Page 77 of When the Viscount Seduces
“She approached me at the ball last night.”
Now, Lazarus moved close to her. “She didnotdare.”
“She absolutely did. She also dared to ask me to step aside so you would marry her, as if I were the only obstacle in her way. She’d heard the rumor about us having an affair.”
“What did you tell her?” Lazarus’s breath caught.
“That I wouldn’t be able to move you to do anything. You will do as you choose. I did say I would try to use my influence to persuade you to do the right thing.”
“I hope the right thing is choosing you, because that’s what I want,” he said, curling his arm around her waist and pulling her against him.
“And I choose you. However, you have a problem in that there will be a scandal if you don’t offer for Miss Worsley. And we are currently embroiled in a scandal of a purported liaison between us. Furthermore, Markwith will return tomorrow, and I expect his proposal will be imminent.”
“Then it seems we must obtain a special license and marry immediately or run away to Gretna Green. I’ve no preference.”
She giggled, then quickly sobered. “We can’t do either, and you well know that. You need the problem with Miss Worsley to go away before it becomes a scandal. I fear my parents will not want me to marry someone who is accused of fathering Miss Worsley’s child.”
“Shefford has sent a man to Haverstock Hall to interview the retainer who attended me during the party to learn what he recollects about that night. He will also speak with the innkeeper where Sheff and I spent a good portion of the night in question. I am hopeful both will be able to provide me with an alibi. Sheff remembers that night—he never drinks himself into oblivion—and says we returned to Haverstock Hall just before dawn. So, the opportunity for me to have been with her at all is quite scant.”
Relief cleansed her expression for a moment. “Brilliant, but when will Sheff’s man return?”
“Therein lies the problem, for the Worsleys want me to make my offer of marriage tomorrow, and I can’t imagine Sheff’s man will return until the day after that.”
“This all sounds very promising, though the timing is not,” she said. “I’m pleased to report, however, that we are working on another angle—determining the actual father of Miss Worsley’s child.”
Lazarus gripped her upper arms, excitement coursing through him. “How on earth can you do that?”
“As it happens, I met with my friends earlier, and Jo was aware of an interesting situation. Last fall, my most recent dancing master, Mr. Tremblay, was instructing Miss Worsley. She apparently fell in love with him, and her parents paid him to never speak of it.” Gwen put her hand on his chest. “Now, I can speak from experience that Mr. Tremblay is attractive, flirtatious, and rather free with his hands. I believe if I’d wanted to have an affair with him, it would have been most welcome.”
Fury tore through Lazarus. “What did he do to you with his hands?” He thought of the many ways he could break them.
“Nothing too terrible, just a stray fingertip here and a wandering caress there.” She touched Lazarus’s cheek. “Goodness, but you look ready to commit something nefarious.”
“I will ensure he doesn’t touch a young lady without her consent ever again.”
“My knight,” Gwen whispered before brushing her lips against his. “Jo is doing her best to learn the truth of what happened between him and Miss Worsley—quickly. She is also responsible for my disguise today. Do you approve?” She stepped away from him and turned in a circle. Lifting the tails of the coat, she wiggled her backside. “I do feel rather exposed, or I would if the coat didn’t cover me.”
“I heartily approve. Of everything about you. How can you love a rogue like me?” She was too generous. Too pure. Too far above him.
Facing him, she pursed her lips for a moment. “How can I not? You have been the kindest, most gallant gentleman I’ve ever met. You’ve given me unforgettable memories I never dreamed were possible. I was the queen of a ball!” The joy in her features made him want to sweep her into his arms and spin them both around until they were dizzy with laughter. “You stepped in to save me, to protect me when no one else ever has. Not even my parents, whom I love very much. They’ve done their best, but I’ve always known that I fall short. I don’t feel that way with you. You make me feel like I’m enough.”
Lazarus could scarcely breathe. How could anyone think that about her? “You are perfect.” He dropped to his knees before her and took her hand. “Marry me, Gwen. At the earliest possible moment, please be my wife.”
“I will.” A wide, beatific smile lit her face, and Lazarus knew he would never live up to her brilliance. But he would spend every moment trying.
She tugged at his hand, and he rose to take her in his arms. Then he kissed her. Thoroughly. Passionately. With all the love in his heart.
Gwen pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I don’t want to go yet. Where is your bedchamber?”
Lazarus swallowed. She couldn’t be asking what he thought she was asking. “You must know that I am extremely against debauching unmarried young ladies.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Since I will be your wife, I don’t see the problem with it. But I don’t wish to cause you discomfort.”
Though Lazarus wasn’t sure he could refuse her, he was overwhelmingly aware of his inappropriate behavior with her. If he was trying to reform himself, this was probably not the way to do it. And yet, they loved one another. They were also betrothed, and he would move heaven and earth to ensure they wed. “Forgive my hesitation, but I am trying to be a better man—the man you deserve and not the rogue I’ve been.”
She took his hand. “You are the very best man I could hope for. That you want to change your behavior makes me absolutely giddy. However, I also can’t refute the fact that I fell in love with who youare. So, to put you at ease, I insist you take me to your bedchamber.” She gave him a smile that went from teasing to sultry in the blink of an eye, and Lazarus was lost.
He led her to the door, which he opened carefully. Looking to make sure no one was about, he guided her past the staircase to the back of the house where his chamber was located.
