who was also departing; as well as both brothers, the duchess, and the rest of the wedding guests.

Elizabeth’s carriage had also been readied for the trip. Mrs. Garvey and Jared, Timothy Daniels and Gilda, along with the baggage they would be transporting to Holiday House, would be riding aboard the second conveyance.

She was married. She and her husband would be traveling to London.

Once again, her life had drastically changed.

Reese sat across from Elizabeth as the traveling coach rolled over the muddy, rutted road toward London. The wind had calmed, but the temperature had dropped, making the inside of the carriage bone-freezing cold.

Across from him, Elizabeth rode with a horsehair lap robe draped over her heavy skirts, her feet propped on the warm brick he had provided. Her face was a little pale but he figured it was more from the unsettling change in her life than the chilly early October air.

He still found the happenstance hard to believe. He was married. Wed to the last woman on earth he would have considered taking to wife.

At least not since the day she had jilted him for another man.

How was it, he wondered, the hatred he had once nurtured had changed into something else entirely? Aside from a healthy dose of lust, he wasn’t even sure what that emotion was.

One thing was clear. Whatever his feelings, he had to keep a safe distance between them. They could rub on together quite well, he was sure, without the burdensome emotion of love.

Elizabeth shifted on the tufted velvet cushion, drawing his gaze back to her, though his thoughts hadn’t strayed far since the moment the vicar had pronounced them man and wife.

Heat settled low in his groin. She belonged to him now. Soon he would consummate the marriage. Reese ground his jaw. Unfortunately it wouldn’t be tonight.

Elizabeth drew off a kidskin glove and held up her hand to study the heavy gold-and-ruby ring she wore on her third left finger. “It’s beautiful, Reese. You had so little time I wasn’t sure there would be a wedding ring at all, and certainly not one so lovely.”

He smiled, oddly pleased that she approved. “It belonged to my grandmother on my mother’s side. Since Royal was heir to the dukedom, my grandparents felt it their duty to look out for Rule and me.”

“If I remember, your mother died when you were six.”

“Yours at five, I recall.”

She nodded.

“With their own offspring deceased, Rule and I became my grandparents’ heirs.” He thought of the problems Royal had faced that Reese had only recently
discovered. “As it turned out, Royal was the one who wound up with the gravest need for money. Fortunately, that is a problem he seems to have solved.”

“You’re speaking of your brother’s business interests.”

“Yes. Royal was always clever. He inherited a penniless dukedom instead of the fortune that was meant for him. Thankfully, the Swansdowne Brewery, Royal’s notion of how to set things right, turned out to be a great success.”

“I’ve read in the newspapers how popular the ale is becoming.”

“He’s doing very well.”

“He certainly seems happy.”

“I think he is.”

“The duchess says they plan to remain mostly in the country.”

He nodded. “Bransford is a very large estate and Royal likes the challenge of running it. And he married a woman who enjoys a simpler life.”
Unlike you
, he couldn’t help thinking. Lily had known Royal was in desperate financial straits. Unlike Elizabeth, who valued wealth and position above all things, Lily had married Royal because she loved him.

“What about you?” Elizabeth asked, breaking into his thoughts. “What are you planning to do now that you are retired from the army?”

It was a question that once had haunted him. Now his future had been settled. “Farm the lands at Briarwood. Royal needs all the barley the land can produce. It shouldn’t be such a difficult task.”

“But you never liked farming,” she reminded him.

Reese shrugged his shoulders. “It was my father’s dying wish.”

Elizabeth studied him closely. “And now you are married and responsible for a family, giving you even less choice in the matter.”

He frowned. She had always been able to read him too well. “I’ll get used to it. Besides, life in the country isn’t nearly as bad as I once believed.”

Elizabeth turned her soft gray gaze toward the window where a light mist hung over the rolling hills. “Briarwood is lovely. There is something special about it.”

The notion pleased him, though he didn’t really see anything unique about the old manor house that had been built in the seventeen-hundreds. It was just a house and nothing at all as lavish as any of Aldridge’s luxurious residences.

An image arose of the handsome, incredibly wealthy man Elizabeth had married and a bitter taste rose in his mouth. Tonight was his wedding night, but because of Aldridge, he wouldn’t be enjoying his beautiful bride’s luscious body. He consoled himself with the thought that he had been the man Elizabeth had gifted with her innocence, not Aldridge, no matter that the earl had been the one she had chosen to wed.

“What about your friend, Captain Greer?” she asked. “Have you heard from him?”

“I sent Travis a letter telling him we would soon be arriving in the city. I’m hoping whatever trouble he is in will be more easily resolved than he seems to believe.”

And he had also set up a meeting with Chase Morgan, the investigator his brother had recommended, to discuss security for Holiday House, where they intended to take up residence, as well as personal security for Elizabeth and Jared.

“Captain Greer is lucky to have a friend like you.”

“I was lucky to have a friend like him. I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t risked his life to save me.”

Her gaze drifted down to his leg, which had stiffened in the cold. He straightened it even more, trying to ease the ache that had begun there.

“I heard you were injured,” she said. “For a while I wasn’t certain if…that is, I thought you might have been killed.”

He couldn’t help wondering, now that he had practically forced her to marry him, if his death would have been a relief.

“For a while when I was in the hospital, I wished I had been. But I’ve recovered for the most part and I’m determined to improve the condition of my leg.”