Best of Both Rogues Page 16

  Her lips pursed. “The day we had dance lessons. You were allies even then. I knew you were behind the sudden friendship with Sir Jonathan, but I never would have guessed you would stoop to bribery to make my fiancé leave me. This is beyond the pale.”

  “I know what I’ve done is despicable, and I would offer an apology, but it would be insincere. I wanted you. I love you.” He reached for her, but she held up her hand, signaling him to stop.

  “Don’t.”

  “Evie, please.” He didn’t intend to sound plaintive, but he couldn’t stop the wistfulness from seeping into his voice. They were so close to being together again. If he lost her now, he didn’t know if he could bear it. “I am not proud of what I did, but I cannot change what I’ve done. Please tell me you are still willing to become my wife.”

  “Even if I was not, I haven’t much choice now. My brother has negotiated a contract on my behalf. I will carry through on my word and marry you.” She huffed when he reached for her again and gently captured her shoulders.

  “I am not a duty to fulfill. I want you to want to marry me.”

  Eve’s cool brown eyes bore into him. “Then make me feel confident in my decision. Act with some integrity.”

  She brushed his hands aside, hopped up from the settee, and tried to march for the door, but Ben caught her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap. Her lips parted and her eyes flared wide. Her fingers splayed on his chest, but she didn’t push him away.

  “You are right, Kitten. I didn’t act with integrity, but I will not make the same mistake twice. Forgive me?”

  She sighed. Her icy gaze began to thaw and she became supple in his arms. “I am uncertain it is prudent to offer forgiveness so easily, but I don’t like being at odds with you. Especially the night before our wedding.”

  “I don’t like being at odds with you either.” When he smiled, she tentatively reciprocated. “If I promise to give you no more reasons to be angry with me, may I kiss you good night?”

  Her smile reached her beautiful eyes, and the warmth of her loving gaze filled the emptiness he’d been carrying inside. “I suppose I can allow one kiss.”

  He placed a soft kiss on her lips, lingering longer than he should, given her brother’s warnings, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t leave her with any doubts about how much he loved and wanted to please her. “I promise never to disappoint you again.”

  Nineteen

  Eve woke the next morning with a sense of optimism she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Although she was still miffed over Ben paying Sir Jonathan to jilt her, she believed him when he said he had done it for her. For them. She had seen sincerity in his bright blue gaze and felt his love wrapping around her like armor, protective and substantial.

  Some might label her a fool for trusting him again, but she trusted in destiny. From the first moment Ben had bowed over her hand after earning an introduction at the theater, she had known he was meant for her. The pull between them had been so powerful, she had waited two years for him to return, and just as she’d opened herself up to the possibility her destiny could lead elsewhere, Ben had come back.

  Eve was not naive enough to believe second chances at love succeeded without effort from both parties, but as he had said yesterday, they would face their troubles together. This was exactly the type of marriage she wanted—the kind Sebastian and Helena had together, and Mama should have had with Papa.

  Her bedchamber door creaked open, and Mama stuck her head inside. “The carriage is here, Evie, and your brother is anxious to leave. Are you ready?”

  Eve smiled at her mother, who had chosen to wear her finest silk gown and allowed Alice to place a sapphire clasp in her salt-and-pepper hair. Mama was overdressed for a garden wedding at Hillary House, but she looked stunning.

  “I have been ready for a very long time, Mama.” She linked arms with her mother to help steady her as they headed for the stairs.

  “I know you have, dearest. I am pleased your wait is coming to an end, but I will miss you terribly.”

  As they reached the foyer, Eve kissed her mother’s cheek. “I will miss you too, Mama.” Her mother gave her a watery smile, and Eve’s eyes filled with tears. Mama’s unwavering support had helped her through her toughest days.

  “For pity’s sake,” Sebastian piped up from the doorway, his wide grin teasing. “Are you going to stand around all morning getting soggy, or are you getting leg-shackled?”

  “Both, if I wish it.”

  Her brother grabbed her in a rough hug when she reached him. “Helena and I will miss you too, poppet. You always have a place with us if you need it.”

  “I know.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.” Sebastian’s offer was much appreciated, but she would never be returning home.

  Outside, Helena’s man Fergus was waiting beside the carriage to help her manage the steps. “You look verra pretty, lass. Mr. Hillary is a lucky man.”

  She blushed over the Scot’s compliment and hurried into the carriage before he spotted the telltale signs of her embarrassment. Helena and Gracie had already claimed one of the benches, and Eve and Mama took the opposite seat. Once Sebastian joined them, the carriage pulled onto Savile Row for the short drive to Hillary House.

  The Hillarys’ butler offered a warm greeting upon their arrival and invited them to follow him. At the French doors leading to the gardens, the servant paused. “Mr. Cooper has arrived, and the guests are seated, Miss Thorne. If you would like a moment to prepare…”

  She shook her head, a smile breaking across her face. “I am ready.”

  “Very good, miss.” He returned to his station, allowing her another moment alone with her family.

  Her mother gave her one last hug before she, Helena, and Gracie followed a footman outside where the other guests were waiting.

  “It is not too late to come back home,” Sebastian said as he offered his arm to Eve.

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “I said I’m ready.”

  “I am not ready, but I suppose I’m expected to give you away regardless of my lack of enthusiasm over seeing you go.” He placed a kiss on her hair. “I’ll miss you, Eve, but your happiness eases my sorrow at losing you.”

  “You aren’t losing me. You are gaining a brother-in-law to despise. Think what fun we will have during the holidays.” She hugged his arm affectionately, sharing a chuckle with her brother. Sebastian had stepped into their father’s boots long before he’d passed away, and he filled them nicely. “I couldn’t ask for a better older brother.”

  “You could, but you would still be saddled with me.”

  A racket came from the front of the town house. “Milady, please,” a man implored. It sounded like the Hillarys’ butler.

  “That is quite all right,” a familiar voice sang out. “We can find our way to the gardens.”

  The click of heels on marble moved quickly in their direction. When Lady Norwick came into view, Eve’s heart stalled. She and the countess had grown close over the Season, but Lady Norwick had known Sir Jonathan Hackberry since childhood. She had been responsible for pairing Eve and Jonathan together, and Eve didn’t expect the lady was pleased by the latest development.

  The countess’s companion, Lady Banner, wasn’t far behind and wore a puckered expression. “There she is,” the baroness said, pointing in Eve’s direction. “We have arrived just in time, no thanks to your dawdling, Bianca.”

  “Oh dear,” Eve muttered under her breath as the women marched toward them.

  Sebastian squared his shoulders, readying for the coming conflict, forever her champion. “Ladies, what are you doing here?”

  Her brother wasn’t blessed with tact, but neither the countess nor baroness seemed the least put off by his question. Lady Norwick flashed a bright smile. “We are here for the wedding, of course.” She took Eve’s hands and held her arms out to her side
s to gush over her dress. “You look marvelous, my dear. A lovelier bride has never existed. Mr. Hillary will not believe his good fortune.”

  Lady Banner eyed her as well. “Absolutely stunning. I am pleased we did not miss watching you walk down the aisle. I will just go find a seat.”

  With Eve still gawking at the newcomers, Lady Banner bustled out the glass doors to join the other guests.

  Lady Norwick patted Eve’s hand. “Sir Jonathan sent around a note yesterday explaining he is in support of your marriage to Mr. Hillary. He implored me to do the same.” Her smile was kind. “He needn’t have bothered. People might say many things about me, but I have never been accused of disloyalty to a friend, and you are one of my dearest. Fortunately, Amelia Hillary informed me of the date and time, since my invitation was lost en route to Norwick Place.” Her thin eyebrows rose over clever brown eyes that sparkled with mischief.

  Eve pressed her friend’s hand between hers warmly. “Thank you for coming, milady.”

  “No thanks required.” Short in stature, the countess had to stand on her toes to place kisses on both of Eve’s cheeks. Then, with a jaunty wave, she swept outside.

  Sebastian shook his head. “I always feel I’ve been in the presence of a hurricane after an encounter with Lady Norwick.”

  Eve chuckled. “Yes, she is a force of nature.” And if one was fortunate enough to associate with a force of nature, it was lovely to remain in its good graces.

  * * *

  Ben fidgeted with his cravat. It felt too blasted tight and he barely had breathing room. It wasn’t well done of him to fidget, but it was taking Eve an awfully long time to walk down the aisle. When the door opened a second time, his head snapped up, eager to catch a first glimpse of his bride.

  This time it was the Countess of Norwick. She hurried across the veranda, the loud clacking of her heels making everyone turn in their seats. When she flashed a smile and wiggled her fingers at everyone in greeting, he grimaced. Neither she nor her sister-in-law had been invited to the small ceremony, which made him suspicious of the reason she looked so blasted happy.

  The longer he was kept waiting, the more his stomach churned. “Where is she?” he hissed to his brother, who was standing up with him.

  Daniel shrugged.

  What if Eve had changed her mind? He wouldn’t put it past Lady Norwick to have dissuaded Eve and staged a distraction while his bride slipped away. It was no secret the countess wanted a match between Eve and Hackberry.

  Damnation. He couldn’t lose her again. He took a step down the aisle, and the doors opened again. Everything around him faded into nothingness as his gaze locked on Eve. She was the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen. Her ethereal ivory gown floated around her ankles as she moved toward him with purpose, and sunlight sparkled off the silver embroidery at the hem. Yet it wasn’t her gown or the soft curls cascading down her back that made her breathtaking.

  She radiated warmth, love, and goodness. His heart swelled with admiration, and his eyes misted as his bride walked with confidence toward their future together. Her full, pink lips curved into a beckoning smile as she neared—innocent and alluring all at once. He dashed away the moisture from his eyes before anyone noticed and caught Daniel’s knowing smirk. He ignored his brother as Eve reached the end of the aisle on Thorne’s arm.

  The words were a blur as he waited for the moment the clergyman asked, “Who gives this bride?” Her brother answered on her family’s behalf and relinquished her to join his own wife on the front row.

  Ben took Eve’s hand to lead her before Mr. Cooper, unable to take his eyes from her. She was a gift, but not from her brother or anyone present at the ceremony. Eve was a gift of fate, Ben’s by design, and precious. So incredibly valued and wanted, he ached deep within, as if from this moment forward, his life would be ripped from him if she were taken away.

  A dizzying fog invaded his head, and his heart began to beat heavily against his breastbone. A fine sheen of sweat blanketed his body. Eve’s eyes grew round as she held tightly to his hand. “Ben…” Her concerned whisper sent a flood of heat through him as he realized everyone was watching him. Her family. Ladies Norwick and Banner. Eve herself.

  Daniel nudged him gently and winked at Eve as he reached into his jacket pocket. “Stop fretting. I remembered the ring.”

  When Eve smiled and relaxed beside him, Ben’s tension began to ease. He couldn’t allow his thoughts to travel down that dark path. He wouldn’t lose Eve. She was here beside him, safe. And he would keep her that way.

  Mr. Cooper looked positively gleeful, presumably patting himself on the back for his part in their union. Ben was certainly grateful to the clergyman for taking matters in his own hands and writing to him in Delhi.

  When Ben spoke his vows, he held Eve’s gaze, taking her to be his wife and promising to love and cherish her for the rest of their lives. Eve’s voice was strong and unwavering as she pledged her faithfulness, allaying his concerns that she had any reservations about becoming his bride.

  Mr. Cooper held out the opened Book of Common Prayer to Daniel. “The ring?”

  Ben’s brother placed Eve’s ring on the pages, and Mr. Cooper passed it to Ben. As instructed, Ben slid the ring on Eve’s finger and echoed the minister’s words. “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

  Eve splayed her fingers close to her face to view the ring. He’d chosen an opal set in silver with two small rubies on either side. Her eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. “It is beautiful,” she whispered. Her smile rivaled the sun and made his chest swell with pride for pleasing her. And because she was his at last.

  When Mr. Cooper pronounced them man and wife, they were suddenly surrounded by well-wishers. Ben good-naturedly endured his brothers’ teasing as his mother, sister, and sisters-in-law embraced Eve as if she had always been part of their family.

  “Somehow Mother managed to put together an impressive wedding breakfast on short notice,” Jake said.

  Ben frowned. “I suppose she would notice if Eve and I went missing.” He was only partly jesting.

  “At least allow your bride a meal before you ravish her,” Daniel said with a smirk.

  “Mind your own damned affairs.”

  Twenty

  Despite encouragement to eat her fill at the breakfast, Eve had only been able to pick at her food. Everything looked delicious, but she had been too anxious about Ben taking her home. She faced the prospect with a mixture of eagerness and trepidation.

  She knew more than many young ladies about the goings-on between husbands and wives, because her mother had always been forthcoming when Eve asked questions. Knowledge did not alleviate her nerves, however.

  Ben rubbed his thumb along her knuckles as they held hands in the carriage carrying them home after the wedding breakfast. “Why the small line between your brows, Kitten?”

  “I am worried about undressing in front of you.”

  A short burst of laughter came from him. “I wasn’t expecting such honesty.”

  “Why not? We are married now. If I cannot be honest with my husband, I don’t know who I can trust with the truth.”

  His tender smile melted her heart. “You have nothing to fret over, dearling. You needn’t have an audience when you undress if you don’t wish it.” He lifted her hand to his lips and lightly kissed her sensitive skin. “But I am certain you are exquisite.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I have freckles. Everywhere.”

  He sat up straighter and turned toward her. “Good God, everywhere? I will keep you up all night kissing each and every one.” The wicked twinkle in his blue eyes as he pulled her into his arms made her stomach flutter. “I’d best start now.”

  He proceeded to rain kisses all over her cheeks, down her
neck, and along her collarbone. She squealed and wiggled to escape his tickling. When he drew back, smiling, she settled in his arms with a contented sigh.

  He snuggled her close and kissed her forehead. “You didn’t eat much at breakfast. Perhaps we should plan an early dinner.”

  “If you like.” She laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing in his scent. He smelled of cinnamon from the morning rolls and something exotic she didn’t recognize. It was a surprisingly comforting combination.

  She listened to the soothing clip-clop of the horses’ hooves as the carriage traveled toward her new home in Marylebone. Ben’s grandfather had acquired a town house near Cavendish Square after he made his riches, and Ben had inherited the property. The house held sentimental value for him, and because it was special to her husband, she would take extra care in managing their home. She would take extra care of him too.

  “Ben, was something wrong this morning? You looked very pale all of a sudden.”

  His muscles twitched beneath her cheek. “I might have been in the sun longer than I should. I felt queasy for a moment, but it passed.”

  She pushed to an upright position to check his complexion once more. “Are you sure you are not ill?”

  “I have never felt better, Evie.”

  His color had returned during the ceremony, and he appeared hearty and hale now. “You would tell me if you were not well, wouldn’t you?”

  “Of course.” He laughed off her concern as he ducked his head to peer out the window. “We are almost home. Would you like to sit beside the window for a better view?”

  “No, thank you.” Instead, she leaned across him to ogle the neighbors’ houses. Her maid would have a wonderful time scouting out the neighborhood and keeping abreast with the local gossip. When the carriage stopped in front of a Grecian-style town house, Eve nearly climbed into Ben’s lap for a better look. She had seen the town house in passing, but it was much larger up close.

  Ben chuckled. “Come inside before you smudge the glass with your nose.”