His Christmas Angel (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 8) (4 page)

“I am only saying that we should see if the old boy needs a bit of rescuing.”

Clarence groaned. Tiny, Lucky and Cassius were on their way. He sighed heavily. For the first time ever, he wished that his three mates would bugger off. He wanted to remain as he and Ann were…alone—with only each other as company.

Lucky and Tiny barged into the room, in their normal boisterous manner. Cassius sauntered behind them. Leisurely taking his time. Come to think of it, Cassius did everything at a more sedate pace.

“My lady,” they all said, giving her dramatically elaborate bows that made Clarence sigh, and roll his eyes.

Lucky looked at the scene he and Ann created, while Tiny’s attention focused on the biscuits and hot chocolate. “Oh, that does look like a tasty treat. I am fair gutfounded. I can’t wait for dinner,” he muttered, stepping forward, and reaching for a biscuit.

Lucky groaned. “I don’t think we are needed, or wanted, Tiny,” he said, under his breath.

“Oh, yes, I agree with you old chap,” Cassius said softly, his eyes wide.

“Clarence, you look too smoky by half. What goes on here, then?” Tiny asked.

“You two do look a little suspicious,” Lucky remarked.

“Fess up. Tell all,” Tiny urged.

“Lady Ann and I are to be married,” Clarence announced proudly.

“Oh, no,” Cass muttered. “Clarence has fallen into the trap, mates.”

Tiny’s mouth gaped open, and Lucky looked as if he’d had the rug pulled out from beneath him.

“I…I beg your pardon?” Lucky asked.

“Lady Ann has finally accepted my proposal of marriage,” Clarence said proudly, raising his hand when it looked as if she were going to contradict him.

*****

Ann couldn’t quite believe what Clarence had just told his mates. He hadn’t asked her to marry him—she was the one who had given the proposal. How could he take responsibility for it? It was an outright fib. Her heart hammered so loudly in her chest at his faradiddle that she feared Lord Chorley, Lord Prescott and Lord Spaulding just might hear it.

“And did she say yes of her own accord, or did you have to lavish her with untold riches to get her to say that magical word?” Tiny quipped.

“Felix, behave yourself,” Lucky hissed. “We shall take our leave now. My lady, Clarence,” Lucky said, as he and Cass attempted to back out of the room.

“No…no, you don’t have to leave,” Clarence rushed out. “We…we actually need your assistance. Well, to clarify, I need yours, and Tiny’s assistance, Lucky. I am not entirely certain Cass wants in on it. It shall come with its own peril.”

Now that Ann considered it at length, she didn’t know how she felt about being left alone with the two Barons. They seemed slightly intimidating. She knew they were not born into the ton—she knew they had once been in the Army, and their reputations during that time preceded them.

Lord Chorley had recently inherited his father’s title, and he had been with Clarence at Eton. By comparison, he didn’t cast quite as much of an imposing figure, although, he was not finely built like some men his age. He shared that in common with Clarence. They were both growing into fine young men, who looked as if they could handle themselves in a fight.

Lord Spaulding and Lord Prescott on the other hand, hadn’t been born into a life of privilege. She didn’t know much about their origins, but she did know that they had started life in the Army as enlisted men. During the wars against Napoleon, Lord Prescott had been raised through the ranks, and had eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant, and Lord Spaulding had attained the rank of Sergeant Major. Neither of them had the easy going demeanor that Clarence possessed, and while she had been introduced to Lord Spaulding and Lord Prescott back when Ginny had married their Colonel, she didn’t know them as well as she would have liked.

No matter what she thought, or how she felt, she would mind her own business, and keep quiet. She couldn’t risk invoking Clarence’s wrath—he might decide she wasn’t worth marrying. Gazing at him, she wondered if his handsome visage ever got irritated. She had only ever seen him smiling, or looking a little wistful. She had never seen him lose his temper, even with his sisters, he only ever got slightly annoyed, and he usually had a joke to deal with any uncomfortable situation at hand.

Clarence was far beyond her grasp. She had never quite figured out why he was so utterly besotted with her. Devilishly handsome, he looked like a younger version of his father, the Duke of Alton. His captivating emerald green eyes, the way they sparkled, why he could have had any other maiden in the ton—many who were far prettier than she, and younger than she. His wavy black hair invited her to run her fingers through it, and resisting to do so was becoming quite a bother.

Having him want her, and only her, befogged her in a way nothing ever had.

“Ah, the time has quite run away from me,” Cassius said. “I fear I must away at once. Congratulations to you both. I hope you shall be very happy in your new life together. I shall remain mum about what has happened here tonight. I shan’t speak a word of it to anyone, so you needn’t fear.”

“I know you won’t, Cass. Give my regards to your Mama and sisters,” Clarence said.

Cass nodded to him, bowed to Ann, and left.

“What do you need, mate?” Lord Spaulding asked, coming to sit with them.

“I need you to keep an eye on Lady Ann.”

“Not a difficult task, I grant you,” Lord Spaulding said, giving her a friendly grin, and a wink. She smiled back at him, feeling a little hot under his gaze. The man was huge, and he looked at her as if he could see right under her skin. He looked at her as if he was trying to determine whether or not she was worthy of Clarence, and she had to admit, she probably wasn’t.

“I don’t need you to stare at Lady Ann like she is a plateful of meat ready to be devoured, Tiny,” Clarence said, sighing. “I…her father wants to see her marry a man that is…”

“Not you, eh?” Lord Spaulding quipped.

She noticed that Lord Prescott had gone conspicuously silent, and he studied her intently.

“Not of her choosing, is that it?” Lord Prescott asked softly, giving her a kind smile.

“Aye,” Clarence said grimly.

“The man your father wants you to marry, is he a cad?” Lord Spaulding asked bluntly, taking another large bite out of his biscuit.

“He is the worst,” Ann said softly, finally gaining enough courage to speak aloud.

“Well, if he is the worst, we probably know him, or know of him. We know an awful lot of bounders, don’t we, Lucky?” Lord Spaulding mused.

“Indeed,” Lord Prescott chuckled.

“Lady Ann’s father wanted her to leg-shackle herself to Sir Wilfrid Culpepper,” Clarence said, his eyes lighting with fire, his face going a little red with his indignation.

“That sodding arsehole? That prick of a popinjay?” Lord Spaulding sputtered. “Oh, I do beg your pardon, my lady. I, uh…I forgot myself for a minute there. I will be on my best behaviour from now on. I only want to say that he isn’t our sort of bounder. We would never allow anyone like that to be in our circle. No…no, not at all. We like mischief makers who respect women, and treat them with unfailing kindness—and that one—no, indeed, he doesn’t respect women at all. Our lot are chivalrous souls, aren’t we, Lucky?” Lord Prescott nodded his head solemnly. “But I do apologize for my vulgar language, my lady, it wasn’t befitting of a gently bred lady such as yourself.”

“That is quite all right, Lord Spaulding. You spoke the God’s honest truth,” Ann said. “Sir Wilfrid is what you called him—and then some. I…I would rather face death than marriage to him.”

“A nice young lady such as yourself, shouldn’t be thinking such dark thoughts,” Lord Spaulding said. “No, we’ll fix it all, won’t we, Clarence? You’ll be married to this little bastard before you know it, my lady,” he said, winking at her.

“Thank you, Tiny,” Clarence said wryly.

“Well, better you than me or Lucky, eh, Lucky?” Lord Spaulding said loudly. Lucky pursed his lips, and rolled his eyes. “I shall always slip out of the matrimonial noose.”

“Whatever you say, Tiny,” Lucky sighed heavily, and cast his eyes to the floor. 

Ann smiled. It looked as if Lord Prescott wasn’t at all afraid of the subject of holy matrimony. In startling contrast, Lord Spaulding looked as if he wanted to avoid it like the plague. She sympathized with whatever woman fell under Lord Spaulding’s charm. The way he reacted to the thought of being leg-shackled, that young lady would have to be in possession of an awfully big net, and a large of dose of good luck—and even then, he might slip out of her feminine grasp.

“Shouldn’t you make a beeline for your parents’ house? I trust you will need His Grace’s help, to obtain a special license in a timely manner, and of course, you shall have to find a vicar, won’t you?” Lord Prescott asked calmly.

Little seemed to ruffle Lord Prescott. He had that unshakable manner that Ann had always admired. Suddenly, he didn’t seem as intimidating. She still had her reservations about Lord Spaulding. He had a genial manner, but his size overwhelmed her. He reminded her of a bear.

“Aye. Hopefully, we can be married within a few days,” Clarence said softly.

Ann’s stomach dipped, and she felt as if she had fallen down a deep hole. She had to get over her nervousness. Marrying Clarence was far better than having to marry Sir Wilfrid.

“Ann, you look rather faint. Why don’t you go upstairs to one of the guest bedchambers and have a lie down?” Clarence asked gently.

“I am sorry, Clarence. I am being such a ninny. I just…the events of this day have hit me rather hard, and I suppose I shall need some time to recover. I feel quite shattered.”

“I can see that,” Clarence said softly. “I would have had the same reaction if my father wanted to marry me off to someone like Sir Wilfrid. You needn’t live in fear any longer, Ann. We shall keep you quite safe.”

“Oh, aye. Lucky and I won’t let anyone into this house who wants to steal you away, Lady Ann,” Lord Spaulding said gallantly. “They will only perturb me in a most awful manner, if they even attempt it.”

“And no one in their right mind wants to perturb Tiny,” Lucky snorted. “It’s like poking a bear.”

“And riling you is so much better?” Tiny demanded.

“If they are going to poke the bear, it is better to poke me…I take my time getting revenge.”

“Aye, but your revenge usually comes with a bigger bang, and a bit more fanfare,” Tiny remarked.

Before they could continue their friendly repartee, Ann smiled. “Thank you,” she said, her voice shaking ever so slightly. She stood up, and before she knew it, Clarence was at her elbow, offering her his arm. His sweet nature wouldn’t be a trial to live with—on the contrary, she felt as if it would be a pleasure.

With a weak smile, she took his arm, and leaned against him. She sank gratefully against him. She felt utterly spent. He was always such a gentlemen. He was taller than she remembered. Had he gained a few inches since they had seen each other last? She sometimes forgot how young he was. He was younger than she by about four years…or was it five?

Either way he was old enough to marry her, and that was all that counted at the moment.

“If you are taking her up to her bedchamber, don’t tarry long, Clarence. Me and Gil will be counting the minutes,” Lord Spaulding said, with a cheeky wink.

Ann sighed. She knew what Lord Spaulding alluded to. As much as she wanted to be Clarence’s wife, she wasn’t ready to let him into her bed until they were married. She hadn’t gone that barmy—yet.

They walked up the lovely oak staircase, and he took her to a bedchamber draped in emerald green wall hangings, and the bed had an elegantly carved tester that crowned it, with emerald green bed hangings. It was covered in black satin and looked sinfully decadent. The entire room was decorated for a king—or a queen. The door clicked shut behind them.

“Would you like me to ravish you now…or later tonight?” Clarence asked, his eyes dancing merrily.

Ann regarded him silently for a few moments.

How should she react to this? Should she act appalled or should she play along? Playing along with him seemed so much more fun, and she needed a bit of merriment in her life, after the hard day she’d had. 

“Why not now, Clarence? There is no better time than the present,” Ann said, watching his merry green eyes light with a bit of panic. She had called his bluff, and he didn’t seem at all pleased with the result. “However, though my experience is extremely limited, I do think we would be missed by your mates. But then, again, maybe you are a fast lover when it comes to the ladies? I did say I would do my wifely duties by you—and perhaps, perhaps, I should start while I am still your fiancée.” Ann had never been so bold with someone in her entire life. Her father’s willingness to sell her, had freed all of her inhibitions. She now had nothing to lose, and she didn’t think that rising to Clarence’s bait would madden him enough to call off their impending nuptials. Well, she hoped it wouldn’t. “This is your bedchamber isn’t it, Clarence?” she asked softly, “now, why ever else did you bring me here? I can only guess that you wanted to have a little bit of a kiss and a cuddle.”

He tugged at his cravat once more, as colour flooded his swarthy skin. She actually had the urge to lean up on her tiptoes, and kiss him. He looked rather adorable at the moment. He always looked adorable. There wasn’t another man like him.

“I…uh, well, I would like to take you up on your proposal, oh, boy, how I would like to—I uh,” he cleared his throat nervously. He did that a lot when he was around her. “I need to get a move on. As Tiny said, I need to make a beeline for Deville House. I need my father’s help to sort out the marriage license, and then, of course, I might have to listen to my mother attempt to dissuade me from taking this course of action, and if I am really unlucky, my father will take up her cause as well.” She had to admire him. He got all of that out without even taking a breath.

She reached out for his arm, as panic slowly burgeoned within her. “You wouldn’t let her convince you not to marry me, would you, Clarence?” she asked, realizing how desperate she sounded and not giving a tinker’s fart about it.

“Never,” he said, his voice dropping to a low husky tone that she had never heard before. It made the hairs on her arms stand on end, and a delightful tingle rushed through her entire body. He looked at her with fire crackling in his eyes. She swallowed thickly, and licked her lips. That was all of the invitation Clarence needed. He brought her close so swiftly that she let out a sigh, as she slammed against his chest. Oh, good heavens, he smelled like bergamot—and just a little bit of lavender, lemon, orange and rosemary. The notes in his cologne combined to make a delightful scent and it almost undid her. She inhaled deeply, memorizing the fragrance. When had Clarence turned into a man? When had he gotten so bloody brawny? He was devilishly handsome, the way he looked now—and he looked a little dangerous. She wasn’t completely certain he wouldn’t ravish her, and yet—the thought excited her rather than frightening her. 

“When did you get so big, Clarence?” she asked breathlessly. He looked at her lips, as if they were the sweetest treat he had ever seen. Lowering his mouth to hers, he brushed her lips with his. She waited for more, but he had drawn away.

“If I start—I might not be able to stop,” he said raggedly, pulling away from her. “I should go. And aye, this is my bedchamber. You will be safe here. Safe from me, and safe from everyone else who might seek to annoy you. Pray, stay here until I return. I will tell Lords Prescott and Spaulding where you are, and that you should not be disturbed. I will also tell them not to let your father into this house, no matter how much he blusters about.”

“You…how long will you be gone?” she asked breathlessly, a little more shakily than she would have liked. The fact that he had affected her profoundly made her doubt herself. Why had she continually rejected his advances? Why? She had been such a foolish little chit.

“I haven’t the foggiest,” he confessed. “I…I suppose I will be gone as long it takes. I will hasten back to your side as quickly as I can, so you needn’t worry, Ann.”

“I don’t worry that you can’t handle yourself, Clarence. I feel a little insecure, because I am clearly out of my element here. I have never been in this kind of a situation before. I knew I would cause a scandal by coming to you—but I am still ridden with guilt.”

“Ah, I see. You have never been the bad daughter. Always toe the mark, eh? But then, that is why I love you so. You are bloody perfect. Don’t worry, it will get easier with time. I haven’t exactly been a good son myself—from time to time, I know I have disappointed my parents.”

“But never enough for them to disown you,” she whispered, her heart thundering in her chest. She wanted to close the short distance between them and beg him to take her into his arms again. Being so close to him, felt so right. She felt a little heady at the thought, and instead of walking toward him, she backed away from him. Keeping a bit of distance between them was what they needed right now. She couldn’t trust herself.

Temptation whispered to her, and it told her to let Clarence have his way with her. Lying with him wouldn’t be an ordeal—she felt it would be a pleasure, the likes of which, she couldn’t quite fathom at the moment.

“No…but you said that your mother was firmly on your side. It is your father who has the problem and from where I am standing, he is the one in the wrong. My mama, well, she might not be entirely enthused about this match, but she won’t do anything that will alienate me, and my papa, well, he isn’t too keen on it, either. They thought that if they allowed me to go to Wiltshire that I would fall in love with one of my Lovett cousins, but while they were all simply lovely, none could hold a candle to your brilliant beauty, Ann. You are the only woman for me, and my family will eventually come to accept that. They will have to. I shan’t give them a choice.”

“You are fortunate, Clarence. You and Ginny have a family that I have only dreamt of having. My mama has done her best by all of us, but we have never been a happy family. When we are together, we bicker constantly, and my brother—well my brother has never helped with that division—he only makes it worse, and delights in doing so.”

“Cyril and I are perfect brothers. I am quite certain that Ginny and Val would say we were,” he said, grinning at her.

“Oh, aye, Ginny has said you were a good brother to her, Clarence. Don’t look so surprised. I like the fact that you adore them so much. It makes you a better person for it.”

“When I said perfect, I meant that we were perfect little pains in the backside. Still, they did take it quite well, and I have to confess, I missed them after they married, and moved away. Without Cyril, I felt a little lost, until Freddie, Tiny and Lucky came back to Town, and put a little bit of excitement into my life. And, I have always had Cassius to make mischief with. Ah, when the three of us were at Eton, along with Simon Lovett—we were certainly a fearsome foursome,” he laughed.  “Ah, we had such fun together. Simon is like another brother to me. I know that Cyril was relieved that he would join him at Oxford.”

“Do you think Lord Cyril will make it back home in time for our wedding? I know that he shall be home for Christmas shortly.”

“Oh, I wager he shall be back in time. But even if he isn’t…even if we are married before he makes it back I shouldn’t worry. He won’t be upset—he shall understand. Cyril is a very obliging fellow. He doesn’t offend easily, and his feelings are awfully hard to hurt. I want us to be married quickly, and with little or no fuss or muss. I also don’t want your father getting wind of what we have planned, and we can away to Evesham Hall, if you would like to have our Christmas in the Cotswolds.”

“Oh, that would be heavenly. I might miss London, as we have always spent Christmas here in preparation for the Season, and my Father always liked us to be in Town when Parliament was in session…but maybe…maybe it would be nice to be with you at your beautiful country retreat, and while Father has a crumbling little estate nearby, I do not think he shall make it out there. I expect he shall have to sell it in order to make some sort of an inheritance for his precious little James. James has lived a life of decadence and excess a little too long—squandering away money as if he had bottomless coffers. I suppose he will have to pinch his pennies now,” she smiled softly. “Oh, how he shall scream, sulk, and storm about the place.”

“Well, of course. Lord Broadway will have to sell off his properties to settle his debts. After all, he can’t leave his precious son a bankrupted estate,” he sighed, “I think I shall use that to gain sympathy from my father and my mother. You see, my father is quite liberal, and for the most part, he treated the girls the same way he treated us boys. He saw we had the same education, even going so far as to have Valentina and Ginny trained in the art of swordplay.”

“I don’t think Ginny was at all pleased with her fencing lessons,” Ann said, chuckling. “She always seemed so vexed whenever it was time for them. I think she would have preferred being left out of that sort of exercise.”

“Oh, yes, indeed. She wasn’t fond of them at all, but I think now she rather regrets not being a better student. Ginny used to have her head in the clouds back then. She didn’t think of anything but what she was going to wear to her balls, routs and other social events. She doesn’t like to perspire, you see. She certainly wouldn’t have been pleased with parrying and thrusting…” his face went red. “I…I do believe I ought to be going, Ann. The time is slipping away on us. Pray…have a good rest, and if you need anything, just ring, and one of my servants shall fetch it for you. I shall tell them that they are to listen to you, as they would listen to me.”

She dashed forward, and reached for his hand, as he was turning away to go to the door. “Clarence,” she said, fighting hard to maintain her composure.

“Aye?” he asked, turning to regard her with his tumultuous green eyes that seemed to reach straight down into her soul.

“Thank you. I know I have already said it, but I don’t think I shall ever be able to say it enough. Having you accept me so readily after I was so horrid to you—you don’t know how relieved it made me.”

He smiled. “The love I have for you is unconditional, Ann. I am only glad that you sought me out. I am happy that you thought of me in your time of need and that you didn’t think to go and offer marriage to someone else…you didn’t, did you?” he asked cheekily, his eyes dancing merrily.

“No,” she said sighing. “You were the only man I thought of in my time of need, and it took all of my courage to muster enough nerve to come here and propose marriage to you.”

“As for that, Ann,” he stepped forward, and placed his forefinger over her lips. “Don’t ever tell anyone you asked me. I have asked you countless times to be mine in the love letters I wrote you—you never answered, and I grant you, I never should have written them to you, as it isn’t done—but I couldn’t help myself—I wanted to express my enduring love for you through prose. It was the only way I could keep myself from going quite mad with it all.”

“You wrote me letters?” She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. He could have knocked her over with a feather. “And…and, in those letters you proposed marriage to me? I…I never received any missives from you, Clarence. Honestly, I didn’t. I…I only knew you were fascinated with me because you always seem to be there whenever I was out riding in Hyde Park, or shopping…or…well, I gathered that Ginny had told you about the shops I frequented…and…”

“Ginny had a hand in it,” he confessed. “She wants me to marry you almost as much as I want to marry you. She did try her utmost best to match make us.”

“It was my father. It had to have been my father,” she sighed. “He must have kept the missives from me. He probably read them and then burned them while he did a little jubilant jig.” She suddenly felt sick. “I…I am sorry, Clarence. I never knew how serious you were—I confess, I had resigned myself to never hoping to find a man who would want me.”

“I have always wanted you,” he said fervently, stepping forward. He looked as if he wanted to gather her into his arms, and she closed her eyes, willingly waiting for it. If he pulled her into his arms, and took her to his bed, she wouldn’t fight him. She would let him ravish her. She would allow him to have his wicked way with her. Only, he would have to show her how it was all done.

It was all a mystery to her, and her mother hadn’t exactly helped her much to prepare herself for this side of married life. She had a bit of knowledge about what went on between a man and a woman—but she didn’t know nearly enough.

He kissed her tenderly on the middle of her forehead, and then, she heard him walking away. She opened her eyes just in time to see the door shut quietly.

Ann wasn’t prepared for the feelings of emptiness that flooded over her. She felt bereft. She felt like having a good cry. Her nerves were completely shot. She sank onto his bed, and kicked off her slippers. Lifting her legs, she laid out on the bed, and closed her eyes.

She was safe. She was free.

Her father had no control over her anymore. His whims and his fancies, couldn’t affect her now. Most importantly, he couldn’t use her to pay off his debts. He had never cared for her. Her sisters had at least been able to choose their husbands.

He had probably gotten his jollies from keeping Clarence’s letters from her. Anger surged through her, as she imagined him having a good little laugh, while he read the private correspondences, and then, burned them with relish.