Scandalous Intentions (13 page)

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Authors: Amanda Mariel

BOOK: Scandalous Intentions
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“Now I am asking. Why do you seek my daughter’s hand?” The older man assessed him, his lips a tight line.

Perhaps a variation of the truth would be best. Julian allowed a smile. “Your daughter captivates me. She is smart, attractive, and spirited. I cannot imagine spending my life with any other woman.”

“Ahh, but you say nothing of love.” Lord Havenshire picked up his snifter of port and took a slow sip. “Do you not love my daughter?”

His heart did act a might strangely when she was near. His body reacted too but not in a manner foreign to him.

Julian was no stranger to intimacy though he could not recall a time he had wanted a woman in his bed so badly. He honestly could not imagine marrying anyone else. He must love the little minx. “Yes, I believe I do.”

“And I am to give my blessing based on your belief.” Lord Havenshire set his sparkling crystal snifter down. “Sarah wishes to marry for love and love alone. If you do not return her feelings, I cannot, in good conscience, hand her off to you.”

Julian stood and began to pace the room, his heart hammering, the damask wallpaper closing in on him. The conversation was not going in his favor. What could he say to sway Lord Havenshire?

He stopped and met the older man’s gaze. “And what of security and affection? Do they hold no weight?”

“In my opinion, they carry all of the weight, but Sarah disagrees. It is my desire and responsibility to ensure her happiness. I believe she will only be truly happy in a love match.” Lord Havenshire stood and moved to the door.

Julian rubbed a hand across his jaw. “Wait.”

Lord Havenshire turned back to him and folded his hands together in front of his abdomen.

“If I were to say I love Lady Sarah, what then?” Julian’s heart pounded.

“I would ask if you are in love with her.”

Julian opened his mouth to reply, but Lord Havenshire did not give him the chance. He opened the door and left the room.

Staring at the empty space where Sarah’s father had been standing, Julian shook his head. He supposed Lord Havenshire would gather his family and depart. The man clearly would not consent to Julian marrying his daughter. His chest tightened. Unless...

Julian strode from the room, back to the gathering. He stopped just inside of the arched doorway. “Father, I have something to say, and I want everyone to hear it.”

Father squared his shoulders and stared through steel eyes. “Go on.”

“It appears Lord Havenshire will not give his blessing.” Julian glanced at Lady Sarah and smiled regretfully, then returned his attention to his father. “I will not seek another lady’s hand.”

Father stood abruptly, knocking his chair to the polished wood floor. A footman rushed forward. “Leave it.” Father bellowed. “Do not be a bloody fool, Julian. You will be destitute.”

Julian clasped his hands behind his back and kept his chin high. “To Hell with your money. It means nothing if it would remove Lady Sarah from my life.”

A soft hand squeezed his, and he looked down. Warmth spread through him. Lady Sarah stood at his side. Her small, gloved hand warmed his, and she gazed into his eyes.

“Papa, it is my heart’s desire to be wed to Lord Luvington. There are no secrets between us. I am well aware of his need for a wife, and he is aware of my wishes as well. I ask you to reconsider.”

Julian’s chest swelled as he looked down at Lady Sarah. Did she care for him as he did for her? Or was she only fighting for her freedom? He scanned the room and cleared his throat.

Lady Havenshire approached her husband. “Owen.” She rested her hand on his arm. “Look at them. It is clear they both want this union. Do you not see it in their eyes? In the way they fight for one another?”

Lord Havenshire gave his wife a nod before turning his attention to Julian and his daughter. “I believe I have changed my mind. I cannot fight all of you, and I only want what is best for my daughter.”

Julian could not keep the grin from spreading across his face as he glanced once more at his future wife.

Lady Sarah tipped her chin then released his hand, walked to her father, and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek.

“There you have it, my blessing.” He studied Lord Luvington. “You had better treat her like a precious treasure.”

“Yes, sir. Her happiness is my top priority.” His words were honest. Lady Sarah would have all of the freedom and happiness he could provide for the rest of her days.

“I am not entirely sure why, but I do believe you are genuine.” Lord Havenshire glanced at his wife who now stood between Lady Sarah and the Dowager Duchess. All three women beamed as they fanned themselves and nodded their heads. The light from a nearby window caught on their ear bobs casting a kaleidoscope of shimmering orbs on the wall.

“I suspected all would end well. Congratulations.” The Dowager Duchess glanced back and forth between him and Lady Sarah. “I request the honor of hosting your engagement ball.”

“That would be lovely.” Lady Sarah answered, her gaze never leaving his.

Mother lifted her hand, closed her fan, and circled it in the air. “Bring our best champagne at once. We must toast the engagement. Do come, sit down everyone.”

Julian moved to sit next to Lady Sarah. Everything in him needed to be close to her. “Your Grace, if it is no trouble, you can sit next to Lord Havenshire.”

She nodded her head. “No trouble at all.”

Father retook his seat at the head of the table. “Julian must marry before month’s end. There is no time to tarry.”

Julian released an exacerbated sigh. If Father could--just this once--bite his foul tongue.

“Truly Piers, is his engagement not enough for you? Why rush the nuptials?” Mother gazed at her husband.

“It is of no consequence. I do not wish for a long engagement.” Lady Sarah glanced at Julian. “The sooner we are wed, the better.” She gave Father a cheeky smile.

“There you have it. I will arrange for the ball to take place night after tomorrow. That will allow just enough time to make the announcement and have invitations sent.” The Duchess of Abernathy nodded at Father.

“Very well, and I will arrange for a special license so you can marry without delay.” Father reached for his champagne flute.

Lady Sarah nudged Julian’s leg under the table. She smiled when he looked at her then angled her head toward Father. He followed her direction and offered a nod. “Thank you, Father.”

Father lifted his flute into the air. “A toast to the future Duke and Duchess of Tisdale.”

SCANDALOUS INTENTIONS

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sarah glanced around
Grace’s ballroom, already tired of listening to the Duke and Duchess of Tisdale chatter about the upcoming nuptials. Her gaze faltered on Lord Shillington moving her way. Perhaps he would rescue her.

“Have you a gown for the wedding, dear?”

Sarah turned her attention back to the Duke. “I plan to wear my mother’s. Our seamstress is altering it as we speak.”

“How lovely,” the Duchess said. “If you will excuse me, I must speak with your mother.”

The duchess walked away, leaving her alone with the Duke. A sigh escaped her as she once again glanced about the lamp-lit room. Where had Lord Luvington disappeared to? He should be here with her.

Lord Shillington stepped up beside Sarah and bowed. His lacy cravat bellowed with the movement. “Good evening, Your Grace.” He straightened and glanced at her. “Lady Sarah.”

“Indeed it is, Lord Shillington.” The Duke folded his hands in front of his dress jacket.

“Might I have the next set?” Lord Shillington’s eyes lingered on Lady Sarah.

She accepted his arm as the quartet played the last notes of a country dance. “I should like that a great deal.”

Sarah continued to search the gilded ballroom as he led her onto the dance floor. Perhaps Lord Luvington decided to play cards with the gentlemen or have a cigar in the smoking room. No matter, now that she was away from the Duke, she did not care what kept her betrothed.

Her gaze landed on Lady Jane standing near a large white pillar. Her raven hair gleamed, piled on top of her head, and her lemon-colored ball gown flowed out around her, sweeping the beige marble floor. Much darker in coloring and a good deal shorter than Lord Shillington, she hardly resembled her brother. Sarah nodded as their gazes met. She would make it a point to speak with Lady Jane before the night ended.

“I was taken by surprise when the announcement of your engagement broke.”

Sarah looked up at Lord Shillington, lips pulling into a smile. “It did happen rather suddenly.”

He led her nearer the center of the dance floor. “I would say so. It was less than a fortnight ago when we last danced, and you expressed your dislike of the gentleman.” He chuckled.

Sarah joined in. “Do stop teasing me.”

“Very well.” He spun her, then brought her back into his embrace. “Truly, I am happy for you. I simply could not resist a wee bit of jesting.”

“I am the first to admit how silly it seems, but Lord Luvington turned out to be very different from the rake I believed him to be. Honestly, I am quite taken with him. We see no reason to drag things out.” She looked about, hoping to spot him in the crush of the crowded ballroom.

“Am I to conclude the nuptials will take place in the near future?”

“Indeed they will. The Duke of Tisdale has procured a special license. We are to be wed two days hence. The invitations will go out on the morrow. Of course, you will attend.” It was more of a demand than a question. Lord Shillington had become a good friend, and she wanted him there.

“I would not miss it.” He twirled her again as the quartet played the final notes of their dance. “Ah, there is the lucky bridegroom now.”

Sarah met her betrothed’s gaze, then took hold of Lord Shillington’s arm and allowed him to guide her off the crowded dance floor. Her heart fluttered at the sight of Julian, standing near the edge of the room near an open veranda door. The glow of a nearby lamp cast his shadow on the wall behind him. She wanted to throw herself into his arms so she could feel the strength of them wrapped around her.

Odd how quickly she went from loathing the scoundrel to lusting after him. No… loving him. She could not fool herself any longer.

Lord Shillington patted her hand. “Good evening, Lord Luvington.”

Sarah released his arm and grinned at her betrothed.

“I am glad to see you in attendance, Lord Shillington.” His mouth flattened, before he looked at Sarah. “It is a bit stifling in here. Would you care to take a turn around the veranda?” His smirk wreaked its usual havoc on her insides.

“Indeed I would.” She moved to his side, taking the arm he held out for her. “If you will excuse us, Lord Shillington.”

“Yes, of course. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Lady Sarah. Lord Luvington.” He turned in a flurry of finery before disappearing into the crush.

“Nice fellow, but he always seems to take you away from me at social events.” Lord Luvington led her out onto the marble and stone veranda.

“Do I detect a bit of jealousy?”

“Never that, my pet.” He chuckled. “It was merely an observation. You are welcome to keep company with whomever you choose.”

“I should expect so, considering our arrangement.” Sarah gazed up at the dark sky. A heavy moon cut through the blackness of the night and a handful of stars twinkled around it.

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