Page 8 of A Whisper Of Desire (The Disgraced Lords #4)

Chapter Four

B eatrice had escorted Marisa upstairs to get ready.

The bishop was on the way and Maitland had the special license in his pocket.

They would be married in the drawing room with only Sebastian’s family present.

He would have liked Priscilla, his stepmother, to be here, but due to the persistent rumors surrounding her marriage to his father, she rarely left his estate.

Not all of the Libertine Scholars would be present either.

With Christian and Grayson still in Dorset, that left only Arend and Hadley to stand with him. Sebastian would be giving Marisa away.

Maitland had sent the two men each a missive informing them of the situation, and he expected them to be here shortly.

He was nervous about taking a wife. He was going to have to be far more disciplined than normal.

He’d never slept with the same woman twice, and if he were to have a son, he would likely have to sleep with Marisa more than once.

What if the villainess understood the darkness in him and knew it would be his punishment to have to marry Sebastian’s sister?

If he lost control and let his darker desires free, he’d likely hurt Marisa, which would hurt Sebastian and could very well destroy the Libertine Scholars’ friendship. They would fight each other.

Once again an innocent, Marisa was the one who would pay the price.

Just then Sebastian’s butler announced Arend and Hadley.

Hadley was full of smiles, while Arend looked broody.

“Congratulations, Maitland. I know it’s not the way you’d want to choose a wife, but she’s a wonderful young woman.”

“Thank you, Hadley. Nothing to say, Arend?”

He watched Arend shrug as he took a seat on the day bed near the window. “If you are happy, then what is there to say, except I want to catch De Palma so badly before she ruins our lives.”

“Are you implying my life is ruined, because I take offense to that. I’m quite happy with this outcome.”

Arend looked directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t referring to you. Sebastian must be struggling to come to terms with Marisa marrying you.”

Maitland felt the bonds of brotherhood slipping. “Do both of you think I’m not good enough for Marisa?”

“Of course not,” Hadley stated. “I think what Arend is inferring is that we are sad Marisa has had her life affected because of us.”

Arend swore. “That’s what I’m angry about. The bitch can mess with us; we can take care of ourselves. But a young girl, or girls? Look what she did to Portia. If Grayson hadn’t got to her, she’d still be in that harem.”

“I’m angry that Marisa has had choices taken from her too. As long as that is all it is.” Maitland raised his eyebrow at Arend. “Sebastian doesn’t think we can make each other happy.”

“It doesn’t matter what my brother thinks.

I know we will be happy.” None of the men had heard the door open.

Maitland felt as if he were a hundred feet tall upon hearing Marisa’s words.

She crossed to his side and slipped her hand in his.

For someone who prided himself on not getting emotional, he was choked up inside.

Arend suddenly grinned, and he crossed the room to hug Marisa. “If you’re happy, then it eases some of my guilt.”

“You have nothing to be guilty about.” Marisa looked round the room at each of them, men she’d known most of her life. “None of you do. Nevertheless, I must admit I’d like this situation to be over. Have you any leads?”

“Any luck with Angelo?” Maitland asked Arend.

Angelo was a brothel owner who may know the identity of De Palma. To their frustration he was being reticent in providing Arend with a name or any other information.

Arend looked thoughtfully at Marisa. Maitland simply pulled her closer and said, “I have agreed to let her help capture the villainess. Her life has been impacted too.”

Arend cleared his throat. “Perhaps we can discuss this after the wedding.”

“We have to wait for the bishop, so let’s talk now.” Marisa seemed very determined.

“I have a plan that might get Angelo to give us the information we need. It hinges on you, Maitland.” No one said anything to that, so Arend continued. “I think we should bring Angelo to his knees financially by beating the house, and Maitland with his skill at cards is the man to do it.”

“I’m happy to give it a try, but why would Angelo let me into his club? Won’t he be suspicious?”

Just then Sebastian arrived with Beatrice, Marisa’s Aunt Alison, and Helen.

Little Henry, Sebastian and Beatrice’s adopted son, was too young to be present.

Talk of card games dissolved into chatter about how beautiful Marisa looked.

The room was soon abuzz with talk of the marriage vows, and Maitland was relieved to see how comfortable Marisa was with her situation.

The bishop didn’t seem to mind the hastiness of the marriage.

It never ceased to amaze Maitland how the church overlooked many sins when generous donations were on hand.

The service was over quickly, and under the circumstances, the little emotion in the ceremony made the impact of what was occurring surreal.

He was getting married.

On the words “husband and wife,” Sebastian shook Maitland’s hand warmly and welcomed him to his family, and all animosity between them slid away.

His new brother-in-law opened champagne for the women and a bottle of his finest whiskey for the men, and over a joyful meal they toasted to new beginnings.

Later, as the night sky darkened, Maitland approached Marisa, hesitant to interrupt. She stood, quietly talking with Helen. “It’s time to go, little one. I’ll leave you to say your goodbyes and meet you by the front door.”

Sebastian followed him out of the room. He looked back to see the two girls hugging each other, hiding tears at being parted for the first time. Beatrice joined them, and something she said made them smile and wipe away the tears.

He waited for his wife— his wife. His hands trembled, and he almost dropped his gloves and hat, which the doorman had just passed to him.

Sebastian settled an arm around his shoulders and steered him to a private spot near the door.

“Who would have believed my best friend—as close as any brother—is in fact now my brother-in-law. You will be kind to her? Marisa has had her dreams shattered. I know you think you know her, but in reality you are both strangers who have simply been in each other’s company recently. Don’t expect too much of her tonight.”

Maitland understood Sebastian’s brotherly concern.

“I’m not going to pounce on her the minute I have her alone.

I do have some finesse in this area, although not as much as you.

” Sebastian’s worried face did not alter at his words.

“Look, we are both exhausted after last night’s ordeal.

I shall simply see her settled into her rooms tonight. ”

“Thank you.” The tight clasp of Sebastian’s arm disappeared and Maitland stuck out his hand and Sebastian took it. They shook for longer than normal, and both ended up clearing their throats.

Maitland reassured his friend. “This marriage is for a lifetime. I’m more than content to wait until Marisa feels comfortable sharing my bed.”

“That’s more than I needed to know.”

“But that is what you are worried about, isn’t it?” he asked. “Her sharing a virtual stranger’s bed.”

“Sometimes I wish you weren’t so direct.” Sebastian patted him on his back. “Usually I’d be teasing you about the night to come, but I’d rather not think about it.”

Maitland nodded. “I’ll cherish her for the rest of my life. I give you my word.”

“And I’ll hold you to it.”

Just as Sebastian issued his warning, Marisa, accompanied by Beatrice and a weepy-looking Helen, joined them at the door.

Maitland held out his arm and Marisa didn’t hesitate, slipping her hand through, linking them as they were now linked in marriage.

Her family broke society rules and waved goodbye from the top step as his carriage drove off. Maitland saw Beatrice consoling Helen.

“Your sister will miss you,” he said quietly. “She is welcome in our home whenever she likes.”

“Thank you. We have never been apart before. What of your sisters? Will they be at Kenwood House? I must confess surprise that I have never met them.”

He shook his head. “No, little one. ’Tis no surprise.

They have never been to London and you have never visited my estate.

They are too young. Their mother, my stepmother, Priscilla, prefers to stay at my estate in Hampshire.

There is Antonia, who is the eldest at almost twelve years of age, she is my stepsister, and Penelope, my half sister, has just turned ten.

” He took her hand and pressed it to his lips.

“So, for the foreseeable future, we have the house to ourselves.”

He noted that the idea of being alone with him saw Marisa’s smile waver between anxiety and pleasure.

As the chaise drew to a halt outside his large townhouse, Marisa looked out of the window and he felt her stiffen next to him.

“My goodness, it never really occurred to me, I’m a duchess. I’ll have to run your households.”

He nodded and shifted his gaze to the house.

“You will find my various houses, there are five in total, are run well, and will not be a difficult task. They know what I expect. The staff knows how I wish my houses to function. Everything is orderly and I have precise requirements. When in residence, I always breakfast at nine, luncheon is over by two, and dinner is promptly at eight.”

She didn’t appear to have heard him. “It’s much bigger than Sebastian’s house. Houses? How big is your estate?” Her hand splayed on the carriage window, as if trying to block the house from her view.