Page 35 of Not his Marchioness
Though, according to Mr. Beale, her campaign was proving effective: several of the more skittish investors had expressed renewed confidence in their union. Particularly given the romantic tale of star-crossed lovers that had somehow taken hold.
“Darn you, Gideon,” Rhys muttered, shaking his head. “You do spin a fine yarn.”
He sighed deeply.
Somewhere close by, something crashed, and he spun toward the sound. It came from the drawing room. He made his way there and found, to his surprise, his new wife bent over at the waist with her back to him.
His eyebrows shot up. This was hardly how he had expected to find the Marchioness of Ravenscar.
“Am I interrupting some form of exercise, My Lady?” he inquired.
She jerked up and whirled around. “It is exceedingly rude to sneak up on a lady.”
“I was not sneaking up on you. I was simply seeking to use my own drawing room. That is still allowed, I trust? Or are you planning military maneuvers?”
“Whatever do you mean?” she demanded, glaring at him.
“Well, I noticed you have removed the swords from the walls and exiled our armored knights from the front hall. I naturally assumed you must be planning some sort of campaign. Do you intend to claim the parlor next? I should appreciate prior warning, so I might relocate my better brandy to safety.”
“You consider yourself tremendously amusing,” she scoffed. “For your information, I am not planning any battle. If anything,I am restoring order. This house had become something of a mausoleum.”
He caught himself before the familiar darkness could descend, unwilling to let her see how deeply her words had cut.
“If I am to receive Lady Woodhaven, Lady Sherwood, and Lady Rosslyn here, the place must appear?—”
His eyebrows rose sharply. “Woodhaven, Sherwood, and Rosslyn? Those are the wives of the most powerful men in the House of Lords, aside from the Duchess of Windsor. Why would you invite them? I was unaware you moved in such circles.”
“I do not,” she replied with a slight smile. “Not yet. In any case, since you are here, perhaps you can help. I want to move this crate to the corner. It will be perfect for my silk flowers.”
Asking for his help cost her a great deal; her tone made that clear.
He shrugged and moved to help, then reconsidered. He removed his coat and draped it over the settee, before rolling his shoulders and pushing the heavy crate across the room.
Once at its destination, he rose to his full height and looked back at her. She stood there, her eyes wide, and he knew at once that she’d been watching him.
This was partly why he had shed his coat. He was not above wanting his wife to appreciate his physique.
He was perfectly aware that Society deemed him attractive, and he saw no harm in occasionally reminding his wife of the fact. Indeed, they made quite a handsome couple. Perhaps that explained why people had so readily accepted their love tale.
“Now then,” he said, drawing her attention, “why exactly are you entertaining those ladies if you neither know them nor particularly like them?”
“Well, you mentioned needing to restore your reputation. What better way than inviting the wives of the most influential lords to our home and letting them observe the devoted couple we are? Also, they might be able to suggest a charitable endeavor I can involve myself in. I was thinking of helping those less fortunate. Many of these wretched souls are in the positions they are in because they have no education. So, I am considering starting a school. But I shall need help, hence I invited the ladies for tea.”
“Am I expected to attend this tea party?” he asked, for few activities appealed to him less than making polite conversation with such formidable ladies.
“No, but you must make an appearance. Perhaps give your wife a few compliments so they might witness our marital bliss.”
“Very well, I will do so.”
“Excellent, and I shall hold you to that promise. No excuses or deceptions.”
“Why would you suspect me of dishonesty in my own home?” he asked.
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I suspect nothing.”
“It certainly sounds as though you do.”
“I merely ask that, if you want to persist in your old habits, you conduct yourself in a way that does not sabotage my efforts—efforts to restore both our reputations, so we might proceed with our arrangement.”
