The Seduction of Lady Phoebe (28 page)

“Marcus and I have discussed it,” Phoebe said, patting her sister-in-law’s arm. “It was very wrong of him and yes, disgraceful, but we’ve put it behind us, and you must as well.”

Amabel’s eyes searched Phoebe’s face. “Have you, my dear? I don’t know if I could.”

She nodded. “Yes, indeed, else Marcus would not be here.” Phoebe led Amabel toward the house. “Believe me when I tell you, if he were not the right man—the only man—for me, nothing in this world could make me accept him.”

“You always said you would wait until you found . . .” She broke off and stared at Phoebe, amazement in her face, then smiled. “You accepted Marcus? I
am
glad. Knowing what he is like now, I was sure he would be perfect for you.”

Phoebe raised a brow. “It was a very good thing I was not aware of who he was when I saw him in Bond Street.
That
was what started it all.”

Amabel took Phoebe’s arm and laughed. “Geoffrey mentioned something about it but I have not heard the whole. You must tell me. Was it very scandalous?”

“According to my aunt Ester, it was the most scandalous thing she’d ever seen in Bond Street.” Phoebe grinned as she related the event.

Amabel replied in shocked tones, “Great heavens, Phoebe, what were you two thinking?”

Phoebe shook her head, but couldn’t keep from smiling. “Quite honestly, Amabel, I don’t think either of us was thinking. It was the most remarkable thing. I don’t remember a thought running through my head, and Marcus doesn’t either.”

“Well,” Amabel replied, “it is a very good thing you are marrying or we would have a scandal on our hands, and you know, my dear, how much that would displease Geoffrey.”

Phoebe went into whoops. “I perfectly understand it would not do to upset Geoffrey. The poor dear has had enough to suffer being my guardian.”

“He’s not been your guardian for years now,” Amabel said sternly, “and how
can
you say such a thing. Geoffrey has
always
said you have such superior sense.”

“Only because I’ve left you both alone as much as I could,” Phoebe retorted.

“Well, that may have had something to do with it,” her sister-in-law admitted.

Once everyone was in the drawing room, Henry poured sherry and tea was served.

Phoebe turned to her brother. “Geoffrey, what brought you?”

“Well,” he said, glancing at his brothers-in law, “I’ve been receiving letters concerning what has been going on and, finally, one arrived summoning me here.”

Phoebe frowned, not understanding. “What do you mean? What is going on?”

Geoffrey glanced pointedly at Phoebe and at Marcus standing next to her. “From what I hear, there have been some events verging on scandal.”

Chapter Eighteen

“O
h, I see.” Phoebe gazed up at Marcus, who gave her a questioning look. She nodded. “Now is as good a time as any.”

Taking her arm, he addressed his parents. “Mamma, Papa.” Waving his arm, Marcus included the rest of them. “I have the great pleasure to inform you that Lady Phoebe has done me the honor of agreeing to become my wife.”

“That saved you,” Geoffrey muttered, but his eyes were alight with laughter.

“It’s about time,” Edwin said as the rest of them converged on Marcus and Phoebe with their good wishes.

Phoebe whispered to Marcus, “Shall we bring down the children? They’ll hear it from the staff, if we don’t tell them first.”

He grinned. “You’re right, that wouldn’t do at all.”

Phoebe sat on the sofa with Marcus, when the children entered. She held out her arms and gathered her nieces and nephews to her, taking the younger ones in her lap and praying the children would take the news of her betrothal well. “My loves, I want to ask you to wish me happy. Lord Marcus and I are to be married.”

Robert, Hester’s eldest, and William, and Arabella, Hermione’s eldest, exchanged glances, then bowed and curtseyed, regarding Marcus with deep consideration.

Marcus smiled at them, wondering if they’d accept him.

They turned their attention back to Phoebe.

“Will you still visit us?” asked Robert, the spokesman. “And play with us as you do now?”

“Yes, my dear, to be sure, and I’ll have a home, where you will be able to visit me as well.”

The cousins exchanged somewhat less tense glances, then Arabella asked Marcus, “Do you like children?”

Marcus held out his arms to her. “Yes, I do. Very much.”

She went to him, taking his hand and tugging him down until she could kiss his cheek. William and Robert followed her lead, their demeanors grave as they shook hands with Marcus. Soon, the two younger ones climbed onto his lap, and he hugged and kissed them both.

When their treats were brought, the children gathered around the table.

Phoebe whispered to him, “It was easier getting over that fence than I expected.”

Marcus was thankful it had been. He liked the idea of being part of her family. “I was always taught to get over heavy ground as lightly as possible.”

Phoebe grinned. “Did I tell you that I am their favorite aunt?”

He widened his eyes in feigned surprise. “No, are you? I would never have guessed.” He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss in her palm. “Meet me early in the drawing room. I have something special to show you.”

Phoebe arrived to find Marcus staring out the window. He turned and drew her to him, before handing her a small box. “I meant to give you this yesterday.”

She glanced up at him.

“Open it.”

Sliding the top off the carved wooden box, she found, nestled in satin, an ancient ring of delicate gold filigree, set in the center with a large opal. The sides were decorated with smaller diamonds and amethysts.

Tears pricked her eyes. “Marcus, my love, I have never seen anything so beautiful. It looks quite old.”

“It is. It belonged to a great-great-great-grandmother, and this ring has been waiting for another bride to wear it. Family legend has it that it may only be worn by a bride born in October, else it’s bad luck. You are the only bride to have been born in October in so long my mother almost forgot about it.”

Marcus slid the ring on her finger and lightly touched his lips to hers. “It’s been waiting for you, as have I.”

Phoebe reached up to embrace him.

The door opened and Edwin coughed. “I do hope you intend to marry quickly.”

Marcus grinned. “As soon as possible.”

After their families had gathered, Henry made the first toast. Lord Dunwood followed him. After that, the toasts became much funnier and a little ribald. Laughter and good humor persisted until Ferguson announced dinner. Leaving formality aside, they walked into the dining room as couples.

François once again rose to the occasion and dinner was even more stupendous than last evening’s had been.

Marcus whispered to Phoebe, “Do you think we could entice him away from your uncle, or would that be bad form? I feel as if he assisted in our courtship.”

“Maybe we could ask for him as a wedding present.”

Marcus chuckled lightly and took her hand. “Will you come to me tonight?”

“If I am not discovered and made to turn back.”

His lips tightened. “This is intolerable, to be sneaking around like this.”

Phoebe nodded. Considering her new passion, the sooner they married the better. Yet more than that, now that she’d made a decision, she wanted her life with him to begin.

He pressed his knee against hers, and she glanced up and sighed.

Hermione caught Phoebe’s eye and frowned. “We need to pick a date. One not very far off.”

Amabel, who had been very quiet, said, “Yes, Mamma told me Arthur is not at all well. Marcus, Phoebe, if you are not to have to postpone the wedding because of his passing, you will be well-advised to marry soon.”

The reminder of Arthur had a subduing effect on the rest of the group’s frivolity, but gave Phoebe a sudden idea.

Uncle Henry exchanged a glance with Lord Dunwood, who motioned to her uncle to speak.

“We can procure a special license easily enough,” Uncle Henry said. “Phoebe, when do you and Marcus wish to marry and what kind of wedding do you want?”

Phoebe took Marcus’s hand. “After seeing what Hermione and Hester went through, I forswore a large wedding, but I have a thought. Marcus, have you a chapel at Charteries?”

“Yes.”

“I would like to hold the wedding there, so that Arthur and his daughters are able to attend.”

Marcus’s eyes glistened as he squeezed her hand. “Thank you, my love. I’d like nothing better.”

Lord Dunwood frowned. “Yes, my dear, but—”

His wife interrupted. “Phoebe, what a wonderful idea and how generous of you.”

Phoebe shook her head. It was necessary. Families should be together. “No, indeed, I am to be a member of your family. It’s only right that everyone is able to attend.”

She grinned. “I’m quite sure mine will gladly travel to see us married. I could probably have the wedding in Timbuktu, and they’d come, so happy they’d be.”

Aunt Ester glanced with approval at Phoebe. “The where is settled. The next question is when.”

“Next week?” Marcus suggested hopefully.

Every lady, with the sole exception of Phoebe, who thought it an excellent idea, narrowed their eyes.

His mother glanced at the ceiling and then at him. “My dear son, I understand you want this wedding to take place as soon as possible. However, Phoebe must have her gown made, and all sorts of other things as well.”

Lady Dunwood smiled sympathetically. “If ten days is agreeable to everyone we can plan the wedding for then.”

Phoebe gave a sigh of relief as they all agreed on ten days.

She and Marcus decided to forgo the trip to the ruins the next day in favor of having the settlement discussions. They had made an agreement between them that she thought her uncle would consent to, but Marcus wasn’t sure about his father. Because she knew her aunt would insist on being present, Phoebe asked that Lady Dunwood attend as well.

After breakfast the next morning, everyone adjourned to Uncle Henry’s study, where he handed her financial details to Lord Dunwood.

“Phoebe’s fortune is substantial,” Uncle Henry said. “She has been schooled as to her finances, and from which properties or investments her portion derives. To date, she has not shown any interest in personally managing her assets.” He said to her, “My child, you will have to make a decision how you want it administered.”

Phoebe glanced at the documents and pulled a face. She knew how to hold house and manage an estate, but investments didn’t interest her. “I am perfectly happy to leave my funds to the expertise of my man of business.”

“But, my dear . . .” Lord Dunwood said.

“I agree with you, my love,” Marcus interrupted. “If you are happy to keep them there, that is where they shall remain. I will, of course, agree to all your property being settled on you.”

His father frowned. “This is highly irregular.”

Lady Dunwood smiled at Marcus. “I am very proud that you are being so modern.”

His father glanced around the table. “I don’t understand this at all.”

Phoebe felt a little sorry for him and was about to explain, when Marcus fixed him with a firm look.

“Papa, Phoebe and I have discussed the settlements. I have no need for her money, and I believe that a wife should have her own funds.”

“But she will have,” Lord Dunwood sputtered. “You shall give her an allowance.”

Phoebe watched with interest to see what Marcus would say.

His countenance hardened, and his tone held a note of command he rarely used around her. “Hear me out, Father. Certain of her portion will be set aside for our daughters and part of my private fortune will be settled on any younger sons. But I see no need for me to own what is hers, and I will not agree to any settlement that is contrary to the compact Phoebe and I have struck.”

Phoebe finally had a glimpse into the man who’d defeated pirates and made such a name for himself in the West Indies. A thrill of delight coursed through her as he prepared to do battle on her behalf.

Then Uncle Henry turned to Lord Dunwood. “I know it seems radical to you, but it’s what they want. I, for one, see no reason they should not have it as they wish. Phoebe’s funds are already in trust. I’ll arrange to have her personal possessions placed in the trust as well.”

Uncle Henry paused a moment. “Do you have any real objections to their arrangements?”

Lord Dunwood’s brows drew together and he said, “Merely that it is so unusual. Though I daresay I shall grow used to it. No, let them do as they will.”

His wife patted his hand. “Indeed, my love, I think they will go on very well with the plans they’ve made. Let us continue.”

Her husband stopped frowning, but still did not appear happy. “Marcus has his personal fortune as well as the expectancies from the earldom and eventually the marquisate.”

Lord Dunwood also agreed to a significant allowance for the couple until such time as Marcus inherited.

Aunt Ester caught Phoebe’s eye, then glanced at Marcus as well. “Phoebe, have you and Marcus decided where you will live?”