Wonderful (33 page)

“Why not? It’s a good investment. If I can find the right people to work for me, I’ll be all set.”

“Will you?” she coolly retorted, wishing she was anywhere else in the kingdom but trapped in a room with him.

“I’m betting you’ll turn out to be exactly who I need.”

Confusion rocking her, she frowned. “Aren’t you a bit…
busy
for all this?”

“Why would I be busy?”

“With your wedding and your honeymoon and your bride.” Her expression grew lethal. “By the way, how is married life treating you?”

She’d rather have cut off her tongue than mention any of it but, apparently, she was still smarting over how he’d tricked and deceived her.

“Haven’t you heard?” he asked.

“Heard what?”

“I didn’t marry Priscilla.”

She gasped aloud. She couldn’t hold it in. “You didn’t?”

“No, and any minute now, I’m expecting to learn whether my father has agreed to wed her instead.”

“Your father?” It was the strangest news ever. “Is he…was he…involved with her?”

“No, he just harangued so vociferously about what a terrific wife she would be that I finally told him—if he thought she was so grand—he should marry her himself.”

“I see,” she mumbled though she didn’t
see
at all.

“Besides, her mother had paid a substantial part of the dowry, and my father squandered it and hasn’t the funds to pay it back.”

“Oh.”

“It was the best resolution for them
and
for me.”

“How could it be?”

“Claudia’s goal was for Priscilla to be a countess someday. If Priscilla weds my father, she won’t have to wait. She’ll be a countess immediately, and
I
shall be free to do whatever I want.”

“What is it you want to do?”

Again, she could have kicked herself rather than inquire, but she was so curious about how the whole debacle had unraveled. Due to his determination to marry Miss Cummings at all costs, he’d misled and betrayed Evangeline. He’d insisted the only role she could ever fill was an illicit one.

But now, he’d walked away from his betrothal? Now he was eager for his father to wed Miss Cummings? It made no sense.

He pulled some papers from a drawer, and he glanced through them, as if checking his notes. Then he studied her, looking smug again.

“Just so you know,” he said, “I’ve discussed this with your brother. He’s completely amenable.”

“He’s aware you’re the owner and I’d be talking to you?”

“Yes, but then he and I have been friends since we were boys. We rarely have secrets from one another. Initially, he was opposed, but I wore him down. He’s totally fine with it.”

“Fine with what?”

“With this interview. What would you suppose?”

It occurred to her that Rose and Amelia had notified her about the job opening. They had both written and urged her to apply. Had they known he’d bought the school? Had they known—if she was hired—she’d be working for him? Why would they have humiliated her in such a way?

“What about Rose and Amelia?” she inquired. “Were they in on it too?”

“Absolutely. When I approached them, they were happy as larks.”

“You spoke to them about me?”

“Yes, so you see, Miss Etherton, practically all of your close acquaintances have agreed this should happen.”

“Well, Lord Run,” she caustically replied, “they aren’t as familiar with your character as I am. In this instance, they may not be the best judges.”

“Yes, but your brother knows me inside and out. After I explained myself and my plan,
he
was ecstatic.”

“Was he?” she muttered.

“Would you call me Aaron?” he suddenly requested.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“You used to think it was all right.”

“That was before. This is now.”

He grinned again and sat up straight, his elbows on the desktop. “Where were we?”

“We were about to begin our interview, but I must tell you that—whatever the salary—I don’t want the job.”

“Are you certain?”

“Quite certain.”

“Let’s read through a few of the requirements, shall we? Listen to them, and then you can decide if you feel you’re qualified or not.”

“If I’m…qualified?” she fumed. She’d had a stellar education at Miss Peabody’s school, and she’d been a teacher for eight years. How dare he impugn her abilities!

“I’m offering a lifetime position,” he said.

“Lifetime?”

“Yes, and I’m seeking a person who has very special, very unique talents.”

“What are they?”

“I wrote them down so I wouldn’t forget.” He picked up a piece of paper and recited from a long list. “She has to be loyal and faithful. Kind. Merry. Generous, lively, and rambunctious. She must fill my halls with singing and music and laughter.”

It was the most peculiar list ever. “So…you’re hiring a music teacher?”

“Oh, much more than that. I insist on having someone who can charm the servants, charm the neighbors, and make friends wherever she goes.”

“You want
charm
? In a teacher?”

He ignored her and continued. “I need someone who will overlook my faults, who will scold me when I need it, but praise me when I deserve it. I need someone who will stick by me and support me and make me the man I was always meant to be.”

He was smiling, his gaze warm and affectionate, and she squirmed in her seat, not certain what to think.

“I don’t understand this at all,” she mumbled.

“And of course, she must be extremely beautiful, the most beautiful woman in the whole world.”

She was even more confused. “Beautiful?”

“In other words, Miss Etherton, I need a candidate who is amazing and stunning and remarkable in every way. Do you know anyone like that?”

It took a moment for her to catch up. “Me? You’re talking about me?”

“Yes.”

He’d rendered her speechless. She gaped at him, and he stared back, then pushed to his feet and rounded the desk. She should have used it as her chance to run out as she should have from the minute he’d arrived, but she was paralyzed with indecision.

He kept coming until he was directly in front of her, and he braced his palms on the arms of her chair. She was trapped, and they were eye to eye, nose to nose.

“I love you, Evangeline.”

“What?”

“I love you. I have from the very first.”

She shook her head with dismay. “No, no, that’s no true.”

“It is. You know it is.”

“You were lying! I was a trifle to you, a dalliance.”

“No, Evangeline, I loved you, but I was a fool. I listened to my father and told myself I had to behave as he would behave, as my peers would behave, as my friends would behave, as every aristocrat in the kingdom would behave. But guess what I realized?”

“What?”

“I want to be happy, and
you
make me happy. Will you marry me?”

“What?” she said again.

She felt as if she’d stepped into a strangely altered universe where everything was backward. The earth seemed to have tipped off its axis, and she was positive—should she try to stand—she’d topple over.

“Will you marry me?” he repeated.

“I could have sworn you just proposed.” “I did. Say
yes
. Say you’ll have me.”

“
Have
you? Are you insane?”

“Yes, probably.”

“You can’t be serious. A few weeks ago, you were betrothed to someone else.”

“A minor mistake, I assure you.”

“Minor? You were engaged for an entire year.”

“Yes, and I didn’t recognize how miserable I was until I met you.”

He fell to one knee and took her hand. “I was awful to you. I lied and deceived and hurt you, but I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”

“Well…yes, I suppose.”

She was stumbling for words, for rational thought. She simply wanted to dash out of the room and get away from him. When he smiled at her like that, she couldn’t think clearly.

“You told me once,” he said, “that you loved me too. Don’t you love me still? You’ll never convince me all that sentiment has vanished.”

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” she wailed. She was so befuddled, so perplexed.

“After you left Fox Run, I kept telling myself I should be glad you were gone, that you’d made things easy for me. But since then, it’s dawned on me that I can’t live without you.”

“You’re being absurd, and I won’t put up with this.”

She shoved him away and jumped out of the chair, but she couldn’t force herself to leave. She leaned on the wall, her back braced to hold herself steady.

“Why buy this school?” she asked. “Why bring me here?”

“I’ve been talking to Rose and Amelia. They explained how you were never allowed to sing, how you were never allowed to show off your talent.”

“No, I wasn’t. Miss Peabody never liked me to. She always admonished me for flaunting myself.”

“I’m aware of how exceptional you are, and I can’t imagine what those years must have been like.”

“It was very difficult.”

“You can guarantee it never happens to another girl. You can reopen the school and focus on music and writing and art and theatrics. You can encourage and mentor girls and furnish them with the chance to shine that you never had.”

Her pulse was racing. It was such a dear, considerate idea. An academy for girls who liked to sing and perform and act in theatricals! A place where they wouldn’t be chastised, where their abilities could be fostered and praised!

Her initial reaction was to graciously decline, but she simply couldn’t.

“I would like that,” she quietly said.

“Good. I was hoping you would. I’m giving you the school—as a gift.”

“What? No. I could never agree to such an expensive present.”

“No matter what ultimately transpires between us, it will be yours, but I’m asking—no, again I’m
hoping—
that you will accept it as your bride gift from me, as your loving, devoted husband.”

She started to tremble so violently she could barely remain on her feet.

He came over to her and dropped to his knee again, took her hand in his again. He looked up at her, his beautiful blue eyes warm and pleading and seductive.

“Bryce told me an interesting detail about you.”

“What was it?”

“Since you’ve been staying with him, you’re constantly dizzy and nauseous.”

She scowled, irked that her brother had tattled about her private business. “Yes, I have been unwell.”

“I don’t know much about female bodily conditions, but I know something you apparently don’t.”

“What?”

“You’re exhibiting the classic signs of a woman who’s increasing.”

“Increasing?” At first, she didn’t understand. Then she blanched with alarm. “Increasing with a child?”

“Yes, I believe that’s where we’ve ended up on this odd journey.”

“A child? A baby?”

She couldn’t wrap her head around it, couldn’t figure out how she was supposed to feel. A tiny glimmer of joy simmered inside her, and she couldn’t tamp it down.

“So you see, Evangeline, it occurs to me that you’re in dire need of a husband, and you need one right away.” He grinned. “I’m going to ask my question again, and don’t you dare say
no
.”

She scoffed. “You’re being ridiculous. I’m not even sure you
like
me.”

“Now that, my darling, Evangeline, is where you’re wrong. I love you, and if you’ll be my wife, I will be happy until my dying day.” He squeezed her hand. “Give me your answer. Will you marry me?”

“I don’t know!” she wailed again.

“Blasted woman!” he scolded, but he was laughing. “How can I convince you?”

“It’s happening so fast. I thought I was applying to be a teacher.”

“You
are,
you silly goat. You will teach me to be a better man.”

“Oh, Aaron…” It was so hard to resist him, so hard to refuse him.

“Fill my life with music, Evangeline. Rattle the rafters of my home. Sing and play and dance. Do it all for me, for if you won’t, how will I go on without you?”

Behind him, the door opened, and she glanced over, stunned to see Bryce entering. To her astonishment, Rose and Amelia were with him too.

“Have you asked her?” Bryce said to Aaron.

“Yes, but she won’t agree to have me.” Aaron stood and shrugged. “Maybe you can talk some sense into her. I certainly can’t.”

Rose and Amelia came over, and they both gave Evangeline tight hugs that had tears flooding into her eyes and dripping down her cheeks. She had a thousand questions for them. When had they arrived? What scheme had they hatched with Aaron? What was their part in all of it?

But there would be time to pose them later.

“What’s the problem, Evangeline?” Rose said.

“I’m afraid he doesn’t mean it.”

Aaron huffed with offense. “Not mean it? Me? Not mean it?” He peered over at Bryce. “We’ve been friends for twenty-five years, Bryce. Have you ever once known me to be insincere?”

“No, never.” Bryce paused, then added, “Well, except at Fox Run when you were still engaged and you pretended to…ah…never mind.”

Amelia asked Evangeline, “Do you love him?”

The room was silent, everyone on pins and needles for her response.

She gazed at Aaron, and he was smiling at her with such affection. She recalled those exhilarating days at Fox Run where she’d been so elated she’d often felt she might simply burst from trying to hold it all in. If she wed him, if she had him for her husband, she could have that sort of bliss forever.

Could she deny him? No.

“Yes, I love him so much I’m dying with it.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Aaron grumbled.

Rose laid a palm on Evangeline’s tummy and said, “I’ve heard there might be some need to hurry.”

“That’s what he told me,” Evangeline replied. “I hadn’t realized it.”

Bryce puffed himself up. “I’ve only just learned I have a sister, so I’m not very good at this yet, but if you think I’ll allow you to trot around the countryside—with child and without husband—you’re mad.”

Evangeline chuckled as Aaron gently shoved Rose and Amelia away. He took her hands and said, “I’m asking you again, Evangeline—in front of your friends and family. You’d better give me the proper answer.”