Page 4 of A Simple Marriage (Millionaires of Mayfair #2)
Pippa faced Honoria across the breakfast table the next morning. Her sister was Pippa’s best friend and had been for all her life. But the perfect parallel lines that creased the skin between her brows made Pippa squirm in her seat.
“I should stay in London and help you with this Season business.” Honor fiddled with her empty teacup. “I about fell off my chair last night when you said you wanted to attend numerous social events.”
Pippa shrugged slightly. “I enjoy the events. Seeing the colors, fabrics, and various gowns makes me creative. My fingers itch to draw designs.”
“I know.” Honor reached across the table and squeezed Pippa’s hand. “I’ll miss you, though. I’d hoped you’d return to Amesbury with Pelham. Marcus and I are leaving as soon as I return home. But I couldn’t leave for Amesbury without seeing you.”
His sister’s eyes glistened with moisture. Just seeing the sight caused Pippa’s eyes to do the same. “I’ll miss you as well.” She squeezed her sister’s hand in return. “More than you can ever realize.”
“Come home, then,” Honor coaxed. “We’ll be close to one another.”
“I can’t,” Pippa shook her head but didn’t let go of her sister’s hand. She was like a buoy that helped keep Pippa afloat and tamed her restlessness. “Mignon is getting married. So, she’s selling her shop. I’m going to buy it.”
“You are?” Honor leaned back, letting go of Pippa’s hand. “Has Pelham agreed to give you the money?”
Pippa stood slowly from the table and walked to the windows overlooking the courtyard. It looked different this morning. Last night, as she walked with Hugh, the place had held a hint of mystery. Their whispers and touches had felt forbidden somehow, and they’d been irresistible—to her. That was a bad sign.
“Pippa?” Without her knowing it, her sister had risen from the table and stood by her side. “What did Dane say?”
“He told me no.” Pippa turned on the ball of her foot and faced her sister. “So, I’m on the hunt for a husband. That will free my trust account. Hugh…I mean Ravenscroft is going to help me find a suitable man.”
Her sister froze momentarily and stared at her.
“It’s time. Don’t you think?” Pippa would not be dissuaded. “I’ve considered my options and narrowed down the list to five men. They’re all in Pelham’s millionaire club. Therefore, I believe he’ll approve my choice. Ravenscroft is going to introduce them to me. He’ll ensure I know the men’s characters and reputations. I’ll make my decision after I’ve met all of them. Then I’ll ask one to marry me. I’m a progressive thinker, and my husband-to-be will have to be also if he’s going to consider my hand.” She winked, hoping to lighten the heaviness around them.
Honor held her forehead with her hand as if in pain. “Pippa, don’t you think that’s a bit too impersonal and unemotional?”
“I call it efficient.” Pippa delivered her best incredulous look. “This is rich coming from the woman who vowed never to marry.”
Honor blushed. “When your father promised to deliver a letter disowning me on the day before my marriage was to take place, that is reason enough to disavow marriage.”
“But you found the man of your dreams instead.” Pippa hugged her sister. “The old duke was a bastard.”
“Thank you, dearest,” Honor said as she pulled away from Pippa and wiped her eyes.
Honor did not share the same father with Pippa and Pelham. Both her mother and father were unfaithful to one another, and their father was convinced Honoria wasn’t his child. Hence, he promised to deliver a letter that would ruin Honoria on her wedding day. He’d made Pippa's sister’s life miserable. After he died, Honor had created a bogus fiancé for herself to draw out the letter. She’d planned to move to Florence for a year, then return as a widow. However, she’d created a bit of scandal for herself and Trafford when she’d decided to seduce him.
Thankfully, her sister had married the perfect man who adored her. It was everything that she deserved in life.
Honor’s brow furrowed into neat rows. “What if I loaned you the money?”
Before the words were even out of her sister’s mouth, Pippa was shaking her head. “I can’t and won’t accept your generous and kind offer. Even though we’re family and look out for one another, I don’t want you to be at odds with our brother.” She stole a glance outside, and once again, it reminded her of Hugh. “I know what I’m doing. I want to marry, but I’m not looking for love.” She slid a side-eyed glance Honor’s way. “I want to find a man who’s kind and won’t interfere in my business. Nor will he object to my being in trade. The gentlemen of the millionaires’ club are my safest choices. It’s simple. All I want is a gentleman who enjoys reading in the evenings as much as I do. He’ll share my meals and celebrate holidays and family events. All I want is for us to be friends.”
“Don’t you think you might change your mind about love?” Honor asked gently.
Pippa shook her head without looking at her sister. It was easier that way.
“My parents treated me as a weapon to be used against each other. They gave their love conditionally only if I met their expectations of behavior and achieved their standards of beauty and decorum.” She turned to face Honor. “I was nothing more than a doll that they fought over.”
“Darling, I’m sorry.” Honor pulled her close. “Do you think you’ll be satisfied with friendship?”
“That’s all I want.” Pippa went to straighten the pillows on the sofa. It kept from being subjected to Honor’s intense gaze. She loved her sister with all her heart but once a person fell in love their perceptions changed. The last time Honor swore never to marry, she had a ring on her finger within a month of meeting her husband.
There was no perfect man for Pippa. Love was not for her.
“Friendship is all I need,” she repeated.
“Ravenscroft is your friend.” Honor tilted her head.
Pippa turned to face Honor, then propped her fists on her hips. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I saw how involved you two were at dinner.” She tapped a finger to her chin and stared at the ceiling. “I wonder what all those private conversations and furtive glances could have meant.”
Pippa grinned her eyes at the teasing, but her cheeks felt on fire. She did enjoy her time with Hugh last night. When they were together, the rest of the world seemed to drift away. She liked the way he looked at her as if she were the most fascinating person he’d ever met. No one had ever made her feel that way before.
“He’s simply a friend,” she argued.
“Pippa,” Honor exclaimed. “It’s perfectly fine to enjoy a man’s company.” Her sister laughed softly, then walked to Pippa’s side and helped her straighten the already straightened pillows. “When Marcus and I were courting, I danced with Ravenscroft at his ball. Remember? He was quite attentive and extremely curious about you.”
She clenched her gown with one fist. “I love you, Honor. But believe me, there’s nothing between Hugh and me. He’s like that with every woman. We’re merely friends.”
“Hugh is it? What is that clever line from Shakespeare?” She tapped her chin again. “Oh, that’s right.” She snapped her fingers. ‘Methinks she doth protest too much.’ Midsummer’s Night Dream.”
Pippa picked up a pillow and playfully hit Honor in the arm. “Goose, it’s from Hamlet. ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’ It’s a tragedy.”
Honor pulled her close. “It’s my story. I’ll write it any way I see fit.” She swept her arm slowly across the room. “I can see the stage now. It’ll be a comedy that turns into a beautiful love story.”
“What’s the setting of the play?” Pippa grinned.
“London.” Her sister gave a decisive nod of her head. “You and Ravenscroft are in the starring roles.”
Hugh looked up from his desk when Burnett cleared his throat. “My lord, your guests have arrived. I’ve escorted them to the rose salon.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there momentarily. I need to finish the last sentence of this letter to Lord Burgundy. Will you post it promptly? Also, will you see that a tea tray is prepared and let my mother and great-aunt know they’ve arrived?” Hugh went back to his letter, but the older gentleman still stood before him.
“If I may, my lord?” Burnett broke the silence abruptly. “You should drop everything and go to the Rose Salon.”
“What is it?”
“Your great-aunt is already in the room alone with the ladies. Your mother is on her way down…Lady Edith has decided to host an engagement ball.” The butler’s eyes widened. “Here.”
“Bloody hell.” With the letter forgotten, Hugh quickly placed his quill back in the stand. “We just hosted a damnable ball last month on behalf of Trafford and his countess. I barely survived that one. Who’s the engagement ball for?”
“You,” Burnett said without hesitating.
“Me?” For a moment, he couldn’t breathe at the audaciousness of his great-aunt. Swallowing a much-needed breath, he continued, “Oh, this will not stand.” By then, he was out in the hallway. His footsteps echoed down the hallway. “She’s gone too far this time.”
Burnett tried to keep pace while maintaining the decorum of a proper London butler.
Hugh was the first to enter the rose salon, followed by a harried Burnett.
By the wide-eyed gaze of Pippa, he could tell that his aunt had taken over the conversation. Lady Grace’s head was darting between Pippa and Aunt Edith. Her look was one of total confusion.
Pippa instantly stood as soon as she recognized him. The spring green silk of her gown accentuated her eyes. But it was the cut of her gown that stole his breath. Every inch of it complimented her form. Though Hugh wasn’t an expert on fashion, he recognized superb craftsmanship. Over the gown, she wore a pink spencer that should have complimented her cheeks. Instead, the normal luster and color of her cheeks were gone.
“Thank heavens, you’re here, my lord.” Pippa shook her head in obvious distress. “Your great-aunt is under the impression that you and I—I?—”
“Are betrothed,” Aunt Edith interrupted. The old woman was practically gleeful. “Come in, dear boy. I want to hear all about the proposal.” His aunt waved him over.
Hugh fisted his hands and bit the inside of his cheeks to keep from cursing.
His mother entered the room with a frown on her face. “Who’s engaged?”
“Ravenscroft and Lady Pippa,” Aunt Edith announced without hesitation. “There’s to be an engagement ball. You and I shall host it with Bryce,” she exclaimed. “We’ll get Pelham and Lady Trafford involved. It’ll be the social event of the Season.” Overcome with giddiness, she rubbed her hands together. “I’ll invite Stella. She’ll be so envious.”
The joy on her face should have been heartwarming. Instead, his heart was flipping in his chest like a fish out of water. An appropriate comparison, in his opinion. Hugh was out of his element also.
Pippa dipped a curtsey to his mother. “Good morning, Lady Ravenscroft. I believe there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Lady Grace curtsied as well.
His mother’s shocked gaze met his.
“Get over here, Burnett, with paper and pencil,” his great-aunt ordered. She waved her hand and pointed to a chair next to the sofa. “We must start the guest list, decide what food to serve, and pick a date to hold the event. The sooner the better in my estimation. I hate long engagements.”
The butler nodded once.
“Margaret?” Aunt Edith snapped her fingers. “Do you have a gown for the engagement ball?”
“There is no engagement. I’m not engaged. Lady Pippa is not engaged.” Hugh’s words echoed around the room like the bong of the dinner bell.
Everyone grew quiet. Except, of course, Aunt Edith.
“I see. It’s a secret engagement.” She nodded her head. “It’s not an insurmountable problem, my boy. We can hold the ball after the ceremony. Do you have a special license? Lady Pippa was just telling me that her brother has traveled to Amesbury along with the Earl and Countess of Trafford. Are you planning to wait for them to return before you marry?” she asked sweetly. Her eyes twinkled in that all too familiar manner that indicated that she knew what she was doing and thought she had the upper hand. “Ravenscroft could secure a special license and we all can travel to Amesbury for the wedding.” Her eyes widened, revealing a mischievous glint. “We could have the wedding breakfast party at the Jolly Rooster. Stella and I always wanted to gamble there.”
Ignoring his aunt, Hugh came to Pippa’s side. “Afternoon, Lady Pippa.” He nodded to Grace.
“Good afternoon, my lord,” Pippa answered.
“I personally wouldn’t call this afternoon particularly good, would you?” His words were only for her ears. He glanced in his aunt’s direction. She sat on one of the room’s rose sofas with a satisfied smirk, clearly gleeful at the mass chaos she had created.
Pippa blushed prettily and smiled his way. He winked in return.
When he turned his full attention to his great-aunt, her gaze was locked on them. She clasped her hands under her chin and sighed happily. “There’s nothing like young love.”
He answered with a frown.
“Let’s all sit down and discuss this,” his mother said.
“Excellent idea,” Aunt Edith proclaimed. “Ravenscroft, sit next to Lady Pippa. Lady Grace, you come sit by me.” She patted to the side of the floral sofa where she sat in the middle. His mother took the other side. That left Hugh to sit by Pippa.
It felt as if he were in front of the Spanish Inquisition.
Quietly, Pippa sat on the edge of her seat with her back ramrod straight as she clasped her gloved hands in her lap. A slight tremble of her fingers revealed her anxiousness. The urge to lean over and take her hand in reassurance became nigh near impossible to ignore.
Instead, he smiled slightly and caught her gaze. It will be fine.
She must have understood as she nodded once.
He turned to his mother. “I invited Lady Pippa and Lady Grace here today so we all could become better acquainted. Lady Pippa has an interest in attending some of the social events of the Season. Since her brother is one of my closest friends, I thought we could offer her our escort.” He situated his body so he could easily see Pippa’s response. The look of relief on her face was palatable. “Let me repeat. We are not betrothed.” He directed that last statement to his aunt.
“Of course.” His mother smiled and served them all cups of tea. “Lady Pippa, your brother is one of my favorite people in this world. You’re welcome to join us anytime you like.”
“And visit too,” Aunt Edith chimed in.
“Thank you.” Pippa ignored the cup of tea that sat next to her. Her gaze skated over the furnishings in the room. “My brother spends the majority of his time in Amesbury and only comes to London monthly. It keeps me limited in what I can enjoy when we visit here.”
Though she was out of sorts, she handled the awkward position his aunt had put them both in with aplomb. Her poise reminded him of Pelham. There was a quiet confidence about her that he found utterly beguiling.
A slight blush had returned to her cheeks as she glanced around the room again. “This is beautifully decorated. Very welcoming, and the colors are exquisite. It’s perfect for meeting guests.”
“Thank you.” His mother smiled proudly. “As you surmise, red is my favorite color.”
Hugh studied the furnishings. His mother had decorated the room years ago. She’d chosen red, pink, and white as the color scheme. The upholstery was a mix of florals and stripes. It was beautiful, yet he’d never noticed it before.
“Lady Pippa designs gowns and finds inspiration everywhere.” Lady Grace addressed his mother. “Her creations are magnificent.”
His mother looked taken aback. “You sew your own gowns?”
Pippa nodded as a beautiful smile tugged at her lips.
Hugh couldn’t look away. He was mesmerized by the sight.
“Yes, my lady.” Pippa scooted to the edge of her seat. “I made this one.” She waved her hand down the front of her dress. “I finished it last week.”
“My word,” his mother exclaimed. “May I see it up close?”
Pippa and Grace went to the marchioness’s side. As the three ladies discussed Pippa’s gown, Hugh turned his attention to his aunt.
After several seconds, she stuck out her tongue.
“Are you five years old?” he asked quietly.
“No. But you act like an old man.” His aunt stood quickly, and in a movement that belied her age, she was sitting beside him. “What is the matter with you? I had that girl ready to marry you. A duke’s sister.” His aunt slid her gaze Pippa’s way and grinned like a child who’d been successful in stealing the cook’s dessert for the evening meal. “She’s beautiful.”
Her voice held a hint of affection. Hugh followed her gaze. His breath caught in his chest as Pippa explained something about the trim around the gown. Her excitement and enthusiasm made her not just beautiful but stunning. He’d seen people talk passionately about their work, but Pippa took such fervor to an entirely different level. Her confidence when she talked about her craft could seduce him into doing anything for her. She was breathtaking as her eyes brightened with passion, and her expressions of mirth and pride as she talked about her work beguiled him.
His aunt was wrong. Pippa wasn’t beautiful.
She was gorgeous.
What would she be like in bed with her golden hair spread behind her? A vision of him taking her in his arms as she arched her back, pressing her bare breasts to his chest. As he entered her, she’d cry out his name. His cock thickened at the thought. Immediately, he crossed his legs to hide the burgeoning erection.
For the love of God, he had to push such imaginations from his thoughts. Pelham would kill him. At the thought of his best friend’s fury, any desire he had disappeared like a London fog on a summer’s day.
“Ravenscroft, did you hear me?” His mother’s voice jolted him out of his reverie.
“Pardon me.” He stood and buttoned his coat to hide his affliction, then strolled over to where all the ladies had gathered. Pippa smiled in delight at something his great-aunt had said.
“Lady Pippa has offered to create gowns for Aunt Edith and me.”
He hadn’t seen that smile on his mother’s face in years. It was one of pure joy and excitement.
“But it’s too generous, Pippa,” his mother shyly argued.
“It’s my pleasure, Margaret.”
Now, they appeared to be on a first-name basis. What exactly had he missed by not paying attention to their conversation?
“With your coloring, I’m thinking a beautiful waterfall silk in crimson with a seed pearl overlay or perhaps a pale grey satin trimmed with miniature jet jewels.” Pippa peeked over her shoulder. “Mr. Burnett, may I borrow your journal and pencil?”
Dutifully, Hugh’s butler came to her side with the items. His great-aunt followed.
Pippa took the writing materials with a polite thank you, then started to sketch. As the seconds ticked by, his mother and great-aunt’s eyes grew wider.
“What do you think?” Pippa asked as she handed them the journal.
“You are a true artist,” his mother said in wonder.
The smile on his great-aunt’s face was infectious. “Indeed. Thank you for offering to create these for us.”
Pippa took the journal and evaluated it with a critical eye. “May I take this with me?”
His mother nodded.
“I shall return it tomorrow and take measurements,” Pippa explained. “Then, I’d like to examine your favorite gowns, so I’ll have a starting point for cutting the sleeves, bodices, and necklines.” Her head whipped to Grace’s. “Grace, does your schedule allow for this? I should have asked you first.”
“Oh, Pippa. I know that look in your eyes. You’ll be completely obsessed with these gowns until you finish them.” Grace frowned. “Unfortunately, I have another appointment tomorrow that can’t be changed.”
“She helps people find a way out of the scandals they create,” Aunt Edith murmured for Hugh’s ears only. “Plus, she’s a matchmaker of sorts.” His aunt lightly tapped a finger against her cheek as she stared at Hugh. “I wonder if there might be someone who’d be open to such a service.”
Hugh wanted to deliver a stinging rebuke, but then his mother spoke.
“How disappointing,” she said glumly. “We’d love for both of you to come back tomorrow.”
“I have an idea,” his aunt volunteered. All their heads swung around to the spry older lady. “Ravenscroft can bring you here in his carriage.”
“No, ma’am,” Lady Grace said firmly. “Pippa cannot ride in Lord Ravenscroft's carriage without a chaperon. Her brother would not be pleased.”
“Oh, you’re right,” she said weakly, then turned his way with a smile.
The sly bird knew exactly what she was doing. Hugh couldn’t wait to hear what the next words were out of her mouth.
Or perhaps he could.
Aunt Edith turned to Grace. “Would you consider me an appropriate chaperon? I could accompany him in the carriage and bring Lady Pippa to Raven’s Splendor.”
His mother clapped her hands together. “Marvelous idea, Aunt Edie.”
“There won’t be any scandal in that,” Grace added in agreement.
“If that’s all right with you, my lord?” Pippa turned in his direction and smiled earnestly.
By God, she did want to spend time with his family, and she was asking him if he’d allow it. Something in his chest twisted at her words. He’d give her his entire clan, including his brother if she’d continue to smile at him that way. That smile convinced him that Pippa was concerned about what he wanted, and she liked his family.
A war of emotions roared through him. On one hand, he wanted to throw her over his shoulders and take her upstairs to his cave…he meant bedroom and never let her go. While on the other hand, he wanted to run out of the house and escape her even though he wanted her.
Her brother was his best friend. He had to keep reminding himself of that fact.
“That is if you’re not already engaged.” Pippa tilted her head, waiting for an answer.
“Pfft,” Aunt Edith piped up and waved her hand in dismissal. “Remember, Pippa? He’s not engaged. He already informed us of that when he first walked in.”
Pippa stifled a laugh as she turned his way. “I adore your family.”
Do you adore me?
Thankfully, he didn’t say it aloud. “You can have them for a very reasonable price,” he offered.