A Countess of Convenience (31 page)

She turned her face away from him and tried to pull her hand from his grasp. He held it more tightly. “Why? Is it because you doubt my feelings for you? I assure you my heart belongs entirely to you. You are the most wonderful—"

"No! I'm not good enough for you.” Her voice grew shaky. “You deserve a whole woman by your side."

Neil drew his first deep breath since she'd refused him. “Because of your limb? Effie, you are the sweetest, loveliest woman I have ever known. The fact that one of your limbs is shorter than the other is of no consequence."

She turned a starkly white face toward him. “It's more than that."

Her voice was so strained that he had to lean close to hear her. “What? What is it?"

"It's not just—that it's shorter—it's smaller too—like a child's.” She hung her head and tears freely coursed down her cheeks.

He wanted to put his arm around her and comfort her, but the positions of their chairs made it awkward, so he slipped onto his knees in front of her. “Dearest, do not trouble yourself. I love you so much that I wouldn't—"

She held her free hand up to still his lips. “I love you so much that I could not bear,” a ragged sob interrupted her words, “to see revulsion on your face when you looked at my mismatched limbs."

He pulled out his handkerchief and began to dab at her tears. She had always been so cheerful around him. He was appalled to know she had been hiding such painful insecurity. How could he reassure her?

She took the handkerchief from him and softly blew her nose. He sat back on his heels and watched, knowing it would take more than protestations of love to overcome her lifetime of self-doubt.

When she seemed calmer, he said, “Show me the limb, Effie. So we can both know how I will react to it."

Her eyes opened widely in alarm. “Oh, I cannot!"

"Is your pride so great that you would sacrifice our future happiness on its altar?"

Her lips parted and her chest rose and fell as she panted fearfully.

Moving slowly and glancing up frequently to give her a chance to protest, he folded her skirt and then her petticoats back until the heavy leather shoe, with a wooden sole that was at least six inches thick, was exposed. After loosening the laces, he gently removed the shoe and placed her foot on his upturned hand. His fingers tips extended beyond the heel. Despite her thick stocking, he could see indentations the heavy shoe had molded into the top of her foot. The shin above it was obviously thinner than its mate.

Carefully watching her reaction, he asked, “Does it pain you?"

She shook her head, but a strained grimace pulled at her features. “The shoe is heavy."

He looked back at the small foot. Neil had always thought fate cruel for giving him aristocratic connections but no fortune. Surely Effie's lot in life was more difficult, but she dealt with it with no apparent self-pity. She was even willing to sacrifice her own happiness for his. He realized with growing shame that this delicate woman had far more courage than he.

Staring at her foot, he suddenly realized he needed her as much or more than he needed her father's money. “Because it is part of you...” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the top of her foot.

She made a small mewling sound, but when he looked up, he saw a smile break through her tears. Reaching out, she encircled his shoulders and pulled him close enough to give him a watery kiss. “Yes, I will marry you,” she murmured breathlessly.

"Ah-hum.” The harsh sound of someone clearing his throat interrupted their moment of bliss. The squire stood in the open doorway, wearing a shocked expression.

Effie hastily pushed down her skirt even as Neil tried to get her shoe back on. She grabbed the shoe away from him and fumbled blindly under her petticoats.

Neil jumped to his feet and stepped between her and the squire, trying to shield Effie. “Sir, I'm happy to report Effie has just agreed to marry me."

"Well, I should hope so.” Squire Culpepper was obviously still disturbed by the unorthodox situation he had just stumbled upon.

With her shoe back on, Effie stood and hooked her arm through Neil's. “I had to show him my limb before I could accept, Papa."

"Oh.” A sudden flush of his cheeks showed that the squire understood. He moved forward and again shook Neil's hand. “Take good care of my little girl."

"I will, sir. You can count on that."

Prudence and Malvern returned from York as the setting sun turned the stone front of Asybeck Manor a glowing orange. She might have paused to admire the old place, but she was chilled to the bone and exhausted from her day of traveling.

"Are you all right?” Malvern helped her down from the coach.

"Just cold.” She didn't want to mention her fatigue because she'd slept for several hours this afternoon, resting snugly in his arms.

Mrs. Fossey rushed up as Prudence entered the hallway. “Oh, my lady, we weren't sure when you'd return, so no fires have been built in the front part of the house. Might I suggest you and his lordship have dinner in your upstairs sitting room? That area warms more quickly."

"Isn't my brother here?” Prudence asked.

"No, ma'am. He's dining at Pepper Hill."

Prudence didn't like the idea of Neil spending more time with Effie Culpepper, but she was grateful to be able to retire to her rooms. “Then a cozy dinner seems just the thing."

Hazel came in carrying some of the purchases they'd made in York, and Polly rushed toward her, offering help, while bombarding her sister with questions about Hazel's adventures in the city.

Mrs. Fossey's order to light a fire in the sitting room did little to dampen the girls’ delight in being together. Loaded down with packages, they both headed up the stairs, their voices buzzing excitedly.

Malvern and the two footmen brought more packages in and finally closed the front door, blocking the blast of wintry wind that had Prudence's teeth chattering.

"Where do you want all this?” Malvern asked.

Prudence spent a few minutes sorting through packages and luggage, but assigned most of the bundles to be stored in closets or pantries until she had time to go through them more carefully. And this wasn't all of their purchases; some would be delivered later.

As a girl in Huffington, she'd wondered what it would be like to go to a city, wander from shop to shop, and purchase whatever she wanted. Now she knew. It was quite tiring.

In her apartment, she found the fire blazing in the sitting room and the Bailey sisters unpacking her trunk in the bedroom. She joined them to remove her bonnet and cloak, but the heat from the fire hadn't filtered into this room yet, so she grabbed up a comforter, draped it over her, and lay down on the bed, telling herself she'd stay there only until she had warmed up.

"Prudence, our dinner's here."

She opened her eyes and blinked up at Malvern. “Good heavens. Did I fall asleep?"

He smiled and nodded.

"I don't know why I'm so sleepy lately."

"Would you like me to bring you some food?” Anthony asked.

"Certainly not.” She scrambled off the bed and let him usher her into the sitting room that was now comfortably warm. On a small table in front of the fireplace, two place settings and a steaming meat pie waited.

"This smells wonderful,” Prudence said. “I'm starving."

Anthony smiled at her again. “Good. You didn't eat much while we were away. I was beginning to worry about you."

Wasn't it sweet of him to notice and be worried. “I suppose I was just too excited to eat."

She served large slices of the pie, and between bites, they talked of installing the new oil lamps they had bought, and plans for the Christmas Eve party for the residents of the estate. She was still excited about having the party, but dreaded all the necessary preparations. Of course, she had more servants to help her now.

After they'd eaten, Anthony said, “Since you're so tired, I suppose you'd like to sleep alone tonight."

She grinned. “After my nap, I'm much refreshed."

"So you wouldn't mind my company?"

"I'd rather like it."

When he raised his eyebrows, she chuckled and said, “You make a nice bed warmer on these cold nights."

He pushed his chair back from the table and opened his arms. She rose and moved toward him slowly, pretending to hesitate. When she was near enough, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down onto his lap, and she giggled and snuggled into this warmth.

With one arm around his neck, she studied his face for a moment and then began to press light kisses on his cheek and chin and even the tip of his nose. He wore a self-satisfied grin until she reached his lips and he joined her in an arousing exploration of each others’ mouths.

Tasting the port he had drunk with his dinner, she pulled away from him. “I'm sorry, I'm keeping you from your after-dinner cigar. However, I'll have to ask you to go into your room to smoke it, for the smell has gotten a bit too much for me lately."

He stroked her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes. “I can smoke a cigar any time. I certainly won't pass up a chance to make love to a beautiful woman for a smoke."

She raised an eyebrow. “But I'm your wife. You can have me any time too."

He shook his head. “To tell you the truth, Countess, you're not always as warm and welcoming as you seem to be tonight."

"Does that make a difference?"

"Absolutely.” His arms encircled her and she felt his fingertips undoing the buttons at her neckline. “Enthusiasm on the woman's part adds a great deal to lovemaking, for both parties."

"Show me,” she whispered.

"Your command is my wish."

After he proved his point, Prudence lay comfortably in his arms and thought what a silly girl she'd been to believe only people in love could have happy marriages. If two people respected each others’ feelings, they could get along quite well together. Of course, being physically compatible added considerably to the relationship.

If she kept her guard up against Malvern's charm, constantly reminding herself that he, like all men, treated her well only to get what he wanted from her, they could have a companionable marriage. She could enjoy him when he was present and not be heartbroken when he wasn't.

As Prudence entered the dining room the next morning, Malvern put aside his newspaper and stood. She waved him down and let Alfie help her with her chair. After a glance at Malvern's plate of sausages and eggs, she asked for toast and tea.

"Will that be enough?” Malvern asked.

"Oh, yes."

Alfie brought her breakfast, and she nibbled at her toast.

Neil entered the dining room like a ray of sunshine. He smiled broadly, moved with a bounce in his step, and greeted them jovially. Then he requested an enormous breakfast from Alfie.

Malvern looked up from his newspaper. “What's made you so chipper?"

Neil paused behind his chair. “I am happy to announce that Miss Effie Culpepper has agreed to become my wife!"

Prudence choked on a sip of tea, while Malvern rose and heartily shook Neil's hand. “Congratulations, old sport."

The two men sat down and Neil said, “You'll be happy to know the squire wants to relieve my debt to you so that I can begin learning how to run Pepper Hill."

"You're not going to leave before the new bailiff arrives, are you?"

"No, I explained to the squire that I'd have to stay until the new man is acquainted with Aysbeck."

Neil turned toward Prudence, who stared at the two men in shock. “What about you, sister? Aren't you happy for me?"

Prudence had to cough into her napkin a few times before she could speak. “Did you tell her the truth: that her father's money is what you really want from her?"

Neil plopped onto his chair. “That's not the way of it."

"Really?” She sneered. “You announced your engagement and promptly started discussing the financial arrangements. Money is obviously what's important to you."

Alfie entered the room just then, carrying Neil's breakfast. After the plate was set before him, Neil made a loud display of shaking his napkin open and placing it in his lap until the servant had left the room.

Then he turned back to Prudence with his chin jutting out. “I would think that you, of all people, would understand the necessity of marrying well. It doesn't seem to have worked out badly for you."

"I knew what I was getting into,” she said, making no attempt to soften her tone or her glare. “Have you explained your true feelings to Effie or have you overwhelmed her with flowery declarations of love?"

Malvern interrupted. “Ah, Prudence, don't you think this is Neil's affair?"

Prudence turned on him, her anger only growing. “He'll break that sweet, naive girl's heart. Can you stand by and watch that and do nothing?"

"Effie and I are good for each other,” Neil declared loudly, “And I truly care for—"

Prudence jumped to her feet and placed her fists at her waist. “Effie deserves to know the truth before she decides to marry you. You tell her or I will."

"Now, Prudence, it's not your place...” Malvern started.

As she stalked out of the room, she heard Neil plead to Malvern, “Do something to stop her..."

Malvern stopped at the open doorway to Prudence's bedroom and watched her ruffling through her armoire, apparently looking for something to wear on her trip to Pepper Hill.

Why was she so upset about Neil's betrothal? It seemed a good match to him; Neil would at last obtain financial security, and the Culpeppers would move up in society.

He cleared his throat, and she glanced over her shoulder with an unwelcoming frown. He moved into the room. “Surely, you aren't planning to visit the Culpeppers at this hour?"

"It's my duty to welcome Effie into the family,” she replied in a haughty voice.

She sounded more like his mother every day. Gad! Where had the nymph from Wildwood Lodge gone? “This is hardly the hour to go calling. Most people are still at the breakfast table, if they're out of bed at all."

She paused, some of the starch going out of her backbone. “And you've eaten almost nothing,” he said. “Polly's brought up a tray. Come have tea at least."