The Prince's Bride (19 page)

“A what?”

“A woman not of royal descent. Princes do not marry based on mere emotional whims.” He shook his head. “No indeed, when I marry it must be to a princess of royal blood with connections to a country that would prove beneficial to my own. A royal marriage is a political alliance, not a love match. I can only hope that when the time comes, I will find a bride who is not only suitable but to my liking as well.”

She struggled to keep her voice level. “Then your proposal?”

“It would have been the usual sort of thing.” His manner was offhand, as if discussing nothing more significant than an outing in the park. “I would have provided for your every whim. An excellent home, fine clothes, jewels. We would have been together for however long we both wished. It would have been quite enjoyable for us both.” He shrugged. “You needn’t be angry about it. I would have been quite generous.”

“I am angry. At myself more than at you.” She whirled away from him and paced the room. “I can’t believe I was such a fool.”

Alexei raised a brow. “Your flattery will quite turn my head.”

She cast him a scathing glare. “Don’t you dare be insulted. I am the one who has been insulted. To think that you, that I...” She clenched her fists and drew a deep breath. “I suppose I should be grateful to you.”

“Well, I
was
going to make you an excellent offer.”

“Not about that.” She snorted with disdain. “I wouldn’t have accepted. But if I hadn’t agreed to meet you, I never would have been in that music room. My life never would have been in danger. And I never would have married the man I love.”

“The man you love? Good Lord.” He groaned. “You’re in love with him? That certainly does muddy the waters. How on earth did that happen?”

“How?” She stared in disbelief. “Well, let me think. He is honorable and amusing, courageous and kind, not to mention quite attractive. He rescued me from certain death. He sees there is more to me than a pretty face. Aside from a few ill-chosen comments on occasion, he has done everything possible to ease the rather shocking state of abrupt matrimony. In short, he treats me like, well, a princess.”

“No jewels though,” Alexei murmured.

“And when he kisses me”—she smirked—“he warms my toes.”

“I could warm your toes.” He grinned wickedly.

“You will never have the chance. You have played me for a fool, Alexei, and I have learned my lesson.”

“I...” He drew a deep breath, then straightened his shoulders. “Please accept my apology. I truly had no idea you misunderstood my intentions.” He studied her carefully. “So, you love him and he claims to trust you. It seems all has turned out well.”

She raised her chin. “Quite well.”

Rand stepped into the room, his gaze pinned hers. “Jocelyn.”

There was something odd in his tone and a tremor of fear shivered through her. “What is it? What’s the matter?”

“It seems we have another guest.”

“Another...” A tall figure stepped into the room and her breath stilled.

“Richard?” The word caught in her throat.

“At your service, little sister.” Richard Shelton, the Earl of Shelbrooke, stood grinning in the doorway.

“Richard!” Her eyes fogged with tears and at once she was in his arms, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Are you well, Jocelyn?” he murmured against her ear.

“Yes. Now.” She drew her head back and smiled up at him. “Oh, Richard, I have missed you so.” She peered around him. “Is Gillian with you? And the baby?” She gasped. “Are they here? Are they all right?”

“They are safely ensconced at Effington Hall with the rest of the family. My wife and”—he chuckled— “my daughter.”

“A daughter! How delightful!” She hugged him once again. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“She is every bit as beautiful as her mother.” He grinned with pride. “Although after dealing with you and your sisters through the years, I must admit I was hoping for the less grueling demands of a son. However, I have quite fallen in love with her.”

She stepped out of his arms and studied him. It had been nearly a year since they’d last seen each other and she could scarcely believe he was there. “You look wonderful.”

“As do you.” He raised a brow. “Spectacles?”

She raised a shoulder in a self-conscious shrug. “I’ve discovered the unexpected pleasure of being able to see.”

“Apparently much has changed in my absence,” he said dryly.

“You can’t imagine. I have a great deal to tell you. So much has happened and I—” She pulled her brows together thoughtfully. “When did you get back and what are you doing here?”

“We arrived at Effington Hall a few days ago, unexpectedly I might add. I suspect the letter detailing the specifics of our return home will come in the next week or so, if we’re lucky.” He shook his head in disgust. “At any rate we arrived just in time to attend a wedding. Lady Helmsley sends her regards.”

“Lady ... Marianne!” She beamed at him. “Oh how lovely. Is she happy?”

“Indeed she is, although I must confess to being a bit disgruntled myself.” Richard pulled off his gloves one at a time, his words as measured as his actions. “When we discovered Gillian was with child and we could not return to England in time for the season I had promised you and your sisters, I left you all in the care of my dearest friend. I assumed you would have successful seasons, enjoy the pleasures of London—theater, museums, and the like. However, upon my return I find”—he met her gaze directly and she resisted the immediate urge to wince—“one sister has engaged in penning scandalous stories—”

“They weren’t that scandalous,” she said quickly.

“—based, apparently, on her amorous adventures—”

“Loosely based. Very loosely. In point of fact”—she forced a lighthearted laugh—“there was scarcely any truth to them at all and I’d hardly call them amorous.”

“And another sister”—he narrowed his gaze— “compelled to wed a virtual stranger—”

“Have you met my husband,” she said brightly, waving in Rand’s general direction.

“—and forced to flee London for her very life.”

“It does sound bad when you put it that way,” Alexei murmured.

Jocelyn shot him a quelling glance. She had quite forgotten Alexei was there but the last thing she needed at the moment was his comments. She slanted a quick look at Rand and caught the quiet assurance in his gaze. At once she knew he would allow her to handle her brother but would be there if she needed him.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds, Richard.” She cast him a reassuring smile.

“I daresay it can scarcely be as bad as it sounds.” His gaze was steady. “However, now that I have returned I’m certain all can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.”

“What do you mean ‘resolved’?” She didn’t like the look on his face. The inflexible, older brother, I-know-best expression. Unease trickled through her. “Exactly why are you here, Richard?”

“I should think it’s obvious, Jocelyn.” His gaze bored into hers. “I am here to take you home.”

“Take me home?” She stared at her brother for a long moment, resisting the immediate impulse to laugh. He would not take it at all well but he was so amusing when he had that tone in his voice.

“Exactly,” he said in a lofty manner.

“I think not.” She shook her head and grinned. “For the moment, Richard, this is my home. And home for now and always will be at my husband’s side.”

“She does not take well to orders, you know,” Rand said mildly. “Did you really think you could walk in here and dictate to this particular woman?”

“Not for a moment.” Richard sighed. “I’ve never been able to tell her, or any of my sisters for that matter, what to do. However, I did think it was worth a try.” He looked at Jocelyn. “I had no idea what to expect, you know. What I was told by Thomas and the others did not paint a very attractive picture.”

“It didn’t start out that way,” Jocelyn admitted. “But I think it’s turned out rather nicely.”

“Has it?” Richard studied her carefully. “Are you happy?”

“Quite.” She traded smiles with her husband and wondered how long it would be before they were alone together again.

“You’re going to let her stay with him then?”
Alexei asked.

“If that’s what she wants.” Richard smiled down at her. “Thomas speaks quite highly of Lord Beaumont. And any man who can get her to wear spectacles is obviously a better man than her brother.”

“If she was my sister I’d drag her out of here kicking and screaming if necessary,” Alexei said idly.

Richard looked at him with a frown of annoyance. “Who are you?”

Something that might have been a laugh or a snort or more likely a bit of both sounded from Rand. “Lord Shelbrooke, may I present His Royal Highness, Prince Alexei of Avalonia.”

“Prince ...” Richard’s mouth dropped open and he stared unabashedly. “Bloody hell.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Alexei said with a smirk.

“Ignore him, Richard,” Jocelyn said firmly. “He doesn’t like it, but it serves him right.”

“I could have you shot for that in my country,” Alexei murmured.

“A prince.” Richard chuckled and pulled his gaze from Alexei back to his sister. “As I was about to say, I’m pleased, of course, but somewhat surprised. I would not have expected you of all people to be content with, well”—he waved vaguely at the room— “this. Your ambitions for a match have always been considerably grander.”

“I know. It’s really quite remarkable. I’m not sure I can explain.” She hooked her arm through her brother’s elbow and led him to the nearest sofa. They sat down and she pulled her thoughts together. “As you well know, I had always hoped—well, planned really—to marry someone with a far more impressive title than a mere viscount.”

“I know I shall never tire of the way
mere
always seems to come before viscount,” Rand said wryly.

She ignored him. “Beyond that, you know how much I truly dislike being poor. I had always thought to marry someone with a great fortune, at least as great as yours, and, well, I didn’t.”

Richard narrowed his eyes. “He doesn’t have money?”

“Oh he’s not impoverished,” she said quickly. “At least everything I’ve noticed indicates he has some money.” She glanced at Rand. “You’re not, are you? Impoverished, I mean.”

Rand hesitated. “About that, Jocelyn, I should tell you—”

“No.” She held out her hand to stop him. “I don’t want to hear the exact state of your finances at the moment. It’s simply not significant.” She turned back to Richard. “I will still get my dowry, won’t I? And it is substantial, isn’t it?”

Richard frowned. “Yes, of course, but—”

“Then we shall be fine,” she said firmly. “We shall always have a place to live. He has a lovely cottage somewhere—”

“A cottage?” Alexei snickered.

“Jocelyn,” Rand stepped toward her, “I really must—”

“Not now.” She quieted him with an impatient wave. “Someday this castle will be his as well. Oh, I know it’s in a sorry state, and in truth crumbling down around us, but it has a great deal of charm and I’ve become quite fond of it.”

“Have you?” Richard stared at her as if she were a complete stranger and he’d never seen her before now.

“Indeed I have. And, Richard.” She leaned toward her brother in a confidential manner. It was important to make him understand. “I don’t care about any of it. It doesn’t matter to me. Not his title, not his money or lack thereof. None of it.” She shook her head in amazement. “I still can’t quite believe it myself.”

“Nor can I,” Richard murmured. “This is not the same sister I left behind.” He glanced at Rand. “What have you done to her?”

Rand grinned and shrugged in a rather satisfied manner that didn’t bother her for a moment.

“Well, his kiss does warm her toes,” Alexei said helpfully.

A hot blush swept up Jocelyn’s face.

“That’s more than I needed to know,” Richard said under his breath.

Rand cleared his throat. “While I do appreciate the assistance, I would prefer—”

“Come now, cousin,” Alexei said. “We are all family, aren’t we?”

“Family?” Confusion colored Richard’s face. “Cousin?”

“That’s the ironic part. Or one of them anyway,” Jocelyn said. “As it happens, Rand is Alexei’s cousin and by blood a prince of Avalonia. Even though he has no interest in ever claiming the title, which on one hand is something of a pity but on the other simply doesn’t signify as it doesn’t matter to me in the least.

“So you see”—she cast her brother her brightest smile—“I have ended up with a prince and a castle after all.”

“A prince and a castle,” Richard said slowly, obviously trying to take it all in. The poor man was completely befuddled. Not that she blamed him. It was all rather convoluted. He smiled weakly. “Next you will tell me there’s a dragon around the place somewhere.”

“I much prefer to think of myself as a wizard.” Nigel stepped through the doorway. Richard immediately got to his feet.

Rand stepped forward. “Lord Shelbrooke—”

“Richard,” Jocelyn said. “And Rand and Nigel. Do call each other by your given names. As Alexei pointed out, we are all family here.”

“Very well, Richard, this is my uncle, Lord Worthington, Nigel.” Rand grinned. “A most remarkable man, and I have always thought of him as something of a wizard.”

“Only with words, my boy, but I relish the comparison.” Nigel leaned on his cane and studied Richard, as if assessing his character along with his appearance. “About time you showed up.”

Richard started. “I was unaware of any of this until my return—”

“Come to rescue her, did you?” Nigel’s eyes narrowed. “She doesn’t need it, you know.”

“As I have just now discovered.” Richard smiled and bowed. “To my great pleasure.”

Nigel chuckled. “Glad to hear it.”

“Blast it all, I nearly forgot.” Richard’s brow furrowed. He drew something from the pocket of his waistcoat and approached Nigel. “I was asked to give this to you.”

“What is it?” Rand frowned and moved closer.

“It’s mine is what it is,” Nigel said pointedly. “Don’t get many letters.” He unfolded the paper and squinted at it. “Can’t read a word of it anyway. Flora!” He bellowed over his shoulder.

Flora poked her head in, no doubt already listening at the doorway. Jocelyn bit back a grin. She’d wager Ivy, Rose, and Nick were out there as well.

“Fetch my spectacles.”

Flora nodded and vanished. Nigel hobbled to the nearest chair and settled into it.

“At least tell me who it’s from,” Rand said firmly.

“Don’t know yet,” Nigel snapped. “Haven’t read it.”

“Richard?” Rand turned to her brother, and Jocelyn noted the change in her husband’s attitude from a moment ago. His stance, his voice, the way he moved was sharp, hard, no-nonsense, with a tense sense of purpose about him. Abruptly the very air around them grew heavy and taut.

Richard obviously noted it too. His gaze met Rand’s; his tone was sober. “It was given to me by the man you worked for.”

Rand studied him and waited, with that silent, expressionless look that always brought to mind his private past and the secrets she would never be privy to. Apprehension gripped her.

Richard drew a deep breath. “Thomas refused to tell me exactly where you were. We nearly came to blows about it but he was adamant.” Richard chuckled wryly. “He was quite impressive.”

“He is a loyal friend,” Rand said quietly.

“Yes, he is. To us both. It was a difficult position for him, and I regret having put him in it. Nonetheless, I was as determined as he.” Richard shrugged. “He finally directed me to your superior, who agreed I was no threat and revealed your location.”

Flora returned with the spectacles. Nigel placed them on his nose and scanned the note.

The room waited.

“Well, well, this is a bit of a pickle,” Nigel murmured, his gaze still on the letter. At last he looked up. “The ceremony the prince is to appear at has been moved ahead to three days from now—”

Alexei frowned. “On whose authority?”

“It doesn’t say.” Nigel studied the paper. “You are all to return immediately and as discreetly as possible.”

“Very well.” Rand’s tone was resolute. “We shall be off at once.”

“Hold on, boy, there’s more. It also says there are efforts afoot to make certain he does not arrive in time.” Nigel’s gaze met Rand’s. “The roads are being watched.”

“We’ll simply take a roundabout route,” Rand said.

“We’ll be accompanied by my men. I have no doubt we can get through.”

“But probably not without incident.” Nigel shook his head. “You’re talking about a group of what? Five or six men traveling together? That’s bound to attract attention. According to this, any confrontation on the roads with whatever brigands are involved would be as detrimental as Alexei not putting in an appearance at all.”

“Still—” Rand started.

“This is politics, boy, don’t forget that,” Nigel said sharply. “It’s not as clear-cut as war but every bit as dangerous. You can’t just ride out of here like a band of knights of old. No indeed. Won’t work at all.” He tapped the note thoughtfully.
“You’ll need a plan. Possibly even a disguise.”

“Ridiculous.” Alexei snorted. “I am certainly not going to go skulking about the countryside—”

“If you want to save your crown and, no doubt, your hide as well, you’ll set aside that royal pride of yours and pay attention.” Authority rang in Nigel’s voice, and abruptly Jocelyn realized his nephew might not be the only one in the family with an adventurous past. “We have to come up with an idea, a good one, and we have precious little time in which to do it.”

Silence fell over the room and Jocelyn took the opportunity to study the faces of the men around her. She couldn’t help noticing they were rather a handsome lot. Not that their appearances had limited them in any particular way. No, their minds were considered much more important than their looks. It really wasn’t at all fair how men were judged on intelligence and ability whereas women, more often than not, were judged only on beauty. Women were scarcely ever given the credit for even the simplest things and were bound by all sorts of ridiculous conventions about deportment and behavior regarding every aspect of their lives from how they danced at a ball to how they sat a horse to how they traveled ...

“Women,” Jocelyn said aloud. “That’s it.” She jumped to her feet. “That’s the answer.”

“Jocelyn.” Rand shook his head. “I know you are trying to help—”

“Be quiet and listen to me for a moment.” She paced a few steps, trying to organize her thoughts. It was a wonderful idea, if a bit wicked. And she had no doubt they wouldn’t like it at all.
Still...

She stopped and turned to face the gathering. “If indeed a band of men would be noticed at once, a carriage of women would be all but invisible.”

“Women?” Alexei laughed. “I scarcely think—”

“I am doing the thinking at the moment and this is a wonderful idea.” Excitement sounded in her voice and she turned to her husband. “You and Alexei will dress as women. Nick can drive the carriage. If it took a full day and night for us to travel here by horseback, how long will it take to return to London?”

Rand nodded thoughtfully. “Three days and nights, maybe less, if we stop for nothing more than to change horses.”

“You’d make it just in time by carriage,” Nigel said.

“Well?” She stared at each of them in turn, her gaze finally settling on Rand. “What do you think?”

He considered her for a moment. “I think I would never fit in your clothes.”

“Of course not, don’t be absurd.” She laughed. “But I suspect between Flora, Rose, and Ivy we can certainly come up with something suitable.”

“That we can, my lady,” Flora’s voice sounded from the hall.

“Grand idea, my dear. I’m damned proud of you.” Nigel chuckled. “Brains and long legs too. You’re a lucky man, Rand.”

“I have already realized that, Uncle.” Rand’s dark gaze meshed with hers and she wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms. “It’s an excellent plan, Jocelyn. No one would suspect two female travelers of being anything other than what they appeared.”