To Love, Honor, and Obey... (Fated for Love) (12 page)

“You've never been afraid of anything.” He dipped his head teasingly and brushed his lips lightly across hers, playfully rubbing noses. “It makes no sense. Why would
your family object to us marrying? You are the next daughter in line to marry, your older sister is wed, and Patience hasn't even had a season. You could sponsor her, affording her entry into all the parties. The benefits of marriage to me are limitless.”

Obedience scrunched her nose. “How very humble of you to remind me. You speak of sense as if they had some. May I remind you that very recently they sought to bring you and Patience together?”

“Ah, yes. But you—the great saboteur, rescued me from that fate.”

“Please
, rescue me, Teddy,” Obedience begged, only she wasn't sure what she was begging for. She could feel the state of his arousal pressed against her lower abdomen, and she squeezed her thighs together in eager response.

“I thought I was. Do not fear tonight. I will be there, my father will be there, and you know he is only looking for the slightest provocation to gobble her up. You will have many knights at your table tonight.”

“Many? I only count two.”

“Don't discount yourself.”

That made her smile, although she tried to hide it behind an anxious bite to the corner of her lip. He had his arms firmly around her, holding her to his hard body. As far as arguments go, if he employed these kind of tactic's, he would be winning many.

“I can't find an argument for your logic.”

“Good.” He caught her lips and silenced her with a heated wave of desire. She opened readily, dueling with him confidently. She gave him even more of her weight, sliding her hands up around his neck and pressing her hips against his. Chance groaned and pulled away reluctantly, they were in no place to further their intimacy.

“Now, about dinner.” He continued to hold her until she regained her balance. She blinked up at him, her cheeks rosy. “Just act normal
, and my father and I will do all the convincing.”

She nodded. “If you say so.” She stepped back, gently pushing off his chest, and straightened her jacket. “I recommend you wear armor, oh
, brave knight.”

“Warning noted. Now, I still have to meet with a few tenants. I'd ask you to come along, but you'd be a distraction, and I don't want gossip to spread before we inform your family.”

“I agree. I'll leave you then, although I loath to return home.”

“My father could use some company
,” Chance suggested. “I'll be gone most of the day.”

“I wish I had duties to occupy my time
,” Obedience mused as she turned back to Tulip.

Chance smiled as he watched her hips sway. “I promise to keep you occupied when we are married.”

Obedience looked back at him over her shoulder. “Are these wifely duties you speak of?”

Chance grinned salaciously. “What do you know of wifely duties?”

“What do
you
know of wifely duties?” Obedience returned boldly. “With the exception of what I am not allowed to know until my wedding night, I am well educated on the duties of the wife.”

“Well, be sure that I enthusiastically await to fill in the gap.”

Obedience turned and flipped her hair over her shoulder in mock disgust, mounting her horse before he could assist her. “I'll be sure to let my mother know she won't have to instruct me then.”

“You're afraid of informing her of our betrothal, but not about discussing
wifely duties?
You do understand the assumptions she will make?”

“She will make assumptions either way. It will all fall into my diabolical plot to shame and ruin them.”

Chance shook his head as he mounted his own horse. “Let me handle your mother from now on. You think she is terrible now, just wait until you meet the matrons in town.”

“Those matrons which you charm so admirably?”

“We all have our talents.”

Obedience laughed and her horse circled excitedly. “Humility and charm, just a few of your fine attributes.”

Chance feigned an offended scowl. “I'd like to think you can think of more than just those two attributes after last night, Obedience.”

Her lips clamped shut and her cheeks turned a fiery pink.

“Perhaps that was ungentlemanly,” he conceded.

“I will add perceptive to your list of attributes
,” Obedience chided, but she smiled nonetheless. “I'll see you at dinner then.” She sprung her horse into a gallop without looking back. She would have to let the wind cool her cheeks.

Chance cursed himself as he watched her go. His baser instincts kept forgetting how innocent she truly was. He had to do better.
Whenever she drew near, his mind clouded with desire, but he needed to remain level headed and tread carefully. She melted in his arms when he touched her, a sure sign of her natural sensuality, but that didn't mean she was ready for illicit banter. He shook his head as he directed his horse toward the outlying farms. Where was his cold, levelheaded charm when it came to her?

Obedience was the last to enter the drawing room, timing herself to be a few steps ahead of dinner being announced. She smiled her greeting to everyone, surprised to see the village vicar in attendance, and noting the small smile Chance gave her. She took a steadying breath. Her sister and mother rose as dinner was announced, and as a group, they moved to the dining room. Chance pushed his father's chair after the duke declined to have one of the footmen assist him.

Her mother regally sat at the head of the table with Chance at her right and the duke at her left. Obedience sat between the duke and the vicar and Patience across from her, beside Chance. Her sister looked pleased as
punch, twinkling at him every time their eyes met. The first course was served, and Obedience kept her gaze on her plate, only peeking at Chance from beneath her lashes. Her mother cloyingly hung on the dukes every word. Obedience was surprised he was being so civil and clearly making an effort to patiently engage her mother. Obedience turned to the vicar. They were the only two sitting in silence.

“I'm glad you could join us for dinner on such short notice.”

“The pleasure is mine. Mrs. Ferry is ill with a cold and can't come to cook for me as she usually does. I'm afraid my skills with a pot are sub par.”

“Oh no, I hope she will recover
,” Obedience grimaced.

“Tis a simple cold. I visited her this morning
, and she is improving, but I advised her to take all the time she needed to fully recover.”

“That's very kind of you. I'll have our cook prepare a basket daily for you until she returns to health. I'd hate for our only vicar to
wither away to nothing.”

He laughed and placed a hand on his large stomach. “I sincerely doubt that would happen, but I will accept your offer graciously. You are very kind Miss Wickenham.”

Obedience smiled at him in return. She looked around the table and caught Chance smiling at her. Her eyes widened and she put her head down. The duke leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

“How very duchess-like of you.”

Obedience felt her cheeks burning.

The duke turned back to her mother
. “I must commend you, Lady Wickenham. Your daughters are the picture of refinement, and both have the makings of fine ladies of position.”

Lady Wickenham beamed at Patience, her own cheeks ruby with pleasure. “Why, how kind of you to say.”

Another course was set before them, and Obedience tried to calm her nerves as the food and wine flowed. At any other time, the dinner would have been enjoyable, but she found herself anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop. The final course was set before them, a decadent array of fruit, cream puffs and jellies, and little cups of vanilla pudding.

Obedience declined dessert
as her stomach was already achingly full. She sat back in her chair, hands folded in her lap. Around her the conversation continued, the vicar chuckling over Chances humorous tale, and the duke rhapsodizing over his newest litter of pups. Obedience had seen them, and while she was not an adequate judge of their future hunting abilities, they were positively adorable with their round little tummies and playful growls. She felt as if she were in a dream. The surroundings pleasant and casual, but she knew that soon it could turn into a nightmare. The hourglass in her mind had run empty, and her anxiety was growing as first Chance and then the duke finished their stories and took sips from their wine glasses. A calm silence settled over the table. The candles had burned more than half way, and rivulets of wax coated the candlesticks. The last of the plates had been cleared and she could see her mother sharing a speaking glance with Patience.

Obedience was about to suggest they move to the drawing room, but the duke took her hand under the table and gave it a firm squeeze. She stilled and looked up at Chance. He was looking at her
as he smiled. Patience saw the smile and turned to look at Obedience, as well. The duke cleared his throat, instantly commanding the attention of the room.

“Lady Wickenham, thank you for the lovely repast, but I did not request the invitation to dine with you purely for the delight of your company.”

Obedience could feel her hand sweating under his. His hand felt so large compared to hers, roughened, and yet comforting. She turned her hand until she returned the grasp. She would let them champion her tonight, she would draw strength from him, this man who had filled the hole her father had left in her heart.

Her mother
’s eyes widened, a single brow rising in inquiry.

“You see, as my years have dwindled, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for my son to wed. Time is not in my favor, and with that knowledge, I have decided that your daughter would make an exceptional wife for my son.”

Lady Wickenham gasped delightedly and looked to Patience. Patience was staring in wide-eyed shock at the duke and then at Chance. “Why... I-I'm honored, but this is rather an unusual way to go about it.”

Obedience covered her mouth with her hand. She wasn't sure if she
were going to laugh, or lose her accounts. 

“Nonsense, Patience. The duke has made his choice and given the situation, has
proceeded with haste. It is a wise decision.” Lady Wickenham nodded exaggeratedly.

“I think there has been a misunderstanding,” Chance finally spoke. “It is Obedience who has done me the supreme honor of agreeing to be my wife. She has been a dear friend of mine since we were children and a great comfort to my father in my absence.”

The table again went silent, only this time it was charged with uncomfortable tension. Her mother’s eyes pinned her to her seat and Obedience stared back at her, bolstered by the duke’s presence beside her.

“When did this happen?”
her mother asked incredulously.

“Yesterday
,” Obedience said.

“And you did not think to tell me?”

“No, the duke requested that he do so.”

“What about me, Obedience
,” Patience said with disdain.

Obedience looked to her sister. She was shaking in her chair, her skin pale. “You are so selfish. All you ever do is think of
yourself, and the one time I need you to be on my side and do what I need, you decide to marry the chap yourself.”

“I'm sorry, Patience, for however you feel I have wronged you, but Cha
—,”Obedience caught herself, “Lord Willowton and I have known each other for many years... I could not refuse him.”

“Tis my fault.” Chance turned to Patience. “I sought Obedience from the beginning.”

“This is preposterous.” Lady Wickenham broke in. “Any fool can see that Patience is more suited to the role of duchess. I know that you've had an acquaintance with my daughter,” Lady Wickenham flung her hand dismissively at Obedience, “but that does not mean you should marry her.” She turned in appeal to the duke. “Our families have been neighbors for generations. It is in your best interest to choose Patience to be the next duchess.”

The duke frowned, but before he could
speak, Chance spoke again. “I've already made my choice, Lady Wickenham, and Obedience has accepted. My father only suggested Obedience, and I agreed. The final say is mine,” he said strongly.

“But surely you can change your mind for the better candidate?” Lady Wickenham offered.

“Yes,” Patience turned to him pleadingly. “We can all forget that you proposed to Obedience, and you can propose to me instead.”

“Uh, this is rather personal, I should take my leave
,” the vicar shifted to get up.

Obedience looked up at him in shame. He had been so still she had forgotten he was there to witness her humiliation. Everyone fell silent as the vicar left.

“Oh! Obedience can marry the vicar, and I can marry Lord Willowton. Then everyone will be happy,” Patience rallied.

“I'm not going to marry the vicar
,” Obedience ground out.

“I simply can't let you marry Lord Willowton
,” Her mother decreed. She turned to Chance. “You can have Patience, but not Obedience.”