Page 15 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

“If you will join me in the library, Mother, I will be happy to answer any of your questions.” He followed her down the corridor. Once they entered the library, he headed straight for the sideboard and poured himself another whiskey. “Would you care for a sherry?” When she shook her head, he added, “Tea?”

“No. What I would like are some answers.”

He settled into the soft leather chair behind his desk. “I assume from your demeanor that you’ve heard I became betrothed last night.” He took a long, slow swallow of the liquor.

“I did. However, not to the woman I assumed would be your chosen bride. Not Lady Grace, but Lady Arabella, the late Earl of Melrose’s daughter! I wasn’t even aware you two knew each other.”

“We did.” Deciding to keep to himself the fiasco in the park yesterday afternoon, he answered, “We danced a couple of times. She is also a friend of Eugenia’s. I’ve seen her several times at Devon’s townhouse.”

“And based on that scant contact you decide to spend the rest of your life with her?” His mother’s voice rose a couple of octaves.

He eyed her over the top of his glass. “Be careful, Mother. The decision as to whom I marry is mine alone.”

She waved her hand. “Of course, it is. I am not questioning your choice—”

“Aren’t you?”

Mother sighed. “All right, perhaps a bit, but I feel very confused. Although you hadn’t come out and said so, I was of the impression that you would be offering for Lady Grace.”

“The idea had crossed my mind.” He was reluctant to admit, even to his own mother, that he’d been duped into offering for the wrong girl. Although, most likely she had already been told the story of how they’d been discovered locked in an embrace in a dark library, in the middle of a ball.

“If you have been listening to well-meaning friends, I will attempt to explain as best I can. Lady Arabella ca

me into the Ashbourne’s library during the ball, seeking her mother, from whom she had received a note. I was there to gain some quiet. When she determined her mother was not there, she turned to leave and stumbled. I caught her, and the door opened to several people taking in the scene.”

Mother sniffed. “Well, that certainly sounds as though the girl set it up.”

Nash stiffened. Not even from his mother would he accept criticism of his betrothed. “No, she did not. She was as shocked and dismayed at being discovered in there as I was.” He stood and walked around the desk, resting his hip on the edge. “I did the only thing I could to avoid her complete ruination and offered for her. It is done. She will be my countess, and I expect everyone to accept her as such. I will take her driving this afternoon so the entire world can see that we are both happy.”

“Are you?”

“What?”

“Happy?”

Was marriage a place where one looked for happiness? All he had been searching for was a woman to be his countess, run his household, and rear his children. He’d had no desire for romance, love, or the elusive “happiness,” though contentment did rank high on his list.

Now, without the funds Lady Grace would have brought, contentment might be a dream he needed to chase for a while. So far, he had kept their precarious situation to himself, and Mother’s lack of knowledge in that regard would remain that way. There was no reason to burden her with that information.

But to appease the woman who had birthed and raised him, he would give her the answer she hoped to hear. “Yes, Mother. I am happy.”

Chapter Five

Arabella tugged on her gloves as she descended the stairs to join Lord Clarendon at the entrance hall where he chatted amiably with Mother. Despite the unseasonably cool weather and the threat of rain, he had arrived promptly at five o’clock to escort her on a ride through Hyde Park. Apparently, whatever he and her mother had discussed the night before had not put them at odds.

He turned toward her, and something flickered in his eyes that she was unable to identify. Or perhaps she imagined it. Once again, she was mindful of his appearance. His dark blue woolen tailcoat brought depth to his blue eyes. The rest of his ensemble, starched cravat, well-fitting breeches, blue and silver waistcoat, along with well-polished Hessian boots, spoke of a young, wealthy, titled gentleman calling on his betrothed.

She shivered, not at all comfortable with that designation, and anxious to have all of that resolved. “My lord,” Arabella offered a curtsy.

Clarendon bowed. “Good afternoon, my lady. Are you ready for our ride?”

Nodding stiffly, she took his arm and they left the house, Mother’s gleeful farewell echoing in Arabella’s ears.

A four-wheeled curricle, with two lively Cleveland Bays tossing their heads, stood in front of the townhouse. Clarendon helped her into the vehicle, then strode around the front and joined her. “Comfortable?”

“Yes, my lord.”

He snapped the ribbons and the horses moved forward, the clopping rhythm of their hooves on the cobblestones matching the pounding of her heart. What would she say to this man? Except for their recent fiasco, they were strangers, yet it was expected of her to behave as an engaged woman. The sooner she disavowed him of that idea, the better she would feel.