Bargaining With a Rogue, page 3
“Why would you want to marry me? I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about my lifestyle.”
“Indeed, I have.” She lifted her chin a notch higher, and she seemed to take a subtle breath. “However, I’m willing to overlook that. You need something which I have, and in return, I need you to marry me.”
An indecent thought crossed his mind and he hitched a breath. “Lady Frances, are you perhaps...in the motherly way?”
A blush exploded across her face as she shook her head. “Absolutely not! How could you even think such a thing?”
Nash shrugged. “Usually when women are desperate to marry, they are in that type of delicate condition.”
“Well, I assure you, I’m not in that condition at all. Far from it, in fact.” She fidgeted in her seat as she twisted her hands in her lap. “Lord Englewood, the truth is, my father is pushing me to marry within the month, and if I’m not wed, he will sign a marriage contract with my stepmother’s nephew, Edgar Stone.” Her voice tightened so she cleared her throat. “Needless to say, I’ll do anything to keep from marrying him—even sink low enough to ask a rogue to become my husband.”
Sink low enough? Nash was certain she was being rude just then, but he wouldn’t comment on it, yet. “And you know no other man to ask to be your husband?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t spent a lot of time in social groups since my fiancé died.”
Conrad had mentioned this during their ride, but Nash wasn’t sure he believed it. Why would a beautiful, unmarried, woman pine away after a dead man for three whole years? Nevertheless, Nash couldn’t accept her offer, even as tempting as it was.
“I’m sorry for your plight, Lady Frances, but I must deny your request. I enjoy being a rogue, and so I’m not likely to settle down with just one woman.”
She blinked quickly. Had he detected tears in her eyes? Impossible.
“I have thought about that, as well,” she said softly. “I shall give you leniency for your continued lifestyle as long as you promise to do it discreetly. And you must allow me to be my own woman, and let me do whatever I wish, as long as it’s discreetly, of course.”
“You...you want to have affairs behind my back?”
Once again, her face reddened. “Absolutely not!” She licked her lips. “All I wish is to be allowed to continue my painting and to visit my father’s estate whenever I like.”
For some reason, he didn’t believe her. Why would any woman say such a thing? They wanted their husbands to be faithful, and yet Frances was being contradictory. Was there something else that she wasn’t telling him?
“Let me get this straight.” He adjusted in his seat. “You will allow me to continue my affairs, while I allow you to run the household as you please, and paint to your heart’s content?”
“Correct.”
He studied her pretty face. She appeared to be quite serious, but he still felt there was something else she wasn’t telling him. “Lady Frances, does your brother know what you want to do? And what about your father? Does he know?”
She squared her shoulders. “They don’t, and I’d appreciate it if you would keep this a secret and not tell them—or anyone for that matter.”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you want me to pretend to be in love with you, just as you’ll pretend to be in love with me, to convince your family that we should wed?”
She lowered her gaze to her hands again. “Yes, I suppose that’s what we will have to do to make it believable.”
By the way she squirmed slightly in her seat, he could tell how uncomfortable this subject made her. In fact, it made him squeamish, as well. And yet, if she had the courage to ask him to marry her, Nash was certain she would have the courage to do other things as well. Although he should nicely refuse her most tempting offer, he wanted to tease her a little first. After all, he hadn’t been classified as a rogue by mistake.
Nash glanced toward the house, but they were far enough away that his sisters wouldn’t see what he was about to do. He tried not to let the grin of excitement show on his face.
“What you say does have merit. However, I’d think that we would have to be very convincing in order for your father to agree.”
Her gaze snapped up. Panic shown on her face. “What...do you mean?”
Carefully, as not to surprise her, he brought up his hand and gently cupped her face. She stiffened, but she didn’t pull away.
“I think we need to practice first. Don’t you agree?”
“P-practice what, exactly?” Her voice shook.
“Practice staring into each other’s eyes as if we were so in love that we forget about the rest of the world. I think we need to also practice the art of kissing.”
She gulped down a hard swallow. “Art of kissing?”
“Yes, indeed. Did you not know that kissing was considered an art form?”
“N-no.”
“It is.” He scooted closer. “Shall I teach you, my sweet Lady Frances?”
Beneath his palm her skin grew hot, and the pulse of her heartbeat throbbed against his hand. Her breaths grew faster, creating her lovely bosom to rise and fall quickly. Just seeing, and feeling her emotions jumping around inside of her, made him anxious. One of the things he enjoyed about seducing a woman was the first kiss. He cherished the little whimpering sounds they made as he kissed them, as well as feeling their bodies tremble from his gentle touch.
Nash leaned his face closer to hers until her hot breath blew across his face. “Will you allow me to demonstrate the art of kissing, my precious?”
When her tongue sneaked out of her mouth and slid across her lips, his heartbeat jumped. She was going to let him, and he almost couldn’t stand the wait.
“I-I suppose...if it’s going to help us make it more believable.”
“Oh, yes. It’ll make it more believable.” He stroked his fingers along her jaw as he tilted up her face, positioning it for his takeover. Slowly, he guided his fingers down her neck. She closed her eyes and her lips parted.
As he placed his mouth over hers, he took things slow. She was still very stiff, but the longer he moved his lips across hers, the more she relaxed. Thunder pounded in his ears from the excitement of it all, but he didn’t want to frighten her.
He pulled back, only enough to look into her eyes. They were closed, but slowly flickered open. Her mesmerizing brown eyes searched his. He couldn’t see passion laced in her stare yet, and he promised himself he’d make her feel the excitement. Her curious stare told him she wanted more.
So, he gave it to her.
He wrapped his arms loosely around her as he captured her mouth once again. Gradually, her body softened enough to press against him. Finally, she was willing and would allow him to continue. Being very gentle, he nipped at her bottom lip, and when her mouth opened wider, he slid his tongue inside. A tight sigh squeaked from her throat as she melted against him.
He tightened her in his embrace, holding her so very close to his body. Using his tongue, he tried to teach her how to kiss, and it seemed she was eager to learn. She hesitantly copied his movements, but within seconds, her actions became bolder. Excitement grew inside of him, and he wanted more.
A throaty moan escaped her. His heartbeat hammered faster, and he couldn’t hold back the passion any longer. The kiss turned heated, and he yearned to touch her in a more personal way. Hoping not to upset her, he slowly slid his hand up over her shoulder to rest on her bare neck. Silky, smooth skin felt wonderful beneath his fingers. The beat of her heart matched the same quick rhythm as his own heart.
Nash inched his palm down from her neck to her heaving bosom, but just as he neared the very object he was after, she hitched a breath and pushed him away.
Dejected, Nash kept calm instead of yanking her back into his arms as he’d wanted. What could have possibly made her interrupt his lessons? She seemed to be enjoying herself just as he was.
“Forgive me, but...I’m not ready to go that far.” She took deep breaths as her gaze flitted around them.
“I understand,” he said, even if he didn’t. “I won’t rush you.”
She licked her lips and adjusted herself in the seat as she took hold of the reins, but she didn’t urge the horse forward. Instead, she sat stiff and proper as she stared at the animal.
He really didn’t know what else to say. The mood had been broken, and he doubted he’d get it back. So, perhaps he should let her down nice and easy while rejecting her proposal.
“So, Lord Englewood, are we in agreement then?”
Her voice wobbled with uncertainty. Nash really felt like a jackanapes for denying her request, but he just couldn’t go through with it. Even thinking about marriage made him feel suffocated. It was almost certain she would learn that he was responsible for her fiancé’s death, and she would hate him. He would have to find a different way to come up with the funds for his sisters’ dowries.
Sighing, he shook his head. “As much as your offer sounds very tempting and would help out my sisters tremendously, I cannot accept your deal. I’m not the marrying kind of man, and I will never be.”
Frances’ expressions changed to confused, and then to hurt, and finally to anger. Her brown eyes darkened as she glared at him.
“You knew all this time that you wouldn’t accept? And yet you continued to kiss me...that way?”
He lifted one shoulder. “Pretty much, yes.”
“Oh!” She slapped his chest. “You are the cruelest man I’ve ever met. I cannot believe I had wanted your help. Indeed, I must have gone insane for a brief moment. Now get out of my buggy.” She pointed toward the road. “And I never want to see you again.”
Perhaps he deserved her anger. But it was a nice kiss, nonetheless. For certain, he’d think about her for quite some time, wondering if she would ever give him a second chance.
THREE
Frances had exactly three weeks to find a man to marry.
Why hadn’t her father planned this startling news closer to the beginning of the Season? Perhaps then she could have found someone. Especially since Nash Wolverton had smashed and spit on her hopes. What had she been thinking to consider him? His reputation hadn’t lied.
As her maid dressed Frances for the upcoming ball tonight, she stared blankly at herself in the mirror. For one full week now, she hadn’t been able to get Nash’s kiss—or his refusal—off her mind. Adam had been a wonderful kisser, but never had he been as bold as to do what Nash had done.
Remembering the way her heart skipped a beat and left her breathless had been a shock to her system. Then, when he touched her neck and slid his hand down further, the curiosity in her body wanted to know more of the sensual feelings awakening inside of her. Luckily, her mind argued and won, which was why she’d stopped him. She didn’t ever want to forget about Adam, and yet, while kissing Nash, the man she’d professed to love until her dying day had somehow disappeared in her mind. She couldn’t have that!
To add insult to injury, Nash had the audacity to turn down her offer. If that wasn’t a slap in the face, she didn’t know what was. At least he followed her wishes by not seeing him again. Thankfully, she’d only wasted one day on him, and yet, she didn’t have any energy to go into town and try to mingle.
Tonight would be different. Her family had plans to attend old Lady Cruthers’ annual ball that was a lead-in to the Season. Frances had missed it the past three years, but she couldn’t miss it now. She prayed she found a man soon.
“I think you look mighty pretty in that gown, Lady Frances.” The maid beamed. “Do you want me to style your hair the same as I always do?”
Frances opened her mouth to say yes, but her thoughts skidded to a stop and turned in a different direction. In order for her to catch a man’s eye, she must not dress the same. She must dress a little more seductive, just as she had when she went to Lord Englewood’s home last week.
Stop thinking of him! Frances pushed the image of his handsome face out of her mind and peered through the mirror at her maid. “Actually, I don’t want ringlets. I want the bulk of my hair to be wound in a coil at the back of my neck, and small tendrils around my ears and underneath the bun. Also, I want baby’s breath weaved throughout my hair, but not overly so.”
Her maid’s eyes widened and she nodded an approval as she followed Frances to her vanity. Sitting on the stool, she glanced over her gown, this time making certain it met the expectations she had for herself tonight. She must have been thinking straight when she picked it out, because the deep rose gown with a black lace overlay was perfect for tonight’s occasion. Even the deep v-cut bodice fit perfectly with her mood. She would wear a pearl necklace with matching earbobs.
Tonight, she had only one goal in mind. She would flirt...and tantalize every man she met. With any luck, she would find someone who was perfect to be her husband.
Time passed quickly, and soon she entered the ballroom alongside her father and Augusta. Her palms moistened inside her elbow-length black gloves as her heart raced with fear. She worried that she wouldn’t find anyone, but most of all, she feared that she might see Nash again. After all, he was now a noble and would probably attend functions like this to introduce his sisters.
Would she smile and act polite in front of him, or would she ignore him as if they’d never met? The latter seemed safer.
She stood beside her father as he introduced her to everyone who came to greet them. Her father’s friends had available sons, and soon her dance card filled up. At ease a little more now, she relaxed and tried to enjoy herself. Since she’d practically been a recluse for three years, it seemed odd to stand in gossip circles and pretend like she knew—or cared—what everyone was talking about.
Standing next to her stepmother, Frances forced a smile as she listened to the henwits Augusta considered friends. Ever since her father had announced that he was going to wed Augusta, Frances had been keeping a leery eye on the woman. The widow had seemed too fake from day one. Her sweetness poured like syrup over Frances, leaving her to feel irritated. Honestly, she couldn’t understand what her father had ever seen in this woman. Frances’ mother had been the most beautiful, loving woman with a heart of kindness to everyone. Not once had her mother acted fake. Not like Augusta.
“Did you hear about the Earl of Englewood?” one of the ladies in the group asked.
Frances’s mind snapped to the conversation now. But the only thing the woman had wanted to discuss were things Frances already knew. Her mind couldn’t help but travel back a week to the man she wanted to forget, but couldn’t. Strange, but she could still smell his scent of pine and leather, and hear his baritone voice as he laughed as if he was standing right by her. If she could recall all of this, why then couldn’t she remember how much she loathed him?
“Oh... Good evening, Lord Englewood. I didn’t know you were at the ball. It’s nice to see you out and about now that you are settled in your uncle’s estate.”
Frances snapped back to reality. What had her stepmother just said? Frances’ gaze swept across the other ladies in the circle. Their attention was on someone standing behind her. She spun around and faced the man she wished to forget about. Seeing how handsome he was in his fine black coat and matching trousers, and wearing a dark blue waistcoat over his pristine white shirt and cravat caused anger to rise inside of her, once again.
With a smile, he greeted all the women in the circle. Pausing, he met her stare and bowed.
“Lady Frances, it’s good to see you again. As always, you look ravishing.”
She gritted her teeth. Why would he say that? Was that the very phrase rogues used when seeing the woman they rejected recently? Well, two could play at his game. It was better to play along than to have the old biddies at the gathering wondering why Nash made the duke’s daughter upset.
She curtsied. “And may I say how handsome you’re looking tonight? It’s certainly a pleasure seeing you again.”
“Lord Englewood,” old Lady Pratt said quickly, “why don’t you mark your name on Lady France’s dance card? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind saving a dance for you.”
“Uh, well...”
Nash’s gaze moved quickly between the older woman and Frances. She should have let him suffer a few minutes longer, but she couldn’t wait to throw her popularity in his face. “Unfortunately, my dance card is full tonight. Perhaps next time.”
He nodded. “Perhaps. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make introductions for my sisters.”
“Enjoy your evening, Lord Englewood,” Frances said sweetly, although her words tasted bitter. “And tell your sisters hello for me.”
“As you wish.” He turned and left the group.
Seething inside, Frances bunched her hands into fists at her side and wandered around the room beside her stepmother. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, mainly because she was certain she’d spout out her frustration at the situation her father had gotten her into. It was hard not to blame her sire, but instead, she must think positive. She would overcome this obstacle before another one crossed her path. And she was determined to get through this one.
“Lord Englewood is such a charming man, and very handsome,” the elder Lady Bothwell said. “Don’t you agree, Lady Frances?”
She tightened her hands into fists. She certainly did not agree. “Uh, I suppose he is rather charming. But he’s a rogue.” She flipped her hand. “He’s not my type.”
The other women in the circled giggled behind their fans.
“Oh, but Lady Frances,” Lady Langely said, “do you not know that reformed rakes make the best husbands?”
The henwits released another round of giggles. Frances rolled her eyes and turned away from the bunch. She didn’t care if reformed rakes were good husbands or not. Nash was no longer considered in the running since she’d scratched him off her list last week.
The dancing began, and her mind was kept busy as she tried to move her feet quick enough before they were stepped on by her partner. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough a few times.
