Loving the Marquess Page 7

  Panic rushed through her at the thought, for she wasn’t sure she was ready for the whole world to learn about their engagement so soon. There was also the fact that she had nothing to wear to such an event.

  “So soon?”

  “The invitations have already gone out.” There was a flicker of something in his eyes as he spoke, but she couldn’t define it. “There is no point in waiting. I thought we could have a small ceremony that morning. Just family, of course. And instead of presenting you as my betrothed during Grandmother’s ball, you will be presented as my wife.”

  “What?”

  Louisa and her brother spoke at once. Her voice held a hint of panic, while her brother’s was low with anger. John shifted away from the wall and glared at Overlea.

  “It is out of the question. If you marry so soon we all know what people will say, especially if it becomes known you recently spent the night here.”

  Louisa hadn’t even considered that aspect of the situation, but her brother had raised a good point.

  Overlea’s expression was almost one of boredom. “I do not conduct my affairs based on the fear of what others might say.”

  “That is an interesting choice of words.” Her brother spat out the words.

  Louisa’s thoughts went to the kiss she and Overlea had shared on the morning of his stay. She wondered if he was thinking about the same thing, but didn’t have the courage to look at him.

  Overlea stood, his movements slow, and approached John. She feared her brother had gone too far.

  “You do your sister a disservice if you believe her actions that night were anything other than circumspect.”

  His statement startled her. Was that why John was so angry? Did he believe she and Overlea had already behaved inappropriately? While the kiss they had shared was outside the bounds of propriety, it surprised her that her brother believed much more than that may have transpired.

  “I know your reputation,” John said.

  “But it would appear you do not know your sister.”

  John was about to reply, but Louisa could no longer sit there and listen to them argue. “That is enough, John.”

  Overlea took a step back when she stood and went to her brother.

  “Three weeks, Louisa. You know what people will say.”

  “What do you think happened that night?”

  “I try not to think about it.”

  She was hurt that he thought so little of her but tried not to show it.

  “People will talk no matter how long our betrothal. After a while, the rumors will cease and people will find something else to gossip about.”

  “I don’t like this. Why the hurry?”

  She gave Overlea a pleading look then, which he deciphered correctly. He went back to the settee and turned to speak to his solicitor. Louisa faced her brother again and when she spoke her voice was low.

  “Edward Manning has informed me that he is thinking of renting this cottage to someone else. If he does, where would we go? We would be the subject of gossip then as well. Worse, we would be an object of everyone’s pity. I know you would hate that.”

  His eyes widened briefly with surprise before narrowing again. His hands clenched at his side. “You were planning to keep that piece of information from me.”

  It was clear he didn’t appreciate the fact that she’d thought only to shield him from worry about their future.

  “It no longer matters,” she said.

  John looked away from her then and was silent for what seemed an eternity before finally replying.

  “I have to get out of here. I can’t stand to hear you talk about selling yourself to a Manning.”

  Louisa didn’t try to stop him. She could only hope he would soon adjust to the path their lives must now take. She wouldn’t allow herself to think about what could happen if he didn’t.

  When she turned back to face her guests, Mr. Stephens was already gathering up the paperwork. Overlea approached her.

  “I believe we have covered everything that needs to be included in the marriage settlement. Mr. Stephens will draw up the agreement as soon as possible and have a copy delivered to you. You will, of course, have someone review the contract for you to make sure everything is in order.”

  Louisa nodded. “Reverend Harnick is John and Catherine’s guardian. At five and twenty I don’t require one, but I’m sure he will know of a solicitor who can act on my behalf.”

  “Good,” he said. “Perhaps it will ease your brother’s mind somewhat.”

  She had to concede he was right. Everything was happening too quickly. She felt as though her life were spinning out of control. The appearance of a mysterious stranger in need of help, followed closely by Edward Manning’s indecent proposal that had forced her to turn to Overlea for help. And now it would appear they were to be married, and much sooner than she had expected.

  Overwhelmed, she sank onto the settee. Overlea took it upon himself to see his attorney out before returning to speak to her in private. He lowered himself next to her.

  “Will you be all right, Miss Evans?”

  She gave a small laugh, one that she feared would soon turn to hysteria if she didn’t get her emotions under control.

  “It is all happening too fast. I fear I am out of my depth.”

  He smiled at that and reached to take hold of her hands.

  “You will do well,” he said, squeezing them gently. “You are a practical and resourceful woman. I wouldn’t have proposed if I didn’t believe you would make a fine marchioness.”

  Louisa frowned at his unromantic words. Practical and resourceful. Well, she supposed it could have been much worse. She stared down where his thumbs were drawing little circles on the backs of her hands. The sensations caused by that small movement made her intensely aware of the fact she was alone in the house with him. Suddenly all she could think about was how those same hands had cupped her breasts and started to caress her inner thighs. Her breath hitched at the unexpected longing that swept through her.

  “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now,” she said, tugging gently at their joined hands until he released them.

  “I have some unfinished business in London I must attend to. I expect to return within two weeks.”

  “How on earth am I to prepare for a wedding?”

  “Do not concern yourself. Grandmother is already planning the ball and after leaving here I am going to speak with Reverend Harnick.” He paused briefly before continuing. “Your brother is correct. Tongues will wag, but I think we will be able to weather the storm together.”

  She stifled a gasp as a thought occurred to her.

  “What is the matter?”

  “I will need a dress… oh, and Catherine and John also need new clothing. I will have to buy material—”

  “Miss Evans… Louisa.”

  She stopped and stared at him. He was leaning toward her, his gaze holding hers captive. His use of her given name added an intimacy to their conversation that hadn’t been there before.

  “I will speak to Grandmother tonight. I will be leaving first thing in the morning, so I am afraid I won’t be able to introduce you to her myself, but I am sure she will send word about when you may call on her.” A corner of his mouth quirked up. “She had given up hope of my ever marrying and is looking forward to meeting you. She will help you to make all the arrangements. Grandmother could move mountains through sheer will alone.”

  There was a rueful twist to his lips when he uttered that last statement and it left Louisa thinking that he had often been on the opposite side of that will.

  “Was your grandmother terribly shocked at your news?”

  “She was surprised when I mentioned your name, yes.”

  “Does she disapprove? It’s no secret that I will bring nothing to the marriage. I am certain she wishes you to make a more advantageous match.”

  “She has made no secret of the fact that she wants me to marry, but she knows it would be better for a
ll parties involved if I chose my own bride. Would you not agree?”

  He looked at her directly as he spoke, and she acknowledged the truth of his words. She couldn’t imagine trying to force this man into marrying against his will. In fact, she thought it would probably be impossible to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do.

  There was one more worry she had to discuss with Overlea before he left.

  “Your cousin will be expecting a reply soon to his… proposition.” The word left a bitter taste in her mouth. “We may find ourselves cast out before you return, or worse. He may approach Catherine directly.”

  Overlea’s jaw tightened. “I will deal with my cousin. He won’t come near you or your family.”

  “Thank you, my lord,” she said, her relief vast.

  Sensing that their meeting was at an end, she stood and walked with Overlea to the front door. She turned to face him and found she was at a loss for words. The next time she saw him they would be within days of marrying. She imagined Overlea was thinking the same thing.

  Her gaze met his and she felt herself being pulled toward him.

  “Miss Evans?”

  “Yes, my lord?”

  “Perhaps we should do away with the formalities. My name is Nicholas.”

  She balked at the intimacy. “Perhaps… I can call you Overlea.”

  He shook his head. “I wasn’t raised to be the next marquess. Overlea was my father and then my brother, not me. I would prefer it if I weren’t reminded of them every time you said my name.”

  Couched in those terms, his request did not seem unusual.

  “Very well, my lord… Nicholas.”

  He smiled, a wicked, coaxing smile that served as testament to his reputation as a rogue.

  “That wasn’t so bad now, was it, Louisa?”

  Standing this close to him, drawn in by his knowing gaze and wicked smile, she was in danger of losing her detachment. Theirs was not a love match, yet at this moment that fact didn’t matter to her. His head lowered and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her again. His mouth hovered over hers and she closed her eyes, waiting. Abruptly, he took a step back and disappointment swept through her. She took a deep, shaky breath and tried to ignore her jangled nerves. When she looked up at him his mask of cool detachment was firmly in place again.

  “I will see you in two weeks,” he said.

  She watched as he left. This time there was no fear for his safety. Whatever weakness had overcome him that other night, it was clearly gone now.

  * * * * *

  Nicholas cursed at himself as he rode away from the home of his future wife. Good lord, he had almost kissed her. Again. And afterward he had fled from her presence like an untested, infatuated youth. The very last thing he could afford to do, however, was to become romantically involved with Louisa Evans. The future of the marquisate depended on it.

  He didn’t know what had come over him. He had meant only to bridge some of the cool formality that was between them. After all, it wouldn’t do for her to call him “my lord” at their wedding. He’d looked into those gray eyes of hers, however, and forgotten his intentions. Perhaps he was losing his mind.

  He tried to shake off his unsettled feelings surrounding Louisa Evans and concentrate on the meeting ahead. It was time to deal with Edward, and he found he was looking forward to the encounter.

  As he rode to his cousin’s manor house, he tried to remember when he had last visited. It had been several years since his uncle had been alive, his death predating that of Nicholas’s parents. Although his father and uncle were twins, they had never been close. His uncle had spent his whole life knowing his brother would become the Marquess of Overlea because he’d been born ten minutes earlier. Instead of the closeness that twins often shared, there had been nothing but acrimony between them. Being a second son himself, Nicholas knew all too well how everyone favored the eldest. He had been happy not to have his every move monitored and had never coveted the extra responsibilities that came with the position. His uncle, however, had felt differently and his lifelong bitterness had been passed down to Edward.

  His brother, James, had agreed to marry their cousin Mary in an effort to mend the rift by uniting the two branches of the family. When he died, Nicholas had become the new Marquess of Overlea. He had avoided the subject of marriage at all costs, but since his brother’s betrothal had never been formalized he suspected his aunt and cousins were under the impression he would step in and wed his cousin. There was sure to be a scene when they learned he was to marry another. Normally he avoided that side of the family and all their drama, but today he was looking forward very much to informing Edward of his upcoming marriage.

  When he arrived, the butler led him into the drawing room where Nicholas expected his aunt and cousins would keep him waiting. He was surprised, therefore, when his aunt appeared within minutes.

  “Nicholas!” she exclaimed. “We did not expect to see you here today.”

  He returned a short bow, more than a little surprised at her effusive welcome.

  Edward had inherited his coloring from his mother. Elizabeth Manning had the same ice-blue eyes and light brown hair, but hers was threaded through now with liberal streaks of gray. He could almost see the wheels turning behind those eyes as she weighed the various possibilities for his visit. She would have to wait, however. He wanted to see the look on Edward’s face when he made his announcement.

  “Are my cousins at home?” he asked. “There is some news I wish to share with them.”

  He was amused at the gleam that entered his aunt’s eyes. Clearly she had settled on the belief that he planned to offer for Mary.

  “Of course,” she said, her smile bright.

  He waited while she rang for tea and requested that his cousins join them. Her manner was overly friendly, something that had always irked him even as a child when he realized how quickly that façade could—and did—change.

  His cousins didn’t make him wait long. Edward greeted him with a curt “Overlea,” the name sounding almost like a curse. Mary was right behind him. She met his eyes only briefly before curtseying and joining her mother on the settee.

  Nicholas marveled at how anyone could imagine he would want to wed Mary. She was pretty, yes, having inherited her father’s dark hair and her mother’s pale blue eyes. She’d also inherited the best features from both her parents, but it was her personality that made him cringe. Or rather, her lack of one.

  “I have some happy news that I wanted to share with you.”

  Edward appeared bored. Mary sat unmoving, her eyes cast down. His aunt, however, didn’t bother to hide her anticipation.

  “I am to be married,” he said. “I believe you all know my intended.”

  “Oh, Nicholas—” his aunt started.

  “Her name is Louisa Evans.”

  There was a moment of stunned silence. His eyes were on Edward when he’d shared his news and he saw the way his cousin’s jaw clenched. He found it interesting that Mary’s stiff posture relaxed almost immediately. It appeared she, too, did not wish a union between them. His aunt went through the motions of wishing them well, but she couldn’t hide her anger. She made her excuses and escorted a silent Mary from the room.

  Nicholas paid little attention to them. His eyes were fixed firmly on Edward, who wisely chose to remain silent. Nicholas could tell he was wondering if Louisa had told him about his proposition.

  “I believe you know my betrothed,” he said.

  “Of course I know her,” Edward replied, not bothering to mask his annoyance. “She’s lived in the area since she was born, and she does some sewing for my sister.”

  “True. And there is the fact that this used to be her family’s home.”

  Edward sneered. “It was a fair card game. If her father couldn’t afford to lose, he never should have played. They’re fortunate Father allowed them to live in their cottage rent free. He didn’t have to be so generous.”

  Nichol
as raised a brow. “You can stop pretending. I know he did that only at my father’s insistence.”

  Edward shrugged but said nothing.

  “And what are your intentions toward the Evans family.”

  Edward hesitated only a moment before replying. “Father made a promise, and I upheld it.”

  “And now that Joseph Evans is gone?”

  Nicholas could see the hint of apprehension that crossed his cousin’s face though Edward did his best to hide it. “There was no understanding that the rest of the family could stay there forever without paying rent. I very generously waited until their period of mourning was over, but things change.”

  Nicholas took a step toward his cousin, allowing the tight rein he’d been holding over his temper to slip. The corners of his mouth turned up in a grim smile at the flash of fear in Edward’s eyes.

  “I know about your proposal to my bride-to-be.”

  He wasn’t surprised when Edward tried to lie. “I don’t know what you mean. What did she tell you?”

  Nicholas took another step forward and was satisfied when his cousin took a corresponding one back.

  “I will be marrying Louisa Evans very soon. She is under my protection now. You are not to approach her or any member of her family ever again. Do I make myself clear?”

  Edward sputtered briefly before allowing his own anger to show.

  “You do not control me. You may hold the title, but you do not have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do. If the delightful Miss Evans or her sister decides—”

  Pure, unadulterated rage pumped through Nicholas’s veins. His hands shot out and he grasped his cousin by the throat. He lowered his head so his face was only inches away from his cousin’s.

  “Make no mistake,” he said, his voice low with menace, “if you ever so much as look at Louisa or her sister again, it will be the last thing you do.”

  He flung Edward away from him in disgust and watched as the man grasped at his throat, coughing.

  “You will regret threatening me,” Edward said between fits of wheezing.

  Nicholas spared the man only a brief, contemptuous glance before striding from the room and away from the house, his fists still clenched in impotent fury. He longed to smash them into Edward’s smug, superior face. To pummel the man to within an inch of his life. The only thing that had stopped him was the knowledge that doing so would disappoint his grandmother. If Edward dared to look at Louisa again, though, even that wouldn’t stop him.