“We need to get you out of here,” he said in a low voice as he swept her into the hall.“It is not safe here.”
Although she was uncertain what he meant, she did believe him.He sounded completely sincere, and she trusted him at least somewhat.He would not have been at the Blackstone house party, and she would not have been introduced to him if Lady Astrid had not thought him a suitable prospect for a husband.
Another man appeared at the end of the hall, also dark-haired, but his hair was shorter, his eyes lighter, and his complexion swarthier than St.Albans’.She recognizedhimimmediately—Lady Astrid’s betrothed, the Duke of Ormonde.What was he doing here?A moment later, another man turned the corner, who she also recognized from the house party as he’d been the only blond duke present, the Duke of Montagu.Even here, in their tawdry surroundings, next to two other exceedingly attractive dukes, his male beauty made him stand out.She’d heard the titters at the house party—the ladies called him the Adonis of theton.
“Good, you’ve got her,” Ormonde said shortly.“You and Christian get her out of here.”
“And what are you doing?”St.Albans asked, but Ormonde had already turned on his heel and was striding off.St.Albans picked up his pace, pulling Johanna along with him to the juncture where Montagu waited with a grim set to his jaw.“Where is he going?”St.Albans questioned.
“I do not know, but he is not wrong about needing to get her out of here,” Montagu said shortly.His gaze swept over her as if to ascertain she was unharmed, but then flicked away as if dismissing her once he knew she was hale.“There are already rumblings in the other room about who might have her after you’re done with her.”
A chill swept through Johanna as St.Albans cursed under his breath.
“We’ll talk to Ormonde later,” he announced.“How do we get out of here?”
“This way.My lady.”Montagu smiled charmingly, bowed, then led the way, which was in the opposite direction from where Ormonde had disappeared.
Several turns, then they were out the door and into the night.Despite the warmth of the evening air, Johanna still felt chilled.Her mind was desperately trying to keep up with what was happening around her.She was physically safe now, but without the promised funds… but still in possession of her virtue and a duke who said he would take care of everything.
Did she dare trust that?What other choice did she have at this moment?
Both men pressed against her, one on either side.Guarding her, she realized, as they made their way down several streets before reaching the carriage waiting for them.She was grateful for their presence as the fog of London curled around the dark streets, creating foreboding shadows in every nook and cranny.Being on her own would have been terrifying.
St.Albans helped her into the carriage, then followed her into the enclosed space.It was not until Montagu had joined them and rapped his knuckles on the roof, causing it to lurch forward in response, that she shook herself free from the silent shock that had gripped her.
They might think they were rescuing her from a horrid situation, but she had been there for a reason, and she’d received no assurances from St.Albans other than the initial declaration.Why would he give her money for nothing?He must have been trying to get her out of there to save her reputation, but her reputation was worth less than nothing if she couldn’t save her family.
“Wait!I need the money, my family?—”
“I told you,” St.Albans said, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it tightly.He sounded completely serious.“I will take care of it.All you have to do is agree to marry me.”
Now she knew she was dreaming.The Duke of St.Albans had just proposed marriage to her.It did not sound like jest, but surely any moment, both men would explode into laughter.Except that, across from her, the Duke of Montagu’s mouth had dropped open in utter shock, but he did not laugh, nor did he protest.St.Albans ignored him, keeping his gaze steady on her even as she stared back and forth between the two dukes in utter disbelief.
“Marry you?”Her voice squeaked.Montagu’s reaction or not, shehadto be dreaming.
“Yes.Marry me.”The duke sounded completely serious.“Then my funds will be yours to spend as you please.”
“I… You do not understand.My family…”
“Is very poor.”He nodded, looking at her dress.“I can see that.”
She felt color bloom in her cheeks.The dress had once been light blue, but now it was faded grey and tattered.She’d taken care of it the best she could since arriving in London, but she knew it was hardly the kind of garment a lady of thetonwould willingly be seen in.
“Matthew,” Montagu muttered, covering his face with his hand.
“What?Am I supposed to ignore the obvious?”St.Albans grinned widely, suddenly, and he was even more handsome smiling than when he was serious.
Johanna had not truly noticed at the house party.She had not wanted to notice.She would have married any of the men who offered to help her and her family.Now was no different, was it?
“You need money for your family, yes?I have plenty, and I am happy to help them.”
“We are… my mother is starving.”Tears flooded her eyes as she said the words aloud, choking her.“We barely made it through the winter.The house needs repairs.Everything needs repairs.The children do not have enough food or clothes?—”
“Marry me, and none of you will ever want again.”St.Albans’ grin had faded at her words, and he lifted her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles.
Johanna felt a flutter go through her belly, one that was different from those that came when she had gone without any food for too long.
“This is the most unusual proposal, but it does suit you somehow,” Montagu said, shaking his head.
