Sin and the Soldier, page 12
“He hustled you away from the scene of his crime before anyone but I had guessed,” Dr. Swinton said grimly. “I tried to find you, but I lost you in Rome.”
“I left him in Rome,” Natalie said. “I suppose the numbness of grief had begun to wear off by then. But also, his behavior had become too blatant for me to ignore. He had lovers. He had taken all of my money. But I stole back what he had left lying in his room one night and set off for home. I hid from him for two years.”
“There will be no more hiding,” Richard said firmly, and she could not help dragging his hand to her cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you all. He almost had me delivered into his hands.”
“What would you have done if he had got you into his power?” Amelia Dart asked curiously.
“Murdered him probably,” Natalie replied with a grimace. “I would certainly have got away from him somehow, for he had nothing left to cow me with, and I have every reason to live my own life. I am no longer the confused, dependent, foolish little girl.”
“You never were,” Miss Dart informed her. “You were merely trusting, and Monck diabolically plausible.”
In spite of everything, Natalie’s lips twitched. “He wasn’t so plausible today, was he? He was like a stage villain!”
“Plausible enough to fool the magistrate and Davenport,” Richard pointed out. “Dunne had the benefit of knowing all about him, as did you, so his masquerade was much simpler for both of you to spot.”
The drawing room door opened, and a footman announced, “Lord Sedgemoor, ma’am.”
“Oh dear,” Lady Dominic said, jumping to her feet just as a tall, distinguished gentleman stalked into the room.
Though beyond middle years, he appeared full of vigor. His shrewd, intelligent eyes, swept around the room, coming to rest at last on Richard. And on his hand joined to Natalie’s. Natalie tried to withdraw her fingers, but Richard held on, as he and others rose to greet his father.
“Oh dear, indeed,” Lord Sedgemoor said scathingly.
“Only because we have eaten all the cakes,” Lady Dominic said smoothly, “and I would rather welcome you more hospitably. Good afternoon, my lord, will you allow me to present my guests?”
The marquess gave a regal inclination of his head.
“Miss Derwent, Miss Dart, and Dr. Swinton. Mr. Dunne, of course, you will remember.”
Natalie, at last, retrieved her hand to make her curtsey, and as they all sat down, Richard made no effort to take it back. Over fresh tea, awkward small talk was made, but Miss Dart and the doctor took their leave very shortly afterward, closely followed by Ludovic Dunne.
There was a short silence as the door closed behind Mr. Dunne. The marquess’s sons exchanged glances. The marquess smiled faintly and sipped his tea.
Richard said, “I would like you to be the first to know, sir, that Miss Derwent has agreed to marry me.”
Had she? Not in so many words, but since she could endure no future without him, she did not dispute his claim.
“Congratulations!” Dominic reached over to thump his brother on the back, while Lady Dominic managed to smile in pleasure and still regard her father-in-law with some wariness.
“Agreed, has she?” the marquess said with insulting skepticism. “Perhaps she has not heard, as I have, that you have been running about with some juggler or other strumpet from Maida Gardens.”
Richard hauled himself furiously to his feet, but before he could speak, Natalie said, “Then you heard wrongly, my lord. But since your insult is quite blatantly aimed at me rather than my imaginary rival for your son’s affections, you must allow me to say in return that I cannot juggle. On the other hand, I have had enough of rude men masquerading as gentlemen to last me a lifetime. I can assure you that I have as little desire for your company as you clearly have for mine. We need not receive each other, though naturally you and Richard, who seems for some reason to want your lordship’s blessing, may arrange your meetings to suit yourselves.”
In the stunned silence, Natalie raised her almost empty cup and sipped before returning it to its saucer.
“You deserved every word of that, Papa,” Lord Dominic said quietly.
Natalie risked a glance at Richard, who didn’t look angry at all anymore. Instead, his eyes were blazing with laughter as they held hers. An involuntary smile tugged at her lips in response. Without taking his gaze from hers, Richard said, “You owe my betrothed an apology, Father. I hope you are gentleman enough to make it.”
“Your betrothed is not afraid to stand up for herself,” Lord Sedgemoor observed, voice and face unreadable.
“I have had to,” Natalie said. “Circumstances have required me to fend for myself, which I have done honestly and honorably. My birth is not noble, but it is gentle. I shall not shame your son. I hope you will say the same.”
The marquess blinked once, then let out a bark of what seemed like genuine laughter. “Well, you shoot straight, I’ll say that for you.”
“And?” Richard pressed.
“And I apologize without reserve for my earlier words,” Lord Sedgemoor said. “They were designed to test you but were nevertheless quite unconscionable. I would like to hear your story.”
“Before you do so,” Richard said, dropping back beside Natalie on the sofa, “Dominic and I also have some things to discuss with you. And with Natalie, actually, since events rather intervened this morning. You suggested Dominic stands for Parliament when Gatting stands down.”
“I did.”
“I don’t want to, sir,” Dominic said flatly. “I can do more for my cause of prison reform while remaining outside of Parliament, but with connections to the inside. And my politics are pretty much the opposite of yours.”
“As are mine,” Richard said, “though I am, by nature, more flexible. I would be willing to stand for Gatting’s seat. I would vote with you when my conscience allowed, but against you on everything else. I will listen to you and talk, but I will not be browbeaten or forced.”
“As if I would try,” Sedgemoor muttered, scowling. “What use to me is an unreliable vote in the Commons?”
Richard blinked. “You thought Dom’s would be reliable? With respect, Papa, it isn’t about what I can do for you, but what I can do for my country. I’ve done the physical fighting. Now I would like to help make a country that is worthy of the men who sacrificed their lives and limbs for it. And I believe we could help each other toward that goal.”
Sedgemoor stared at him. “Pretty speech. But the Palace of Westminster is full of stairs.”
“I can manage stairs,” Richard said evenly.
“What does your betrothed think?” Sedgemoor flung suddenly at Natalie.
“I think it is a wonderful idea,” Natalie said at once, winning an immediate smile from Richard. “You mean to do this, as well as the livery stable and the farming and the horse breeding?”
“I do. The farm is only a day’s ride from London. We could go down tomorrow and see it if you like.”
“Perhaps not tomorrow.”
“No, I should set about procuring a special license,” Richard agreed.
“And I should have a conversation with Mr. Renwick. I missed today’s midday concert and, besides, I suspect his lordship and I are in agreement that I cannot be your wife and play the harp at Maida Gardens.”
“Dashed right we are!” Sedgemoor said fervently.
*
“I think that went quite well,” Richard said sometime later as they entered Natalie’s cottage.
She cast a sardonic glance back over her shoulder. “Introducing me to your father? I’d hate to be part of a situation with him that went badly.”
“He liked you,” Richard said, closing the door and leaning his back against it. “He’ll never speak to you like that again.”
“Because he doesn’t want to provoke a war with you.”
His lips twitched. “It was clever of you to point out the risk—allowing us to make our own arrangements to meet!”
“Actually, I meant it. I won’t have someone in my home who does not respect me, and I have no intention of visiting theirs. Though I would never be so cruel as to try and part you.”
He smiled and pushed himself off the door. “It will never come to that now. He will be almost as proud of you as I am. There is a layer of steel in you, Natalie Derwent. I like that.”
“I think I have just found it again,” she said, taking off her bonnet and dropping it on the table.
“I think you found mine, too. I have been…drifting.”
She turned, winding her arms around his neck so naturally, that happiness seemed to spread upward from his toes. “You have been recovering, Richard. I think we both have. It is…good to do so together.”
He held her loosely around the waist. “Then you are content to marry me?”
She touched his cheek, her eyes warm and loving. “Of course I am. If you love me.”
“You know I love you. You have always known.”
She lifted her face for his kiss, which began as a sweet promise, and somehow lingered and grew into something altogether more sensual. “Somewhere very deep in my heart, perhaps I hoped,” she whispered. “I even daydreamed a little… How could you so quickly become as necessary to me as breathing?”
“I don’t know, but it binds us both.”
Another kiss, longer and deeper, until he was in danger of forgetting the things that had to be said.
He pressed his cheek to hers. “Tell me, am I right to believe that performing is not the heart of music for you, that you will not miss it?”
“I came to hate it with Gerald. Here, it was necessary. I like to move people with my music, but mostly, I like to play.”
“Could you be happy only playing informally at society or charity events?”
“Yes,” she said at once.
“And you will finish your symphony and compose more and more music that will become wonderfully famous across the world. And of course, your popular songs with Mr. Laurie.”
“Under what name shall I compose?” she wondered, untying his cravat. “Bearing in mind women’s compositions will always be regarded unheard as second rate.”
“N. Derwent,” he suggested. “Everyone will presume you are a man.”
She kissed his throat. “Or N. Gorse.”
His hand shifted up her back, finding and releasing the hooks of her gown, a task that was definitely becoming easier with practice. “I like that even better.”
“I think I will enjoy being a political hostess, too, and a country lady, helping with your causes and charities of my own…”
“You will be so busy, I hope you will still have time to make love with your husband.”
“I will consider it my first duty,” she assured him as he brushed her gown to the floor. She stepped out of it and began to lead him to the bedchamber. “And my first pleasure.”
After that, he was surprised they made it to the bed in time, for with shocking impatience, he had to pin her to the nearest wall, to feel all of her against him, and kiss her until they were both dizzy. In the end, dignity and consideration won out over his crazy impulse to take her there against the wall. It was another disadvantage of having only one arm. But somehow, when they fell together onto the bed, none of that mattered, only the love and the joy they brought each other.
And the joy of being together only increased over the next couple of days until they were married at Sedgemoor House with the marquess’s blessing. Amelia Dart attended as her bridesmaid and Lord Dominic stood up with Richard. There followed a surprisingly merry wedding breakfast, probably because most of the Gorses were so relieved that she could speak the King’s English and didn’t eat with her fingers.
They spent their wedding night at Renwick’s Hotel, and in the morning pressed on to Richard’s charming little estate which they set about making their chief home.
Later, there was a small house in London, too—a gift from the marquess, along with a beautiful harp that made Natalie forgive him for everything. Richard employed old soldiers, his own men, and many others, in their homes and in the livery stable, and with the horses he began to buy and breed. He made a great impact in Parliament, although he often diverged from his father’s wishes.
And Natalie finished her symphony and the piece that was Richard’s and played both at a very well-received charity concert.
It was a busy and fulfilling life, full of love and laughter, companionship, and friendship. And happy children. So, although hardly a gentleman of leisure, for the first time in his life, Richard really did feel like a gentleman of pleasure.
About Mary Lancaster
Mary Lancaster lives in Scotland with her husband, three mostly grown-up kids and a small, crazy dog.
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Her most recent books are light, fun Regency romances written for Dragonblade Publishing: The Imperial Season series set at the Congress of Vienna; and the popular Blackhaven Brides series, which is set in a fashionable English spa town frequented by the great and the bad of Regency society.
Connect with Mary on-line – she loves to hear from readers:
Email Mary:
Mary@MaryLancaster.com
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www.MaryLancaster.com
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Lancaster, Mary, Sin and the Soldier
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“I left him in Rome,” Natalie said. “I suppose the numbness of grief had begun to wear off by then. But also, his behavior had become too blatant for me to ignore. He had lovers. He had taken all of my money. But I stole back what he had left lying in his room one night and set off for home. I hid from him for two years.”
“There will be no more hiding,” Richard said firmly, and she could not help dragging his hand to her cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you all. He almost had me delivered into his hands.”
“What would you have done if he had got you into his power?” Amelia Dart asked curiously.
“Murdered him probably,” Natalie replied with a grimace. “I would certainly have got away from him somehow, for he had nothing left to cow me with, and I have every reason to live my own life. I am no longer the confused, dependent, foolish little girl.”
“You never were,” Miss Dart informed her. “You were merely trusting, and Monck diabolically plausible.”
In spite of everything, Natalie’s lips twitched. “He wasn’t so plausible today, was he? He was like a stage villain!”
“Plausible enough to fool the magistrate and Davenport,” Richard pointed out. “Dunne had the benefit of knowing all about him, as did you, so his masquerade was much simpler for both of you to spot.”
The drawing room door opened, and a footman announced, “Lord Sedgemoor, ma’am.”
“Oh dear,” Lady Dominic said, jumping to her feet just as a tall, distinguished gentleman stalked into the room.
Though beyond middle years, he appeared full of vigor. His shrewd, intelligent eyes, swept around the room, coming to rest at last on Richard. And on his hand joined to Natalie’s. Natalie tried to withdraw her fingers, but Richard held on, as he and others rose to greet his father.
“Oh dear, indeed,” Lord Sedgemoor said scathingly.
“Only because we have eaten all the cakes,” Lady Dominic said smoothly, “and I would rather welcome you more hospitably. Good afternoon, my lord, will you allow me to present my guests?”
The marquess gave a regal inclination of his head.
“Miss Derwent, Miss Dart, and Dr. Swinton. Mr. Dunne, of course, you will remember.”
Natalie, at last, retrieved her hand to make her curtsey, and as they all sat down, Richard made no effort to take it back. Over fresh tea, awkward small talk was made, but Miss Dart and the doctor took their leave very shortly afterward, closely followed by Ludovic Dunne.
There was a short silence as the door closed behind Mr. Dunne. The marquess’s sons exchanged glances. The marquess smiled faintly and sipped his tea.
Richard said, “I would like you to be the first to know, sir, that Miss Derwent has agreed to marry me.”
Had she? Not in so many words, but since she could endure no future without him, she did not dispute his claim.
“Congratulations!” Dominic reached over to thump his brother on the back, while Lady Dominic managed to smile in pleasure and still regard her father-in-law with some wariness.
“Agreed, has she?” the marquess said with insulting skepticism. “Perhaps she has not heard, as I have, that you have been running about with some juggler or other strumpet from Maida Gardens.”
Richard hauled himself furiously to his feet, but before he could speak, Natalie said, “Then you heard wrongly, my lord. But since your insult is quite blatantly aimed at me rather than my imaginary rival for your son’s affections, you must allow me to say in return that I cannot juggle. On the other hand, I have had enough of rude men masquerading as gentlemen to last me a lifetime. I can assure you that I have as little desire for your company as you clearly have for mine. We need not receive each other, though naturally you and Richard, who seems for some reason to want your lordship’s blessing, may arrange your meetings to suit yourselves.”
In the stunned silence, Natalie raised her almost empty cup and sipped before returning it to its saucer.
“You deserved every word of that, Papa,” Lord Dominic said quietly.
Natalie risked a glance at Richard, who didn’t look angry at all anymore. Instead, his eyes were blazing with laughter as they held hers. An involuntary smile tugged at her lips in response. Without taking his gaze from hers, Richard said, “You owe my betrothed an apology, Father. I hope you are gentleman enough to make it.”
“Your betrothed is not afraid to stand up for herself,” Lord Sedgemoor observed, voice and face unreadable.
“I have had to,” Natalie said. “Circumstances have required me to fend for myself, which I have done honestly and honorably. My birth is not noble, but it is gentle. I shall not shame your son. I hope you will say the same.”
The marquess blinked once, then let out a bark of what seemed like genuine laughter. “Well, you shoot straight, I’ll say that for you.”
“And?” Richard pressed.
“And I apologize without reserve for my earlier words,” Lord Sedgemoor said. “They were designed to test you but were nevertheless quite unconscionable. I would like to hear your story.”
“Before you do so,” Richard said, dropping back beside Natalie on the sofa, “Dominic and I also have some things to discuss with you. And with Natalie, actually, since events rather intervened this morning. You suggested Dominic stands for Parliament when Gatting stands down.”
“I did.”
“I don’t want to, sir,” Dominic said flatly. “I can do more for my cause of prison reform while remaining outside of Parliament, but with connections to the inside. And my politics are pretty much the opposite of yours.”
“As are mine,” Richard said, “though I am, by nature, more flexible. I would be willing to stand for Gatting’s seat. I would vote with you when my conscience allowed, but against you on everything else. I will listen to you and talk, but I will not be browbeaten or forced.”
“As if I would try,” Sedgemoor muttered, scowling. “What use to me is an unreliable vote in the Commons?”
Richard blinked. “You thought Dom’s would be reliable? With respect, Papa, it isn’t about what I can do for you, but what I can do for my country. I’ve done the physical fighting. Now I would like to help make a country that is worthy of the men who sacrificed their lives and limbs for it. And I believe we could help each other toward that goal.”
Sedgemoor stared at him. “Pretty speech. But the Palace of Westminster is full of stairs.”
“I can manage stairs,” Richard said evenly.
“What does your betrothed think?” Sedgemoor flung suddenly at Natalie.
“I think it is a wonderful idea,” Natalie said at once, winning an immediate smile from Richard. “You mean to do this, as well as the livery stable and the farming and the horse breeding?”
“I do. The farm is only a day’s ride from London. We could go down tomorrow and see it if you like.”
“Perhaps not tomorrow.”
“No, I should set about procuring a special license,” Richard agreed.
“And I should have a conversation with Mr. Renwick. I missed today’s midday concert and, besides, I suspect his lordship and I are in agreement that I cannot be your wife and play the harp at Maida Gardens.”
“Dashed right we are!” Sedgemoor said fervently.
*
“I think that went quite well,” Richard said sometime later as they entered Natalie’s cottage.
She cast a sardonic glance back over her shoulder. “Introducing me to your father? I’d hate to be part of a situation with him that went badly.”
“He liked you,” Richard said, closing the door and leaning his back against it. “He’ll never speak to you like that again.”
“Because he doesn’t want to provoke a war with you.”
His lips twitched. “It was clever of you to point out the risk—allowing us to make our own arrangements to meet!”
“Actually, I meant it. I won’t have someone in my home who does not respect me, and I have no intention of visiting theirs. Though I would never be so cruel as to try and part you.”
He smiled and pushed himself off the door. “It will never come to that now. He will be almost as proud of you as I am. There is a layer of steel in you, Natalie Derwent. I like that.”
“I think I have just found it again,” she said, taking off her bonnet and dropping it on the table.
“I think you found mine, too. I have been…drifting.”
She turned, winding her arms around his neck so naturally, that happiness seemed to spread upward from his toes. “You have been recovering, Richard. I think we both have. It is…good to do so together.”
He held her loosely around the waist. “Then you are content to marry me?”
She touched his cheek, her eyes warm and loving. “Of course I am. If you love me.”
“You know I love you. You have always known.”
She lifted her face for his kiss, which began as a sweet promise, and somehow lingered and grew into something altogether more sensual. “Somewhere very deep in my heart, perhaps I hoped,” she whispered. “I even daydreamed a little… How could you so quickly become as necessary to me as breathing?”
“I don’t know, but it binds us both.”
Another kiss, longer and deeper, until he was in danger of forgetting the things that had to be said.
He pressed his cheek to hers. “Tell me, am I right to believe that performing is not the heart of music for you, that you will not miss it?”
“I came to hate it with Gerald. Here, it was necessary. I like to move people with my music, but mostly, I like to play.”
“Could you be happy only playing informally at society or charity events?”
“Yes,” she said at once.
“And you will finish your symphony and compose more and more music that will become wonderfully famous across the world. And of course, your popular songs with Mr. Laurie.”
“Under what name shall I compose?” she wondered, untying his cravat. “Bearing in mind women’s compositions will always be regarded unheard as second rate.”
“N. Derwent,” he suggested. “Everyone will presume you are a man.”
She kissed his throat. “Or N. Gorse.”
His hand shifted up her back, finding and releasing the hooks of her gown, a task that was definitely becoming easier with practice. “I like that even better.”
“I think I will enjoy being a political hostess, too, and a country lady, helping with your causes and charities of my own…”
“You will be so busy, I hope you will still have time to make love with your husband.”
“I will consider it my first duty,” she assured him as he brushed her gown to the floor. She stepped out of it and began to lead him to the bedchamber. “And my first pleasure.”
After that, he was surprised they made it to the bed in time, for with shocking impatience, he had to pin her to the nearest wall, to feel all of her against him, and kiss her until they were both dizzy. In the end, dignity and consideration won out over his crazy impulse to take her there against the wall. It was another disadvantage of having only one arm. But somehow, when they fell together onto the bed, none of that mattered, only the love and the joy they brought each other.
And the joy of being together only increased over the next couple of days until they were married at Sedgemoor House with the marquess’s blessing. Amelia Dart attended as her bridesmaid and Lord Dominic stood up with Richard. There followed a surprisingly merry wedding breakfast, probably because most of the Gorses were so relieved that she could speak the King’s English and didn’t eat with her fingers.
They spent their wedding night at Renwick’s Hotel, and in the morning pressed on to Richard’s charming little estate which they set about making their chief home.
Later, there was a small house in London, too—a gift from the marquess, along with a beautiful harp that made Natalie forgive him for everything. Richard employed old soldiers, his own men, and many others, in their homes and in the livery stable, and with the horses he began to buy and breed. He made a great impact in Parliament, although he often diverged from his father’s wishes.
And Natalie finished her symphony and the piece that was Richard’s and played both at a very well-received charity concert.
It was a busy and fulfilling life, full of love and laughter, companionship, and friendship. And happy children. So, although hardly a gentleman of leisure, for the first time in his life, Richard really did feel like a gentleman of pleasure.
About Mary Lancaster
Mary Lancaster lives in Scotland with her husband, three mostly grown-up kids and a small, crazy dog.
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Her most recent books are light, fun Regency romances written for Dragonblade Publishing: The Imperial Season series set at the Congress of Vienna; and the popular Blackhaven Brides series, which is set in a fashionable English spa town frequented by the great and the bad of Regency society.
Connect with Mary on-line – she loves to hear from readers:
Email Mary:
Mary@MaryLancaster.com
Website:
www.MaryLancaster.com
Newsletter sign-up:
http://eepurl.com/b4Xoif
Facebook:
facebook.com/mary.lancaster.1656
Facebook Author Page:
facebook.com/MaryLancasterNovelist
Twitter:
@MaryLancNovels
Amazon Author Page:
amazon.com/Mary-Lancaster/e/B00DJ5IACI
Bookbub:
bookbub.com/profile/mary-lancaster
Lancaster, Mary, Sin and the Soldier
