Page 17 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Confusion filled her. “Whatever for, my lord?” she asked.

He glanced about and said, “Might we sit upon this bench?”

“If you wish.”

Taking her elbow in hand again, he led her to the bench. She placed the trowel at her feet and sat, slipping off the heavy gloves and placing them next to the gardening tool. He joined her and she realized just how small this bench was and how large he was. Their thighs and hips pressed against one another in the small space, causing a delicious frisson to ripple along her spine. A colony of butterflies seemed to explode within her belly and flutter madly inside her, leaving her breathless.

“You were right about me,” he said softly. “You guessed my nature and how uncomfortable I am with most everyone.”

“Is that why you refused to stay for tea?”

He pondered her question a moment and then replied, “Perhaps. I feel we were getting to know one another a bit. I would like to continue to do so if that is agreeable with you.”

Her heart raced as she said, “I would like that, my lord. Very much. You and your friends, Lord and Lady Danbury, will be the only people I know once the Season begins. Lady Danbury has asked me to come to tea when I return to town with my aunt and uncle so I suppose I will meet her two cousins, as well. Because of that, I will admit that I am somewhat nervous about partaking in my first Season.”

Minta hoped by admitting this that it was not just him who might be frightened about the events to come.

“That is kind of you to say, Miss Nicholls, though I doubt your nerves match mine. You are a most beautiful woman and have a spark that draws others to you. You will easily make friends and find yourself swamped with a bevy of suitors.”

“I am not quite as certain of that as you seem to be, Lord Kingston. I have already mentioned my age to you. Even Aunt Phyllis has warned me that the new girls making their come-outs will probably have little to do with me.”

He smiled. “That is because they will see you as a threat, Miss Nicholls. You have much to offer and they will be jealous of the attention you will receive.”

“You also have much to offer, my lord.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “Yes, I have the title Marquess of Kingston. That is all most people will see when we are introduced to one another. My friends’ wives, whom I call the Three Cousins, have warned me that my title alone—let alone my great wealth—will attract women to me. Pushy mothers will thrust their daughters in my path, hoping to snag a marquess. The Three Cousins have told me that a majority oftonmarriages occur between people who are, for the most part, strangers. Couples who have danced a handful of times. Spoken about the weather or a few other inane topics. They have said most marriages occur to unite families and strengthen political and social ties. I am not interested in that.”

Intrigued, she asked, “Then what are you interested in? Love?”

He flinched and seemed to retreat within himself. Knowing she was about to lose him again, Minta placed her hand upon his forearm and squeezed it gently. The distant look in his eyes left as he met her gaze.

“I did not mean to frighten you off with such a bold question, my lord. Although my parents are a love match, I doubt that will be in the cards for me. Despite what you say, my age works against me and my dowry won’t be as large as that of most women. In fact, it was but two hundred pounds, all my father could afford on his government salary. My aunt and uncle look upon Sera and me as their children, however, and Uncle West has added to my dowry. So hopefully, I might appeal to some gentleman.”

She squeezed his arm again and added, “But what are you looking for? Please, share it with me.”

A hopeless look entered his eyes. “What I am looking for probably does not exist. I, too, as you, do not think of making a love match. My parents had an arranged marriage and tolerated one another. I have seen love between my good friends, though. While I do not believe I am destined for that, I would like to find a wife who could be my friend as I see with the Second Sons.”

“The Second Sons?” she asked. “Who are they?”

He seemed to relax but she continued to leave her hand upon his forearm, enjoying the feel of the muscles under her fingers.

“The Second Sons are my merry band of close friends,” he revealed. “Growing up, I worshiped my brother, Rupert, who was three years older than I and destined to claim the title one day. My closest friend was my cousin, Win, who lived on the estate next to us. Just as Westfield is to the east of Kingwood, Woodbridge lies to our opposite side. Both Win and I were born second sons and destined to go into the army. We went to school together and did everything together, spending all of our holidays with one another, as well. Win, like Rupert, was as a brother to me.”

“When we enrolled at Cambridge, we wound up meeting three other good friends, men who were all second sons as Win and I were. The five of us were thick as thieves during our university days and we all went off to war together, being stationed in units close to one another. Our friendships only deepened through the years and the Second Sons became not only brothers but family to me.

“Then through several odd twists of fate, one by one, the Second Sons began leaving the battlefield as the first sons and heirs fell. First was Spence, who became the Earl of Middlefield. He married Tessa. The next to leave was Ev, who is now the Duke of Camden. Ev wed Adalyn, Tessa’s cousin. You have met the third Second Son, Owen, who became Lord Danbury and married Louisa, a cousin to Tessa and Adalyn, thus, the Three Cousins. These three women are now as sisters to me and I am as close as ever to those three Second Sons.”

A shadow crossed his face. “The only one of us left behind is my cousin. Who knows where Win will go and where his career will take him? I miss him terribly. I feel guilty returning to England, now close to my brotherhood of friends, while Win is all alone.”

Minta told him, “You must accept the fact that you are now the Marquess of Kingston. Just as you served your king and country and were responsible for your men, you now have different responsibilities. You must always care for your tenants and servants. Assume your seat in the House of Lords and help make decisions for the good of England’s people, based upon the experiences you have had. I know you miss your cousin. You always will. But keep your eyes on the present and look to your future, my lord. Be glad you have three wonderful friends to support and guide you.”

She smiled gently. “And be happy you now have three sisters, as well. They will help see that you make a good match. While you may or may not find love as your fellow Second Sons have, I believe you are in good hands with the Three Cousins. You are intelligent and forthright when you are not hiding inside your shell. You will find a woman who is your equal. One you can share your life with. Trust your judgment, my lord, and if you have any doubts, you have people in your life you can turn to for advice and encouragement.”

Minta wished she could be the one this man would choose. She grew to like him more each time they spoke. What better basis for a marriage than a friendship and respect for your spouse?

Oh, she wished he would kiss her. They sat so close together. Her hand still rested upon his sleeve. She knew, though, due to his nature that he would never be the first to act.

What if she kissed him?

It would certainly be bold. Bolder than she had ever acted before. It might cause him to flee. He might never speak to her again. It might cost her a chance with him.

Or it could possibly bring them together . . .

She swallowed, deciding she would make the move. She would kiss him—and see what happened.

Her decision made, she glanced up at him, her gaze meeting his, her arm tightening on his as she drew on her courage.

And suddenly—he kissed her.

---