Page 10 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

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Nash looked aghast at the two women. One lying on the floor at her mother’s feet, the other in his arms. Since he’d already offered for Lady Arabella in order to avoid her ruination, he bent, and sliding his hands under her knees, picked her up.

She was light as a feather, and the simple scent of lemons and lavender drifted from her. Her soft curves nestled against his body, but all he wanted to do was drop her on the nearest settee and run for his life. The marriage he had planned with Lady Grace—whose mother was reviving her by waving a vinaigrette under her nose—was no longer to be.

Damn it all to hell! Here he’d been, moments away from offering for Lady Grace, and now he found himself betrothed to Lady Arabella, of all people! A woman who rescued cats! Cats! He would be sneezing for the rest of his life.

Unless he was arguing with her.

Based on the look of longing on Pembroke’s face, Lady Melrose had set this up for him. He couldn’t help but wonder if Arabella had been involved as well, although given her response thus far, it was unlikely she’d been a part of the scheme.

No doubt Pembroke had been the desired target of Lady Melrose’s ploy. The man looked dumbfounded at Lady Arabella, disappointment plainly written on his fleshy, sweating face. Nash surmised the man had been the mother’s choice, but given the setup, Pembroke had apparently not been Lady Arabella’s choice. Then, again, he hadn’t been her choice, either. Nevertheless, now they were engaged.

He laid her on the settee and tapped her gently on her cheek.

“It appears there is nothing further to deal with tonight,” Lord Ashbourne spoke with authority as he began to usher the crowd from the room.

“I will not leave my defenseless, unconscious daughter here with this man.” Lady Melrose sniffed.

Just then Lady Arabella began to move and her eyelids fluttered open. She took a look around the room and with a slight moan, closed her eyes again.

“Madam, your daughter is now in the hands of her betrothed. I suggest we all leave and allow her to recover.” Ashbourne studied Nash. “I assume you are prepared to meet with Lady Melrose’s representatives in the morning?”

“Yes. Of course.” Nash turned to Lady Melrose. “With whom must I speak?” Nash knew Lord Melrose had passed some time ago. Rumor had it that his heir was out of the country and would soon be taking up residence at the Melrose estate.

“Since there is no guardian, you may contact my solicitors.” She eyed her daughter, who was attempting to gain her feet. “I will send for my carriage so I can take her home.”

Nash took Lady Arabella’s arm and steadied her as she stood. “No, my lady. I would prefer to accompany my betrothed home.” He gritted his teeth at those words, cursing his upbringing that refused to allow him to be part of a woman’s ruination. “I will send for my carriage.”

“But—” Lady Melrose looked alarmed. Did she believe he would actually harm Lady Arabella? But then, how well did she know him? Still very much annoyed at the woman’s machinations, he felt a need to punish her a bit.

“You may return in your carriage, madam. I will see Lady Arabella home.” His voice gave no quarter.

The woman blew out a deep breath of air. “As you wish, my lord.” She turned, and giving Lady Arabella one last glance, left the room.

As the last of the witnesses passed thorough the doorway, Lord Ashbourne followed them. He stopped for a moment and studied Nash and Lady Arabella. “I have no idea what went on here tonight, but I commend you for doing the right thing, young man. I have a feeling you are as befuddled as I am.”

Nash gave his host a slight bow. “Thank you, sir. Would you be so kind as to have my carriage brought around? I would like to give Lady Arabella a bit more time to compose herself.”

“I will do that, but please leave the door open. We don’t need things to get any worse than they are right now.” Once he walked away, Nash turned to Lady Arabella, his voice lowered. “The only thing keeping me from wringing your neck is a slight belief that you had no part in the debacle this evening.”

She shook her head furiously. “Absolutely not. I would never put myself in this positon on purpose. However, please be aware that your gallant overture will be for naught. I have no intention of marrying you.”

He placed his hands on his hips and glared at her. “Excuse me? Do you think I wish to marry you? A woman who chases animals in public?”

She sniffed. “Good, then we are in agreement. We will go our separate ways, since I don’t give a tinker’s damn for Society’s opinions.” Lady Arabella licked her lips. Kissable lips, he noted for the first time. Soft, plump, and red. She continued, “’Tis an easy problem to solve. We can wait a while to keep all the gossip lovers happy, then I will cry off.”

…

Arabella still felt a bit lightheaded, but she wanted more than anything to escape this horrid room and go home. Lock herself in her bedchamber and not emerge until she was as old as the Widow Johnson. What a mess this had become!

“You little fool.” Lord Clarendon snapped. “Do you honestly believe crying off an engagement would restore your reputation? Especially after being caught in my arms in a dark room? By ourselves? Do you think it can get any worse than that? Well, it can. If you call off, your reputation will be in shreds.”

Despite her flip words, she was no half-wit about Society’s condemnation. But she had never wanted to have Polite Society dictate how she lived. However, she would not concede this point to him. “I don’t care one whit about my reputation.”

Another raised eyebrow. “Obviously not, given your behavior thus far.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”