Page 26 of Wickedly Yours
Jem glared at him, biting into her scone.
“My love, I am aware of my sister’s failings, in particular towards you, but surely even you can see that this is the only way, else Arabella will be doomed to live out her days at Twinings or somewhere else far away.”
The flicker in his wife’s eyes told him Jem would like nothing more than to have Arabella as far from London as possible. While Jem wished Nick to forgive his sister and repair their relationship, she had not gone so far as to actually wish Arabella to be in her presence. As for himself, Nick wastryingto forgive his sister.
“Have either of you bothered to look at today’s newspaper?” He opened the paper and laid it on the table for both women to see. “This morning’s edition contains a cartoon. All of London is supposed to guess who the cartoon refers to, although I think it clear.”
The cartoon showed a snarling woman with snakes on her head instead of hair, dressed in a gown at least twenty years out of fashion. She was clinging to a handsome man who bore a striking resemblance to Malden. The artist was very good.
“A terrible likeness, don’t you think?” he asked his wife. “I don’t think Arabella looks nearly that sour.”
“I’m Medusa?” Arabella sounded rather angry. And stricken. “God, look what I’m wearing.”
“Bloody Hell.” Jem cursed and buttered another scone.
“Can’t you silence them?” Arabella turned to him. “You’re the bloody Duke of Dunbar. What good is it to be considered the Devil if you can’t force people to bend to your will? Surely you can—”
“There is also worry any scandal will hinder Petra’s chances of a good match.” Petra was Malden’s younger sister who had made her debut only last year. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell both his wife and sister that while Malden didn’t appear overjoyed at the turn of events, neither did he attempt to wiggle out of the situation. “Malden agrees that he must do the honorable thing for both Arabella’s sake and his sister’s.”
“And my delicate condition, no doubt.” Jem’s eyes had grown thoughtful.
He could see his wife had come to the same conclusion he had. “We will put out the story that the two of you were on your way to Scotland to seek my blessing for the wedding before going to Gretna Green. You were overcome by your affection for each other and didn’t wish to wait. Such was your passion.”
A horrible noise came from Arabella.
“I pleaded with you to return to London and be wed properly. Which you will be.” The cartoon was terrible, but all things considered, the match was a good one. Malden had his fingers in a handful of business ventures and had a talent for making money. His father, Lord Marsh didn’t approve of a future earl being in trade, but Nick thought Malden quite astute. No doubt Malden had already decided an alliance with the Duke of Dunbar and his fleet of ships could be most profitable.
Arabella sputtered and stomped about the breakfast table, terrifying another one of the new footmen. Curses, many of them directed at Malden, were uttered under her breath. Without a backward glance at either he or Jem, Arabella flew out of the breakfast room probably to hide somewhere and sulk. She bumped into the footman, a young lad from Surrey who shrunk back further, probably frightened out of his wits.
He made a mental note to have each and every servant thoroughly investigated again. Knowing Corbett placed two men in his employ, and beneath his nose, infuriated Nick. Some of the blame for this incident fell in his lap. He had been so concerned with Jem and his newfound happiness he hadn’t adequately protected his sister.
Once Arabella’s footsteps had receded, Jem said, “My uncle is most distressed that his heir likes to dirty his hands in trade and I’m sure he’ll be less than pleased to know Rowan has some sort of plans for your ships and would marry your sister to gain access to the fleet.”
“I would give your cousin the use of the ships anyway. He does not need to marry Arabella to have my backing.”
“True.” His wife reached across and ran her fingers across his scarred knuckles. “I know my cousin better than most. Rowan rarely does things without a distinct purpose. He would not marry Arabella without a good reason.”
“Mmm.” Nick pretended to mull over that bit of information. Malden had a reputation for being single-minded in his pursuit when he wanted something. One might even call him ruthless. But Nick suspected he knew what Malden wanted and it had nothing to do with business.
“He plays the charming scamp for my aunt and uncle’s benefit, though he’s less and less inclined these days. If Arabella thinks she will lord over Rowan, she is sadly mistaken.” Jem looked at her empty cup of hot chocolate and sighed in disappointment. “Drat.”
Nick knew Malden’s secrets, or at least some of them. Jem’s cousin was more than a match for Arabella. “Your aunt and uncle will be less than pleased over this development.”
With barely a sound, a pot of hot chocolate appeared at Jem’s elbow as if by magic, brought by the ever-present Peabody. The butler fussed over Jem, constantly seeing personally to her well-being and comfort. Nick was beginning to find all the attention somewhat annoying.
“Good Lord, stop mooning over my wife, Peabody.” His teeth tore into another piece of bacon. “It’s disturbing.”
The butler ignored Nick and instead asked quietly if Her Grace wished for anything more before shooting his employer a bland look and leaving the room.
“I should have him sacked, the old bugger. He’s constantly making cow eyes at you. Anticipating your every need. I live in fear he will trip me as I go down the stairs so that he may have you all to himself.”
Jem laughed merrily and reached out to take his hand. Turning it over, she pressed a kiss to his palm, her eyes full of love for him. “Don’t worry, husband. I will rescue you.”
18
“Your mother is in a state and has taken to her bed over this whole affair. Lord White is furious, and Lady Gwendolyn devastated.”
The Earl of Marsh accepted the glass of scotch from Rowan as he settled himself on the leather sofa. “That will be all,” he intoned to the butler. “Shut the door behind you.”
