Page 13 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

L ucy stood in a circle of seven gentlemen. All had previously called upon her. Another half-dozen sat on settees and in chairs as her mother chatted and laughed with them. She had a headache from the heavy fragrance of roses in the arrangement behind her.

All she wanted was for all these men to go away.

Mama had gotten her up early, going through Lucy’s new wardrobe, deciding what she should wear for her wedding tomorrow morning. Her mother had chosen a gown Lucy liked, but it would not have been her choice to wear for the ceremony. As usual, she decided it would be easier to keep silent and simply wear what Mama told her to. Soon, she would be gone from this house and free to make her own decisions.

Or would she?

She had no idea what her future held. What kind of husband Lord Huntsberry would be. What it would be like living in his London townhouse, especially having heard he did no entertaining and only used a handful of rooms within it. Then there was his country estate, which he never visited. Would he be willing to do so once they wed?

Though Lucy had enjoyed the time she had spent in town for her come-out, she was a country girl at heart. She enjoyed walking and riding, as well as visiting tenants. She even made clothes for the tenants’ babes at Marleyfield. Spending all her time in town did not appeal to her at all. Would she have any say regarding where she resided? And if she chose to move to the country when the Season ended, would her husband come with her?

Misery filled her.

It had shocked her when Annie had told her that her mother requested Lucy’s presence in the drawing room, and she had found previous suitors present. She had gone straight to Mama and told her that these gentlemen should leave immediately, especially because she was now betrothed and would be a married woman in less than a day. Mama had laughed, telling Lucy to enjoy this afternoon and the many flower arrangements which had arrived, then gone off to speak to an earl and two viscounts.

Not wanting to appear rude, Lucy had joined some of her suitors, who kept up a constant conversation, not even allowing her to insert into the conversation that she had become betrothed at last night’s musicale. Apparently, none of the visitors here had been present last night, so not a one knew she was no longer on the Marriage Mart.

Then she spied Con and Lord Huntsberry enter the drawing room. Her betrothed’s face darkened in anger as he scanned the room, seeing the many callers she and Mama entertained.

“Out!” he shouted, causing all conversation to cease.

“Beg pardon, my lord?” the earl next to her asked.

“Leave now,” Huntsberry demanded, crossing the room until he reached her. Possessively, he slipped an arm about her waist. “My betrothed and I have important matters to discuss.”

“Betrothed, you say,” said a baron whose name she could never recall. “Why, this is the first I am hearing about it.”

Those present murmured as Lord Huntsberry glared at them. Suitors started rising, telling her mother goodbye and then her. One cheeky earl said, “I suppose I won’t be asking for a dance at tonight’s ball, Lady Lucy.”

“Out!” her fiancé repeated, and Lucy could feel the heat of his anger coming off him in waves.

Once the final gentleman exited the drawing room, he turned to her. “Enjoy entertaining your many beaux, my lady?”

His tone was sarcastic, something she had never associated with the marquess. It caused tears to spring to her eyes.

“Let her be, Huntsberry,” Mama said. “After all, it was her last afternoon to enjoy being the center of attention.”

He turned to Mama. “So, this was your idea to allow my betrothed to entertain a bevy of suitors?”

Her mother shrugged. “I cannot help it if my daughter is popular. And they now know she is no longer eligible to be courted.”

“I would speak to my fiancée now. Alone,” the marquess said, his arm remaining about her. Lucy couldn’t help but be drawn to his warmth and masculine scent.

When Mama started to protest, Con interrupted. “They are engaged to be married tomorrow morning, Mama,” he said in a placating tone. “Let them have some time together.”

Her brother led Mama from the drawing room. Lord Huntsberry seemed to visibly relax once they were gone.

“Might we sit, my lady?” he asked, leading her to a settee.

“I am sorry you witnessed that. I was trying to announce my new status.” She gave him a rueful smile. “But I noticed just how much these other men talked. They did not let me get in a word edgewise. I had thought I had been making conversation each afternoon and learning something about my suitors, when all along, they were learning nothing about me.”

His face relaxed some, and relief swept through her. “Was it that bad? I have never called upon a lady during the Season, so I have not a clue what goes on in a drawing room.”

“Usually, they only come in small groups of three or four and stay a short while.” She paused. “I believe that Mama actually instructed our butler to let them all inside the drawing room at once.” Shaking her head, Lucy added lightly, “I think since Mama knew you would be here for the marriage settlements, she wanted you to see the jewel you are getting.”

Looking at her solemnly, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. “You are a jewel. A rare lady full of grace and compassion. I am only sorry your choice in the matter was removed from you.”

She sighed. “I was the foolish one, my lord. I believed the lies of a known rakehell. Girls talk in retiring rooms, and I had heard gossip regarding Lord Eaton and Lord Humley. If I had not been so worried about Mama’s health, I would have easily discerned it was a trap.”

He continued holding her hand, which proved to be pleasant. “You are innocent in all of this, Lucy.”

She noticed he called her by her given name and it reminded her that he had done so last night, as well.

“I am only sorry you were dragged into such a horrible scheme. I went to school with Eaton and Humley. They were despicable then and are even worse now.”

Though Lucy wanted to ask him about why Lord Eaton would try and exact some kind of revenge upon the marquess years after their schooldays, she was hesitant to ask.

He squeezed her hand. “It is not only that pair who is to blame. I should have left you in that library and gone to fetch your mother so that she could have comforted you. For that, I will never forgive myself. That—and kissing you.”

She felt her cheeks heat, thinking about the kind of kissing they had done.

“I doubt I would have let you go, my lord. I was shaking all over. I would have been terrified being left alone.”

“Even so, I took advantage of the situation. I never should have kissed you.”

Lucy eyed him steadily. “Do you regret having done so?”

His gaze met hers. “Only because it forced your hand.” The marquess sighed. “I had some foolish notion that I was helping you.”

“By kissing me?” she asked, not following his logic.

“You were terribly upset. I thought you would swear off all men and flee to the country, negating your Season. I worried that you would never let a man kiss you again because you were now afraid of it.”

Understanding filled her. “So, you thought if you gave me a true, pleasant kiss, I would calm. That Lord Eaton would not have won.”

“Exactly,” He released her hand, raking his hair. “Instead, Lady Billingsley saw us.”

“You know her, don’t you?” she asked softly. “She seemed intent on hurting you.”

He shook his head. “Not really.” He cleared his throat. “This is an uncomfortable matter to discuss, even with my future wife.”

Lucy waited him out, determined to learn of their connection.

Finally, he said, “Lady Billingsley is a widow. Her elderly husband left her a fortune, and she has used her freedom as a widow to... make her way through Polite Society.”

“You are telling me that she is known for taking lovers.”

He winced. “Yes.”

“And she asked you to become hers.”

“She did. I had no interest in her offer and told her so in no uncertain terms.” He shook his head. “I suppose I could have let her down more gently, but I was shocked by how brazen she was.”

“And she found a way to retaliate against you last night. You hurt her—and she wished to hurt you.”

“I suppose so.”

“Well, it isn’t all bad. You will not have to peruse the Marriage Mart anymore,” she teased. “At least that is over and done. Though I am sorry that the situation caused an end of your association with Lady Harriet.”

“Lady Harriet bored the hell out of me.”

Lucy didn’t know which shocked her more. His profanity—or his admission about Lady Harriet.

“Then why were you paying attention to her?”

He shrugged. “I thought she would make for a good wife.”

She unraveled his logic. “Oh. I see. As a lady out for several Seasons, Lady Harriet would be grateful for an offer of marriage. She would allow you to do as you wished.”

“Isn’t that what marriage is about within the ton ?”

Hurt filled her. She knew most marriages in Polite Society were arranged ones. Lucy had hoped things would be different for her and her husband, though. It seemed she had been wrong about that.

“What are our plans?” she asked, changing topics. “After we wed.”

“Do we need any?” he responded. “Oh, I suppose you are referring to a honeymoon.”

“No, I do not need to be taken anywhere. I merely wondered if we would continue to attend events together.”

“I don’t see why not. You have only been out for two weeks. The Season continues through the end of summer. Perhaps you can still enjoy yourself. Make some new friends. You will always be able to spend time with your cousin.”

“Yes, I would like that. Why, I have yet to attend the theater or even the opera.”

“I have seats at some of the theaters. We can go anytime you like.”

“Truly? I have always wanted to attend a play. Con, Dru, and I used to put on some for our servants. I would love to see a play in person.”

“We can look at what is being offered, and you may choose which ones you wish to see.”

“Will . . . will you escort me, my lord?”

His gaze pinned hers. “I am your husband. It is my duty to do so. Let me know what play or social event you wish to attend. I will take you to everything you desire.”

“I appreciate that, my lord.” She lowered her gaze, still unsure about so much with this man. A man she would be spending the rest of her life with. A man she would be intimate with. A man who would be the father of her children.

He took her chin in his hand, raising it until their eyes met. “We are to be husband and wife, Lucy. It is time you call me Judson. At least when we are in private.”

Licking her lips, she tried it out. “Judson.” She liked how it sounded, so much that she repeated it again. “Judson.”

He laughed softly. “Thank you.”

Confused, she asked, “For what?”

“You could have railed at me for getting us into such a mess. Instead, you have taken things in stride.” He hesitated. “I hope I will not disappoint you.”

“I hope not to disappoint you.”

He rose abruptly. “I should be going. You must have much to do in order to be ready for tomorrow. Might I ask if you are bringing your lady’s maid with you?”

“I am. Annie has always been destined to accompany me to my new household.”

“My housekeeper, Mrs. Clippman, inquired if you would. She is preparing a room for Annie, as well as readying the marchioness’ rooms for you.”

It had yet to strike her, but she would be a marchioness, a very high position in Polite Society. Not only that, but her quick marriage would also cause her to be an object of gossip, especially if Lady Billingsley’s tongue had wagged too much.

Judson helped Lucy to her feet. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

“Until tomorrow. If you have need of anything before then, simply send me a note and I will see to it.”

“Might I have my things delivered to your townhouse during the wedding breakfast?”

“Of course. Do have you have other things at your parents’ home in the country?”

“I do. Some clothes and books. A few sentimental items. But that is in Somerset.” She paused. “Perhaps we might go there at some point? I would like you to meet Dru and see where I grew up.”

Judson stiffened. “We will see. In the meantime, if you need any of your belongings from there, I can send a servant to Somerset to retrieve them.”

He had changed so quickly, from being kind and warm to suddenly distant.

“No, there is nothing I require from Marleyfield that cannot be brought at a later time,” she told him.

Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss against her cheek. Lucy wished for a better kiss, but she kept that to herself. Hopefully, there would be plenty of time for kisses—and more—tomorrow night.

“I will see you at the Aldridge townhouse tomorrow morning,” he promised before taking his leave.

Lucy sat again, pondering their conversation. She still had no idea if he would wish to remain in town as he always did or if he might agree to open his country house and come with her. She tried to picture them arriving at events, acting as husband and wife. Also, at some point, she wanted to discover why Lord Eaton despised Judson so much.

And then there was the wedding night itself. Ariadne had sent a note earlier today, saying that she would come for tea this afternoon because she wanted to help Lucy understand a bit about what lay ahead in the marriage bed. Obviously, kissing was involved. If the kisses Judson had given her last night were any indication, she would very much like what was in store in her future.

For now, though, her betrothed remained an enigma to her.