His Reluctant Lady Read online

“Mister Landry?” she carefully asked, hoping she heard the name wrong.

  “She seems to think he’s witty and charming.”

  “And nearly bankrupt,” Christopher added then glanced at Agatha. “It’s all over White’s.”

  She gritted her teeth, hoping her aunt wouldn’t detect her panic. The sooner Sophie accepted Perry’s proposal, the better. Forcing herself to smile, she told her aunt, “Lord Clement is the sensible choice, and when it comes to marriage, a lady is wise to be sensible.” Especially when there was money involved.

  “Mister Landry could use the money for his family, but he’s not dishonorable. I don’t believe he’d harm Sophie,” Christopher softly said.

  “All gentlemen needing money seem nice until the vows are exchanged.” She shot him a pointed look, hoping he understood that her first husband had come off as kind as well until the wedding was over.

  Before he could reply, Sophie entered the drawing room. They exchanged greetings then Agatha wished her aunt a pleasant evening and led her husband and sister to the carriage.

  Once the driver led the horses forward, Agatha opened her mouth to speak but Sophie asked, “How are things between you two?”

  Surprised since Sophie hadn’t made it a habit of jumping into a conversation so quickly in the past, she stumbled on a reply. Her mind had been focused on advising her sister to seek out Perry as soon as they arrived at the ball. Now as her sister looked expectantly at her, her mind drew a blank, something that rarely happened.

  Christopher gently took Agatha’s hand and smiled. “We’re doing very well. We couldn’t be happier. Right, my love?”

  Agatha’s face warmed. “I don’t believe we should be so open about our…our marriage.”

  “There’s nothing I didn’t just tell your sister that she couldn’t tell by looking at us.” He turned his gaze to Sophie. “You can tell we’re happy, can’t you?”

  Sophie offered a shy smile. “I didn’t want to say anything in case I embarrassed my sister, but I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen her as happy as she is now.”

  “Sophie!” Agatha admonished.

  “Oh, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Christopher assured Agatha. “We’re not in front of strangers. This is your sister. If we can’t be open and honest with our family and friends, then who can we be open and honest with?”

  “I’m glad your marriage has turned out so well,” Sophie said. “Agatha had her misgivings before the wedding, and when she came over to see me and our aunt a week ago, I began to fear this marriage was as bad as her first.”

  “That’s enough Sophie,” Agatha replied.

  “I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t concerned in the beginning,” he began, not even bothering to look in his wife’s direction. “But Agatha is the best thing that’s happened to me. It helps that she agrees I’m the best thing that’s also happened to her.”

  Sophie’s smile widened. “That’s so romantic.”

  “Indeed, it is.”

  “That’s enough, Christopher,” Agatha warned, wondering why they needed to talk about her as if she wasn’t right there to hear everything they were saying. Not that she’d want them to say these things when she wasn’t around. It’d be better if they didn’t say anything at all. “I think we can find something else to talk about.”

  He lifted Agatha’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “All right, my love. I’ll stop praising you.”

  Sophie giggled. “It truly is lovely to see you two together. You’re good for my sister, Christopher.”

  When her sister didn’t say anything else, Agatha pressed, “Aren’t you going to say I’m good for Christopher?”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea what he was like before you two met.”

  “Well, I am good for him,” Agatha insisted. “Before I came along, his life was boring.” She paused as she recalled how he’d gotten expelled. “Well, maybe it wasn’t boring.” She had a feeling he had some exciting times. “But it’s certainly better now.”

  “It is,” Christopher agreed. “You needn’t worry I’ll argue your point. I knew from the moment I saw you at the ball that you would complete me.” Winking at Sophie, he added, “That’s why I pursued her as relentlessly as I did. When you find someone worth marrying, you don’t let the opportunity pass you by.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Sophie replied.

  Agatha frowned. Was her sister thinking about Perry or Mister Landry when she said that?

  The carriage came to a stop, and Sophie let out a nervous chuckle. “I’ve been looking forward to this evening for days. I hear Lord Pennella has one of the finest townhouses in London. I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about, aren’t you?”

  “Not really,” Agatha replied. Noting the way Christopher raised his eyebrows, she cleared her throat. “I’ve heard some things about him that lead me to believe he’s done some,” she glanced at Sophie, “shady things to acquire some of his fortune. I’m not impressed by such gentlemen.” Under her breath, she added, “If one could call him a ‘gentleman’.”

  The footman opened the door and Sophie hurried out of the carriage.

  As Agatha made a move to follow her, Christopher held on to her hand. Curious, she turned to face him.

  “Let it be your sister’s decision,” he whispered.

  “Your cousin is a good gentleman, the kind who’ll treat her as she deserves to be treated,” she whispered in return.

  “And what good does that do when he bores her to sleep? There’s no crime against a gentleman who excites a lady. Mister Landry’s done nothing that would make me believe he’d be a bad husband.”

  “That’s not your decision to make,” she pointedly stated, hoping he knew better than to interfere when Perry proposed to Sophie.

  “It’s not your decision to make either,” he replied, not breaking eye contact with her.

  They stared at each other for a long moment, neither one willing to let the other win the debate.

  Sophie groaned. “What are you two doing in there?” They turned their attention to her as she motioned for them to leave the carriage. “I can hear the orchestra. Please don’t make me miss this ball.”

  Relenting, Agatha stepped out of the carriage, Christopher following behind her. With any luck, Mister Landry wouldn’t be at this ball. It was an unlikely possibility. Plenty of gentlemen and ladies looking to marry for money were active during the Season, but maybe this would be one time when Mister Landry couldn’t make it.

  ***

  Agatha clasped her hands and watched as Sophie danced with a duke. The duke already had his gaze on another lady, so she didn’t concern herself with him. What concerned her, though, was the fact that Perry was nowhere in sight. Where could he be? They’d arrived a half hour ago. Most of the guests were already there. Being late didn’t seem like something he would do. Christopher, she could see being late. But not Perry.

  She scanned the room and found Christopher laughing at something Ethan said. There was no denying those two were good friends. They could probably joke around for hours and not notice the passage of time. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so hasty to encourage him to talk to Ethan. As soon as they’d entered the ballroom, she’d suggested he ask Ethan if he’d like to attend a dinner party. She didn’t really want to host the dinner party, but she knew how much he wanted to invite their friends over for an evening of games and food so she agreed to it. The plan worked and it left her free to get Perry and her sister together without Mister Landry getting in the way. But without Perry, the whole thing was pointless. At the moment, Mister Landry wasn’t here either, thank goodness, but who knew how long that would be the case?

  “I hate to see a lady standing in the ballroom all alone,” someone said from behind her.

  She spun around and saw Lord Pennella standing before her. “Yes, well, I’m not truly alone. My husband is not far away.” She nodded in Christopher’s direction. “My intention is to chaperone my sister. It’s her
first Season.”

  His gaze stayed on Christopher. “Mister Robinson. That’s who you married?”

  “Recently,” she slowly replied, wondering how he couldn’t know it since he belonged to White’s and Christopher made it a point of bragging about their marriage to everyone wherever he went.

  “Is your dance card full this evening?”

  “No. I’m only here to chaperone my sister.”

  Though she gestured to her sister who turned her attention to another gentleman before the next dance, he didn’t bother looking at her. “Perhaps we can share this dance together?” He extended his hand toward her and waited, his eyebrows raised, his expression confident.

  “You do realize I have no desire to take a lover,” she told him, suspecting there was something he wanted but not sure what it could be.

  “I only want a dance, not to slip into your bed.”

  Relieved, she decided to accept his offer and joined him among the other couples. As the music began, she said, “I gather there’s a reason you asked me to dance with you when there are many other ladies you could have asked instead.”

  “Most are already dancing.”

  “While that’s true, you could have chosen a few who aren’t. Why me?”

  “Why not you?”

  She hid her frustration. The gentleman was obviously up to something, but what that something was, he wasn’t willing to say. At least not immediately. “Well, the most you’ll get is two dances with me, so you might as well make your time worth it.”

  “So quick with a reply,” he said, not seeming amused despite the grin on his face. “Does your husband like that kind of thing?”

  She frowned. “Are you concerned about what Mister Robinson likes or doesn’t like?”

  “I’m making conversation, nothing more.”

  “All right,” she replied, her tone hesitant.

  “I should congratulate you on your marriage. Mister Robinson had mentioned getting married. His guardian was much relieved, saying it would keep your husband out of trouble.”

  “It’s not my concern what Lord Clement says or doesn’t say.”

  “Shouldn’t it be if your husband has an inclination for getting into trouble?”

  She shrugged and turned in time to the music. “He hasn’t gotten in trouble since I’ve known him. Why? Should I be worried?”

  He chuckled. “You’re married to him, not me.”

  Sensing he was trying to bait her, to get her to reveal something about Christopher, she asked, “Yes, but don’t husbands often engage in behaviors that only other gentlemen know about? If my husband was truly doing something wicked, why would he tell me?”

  “Even if husbands don’t tell their wives everything, surely wives would suspect something if he was up to mischief?”

  “I hate to disappoint you, my lord, but often the wife is the last one to know.”

  “That might be true of most wives, but I bet you’re far too intelligent to be made a fool of.”

  “What are you implying?”

  “There has to be something that made you marry him. You were a wealthy widow. He has no title. He’s not nearly as well off as you are. And he has a rather impressive reputation for getting in trouble. What can he possibly offer you?”

  She stopped dancing and stared at him, a sliver of understanding starting to work its way through the edges of her mind. “Companionship, my lord. Being a widow can be a lonely existence.”

  “Then why not take a pet? They have the good sense to stay out of trouble. Or better yet, why not take a lover? Lovers have the good sense to not take your money and will leave after you’re satisfied.”

  She chuckled. “Leave me satisfied? My, my, Lord Pennella. All you gentlemen have such lofty opinions of yourselves, don’t you? From what I heard, the only satisfaction you leave your mistress is the money you leave her when you’re done.”

  His jaw clenched and she knew her ploy had worked. She never liked having to respond to subtle accusations, but she didn’t mind sending out subtle warnings. She stood her ground, her gaze not wavering one bit as his eyes bore into hers.

  “I see you’ve met my wife,” Christopher said as he came up beside her.

  Agatha turned her attention to him. “We were sharing a dance.”

  “It seems your wife believes she’s clever,” he told Christopher.

  She forced a smile, recognizing the subtle criticism for what it was.

  “Yes,” Christopher replied, his hand resting gently at her elbow. “I prefer a lady who is intelligent. There’s never a dull moment when the conversation is good.” He glanced her way. “My cousin is here.”

  She followed his gaze and saw Perry step into the room, leaning on his cane. “If you’ll excuse me, Lord Pennella, I have some matchmaking to do with a certain earl and my sister.” Before he could respond, she walked away from him, careful not to go too fast in case he assumed she was intimidated by him. Even if her heart was racing and her palms sweaty, there was no need to show her uncertainty. Under her breath, she told Christopher, “I can see why people say it’s not wise to cross Lord Pennella. He’s not the friendliest gentleman I ever met.”

  “What did he want?” Christopher asked, his voice low.

  “I think he knows you told me about the wager between him and Lord Davenport.”

  “But how? I’ve been careful.”

  “I’m not sure.” She paused, just a few feet from Perry who was talking to his friend Nate. With a glance over her shoulder, she saw that Lord Pennella had turned his attention to another lady. Relieved, she relaxed. “I’ve been careful as well.”

  “Should we go home?”

  Scanning the room, she saw Sophie laughing as she danced with a gentleman. At least the gentleman wasn’t Mister Landry. That gave Perry an advantage. “I hate to leave when your cousin has something important to ask my sister.”

  “The proposal can wait.” When she shook her head, he led her to the veranda. Once they were safely away from everyone else, he sat with her on a bench and took her hand in his. “Agatha, you were shaking back there.”

  Her gaze went to him. “No, I wasn’t.”

  “Don’t worry. No one could tell by looking at you, but I felt it when I touched your elbow.”

  She grimaced. “I don’t like to be weak.”

  “You’re not weak. You were on your guard. There’s a difference. And you should be careful when you’re around him. He’s not an easy gentleman to deal with.”

  She glanced at the stars, taking comfort in their calming presence before turning her attention back to him. “He said you had a tendency to get in trouble.”

  “I thought you already knew that.”

  “Well, yes, I did. But did you have any dealings with him?”

  He thought over her question for a moment then nodded. “There was one time when I did. I’d been drinking and we were gambling. I noticed he was cheating and I called him out for it. The next thing I know, we’re in a fight and when I came to, my nose and a couple ribs were broken. Needless to say, I don’t get drunk anymore. Had I been clear-headed, I would have known better than to call him out for cheating. That’s one of the things we know not to do at White’s.”

  “Accuse anyone of cheating or just him?”

  “Just him.”

  She sighed. “I never should have revealed the wager he and Lord Davenport made.”

  “It’s too late to change that now.”

  “What do you think he’ll do?”

  He shrugged and squeezed her hand. “There’s nothing he can do. No one can prove anything. There’s speculation through White’s as to who let the secret out, and already the speculation is dying down. Before long, the gossip will be about something else. All we can do is wait it out.”

  With a reluctant nod, she leaned against him. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. It gave us a reason to be together.” He kissed her cheek. “Of course, I would have found another way to be with you if I h
ad to, but this way made it easier.”

  She sighed but smiled, enjoying the quiet strength he possessed. It was nice being with him. And sitting here together and talking about what just happened with her and Lord Pennella made her feel closer to him, as if they were truly companions.

  He cupped her face in his hand and lowered his head. She closed her eyes, her heart racing in anticipation. He hadn’t done much to touch or kiss her since they made their bet, and as his lips met hers, she realized she missed his advances, at least the hugging and kissing.

  Not that the other parts hadn’t been fine. Actually, the other parts were more than fine. They’d been pleasurable. And maybe a little more than slightly so. All right. Definitely more than a little pleasurable. She wondered how long he could go without making love to her. She figured it couldn’t be much longer. Maybe a day or two and he’d be coming to her bedchamber. He did have his pride to protect, after all, and would restrain himself for as long as possible.

  When he ended the kiss, he nodded toward the ballroom. “I suppose if you have your heart set on ruining your sister’s chances of marrying Mister Landry, then you should make sure you get back in there.”

  She groaned and stood up. “I’m not ruining anything. Will you please stop speaking nonsense? Perry is your cousin. You can’t tell me you think he’s a bad gentleman.”

  “I didn’t say he was a bad gentleman.” He rose to his feet. “I said he was boring.”

  “If that’s the case, then it’s better to be bored than mistreated.”

  Before he could argue about Mister Landry’s character, she hurried into the ballroom.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “What’s troubling you?” Ethan asked Christopher who groaned. “Are you upset because Agatha’s sister accepted your cousin’s proposal?”

  “No.” Christopher didn’t move from where he was reclining on the settee in Ethan’s library, a book lying on the table beside him, unread. “Have you ever done something you later wished you hadn’t?”

  Ethan smirked from where he sat in his chair. “Sure I do. Every day I wish I hadn’t made the mistake of introducing myself to you.”