Loving the Marquess (10 page)

Nicholas marveled at how anyone could imagine he would want
to wed Mary. She was pretty, yes, having inherited her father’s dark hair and
her mother’s pale blue eyes. She’d also inherited the best features from both
her parents, but it was her personality that made him cringe. Or rather, her
lack of one.

“I have some happy news that I wanted to share with you.”

Edward appeared bored. Mary sat unmoving, her eyes cast
down. His aunt, however, didn’t bother to hide her anticipation.

“I am to be married,” he said. “I believe you all know my
intended.”

“Oh, Nicholas—” his aunt started.

“Her name is Louisa Evans.”

There was a moment of stunned silence. His eyes were on
Edward when he’d shared his news and he saw the way his cousin’s jaw clenched.
He found it interesting that Mary’s stiff posture relaxed almost immediately.
It appeared she, too, did not wish a union between them. His aunt went through
the motions of wishing them well, but she couldn’t hide her anger. She made her
excuses and escorted a silent Mary from the room.

Nicholas paid little attention to them. His eyes were fixed
firmly on Edward, who wisely chose to remain silent. Nicholas could tell he was
wondering if Louisa had told him about his proposition.

“I believe you know my betrothed,” he said.

“Of course I know her,” Edward replied, not bothering to
mask his annoyance. “She’s lived in the area since she was born, and she does
some sewing for my sister.”

“True. And there is the fact that this used to be her
family’s home.”

Edward sneered. “It was a fair card game. If her father
couldn’t afford to lose, he never should have played. They’re fortunate Father
allowed them to live in their cottage rent free. He didn’t have to be so
generous.”

Nicholas raised a brow. “You can stop pretending. I know he
did that only at my father’s insistence.”

Edward shrugged but said nothing.

“And what are your intentions toward the Evans family.”

Edward hesitated only a moment before replying. “Father made
a promise, and I upheld it.”

“And now that Joseph Evans is gone?”

Nicholas could see the hint of apprehension that crossed his
cousin’s face though Edward did his best to hide it. “There was no
understanding that the rest of the family could stay there forever without
paying rent. I very generously waited until their period of mourning was over,
but things change.”

Nicholas took a step toward his cousin, allowing the tight
rein he’d been holding over his temper to slip. The corners of his mouth turned
up in a grim smile at the flash of fear in Edward’s eyes.

“I know about your proposal to my bride-to-be.”

He wasn’t surprised when Edward tried to lie. “I don’t know
what you mean. What did she tell you?”

Nicholas took another step forward and was satisfied when
his cousin took a corresponding one back.

“I will be marrying Louisa Evans very soon. She is under
my
protection now. You are not to approach her or any member of her family ever
again. Do I make myself clear?”

Edward sputtered briefly before allowing his own anger to
show.

“You do not control me. You may hold the title, but you do
not have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do. If the delightful Miss
Evans or her sister decides—”

Pure, unadulterated rage pumped through Nicholas’s veins.
His hands shot out and he grasped his cousin by the throat. He lowered his head
so his face was only inches away from his cousin’s.

“Make no mistake,” he said, his voice low with menace, “if
you ever so much as look at Louisa or her sister again, it will be the last
thing you do.”

He flung Edward away from him in disgust and watched as the
man grasped at his throat, coughing.

“You will regret threatening me,” Edward said between fits
of wheezing.

Nicholas spared the man only a brief, contemptuous glance
before striding from the room and away from the house, his fists still clenched
in impotent fury. He longed to smash them into Edward’s smug, superior face. To
pummel the man to within an inch of his life. The only thing that had stopped
him was the knowledge that doing so would disappoint his grandmother. If Edward
dared to look at Louisa again, though, even that wouldn’t stop him.

It had been two days since Louisa
had gone to Overlea Manor to ask for the marquess’s help. The very last thing
she’d expected to come from that meeting was a proposal of marriage. She’d been
desperate but had somehow managed to control her nerves. Now, however, the task
proved nearly impossible. Catherine, on the other hand, was brimming with
anticipation.

She aimed a shaky smile at her sister before stepping down
from the carriage Nicholas’s grandmother had sent to collect them. The butler
ushered her inside right away, bidding her to wait in the drawing room while he
notified the dowager marchioness of her arrival.

They had to wait some minutes before Nicholas’s grandmother
swept into the room. She was shorter than Louisa and her slim figure and
snow-white hair should have given her an air of frailty. Instead, however, the
older woman possessed an unmistakable air of authority that made Louisa feel
completely out of her depth.

She and Catherine stood to greet her.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting,” Lady Overlea said
after she had rung for tea. “I was in the conservatory tending to the roses and
Sommers did not know where to find me.”

Catherine’s interest was immediately piqued, and she was
almost glowing with excitement when she spoke. “I love to garden as well. I
have read about conservatories, but have never actually seen one.”

“We must not impose,” Louisa said, afraid Nicholas’s
grandmother would be annoyed at Catherine’s exuberance.

 “It is no imposition,” the older woman said. “I am quite
proud of the Overlea conservatory and would like nothing more than to give you
a tour. Unfortunately, we will not have time today. Perhaps on your next
visit.”

“I will look forward to it,” Catherine said. “I saw some of
your gardens on the way in and would like to have a closer look. I can see that
you have some plants I have never seen before.”

“You have discovered my secret love,” Lady Overlea said, her
smile warm and open. “I think you will enjoy exploring the plants in the
conservatory. Many have come from much warmer climates and must be brought
indoors before the winter.”

Catherine’s own smile widened and Louisa began to relax. She
froze, however, when Lady Overlea turned her attention back to her. The weight
of the older woman’s perusal was almost a palpable thing.

“I was so very sorry to hear about your father’s death, Miss
Evans.”

A lump rose in her throat at the other woman’s words,
especially since it was obvious she meant them.

“Thank you, my lady,” she said. “And since we are soon to be
family, you must call me Louisa and my sister Catherine.”

Nicholas’s grandmother waited several moments before asking,
“How did my grandson come to propose marriage to you? I was not aware that he
had even met you.” A frown creased her brow.

Louisa’s mind went blank and she strove to collect her
scattered thoughts. It hadn’t occurred to her that Nicholas wouldn’t have told
his grandmother how they’d met. He must have been trying to spare her from
worrying about his health. She would have to come as near to the truth as
possible without revealing the details of her other grandson’s proposition.

“In truth, we have known each other only a short while. He
rode by our house earlier this week while returning from London and stopped by
our cottage. He expressed his condolences on our father’s death.” She ignored
the curious look Catherine aimed at her and continued. “I was surprised, myself,
when he proposed marriage to me two days ago.”

Lady Overlea nodded as though the explanation made perfect
sense and smiled, amusement lighting her features. “That would be like
Nicholas, unable to pass by a beautiful young woman without stopping to talk to
her.”

Louisa blushed at the compliment.

The dowager marchioness’s mood changed, becoming somber. “I
have a confession to make. I am afraid I didn’t leave my grandson with much
choice. It was time for him to marry and I forced the issue.”

Her revelation surprised Louisa. She couldn’t imagine
Nicholas being forced to do anything against his will.

“I will be blunt with you. My grandson probably didn’t tell
you, but the Overlea line is in danger. If Nicholas does not produce an heir
the title will go to his cousin. Do not mistake me, I love all my
grandchildren, but the notion of Edward as the next Marquess of Overlea…” She
closed her eyes briefly. “Well, let us just say that it is important Nicholas
produce a son to secure the inheritance.”

Louisa could almost feel the weight of that responsibility
being transferred squarely onto her shoulders.

“I cannot guarantee the marquess a son, but I will do my
duty,” she said, unable to hold back her blush.

Lady Overlea reached over and patted Louisa on the arm. “That
is all we can ask. Now,” she said, rising to her feet. “We have a wedding to
plan and a wardrobe to secure. I have already sent word to London and the
modiste will be here tomorrow. Please come with me. We have not a moment to
spare.”

* * *
* *

Nicholas’s first action on reaching his London townhouse was
to send word to Richard Harding, the Earl of Kerrick, that he was in town
again. When he arrived later that afternoon, Nicholas led the way to his study.

“It’s a little early for drinking, is it not?” Kerrick asked
when Nicholas walked over to the sideboard and poured two brandies.

“It was an interesting visit,” Nicholas said as he handed
his friend one of the drinks.

“It was certainly a short one, even for you. I hope you
straightened out all that nonsense about getting married. What did your
grandmother have to say for herself?”

Nicholas waited until Kerrick had raised the glass to his
lips before replying.

“Congratulate me,” Nicholas said. “I am to be wed.”

He smiled when his friend choked on the drink. Lord knew
there was little enough to find amusing about the whole situation.

“Damn,” Kerrick said when he’d regained his composure. “That
wasn’t funny.”

“I wasn’t making a jest.”

Kerrick stared at him in horror. “Bloody hell.”

“Yes, well, hopefully it won’t be quite that bad.”

Kerrick shook his head in amazement. “I can’t believe the
old lady outmaneuvered you. Your aunt must be over the moon.”

Nicholas scowled. “I am not marrying my cousin.”

“Good,” Kerrick said. “I have to say I was never crazy about
that side of your family. Edward is a vile creature, and Mary is much too meek
and nondescript for you.”

Nicholas could not agree more wholeheartedly.

“To say they were displeased when I told them would be a
vast understatement.” A small smile of satisfaction touched his lips as he
remembered the scene.

Kerrick laughed. “Leave it to you to turn the announcement
into a production.”

“Yes, it was very amusing.”

He didn’t bother to tell his friend about Edward’s
proposition to Louisa. That matter was dealt with and his cousin would be a
fool not to heed his warning in future.

“So tell me, who is the fortunate woman? One of the many who
have been dangling after you since your brother passed away?”

“No,” Nicholas said. “It is a neighbor in Kent.”

“Really?” Kerrick’s brows rose as he speculated on the
importance of that revelation. “Have you been keeping secrets from me?”

“I wish it were something that interesting,” Nicholas
replied. “You won’t know the family.”

He downed the remainder of his brandy. He’d had some time
now to consider this discussion with Kerrick, but had been unable to think of a
way to ease into it.

His friend picked up on his change in mood immediately.

“Why are you here, Nicholas? It doesn’t bode well for your
upcoming marriage if you feel the need to escape her presence right after your
betrothal.”

Kerrick was aiming for levity, but Nicholas was in no mood
for jests.

“I have returned to town for a special license. The ceremony
will take place at the end of the month.”

Kerrick whistled. “Is she with child?”

Nicholas winced at those words. “No, thank God.”

He paced to his desk, then turned to lean against it.

“You may want to sit down.”

Kerrick raised a brow but did just that.

“I need a favor.”

“You have it,” Kerrick replied without reservation.

“You haven’t heard what I am asking of you.”

“It matters not. Whatever you need—short of murder, and even
then it would depend on who you wanted me to kill—you have it.”

Nicholas smiled. He knew he could depend on Kerrick to do
just about anything he asked, but what he was asking of him now… Nicholas knew
that in the end he would agree, but he also knew Kerrick would try to talk him
out of his plans.

“I had an episode on the way home,” he said.

“How bad?”

“Bad. I passed out. When I awoke, I couldn’t remember where
I was or why I was on my way to see Grandmother.”

Kerrick remained silent for a moment, taking in the
importance of this piece of news. Nicholas was glad he didn’t offer trite words
of sympathy. With this latest episode he could no longer deny that he had
inherited the condition that had led to the deaths of both his father and his
brother.

“Were you on the road at the time?”

Nicholas nodded. “Fortunately, I saw a cottage as my
light-headedness worsened and was able to seek shelter before losing
consciousness.”

“You might have lain on the road for hours.”

“Yes, that would have been most inconvenient. And you’ll
appreciate the poetry of the situation. I ended up on the doorstep of the woman
I’m about to marry.”