An Improper Seduction (15 page)

Graham, standing by the doorway once again, gave one of his perpetual nods. The Reverend bowed to Angeline and Geoffrey then left. He turned to the newlyweds.

“Well, I have finally gotten you two taken care of.”

“My lord, we are most grateful.” Lester put his arm around his wife and child and smiled fully.

“Lester, have you settled in over the stables?”

“Oh yes, my lord. There is plenty of room for the three of us and maybe one or two more.” Brenda’s elbow poked him in the ribs. Angeline hid her smile behind her hand and Geoffrey cleared his throat.

“Well, be that as it may. The two of you should retire there now and take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow is soon enough for you to get back to work. Brenda, I have given Mrs. Nash instructions to be easy with you for the next week or two. And we will have to see how you can take care of the child and still do just a few chores.”

“Oh, my lord, many of the staff have offered to help and watch her when they can. Cook has put an old cradle in the kitchens and says Angela can stay there when she is to nap. It will be warm and I can get there right quick if she needs me.” Brenda rocked the babe in her arms as she looked down at her with adoring eyes. Lester hugged his wife again.

Geoffrey’s heart lurched once more. Would he ever get to share such deep feelings with his own wife? Could he possibly make that wife Angeline?

“It sounds like you are getting matters arranged effectively. Off with you three now. I don’t expect to see you again until tomorrow.”

With bows and curtsies, the newlyweds left just as Angela started to fuss. Geoffrey heard Brenda say to her husband, “Just in time, Lester. I must feed the little sprite.”

He took Angeline gently by the elbow. “I think it’s time we get you home to bed, dearest. My carriage is waiting and I shall escort you.”

Chapter 17

The ride back to Hartfield was quiet, both of them lost in private thoughts. Geoffrey sat back against the leather squabs with his arm around his lover. Angeline’s head rested against his chest, her breathing even; she might be dozing. He laid his head against the silk of her hair. There was so much he felt, so much he couldn’t say.

He knew it was time to ask her again to marry him, but not this very moment when she was exhausted. She may be too spent to consider the question rationally. And he did not want to get her temper up thus closing off the discussion into the foreseeable future. It would have to wait until tomorrow when he would visit her at home once again.

But, he knew she was the only one he wanted to marry. After years playing the rake, making light of the hearts of ladies all through the
Ton
, this contrary spinster had brought him to his knees. Well, it would be one knee wouldn’t it?

Yet, she had no idea she had conquered he who would not be conquered. And, she had done it with no desire to do so. In fact, she had fought the whole process tooth and nail. Except when she was in his arms. Then she was passion personified. The look of her, red-gold hair splayed on the pillow, eyelids heavy, face flushed, body naked upon his bed. The feel of her, silken tresses, soft skin, warm and wet in all the right places. The taste of her, by turns salty and sweet. Even her scent had him undone. Just thinking about her made his body ache and harden.

He shifted under his delightful burden to ease his manhood. Could she feel him? Feel the heat that was constantly there when she was near?

Could she possibly refuse him, yet again? He could tell by the look on her face she wanted a child of her own. She held Angela as a precious bundle, as if she were her very own mother. The light in her eyes while she tended the baby was all he needed to know this as truth.

He could give her that gift. He would be only too happy to do so. Wouldn’t that solve one of his dilemmas as well? He needed an heir and, based on the prior events in his family, he’d be wise not to forestall the event for any amount of time.

She’d have the child she wanted; he’d have the heir he needed. What was so complex about that? Why could she not give over and grasp the opportunity with both hands.

The carriage took a bump. Geoffrey grabbed for Angeline as she lurched forward. When they resettled, he realized his free hand had caught her breast to save her the spill. He took his hand away then ran his fingertips across her cheek.

Angeline sighed but said nothing.

He hugged her close as he let out a sigh of his own. If she did not relent soon, he would have to look for other options.

He did not relish the thought.

His carriage came to a halt at her front steps. Seconds later, the carriage door opened, the steps flipped down. After climbing out, Geoffrey turned to place both hands at Angeline’s waist and set her on the ground.

Not having a bonnet, Angeline shielded her eyes as she looked up into his face. Her groom was untying Aphrodite from the back of the carriage and leading her away.

“Geoffrey, you did not have to come all this way with me. I could have ridden in the carriage alone.”

“I know, my angel. I just wanted to spend a few more minutes with you. And we were alone together.”

“The quiet was wonderful. Thank you.” She reached down to take one of his hands in hers. “Geoffrey, you are such a dear. Thank you for taking such good care of your staff. It does you credit. I do not think Ronald would have been so kind and generous to those in his care. And, we know Hexford would not.”

“You would have done the same, would you not, Angeline?” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. His fingertips, lightly holding her wrist, could feel her pulse, just a little quickened, beneath the warmth of her skin.

“Of course. It is our responsibility to do the best for those in our households. If we take care of our servants, then they take good care of us.” She flashed one of her generous smiles.

“And, that is why I did it. I want my help to be happy and stay with me. I want no one to be able to lure them away or bribe them to unearth my secrets. Good help is difficult to find. I am sure that is just as true here in the country as it is in London.”

“As you say. I must go in now. Papa must be wondering what has happened to me.” Angeline started to turn away, releasing his hand.

“Not tonight, Angeline,” he whispered. She turned back, a question on her lips. “You are much too spent. Rest and rest well. I’ll come by tomorrow to court you. That will make your father happy. Tomorrow night we can tryst again.” Was it disappointment that made a fleet move across her face?

He bent and placed a chaste kiss upon her cheek, savoring her fragrance for the brief moment he had with her.

“As you wish, my lord. May you have sweet and restful dreams yourself.” She turned and climbed the stairs toward the open front door. Though he could not see him, Geoffrey was sure Thomas was lurking just inside watching the exchange between them. Angus would be consulted when the moment presented itself. That was as it should be. He would expect no less from his own butler if he were lucky enough to have a daughter.

If only . . .

Angeline found her father in his library. He rose to come round the desk when she entered.

“Are you well, my dear?”

“Quite, Papa. Just very, very tired. I shall fall into bed momentarily.”

Taking her gently by the elbow, Angus led her to the chair before the fireplace. “Come, sit for just a moment. Tell me, is all well with the babe and its mother?”

“It’s a girl, Papa. Mother, daughter and father are all well. I stayed to see the parson marry them this morning. They are young, Papa. But so very in love. It warmed my heart to see that little family start a new life together. Geoffrey has them all set up over the stable. They should have a happy go of it now.”

“Ah, love! Well that is a special thing now, is it not? It is good it all worked out in the end. Geoffrey mentioned something about the goings on during our visits. It took quite some time for his butler, Graham, to figure out the father. Then Geoffrey had to decide how he could bring them together. He was determined to do so, too. And, it all worked out for the best. It is good to know our neighbor takes as good care of his staff as we do of ours. Is that not so, my dear?”

Angeline shifted in her chair. Her clothes were feeling very constricting, there was a lump in her throat and she was having a time of it trying to stay awake. Trysting in the middle of the night or delivering babies did not help her gain the rest she needed.

“Yes, Papa. He does take care of them. We discussed it only moments ago. But, now,” she rose from her seat, “I really must get some rest. I am just too tired to talk anymore.”

“But the babe, Angeline. What of the child?” Angus rose to walk her to the library door.

Tears filled her eyes as she looked up into her father’s face. “She’s a beautiful little girl, Papa,” she said as a tear made its way down her cheek. “And, to thank me for my help, they named her after me. Angela, her name is Angela.” She stifled a sob. “I will ring if I wish to take dinner in my rooms tonight, if you will tell Thomas. I will see you come morning.”

Tears made a steady track down both of her cheeks. Angus bent to kiss her on the same cheek Geoffrey kissed just moments before. He said softly, “Of course, I will, my dear. You need rest. Trust me, everything will be better tomorrow after you have rested.”

Angeline burst into her room on a sob but stopped in her tracks when she saw her maid, Margaret, turning down the bed. With effort she stifled any further show of distress. Margaret had been her nursemaid since before she could walk. As Angeline grew, Margaret’s duties had changed appropriately. But Margaret had never married and Angeline doubted she could confide these particular troubles to the woman despite her years and their friendship.

“Are you all right, Lady Angeline?” Margaret laid down the pillow she had just plumped up and came toward her mistress. “Can I get you something? Shall I call for your father?”

“No, no, Margaret. I have had a trying time of it with the coming of the baby at Colburn Park. As Papa said, I just need some rest. You may go now.” Angeline moved toward her bed as she started unbuttoning her gown.

“Can I help you, my lady? I’ve placed your nightrail on the bed.”

“Please, Margaret, I’ll be all right. Just leave me now. I will call for you if I need anything. Don’t wake me for dinner. I will ring if I want to eat.” She looked over her shoulder. The maid was wringing her hands, much too worried about her.

“As you wish, my lady. Just ring and I’ll come to you, no matter the time. You get your rest. Baby birthings are exhausting, I expect.” Margaret gave a pert curtsey then let herself out the door closing it silently behind her.

The maid was old enough to know about birthings but still being unattached Angeline doubted she had any idea as to exactly how much of an ordeal it was. Not only on the mother, but the envious midwife as well.

She pulled her nightrail over her head as her day gown dropped to the floor. She climbed into the sheets, laid flat on her back and stared up at the canopy above her.

Exhausted. Yes, she was that. And confused and frustrated, too. She wiped more tears from her face with the sleeve of her nightgown. She worried her father had some notion of exactly what was bothering her. It was doubtful anyone else had any sense of it, especially Geoffrey.

She was sure Geoffrey felt everything would be quite all right if she would just relent and marry him so she could have her children and he could have his heir.

How could men be so simple-minded? How could they be so insensitive?

She sobbed again.

She was sure every unattached female in the county, if not the country, would jump at the chance to be in her shoes. The opportunity to marry a rich, good looking and sexually attractive marquess did not fall into a lady’s lap every day. So they would say yes, without hesitation, the moment the marquess popped the question.

Which she was sure he would do once again after experiencing the birth and the wedding. That was just what the man needed to demonstrate it was possible to have his wife and child too. Of course, it had been a girl, but then why would he stop at one? He would just get his wife pregnant as soon as he could, then be off on his wild ways again.

There was the crux of the matter. His wild ways. How could any female in her right mind believe a rake such as he, one of the first water, as it were, would be happy to settle down to one woman and fatherhood.

No, she couldn’t believe it. After all, a tiger does not change its stripes. Once the initial glow of married life dulled and the heir and spare were produced, Geoffrey would be off to conquer new territory, probably in London, leaving his wife and the brood at home unless they were needed.

And for what would they ever be needed? Nothing unless he died too young from a carriage accident, a footpad or a jealous husband who caught the rake in the act with his wife and shot him dead on the spot.

She rolled over, pummeled her pillows with her balled fist then flopped down on her stomach. The tears had finally stopped.

So there she would be, if she consented to be his, home alone with the children, no husband and a broken heart.

Better to be alone with a broken heart than to bring the complexity of children into it.

Wasn’t it?

But every other woman she had ever known would take the chance. She thought of Gertrude as her young, innocent face flashed into her mind. And, each would relish whatever moments her spouse deigned to bless her with. Then, when he left to prowl the ballrooms of the
Ton
once again, she would live on the memories of those few moments of glory they had shared and wait patiently in hope of the prodigal husband’s return to her arms and her bed.

That return might never come.

She sighed deeply as her heavy lidded eyes closed and Morpheus overcame her.