His Reluctant Lady Read online

  “I’d be delighted,” he replied and settled next to her, setting his cane aside.

  Agatha winked at Lady Roderick who grinned, and Agatha had a newfound respect for the lady. Perhaps Lady Roderick wasn’t feeling so weak after all.

  “May I ask why you have a cane?” Sophie asked Lord Clement.

  Agatha turned her startled gaze to her sister and gave a curt shake of her head. Asking a gentleman such a personal question upon first meeting him wasn’t a wise move, and had she thought her sister would venture to ask it, she would have warned her not to.

  Fortunately, Lord Clement didn’t seem upset by the inquiry. “I was born with one leg shorter than the other.”

  “Really? How much shorter?”

  “An inch.”

  Before Sophie could ask anything else, Agatha clapped her hands. “This is a wonderful ball, Lord Clement. I’m especially impressed with your music selection. What made you decide to go with it?”

  As he answered, she politely nodded and smiled, hoping her sister now understood the kind of questions she should be asking an earl and how she ought to respond when he answered.

  “I like to try new things,” Lord Clement concluded. “Sometimes it’s nice to see what else is out there.”

  “That’s a lovely sentiment,” Agatha replied. “My sister has a passion for adventure, for trying new things.”

  “Do you?” He turned to Sophie in what Agatha hoped was sincere interest.

  “Yes,” Sophie slowly replied.

  When her sister didn’t continue, Agatha added, “She also rides horses.”

  “I love horses,” Lord Clement replied, his countenance brightening considerably. “There’s a sense of freedom in riding them, don’t you agree?” he asked Sophie.

  “I don’t know if I ride them as often as my sister does.”

  Agatha’s smile grew tight and she forced herself to relax. It wouldn’t do good to show any unease. Granted, her sister hadn’t ridden a horse in a couple years, but she did often in childhood. She let out what she hoped was a carefree laugh. “My sister is teasing you, my lord. She is a natural rider. Graceful, even. And horses are wonderful animals.”

  “Yes, they are,” Lord Clement agreed. “I have a couple horses. Perhaps we can all go for a ride in Hyde Park.”

  “What a splendid offer!” Agatha sent her sister a pointed look.

  “Oh, yes, of course,” her sister quickly added.

  “Will you be coming along?” Agatha asked Lord and Lady Roderick, thinking if they joined them, then she’d have someone to talk to while Lord Clement and her sister talked.

  Lady Roderick shifted and bit her lower lip but nodded. “I suppose one horse ride would be all right.”

  “My wife isn’t as familiar with horses as the rest of us,” Lord Roderick said and smiled at her. “But I’ll be by her side to make sure no harm comes to her.”

  After they agreed to meet in a couple days, they decided to return to the ball. Agatha couldn’t be more pleased with the way the conversation ended. Lord Clement was the perfect gentleman for her sister. And she was sure that, in time, her sister would realize it, too.

  Chapter Six

  It took an agonizing fifteen minutes, but Lord Roderick finally left Claire’s side. Ignoring the other people in the ballroom, Christopher quickly approached her before he lost his chance to talk to her.

  He bowed and extended his hand. “May I have a dance with you, my lady?”

  She nodded and joined him with the other couples who waited for the music to start. When it did, she asked, “Did you see me talking to Lady Richfield?”

  “I did. I also noticed you two went on the veranda with my guardian.”

  “Yes, we did. It turns out Lady Richfield is eager to see her sister married to a titled gentleman. Lord Clement is just as eager to find a wife. If you wish to spend more time with the lady, then I suggest you help her secure her sister’s future.”

  His smile widened. “Why, you are brilliant! And my guardian will be agreeable on this matter.”

  “I should say so. He already extended an invite for Lady Richfield, her sister, my husband, and I to go for a horseback ride at Hyde Park.”

  “Did he say when?”

  “In a couple days. I expect the details will be worked out through correspondence.”

  “Or through me,” he thoughtfully said as a plan formed in his mind. “Lady Richfield will be there. You’re certain of that?”

  “She’ll need to chaperone.”

  “But you and Lord Roderick don’t have to be there.”

  “Lady Richfield requested we join them.”

  “Don’t you hate horses, my lady?”

  “They’re not my favorite animal.”

  “Then why should you ride one?” he asked. “It sounds like needless torture to me.”

  “I think she wishes to give her sister and your guardian time to talk, and she can do that better if she has someone to talk to.”

  “I’ll tell you what,” he began, catching sight of Lady Richfield as she and her sister conversed with a gentleman. Lady Richfield happened to glance in his direction and he offered her a charming smile. She paused for a moment then turned her attention back to the gentleman. Though she chose to ignore him, he saw the slight flush in her cheeks. There was no denying the attraction between them. Looking back at Claire, he continued, “I’ll go with my guardian on this horse ride. I love horses. It’ll be good exercise and a pleasant ride through the park is just what I need after spending so much time this past winter cooped up indoors.”

  “Why don’t you just come out and say this will be the perfect chance for you to talk to the fair and beautiful Lady Richfield?” she insisted, her teasing tone giving her amusement away.

  “Well, then it won’t seem like an act of mercy, will it?”

  “You helped my sister avoid marriage to a terrible gentleman,” she replied. “You didn’t gain anything from it. That was your act of mercy. Now I will find a reason to be detained on the day this horse riding venture occurs. It’s only fair I return the favor.”

  “You’re a splendid lady. Does Lord Roderick know how fortunate he is to be married to you?”

  “Yes, he does.”

  “Good. Otherwise, I’d have to send him out to the stables to muck out some stalls.”

  She giggled and shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.”

  The dance came to an end and he bowed as she curtsied. “It’s always a pleasure talking to you.”

  Seeing that Lady Richfield hadn’t moved from her spot, he made his way over to her and lightly touched her arm, ensuring that no one else noticed. She inclined her head in his direction but maintained eye contact with the gentleman talking to her and her sister.

  “Oh yes,” Lord Thomas said, “I’ve been on an elephant and a camel.”

  “But isn’t that dangerous?” her sister asked, her eyes wide and excitement in her voice.

  “Of course it is, but I don’t see the point in playing it safe all the time. A person has to enjoy life to truly live it,” he replied.

  “I suspect you’re not the only person who shares that philosophy,” Lady Richfield said, glancing at Christopher.

  Christopher’s eyebrows rose. “I can’t say I’ve ridden an elephant or a camel, but I don’t mind a challenge when it presents itself.”

  “Hear, hear!” Lord Thomas nodded in approval. “Though you ought to try riding them sometime. They’re magnificent creatures.”

  “It sounds like it,” her sister said. “And impressive.”

  “And dangerous,” Lady Richfield muttered under her breath.

  “Care to dance?” Lord Thomas asked her sister.

  Despite the slight shake of Agatha’s head, her sister accepted and hurried off to dance with him.

  Before Lady Richfield could step away from him, Christopher extended his arm and said in a tone loud enough for those around them to overhear, “Thank you for accepting my invitation to da
nce, my lady.”

  She opened her mouth to speak but glanced at those who looked in their direction. With a sigh, she placed her hand on his arm and let him escort her to the dancing area. “You have a way of working things to your advantage,” she said, frowning at him.

  “You wouldn’t have danced with me otherwise.”

  “There are many things I’d say about you, Mister Robinson, but being dull isn’t one of them.”

  “I appreciate the compliment.”

  She released a loud sigh. “Is there something you want from me?”

  “Yes. I want you to marry me.”

  “I fail to understand you. I insulted you in front of your friends at Lord Edon’s dinner party. Do you really enjoy such treatment?”

  “It’s no secret that your first marriage left a lot to be desired.”

  “Lord Richfield died within twenty-four hours of marrying me. He did me a favor.”

  “Some ladies don’t want their husbands dead,” he teased.

  “So you want to marry me so you can be miserable? Is that the point to all of this?”

  “No. I want to marry you because you’re the most exciting lady I’ve ever met. You have great passion. Imagine if you were to turn that passion in my favor? I sense the heat of your kisses would set the room on fire.”

  “You are much too bold.”

  “I’m not bold enough.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed. “If you wish to be a rake, you’re free to do so, but you’ll be a gentleman when you’re with me.”

  Lowering his voice, he said, “But you don’t need a gentleman. You don’t even want a gentleman. You want to be pursued. You need to be won.”

  “Are you comparing me to some animal you need to hunt?”

  He laughed and turned with her. “Hardly. I don’t desire to make love to an animal.”

  “I’m surprised, considering the fact that you’re acting like one.”

  “And which one would that be?”

  “A wolf.”

  “A wolf? Not a bad choice. Quick, smart, territorial. They mate for life, you know?” When she groaned, he grinned. “I love your quick wit. I also love your beauty. You’ll make a marvelous wife once you decide to love your husband.”

  She shook her head. “I will never remarry.”

  “Why don’t we go outside?” he said in a soft voice. “Take a nice stroll, maybe even share a kiss?”

  “You may add ‘intelligent’ to the list of things you claim to admire about me, Mister Robinson. You think I don’t know what a scandal that would be?”

  “You can’t blame a gentleman for trying. We’ll be married either way, but if you insist on prolonging my torture, then so be it.”

  “I know I’m going to be sorry I asked, but ‘torture’?”

  “My heart won’t be complete until I make you my bride.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I was right. I’m sorry I asked.” The music came to an end and she curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to end this dance.”

  “Maybe next time we dance, it’ll be between the sheets,” he whispered, knowing it would bother her to no end that he said it.

  And he was right. Her jaw dropped then she narrowed her eyes at him. What a lady of passion! He had a feeling that once she fell in love with him, she’d make his life very much worth living.

  ***

  The next morning, Christopher bounded down the stairs in his guardian’s townhouse. It would be nice to get out of here and move into Lady Richfield’s residence.

  “What are you so happy about?” Perry asked as Christopher leapt off the final step and planted his feet on the floor.

  Christopher grinned at his guardian. “Love, my dear cousin, love. It’s everywhere around us, isn’t it? Soon you will exchange vows with your bride, and I’ll exchange them with mine.”

  “I think you’re taking things for granted. Besides, I wasn’t aware that you were interested in a young lady.”

  “The lady I’m going to marry is two years older than me, but it’s such a small gap in our ages that no one can protest our union.”

  “Who is this lady?” Perry asked, his eyebrow raised in interest.

  “Lady Richfield.”

  “Lady Richfield?”

  Noting the amusement in his tone, Christopher frowned. “You don’t think we’ll make a suitable match?”

  “I’m acquainted with her, and she has more sense than to marry a young man who takes little responsibility for his life.”

  He gasped and pointed to himself. “You think I don’t take responsibility for my life? Need I remind you of the torment your friend, Lord Pain, put me through? I haven’t consumed too much wine or gotten into any brawls since. I’ve behaved admirably.”

  “So one would think, but I sense you engage in mischief from time to time. However,” Perry leaned on his cane and headed down the hallway with Christopher, “I think marriage is exactly what you need. It’ll be a stabilizing influence in your life. But if you think my friend Nate is hard on you, I don’t think you can handle Lady Richfield. Compared to her, Nate is a harmless puppy.”

  Christopher chuckled. “Her bark is worse than her bite. But with Lord Pain, his bite is as bad as his bark.”

  “I’d argue with you on that, but I suppose it doesn’t matter. If you manage to get her to agree to marry you, I give you my consent to marry her.”

  Good. At least he had his guardian’s approval for the match. “And considering you’ll marry her younger sister, I suppose that will make us brothers-in-law in addition to being cousins.”

  “Nothing is definite yet.”

  “But aren’t you taking her sister for a horseback ride at Hyde Park?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s a start! And fortunately for you, I’ll be able to keep Lady Richfield company while you entertain her sister.”

  Perry stopped and turned to him. “I invited Nate and Claire to come along so Lady Richfield had someone to talk to.”

  “As it turns out, they won’t be able to make it.”

  “That’s strange. I don’t recall being notified of this, and considering we haven’t even had breakfast, it’s too soon for you to receive any such news.”

  “Yes, well, I had the pleasure of talking to Claire at the ball, and she doesn’t like horses. The whole thing upset her terribly, so I offered to take her place.”

  With a sigh, he shrugged. “All right.”

  “All right?” Christopher asked, not believing his guardian was so quick to accept it.

  “It’s obvious to me you have every intention of spending the day with Lady Richfield and will probably do whatever it takes to make it happen. I could spend the next three days fighting it or just accept it now and enjoy some peace and quiet.”

  “Three days? That’s when this outing will occur?” Perry nodded, and his grin grew wider. “Splendid!” In three short days, he’d get to be with Lady Richfield. He couldn’t wait!

  “Now, let’s enjoy some breakfast.”

  Chapter Seven

  Three days later, Agatha’s hold on her horse’s reins tightened when she realized Lord Clement brought Mister Robinson with him. The two were still a ways off but even so, she could feel the weight of Mister Robinson’s stare on her. Was there nothing he wouldn’t do to be with her?

  She glanced at Sophie who was fidgeting in her saddle. “I know it’s been years since you’ve been on a horse, but please act like it wasn’t that long ago. Lord Clement loves horse riding. This will give you something in common.”

  Sophie grimaced. “I don’t enjoy riding them as much as I used to. Walking is more convenient.”

  “Once you’re married, you can make up excuses on why you’re unable to ride, but for now, you have to grin and bear it.”

  She settled into the saddle but sighed. “I don’t want to marry him.”

  “Why not?”

  “I love to dance and he can’t dance. Shouldn’t it be important that he shares some of my interests?”
r />   Agatha began to laugh but stopped when she realized the gentlemen were almost in hearing distance. “No one cares what the lady thinks, Sophie. It’s a gentleman’s world and the sooner you come to grips with that, the better off you’ll be.”

  “Lord Thomas liked to dance. He danced very well, too.”

  “Lord Thomas lacks intelligence. In addition to riding elephants and camels, he walks on burning coal and puts fire in his mouth.” She shivered as she recalled his ‘adventures’. “You’d be much better off with a gentleman who doesn’t take undue risks.”

  The gentlemen arrived and she turned her gaze to Lord Clement. “We’re glad you could make it, my lord.”

  “As we are that you two ladies have made it, though I could have provided horses for you,” Lord Clement replied. “I hope you didn’t go through too much trouble.”

  “Of course not,” she assured him with a smile. “I already had these two. There was no need to let mine linger about in their stalls all day.”

  “Well, they’re fine steeds.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that I brought my cousin and ward, Mister Robinson, with me. Lord and Lady Roderick were unable to come.”

  Agatha glanced from Mister Robinson to Lord Clement. So there were related. Who was to know this little inconvenience would pop up? But it explained why Mister Robinson was able to work his way into today’s outing. Her smile strained, she said, “It’s certainly a small world.”

  “Indeed it is,” Mister Robinson agreed, undaunted by her less-than-enthusiastic reaction. Looking at his cousin, he added, “Lady Richfield and I will follow you and Miss Garrison.”

  As her sister and Lord Clement rode ahead of them, Agatha reluctantly urged her horse to ride beside Mister Robinson down Rotten Row. At least the broad track was aptly named. This outing was bound to be one rotten experience.

  While Lord Clement and Sophie talked, Mister Robinson glanced in Agatha’s direction. “You do well on a horse.”

  “Of course, I do.” She wasn’t incompetent on it like her first husband was. “Just because I’m a lady, it doesn’t mean I can’t ride as well as a gentleman.”