Christmas Bliss (5 page)

As if Drake had just noted that he was not alone with his
niece, he looked at John and then around the room. “I can see that my family
has inconvenienced you, my lord. I can’t tell you what trouble I’ve had with
the pair of them over the last year. You have my apologies. I will take them
off your hands immediately.”

“Yes. The young lady has been gracious enough to inform me
of much of the trouble.”

At that, her uncle’s face turned bright red and he raised
his right arm. “How dare you speak of our family business to strangers?”

The back of his hand was descending in the direction of
Emma’s left cheek.

The countess cried out. “John.”

A great gasp rose up from the crowd.

John reached out and caught Drake Trent’s wrist just before
it connected with Emma’s face.

Emma, for her part, never flinched or cried out. She stood
her ground, prepared to be struck down. She had felt the force of her uncle’s
punch many times and would not cower as if she was a scullery maid at his
temper.

John’s voice was barely contained. “I’m afraid I will not
allow you to strike my fiancée, Trent. I don’t care what your relation is.”

“Don’t you dare tell me how to…” Drake didn’t finish the
sentence. It had taken a moment, but John’s words finally sank in.

He looked at his niece. His face burned so red, he looked to
be having an episode of some kind. “What have you done?”

“John and I are to be married, Uncle Drake. Don’t you want
to wish me joy?” It was not usual for her to wish anyone harm, but Emma would
not have minded if God had ended her uncle’s life at that moment.

Again, the people of the
ton
gasped as one. The room
rang with murmured voices, while everyone watched the scene with rapt
attention.

“I’ll kill you,” he hissed.

“I think not,” John said. “If you are wise, you will vacate
Oliver Trent’s home and never come near my family again.”

As if John had not spoken, her uncle continued. “You little
whore. How did you manage to trick the Earl of Compton into marrying the likes
of you? I’m sure I can guess the answer to that.” His face twisted, as ugly as
his implication. “I’ll go to the prime minister, the Regent if I have to, and
have the whole thing disallowed. That little bastard will never have what is
mine.”

“Enough!” John grabbed Drake by the collar and lifted him up
onto his toes, no easy feat considering the size of the man. John dragged him
out of the main ballroom and into the foyer. Emma and the countess rushed
after, followed by as many onlookers as could fit in the entry.

“You will never speak to Emma that way again. If you do, the
consequences will be dire. If you do not leave this house immediately, I will
entreat Lord Treechery to call the watch. Have I made myself clear?”

Her uncle’s face was nearly purple with rage. Once again,
Emma thought he might drop dead before the whole of society.

Unfortunately, he did not.

He nodded once, shook out of John’s grip and strode to the
door where the footman already had his cloak and hat waiting.

John straightened his waistcoat and turned. To her surprise,
his lips turned up in the most charming smile as he looked from her to the
crowd. Her heart clenched at the sight.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m happy to have been the
entertainment for the evening, but I’m afraid the show is at an end. You may
look on as I dance with my fiancée. I shall not begrudge you that, since she is
the most stunning lady in the room.”

His mother leaned in. “I believe that is your cue, my dear.
Close your mouth and go and dance.”

Emma turned to see the countess smiling brighter than she
had ever witnessed before. It was not that Margaret Scarborough was a dour
woman, but she was not given to shows of great joy. However, at that moment,
she looked as if she might burst with glee. Her son had made a public scene.
Emma could not imagine why that should please his mother so thoroughly.

John’s hand touched the small of her back and she turned.
“Shall we, Emma?”

She took his arm and allowed herself to be led out onto the
dance floor, where the musicians had the good sense to play a waltz.

Emma’s heart beat so hard that she was sure everyone looking
on could hear it pounding against her breast. Heat bathed her face and neck,
but she did not feel she would repeat the fainting spell of earlier. He had
made a scene to protect her. The stoic Earl of Compton had made of fool of
himself for her sake. The world had gone completely mad, and she was at the
center of it.

“Smile, my love, or our audience will wonder if I’m forcing
myself on you.”

She looked up at his strong jaw and those lips that had
given her such delightful kisses. Forcing her mouth closed as his mother had
suggested, she grinned.

“That’s better,” he said. Then he frowned for an instant
before plastering a very practiced looking expression of peaceful bliss on his
face. “I’m afraid it has just occurred to me that I might very well be forcing
you into a situation that you are not entirely comfortable with. Is this so?”

The effect that his question had on her heart was
instantaneous. She felt calmer in that moment than she had in years. Even the
altercation with her uncle faded into the background. Her opinion mattered to
John. Relief washed over her, and with it, a sense of peace. Since her uncle
had moved into Trent House, she had ceased to make any difference. Her opinions
were not welcomed and often she was punished for voicing them. When her father
was alive and well, they would talk all the time. She missed being important in
her own life.

John had used her situation to gain her agreement to marry
him. Why had he done it? “I would not have used the word comfortable, but I
think we might get on together, John.

“I have no doubt of that, Emma. I will endeavor to make you
very happy. However, if you truly do not wish to marry me, I will still help
you and Oliver. It will be more difficult and people will certainly question my
motives, but I believe it is possible to save Oliver’s inheritance without
sacrificing you to the altar.”

She watched him very carefully. His expression remained the
same, but she saw something in his eyes that she had seen when he’d moved
behind his desk after his botched proposal. A tiny bead of sweat trickled down
his temple and the room felt quite cool to her. Her possible rejection worried
him more than she would have thought. After all, if she rejected him, his sense
of duty would still be satisfied.

“What about my uncle?”

“If we marry, he will have no choice but to relinquish the
Trent holdings to me.” At her frown, he added, “And I, in turn will give them
to you to manage for your brother until he comes of an age. If you choose not
to marry, I will employ a barrister who will sort through the situation. I have
given it a great deal of thought. I feel confident that the situation can be
handled, Emma. You need not feel cornered.” He paused for a long moment and the
music came to a close.

He leaned forward and spoke for her ears only. The whisper
brushed her ear intimately. “It is my most ardent desire that you will take
into consideration that I love you and wish to have you for my wife.”

With that last bit of news, he took her elbow and escorted
her off the dance floor.

Heat flooded Emma’s face. What must this crowd think of
them? It would be all the talk for weeks. In two days she could be married and
a countess in her own right. John said he loved her. Was that true? He wouldn’t
lie about such a thing. Her uncle’s lies had made her mistrustful of everyone.

He did not demand an answer and Emma was inclined to think
through his words and her own feelings before responding.

Chapter Five

When the carriage arrived back at the Scarborough townhouse,
John stepped down and spoke to one of the grooms.

The countess said, “Don’t worry, my dear, John is very
resourceful. You and he shall do very well together.”

“Do you really think so, Countess?”

“Of course.” She patted Emma’s hand. Then she laughed. “Had
I known he would be so instantly smitten, I would have brought you over long
ago. I should probably apologize to you. I admit I still thought of you as too
young for John. I suppose that can happen when watching someone grow from
birth.”

“I hope I have not ruined your plans for your son’s future.”

“Heavens no, you are much more suitable than any other girl
I have paraded before John, and frankly, he never showed any interest until he
saw you.” The countess wrapped on the roof of the carriage and immediately a
groom appeared at the door to help her down. Emma stepped from the carriage.
Could it be true? Was it possible that John, who had shown no interest in
marriage before, had taken one look at her and changed his mind? It sounded
similar to a plot out of a fairy tale and not at all something that could
happen in her life.

In spite of the lateness of the hour, Emma knew sleep would
be impossible. She was far too restless to retire. She kept waiting for her
normal, reasonable, rational mind to reassert itself, but she began to wonder
if it ever would. From the moment she made the logical decision to run to her
aunt, her life had become a series of unbelievable events.

Evidently John was not ready for bed either. She followed
him into the library.

“You know my uncle won’t give up that easily.” Emma made her
way across the room to an overstuffed chaise.

“Don’t worry so, my dear. He can do little else.”

“I think it was a bad idea to confront Uncle Drake tonight.”
She shuddered at the memory of the scene her uncle had made. But part of her
enjoyed seeing him brought low by John. Her uncle had bullied her for a year.
It was good to see him on the side, being the weaker party.

John poured two small glasses of brandy, handed one to her
and sat down on the chaise with his hip pressed against her leg. “It’s not as
if he gave us any choice, Emma. Would you have rather I let him strike you? It
was important to begin to be seen together in public. While the events of the
evening were regrettable, we certainly were seen together. No one in our circle
will doubt my feelings for you.”

Perhaps the
ton
wouldn’t, but Emma still wondered
about how John felt. Could a man go to all of this trouble out of a sense of
duty? Did he truly love her? He said he did. She shook her head and tried to be
practical. “I’m still worried about Oliver. I’m certain Uncle Drake will not be
denied so easily.”

“I have placed two footmen at every entrance to the house.
Several others will patrol the gardens. I have even hired a Bow Street runner
to keep an eye on your uncle. Oliver will be safe, Emma.” He leaned forward and
kissed her cheek.

“Thank you, John. I’m sure you’re right.” Her stomach
flipped. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm her nerves.

“There is one other matter to discuss.” He never took his
gaze away from her.

She did not pretend to be ignorant of the subject. “I
suppose you would like to know if I will marry you.”

A crooked smile pulled at his mouth. “The date is set. It
would be nice to know if there will be a bride.”

His manner was lighthearted, but she could see the worry in
the set of his jaw.

“I have thought of little else since our dance.” She leaned
away from him, resting on the back of the chaise.

“Have you concluded anything?”

Her hands trembled slightly when she put her glass on a side
table. John immediately took them in his. He steadied her. Here she was,
perhaps about to end their engagement, and he still tried to lend his support.
Her heart filled her chest so thoroughly, she felt it might burst. Was this
love? He’d promised to help her with or without the marriage. John would never
break his word, she was sure of that. The only question that remained was, did
she wish to marry John?

“In my foolishness, I thwarted several fine marriage offers.
If I had been sensible, the events of the last year would not have taken place.
I would have had a husband and we would have taken control of Oliver’s
interests before Uncle Drake could get his hands on them or us. I was young.
That is my only excuse.” The suffering she had caused her little brother pained
her. She’d beaten herself up since it became obvious that her father would not
survive. But by then, it was too late. She didn’t have time to find a husband
and the men who had offered for her a year earlier were already married or
engaged.

“If you had married in your first season, I would have lost
you forever.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.

His mouth was soft and strong all at once. When he backed
away after only a chaste kiss, her body leaned forward and she thought to beg
for more.

“I suppose that’s true. I will not make the same mistake
again. I am very fond of you, John. You seem very eager to marry me and you say
that you love me, which is more than I could have hoped for. I will marry you.”

He frowned, but lifted her hand and kissed the palm. The
kiss sent a series of vibrations that spread to every inch of her body.

Then he kissed her cheek and her mouth. His tongue traced a
path along the seam of her lips. She opened on a sigh and touched her tongue to
his. He groaned and pulled her close for only a moment.

His breathing was ragged when he released her and he brushed
a stray hair from her face. “I cannot tell you how pleased I am at your
decision.” He stood up and helped her to her feet.

When he leaned forward again, she expected a peck on the
lips and for him to say good night. However, his lips grazed her cheek and
landed on the sensitive skin of her ear. Every time he did this, her body
responded and she yearned for more. The whisper of air teased her. “I love you,
Emma, even if I have to love you enough for both of us.”

She still heard those words reverberating in her mind an
hour later when she stole into the garden for a short walk to clear her mind.

Two footmen flanked the garden door and she saw a third by
the side gate that led to an alleyway. She smiled at them and walked past.

Emma wished she could sleep as the rest of the house did.
John had kissed her good night at her bedroom door and likely thought she was
tucked in for the night. She’d never slept well. She and her father would often
meet each other in the garden while trying to walk off insomnia. Even in good
times, she had trouble turning off her busy mind.

These were strange times, both good and bad. It was odd, but
her stomach bubbled with excitement at the idea of her wedding day, but at the
same time, she couldn’t help fearing something terrible would go wrong. That
somehow her uncle would ruin everything and drag her and Oliver back across the
street. The thought and the cold of the winter night gave her a chill. She
pulled the wool wrap tighter around her shoulders. At least she’d had the good
sense to pull on her boots and hadn’t come outside in slippers.

Every moment since leaving her home, she’d been waiting for
him to appear. When she’d seen him at the ball, she’d thought, this is it, now
we will have to go back. But in the next moment, John was there protecting her.
In a world where women were powerless, it was good to have a champion.

“I was worried.” John’s voice cut through her reverie.

She turned to find him smiling at her from several feet
away. She had wandered into a maze of evergreen shrubs and lost track of time.
“Were you looking for me?”

He stepped forward and offered his arm. She took it, and
they continued down the path. “I knocked on your door to see if you were well,
since I know you do not sleep. When you didn’t answer, I checked the library.
You were not there and it almost sent me into a panic, but the footman informed
me you had headed out into the garden. You see, there are some benefits to
keeping one’s house at high military alert.”

“Now that you’ve found me, what will you do with me?” she
teased.

“I may kiss you senseless in a few moments, but first tell
me if you are all right?”

She sighed. “Oh, can’t we just skip to the senseless kissing
part?”

He stopped and turned toward her. The moon was waning, but
still full enough to allow them to see each other. “You are not all right, are
you? Is it the wedding?”

She touched his cheek. It felt warm under her freezing
fingers. “No, John, it is not the wedding. I’m just worried that my uncle will
ruin everything.”

John took her hands and rubbed them between his. “You are
freezing. How do you stand the cold?”

“I rather like it,” she said. “It makes me feel alive.”

“It makes me feel cold,” he complained, but smiled down at
her and continued to warm her fingers. “I will not allow anything or anyone to
interfere with our plans, Emma.”

They started walking again and turned a corner, which took
them to a courtyard that had several benches and a fountain that had been
drained for the winter. Still, the three angels in the center were serene and
beautiful. She wished that she could hear the trickle of water and tried to
imagine it. “Uncle Drake can be very determined when he wants something.”

“So can I.” He sat on the nearest bench and pulled her into
his lap.

“You are not taking this seriously,” she said.

He kissed her chin and nose. “I have posted guards all over
the house and grounds. I nearly strangled Trent tonight at the ball. How much
more seriously do you wish me to take this, Emma. You have lured me into the
garden, the least you can do is offer a fellow some warmth and a kiss for his
trouble.”

“I most certainly did not lure you. You, sir, chased me into
this situation.” Her cheeks hurt from smiling, but she couldn’t stop. His
playfulness made her giddy with excitement both for the moment and for the
future. “However, I shall give you a kiss, since you have already grabbed for
the warmth you require.”

“Very generous,” he said.

Emma leaned in close to him and his arms wrapped around her
tightly. She might not have realized how cold she really was had his heat not
engulfed her so completely.

Her head rested on his shoulder, but she moved it so that her
lips were only a breath away from his cheek. She pressed them forward and the
stubble of his beard’s new growth pricked her skin. She touched her cheek to
his and rubbed lightly to feel his beard better. Bolder, she kissed his chin
and neck, which produced a low grown from John’s chest. When she turned her
head up, he immediately covered her mouth with his. There was something more in
this kiss than the few they had shared in the past two days. She felt his
desperation mingling with her own.

He pulled away. “I think we had better return.”

“Of course, you’re right.” She wondered if he heard the
reluctance in her voice.

If he did, he didn’t acknowledge it. She got up from his lap
and he rose a bit slower than usual before offering his arm.

“Do you think that Oliver will mind living with us rather
than in his own home?” John asked.

She shrugged. “He’s five. I expect he will not care for a
few years and then he will go to school.”

“He’s a fine boy, Emma. You have done a wonderful job with
him.”

Her chest tightened and her heart did a flip. “Thank you.
He’s a good boy.”

John nodded. “He is, and I believe that you are to be
credited for making him that way.”

She was about to argue, but thought better of it. “It is
very nice of you to say so.”

“Do you think you are ready to go back inside? I’m
positively freezing,” he said.

“I think I can sleep now, and the day after tomorrow I shall
plan to sleep better every night.”

* * * * *

Emma thought her nerves would snap by the time the wedding
came and went. She barely had time to rest between fittings and well-wishers.
Oliver also demanded her attention. John did not return to the House of Lords
and seemed to always be hovering within reach, and she had to say, she rather
liked having him around. He helped with decisions, asked her opinion and stole
kisses every now and then.

The entire household walked as if on glass. The footmen had
all been put on guard duty. Any sightings of Uncle Drake were reported to his
lordship immediately. Nothing was left to chance. John had called it a high
military alert and that was exactly what it was. No one ventured out without at
least two footmen. Even the countess was to be guarded at all times. For the
most part, they stayed within the grounds of the townhouse.

When the coach alighted at the steps of St. George, Emma’s
brain could barely comprehend the number of people who had come to watch her
enter the church on Christmas morning. The crowd cheered when she stepped down
in her pale green wedding gown. Margaret had gifted her with a red cape that
was lined with the whitest ermine fur. It was the perfect complement to a
Christmas wedding.

Tradition dictated that John wait for her at the altar, but
he stood at the top of the steps out in front. She couldn’t take her eyes off
him. Dressed in his finest black suit, he was a stunningly tall figure. His
dark eyes shone when he saw her, making her heart soar.

Standing next to him, her brother jumped up and down with
excitement. She climbed the steps with John’s mother. She could see her breath
in the air, but was too excited to notice the cold. From the corner of her eye,
she noticed someone peering around a statue.

Her uncle sneered at her.

She wondered if he’d tried to get inside and failed. That
would have served him right.