Page 26 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
While the marchioness chuckled, Inverray raised impatient brows at them. “Are we ready to walk?”
The others nodded, and Lord and Lady Amstead advanced ahead of them, leaving Alicia and Inverray alone once more.
After several silent minutes, Alicia gathered her courage and asked, “Are we decided then? Our time is limited, and any number of acquaintances could ride up and interrupt us. We should not waste this moment of privacy.”
“Indeed not.”
Leading his gelding to the side of the trail, he waited for Alicia to join him, his hands folded and resting on the pommel. He looked at her again with that inscrutable expression. Surely such an expression was valuable as a politician, but it was cursed annoying in a fiancé.Possible fiancé.
“Considering how we have both made public declarations about our fabricated engagement, I’ve been unable to think of a single plausible excuse for not only the incident on the dance floor,” he sighed, “but for my ill-conceived pronouncement afterward.”
Alicia clenched her eyes closed. Of course he hadn’t found a solution and neither had she. They had declared their intention to marry before all of society, and to recant it now would be a disaster. The marquess would no doubt weather it because of his connections and reputation, but at the possible expense of his political career. As for herself, Alicia was certain she would lose access to the social events she relied upon to write her tracts, not to mention the fledgling friendships she was nurturing.
The consequences pressed down like an anvil on her chest.
“Which leaves us with marriage.” His Adam’s apple bobbed for an instant. “Will you marry me? I respect you a great deal, my lady, and will endeavor to be a good husband to you.”
His declaration didn’t promise passion. Or even lust. Yet he respected her, and to earn his respect was a heady feeling. Maybe one day she would also earn his admiration. Because his respect and admiration might be the only thing to save her from further scandal should he learn of her secret vocation…
Especially as she had no intention of giving it up.
Various scenarios and possible peccadillos played out in her mind, twisting and turning until they spun like a blinding kaleidoscope. If she said no, Alicia knew what would come next. But if she said yes…well, that picture had yet to be painted. If she utilized her subsequent essays wisely, perhaps her future could be painted with the vivid colors of happiness and fulfillment she’d once believed impossible.
Decided, Alicia raised her chin. “I will, my lord.”
A smile brightened his face for a passing moment. “I have hope we will be able to channel our mutual respect into happiness, and an asset for my political career and any future children we may have.”
“You would want children?” she squeaked.
“Of course.” His laugh was dry. “I will be the Duke of Kilmorow one day, and will need an heir.”
Alicia managed a nod. Of course he needed an heir. What nobleman didn’t? Still, to beget an heir meant he intended to visit her bed. The thought made heat pool low in her belly, and she gritted her teeth to stop it from spreading to her blood.
Misunderstanding her silence, perhaps thinking he had offended her, the marquess reached out and grasped her hand. His palm was warm, and served to agitate her already naked nerves. “If an heir wasn’t a necessity, I wouldn’t think to bother you.”
No, but he would happily “bother” the likes of Lady Ellis, her traitorous mind whispered.
Inverray wasn’t promising her affection, but he was saving them from scandal and even offering her the chance to have a family. She had longed and prayed for a child all the lonely years of her marriage to Lindsay, and her arms had remained painfully empty. If the possibility of a child was born from taking on the mantle of Lady Inverray, Alicia could not overlook it. The idea that life,herlife, could include a child made her shiver in anticipation.
Terrified all her eager, hopeful thoughts would be visible in her expression, Alicia carefully diverted her face. “I…understand an heir is necessary.”
“Good.” He paused for a tense second. “With that finalized, when would you like to marry? If you’d prefer, I can acquire a special license and we can marry quietly at Campbell House. Or at your house.”
“No.” Her tone was firm, and she would brook no argument. “I believe that in this situation we should marry publicly. In front of theton. We should invite them all to see you take a wife. After the horrible things they said the night of the ball, I want them to see that I accept you just as much as you accept me. And, I’m sure, it will only help your bid, my lord.”
His gray eyes suddenly bore into hers. “Please call me Niall. As my affianced bride, I would prefer for you to use my given name.”
Delight curled through her, and the desire to kiss him doubled. “Oh, well then please call me Alicia.” She swallowed. “What do you think of my suggestion? Are you in favor of a large wedding?”
He chuckled, and Alicia tried not to stare at the way in which it changed his face. Made him more approachable. Younger. “I wouldn’t say I’m in favor of it, but I see the wisdom of the suggestion. A big, public wedding would go a long way to quiet the rumors.”
“It would,” she agreed. “For the record, I would prefer a quiet wedding with just your family and friends, but that is not what is needed in this situation. And I know that as a political wife, sometimes we must table our personal wants for what represents the best interests of others.”
Inverray—Niall—nodded. With a slow movement, he reached out and grabbed her hand again. His fingers squeezed hers for a brief second.
Alicia clenched her jaw at the idea of his skin one day being pressed against hers. The time would come for deeper intimacies. For now, they had forged an accord with each other, and a future she had not anticipated, would never have dreamed of, unfurled before her with unlimited possibility.
Yet it was also rife with pitfalls, and she would have to navigate them carefully if she was to keep her house of cards intact.
