Page 17 of A Lyon’s Promise (The Lyon’s Den)
T he knock on the door had King cursing louder. The door swung open, revealing Bessie standing on the threshold, her hands on her hips. “I leave you alone and return to discover your bride-to-be in a dead faint. What in the bloody hell did you do to her?”
King raked a hand through his hair and cursed again. The woman was like a tiger protecting the women she was matchmaking for. But he could not fault her; Bessie truly wanted them to have a second chance at happiness. He owed her the truth. “I told her we’d share a bedchamber, and bed, every night.”
He heard the faint snicker first, then the laughter Bessie tried to control. “Poor woman—she has no idea what pleasures await her. Montfort must have been a fool.”
King smiled. “I could not agree more. Why are you here? I thought you were going to give us time alone.”
“I had planned on it, but something came up. Captain Coventry received a missive from the duke’s brother, something about a change in venue and the vicar.”
“I’d best see why the earl is involved.”
“I overheard the captain telling Moreland that Earl Lippincott has arrived on Grosvenor Square and is delighted to offer the duke’s town house for your wedding.
It is well known, at least through my connections within the ton , that the earl and the duke have great respect for you, King.
Their offer of the duke’s town house is a small way to thank you for all you have done on their behalf. ”
“It is going to be a very small, private affair,” King reminded her.
“I understand your need for haste, and apparently the earl does, too, after speaking with Coventry, who is waiting outside the door to speak to you.” She glanced at the woman draped across King’s lap. “You’d best rouse Lady Montfort.”
“Do you have any hartshorn?”
“Top-right drawer of my desk. I keep it handy for missish young women who think they’re ready to marry a real man, and are often surprised, upon meeting said man, that they are not.”
“My hands are full—would you mind getting it for me?” The faint snicker was louder this time, irritating King. “I’m so happy to be a source of amusement to you, Bessie.”
“It’s rare that there is anything to laugh about while I am at work, though I daresay you would more than agree, given your line of work.”
King accepted the small vial and waved it beneath Lucretia’s nose. She blinked and gasped. “Gavin? What happened?”
Bessie delighted in answering, “Apparently you were not aware that some couples share a bedchamber.”
Lucretia closed her eyes and muttered, “None that I know of.”
“That’s because you are not a commoner, your ladyship,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon replied. “We do things differently.”
To her credit, King’s wife-to-be opened her eyes and braced herself against him to sit up. “Forgive me, Gavin. I do apologize, Mrs. Dove-Lyon—I meant no disrespect. In my defense, it has been a troubling few weeks. Thank you for all you have done for me. I would like to go home now.”
Bessie did not respond right away, but finally she said, “I’m quite certain King will have the arrangements in place. Oh, if you are quite recovered, Lady Montfort, Captain Coventry is waiting just outside to speak with the both of you. He has good news.”
King wished Bessie would have let him give Lucretia the news, but the Black Widow of Whitehall preferred being in control. He studied Lucretia’s face. “Do you feel well enough to sit on your own?”
She must have realized, all at once, that she was draped across his lap. Her strangled reply was comical, her responses refreshing. King looked forward to getting to know Lucretia better.
“Yes, actually I do, and I would prefer not to have to speak to the captain unless I am sitting, not prone.”
“As you wish.” He eased her off his lap and onto the settee.
The exposed, abbreviated view of her shapely calves was his reward.
King risked embarrassing her further by helping her straighten her gown where it had risen.
He looked up and found her staring at him, unsure of what she was thinking, other than uncertainty over how to react to that fact that he’d seen a part of her leg that he was fairly certain had not been exposed to anyone else in years.
After Lucretia had burst into his life a few months ago, he’d been curious enough to dig into her background.
She had not attended many social functions since being widowed.
She had retreated from Society, though there were a handful of times she had been seen at the bookstore or the modiste in the company of her maid—never in the company of a gentleman.
He would enjoy uncovering, and discovering, more of the woman he was to wed. The sooner the better!
Satisfied Lucretia was comfortable, he straightened. As soon as he nodded to Bessie, who’d been waiting by the door, she opened it. “Thank you for waiting, Captain Coventry.”
As was his habit, the captain swept his single-eyed gaze around the room before settling it on Lucretia. “Lady Montfort,” he said. “I trust you are not suffering any shock after your ordeal.”
King was relieved the captain’s black eyepatch and matching sling had not caused Lucretia to stare unabashedly, as he’d observed others doing upon meeting Coventry.
He highly approved of the way Lucretia inclined her head and greeted the Duke of Wyndmere’s London man-of-affairs, a former naval officer, with respect.
“I’m quite recovered, thank you for asking. ”
Coventry’s gaze settled on her injured hand before he looked at King, meeting the intensity of his gaze. “Have you sent for Sampson?”
“Not as yet, but I plan to.”
“Without my permission?” Lucretia’s tone indicated her displeasure.
King was surprised, yet pleased that she would speak up.
“I shall be the one to decide if and when I need to seek the advice or services of a physician.” She narrowed her eyes and dared to remind him, “We are not married yet , Mr. King.”
It was the first time she had addressed him formally.
Was it due to their being in the company of others, or was she trying to make a point that she felt he had overstepped his bounds?
Deciding the better part of valor would be to accede to her wishes, he explained, “I am used to taking control of situations. As I mentioned, Lieutenant Sampson is not only my personal physician, but he has taken care of more than one of the men in the duke’s guard, and their wives. ”
“Aye,” Coventry agreed. “You may not be acquainted with the men in the duke’s guard, Lady Montfort, but they are a highly trained fighting force that have proven their strength, valor, and integrity in service to His Grace.
The men are related—brothers and cousins—and just as protective of their wives.
If they trust the lieutenant, you can trust him, too. ”
The frown lines on Lucretia’s forehead smoothed out as her irritation faded. “Thank you for the assurance. I did wonder if Lieutenant Sampson had more than one female patient. I am relieved that I would not be the first.”
Caught off guard, which he rarely was, King had to ask, “What gave you the idea that he has only tended to men?”
“Your statement that he was experienced on and off the battlefield. You made no mention of his having patients other than those when in the military—aside from yourself.” Lucretia’s expression turned thoughtful. “ Were you in the military?”
“There is much about one another that we will have to discover. I bought my colors a number of years ago, though I am still not at liberty to discuss my time serving the Crown.”
“I see.” She was back to frowning again. “Even once we are married?”
King shrugged. “Even then. There are those who continue to fight, though the battle has been lost. When informed that I may speak of my duties, rest assured, I will…as long as I feel it will not imperil you.”
Coventry added, “There are things that I am still not able to discuss with my wife. Miranda understands it is not because I do not wish to. Now as to the reason I am here, as the Duke of Wyndmere’s London man-of-affairs, it is my duty to deliver good news.
The Duke of Wyndmere, and his brother Earl Lippincott, who has just arrived in London, are offering the duke’s town house on Grosvenor Square for your wedding as a small way to thank King for his invaluable service to the duke and his family. ”
King smiled and turned to Lucretia. “Both men have been blessed with their father’s temperament, his honesty, integrity and compassion for others,” King remarked.
“They share the fourth Duke of Wyndmere’s unswerving need to right wrongs to the best of their ability, and to lend a hand wherever they can, no matter the person’s station in life. ”
“You met with His Grace right after he accepted the mantle of duke without judging him,” Coventry said, “and you have continued to assist the duke and his family in the ongoing issues and situations that have arisen since the duke accepted the title, resolving to restore it. Accept the use of the family’s London town house. ”
King had respected and admired the fourth duke—and felt the betrayal when the fifth duke inherited the title and did everything in his power to degrade and defame the name and everything attached to the dukedom.
But King did not judge all men by the actions of one.
He gave every man a chance to prove himself.
The Duke of Wyndmere and his brother Earl Lippincott had done just that.
“It is an honor to be of service to His Grace and the earl. Please thank them for the offer.” He glanced at Lucretia and, when she smiled, continued, “We would be delighted to accept and will be sure to send a note of thanks to His Grace and his lordship.”