The Wedding of the Century & Other Stories (24 page)

“It's not her dowry, or a connection to a powerful duke, I'll tell you that.”

“So you'll take her without the dowry, then?”

Jase held his gaze steady on the duke's. “Absolutely.”

Torrington broke out into a smile. “Prat,” he muttered.

“With all seriousness, Your Grace, I have for some time…admired Blossom. But with her engagement to my brother…” Oh, God, he was starting to sweat.

“Mmm, yes, it wouldn't do to pursue her. Kindness among brothers and all that.”

Relief made him exhale long and hard. Torrington was making this easy—too easy.

“Indeed. As I was saying. I've long admired her and wish to get to know her better.”

Torrington's eyes narrowed. “What are you suggesting?”

“I'm asking permission to court your daughter.”

“Are you indeed? How interesting. Not sure how this
sort of thing is done. You see, I already granted Halston the privilege of courting my daughter.”

Jase couldn't hide the anger that suddenly burned in his eyes. The duke shrugged.

“My daughter seems to like him—well, as much as any of them. Perhaps if he can be made to come around to her way of thinking, it could be an agreeable match. Unfortunately it is that spirit issue again. So, tell me, Raeburn, what is the proper etiquette in these situations?”

“I believe, Your Grace, that in this the best man should win.”

“I like your obstinacy, although I'm not quite enjoying the thought of my daughter as some prize to be won. Smacks of male pride and vanity, don't you think?” Torrington's eyes darkened, and he stepped forward. “If this were your daughter, what would you do?”

“I would allow her to get to know both men, and then consent to let her choose for herself.”

“Hmm.” Tossing back the contents of his glass, the duke placed the tumbler on the mantle. “I like you, Raeburn. Always have. But that doesn't mean I want you in my family.”

“And Halston would suit you better?”

Torrington's smile raised the hair on Jase's neck. “I like to be in control, Raeburn—always. Halston would be far easier, I think, to keep under my thumb than you. You understand, don't you? And if you don't, you at some point will, once your daughter is being preyed upon by leagues of gentlemen who are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing.”

Strangely, he began to see the workings of Torrington's mind, understood the profound love, and need to protect her. It would be nothing less with his own father when Julia came of age.

“Very well, Raeburn, permission granted. Although I will be watching you like a hawk circling a mouse.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

“By the by, I thought you might like to know that Halston will be taking Blossom fishing tomorrow morning by the lake. Perhaps you might like to join them. My gamekeeper will show you where to find rods and tackle.”

With a slight nod, Torrington left him, and Jase smiled to himself. The first hurdle had successfully been jumped. Now he only had Blossom to convince that he was the right man for her.

L
AUGHING
, B
LOSSOM SKIPPED
down the long line of the country dance, her cheeks flaming red with her efforts. She hadn't sat out one dance, and her partner, a Mr. Thornton, was most agreeable. When it was done, he clasped her hand in his and squeezed hard.

“That was quite possibly the most enjoyable dance I've ever had.” He laughed.

“I wholeheartedly concur, Mr. Thornton. But I must beg you to quit the floor. I'm parched, and in need of some fresh air.”

“Shall I join you?”

He posed no real threat, she decided, and she had enjoyed his company. He was a lively man, thoughtful, intelligent, and he obviously knew how to have a spot of fun.

“I would be delighted, sir.”

They would not be totally private, and that suited her just fine. If she stayed close to the door, everyone would see them, and see that they were only taking the air and having polite conversation. It was safe.

“Ah, what a glorious breeze,” Thornton gasped as he led them outside. Blossom lifted her face to the sky and inhaled the humid air.

“What a relief. I thought I was going to melt.”

Thornton's gaze drifted over her. “You don't look the worse for wear, Lady Blossom. In fact, you are more beautiful than when you first entered the salon. Then
you were lovely. Now, with your flushed cheeks, you're breathtaking.”

If possible, she flushed even more. Such flattery. She wasn't used to such bold compliments.

“I've embarrassed you. My apologies. I…forgot myself.”

“No, indeed. Please, do not worry. Although I am embarrassed. There are many lovely ladies present tonight.”

He smiled, then stared at her with what could only be described as a thoughtful expression. “You're really rather magnificent. There is no artifice about you at all.”

Glancing away, Blossom studied the other guests who were promenading on the terrace. “I despise artifice, almost as much as I loathe the art of flirtation and coquetry. It seems silly to hide behind such things.”

“I do agree.”

Inhaling the cool breeze that rippled the hem of her gown, Blossom gazed up at the stars. “Do I detect a Yorkshire accent, Mr. Thornton? It's faint, but I can hear it.”

“Aye, lass,” he said, intentionally allowing his accent to be heard.

“I've never been to Yorkshire. I wonder,” she whispered while gazing up at the black velvet sky, “if the stars are just as brilliant and beautiful there as they are here?”

“I do not know for I have never taken the time to stargaze. I doubt they are in Leeds, where I am from. The soot from the factories and the coal smoke obliterates everything.”

“How unfortunate, Mr. Thornton. There is such pleasure to be had to sit idle on the summer grass and watch the stars.”

“I shall have to attempt it. But tell me, is it better with company?”

A faint tremor flittered through her belly, and Blossom stepped back, surprised that she felt it.

“I believe it is, Mr. Thornton.”

“Then may I request that we watch the stars together? Perhaps tomorrow night?”

“I think I would like that. Perchance you might wish to ask my father's permission.”

“Of course. I shall take the opportunity to do so now. I see he is alone at the buffet. You will excuse me?”

Blossom curtsied to his bow, and the faint rolling in her stomach started once again as he reached for her hand. “Thank you for the dance, Lady Blossom.”

And then he was gone, and she found herself smiling like a simpleton. That little flutter…was it a taste of what passion might be like? She had never experienced such a sensation, but it was most pleasant, and she was eager to experience it once more.

“What are you grinning about?”

Jase was standing beside her, one elbow propped upon the stone balustrade as he watched the couples on the terrace proceed back into the ballroom. The orchestra was preparing for a waltz, but mercifully she was free for this dance. She wanted to stay outside where it was cool and quiet.

“Well?”

“Nothing, really, just ruminating on the stars. They're lovely and bright tonight, aren't they?”

“Indeed.” He cleared his throat. “What was Thornton doing out here with you?”

She looked away from the sky, only to find Jase staring at her. “We were taking the air. Why?”

He shrugged. “I thought you might like to know that he's broke. He's been hanging out for an heiress for the Season.”

“And why would I care to know such a thing? He is not the only one here hunting for an heiress.”

“No, he is not. But I saw the way you smiled at him. I thought I should let you know before you got your hopes up.”

“How did I smile at him?”

He pressed closer to her, and his hand, so warm and soft, cupped her chin. “With your eyes, Blossom. When you smile at the others it is only with your mouth.”

“Oh.”

“I've known you long and well enough to recognize your false smiles. Halston was the recipient of one tonight, at dinner.”

“I really had no idea you knew me so well.”

His smile was slow, seductive, and Blossom wondered if it was really that easy for Jase—to just smile like he was now smiling at her, and have women lay down at his feet.

“But I'm wondering, Blossom, do you know me?”

Oh, she knew him all right. What sort of rake he truly was. He was beautiful and sensual, and an utter heartbreaker. He was the sort of man a woman should never dare give her heart to. Friendship was one thing, but to love Jase, it would prove too painful.

“Well?”

“I believe I do. I have known your family all of my life. How could I not know you, too?”

“How indeed.”

He did not release his hold on her, but stepped closer to her. They were now all alone on the terrace, and she felt a sudden fear at the knowledge.

“Would you honor me with this dance?”

The gentle breeze stirred once more and Blossom enjoyed the way the warm night air caressed her neck and shoulders. “Would you be terribly offended if I decline?
I'm afraid the night has too strong a hold on me, and I was hoping for a respite, however small, from the gentlemen who would hound me—or my mama, who seems to be forever introducing me to new marriage-minded candidates.”

“No offence taken. Shall we take a walk, to the lake? It's the best place to stargaze, if I remember correctly.”

“I…I don't think that would be wise.”

“I have your father's permission.”

“It's not my father that worries me, but other people's perception.”

“Halston, you mean.”

Reluctantly she nodded. “A woman's reputation can be ruined by the most innocent of things. And I'm quite certain that sitting beneath the moon in the dark with a man would be grounds for utter ruination.”

He smiled, and it momentarily knocked her off-kilter. He was wickedly beautiful, and suddenly her heart seemed to be beating irregularly. “If one's reputation is to be ruined, it would be far more enjoyable to be ruined by a friend, beneath the stars.”

Laughing quietly, Blossom felt at once that the strange frisson between them was gone, replaced to their normal footing. Jase was a friend. If she remembered what he truly was, she would be safe. “Well, I suppose there are less dramatic ways to be ruined. If a young woman hanging out for a husband must be ruined, it is far more romantic to be seduced by starlight than to be dragged by carriage to Gretna Green.”

“Seduced by starlight. How interesting. I'll have to keep in that mind.” He grinned, showing perfect white teeth. His smile lit up his face, and Blossom, for the second time in only minutes, was left feeling a touch breathless. The intimacy that had shimmered between them at supper rose once again. She could not understand it, or put a name to
it. But it was there, palpable and strong, pulling her closer to him.

“Shall we?”

She linked her arm in his and followed him down the terrace, to the garden. They walked past the ornamental gardens, and down the stone path that led to the lake. In the moonlight she could see the rowboat that was tied to the dock. The wind was still, and the water moved with the barest of ripples. In the distance crickets and frogs broke the silence, and fireflies flickered around them, lighting their way.

“This seems like a very lovely spot.” Shrugging out of his coat, Jase placed his jacket on the ground and reached for her hand. She tried to refuse—his jacket would be wet from the dew on the grass—but he would hear none of it, and helped her to sit. He dropped down beside her, his weight resting on his elbows as he gazed up at the black velvet sky, which was littered with brilliant twinkling stars.

“Do you remember the constellations?”

“Of course. I was eight when you taught me.”

“No one shared my infatuation with the stars like you did.”

That was because she had been in the first flush of puppy love then. She had hung on to every word Jase had said. She truly had loved the stars, but there was no denying her fascination had grown after she discovered his obsession with them.

“Up in the north, they're even more brilliant. Over the open moors, there is nothing but expanses of heather and sky, and when you look up and smell the salt air from the ocean, and see the vastness of black sky, it's…indescribable.”

Blossom tilted her head back and stared up at the stars. “One day I would love to see that.”

“One day I'll take you.”

The intimacy of his voice startled her and she chanced a peek at him, only to discover that he was staring down at her.

“Do you still enjoy riding?”

She swallowed hard. “Very much.”

“And I know you still fish, from our conversation earlier today.”

“Yes, I enjoy it very much.”

“And painting. You've become very successful at that, haven't you? But then, I knew you would. You were always very talented.”

Flushing, she glanced away from him. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Jase. You never ‘my lorded' me before, Blossom. Nothing has changed between us. There is no need for formality between us.”

Oh, but there was. Without it, she was left feeling much too at ease. It would be far too easy to fall beneath Jase's masculine spell. There was no denying he was beautiful, and his voice was as hypnotic as the winter wind. She could not lie to herself, he had intrigued her tonight, held her enthralled. And she must not allow it. Not if she wanted to keep her heart whole.

“We have much in common, Blossom. I, too, love to ride. And fish.”

And do other things, she reminded herself, to many different women.

“Starlight becomes you, Blossom. Your skin is so pale, like night-blooming flowers in the moonlight.”

Her corset felt too tight, and her breath caught for the barest of seconds. She was about to catch her breath again when he raised his hand and let his fingers trail across her cheek.

“I can see why so many of your parents' guests are tripping over themselves to catch your attention.”

She was mesmerized by his eyes, the scruff of his night beard, the way the soft breeze ruffled his curls—the soft, lulling words he was weaving around them. “They want only my dowry and connections with my father.”

“I doubt that is all they want.”

She looked away, but he caught her chin on the edge of his hand and forced her to look at him. “What do you want, Blossom? When you think of your future, what do you see?”

“What any woman does, a husband and a home. Children.”

“And this husband, what is he in your mind?”

“What do you mean?”

He leaned forward, crowding her, and she moved back. It wasn't until she felt the satin lining of his jacket against her shoulders that she realized she was flat on her back, and Jase was above her, his fingertips gliding down the column of her throat, where they rested on her bounding pulse.

“What would your marriage be like, Blossom? Would it be frightfully polite? Sedate and dull?”

“Of course not. I would never settle for such a thing. Just because Samuel and I…did not suit, does not mean that there isn't someone else out there that would make me a suitable husband.”

“Ah, yes, Samuel. Tell me, how are you, Blossom? Really.” The question was so odd, his voice so quiet, almost strained.

She was nervous. She didn't understand this line of questioning, or the strange feeling that was coming over her. Perhaps she had imbibed too much wine at dinner. “I am very well, milord, as you can see. Do I not look it?”

His gaze raked over her, his eyes hot and gleaming,
lingering on the front of her gown where no gentleman would even look, let alone allow his gaze to linger. “You are most definitely looking very fine. But what of your spirit? Is it whole?”

“Oh.” They were back to talking about that. He was inquiring after her well-being after being thrown over by his brother.

“I would apologize for Samuel and his callous handling of you.”

“Oh, please don't. I'm fine. Really. I'm glad he followed his heart. And now he's very happy. And so…so am I.” Something inside her flared to life. She couldn't understand it, this strange feeling. Perhaps it was the wine, or the stars, or maybe it was just Jase and his rogue's sensuality.

He was still holding her chin, but now he was rubbing the pad of his thumb along her cheek. That fluttering in her belly started once more, but this time it was a thousand times more acute. She felt Jase's touch down to the tips of her toes.

But of course she would. He was a practiced seducer. A rake. A womanizer. Making women feel pleasure was his vocation.

“I am very happy, my lord,” she muttered as she sat up and put distance between them. “And I'm looking forward to finding my own love, just like Samuel did.”

“Are you?” His eyes lit with interest. “And what are your requirements for this love?”