Chapter 20
Twenty
Rafe entered the Melbourne residence with a jaunty step, and left two hours later, feeling as though he’d run one of those gauntlets Jervis was so fond of describing.
Only there hadn’t been two lines of Iroquois women tearing at his flesh, only one delicate, darkly-clad Frenchwoman who’d battered him with questions.
She’d been working at some piece of embroidery when he arrived, some doleful sampler commemorating her late husband.
Pushing her needle full of black satin thread into the frame, she’d risen gracefully and extended a small white hand.
Rafe had kissed it, remarking that it was a pleasure to see her again, and thanking her for receiving him so promptly.
They’d continued to exchange pleasantries as she’d offered him a seat by the fire, and poured him some tea, circling conversationally until they finally settled on the purpose of his visit.
He had been prepared for her to ask about his lineage, his family, and his potential heirs, and he’d expected her to inquire into his land holdings and financial status.
However, after an hour and a half of discussions into how he planned to provide for Alix’s upkeep and possible widowhood, he began to wonder if he might have been better served by sending a solicitor in his place.
Offering him a final slice of lemon cake she had set down her teacup, turned her gaze full upon him, and said, “My Lord Moreham, my daughter has but recently been returned to my care.
I am her sole remaining relative and I take my responsibility to ensure her happiness very seriously, so I hope you will understand if some of my questions seem a trifle probing.
“Your request to court my daughter seems...” She frowned. “Ah... what would be the right English word... precipitous? Is this love at first sight, my lord?”
“Perhaps not at first sight,” Rafe answered, resisting the urge to smile as he recalled that at first sight Alix looked like she’d spent a week in a chicken coop.
“But there is something about your daughter, Madame la Comtesse... that stirs me... that makes me feel that if I let her slip away I will regret it for the rest of my life.”
Madeleine nodded. “It is a good start. Would you like some more tea, my lord?” When he shook his head, she poured herself a cup.
“And what about this Lady Anne Dinsmore? I have heard that you and she were considered practically affianced. You do not seem like the kind of man who plays fast and loose with a woman’s affections, and yet... ”
“I have known Lady Anne since she was a child and I will admit I had begun to consider asking her to become my wife. But life is full of surprises, is it not Madame de La Brou?”
She nodded. “Indeed, my lord, if life were always as we planned it, I suspect neither of us would be having this conversation today. It is just such surprises I am seeking to guard my daughter against in her marriage.” Madeleine carefully dropped a lump of sugar in her tea. “Do you plan to keep mistresses?”
It was with difficulty that he kept his jaw from dropping. “I suspect, madame, that any man who invites de La Brou women into his life will soon find there is no place for other women.”
“Just so, my lord.” She smiled and stirred her tea gently. “I lived for a long time at Versailles, and while the gossip surrounding our foolish queen was never true, there were plenty of men who kept women or had other, shall we say, unusual pursuits.”
“I can assure you, Madame de La Brou, my only unusual pursuit is your daughter.”
Madeleine laughed. “Touché, my lord. It is only that when a man has lived without a wife for as long as you have, one begins to wonder...”
Rafe’s brows rose. “I believe I am not in my dotage yet. However, I will explain. When I was young I had no interest in marriage. As I grew older and became more interested, I was a less-than-eligible second son. Now, as the Earl of Moreham, you might say women have found me far too eligible. It has taken me some time to find just the right woman to suit.”
Madeleine cast him a scornful look. “Ah bah, my lord, horses suit the carriage, oxen suit the yoke, but a man and a woman in a marriage should do much more than suit.”
Rafe inclined his head politely. “Perhaps I have chosen the wrong words, madame. Alix and I...” He paused, considering how to describe the way he and Alix got on.
He reflected that he couldn’t say to her mother that she made his blood burn in his veins and his body ache to be with her.
“Alix and I get along quite comfortably.”
“Then you’ve met my daughter before?”
Rafe studied Madeleine, but her dark eyes gave nothing away; he didn’t know how much Alix had told her mother about how she’d reached London.
“Madame,” he answered smoothly, “when I looked into your daughter’s eyes, I felt as if we had met before.
And when we strolled along the gallery we fell into conversation as naturally as old companions.
” Old sparring companions, more like, he thought, glancing at the comtesse to see how she responded to his answer.
Madeleine straightened. “Old companions—now that is a basis to establish a marriage, for after the passion fades the friendship must remain. You have my leave to court my daughter. But,” she said, admonishing him with a slim white finger, “the final decision is hers.”
“Gray,” he said, eyeing Alix critically as he handed her up into his chaise two days later, “you are wearing gray again.”
“My lord is very observant,” Alix responded as she smoothed out the skirts of her charcoal gray walking dress.
“I don’t like gray.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing you’re not wearing my clothes,” she replied. “Madeleine feels that for a young girl it expresses mourning appropriately, and that it makes a dramatic contrast with her black.”
Rafe snorted.
“I don’t believe I’ve had any complaints from my other suitors,” she added. “Would you care to see the notes I’ve received?”
Rafe frowned. He’d seen the flowers filling Lady Melbourne’s sitting room, and he didn’t appreciate the idea of other men courting his wife.
“Lord Minton is taking me to the theatre this evening. I hear the play is quite good. Shall you be there?”
He hadn’t planned on it, but supposed now he’d need to go, to keep watch on her. His frown deepened.
“Are you always this grouchy in the afternoon?” Alix inquired.
“No,” he said through gritted teeth. “Only when my wife is squired around town by notorious bounders.”
“Really?” she asked wide-eyed. “Lady Melbourne says Minton’s charming and quite the catch.”
“I would remind you, my lady, that you have already been caught.”
Alix laughed. “Lady Melbourne was rather surprised when you came to call. She says you’re quite a catch too, though she’s not sure you will come up to scratch.”
Rafe’s eye’s gleamed golden in the sunlight. “If your ladyship will recall, I believe I have more than come up to scratch.” His lips curved slightly. “However, if you feel the need for a reminder, I would be more than willing to provide one.”
Alix flushed, her pulse beating quickly.
Rafe’s eyes caressed the creamy expanse of her throat then meandered meaningfully down to the swell of her bosom. “Come now, Alix, why don’t we give up this sham courtship and return to my home?”
Alix felt her flesh grow hot under his gaze. “What of the scandal, my lord?”
“Damn the scandal. I want you, Alix, in my home and in my bed.”
“You promised me two months, Rafe, two months to become accustomed to my future as your wife.” Two months, she thought, to discover if he wanted her for more than the pleasures of her body. “Does your word mean nothing, my lord?”
“You’ll find my word means everything, Lady Moreham. Two months,” he said, the fire in his eyes suddenly banked, “and then I shall rely upon your word.”
An awkward silence fell between them, and Alix found herself almost grateful when two riders approached.
A slender blond man in a deep blue jacket hailed Rafe. He was almost handsome, Alix thought, but his looks were marred an expression of what appeared to be utter boredom.
“Ho, Moreham,” the young man said, “lovely day for a ride about the park.”
Rafe returned the greeting coolly. “Dinsmore, you’re looking fit. Lady Anne,” he said, his tone warning as he greeted the second rider, “as lovely as ever.”
Anne smiled as she patted her horse’s neck. “You flatter me, Moreham. It was good to see you last evening. I enjoyed our dance.” She inclined her head in Alix’s direction. “And who is your young companion?”
As Rafe introduced her to Anne and James Dinsmore, Alix studied Anne as closely as possible without staring outright. So this cool, elegant blonde was the woman Rafe had intended for his wife.
“Our Rafe has always had such a fondness for things French,” Anne purred. “I think it’s lovely the way he and other members of society have reached out to help our poor brethren across the channel.”
Alix smiled and put a hand on Rafe’s arm. “Yes, his lordship has been a great comfort to me and to my mother.” She noticed with satisfaction that Lady Anne looked as though she would like to reach out and slap her hand away from Rafe. Anne’s brother noticed, too, and looked slightly amused.
Anne nodded knowingly. “I’m not surprised. I remember when Moreham was younger he was always rescuing pathetic little things, a half-drowned kitten, a fox kit that had been chased and chewed by the dogs.”
Alix raised a brow. “Indeed, my lady, I wouldn’t have thought you as old as his lordship.”
Anne covered her annoyance with a brittle laugh. “We share so many interests; I quite forget that Moreham and I are not of a similar age. Although growing up, our families were so close, he seemed like a very special older brother.”
Alix smiled and batted her lashes as Rafe. “I shall have to take your ladyship’s word for it since I must confess, I have never seen his lordship in a brotherly light.”