Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (9 page)

“Yes, criminal,” he argued before telling
her of the affidavit and how he had originally been named as her
guardian. “Apparently your father knew more of Uncle James than we
did.”

Sabrina was having difficulty taking in this
new information.

“Sabrina.” Ramsey intruded in on her
thoughts. “I am going to make this up to you the best that I
can.”

She smiled sweetly at her cousin, and tried
to dissuade any obligation he might feel. After all, it wasn’t his
fault. “That is very sweet Ramsey, but not necessary. What is done
is done and we will move forward from here.”

“I am glad you feel that way because I would
like you to return to London with me and Juliet. Stay with us and
let me be the guardian I was meant to be.”

“No, Ramsey. I will not intrude on your
life. You have a lovely, new wife and I will not disrupt that.”

“Parker is right. You are
argumentative.”

Opening her mouth, Sabrina began to argue,
but Ramsey stopped her. “You have not reached your age of majority
yet, and it was your father’s wish that I see to your care. I am
not giving you a choice.”

“Why do gentlemen have to be so
controlling?” She knew he had the upper hand, but only for a few
more months.

“It is in our nature,” he answered her with
a smile. “I want to introduce you to society in the spring. I
should have insisted two years ago, and I won’t be derelict in my
duty this time.”

Sabrina rolled her eyes at the waste. “That
is not going to happen. Besides, it will cost a small fortune to
launch me and I cannot afford it. You yourself said the funds
father had left me are gone.” She was not about to let him
sacrifice what little he may have for her.

“You haven’t been really listening. I don’t
need any of your or our uncle’s money. I am wealthy myself. In
fact, I could launch you three times over plus ten daughters, if I
am so blessed.”

Sabrina eyed him skeptically. “Juliet must
have been an heiress.”

Ramsey shook his head. “I did not need to
marry an heiress. I married Juliet because I loved her and would
have married her if she was destitute. My wealth is my own, from
what my own father and mother left me.”

She still eyed him carefully, not sure if
she should accept his offer. Ramsey continued pleading his case.
“Your father knew this. I believe that is why he named me your
guardian. He knew I wouldn’t squander what was left to you and if,
by chance, the funds were lost, I was in the financial position to
see to you as he would have.”

“Then why didn’t Uncle James turn to you for
help if he was in such dire circumstances?”

Ramsey shook his head. “I don’t know.”

She had spent the past four years as a
servant to wealthy young ladies because of her uncle’s greed. If
she would have told Ramsey the truth in the beginning her life
would have been entirely different. Still, she didn’t feel right
placing herself under his care at this point in time and thought
she could take care of herself. “I am still not comfortable with
moving into your home. Think of Juliet, your wife. I am sure when
she married you she wasn’t expecting to suddenly become guardian to
a grown woman.”

“Juliet and I have already discussed this,
and we are in complete agreement.”

“Actually, I have insisted.” Juliet said,
watching Sabrina with a sympathetic smile.

“You are too kind.” Sabrina believed Juliet
probably hadn’t been given much of a choice since it appeared men,
she had learned, felt the need to make all decisions.

“It is what I want. Besides,” Juliet
continued as she stopped before Sabrina. “By the time the season
arrives, I will be confined to the house. I will enjoy having some
company and Ramsey will have someone to accompany to the societal
affairs.”

What Juliet was insinuating began to dawn on
Sabrina and a smile slowly formed and she turned to Ramsey. “I am
so happy for you.”

“Say you will come home with us.”

“Yes, I will,” Sabrina reluctantly agreed.
She couldn’t deny that Juliet was genuine in her request that she
live with them, and it would be good to be in a family household
again. If all he said was true, what could it hurt to allow Ramsey
to do what he felt was his duty and right? At least for a few
months, until she reached her majority.

As they entered the parlor again, Mr. Parker
watched Sabrina expectantly. “Sabrina has agreed to return to
London with me and I will see that she is introduced in the
spring.” He turned to Parker. “She is argumentative, but as her
guardian I will do my best to curb that habit.”

Sabrina gasped from beside him. She wasn’t
about to let him have complete control over her just because she
would allow him his duty.

Chuckling, Juliet patted her hand. “Don’t
worry. I’ll take care of your cousin.”

Sabrina succeeded in avoiding Mr. Parker
until the following afternoon when he located her by a stream at
the back of the property. She stopped walking when he approached,
still not sure how she felt about his betrayal. Her mixed emotions
had kept her awake a good portion of the night, and she hadn’t been
able to make sense of what she was feeling. On one hand, he had
disregarded her trust by confessing to her cousin. On the other
hand, he was more knowledgeable of the situation than she and
considered it in her best interest to inform Ramsey of the
circumstances. On the other hand, he had led her to believe he was
seeking a new position for her with every intention of speaking to
Ramsey, which was a deceit in itself. Plus, he had taken it upon
himself to make a decision that directly involved her without
informing her first. It didn’t matter that he was right and
everything had worked out for the best. She was still angry.

Sabrina tried to hold onto that anger,
though it was difficult because just the sight of him made her want
to smile. Today he was dressed in snug brown breeches, a dark brown
jacket, and a cream shirt. The brown tones made his eyes warmer and
friendlier. Sabrina tried to remind herself that those deep eyes
could not be trusted while she bit her lower lip to keep from
showing what the mere sight of him did to her.

When he stopped before her, Sabrina tilted
her head to look up at him, waiting for him to speak first.

Clasping his hands behind his back, Parker
looked down into her eyes. “I have been looking for you, Sabrina. I
think we need to discuss what you believe was my betrayal.”

“You did betray my trust.” She was not
willing to give an inch, forgive him, or trust him. It would be
easier if she wasn’t looking into those magnificent eyes. His
lashes were thick, long, and curled ever so slightly. She shook the
thought from her mind. She could not back down now and willed
herself not to be affected.

“I had hoped after your discussion with
Ramsey that you would understand why I did what I did.”

“I do understand your motives, Mr. Parker.”
He needed to know the true reason for her anger.

Parker tilted his head to the side. “I
thought we had dispensed of formalities.”

Unable to look at him anymore, Sabrina
turned her back and stepped toward the water. “That was when I
thought I could trust you.” She lifted her chin.

Parker came up behind her. “You can trust
me.” He grasped her upper arms and turned her to face him. “I knew
the financial status of both your cousin and uncle yet couldn’t
understand why either had allowed you to become a servant. When I
visited Ramsey, I still was not sure if I was going to tell him or
not. I needed to know if he knew what you were doing. ”

Knowing it would be her undoing, Sabrina
refused to look up into his face. Instead, she looked past his
shoulder. “I thought I could trust you.” The hitch in her voice
betrayed her emotions.

His hands tightened on her arms, but not in
a painful matter. “You can trust me, Sabrina. I was only concerned
with your welfare.”

Why did he have to step nearer? She could
feel the warmth of his body, reminding her of the night they had
slept together and the comfort she had felt. Still, he needed to
know that she did not appreciate control of her life being taken
out of her hands. “You should have consulted me first.” She finally
looked up at him.

He smiled down at her gently. “I understand
that now and am asking you to forgive me. At the time, I thought I
was doing the right thing.”

Her anger melted away. He had done what he
felt best, and she had known that from almost the beginning. He
hadn’t betrayed her because he hadn’t promised to keep her secret,
even though he had led her to believe he would. She silently vowed
to pay closer attention to his promises in the future, if she saw
him in the future, after she was installed in Ramsey’s home. “I
forgive you, but please don’t make decisions for me again.”

Parker let out a breath. “I will try not to
make that mistake again.”

Sabrina returned his smile. Perhaps he did
feel something for her if it was so important to him to patch the
rift that had formed.

*

He studied her face. They were back on
friendly terms, she was smiling at him, and looking entirely too
attractive. He let his eyes drop to her full, rosy lips and pulled
her closer. He did not think about what he was about to do and
simply acting on what he wanted. He lowered his head, placing his
lips against hers.

Marius lifted his face from the very light
kiss. While she hadn’t pulled away, she hadn’t engaged either. It
was a bit disconcerting. “Have I taken a liberty I shouldn’t have?”
What if she wasn’t attracted to him? Marius had never stopped to
consider the possibility, only knowing what he was feeling.

“Probably, but I don’t mind.” Sabrina smiled
back, revealing the dimples he loved.

He studied her closer. So she had wanted to
be kissed, but she had not reacted. That had never happened to him
before. This was difficult and perhaps he should just forget
kissing her and escort her back to the house. Yet, he knew that
wasn’t an option until he tried at least once more.

Marius gave her a half smile. He studied her
lips, and watched as she instinctively licked them, as if waiting
for another. He had to acknowledge to himself that in his
uncertainty, he had given her a very chaste kiss, almost brotherly.
Perhaps that was the problem, he thought as he lowered his head
again. This time he used more pressure, wanting her to know there
was more than innocent friendship on his mind.

Sabrina gasped.

Taking advantage of her parted lips, Marius
deepened his kiss, unable to get enough. Perhaps he should have
left her after the first kiss because her reaction was setting him
on fire. She was now leaning into him as if she needed support. If
Ramsey came upon him, he would never believe the night in the inn
had been as innocent as they had said. Marius could not will
himself to stop and found himself pulling her closer. Her arms went
around his neck, and she molded her body to his almost as closely
as it had been that night.

The moan from the back of her throat made
him aware of his own actions, where they were, and that what he was
doing was entirely improper. He lifted his head, though the last
thing he wanted to do was end their kiss.

Letting her head drop back, Sabrina looked
up at him with a small smile on her swollen and bruised lips. Her
eyes were partially closed with lingering passion. Marius groaned
and forced himself to pull away, though it would be a picture he
would not soon forget, if ever. If this is how she looked after a
thorough kiss, how would she look after a thorough loving? The
thought chilled him to the bone and abruptly, he pulled away from
her, stiffening. He shouldn’t be having any thoughts of making love
to her. She was innocent, under the care of a friend, still waiting
to have her first season and not some trollop or mistress.

Offering his arm, not sure what to say, he
escorted her back to the house, in silence.

*

Mortification built in Sabrina because he
didn’t say a word and suddenly seemed more distant than ever. She
had behaved improperly and what must he think of her? Years ago,
when she was still a student, Lady Davies reminded the girls again
and again of the proper behavior expected of all young ladies. If
they allowed kisses, especially passionate kisses, a gentleman
would never consider them virtuous to be a wife. And the kiss she
and Marius just shared was far from chaste. She had practically
plastered herself against him. If he had ever considered her beyond
a friend, all of that was now destroyed. Though she doubted there
would be another opportunity, especially after this display,
Sabrina vowed that if he ever attempted the liberty again, she
would certainly control herself and hoped she had another chance to
prove she was a lady.

Upon returning to the house, Sabrina escaped
to her room as quickly as possible. She needed to distance herself
from him and think.

*

Marius strode to the kitchen, his mind and
emotions in a turmoil. He turned to the only thing he could think
of to work through this revelation – cooking. It had worked for
years and he prayed it worked today. This was not the first time
the cook had seen Marius enter her domain, and she greeted him with
a short nod.

He ran his fingers through his hair and
looked about the room. Besides the cook, a staff of five worked at
preparing the evening meal. He walked to the counter where a young
maid stood before a pile of vegetables. He held out his hand. She
handed him the long knife. He took his position and began to chop
carrots in precise slices.

It didn’t take him long to come to terms
with and accept that Sabrina would be more to him than a short-term
interest. All he had to do was bid his time until she had come out
and perhaps courted by a few gentlemen. After all, every young lady
deserved that time in her life and, it would be grossly unfair of
him to deny Sabrina hers because of his own selfish desires. If
only the season wasn’t sooner.