To Love, Honor, and Obey... Page 6

  “A marriage of convenience, you mean?” She eyed him skeptically.

  “There would be nothing convenient about being married to you,” he quipped.

  “I still don’t see a good reason for us to marry, apart from you thinking we might suit each other because of one kiss. That doesn’t necessitate we marry. Why do you suddenly wish to marry me?”

  He stepped closer. “It’s true, there is no need for us to marry, not immediately, but there is one thing that you should know.” He hesitated. He obviously did not like what he was about to say. “My father wants to see us both happy, and he believes that if we marry, we will be.”

  Obedience still didn't understand. “Why?”

  “Because he loves us, and he thinks we are a good match.”

  “And you agree with him?”

  “After last night, I do.” He raised his hand as if to touch her cheek, saw it was covered in mud, and let it drop. “That kiss showed me that not only do I find you beautiful and engaging, but that we can share passion between us, and that will only grow.”

  “Oh...” Obedience felt her cheeks flushing again. She had never considered passion. Was that the reason she enjoyed his kisses so much?

  “Can I kiss you again?” He stepped even closer, this time touching her shoulder.

  She was at a loss for words. Tulip nudged her back, pushing her into him, and she stumbled and clung to him. He looked down at her and smiled. “Tulip is on my side. You’re running out of allies.” He dipped his head and caught her lips. She had no choice but to cling to him and accept his kiss. He took advantage of her surprise and slipped his tongue into her mouth, claiming her.

  He pulled away and grimaced. “You are right about the mud, it smells awful.”

  They both laughed and took a step back.

  “You still haven’t given me an answer.”

  “I believe I did.”

  “Not one that I will accept.”

  Obedience looked down. She couldn’t keep her wits about her when he looked at her so intently. “I still don’t understand why, Chance. You just returned home, and now you think we should marry. It’s so sudden.”

  “It’s my father’s last wish,” he said quietly.

  Her head snapped up, her eyes burning angrily. Another refusal was on the tip of her tongue.

  “Just listen, Obedience. I know it sounds absurd. I thought so too, but I couldn’t deny him. I told him I would think about it and I did. It just turns out that I agree with him.”

  “But...” She didn’t know what to say. A small part of her whispered to just say yes. She had spent half her life in love with him already, why couldn’t she say yes? “You’re willing to marry me because it’s your father’s last wish?” She couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes, because I love him, I said I would consider it, and I did.”

  “Yes, but so quickly? Don’t you have women in London who might want a say, or your mistress, or—or—”

  Chance scowled. “I know what you are asking, and no. There has been no woman I have even considered taking to wife until now. Maybe that is what makes it so easy for me. I have no reason not to marry, and quite a few very good reasons why I should marry you.”

  Obedience was stunned and a little pleased. “Perhaps I should hear those reasons. I've yet to hear a single one that would convince me to agree.”

  “I’ve already told you.”

  “You said because your father wished it,” she said dubiously.

  “And because of this.” He pulled her hips against his and swooped down to steal a kiss.

  Obedience knew he was using kisses to sway her. But she would not change her mind. She let him ravish her mouth as he pleased. She didn't see a reason not to enjoy his chosen method of persuasion. All too soon, her nose was pervaded with the stench of the mud and they pulled apart.

  “I’m not leaving without an answer,” he said firmly.

  She licked her lips. “I still don’t understand, Chance. Why me? There has to be someone more suited to be a duchess than I am? But not Patience,” she clarified. “If you marry my sister, I will have you committed for insanity.”

  Chance sighed wearily but smiled at the same time. “It’s true you are a rather unconventional girl, but so is my father. My father wants you to be the next duchess, precisely because you are the way you are. Frankly, being a duchess means you can do as you please—just ask my father.”

  Obedience wasn’t mollified or convinced. “But what about you, Chance? This is forever, the rest of your life married to me. I’m not sophisticated or elegant or anything a duchess is supposed to be. After your father is gone, will you regret marrying me? Will you regret that I’m not anything like your polished London ladies?”

  Chance tilted his head in thought. “I see where you are coming from, Obedience. I’ve learned recently that there is more to life than what society has to offer. There is so much more to be gained. Town life is like a masquerade. One puts on a mask and dresses in fine clothes to attend parties where everyone pretends they are better than everyone else is. It’s all a ruse, smoke and mirrors to perpetuate our own pretentiousness. In reality, we are just people with tricks up our sleeves. This is the rest of my life, and yours, and I haven’t met anyone else I could tolerate spending it with than you. Please say yes. I can teach you to be a duchess, to pretend like the rest of us, and you can spend the majority of your time here away from town life and be yourself. The more I think about it, the more it makes complete sense to me.”

  Obedience looked down. It still sounded very much like a marriage of convenience, but then again, it was the only marriage proposal she was ever likely to receive. There were benefits for her, she couldn’t deny that, and certainly being married to Chance would have its own passionate rewards. Willowton Park was already her second home, and if she married him, she wouldn’t have to leave, and her mother wouldn’t be there to tell her she couldn’t eat. It was so tempting. But there was still one glaring problem. It was clear he didn’t love her, but he did say that things would grow between them. Did that mean he already thought he could love her? That was the most tempting of all. To be held in his arms in reality, instead of only in her dreams.

  “I will marry you,” she said timidly.

  “Pardon?” He brought his face close to hers. “I don’t think I heard you properly.”

  Obedience couldn’t fight an impish smile. “I said I will marry you, you wretch.”

  Chance grinned and pulled her into his arms. He swung her around and sealed his mouth over hers. By the time he lifted his head, they were both panting for breath.

  “We both need to bathe. I have my dress stashed in the stables so I won't be seen like this.”

  “Oh, so your mother doesn’t approve of your gallivanting about in breeches?” he said with sarcasm as he set her down. Now that the shock of the breeches had worn off, he enjoyed the view of her shapely legs.

  “She would have an apoplexy.”

  “Then let’s be sure to ride past the drawing room.” He turned and whistled. His horse looked up, circled around the field, and jumped the wall away from the mud. Chance tied Tulip’s reins to his saddle and turned to help Obedience. He lifted her onto his horse, shaking his head when she adjusted herself to sit astride. He mounted behind her, pulling her hips back against him and bringing his arms around her to grab the reins.

  Obedience was glad she was facing forward. Her cheeks flooded with heat as his body surrounded her, her bottom tucked intimately against him. “When will we be married?” she asked to distract herself. She twisted to look at his face and was surprised to find it rather stern.

  “What? Oh, well it could be fairly soon—sooner than is probably proper, but given that we are racing an invisible time clock with my father’s health, exceptions will have to be made.”

  “Oh.” She probably should have been disappointed that she wouldn’t get a large wedding, but in fact, that was furthest from her mind.

  “We will
marry by special license as soon as one can be procured,” he added. “Is that all right?”

  “Yes, given the circumstances, that would be best. I’m not sure my mother will be particularly pleased, absurd as that sounds.” She faced forward again and frowned at that thought.

  “Don’t worry about that. Father already insisted he be the one to inform your family, so there won’t be any mischief. You’re my betrothed now, and that means you have the Willowton name behind you, though you’ve really had it all along.” Chance smirked. His father would be exceedingly pleased, and Chance was very pleased, if a little uncomfortable. It was hard to focus with her bottom pressed against his groin. It took all his self-control to keep his thoughts banal enough to not shock her to her innocent toes. Cresting a hill, he could see the stables of her family’s small manor.

  “I will leave you in the stables, if that is all right with you.”

  “Of course.” She turned and smiled at him. “You smell like a cow pat.”

  Chance chuckled. “I could say the same of you, Porcupette.”

  Chance returned home and changed. His father was resting in his room, so Chance headed to the library to work on estate matters. A little while later, his father’s man summoned him to his room. Chance was surprised to find his father standing, leaning heavily on the windowsill as he looked out over the land.

  “Father, should you be up?”

  “It feel’s good to stretch my limbs occasionally. A man needs to move, Chance.”

  “Not if it might kill you.”

  The duke shuffled around to face him. “I’ll not leave this world until I see you put a ring on her finger. Do you have good news for me?”

  “I do.” Chance took a seat on an ornate chair by the empty hearth. “Obedience is agreeable.”

  “Good.” His father smiled. “I sent a letter to the archbishop immediately after breakfast. He and I are long standing acquaintances, and he owes me a favor. ” The duke chuckled.

  “She is also aware that the nuptials will be hasty.”

  “Good, let the begetting of an heir also be hasty.”

  “Father,” Chance groaned. “We can rush one, but I’m afraid the other is completely out of my hands.”

  The duke sighed. “I can live with that. I look forward to the ceremony and having Obedience under our roof. She brings the warmth of the sun with her wherever she goes.”

  “Yes, she certainly does,” Chance mused and thought of her barely clad bottom in the breeches. She certainly made him feel warmer. “When can we expect to hear from the archbishop?”

  “Most likely the end of the week, but I see no reason to delay our plans. He won’t deny a dying man. Obedience may wish to have a dress made, you know how women are. I wish to have dinner with her family, so I can inform them properly.”

  “Obedience was grateful to have that burden shed from her shoulders.”

  “Yes well, dealing with her mother is as tricky as kissing a snake. I’ve seen it done, mind you, but I’ve never done it myself. If I can, I will spare Obedience any venom.”

  Chance nodded. “It will be fine. With your reputation and my status in town, it would be social suicide to be cut from us.”

  “Be that as it may, that woman is short a few bells in her steeple. I want to ensure there is nothing that could ruin the moment. It should be special, something you both will always remember without regret, though I regret that things must be done in such haste.”

  “Do not waste any more time with talk of regrets, Father. Although unorthodox, this is still a time for celebration for all of us.”

  “Ever the optimist, Chance. I know our tenants will be in good hands. They call me The Bear Duke. Perhaps they will call you The Cheerful Duke.”

  Chance chuckled. “I’ve been called far worse.” He stood, stretching the tight muscles that were already bemoaning his afternoon ride. He turned back to his father. “I will be in the study if you have need of me.”

  The duke grumbled something. Chance watched his father at the window. He was standing with his hands behind his back now, looking as imperious as he used to. If only the man could live for another few years, but something in Chance’s gut told him that their time was precious, and his father seemed to know it too. “I’ll see you at dinner?”

  His father nodded and continued to look out the window. He looked at ease and content. Chance was grateful for that.

  Chapter 6

  After a quick bath, Obedience searched the house for her mother and sister. She didn’t intend to join them, whatever they were doing. Rather, she wanted to keep a tally of their whereabouts so she could avoid them. Things were strained since the night of the dinner, and Obedience tried to avoid confrontation with her mother and sister at all costs. She felt as if she were wearing her secrets on her sleeve, and she knew they would not be pleased about her latest conquest. She herself didn’t quite know what to make of it. Disbelief was still at the forefront of her emotions.

  She approached the library slowly, hearing the mutter of feminine voices. She crept closer to the door and peeked in. Her mother and sister were bent over a table, paging through a book. Their backs were to her, but as Obedience stepped closer the floor creaked, and her mother’s head snapped around. Obedience froze, frightened by the intensity with which her mother glared at her.

  “Oh, it’s you,” her mother said and turned back to the book.

  Patience looked back, and Obedience saw that her eyes were red and puffy from crying. “Patience, are you all right?”

  Her sister visibly shuddered and turned back to the table without saying a word. Obedience entered the library, a wave of suspicion overshadowing her fear. “What are you two up to?”

  Her mother stood rigid, and Obedience slowed as she came around the table. She glanced quickly over the book—Debrett’s Peerage.

  “What business is it of yours? I did not raise you to be so meddlesome,” her mother lashed at her verbally.

  Obedience didn’t reply. Her attention was claimed by the defeated posture of her little sister, who had yet to acknowledge her. “Patience?”

  Her sister slowly raised her eyes, blood shot and swollen. “What do you want? Haven’t you spoiled my life enough already?”

  “Me?” Obedience scoffed. “I’ve done nothing of the sort.”

  “You ruined my chances last night. I could have fixed everything if only you weren’t such a nuisance.”

  Obedience rolled her eyes. “Did you think he would fall to your feet after one dinner? I have no magic power over Lord Willowton. If you failed to catch his attention, then ’tis your own fault. I should have never gone along with such a fiendish conniving plan. He is, after all, a dear friend of mine, and I would never wish to see him wed to a viper like you.”

  A heavy silence fell over the room. Her mother looked at her as if she had sprouted a tail, and Patience was as red as a strawberry. Obedience didn’t know where her words sprang from, but perhaps it was because she knew that she would no longer be residing with them and her anger and brutal honesty were shaking loose. She would no longer have to bite her tongue or feel the bite of theirs any longer. She would be free of their misplaced spite, free to be herself without censure.

  “You ungrateful girl. Have I not kept you in the finest clothes, a pillow upon which to rest your head, and food on your plate.”

  “I could argue about the last,” Obedience mumbled.

  There was a loud bang as her mother slammed the book closed. Patience had jumped in her chair and looked at their mother in fright.

  “You jest? This is our hour of need and you jest? We will never show our faces in public again, so great will be our shame.”

  Obedience shook her head. “What do you mean? What have I done that is so horrendous?”

  Patience grabbed their mother’s hand. Her skin was pale and her bony hand looked almost skeletal. “Don’t tell her.”

  “Tell me what?” Obedience looked back and forth between them. She had a
horrible feeling. “Whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as you think.”

  “It’s worse than what your small mind could fathom.” Patience snapped at her. “We are on the verge of scandal, and Lord Willowton was our only hope. I will never be able to find a suitable husband who will marry as quickly now. It’s because of you we will come to ruination.”

  Obedience stepped back. Here she was again being blamed, and she still didn’t understand why. There was a very large piece missing from the puzzle, but for once, she had the confidence in herself to know it was not her fault. Something had happened, something awful. “If I am to take responsibility for this scandal and ruination, then surely I have the right to know what it is.”

  Her mother and her sister wore the same tight-lipped expressions.

  “I insist,” Obedience demanded.

  Patience sat down in defeat again and folded her arms over her chest. Her mother walked around the table to where Obedience stood, her face void of any softness.

  “Well, if you insist,” she said with mock sweetness. “A gentleman forced himself on your sister and now she is with child. There, is that what you wish to know?”

  Obedience gasped, her hands covering her mouth in horror. Her sister buried her face in her hands and began to sob.

  “That is what happens when one lets a man take liberties without the benefit of marriage. Why just steal a morsel when he can steal the whole feast?”

  Obedience shuddered. “How can you say that? We should tell the magistrate and the duke, he will—”

  “We will tell no one,” her mother barked. “It is his word against hers, and he is a well-known gentleman of superior birth. Our only recourse is to find your sister a husband to marry immediately to save our family’s honor.”

  “Oh my God.” Obedience felt sick. To think that she had aided them last night, however slightly and thankfully, unsuccessfully, in wedding her sister to him while she carried another man’s child. It made her skin crawl and her stomach turn over. She couldn’t comprehend the horror of what her sister must have endured, the ramifications that she will face once it becomes obvious to everyone else.