Page 32 of Revealing a Rogue
“Lady Mary may be a duke’s daughter and highly regarded amongst your set, but Lady Bronwyn has always been regarded as a leader among us. You have merely made it official.”
“My hope is Bronwyn will come to view herself as you and I do.”
“While my mistress has only been introduced to the workings of the Network for a year, Lady Mary is a quick study, remarkably kind and sage. Her methods may be unorthodox, but if anyone can instruct your wife on how best to handle the sharp claws and harsh gossip of the ton, it will be Lady Mary.”
Landon opened his palm to reveal the coin. Tails. Was that a good or a bad sign?
* * *
Bronwyn brokedown first and asked, “Would you care to explain why you will not address me by my given name?”
“I’d be honored to.” Mary sank into the chair opposite to Bronwyn. “I shall be more than happy to address you as you wish just as soon as you can refrain from making that awful, shrewish face whenever someone addresses you by the title and station you hold.”
“That’s ridiculous. I never make faces.”
“Oh, but you do. Until you can master plastering an all-too-sweet smile upon your pretty features in any situation, I shall address you as Countess Hadfield.”
Bronwyn attempted to school her features into her best angelic impression. “Ugh. What if I gave you an order not to?”
“I shall have to suffer the consequences.” Mary winked at Bronwyn and then moved to sit next to her on the settee. “You say you want to learn how to go about in society. But I say there is no need. You should be true to yourself.” Her hostess grabbed her hand in a friendly gesture and squeezed her hand. “Landon doesn’t care a fig about the opinions of the ton. He cares about his duties to the Crown and the safety of those within the Network. Landon is no fool. He chose you, and for a good reason.”
“Not for love.” The words had tumbled out of Bronwyn’s mouth before she even gave it thought.
Mary waved a hand wildly in the air. “Bah. He loves you even if he hasn’t said the words. Men are slow to confess.” Mary patted her hand. “Have you fallen in love with him?”
“I fell in love with him when he was a barrister.” Like moments before, she had spoken without thought or hesitation. Mary wasn’t like the other society ladies who had meekly followed their husbands into the office of Neale & Sons. Bronwyn confided, “I’m not sure I can be the wife Landon needs me to be now that he is....”
“You are the head PORF’s wife. The members of the Network will seek your approval, not the other way around. As the Countess of Hadfield, you shall receive invitations to the most sought-after events, routs, musicales, balls, garden parties…” Mary paused to inhale. “Card parties, water parties, soirees…you understand. However, I anticipate before long you will be the one setting trends much like the Duchess of Fairmont.”
“She’s a duchess. I’m a shopkeeper’s daughter who masqueraded as a legal assistant.”
“Lady Dorinda wasn’t always a duchess. But the woman wields her power with such grace one would never believe she hadn’t been born and raised to rule.”
“How does she do it?”
“Countess Hadfield.”
Bronwyn relaxed every muscle in her forehead.
Mary continued, “It matters not how Lady Dorinda manages. It only matters howyoushall tackle the responsibilities of your position.”
“Well, I’m glad I have you to assist me.”
“I hope you will still be of the same mind tomorrow.”
Chapter Fifteen
Fingers interlocked and head cradled in his hands, Landon stared up at the ceiling. If Mary was successful in her lessons, he’d end up with a wife he had no interest in. Meek, obedient, docile—those were definitely not the traits he wished Bronwyn to exhibit. His wife’s bold fiery nature was one of her greatest assets. And if he wanted obedience, he’d purchase a hound, not expect it of his wife.
Mary was welcomed into the most elite circles, and Landon didn’t question Mary’s knowledge on the subject. However, he couldn’t recall a time when Mary herself had heeded all the ridiculous rules she’d imparted during her etiquette lessons with Bronwyn.
Each night Bronwyn returned to their chambers in a state of pure flummox. His wife would stand at the end of the bed, hands on her hips, and in her best imitation of Mary, recite the day's lesson. Landon would listen to the preposterous rule and then proceed to expel the horrid concept from her mind. He had learned the first evening that simply informing his wife to ignore the crazed lessons would not work. Bronwyn had insisted she must master these lessons. So each night, he resolved to teach her why it was essential not to abide by the strictures, especially in bed. Yesterday’s lesson that a lady should defer to her husband in all matters had required an extraordinary amount of patience on his part to exorcise the ideal. Finally, with the first streaks of light coming in through the thick window coverings, Bronwyn had taken command of their lovemaking and rode him hard until she found her pleasure.
Landon hugged his exhausted wife’s limp form close. She was magnificent. But what he loved most was her sharp mind and unwavering determination. How was he to explain to her that these rules did not apply to her?
He had two options, put a cease to the lessons or instruct Mary to teach Bronwyn how to best navigate around the rules. Landon grinned as he ran his fingers through his wife’s hair. Mary was a master at circumventing the rules. He’d see to it that Mary assisted Bronwyn to do the same, but one couldn’t evade a rule if one didn’t know it existed. He finally saw the wisdom in Bronwyn’s insistence in learning all the blasted guidelines a lady should follow in the name of good manners.
Bronwyn’s sleepy eyes blinked open. “Do you often watch me slumber?”
