Saved by a Rake (7 page)

He chuckled. Suddenly there was a sparkle in her eyes that he had not seen before. It was as if a heavy mantle of impending spinsterhood had been lifted from her shoulders and she could once again be the girl she had been just a few short weeks ago. Again he cursed his decision to challenge Newthorpe to a boxing match rather than a duel.

“I suppose it is, my love.” It was strange that the endearment should trip off his tongue quite so easily. He was not in love with Rebecca by any stretch of the imagination. However, he did care for her.

She took his proffered hand as the first chords of the music drifted into the night air.

He had danced at Vauxhall Gardens before tonight, of course. It was never well done of a gentleman to attend an entertainment where there was dancing and not offer to dance with any lady who seemed interested. He had danced with wives of his friends, with lovers and with sparkly-eyed debutantes. But this was the first time he had been aware of the beauty of the place and delighted in dancing under the stars.

Of course, Rebecca was going to be his wife and there would be many more dances with her over the years. He congratulated himself that, when the thought of his engagement ball and the subsequent wedding breakfast came to mind, he did not balk. If anything he was filled with anticipation. He would have thought the very idea of a leg shackle would send him into paroxysms.

He grinned as he whirled her around the floor, holding her closer than he had intended because of the number of other patrons on the dance floor—or at least, that is what he told himself.

She kept his gaze and followed his lead, looking delighted and flushed and well—just like any other young lady dancing in the arms of her betrothed.

Chapter Ten

Daniel stood once again in his father
’s library. The Earl of Drumbane was even gaunter than he had been of late. He had raised his head as Daniel had entered and looked as if he was going to speak before a fit of coughing gripped him. Daniel had rushed to the old man’s side, holding up a glass of water, but the earl had waved him away and continued to cough. Eventually he had stopped an glowered at his son as if unsure what the fuss was about.

“
I came here today to tell you of my betrothal, Father.”

“
Your betrothal? What happened, eh? Marrying a parlour maid whom you have got in the family way?”

Daniel choked back his angry retort and smiled sweetly.

“Now, Father. You brought me up better than to have relations with the household staff.”

“
Hmm, that I did,” he conceded gruffly.

“
I will marry Lady Rebecca Eversley, the daughter of the Earl of Chapelbrooke.”

“
Chapelbrooke’s girl. Is she not a bit old?”

“
She is four and twenty, my lord. Not quite on the shelf yet, and I am sure she has a few good breeding years left in her if it is the family line that concerns you.”

“
Of course it is the family line. Simon is never going to produce and I tell you, I would sooner burn down Drumbane than give it over to your worthless cousin.”

“
Well, you can rest assured that there will be plenty of little Ramseys filling the nursery at Drumbane over the next few years.”

“
I dashed well hope so. And is she pretty?”

The old man gestured for him to take a seat on the opposite side of the fireplace. Daniel sat, warily. This kind of
‘men’s talk’ was something he never did with his father. He only really discussed estate matters or the latest wagers in the betting books at White’s.

“
Yes, she is very handsome.”

“
Did I not hear some scandal about Chapelbrooke’s daughter recently?”

“
I do not know what you have heard, Father. I have not been here.”

“
Do not be so dashed impertinent—impudent young pup.”

“
I apologise, sir. Lady Rebecca is a fine lady, of excellent birth and status. And you know what the
Ton
is like. If salacious gossip does not happen regularly, they make it up.”

“
But she was betrothed to Newthorpe, was she not?”

“
No. She was courting him, but, well he did not deserve her.”

“
And you do?”

“
Perhaps not, but I intend to make myself worthy of her.”

“
That is what I like to hear. Bring her round for tea one afternoon, if you will.”

“
It would be my pleasure.”

“
Good.”

****

Rebecca felt hot and flustered as she curtseyed to Daniel at the end of the first waltz of their engagement ball. He had held her close and she could smell his shaving soap, ale and something else that she could not quite put her finger on—but it was a smell that screamed ‘virile male’ to her and sent a rush of excitement through her.

She really did not understand what was happening to her. She should be terrified of any closeness with Daniel, but he was terribly protective towards her whenever they were out
, and he had made no untoward advances on her.

A couple of times she had noticed him staring at her breasts, but there was an appreciation in his dark brown gaze rather than a leer. At those times she would wriggle in her seat slightly and laugh to herself as he shook his head and pretended to be looking at something else.

“Would you care for a stroll on the terrace, my lady?” Daniel asked, patting the hand that lay on his arm as he led her off the dance floor. She hesitated. She was still nervous about being alone with any man, even Daniel. He sensed her hesitation and his arm muscle tightened. “I only want to talk and get some air, Rebecca,” he said stiffly.

“
I know. I am sorry. Of course I would like to stroll on the terrace with you.” She forced herself to relax as he weaved them through the crowd and out of the large French doors leading to the balcony.

Chapelbrooke House was a big mansion and so the balcony was long. Many other couples strolled along the length it, a few leaned their heads close while they talked and, in the shadows, one or two kissed.

“It is two weeks now until we wed and I worry that you are still afraid of me, Rebecca. We have to travel to Scotland on the afternoon of our wedding, and it will take six days. In some inns, we may have to share a bed.”

“
I am aware of that, my lord,” she answered, turning away from him to look out into the inky blackness of the garden. The strains of another waltz drifted through the open windows, and she could feel him move to stand behind her—almost touching, but not quite.

“
Rebecca.” His voice was almost a whisper in the wind as he placed his hands on her waist. “I am not Newthorpe.” Even the name of that man made her stiffen. “You have to trust that I will never force my attentions upon you.”

He could be waiting a very long time if he was going to wait for her to desire their coupling once they were married. But she would play her part and pretend, until he grew bored and took on another mistress or two.

“I would like very much for our first kiss to be tonight.”

She whirled around to find herself flush against his front.

“My lord, I do not think…”

“
You do not need to think, my love. Just allow yourself to feel. I will know if you wish to stop and I
will
stop. Trust me.”

Trust. He kept urging her to trust him and in her heart she wanted to. But fear kept a hold on her. She nodded and allowed him to take her hand and move her surreptitiously into an area of the balcony that was in shadow from the lights streaming out from the ballroom.

She would be brave and allow him to kiss her. Newthorpe had stolen her chance of a normal life while Daniel was offering the same back.

She steeled herself for what was to come. She turned, placing her back against the house wall. He took her around the waist and edged her a quarter turn.
“You can leave any time you wish,” he assured her.

Daniel bowed his head and placed his lips close to hers. She breathed deeply and waited for him to kiss her
, but he waited for long moments. She was scared to breathe in case she missed the moment. He was so very close and yet she felt no threat, just a desire for him to press his lips against hers. Her mind was reeling, trying to deal with the heat of his hand at the back of her waist, his breath on her lips and the buttons of his coat brushing against her breasts.

Without thinking about it, she opened her lips slightly and nearly groaned as, at last, he touched his lips gently to hers. Curiosity got the better of her and she moved her lips under his. He moved his lips too
, and the sweet kiss came to a natural conclusion. Frustration assaulted her. Was that all?

She wanted to try it again. She raised her hand and cupped his smooth cheek, hoping to convince him to press his lips to her again.

He murmured something before he allowed her to guide him back into another sweet kiss. But this time, he opened his mouth wider, fully capturing her lips with his. She pressed closer, wanting more of the unusual but pleasurable sensation.

When he moved his head, she thought it was all over and was about to protest
. Then he pressed his open mouth against hers, running his tongue slowly along her bottom lip. It was a heady sensation, and she clung to his coat to keep her balance. Then he pressed his warm, wet tongue into her mouth.

She had never imagined the like
, but she was enjoying it immensely. By now she was acting purely on instinct as her tongue scraped along his before making a tentative little foray into his mouth.

She pushed onto her tiptoes, wanting to be nearer to him. As a young lady during her come out season she had talked about kissing with her friends
, but she had never been bold enough to try it.

Newthorpe had grabbed her head and forced his tongue into her mouth. It had been violent and nauseating. Daniel
’s slow exploration of her mouth excited her and sent a thrill down her body and legs and made her curl her toes.

Her breasts were tight
and she felt an ache between her thighs, but it made her want to continue rather than stop. Confused thoughts whirled around her mind as she reached her hand to curl her fingers into his hair. That was when he pulled away, gently and, she couldn’t help but feel, reluctantly.

He took
one of her stray curls and wound it gently around his fingers.

“
That was a very nice kiss,” he said, his voice sounding low and gruff.

“
Yes, it was.” She wanted to suggest they did it again, but that would make her sound fast.

“
I should get you back into the ballroom before we are missed.”

“
Thank you, Daniel.”

He grinned.

“My beautiful Rebecca, this is but a foretaste. But make no mistake, we will not consummate our marriage until you want it too.”

She bit her lip and moved out of the shadows. She was definitely going to have to lie. A kiss was one thing
, but the bedding was quite another.

Chapter
Eleven

“
Oh Lady Rebecca. Wait till you hear. That man who was going to ask for your hand—that earl—he were found dead this morning. The milk maid told us when she come into the kitchen this morning.”

That was the news that Rebecca awoke to on her wedding day.

“You mean the Earl of Newthorpe?” Her heart lurched.

“
That’s him?”

“
H-h-how did he die?”

“
I do not know. She did not give us any more information than that he is dead.” With that, the maid walked into her dressing room.

Rebecca sat in bed, her cup of tea warming her hands as she absorbed the information. She did not know how to feel. Relief? Sorrow?
—he was a young man after all.

Avenged? She had no idea how he had died
, but perhaps it was divine justice. She looked down at her flat belly and smiled. Her courses had come ten days ago, so at least she was not carrying his bastard within her.

A chill ran down her spine
, making her shudder, but she pushed the whole sorry mess out of her mind. It was her wedding day and she was going to have a wonderful time—at least until this evening when Daniel would bed her.

Agnes came bustling back in, Rebecca
’s white muslin and lace wedding dress draped over her arms and laid it gently over a chair. She returned for her new chemise, stays and petticoat. Rebecca scrambled out of bed and walked over to the ewer and washbowl. She quickly completed her ablutions as Agnes arrived in the bedroom with a set of stockings and a beautiful pair of white slippers encrusted with small clear jewels. Her stomach turned over with excitement.

She had not kissed Lord Ramsey since the night of their engagement ball, for they had not been alone together. The memory of that night still sent a thrill through her. His warm, wet lips coaxing hers apart, his tongue rasping slowly along hers and his hand solid but unthreatening at her waist.

She anticipated his kiss at the wedding ceremony and would kiss him back with glee. With luck, it would stave off the inevitable bedding for a while. Maybe if she encouraged him to drink enough brandy, he would fall asleep.

Agnes helped her dress then sat her down in front of the mirror to fix her coiffure. She toyed with the delicate gold ribbons around her neckline, which also ran in an x-shape between her bosoms then underneath them. They accentuated her décolletage perfectly, but she wondered if she should have convinced Mama to allow her to wear a fischu. Surely that would just encourage Lord Ramsey in his attentions towards her.

She sighed miserably at the thought of her wonderful, handsome Daniel rutting on top of her the way Newthorpe had. She would have to close her eyes, or ensure that the candles were snuffed out before she allowed him near her. Then she would be able to separate the man in her bed and Daniel, her husband.

The memory of Newthorpe reminded her of the news she had received that morning. What could have happened to the
earl? Had he died of natural causes? He had not seemed to be ill and he had certainly been strong enough when he had ravished her.

Perhaps he had been murdered, but apart from a few members of her family, she could think of no one who would wish the man dead.
Except for her family.
Rebecca watched her own eyes widen in the mirror and as she reached a hand to her mouth, a quiet squeak issued forth.

Daniel, James, Papa! Surely none of them would have killed him. Daniel had already avenged her. But James had still been rather surly and ill-tempered when he thought no one was paying attention
, and her father had spent more time in the library than usual. He often did not join them in the parlour after his port these days.

She shook her head. Neither behaviour was a reason to think either of them could have murdered the
earl. Besides, she did not even know if he
had
been murdered.

“
Lady Rebecca, are you all right?”

“
Yes, Agnes. I am well. I just felt a little nervous. It is a big day after all.”

“
Yes m’ lady, it is. But at least you know your hairstyle will stay intact.” She waved her hands over Rebecca’s head with a slight flourish. “Your bonnet and veil are over on the chair when you are ready to go.”

“
Thank you, Agnes.” The maid had done a wonderful job weaving white flowers into the curls and framing her heart-shaped face perfectly with ringlets. At that moment, a sharp tap on the door made her jump.

“
Come in.”

The Countess of Chapelbrooke swept into the bedroom, looking resplendent in a dark red velvet gown, a silver fischu covering her décolletage and a large red bonnet covered in white and pink flowers. On anyone else it would have looked garish, but somehow, her mama managed to look perfect.

“Oh, Rebecca, you look beautiful.”

Agnes bobbed a curtsey and scurried out the room as Rebecca stood up.

She smoothed out the muslin and lace dress. The small jewels sewn into the gown glinted in the grey light coming in the window of the townhouse. It was a typical late spring day in London, dull but dry.

“
Mama, did you hear about the Earl of Newthorpe?”

“
I did. It is a nasty business and no mistake, but it is none of our concern. Today is a day for celebration. Lord Ramsey is a good man, and you will make a good countess when the time comes. What happened with Newthorpe…” Her mother stopped and looked out of the window, clearly uncomfortable. “Well, it will be different for you with Daniel. He will not hurt you.” Her mother’s cheeks were turning a distinct shade of pink. It was unusual for the countess to be embarrassed. But then the marriage bed was not something that ladies of the
Ton
discussed—ever.

“
I know, Mama. I promise you that I will be happy.”

“
That is all a mother could ask. Now we had better hurry. Your father is waiting. He will have worn a hole in his new black pumps at this rate.”

Rebecca hurried to the chair and placed her bonnet and veil on her head. Her mother adjusted the veil as Rebecca tied the ribbons at the side of her chin.
The countess nodded approvingly, and the women set off down the stairs to meet the Earl of Chapelbrooke.

****

Daniel held a platter of cold meats and placed a few slices on Rebecca’s plate. She smiled shyly, all too aware of how handsome and virile he had looked standing at the bottom of the aisle in St George’s in Hanover Square.

He wore a dark blue double-breasted coat, a white waistcoat, shirt and neck cloth, silver breeches, white stockings and shining black pumps sporting a silver buckle. Throughout the service, she had glanced at him occasionally. When he had turned to her to say his vows, she had looked into his soft brown eyes and wondered if she might be falling in love with the handsome rake. But she could not afford to fall in love. This was nothing more than a marriage of convenience—to solve his inheritance issues and to prevent her ruination if the full truth of what Newthorpe had done to her ever got out.

Daniel had placed a ruby ring on her finger—an heirloom passed down through generations of Ramseys. When they had turned, she had seen the congregation of well-wishers and family whom she had barely noticed on her way down the aisle—so intent had she been of reaching her destination—the side of Daniel Ramsey, viscount and heir to the earldom of Drumbane.

He kissed her lightly on the lips just as their carriage had moved off from the front steps at St George
’s, and a raucous cheer had erupted from Daniel’s friends. He had pulled away, chuckling and apologising for his rowdy friends.

Now she was being served by him. He piled a couple of eggs and some bread onto her plate.

“Thank you. I need no more, my lord.”

He scowled at her slightly.

“We have a long journey ahead of us, Lady Reb… I apologise—Lady Ramsey.”

She smiled.

“My new name will take some getting used to. But we are among family. No one here need call me anything other than Rebecca.”

“
Then I beg that you do not call me ‘my lord’. However, my point remains that we have a long journey ahead of us. It will take six days at least to get to Drumbane.”

“
I do not have a large appetite, my… Daniel. But it usually increases when I am in the country. Please do not concern yourself. This is plenty.” He looked dubious but nodded and continued to pile food on his own plate.

As the meal was drawing to a natural end, the butler appeared in the dining room with a silver salver holding a calling card. He presented it to her brother, James, who frowned before excusing himself and hurrying towards the front vestibule. A few minutes later he came to beg Rebecca
’s pardon, and asked that he may have a private word with Daniel. Daniel left too, and Rebecca merely raised her eyebrows at the subtle enquiring look cast in her direction by the countess.

When the men returned, she noticed that they both wore grim countenances but tried to cover it up with broad smiles. She knew James too well to be fooled.

“I need to return to Ramsey House with James before we depart for Scotland. It should give you time to change into a travelling gown. I suggest you wear a pelisse too as it will get cool as night draws in.”

“
Yes. I will. Is everything all right?”

“
Yes. It is not important. I will explain on the way. Be ready in an hour.”

She nodded and followed him out into the vestibule.
He accepted his gloves and hat from Timms, as did James, then Daniel planted a cursory peck on her cheek before taking his leave.