A Persistant Attraction (17 page)

She wondered what Rhys was feeling. Was he angry? Surely he must be. He’d never intended to get himself trapped in this fashion. Would he resent her after they were married? Did he want an heir? He hadn’t planned to marry either, but then so many men rejected marriage for years only to eventually succumb to the need to have their name live on.

She’d never intended to have children. Of course if he hadn’t put a stop to it, her reckless behavior the other night could have led them down that path. She’d heard whispered rumors of ways to prevent such a thing. It might be unfair to deny Rhys the possibility of progeny, but she could not in good conscience bring a child into what would surely become a bitter home. She would not make a child suffer as she had.

Elise sat on the bed beside Amanda and took her hand “You must try to make the best of your situation. At least consider the possibility that Mr. Stanton is in love with you.”

“No matter how much you want it to be, this is not a love match. He’s marrying me because he has no choice.”

“But you know he desires you. Otherwise he would never have…” Elise’s voice trailed off, and her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.

Amanda shook her head. “I’m certain there are many women he desires, but he isn’t going to marry them.”

“No, but—”

“What happened tonight is a disaster. One I am going to suffer the consequences of for the rest of my life. It’s best I accept that now.”

*

Rhys accepted the cup of tea Lady Morgan had poured for him. “I think she’s in shock.”

“Of course she is. She had always prided herself on controlling her own destiny. The idea of answering to a husband horrifies her. She would rather live a cold, lonely life than risk having her freedom restrained.”

Rhys exhaled slowly. He felt the same way. How could they ever make this work?

And why was it so important to him that they did? Most men in his position would do their duty by the girl then continue their lives much as they had before. But he was in love with Amanda, no matter how much he wanted to deny it. If they were going to marry, he wanted a true union.

Lady Morgan interrupted his thoughts. “I’ve let Amanda believe I expect her to marry you.”

Rhys raised his brows and studied the older woman. “Don’t you?”

“I think that would be best. However, if you cannot convince me you will not hurt her, I will find an alternative. I am not above telling society you tried to force yourself on her and letting her escape to the country to recover from the shock.” Anger coursed through Rhys’s veins. “I did no such thing.” Lady Morgan gave a wry smile. “I know that. Anyone who pays attention can see the passion simmering between you two. I didn’t say I believed my tale. I said I would do what was necessary to protect my niece.”

Rhys hated Lady Morgan for her willingness to lie, but he also respected her for loving Amanda so much. “I do not take threats lightly.” Lady Morgan put her cup down and gave him a thorough once-over “I imagine not.

However, you would do well not to underestimate me.” He couldn’t help but smile. “There is no danger of that. What is it you want from me?”

“I want your promise that you will be a faithful husband to Amanda and that you will do everything in your power to make my stubborn niece admit she’s in love with you.” Rhys nearly choked on his tea. Where had Lady Morgan gotten the idea that Amanda cared for him? She might think she knew her niece well, but the idea was laughable.

Amanda wouldn’t admit to liking anything about him except the pleasure he could offer her. Of course, he had every intention of changing that.

In truth, he opposed none of Lady Morgan’s suggestions. While no one acquainted with his reputation would ever believe it, the thought of taking only Amanda to his bed

for the rest of his life pleased him. What worried him far more was the vulnerability he felt around her. He wasn’t sure he could hide his inner scars from her night after night.

She would want to know all of him, even the parts he was frightened of.

“Faithfulness is hardly the standard in
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marriages.” Willing as he was, he knew Lady Morgan was unlikely to believe an easy acceptance of her terms, and he wanted to probe further to see how far she would take her demands.

Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward. “I will not have my niece humiliated by your supposed privilege to gratify your every desire. Such behavior would hurt her far more than any scandal.” Lady Morgan took a long, deep breath. “But I’m not thinking only of Amanda. If you cross her, I promise she will make your life hell. She may also decide that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” Rhys scowled. “No other man will ever touch her.” Lady Morgan stared at him, waiting for him to say more.

“If I must learn to live with only one woman, then so be it. I will not hurt her. No matter what you think you know of me. I will not be unfaithful to Amanda, and I will do my best to make her happy.”

“It will not be easy. She doesn’t want to admit that she cares for anyone other than her sisters.”

“And you.”

“She may no longer care for me so much. She believes I am siding against her.”

“She knows you want to protect her.”

“Yes, and she resents it.”

“She loves you. Keeping her from a humiliating scandal will not change that, especially if she were to admit…” He let his words trail off. He could not bring himself to mention the possibility that Amanda loved him.

“Perhaps. But no matter the outcome, I must do what is best for her.”

“I will apply for a special license first thing tomorrow.”

Lady Morgan smiled. “Good. We must give the impression the two of you are wildly in love and can’t wait to marry. The sooner you marry, the sooner everyone will forget your indiscretion and move on to a new scandal.”

“I had the same thought, but I cannot pretend you are unaware of my reputation. Will the
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truly believe I’ve fallen in love?” Lady Morgan smiled. “The men won’t, but that is inconsequential. The women will believe it, because they want to. Every woman dreams of taming a man like you. They might be jealous of Amanda, but they will believe the fairy tale.” Rhys rose to his feet, suddenly desperate to escape before he had to confront any more uncomfortable emotions.

Lady Morgan waved him back toward his chair. “I have one more thing to ask you.” As he lowered himself into his seat, his stomach tightened into a knot. What would she demand of him now?

“There is something other than this affair going on between you and Amanda. I’ve known for some time that she was attracted to you, but that doesn’t explain why she was in my room going through my things. And unless your disgraceful behavior has gone further than even I surmise, it does not explain her nighttime disappearances.” Rhys winced at the last comment. He and Amanda had come far closer to the sort of disgraceful behavior Lady Morgan alluded to than she needed to know. At least now he would be able to touch Amanda all he wanted, assuming she would consent to a marriage in truth.

How much of her secret could he betray to her aunt? He believed Lady Morgan should know about the threatening letters and the attempts on Amanda’s life, but Amanda had been adamant that she would not confess them to her. As much as he wanted to tell Lady Morgan the truth, he could not afford to begin their marriage with Amanda questioning whether she could trust him.

“I cannot imagine why she would be in your room.”

Lady Morgan scowled. “I am not nearly as fragile as Amanda thinks. If I am to help her regain her reputation, I deserve to know what you are hiding.” Her eyes narrowed.

“This has something to do with the incident at the Leightons’ ball, doesn’t it?” Rhys froze. He should have suspected Lady Morgan knew more than she’d let on.

She was quick-witted and good at reading people. “I’m not at liberty to say more. You’ll have to ask Amanda.”

“She refuses to share anything useful. I’d hoped you would be more sensible.”

“I will encourage her to be more forthcoming.” Lady Morgan sighed. “I suppose I should admire your loyalty to her. I trust you to see that she does nothing foolish.”

Rhys snorted. “If I were capable of that, we would not be having this conversation.

“Amanda is used to doing as she wishes, but she is not as invincible as she thinks, neither physically nor emotionally. She learned to take care of herself growing up, but she never learned to trust anyone. I’m counting on you to teach her.” Rhys’s head throbbed. Lady Morgan certainly knew how to pile pressure on a man.

The most patient of saints might fail at the tasks she’d set before him. “I will try. But you cannot expect miracles.”

“I can, and I do. Go home and get what sleep you can. I would not like you to scare Bishop Atkins in the morning.”

“Bishop Atkins?”

“He was a friend of my late husband. Mention my name, and he will produce your license posthaste.”

Rhys stood, praying his legs would support him and that Lady Morgan wouldn’t notice how shaky he was. The promises he had made weighed heavy on him. His whole life, he’d failed to meet the expectations of others. Why should that change now?

Everyone thought he’d shunned marriage because a man like him could never tie himself to one woman, but that wasn’t the truth. He doubted his ability to make one woman happy year after year.

*

The next day Rhys arrived at Amanda’s house at an unfashionably early hour.

Fortunately, Lady Morgan was wide awake and ready to receive visitors just as he’d suspected. He seemed to be making rather an unfortunate habit of rising early, but the faster he acquired the license and made arrangements for the wedding, the faster the date could be set and Amanda’s reputation repaired.

He had to admit he was more than a little concerned she might panic and try to run.

She was used to controlling her own destiny, and this would not be the first marriage she had run from. He hoped to God she thought him a better prospect than the appalling man her father chose for her.

“The license should be delivered this afternoon.” Lady Morgan beamed. “Delightful. I would like to set the date for one week hence.

Arranging the wedding breakfast so quickly will be a challenge, but it can be done. A week will not give Mark and Cassandra time to travel to London, but I fear we cannot wait.”

“Surely Cassandra would not attempt to travel such a distance in her condition.”

“I would not advise it, but she’s as stubborn as her sister.” Rhys shook his head. “I suppose she is. Amanda and I can visit Devon after we’ve proven our devotion to one another at enough
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gatherings.”
And after I’ve killed
Mouton and d’Eglantine and diverted a French plot against the crown.

“That will be perfect.”

Rhys smiled, though he dreaded facing Mark and Cassandra himself. He only hoped they’d be more understanding than he expected. He and Mark had been friends for years, but they’d had their share of disagreements. He knew from experience that Mark could land a hell of a punch. Rhys was a better-than-average fighter himself. He wouldn’t have survived his years in France if he wasn’t, but he had no right to defend himself against anything Mark wanted to deliver. He had acted the part of the rake, and he deserved to suffer the consequences.

“Now we must discuss the financial settlement.”

“I have no interest in Amanda’s money.”

“Thanks to her scoundrel of a father, she has precious little to tempt you with, but I insist we strike a fair agreement.”

“I have more than enough to support the two of us and—” he paused and swallowed hard, “any children we might have. Draw up the necessary papers, and I will grant Amanda continued control of any money she has.”

“That is more than generous.” Lady Morgan gave him an assessing stare. “Am I to assume the rumors I’ve heard are true and you have amassed a fortune from investments, despite your appearance as a man who’d rather gamble away money than do anything to earn it?”

“You may assume anything you wish.”

“You are certain you wish no settlement for yourself?” He nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I will do as you have asked. I think it would be best if you and Amanda saw little of each other before the wedding. Perhaps a well-timed very public ride in the park and attendance at a small dinner would be enough to show your regard for each other while keeping you out of trouble. I’ll make the arrangements and let you know when to call on her.”

Rhys simply nodded. Normally, he would have protested such high-handed treatment, but he trusted Lady Morgan to know what must be done to salvage Amanda’s reputation. He’d spent his life creating scandals, not cleaning them up.

“I trust I will find no evidence that you or Amanda have made use of her balcony as an escape or an entrance. There is only so much damage I can correct.”

“I swear to use only the front door when I come to call. But I cannot speak for Amanda. She rarely listens to my attempts to caution her.” Lady Morgan shook her head. “She rarely listens to anyone.”

*

Hours later, Rhys leaned back in his desk chair and reread the note he’d written to d’Eglantine. He needed to be certain he conveyed the perfect tone, but he couldn’t concentrate. Somehow, he had to put his guilt for trapping Amanda, their pending marriage and the prospect of a dismal future with a reluctant bride out of his mind so he could stop Les Centimes and capture d’Eglantine, Mouton and their associates. He wouldn’t make much of a husband if he got himself killed.

To complicate matters, he needed to convince the
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that his and Amanda’s marriage was a love match while making d’Eglantine believe he’d been forced into it. If d’Eglantine suspected he loved Amanda, the man would use her to get to Rhys. He had to keep Amanda safe, even if he
did
die in the process.

The subsequent days flew by in a whirlwind of fittings for her wedding dress, preparations for the ceremony and calls to spread the news of her upcoming nuptials to the ladies of the
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. Aunt Claire wanted her to visit all the ladies who could help diminish the scandal.