How to Marry a Rogue (26 page)

“Yet you married her.” Lockewood’s voice lowered, and Jack recognized his friend’s temper lurking just beyond the shadows of his amiable personality. “I might ask if there is a particular reason why you did, when you knew my plans for her.” His bitter gaze met Jack’s. “I received a letter from Lady Richmond, censuring me—most politely, of course—for not informing her Georgiana was betrothed to another man. She said she’d seen Georgiana abroad. I thought the old thing had lost her faculties, and we’d have a laugh when you returned. Apparently, the laugh is on me.”

“This was in no way intended as a joke; either on you or the Richmonds.”

“I suppose there is a good reason why you did it, although I can’t imagine what it is.”

Jack sipped his drink. The warm, buttery liquid burned a comforting trail down his throat. “Beyond the fact I love her, you mean?”

“Do you?”

“Of course.” He placed his glass on a table with a louder than necessary clink. “Why else would I marry her?”

“This, from a man who, not three months ago, scorned the very concept of marriage? Sneered at love and swore he would never attach himself to one woman? But you need not worry about love, am I correct? Not when there are thirty thousand reasons why you’d risk the parson’s noose.”

Jack clenched the arms of his chair until the wood creaked beneath his fingers. “If you were not my dearest friend and a recent father, I would knock all the teeth out of your head.”

Lockewood didn’t blink. “You told me of your grandfather’s directive. You had to be married by this time next year or your stipend would end. We even laughed about the wealthy little chit you’d have to convince to marry you.”

“I said that then. I did not intend for that chit”—he bit off his words—“for my
wife
to be Georgiana.”

“But she is wealthy.”

“As am I.” He ran his hand through his hair, fighting to keep his own temper. “You needn’t worry about her security, Lockewood. She has her own money, and I have mine. I will draw up papers—hell, you may draw them up, and I will sign whatever you wish. You may control it all. I do not want her money. You need not give me her dowry. She is free to do as she pleases.”

“As are you, I suppose.” Jonathan chewed his lip. “Tell me, what kind of arrangement did you make with my sister that she would be sole retainer of her dowry? It hardly seems likely a man forced to gamble and fight for money would merely snap his fingers at a fortune, because his heart has been so completely stolen away. Not that my sister isn’t a beauty.”

“Lockewood….”

Jonathan laughed bitterly. “Perhaps it is those fragrant summer nights in France I should blame. What did you do, Jack? Take her for long carriage rides out of Aunt Adele’s sight? Show her around the
vignoble
and ply her with wine and God knows what else?”

His hand shook, and he set his glass on the table. They were both on their feet now. Jack’s shoulders tensed as he waited to see if Lockewood would go for the heavy bust on the mantel first or if he should.

“I resent your accusations, Lockewood. I did not seduce her.” He forced back his rising anger. “I love Georgiana, and she loves me. It has always been there between us.”

“Really?” The dark eyebrows drew up in mock surprise. “It was there when she was ten, Jack? Twelve? Or fifteen, when you last took the time to visit with us? Was the attraction always there, even when you were fornicating and fighting your way through all sorts of bad company?”

He struggled to speak, to come up with any kind of reasonable reply. But he had none, as Lockewood well knew. Damn the man for knowing him better than anyone.

“I love her now, and that should be enough. In a few years, my grandfather will die, and all his fortune will fall to me. A grander fortune than even you possess. Despite my ways, there is no scandal or fudge on my name. Georgiana has married an honorable man, which is all you claim you wanted for her. Why should the name of Richmond be a better one for her than Waverley?”

Lockewood stared at him for an interminable moment before finally nodding. It was the briefest of nods, but Jack accepted it gladly.

“Very well. I will talk to her. If all is as you say, then you have my blessing.”

“And if not, will you insist upon a divorce?”

“I wouldn’t presume to scandalize both our families. An annulment would be…” His face blanched. “She is no longer…” He shook his head. “Of course, she would not be. Not if you had anything to do with it.”

“Because I must have seduced her, you mean?” Jack’s fists clenched automatically, but he quelled the urge to fight.

“You must admit your talent for persuasion is legendary, Jack. How often have your conquests been the subject of our conversation?”

“That was in my shameful past. Besides, if I had seduced her, why would I go through the trouble of marrying her? We had a proper wedding, and I will swear an oath there was no physical intimacy before the vows.”

“Implying there was intimacy after the ceremony, I’ll wager,” Jonathan sputtered. “Speaking of the wedding, what kind of wedding was it, Jack?” His lips were drawn tight, and Jack watched with half an interest at a vein throbbing in his friend’s right temple. “Did you happen across a vicar wandering the French countryside? Was Aunt Adele present? A lady who, by the by, has much to answer for. Now I know why she stayed on in France.”

“We did not have a vicar.” He snorted. “It is quite difficult to find the Church of England in France, as you well know. Rest assured, it was a marriage sanctified by God, and that alone matters. We had a civil wedding at the embassy in Calais. Aunt Adele had nothing to do with any of it. Indeed, she was as…” He almost said
shocked
but didn’t want to use too strong a word. “She was as surprised as you but gave her blessing wholeheartedly.”

“Because no woman has ever been able to resist doing exactly as you please.”

“I wish I had these powers you claim for me.” He was tempted to pour another drink, but a cool head was the better option.

“But…but Jack.” Lockewood paced the room, shaking his head. “Why you? I mean, I know Georgiana is fond of you, but…why did she choose you, of all people?”

“I will ignore the obvious inference to my bad character. You go too far, my friend. I love her. I did not marry her for her money, so what objection can you possibly have? We have known each other all our lives, and I have cared for her since she was little. I’m the best husband she could have. Better, I dare say, than those fops and fools you’d have had her marry. We saw Herbert Richmond at a fête. If you had seen how he looked at her…” The hot flush spread upward to his temples. “I could not in all good conscience allow a match. You’d have thrashed him on the spot, had you seen him. You’ll thank me one day.”

“But you are Jack Waverley!” Lockewood thumped his hand on the table so hard the china ornaments on it wobbled. “I know how you treat women. I know of your expensive gambling debts, your nights in the gaming hells and those low boxing establishments.” He sank into a chair, the very image of exhaustion. “Richmond is a fool, but he stays away from scandal.”

“You should know me better than that, Lockewood,” Jack said quietly. “I have never had any designs on your sister. Do you not remember how angry I was when you did not bring me along to Gretna Green so I could kill that whoreson, Mitford?”

Lockewood’s face contorted. “Yes, I remember. He was another whom I’d trusted as a brother. Another I’d grown up with—and shared my home and family. Another who professed to love my sister more than the world.”

“I am not Mitford.” He gritted his teeth and nearly spat as he said the words. “Do not compare me in the same breath as that dog.”

Lockewood’s shoulders sagged. For a moment, Jack feared he would collapse, but then he raised his anguished face. “I love you as a brother, Jack. I needn’t assure you my intentions for Georgiana have been in the sole realm of providing for her best interests.”

“You love her so well.” Jack walked to the window and flicked aside the curtain, though he couldn’t focus on the serene view of the park. “You were ready to marry her off to the first ass with more than ten thousand a year, so you wouldn’t risk a worthless lout marrying her for her money. My god, man!” He shook his head. “Is her fortune alone the reason anyone would want her? Have you never looked at her? She is beautiful and kind, talented and amusing. She’s the kind of wife any man would count himself fortunate to have. The kind of wife I do not deserve, nor does any man.”

He nearly choked on his words. He shook his head again, but this time it was to clear it of confusing thoughts. He almost convinced himself their marriage was based on mutual love and affection and had nothing to do with alternative motives.

Lockewood’s sigh brought him back to the present. “If you swear you love her and will honor her, then…”

“You will see for yourself our affection for each other. That should set your mind at ease.”

“I do hope so.” He rubbed his jaw and stifled a yawn. “Forgive me, Jack. I am not myself of late. My ill temper is a result of being awakened throughout the night since the baby was born.” He rose from his chair and held out his hand. “I have never lost faith in you, Jack. I know there’s a heart beating behind that monstrously thick wall you’ve developed over the years. I’m glad Georgiana was able to knock it down.”

He didn’t know what to say. They shook hands, and Lockewood clapped him on the shoulder.

“Have you dined recently? We can find the ladies and order tea.”

Accepting an uneasy truce, Jack followed Lockewood out of the study and into a sunny room filled with toys no infant could have any interest in whatsoever. Georgiana stood by a table, and he realized she’d been pacing as he had been. As it always happened when coming upon her, his heart skipped and his breeches grew uncomfortably tight.

“Welcome home, Georgiana. Or should I say, Mrs. Waverley?” Jonathan embraced Georgiana, and Jack noted the relief in her eyes.

“Will my husband live another day?” she inquired, and they all laughed, though Jack noted a slight hesitation on his friend’s part.

“I have been vehemently assured of Jack’s love and devotion to you. While I will not hide my disappointment at being left out of the arrangement, I am truly happy for you both. Whereas Jack will have proven us all wrong and show that love truly conquers all, he will also have you to control him, much as you always have done.”

Georgiana glanced at Jack, a blush staining her cheeks. He tried to give her a reassuring smile, but something in her eyes made him pause. Was it a hopeful glance? A suspicious one? Why could he interpret the expression of every other woman in the world except for hers?

Sophie tilted her arms to display Lockewood’s son. “Come and meet your nephew, Mr. Waverley,” she said.

Relieved the baby’s presence eased any remaining tension, he jiggled the baby’s tiny foot. “I don’t see what all the fuss is about, Lockewood. He looks a bit like a tadpole.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

At supper, Jack paid more attention to her than usual, taking a sip from her glass and forcing her to taste a spoonful of his soup. Georgiana poked his thigh and shot him a look, but he ignored it, laughing heartily at a mildly humorous thing she’d said. She glanced quickly at her brother and sister-in-law, but they hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

“So, Georgiana,” Jonathan said pointedly. “You haven’t said anything about your wedding. Were there any guests?”

She set down her fork. “A few. Aunt Adele and Lady Priscilla attended, of course. Other than that, it was a very quiet affair.”

“Hmm. Pity. Did Jack give you a present? I noticed you’re not wearing a ring.”

She almost gasped aloud. She’d meant to tell Jack about a ring after the sailor on the ship had given her that disgusting look.

“I have my mother’s ruby I was going to have reset.” Jack spoke so smoothly she almost applauded his quick thinking. “My grandfather has my mother’s jewels. Have no fear,” he added wryly, “Georgiana will be as adorned as your lovely Sophie.” He raised his glass with a friendly nod at Sophie, who smiled in reply.

“Did you have a honeymoon?” Sophie asked. “Paris can be so romantic. I should think you two had a lovely time. Riding through tranquil scenery, picnics on the Left Bank, strolling through the Tuilleries.”

“We had a fine honeymoon.” Georgiana sipped her wine, trying to forget the image of Jack’s bloody knuckles after a night out, or the mess she’d left in the garden the night she’d followed him to the ball. “We didn’t spend very much time outdoors, however.” She hadn’t meant to make it sound sordid, but Sophie coughed into her napkin and her brother’s face flushed.

“What she means,” Jack said hastily, “is we were occupied at home. The chateau had a marvelous pianoforte, did it not, Georgiana?” His question was followed by the slightest wink only she detected.

She ground her heel into his toe as her cheeks burned. “So it did. We spent many long hours playing.” She steadied her nerves and smiled brightly. “Jonathan, did you know Jack is an accomplished violinist?”

“I am not surprised. I’m discovering something new about Jack every minute.”

Sophie indicated Jack’s full plate. “Is the food to your liking, Mr. Waverley?”

He dabbed his lips with his napkin. “It is superb, Mrs. Lockewood. I have lost some of my appetite since our return.” He quirked his eyebrow at Jonathan. “But I am certain it will return to me in time for dessert.” He tapped Georgiana’s foot under the table.

She took a bite before anyone noticed her blush. “The baby is beautiful, Jonathan.” She smiled at Sophie; too artificially, she feared. She was desperate to ease the tension between the two men she cared for most in the world. “Is he well-tempered?”

This was the distraction everyone needed. It was endearing how enthusiastic the new parents were, and she wondered how she and Jack would fare as parents, should the day ever arrive. The thought of Jack dandling their child on his knee was so intriguing she nearly sighed aloud.

“Sebastian does love music,” Jonathan said, his face brightening. “I’m going to bring in a master when he’s older, just like you had, Georgiana.” He grinned suddenly. “Perhaps Jack and you can entertain us later. If you’re not too tired from your journey.”