Page 8 of Every Wallflower Has Her Thorns (Revenge of the Wallflowers)

Chapter Eight

C alum watched Alice as she limped up the stairs to bed. Irritation stirred at her obvious lack of enthusiasm for this marriage and he had no idea why. Was she in love with another? Did she prefer his brother? He didn’t like the tightness in his chest.

Her question about a mistress took him by surprise. He had had mistresses, but the passion he felt for Alice, and her innate response, meant he was pretty sure he wouldn’t need another woman’s services. He wanted a happy marriage.

His parents hadn’t been in love when they married, but they rubbed along well and it was a happy family. He wanted the same. Alice would fit in well.

That reminded him he must write and tell them the good news. They wouldn’t make it to London in time for this quick wedding, but he’d have another one at the family estate later.

The front door opened behind him and George entered. By the look on his face, he’d heard the news. “I should run you through, or insist on pistols at dawn, but that won’t help my sister.”

“Keep your voice down. Alice will hear and it will upset her. This is not the place to have this conversation.” And without giving him any choice, he ascended the stairs towards his best friend’s study, hoping George would let him explain before running him through.

With curses that would make a sailor blush, George followed at his heels. As soon as the study door closed behind George, Calum turned and even though he’d expected it, the fist that hit his cheek bloody hurt. It set him upon his arse.

“Feel better?” he asked, pushing himself to his feet. “And before you swing at me again and make even a bigger fool of yourself, I didn’t seduce Alice, nor she me.”

George paced the floor to his liquor decanters and poured them both a drink. “Then what on earth… How did you end up in his billiard room, of all places? You know what it’s used for.”

“Bloody Lady Penelope.”

George sunk into a chair by the fire. “She meant to trap you? How did Alice foil that?”

He shook his head and took the chair next to him. They’d sat like this on many a night, talking about politics, women, travel and running large estates, but not tonight. Tonight would change their relationship forever. George would become his brother-in-law.

“Lady Penelope meant to set a trap for Alice. She had organized for Lord Fenchurch to be caught with Alice in that room. I luckily intercepted the note.”

“Luckily? You’d have every right to say unlucky. Christ almighty. That bitch. Was Fenchurch in on this?”

“I have no idea, but I intend to talk to him. I shall let him know that if he tries this with any other woman, I shall challenge him, and I won’t miss. No woman should be forced to wed in this manner.”

“It seems I owe you an apology, my friend. I’m sorry I jumped to such a dishonorable conclusion. I should have known a man of your honor would never do such a thing. Especially to my sister.”

He nodded and they sat in silence for some time, drinking and enjoying the comradery.

Finally, George asked, “How is Alice handling the situation?”

“How do you think? She’s not particularly happy, but she understands the scandal she faces and that we must wed.”

His friend’s glass halted before his mouth. “And you, my friend? How do you feel?”

Calum’s first inclination was to say he was fine, but deep inside the resentment had taken hold. He wasn’t ready for marriage. He’d had a plan. Travel, enjoy a year of no responsibilities and then come home and begin taking over the estate and look for a wife in a few years. Cautiously, he replied, “The situation is not ideal. It’s changed my plans for the next few years, but I would have to marry eventually, and I like Alice.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been caught in this trap. And I thank you for saving Alice from Fenchurch. I will owe you for the rest of my life.” He drank. “She does come with a large dowry.”

“I don’t need her money.”

“Then we can put it aside for her children.”

He nodded. “I thought we’d have a small service at the Galloway Town House in two days before heading to Scotland. I’d like to have a larger wedding in a month at home in the Highlands, so the family can attend. They can look after Alice when I go abroad.”

George sat up and slowly put his glass down on the side table. “You’re still going on your trip? Surely not for twelve months?”

Calum took a long drink. His trip would be different. He understood that. He would not be a young man able to sleep with all the beauties of Europe. He would be married. He meant what he’d said to Alice about a mistress. But Goddamn it, he wanted to travel. Had longed for travel. Why should he be punished for rescuing the damsel in distress?

“I want to travel. I’m happy to do the honorable thing and marry Alice. She’ll make me a fine duchess. She’s the one woman who hasn’t tried to grab the position for herself. Our families are close. I know she’d suit me, but I want what my father promised me. A year off to see the world and explore the places I’ve only read about… is that too much to ask?”

George looked torn. “I understand and I and Alice owe you, but how will it look to society if you take her home and leave her there for twelve months?”

His hand fisted around his glass. “I want to travel.” He repeated through gritted teeth.

“Perhaps Alice could go with you,” George uttered hope in each note.

“You know that’s impractical. For one, what if she falls with child? There could be a risk to her or the babe not being at home. I won’t risk her life. Plus, some places I intend exploring aren’t suitable for a woman, let alone a… well… a cripple.”

He felt guilty at the use of the word, but over rough terrain she would be a cripple.

“I hate that word.” George ran a hand over his face. “What a bloody mess, and I’m caught in the middle. One part of me wants to protect her and ensure this marriage goes ahead. The other part of me thinks I wish the two people I love most in this world could make their own choices.”

He gave a harsh laugh. “Life has a way of being unfair, but to be honest, I’m not unhappy with taking Alice as my wife.”

George stayed silent for a moment and then raised his glass. “Then I’ll drink to that. May you and my sister have a contented and happy life. Welcome to the family and if she had to marry anyone, I’m pleased it’s my best friend.”

The clink of glasses echoed round the room.

He drank the fiery liquid and prayed he was doing the best for everyone, even if not for himself.

Alice made it to her bedroom before the tears fell. This should be a happy day. The day the man she’d loved for years asked her to be his wife. Only he didn’t ask. He didn’t make a choice. He did what any honorable man would do. He did it to protect her.

She should thank him for that, but she wished that he wasn’t so honorable and would let her cry off.

She’d heard George arriving home with a few loud curses, but since then, silence. Her brother would thank Calum about now for his noble sacrifice and that’s what it was. A sacrifice.

She traced her lips with a finger and heat flared as she remembered the pleasure they’d shared in the carriage. She could picture his beautiful, ruggedly chiseled face, as if he was lying here next to her. If she wasn’t sure before, she admitted it now.

She was in love with Calum.

The glorious, searing pleasure that he’d ignited within her swept her away and grabbed at her heart. It made her yearn for him even more. She should have stopped him because now he knew she would marry him.

She’d always found Calum so overwhelming, so damnably tempting. From the first moment, she’d understood about males and females. The day he’d come home with George after their first year at Oxford together. Something about Calum had changed. He had filled out. He’d matured into a man so handsome nuns would twitter. With one smile, he’d made her heart pound and her senses reel. Ever since that day, he’d owned her heart.

He owned it now, and that was the problem. To marry a man who you worshipped but who might never return those feelings. To lie in a bed next to him and realize you were not someone he would have selected if he had a choice.

Her pride wept.

Marriage to Calum would have advantages. She would likely enjoy sharing his bed. But she only had a few days to gather herself for the biggest change in her life. The way she saw her situation was, she had two choices. One, learn to fall out of love with Calum until he loved her, or two, make Calum love her.

The only problem with that theory was she didn’t know how to make Calum fall in love with her. She was passably pretty but not a great beauty and her limp… And no one to ask. Her only friend was Sarah, and she would have no idea.

Then an idea struck. A man would know how a woman could make a man fall in love. Alasdair. She’d ask Alasdair. He knows his brother better than anyone.

As she snuggled into bed, she let the tension ease from her shoulders.

A few hours later, Calum cursed himself and the position he found himself in. Not the having to marry Alice part. When he thought about settling down to marriage and family, she fit his needs perfectly. She was pretty, intelligent, and goodness oozed from every pore. She was open and honest and would never deceive. It wasn’t in her nature. Besides, after that kiss at the chess match and his hands on her body in the carriage, the idea of any other man touching her stirred the jealous beast. She was his.

His problem was the timing. He had wondered if he could have accepted her offer of a twelve month engagement, but Alice already bore the full snark of the beau monde without gossip, starting about the fact she was caught in the notorious billiard room with him. An engagement may help the viciousness of the ton but then sailing off for a year before marriage—without her—the talk would be unbearable for Alice. She’d be the subject of scorn. He couldn’t do that to her, and George would never allow it.

He smiled as he remembered her untutored response to his seduction in the carriage. Thank God, she was passionate. If there hadn’t been a roaring desire between them, he wondered how the marriage would play out.

He’d spent the past few hours in his study drinking brandy. The entire decanter. What ate at him most was George’s disappointment at his decision to travel. Because he knew it would hurt Alice even more. Would she understand? Or would she take it as a personal dismissal of their marriage when he left for his adventure?

Coatless now, he lay on his bed, his hands laced behind his head, staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore the pounding in his head and queasiness in his stomach. Why should he feel guilty when this situation was not of his making? He’d do the honorable thing, but he wanted to see the world. Had wanted that through school, through his training beside his father and his father’s men of business to learn about running the estate. His father had promised him a year of freedom, and he was petrified that if he didn’t get to travel, he’d end up resenting Alice for all he’d missed and that wasn’t her fault either.

Lady Elena Lockwood was the reason for his dim view of women kind in general, and the reason he was so desperate to travel. At the tender age of twenty-five, just when he’d convinced his father to let him travel abroad for the year, and enjoy his continental tour with a couple of friends, he’d met Elena.

Elena had jet black silken hair, eyes such a deep blue you could drown in them, and a body that would make a priest lust. She was the ton diamond and with one smile he knew he had to have her.

He’d courted her and followed her around like a little puppy. For once he was pleased to be the heir to a dukedom because he soon found himself at the top of her calling list. She received him whenever he wished to call. He was definitely one of her favorites.

Finally, after three months of putting everything into winning her hand in marriage, he beat his competition and his head swelled with pride. Elena agreed to become his wife. So, he canceled his trip abroad and was joyful. All thoughts of seeing the world vanished. His father was not particularly happy with his choice of bride. The Duke wondered how the belle of the ballroom would settle in the Highlands of Scotland. It was remote and cold for most of the year. Was she the right woman for Calum? For the dukedom?

To Calum, Elena was his world. His grand passion, his heart’s desire. She was his everything.

He’d given her his heart and soul, and with a frenzy desire he needed to share his body. She kept intimacies at a distance, as a respectable lady should. He’d only ever kissed her gloved hand. The anticipation of taking her to his bed had his mind in constant dizziness.

But as the wedding day drew near, the atmosphere changed. She became more demanding, and less like a woman in love.

It was George who had raised concerns with him about rumors circulating within the ton . The rumor was she was in love with Lord Byron, but because he was married, Elena sought a marriage to hide her affair with the man. Some even said she was carrying Lord Byron’s child.

Calum had almost come to blows with George over his interfering, but his friend told him to suggest to Elena that they have the wedding in Scotland and that they’d spend the first eight months at his family’s estate.

Elena had not liked the idea at all, and at first tried to seduce him to change his mind. Then she’d started to whine, and then she’d got quite angry, saying she didn’t want to live in the wilds of Scotland. She even suggested that after they marry, they honeymoon in Paris, where Lord Bryon happened to be heading, and then Calum could go home to Scotland as she may not be able to travel if she got with child.

When he put his foot down and said as his wife she would be required at his side, and his home was in Scotland, she called off the engagement and eloped with a young officer. And yes, it would appear she may have been with child, Lord Bryon’s child, as her daughter was born seven months later.

He’d been so heartbroken and he felt so foolish he couldn’t face society. He’d retreated to Scotland and immersed himself in learning all he could about the estate management. While his heart had healed, as his father had said it would, he was no longer the carefree man he used to be. Oh, he’d had a lucky escape, and he knew it. He returned to London a different man. A man who would maintain tighter control over his emotions.

The entire experience had made him wiser. His pride, heart, and intelligence took a beating. He secretly vowed never to put a woman before his own plans ever again. Which now put him in conflict with himself. He admitted Alice was nothing like Elena, but he’d missed one opportunity to travel because of a woman and he wouldn’t do it again.

Surely, Alice knew this wasn’t a love match, or any match, it was merely the result of circumstances, and she would understand his desire to continue with his plans. She really wasn’t in a position to complain, given he was saving her reputation. He’d explain it gently. He didn’t mind leaving her for a year. She would never disgrace herself or him by sleeping with anyone else. He trusted her completely, and she was the only woman he would say that about.

He smiled. What a sight she was in his arms. Her hair cascading across her passion-flushed face. The way her tiny hand had gripped his cock. He’d wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman.

What if he got her with child before he left and he wasn’t there? He’d never be able to leave if she was with child. He would never leave her side. Alice was his to protect.

Christ. Once again, he felt trapped.

As he saw it, he had two options. One, he could marry Alice and not take her into his bed until he returned from his trip, or two… goddamn it, he didn’t have a two, and he wished like hell he did because not taking her into his bed would be torture.