Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed (14 page)

“Congratulations and welcome to the family!” Jack said with a laugh, as they broke apart. “It’ll be good making it official since we’ve been brothers in all but name for years. Now we will be in truth as well.”

“My thanks. And let me just say that I couldn’t wish for better relations if I’d chosen them myself.”

He and Jack laughed, all their prior animosity gone.

“Men!” Mallory declared in an exasperated voice. “Since you two obviously have a great deal of celebrating to do, I believe I shall return upstairs to my room.”

She turned on her heel to leave, but before she got more than a couple of steps, Adam reached out and caught her hand. “Just a moment there, my dear.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“First,” he said, tugging her gently forward, “that I look forward to seeing you for nuncheon. You will be there, will you not?”

Her expression softened, her voice dropping low. “Yes. I shall be there.”

He smiled and leaned down to brush a kiss over her forehead. “Second,” he continued, “there is this.”

“What?”

Gently, he spun her around so her back was to him. He didn’t say a word as he fastened the single open button on the neck of her gown with quick efficiency. Cradling her close so they were turned away from Jack’s gaze, he kissed her neck. “There,” he whispered in her ear, “you’re presentable again. Although I rather wish I’d had time to open a few more of these buttons rather than having to do this one up again.”

Her skin warmed, color rising on her neck and ears.

“Be good, and I shall see you soon.” Straightening, he released her.

Her own back straight, she marched toward the door, clearly not trusting herself to give him another glance.

“We should tell the others,” Jack said, as soon as Mallory left the room. “Everyone will be waiting to hear, assuming Mallory doesn’t tell them first.”

“I suspect she means it about returning to her room. I doubt anyone will see much of her again until the midday meal.”

Jack nodded, then thrust his hands into his pockets. “One last word, if I might.”

Adam resisted the urge to cross his arms. “Yes?”

“This marriage between you and my sister—I know it isn’t what either of you planned. I know too that she’s in a bit of shock, everything rushed as it’s been.”

“Forced, you mean.”

“I wouldn’t put it quite that way considering the kiss I happened upon when I came in here, not to mention finding the pair of you in her bed.” Briefly, Jack’s jaw grew taut at the reminder. “Look, what I’m trying to say is—”

“You want to know if I care for her?” Adam interrupted. “Or if it’s only physical.”

Jack met his gaze, creases gathered on his forehead. “Something like that.”

“I love her, Jack. I would give my life for Mallory, she means that much to me.”

For a long moment, Jack studied him. Suddenly he relaxed. “You really do, don’t you? Grace told me as much. I guess I ought to have simply taken her word. She has a deuced inconvenient way of being right, don’t you know.”

One corner of Adam’s mouth turned up. “Your wife is a very wise and observant woman.”

Jack smiled, his mind’s eye clearly turning inward on some pleasant thought. “Grace is a marvel. I thank heaven for her every day.”

“I feel the same about Mallory. I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy.”

Jack met his gaze again. “I can see that you will.”

“I would appreciate it, however,” Adam said in a serious voice, “if you didn’t say anything to Mallory about our conversation, you or Grace. Mal’s been through a rough patch and needs a bit more time to adjust without my acting the swain.”

“So you haven’t told her how you feel?”

“Not yet. I will when the time is right.”

Jack looked as if he was going to disagree, then changed his mind. “I’ll leave it up to you to decide.” Pausing, Jack offered his hand. “Sorry I was so angry, by the way. I just didn’t expect to find you in her bed.”

“I’d have done the same if I were you. Don’t bother yourself about it again.” Relieved that he and Jack were in accord once again, he shook his friend’s hand.

“Shall we go celebrate then?” Jack asked.

Adam grinned. “Most definitely.”

Chapter 13

M
allory spent the rest of the day wondering exactly what it was she’d done.

I’m engaged to Adam,
was the refrain she couldn’t get out of her head.
I’m engaged to Adam, when I’m not ready to be engaged to anyone.

But she and Adam had already been over this, and there was no going back—especially not after the congratulations began pouring in.

Her mother sought her out first, giving a soft rap on Mallory’s bedroom door. “Hello, dear, may I come in?”

“Of course, Mama,” she called from where she sat in a chair near the window, Charlemagne curled contentedly in her lap.

“I’ve just had the news from Edward,” Ava said as she closed the door behind her and crossed to take a seat in the chair opposite. “So Adam’s doing the right thing? He’s proposed?”

“Yes, he has.”

“And you’ve accepted?”

Mallory’s hand slowed as she petted the cat’s black fur. “Yes, I have.”

Her mother paused, a gentle expression in her clear green eyes. “It is the only thing to be done, of course. Considering what occurred, you cannot remain unwed. I am sorry though that we did not have a chance to talk before now. The house was in such flux yesterday, what with Meg having the baby, and all of us so tired afterward. I just thought it would be best to let you sleep last night rather than insisting we converse.”

“It’s all right, Mama. As you say, it wouldn’t change anything.”

“I know, but still, we ought to have talked earlier.”

Mallory rubbed Charlemagne’s chin and earned an appreciative purr. “I’m sorry for the scandal. Are you terribly cross with me?”

“Cross? Why no, darling. Surprised perhaps that Lord Gresham was here in your bedchamber, but Ned explained the matter. He says you’ve been having nightmares.”

A lump rose in Mallory’s throat, and she nodded.

“If you were troubled, you ought to have come to me, or one of your brothers or sisters-in-law. The fact that you did not, and that you preferred to unburden yourself to Adam, reveals a very great deal.”

Yes,
Mallory realized, she supposed it did. For no matter how close she was to her family, Adam was the one in whom she always felt she could confide.

“Which is why,” her mother continued, “I am not at all distressed that you and Adam shall marry. I suspect you feel you need more time to recover from your mourning, but this turn of events strikes me as a good thing. You and Adam have always gotten on famously, and a change of scenery will do you good. Managing your own house shall as well. It will keep you occupied and leave you little time to dwell upon memories best put aside.”

“That’s what Adam says.”

“And he is right.” Reaching over, her mother caught her hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s hard losing people we love, but it’s part of life. Your major is gone, and it’s time for you to let him go.”

In that moment, she realized she hadn’t let Michael go. Not really. She might have watched them lower his casket into the ground, but she’d never truly buried him. Instead, she’d been clinging to his memory as if his death were all some great mistake and that one day he would walk through the door again.

But he never would.

Michael was dead.

But Adam wasn’t.

Adam was very much alive; memories of his kisses tingled on her skin even now. Kisses she wanted to repeat, touches she longed to explore in greater depth and detail.

She blinked, forcing the warmth not to rise in her cheeks over having such thoughts while she sat across from her mother.

“You and Adam will be good for each other,” Ava said. “If you let him, I believe he’ll make you happy. If I thought any differently, I’d keep you here at home with me and plague take the scandal.”

Mallory smiled, then she laughed. “I love you, Mama.”

Ava stood and leaned down to give her a hug, a disgruntled Charlemagne leaping off Mallory’s lap just in time not to be squeezed in the middle.

“I love you too, Mallory,” Ava said, kissing her cheek.

When her mother straightened, Ava’s eyes were moist with tears. She blinked them away, while Mallory did the same.

“Well now,” her mother declared. “We have important arrangements to plan.”

“Arrangements? What arrangements?”

“Why your wedding, of course! I always thought I’d have a year or more to plan your nuptials, but I suppose two weeks will have to suffice under the circumstances.”

“Two weeks, but—”

“Wait any longer, and we’ll have another scandal on our hands, what with people speculating about whether Adam is really going to marry you or not.”

“Of course he will. But two weeks, that’s not enough time to arrange a wedding.” And most definitely not long enough for her to wrap her mind around the idea of actually being his wife.

“It shall have to suffice,” her mother insisted. “Otherwise, the house party will be over, and tattlers like Daphne Damson will be on their way home, eager to spread word of your supposed impending ruin.”

Mama resumed her seat. “No, much as it pains me—and believe me it does, since you children are
always
putting me to the trouble of planning impromptu weddings—you and I shall have to whip something together posthaste. But I am certain it can be done.”

Lacing her fingers together, Ava began considering ideas aloud. “You’ll marry in the chapel here at Braebourne since that’s the most reasonable location. Meanwhile, Adam can procure a special license so the banns need not be read. As for your gown, we shall send word to Madame Morelle in London. She has all your measurements, although she’ll have to take them in as you’ve lost weight since you were last in her shop.”

“But she and her seamstresses will be in a panic with so little time to complete a new gown,” Mallory said. “Mayhap we should look through my wardrobe. Surely we can find something suitable.”

Her mother shook her head. “No, that won’t do at all. We may not have time to plan an elaborate wedding, but you shall have a proper wedding dress nonetheless. Rest assured that for the right price, Madame will move heaven and earth to create something truly special for you.”

“But what about the fittings?”

“She and her girls can come here to Braebourne. It shall be a treat none of them will wish to miss.”

No, Mallory conceded, she didn’t suppose Madame or her assistants would pass up an opportunity to see the principal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Clybourne. The visit would likely keep them sharing remembrances for the next year to come.

“As you wish then, Mama.”

“Come now, don’t look so harried.” Her mother leaned across again and patted her hand reassuringly. “It shall all come together and splendidly too. You’ve always loved planning events, just think of the fun. As for your dress, what better excuse for spending money than on one’s own wedding gown?”

It was true. Before Michael died, Mallory had taken great pleasure in her wardrobe, never appearing in anything that wasn’t the first stare of fashion. While she’d been in mourning, however, clothes had been the last thing on her mind. After more than a year, she realized that her wardrobe must be dreadfully passé.

“It would be nice to have a new gown, I suppose,” Mallory admitted.

“Of course it will. You haven’t bought anything since you were last in London. You’re sadly overdue, my dear.”

A slow smile curved Mallory’s lips. “When you put it that way, it seems almost an obligation.”

“Exactly. Edward will be delighted to buy you whatever you like, I am certain.”

Particularly since it would be the last time he was obliged to do so. Once married, Adam would assume responsibility for her, financially and otherwise. She knew that he had come into a great deal of money recently. Fleetingly, she wondered how much it was. She supposed the vast majority of the funds were being used to repair his estate, precisely as they should be. And of course there was her dowry, which would not be an insubstantial sum. But whatever amount remained, she vowed she would live within their means. Despite what he said about wanting to marry her, she never wished to be a burden to Adam. She never wanted him to have regrets.

“Now,” her mother said, interrupting Mallory’s thoughts. “About the guest list. Whom shall we invite? Not too many more than the guests already in residence, but a few additional, don’t you think? Here, let me find a pen and paper, and we will decide.”

Inviting Charlemagne back onto her lap, Mallory relaxed in her chair and began helping her mother plan.

After dinner that night, Mallory strolled into the drawing room, her head still spinning with talk of wedding preparations—not to mention all the hugs and best wishes she’d received from friends and family throughout the day.

Accepting a cup of tea from Claire, she located what she hoped would be a quiet spot on the sofa. She’d just taken her first sip when Daphne sat down next to her.

“Well, aren’t you the sly boots?” Daphne said with a twinkle in her eyes. “As I distinctly recall, you said you didn’t have any interest in Lord Gresham, and now here you are engaged to him. What happened to the two of you being nothing more than friends?”

Mallory set her cup back onto its saucer. “We are friends. But circumstances have changed.”

“They most certainly have. Only imagine my amazement when I heard all the shouting the other morning and learned that Adam Gresham was in your bed! You certainly are the clever minx, aren’t you?”

“There was nothing clever about it,” Mallory defended with a frown. “Surely you aren’t implying that I orchestrated the matter?”

“Not a bit. I’m only saying that fate conspired to toss you together, and you took advantage of the situation. You’d have been a fool not to do so considering how elusive Gresham has always been. And now that he has money, well, it makes him that much more tempting, does it not?”

“His money is of no consequence to me,” Mallory retorted. “I would esteem him just the same were he as poor as the village ragman.”

“That’s reassuring to know, sweetheart,” Adam said, appearing suddenly behind the sofa. “Although no matter the circumstances, I believe I could do better than selling rags.”

“Well, of course, you could.” Mallory set her cup and saucer on a nearby table, having very nearly spilled tea on her dress as a result of his abrupt arrival. “It was only a metaphor. To use another, you really are as silent as a cat, my lord, sneaking up on people without warning.”

“Then it’s a good thing you like felines.” Walking around the sofa, he eased onto the seat next to her and leaned close. “
Meow,
” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Her pulse quickened to a frantic pace, her nipples tightening into peaks as a delicious shudder chased over her skin. Only through sheer force of will did she keep from crossing her arms over her chest. Striving to compose herself, she cast a glance upward from beneath her lashes and noticed that he was plainly unconcerned whether or not his remark had been overheard. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

“Lady Damson, forgive me,” Adam drawled as if he had only just noticed the other woman. “You were saying something to Lady Mallory before I interrupted. Pray continue.”

Daphne stared for a long, silent moment. “I was only saying that…well, that is…I was just wishing Mallory happy in her coming marriage.”

“Is that what you were doing? I couldn’t tell from the tone of the conversation, but then I try never to eavesdrop.”

A flush rose on Daphne’s cheeks. “I truly do wish nothing but happiness for Mallory, my lord. She deserves no less after everything she’s suffered.”

Reaching over, Adam took Mallory’s hand and brought it to his lips. “You are right. She deserves to be cherished. I am only grateful that I will be the man lucky enough to do so.”

Daphne glanced between the two of them, her expression softening at whatever it was she saw. “So it really is a love match then? Mallory, you should have told me. You ought not to have been so shy.”

Mallory opened her mouth to contradict the remark, but Adam spoke before she could form the first word. “We were trying to keep things quiet, but circumstances conspired against us. You understand.”

“Oh, of course,” Daphne said, a hand fluttering to her chest. “True love cannot be contained, nor can real passion. It’s so dreadfully romantic. Just wait until I tell Jessica. You don’t mind if I tell Jessica, do you? Considering we’re all such bosom beaux.”

Without waiting for Mallory’s answer, Daphne sprang to her feet, bid them a quick farewell, then hurried across the room.

Adam waited until she was out of earshot before leaning close again. “No one will imagine I was compelled to marry you now. You may rest assured your reputation is back on its old solid foundation.”

“But Adam, she thinks we were having a passionate love affair when that isn’t the case. Well, not actually,” she amended, remembering what had happened between them that night in her bed.

“What she believes is that I had already proposed and just couldn’t wait for the wedding night,” Adam stated. “As she said, everyone will think it’s romantic. Even Society’s most rigid sticklers will unbend and forgive you. You’ll probably get twice the presents for the wedding.”

“I don’t want twice the presents, not if that’s the reason.”

“So you’d prefer to be thought of as a ruined woman whose family made sure your groom was forced to the altar?”

“No, and do not be obtuse, my lord.”

He laughed. “Is that what I’m being? I thought I was being gallant.”

“Now you really
are
being obtuse.” Their gazes met, and suddenly she smiled, tension she hadn’t realized she felt easing from her shoulders. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For everything. I shall do my best to make you a good wife.”

His expression sobered, a gleam shining deep in his eyes. “I know you will, Mallory.”

He looked as if he was going to say more, when from across the room, Edward tapped a spoon against a wineglass in order to gain everyone’s attention.