To Catch A Spinster (The Reluctant Bride Collection) (8 page)

A dark moment passed while he wondered if she would proposition some young buck if Nathaniel did not keep her satisfied. He shook his head. She had resorted to that out of desperation, and she was at least twenty-seven. It wasn’t as if she had begun propositioning strange men as soon as she’d entered society.

His previous vision of a cold, duty-filled marriage died around her. No sneaking off to a mistress for love, or to his club for thought-filled conversation. He could easily imagine years of happiness tucked away in the country arguing and laughing.

Yes, Olivia was perfect. And thankfully, already his.

They were meant to be.

This time Olivia had provided the blanket, and she paced beside it waiting for him. She had waited every night for a week, on the chance that he might come. She had felt like a silly ninny every night when he hadn’t. If it weren’t for his attentions during the daylight hours, she would have assumed he’d had his pleasure and was done with her. Truthfully, he had performed his obligations. They should end the whole thing.

But she didn’t want to.

When he’d told her starting a physical relationship changed things, she’d thought he’d been exaggerating. Perhaps it was simply because it was new to her, but she found herself thinking of him all day long. When he was close and she could smell him, she often thought she might faint from longing. It was embarrassing! She, of all people. Felled by passion.

Olivia exhaled loudly when he found her. He had come. The night was cool and she was glad she did not have to wait long for him, for his heat.

Nathaniel bent to one knee, bringing a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

Olivia took a step back. “What are you doing?”

“I’m asking you to marry me.”

“Oh, Nathaniel. I can’t marry you.”

Nathaniel stared. “Pardon? Have you become engaged to someone else while I wasn’t looking?”

Olivia frowned. “Of course not. But you are simply feeling guilty for taking my...”

“...maidenhead?”

“My innocence.”

“As you said before, Olivia, you were not an innocent. Inexperienced, and I rectified that, but you were definitely not an innocent.”

True. But she couldn’t help feeling that this was a mistake and blamed it on his honor. He had ruined her for marriage, she was sure he thought so, and proposed to her out of guilt.

“Nathaniel. I can’t marry you.”

“Why not? We are eminently suited for each other.”

“I would make you a terrible wife. I have been alone for too long.”

Nathaniel shook his head.

“Yes, I have. Not even you would let me sneak outside every clear night.”

“Well-”

“And what about children? I’m not sure I’m mother material. I don’t like being constantly distracted.”

“Olivia-”

“I do like being an aunt, it’s true. But I get to go home at the end of the day. When they stub their little toes, it’s not me they go running to.”

“Olivia, I hate to mention this but we have been intimate. You may already be pregnant.”

Olivia stared at him indignantly. “I thought you had taken care of that!”

Nathaniel shrugged. “There is always the possibility.”

She sat down in silence, considering. Finally, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“And you’re right, I wouldn’t let you sneak outside every clear night. It’s too dangerous, and I can’t believe your father allows it.”

“I told you.”

“But I would build you a tower. An observatory that you could escape to but would be safe.”

She stared at him, torn between laughter at the idea and amazement. Had he considered this already?

“An observatory?”

“With your easels out there already—a chair, blankets. You could simply slip up there and I wouldn’t worry.” He laughed. “I was just congratulating myself on choosing an inexpensive wife.”

Olivia shook her head. “It wouldn’t be the same.”

“It would be better.”

“I like helping my father with the estate. Truthfully, he hasn’t cared for the books in nearly five years.”

“I don’t see why you would have to stop doing that. Indeed, I would enjoy input from you about my estates.”

She shook her head. “I am as free as any woman could ever be. My life is exactly as I want it.”

He took her hand. “When I am with you, my future does not seem so dark. When I am with you, life is colorful and wonderful. Can you not say the same?”

She whispered sadly, “Nathaniel...”

He let go of her hand. “Think on it, Olivia. We are perfect for each other.”

She shook her head. “It’s impossible. Perhaps we could go on like this.”

Nathaniel rose, taking a step back. “Perhaps not. One day we will both tire of sneaking around.” He pointed at the hard deck. “We will tire of bruised backsides. We will tire of having to separate at the end of the day.”

Olivia said nothing, merely watched him with sad eyes.

He turned to leave and she took a rose from her chair quickly. “Will you not stay tonight?”

He shook his head. “I came offering you the stars and all you want is the moon. I will not settle for less, Olivia.”

N
athaniel found his mother at home the next morning. He threw himself into a chair, flopping into a boneless heap.

“Good afternoon, Nathaniel.”

“Mother. Prepare yourself; I’m getting married.”

“Hallelujah. I assume to Miss Blakesley?”

“You assume correctly. However, there is a small problem.”

“And you’ve come to me to fix it? How odd. Are you feeling quite well, dear?”

“No. I have a recalcitrant bride-to-be who will not listen to me at all.”

“Hmm. You’ve picked well for yourself. I’d hate for you to be saddled with a woman who ran to do your bidding.”

“Thank you. Now will you help me?”

“Of course. A woman always needs more grandchildren.”

Nathaniel muttered under his breath. Where the idea came from that the female was the weaker sex, he had no idea. They always did exactly what they wished.

“First, I must make sure that the lady in question does want to marry you. I would hate to coerce Miss Blakesley into marrying an ogre if she didn’t love you.”

“Thank you again, Mother. Why don’t I ask Barters to stab me in the back as well.”

“Your valet would never do such a thing, even if you begged. Blood is quite awful to get out of cloth.” Anne skewered her son with the look. “Why does Miss Blakesley refuse your hand?”

“I don’t know. Yes, I do. Because she has had too much freedom in the past. Too much time to think. She should have been married ages ago. She says she would make me a terrible wife.”

“Hmm. Have you considered that she may not love you, Nathaniel? I do not mean to be cruel, but perhaps she was being tactful.”

“Olivia? Tactful? She’s never heard the word. If she didn’t want to marry me she would have come right out and told me I was an under-educated toad.” He sighed. “She came damned close to tears when she refused me. She is simply being stubborn.”

“I shall call on a few ladies. How do they say it in the militia? I will gather my forces. It is a mother’s duty to see her children married.”

Anne held her hand out to Nathaniel and he rose to his feet swiftly.

“Shall we plan on an autumn wedding?”

“I would prefer summer, Mother. Perhaps I’ll apply for a special license. Or carry her off to Gretna Green. I’ll need some rope and a gag.”

“No, Nathaniel. I only have two children and I will have full weddings for the both of you. Leave Olivia to me.”

“Thank you, Mother. I knew I could count on you.”

“Of course, my dear. That’s what mothers are for.”

“Mrs. Anne Jenkins is here to see you, Ma’am.”

“Anne Jenkins? Send her in, send her in. Oh, dear!”

Mrs. Blakesley nervously ran her fingers over her cap and fingered her
fichu
. What in the world was Mrs. Jenkins doing over here at this hour?

The housekeeper escorted Mrs. Jenkins in and Mrs. Blakesley rose. “Mrs. Jenkins.”

“Mrs. Blakesley. I do apologize for intruding at this hour, but I fear it is an emergency.”

“Of course, of course. Sit down, please.”

“Thank you.” She sat demurely, barely glancing at the arrangement of the room and offering no courtesies. “Mrs. Blakesley, you must be aware of the attachment between our children.”

Mrs. Blakesley nodded. Then her eyes widened and her hand flew to her chest. “Tell me they have not run off to Gretna Green, Mrs. Jenkins! Oh, the scandal!”

“They have not run off to Gretna Green.”

“Oh. Then, pray tell, what is the emergency?”

“Perhaps I spoke in haste. However, there is a matter that must needs be drawn to our attention. It is our duty to see our children married fortuitously, happily, and if at all possible, before our deaths. You must agree with me, Mrs. Blakesley.”

Mrs. Blakesley held her breath, trying to dampen her growing anger. “I do quite agree with you, Mrs. Jenkins. And I find the match to be fortuitous and happy for both sides.”

“As do I. Which is why we must act together to marry them off.”

Mrs. Blakesley blinked. “Pardon me, Mrs. Jenkins. For a moment there I thought you had come to run my daughter off.”

“Oh, dear. Of course not. I find the match perfectly acceptable. Miss Blakesley is not as young as some girls these days, but I find that suits my son better. He would never be happy with a silly girl. The matter I wish to bring to your attention is the fact that my son has already proposed to Miss Blakesley.”

Mrs. Blakesley fluttered her handkerchief and bit back a squeal. “All six of my daughters married! Oh, Mrs. Jenkins, this is not an emergency!”

“She refused him.”

“Pardon?”

“Miss Blakesley turned him down.”

Mrs. Blakesley’s eyebrows drew together and she leaned back heavily in her chair. “My daughter has refused the only marriage proposal she will ever receive?”

Mrs. Jenkins nodded.

Mrs. Blakesley folded her hands carefully in her lap. “I understand the emergency now, Mrs. Jenkins.”

“Thank you. We both have children who remain unmarried far longer than one would wish. I intend to rectify that.”

“Indeed. I shall help.”

“Olivia.”

“Mama? What is the matter?”

“I was visited by Mrs. Jenkins today.”

Olivia looked down at her painting, mentally cursing herself. She should have expected this. Nathaniel was not the sort to give up easily.

“I was not aware you knew Mrs. Jenkins.”

“Of course we’ve met, Olivia. Our children were spending quite a bit of time together. In fact, some people would have been expecting an announcement soon.”

Olivia sighed. Whatever Mrs. Jenkins had told her mother, and Olivia was more than a little worried about that, it wasn’t good. She could tell by the calm, monotone voice.

“An announcement seems a bit premature to me. But perhaps tongues start to wag as soon as a man asks for a dance.”

Her mother bent down until her nose nearly touched Olivia’s cheek. “It wouldn’t have been premature if you had accepted his proposal.”

“Ah. That was a bit quick. I hadn’t expected you to hear of that quite yet.” Or Mrs. Jenkins. Had Nathaniel told her? Everything?