9
Charles brought information about his financial status to Lord Remington early the next morning. In the study, Marcus peppered him with questions
After they negotiated the transfer of her dowry upon marriage, the Viscount stood and extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, Lord Percy.”
Nodding, Charles extended his own hand and they shook. “I’ll be putting that money in a trust for her and any children. I won’t be able to touch it. I do not want to give you any reservations about this union.”
“Now you’ll only need to convince her. She’s probably already paced a hole in the Persian rug.”
Charles turned to leave the study and, after a deep breath, opened the door to the sitting room. He closed it behind him.
“Give me a kiss!” Peaches squawked. “Pish, posh!”
Henrietta pivoted to face him, her expression serious. He strode to her and clasped both her hands. “You are a beautiful ray of sunshine, and when you exited that carriage the day we first met, I was struck by the brilliance of your appearance which was dull in comparison to your spirit and wit. I think part of me realized my heart was in trouble. All my hard-won bachelor reasons melted away with every encounter since. Last night, the thought that I could lose you forever was too much to bear. I gave in to my desire to touch and hold you. As if for one moment I could experience the wonder of what it would be like if we had a future together. I tasted that future in your kiss, and I realized you had won. I have fallen in love with you.”
“Balderdash and fiddlesticks!” cried Peaches.
“You lied about your title, and we’ve never once talked about your work for the government. How can I trust what you say is true?”
“Love ‘rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.’”
“You’ll quote God’s word to defend yourself?”
“Test it. Did I allow a thief to potentially rob or kill you?”
“No. And you let him live.” She pouted.
“Because I do not rejoice in evil deeds, or those who do them.”
“But you lied to me about your title.”
“But I hated doing it and repented. I did not revel in the lie but did rejoice that you forgave my transgression.”
“You haven’t told others your role in the government.”
“Neither have you, because our role is to defeat evil and ensure traitors are brought to justice so our men overseas are not injured by lies spread by others.”
“You said you loved me.” She attempted to step back.
He paused and drew her closer. She was just a shade shorter, so they stood almost nose to nose. “I would gladly give my life for you, and I believe I proved that last night.”
“So you didn’t want to kiss me? It was only a ruse to get him to drop his defenses?”
“It was both. I’d wanted to taste those lips since the day I first met you. If I had to die, it was the one thing I wanted most other than to see you safe.”
“I don’t know.” She pulled her hands free.
“Give me a kiss!” Smacking sounds came from Peaches.
“You’re a target, Henrietta, and I would do everything in my power to protect you. I cannot do that unless you are my wife. I find it less likely they will seek you once you are wed.”
“No more virginal sacrifice.”
“Correct.”
“All of this on the altar of expedience to fend off scandal.” She strode away. “And at my brother’s insistence. If none of this had happened, you wouldn’t have offered for me.”
He followed her and placed a hand on each arm as he came from behind. “Maybe not this soon, but I hoped in time to prove to you that we are exceptionally well-matched, and that our love and work together would be a perfect combination.”
“But I swore I would never wed.”
“Because you didn’t believe someone would love you for you.”
“My dowry—”
“Pish, posh!” Peaches squawked.
“Will be yours, held in trust for you and any children. And I will give you a generous allowance as well as carte blanche in decorating our homes.”
“I have expensive tastes.”
“I believe I can support you in style.”
“I always wanted to go to the Continent for a wedding holiday.”
“A woman who vowed never to wed planned a holiday for her wedding?”
She turned in his arms, her face pink. “Give me time to think about this.”
“Your brother desires to call the banns this Sunday.”
“No banns. A small affair at Rose Hill. If I say yes, can you procure a Special License?”
“But of course, if that’s what you desire. My estate is not far from Rose Hill, so we could spend our first night there before traveling.”
“You would seriously consider taking me into war zones?”
“If that’s what you desire.”
She gazed into his eyes, silent.
“Anything else?”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He was more than happy to oblige.
~*~
She savored the sensations his kiss stirred within her. Her arms sneaked up around his neck as if she could pull him even closer. He pulled back, and she whimpered in dismay.
“Darling, sweet Henrietta. No more of those until we are wed.”
“Why?”
“Lest we anticipate the wedding night.”
She didn’t quite understand, but soon it dawned on her. He desired to bed her. She had no clue what that even entailed, but if it was anything close to as wonderful as his potent kisses, she was hard-pressed to say no.
He turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving you to think over my proposal. The ring I have for you is safe and will wait until our wedding day. Your brother may not be as patient as I am but the truth is, your cover is compromised until this is resolved. Please give me your answer soon. If you reject me, you’ll be a pariah amongst the ton. And please, be careful. Someone is still out to harm you. Whoever did that might seek to kill you next time.” He strode out with the door closing behind him.
Lady Grey soon entered. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Are you engaged to marry Lord Percy?”
“I’m considering it.”
“Well, think about it while we pack. Marcus decided that if you cannot make up your mind within two days, we will be off to Rose Hill posthaste. You will not want to face down society after last night’s debacle without a notice sent to the Times and a date set for the wedding.”
“Am I truly in that much trouble?”
“I wouldn’t tempt fate, my dear.”
“What am I to tell Marcus?”
“The truth.”
Oh, but that was quite complicated, wasn’t it?
~*~
Henri settled in with Peaches in the sitting room, taking up her embroidery, and trying to not think about the events of the past twenty-four hours.
Edwards entered. “Sir Michael Tidley to see you, Miss.”
“Send him in.” She set aside the work and rose to great her guest. “Michael, what a delight.”
“Are you now engaged?” He checked her fingers for a ring. He glanced up at her with raised eyebrows.
“No. At least, not yet.”
“Lord Hughes asked that I accompany you to his office. Pretext of a ride. Closed carriage, however, to keep your identity secret. Do you possess a hat with a veil you can wear?”
“Yes. It must be serious if he summoned me.”
Sir Michael didn’t answer but rocked back on his heels and frowned.
“Fine. Right now?”
Michael nodded. “I’ll leave. Meet me at the back of the garden.”
She ran up to her room and fetched her reticule, gun, and hat with veil. She slipped down the back stairs to the garden where she met Michael. In the alley between homes, he waited with a closed carriage. She entered, and he followed. Banging on the roof the conveyance began to move.
“Do you know what this is about?”
“No.”
“You don’t relish being an errand boy, do you?”
“Of course not. But if it will keep you alive, who am I to say no?”
Silence was broken only by the sound of the horses’ hooves and the wheels against the city streets. With every block they traveled, the more anxious she grew.
“Why are you so out of sorts, Henri?”
“I’ve never been to Whitehall. I’ve only met with Lord Hughes in public venues.”
“He’s not a lion in the cage where you’re the dinner being served.”
She gave a half grin. “Thank you. Now I’ve been reduced to a slice of beef.”
“Whatever helps, m’lady.”
“I’m not a lady.”
“You could be.”
“Leave it alone, Michael. I don’t need you harassing me about this as well.”
“Fine.” His lips formed a straight line.
The carriage came to a stop.
Michael was first out the door and assisted her down. He walked by her side into the building and down a long hallway. Entering a suite of rooms, he nodded to the secretary who motioned for them to go through the next door. Michael saw her to the door. “I leave you here.”
She grabbed his arm. “No. Come with me.”
“This isn’t my place, and I have my own orders to follow.” He tapped her nose with his finger. “You’ll do swimmingly.”
He opened the door, and with a gentle push from behind, she found herself in the room with the heavy oak door closing behind her.
Lord Hughes rose. “Miss Allendale. What a delight. I’m glad you could come on such short notice. I hope I didn’t inconvenience you.” He walked around the desk, took her hand and led her to a chair.
He walked back around the desk and when she sat, he did so as well. He made a motion to one side of the room and from the shadows emerged Lord Percy who came to sit in a chair that matched hers.
“We have a dilemma that needs to be resolved quickly.”
“I—”
Lord Hughes’s hand came up to stop her. “Listen closely, Miss Allendale. I’ve long appreciated the information you’ve gleaned from social functions. But given recent events, I possess only two choices before me with regards to your service to the crown. The first is that you retire to the country for a time. Your services won’t be needed while you are there, and it would take time for your social standing to be well enough to grant you the access we need for you to be of further use.”
“And second?”
“Yes. Second, you could join forces with Lord Percy. Together you would have even more cachet amongst the beau monde. He tells me you long to visit the continent. As a married couple you could go and provide a valuable service. And perhaps see your brother, Captain Allendale, if he’s in the area.”
“That’s it? I can go to the country alone and in disgrace or marry this man here, serve the country, and go to France on holiday?”
“You forgot elevating your social standing,” Lord Hughes said as he tapped a pencil on the table.
She turned to Charles. “You put him up to this, didn’t you? That’s quite underhanded.”
Charles held up both hands and shook his head.
“Lord Percy has not been in communication, but the reality is the Black Diamond has you in his sights, and I would prefer to keep you alive and working for us instead. Lord Percy is your best option for both of those things happening.”
“May I think about this?”
“Pray about it, Miss Allendale. Lord Percy will visit you again tomorrow, and you can give him your answer at that time.”
“That’s it? My one chance?”
“Second,” Charles said.
Heat rose in her cheeks. He was correct as he’d already offered once.
She gulped and rose, forcing the men to their feet. “Is Sir Michael taking me home?”
“Yes. He’s waiting outside.”
“Thank you.” She made a dip of a curtsey and turned, pulling open the heavy door and leaving the room. She spied Michael waiting against the wall. “Take me home, please.”
Without a word he escorted her to the carriage and home.
Once back in her room she knelt by her bed. Prayer. For all her proclamations of her faith, how long had it been since she’d really sought God about any of this? She’d been running ahead on her own strength and in her own fallible wisdom. She needed far more. Lord, I don’t know what to do. I feel as if I’m betraying my very heart and ideals to accept marriage to Charles, and yet I think I love him. He offers me all I never dreamed of for fear of being disappointed, and now when You’ve handed me my heart’s desire, I question it? Please lead me. Guide me. I can’t take this step without You telling me what to do.
She took dinner in her room and pored over Scripture, falling asleep with her hopes and dreams resting in the arms of her Savior.