Page 11 of Two Nights with the Duke (Cherish and the Duke #3)

T he sun shone brightly into Malcolm’s carriage as he, Jocelyn, and her parents approached the Balgownie Arms in Aberdeen shortly before noon. It had been two weeks since his confrontation with Ballantry, and it was now time to meet Jocelyn’s former betrothed head-on and dispense with any duty owed the cur.

“What a lovely place you’ve chosen for us,” Jocelyn gushed, her eyes wide as she peered out of the carriage window in delight. “My parents and I have been to Aberdeen several times but never stayed anywhere nearly as lovely as this inn.”

Malcolm followed her gaze. “Glad ye like it.”

The inn had a magnificently sweeping view of the sea, and yet was conveniently located near many of the finer attractions in Aberdeen. The city itself had a bustling port and was one of Malcolm’s favorite places for its quieter Society, as well as its proximity to the natural splendor of the Highlands. One did not have to step far to find anything one wanted.

As for him, he had all he wanted because Jocelyn was by his side. They’d been married two weeks now, and he was falling more deeply in love with her each day.

He was even growing to love her morning reports. “Good morning, Camborne,” she would say, her beautiful mouth swollen by his kisses and cheeks pink from a heavenly night nestled in his arms. “It appears we are to have sunshine today, and we have been married for fourteen days.”

This had been her report this morning, concluding with an “I love you” that she had decided he needed to hear daily, even though he was not encouraging this commitment. Jocelyn felt it was important to tell him anyway.

Of course, the lass hid nothing of her feelings. He would have easily noticed how she felt even if she had never spoken the words aloud.

Her smile as she gave him these morning reports elated him and wrapped around his heart. Yes, married two weeks now. An entire fortnight as husband and wife. Who would ever believe it? He had never been more content.

However, this feeling of contentment had a darker side to it, for it brought on a pain he dared not let her see. The cause of this pain was simple. Having now found her, he dreaded losing her.

This was what troubled him most.

He was a man who liked to be in control at all times, but how did one control destiny? Was there a higher power that played them like puppets? Jocelyn had been on the run with funds enough to get her to Arbroth. He had been forced to stop there overnight to repair a cracked carriage wheel.

What destiny gave, it could also take away.

He hated this helpless feeling, this worry that she would be snatched from him. What could he do to prevent it? Or would he remain unable to do anything to save her, just as he had been unable to save his parents and siblings?

He settled his gaze on Jocelyn, who always had the ability to make him smile. She was happy in their marriage, fairly radiated her joy like a bright sun. He knew she would never leave him willingly.

But was she not just as helpless as he was? She could be taken from him in the blink of an eye. If ever that were to happen, the heartache would swallow him up whole and drag him into a dark abyss from which he might never climb out.

This was the agonizing risk of opening one’s heart to love. It left one aching and vulnerable. Love was happiness, but it was also the destroyer of souls.

For this reason, he had tried hard to avoid falling in love with Jocelyn. But it was a losing proposition from the start. She was embedded in his heart and digging in deeper with each passing day.

“Do ye think Ballantry will show?” Jocelyn’s father asked, stirring him from his thoughts.

“I expect so,” Malcolm replied. “He is in need of funds and will want this matter settled as expeditiously as possible. Whatever the source is of no concern to him. He wants the money. Whether from you, me, or Jocelyn is irrelevant to him. The only question is, what will it take to make him go away?”

Jocelyn’s smile faded. “It is all my fault this is happening.”

Her father stayed silent.

Her mother was frowning at her father, no doubt urging him to tell Jocelyn the truth about her dowry, a truth she herself had only learned of recently. But the old man clamped his lips shut tight and allowed Jocelyn to continue placing blame on herself.

“It is no’ yer fault,” Malcolm said with a soft growl. “Ye did the right thing in escaping him, Jocelyn.”

“But I—”

“Ye were getting pressured by all around ye to marry, lass. Ye canno’ be faulted for accepting his offer. Besides, it led ye to me. I’m no’ complaining about it.” He cast her an affectionate smile that he hoped would stir her from her unwarranted feelings of guilt.

He supposed they all carried their own demons, some small and some large. But these were the travails of life, the bad mixing in with the good.

Which was why one had to grab the good and appreciate it while it lasted. Was he not better off having Jocelyn for whatever time they were given? How empty his life had been until he met and married her.

She suddenly gasped and pointed to someone standing in the entryway of the inn. “Lord Burling’s here. What a scurvy leech he is. This must mean Lord Ballantry is here and waiting for us, too.”

Malcolm took her hand when she balled it into a fist, and kept it firmly in his against her mild protest. “Ye are not to hop out of the carriage and punch him.”

“Indeed, Jocelyn,” her father intoned, “I forbid ye to engage that lout!”

“I was not going to hit him,” she grumbled. “Much as I would love to lay him low.”

Malcolm raised her fist to his lips and kissed it, knowing it would soften her resistance. He did not want her anywhere near that toad, but she appeared stubbornly determined to confront Burling. “Stay clear of him, lass. Ballantry, too.”

He did not want her near either of those men, not even after he had settled with them. Well, he wasn’t about to give anything to Burling. The toad could put the touch on Ballantry once that wretch was flush with his settlement funds.

Malcolm’s heart began to pump faster. He looked forward to dealing with Ballantry. The result would not turn out as the blackguard expected. Jocelyn’s former betrothed was likely counting his money already, but he was about to have a rude awakening. Malcolm was going to offer him much less than the bounder expected.

Jocelyn wriggled in her seat, her lovely derriere suddenly in Malcolm’s face as she stood up and then leaned half her body out the open window.

He laughed and put his hands around her waist to nudge her back onto the seat bench as she was about to shout at Burling. “Jocelyn, save that fire for the bedchamber,” he said, not caring whether her parents heard him. They were married, after all.

She gasped. “Camborne!” Her cheeks burned a bright pink and her big eyes crackled with defiance as she stared back at him. “Why did you stop me? I was merely going to—”

“I know what ye were going to do. But ye’re a duchess now, not a street fighter,” he told her, although he hadn’t minded almost getting a mouthful of her delicious arse between his teeth. “Ye need do nothing more than give him a freezing stare to put him in his place.”

“But he is such a toad!”

The lass showed every range of emotion on her lovely face. He would have to teach her how to hide those, although he wasn’t certain he would ever succeed…or ever wanted to succeed. Her honesty and openness were among the things that endeared her to him.

“All right,” she muttered, still disgruntled as she resumed her seat beside him.

That she settled against him, her body pressed to his, revealed she was not really all that irritated with him. This was another thing he liked about Jocelyn, her inability to hold a grudge or maintain her annoyance.

In truth, she was a sensible lass. She was willing to admit when she was in the wrong and readily forgave him when it turned out he was in the wrong. The mistakes were small and hardly worth fighting over. Also, she was very gentle with him.

He could not have found a more perfect wife for himself if he’d searched for a thousand years. He considered it a small miracle she had tumbled into his bed that first night. Had the choice of a wife been left to him instead of being thrust upon him, he would have chosen badly, because he was a clueless arse.

Fate had intervened and saved him.

“What happens next?” Jocelyn asked as they drew up in the inn’s courtyard, and Terrence drew the team to a halt in front of the white stone structure.

The very day of their Arbroth wedding, Malcolm had sent Terrence off to Edinburgh in the hope he might discover something to gain leverage over Ballantry in the upcoming settlement negotiation. The coachman had returned four days ago with information that could destroy Ballantry, if true.

Perhaps marriage to Jocelyn was making Malcolm soft, for he was not of a mind to grind Ballantry’s guts to mincemeat. But nor was he going to allow the bounder to take advantage of Jocelyn.

She was staring at him, awaiting his answer to her question.

“Nothing is going to happen yet, lass. You and I will merely settle in our rooms, wash the dust off our clothes, and perhaps grab a bite to eat if ye are hungry. Yer parents, I expect, will do the same.” Malcolm was eager to dispense with Ballantry, but he did not want Jocelyn involved. This settlement matter weighed too heavily on her heart.

Besides, she did not have it in her to be cold or calculating. He did not want her interfering in the nasty bit of business he was about to attend to. Indeed, it was nasty, and Ballantry would be enraged.

He had sent Terrence to Edinburgh to engage certain investigators of good reputation in the hope that they would dig up something on Ballantry. But the reports Terrence had brought back were startling. In truth, the information discovered was so damaging, Malcolm would not be surprised if Ballantry ran off with his tail tucked between his legs.

He now had all the leverage. He could offer Ballantry nothing, and even demand payment, if he had a mind to do so. The secret was so explosive, the bounder would be begging Malcolm to keep it from ever coming out.

However, he still intended to offer Ballantry a settlement because he wanted the oaf to leave Scotland and set up residence somewhere on the Continent, perhaps France or Italy. Those would be his terms. Not a shilling would exchange hands unless Ballantry left the country permanently.

The man’s estates would be far better off handled by his nephew, a decent lad who was already tending to the properties while Ballantry lived his life of debauchery. The nephew would maintain them and turn them into something for him to eventually inherit once Ballantry passed.

Based on Ballantry’s reckless womanizing, he was bound to die of the pox in a matter of years, or be shot by an angry husband.

Not that Malcolm thought himself much better. He had been a hound, too. But it was different. He’d carefully chosen his conquests and never grabbed just any pretty skirt. He’d maintained a code of honor of a sort, never bedding innocents or breaking up solid marriages.

But the point was not to dwell on his own misguided past. The point was for Jocelyn’s former betrothed to keep his distance from her, never disparage her, and never cross paths with her again.

Burling scurried off like the rat he was upon spotting them alighting from their carriage. No doubt he had gone to warn Ballantry of their arrival.

Bastard.

The sooner Malcolm dealt with Ballantry, the sooner that unsavory pair would leave. He and Jocelyn could then enjoy their marriage without the threat of retribution from Ballantry hanging over their heads.

Not that he gave a fig about any threats against himself. He was a grown man and could defend himself. Protecting Jocelyn was his only concern.

He was also looking forward to spending time alone with her. Of course, the matter of her dowry also had to be put to rest. This was a delicate situation to resolve, but an easy one. The earl and his wife loved their daughter, and she loved them in return.

While he was going to help the earl maintain his pride by giving him the funds to replenish the dowry account, Malcolm hoped Jocelyn’s father would come around on his own and admit what he had done.

He did not like keeping this secret from Jocelyn. In truth, he wanted nothing but honesty between him and his wife.

He briefly thought back to their first day together, when he’d taken her shopping to purchase clothes she lacked. It was a day of joy for him. He needed more days like that, just him and Jocelyn getting to know each other, and finding they liked each other.

“Let me help ye down, Lady Granby,” he said, hopping out of the carriage when it rolled to a stop. He assisted the older pair out, and then took his sweet time assisting Jocelyn. He liked the feel of her body and was in no hurry to let her go.

She cast him an impudent smile. “I am in no danger of falling, Camborne. You may let go of me at any time.”

“What makes ye think I am holding on to ye merely to hold ye steady? May a husband not enjoy holding his wife?”

She laughed, and then leaned into him to whisper, “I think our bodies are in danger of fusing if we continue to behave as shockingly as we do in bed each night.”

“All right, lass,” he said with a conquering grin. “I’ll let ye go, but stay close to me. I dinna like ye to be out of my sight while Ballantry and his toady Burling are here.”

She nodded. “I’ll stay close.”

He kissed her on the nose before escorting her inside and signing their names in the register. The proprietor, a genial man by the name of Wilbur Grant, knew Malcolm because he always stayed here when he came to Aberdeen, which was fairly often.

“Welcome, Yer Grace.” He was effusive in his congratulations when Malcolm introduced Jocelyn as his bride, and then introduced her parents. Mr. Grant showed them to their rooms while his staff carried in their luggage.

Of course, none of them had much that needed to be brought in. Malcolm always traveled light, never having a reason to bring more than his minimal needs, since he had an entire wardrobe available to him in every house he owned.

Jocelyn had nothing more than the gowns and other articles purchased for her in Arbroth, while her parents, having taken off in a mad dash with Ballantry to track down Jocelyn, had merely crammed a few garments into their travel sacks, never thinking they would be gone from their home for this long.

Well, it did not matter. Malcolm would purchase whatever else any of them needed while in Aberdeen. In truth, it felt good to have a reason to spend on Jocelyn and her parents. Until now, his only spending on others was to acquire consolation gifts for women he’d bedded and then never thought of again.

“Lord and Lady Granby, I hope this chamber meets with yer approval,” Mr. Grant said, his expression one of pride as he opened the door to the guest chamber Malcolm had requested for Jocelyn’s parents.

“Quite lovely,” Lady Granby said, sparing a smile for Malcolm.

“Yes, it’ll do nicely,” Lord Granby added with a nod, also casting a glance at Malcolm. But his regard was one of shame, Malcolm was distressed to realize. Granby was a prideful man, and it must have wounded him to know Malcolm was providing for them all. These were luxuries he should have been able to provide for his loved ones.

Of course, it was not possible, since Granby had squandered much of his wealth, along with Jocelyn’s dowry, on those bad investments.

Malcolm and Jocelyn left her parents and followed Mr. Grant to their suite of rooms. The suite provided the finest quarters available at the inn. It had a splendid view of the sea from the bedroom and the small but elegant parlor. Since it was a corner suite, it also had a view of the city from its west-facing windows.

Jocelyn turned to Malcolm, her eyes wide and her smile endearing. “This is beautiful.”

“I’m glad ye like it, Yer Grace,” Mr. Grant said, bowing to her. “We are at yer service.”

Malcolm shut the door to afford them privacy once the proprietor left. “Nice, isn’t it?”

She laughed warmly. “Fit for a queen, Camborne. You certainly know how to travel in style. I thought the inn at Arbroth was heavenly, but this is beyond description. Just look at this stunning view of the sea.”

He came to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “It’ll be nicer once I’ve rid us of Ballantry and his rat-faced toady.”

She nodded as she leaned against his chest. “I know I was incensed when he threatened us back in Arbroth, but I am past my ire now. Use as much of my dowry as you see fit to pay him off. Truly, I will feel better if you use what I’ve brought into the marriage rather than expend a shilling of your own funds.”

“Jocelyn,” he said, tensing as he always did whenever she brought up the topic, “whatever I have is meant to be shared with ye. I’ve told ye before, I dinna care what ye bring to the marriage. It was not the reason I married ye.”

“Still, it was my mistake, and I would feel better if it did not cost you . Well, I suppose everything I have is now yours according to law. I must have been delirious when I agreed to marry Ballantry. The thought of that barbarian taking control of anything of mine just curls my stomach.” She sighed and nestled closer to him. “He must be desperate for funds if he is already here. I’ll wager he won’t wait an hour before sending word to meet you. Will you allow me to sit in on your conversations?”

“No, lass. This is better left between me and Ballantry.”

“And my father?”

“It is best if I handle Ballantry alone.”

She turned to look up at him, her expression mildly admonishing. “Famous last words. Just do not punch him or shoot him unless he attacks you first. We do not want a repeat of the Burling incident.”

He chuckled. “Will ye always hold that encounter against me, lass? It did not turn out so badly for ye, did it?”

“No,” she admitted. “One might even say that I owe Burling a debt of gratitude for forcing us together. But watch out for Ballantry. He has no morals and will cheat without compunction. I do not want you to get hurt.”

“Nor do I wish for ye to be hurt,” he said in all seriousness. “I’d like ye to stay with yer parents while I’m downstairs talking to Ballantry. As ye said, neither man is to be trusted. In fact, I’m going to have Terrence guard ye while I’m conferring with Ballantry. I fully expect him to have planned something nefarious.”

“Oh my. Camborne, do you really think he would be so foolish?”

“Aye, love. But no harm done if I am proved wrong.”

“What if his plan is to harm you ? Shouldn’t Terrence be watching you?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I was a child. He’ll not get the better of me.”

She hugged him fiercely. “Promise me you will be careful. I do not want to lose you.”

He had no intention of doing something foolish and risking the loss of all he had gained by marrying her. “Ye’ll be the wealthiest widow in the land if they succeed in doing me in.”

She gasped. “Do not even jest about this! Do you think I care about material possessions over you?”

“Lass, it was merely a harmless quip. Dinna get distressed,” he said.

“Besides, how am I to inherit anything from you, since we haven’t taken care of our betrothal matters yet? Not that I care. Let your fortune go to the next in line for the Camborne title. It is you I want by my side, not your treasure chests.”

He had upset her, and now sought to smooth things over. This moment was as good as any to reveal a little of what he had already done. “Jocelyn, ye will never be left destitute. What did ye think I was doing while we were in Arbroth waiting for yer mother to return to health?”

“Taking care of Camborne estate matters,” she replied.

“And did ye not think protecting my new wife was one of the most important matters? Much remains to be formalized, but I’ve made immediate arrangements with my bankers to establish an account for ye. It is in yer name alone, and I’ve placed one hundred thousand pounds in it.”

“Camborne!” Her eyes popped wide. “That is ridiculous.”

He grinned. “Too little?”

She huffed. “Too much, as you well know.”

“It is not nearly enough. I’ll be adding yer dowry to it once matters are resolved with Ballantry. Och, Jocelyn. Are ye going to cry?”

“No… Maybe. You leave me speechless with your generosity. You’ve only known me a fortnight.”

“Ye’re my wife.”

“And happily so,” she replied. “I know we will eventually need to discuss these terms, but can we not merely enjoy each other for now?”

“Aye, lass. We can do both, and we will finalize this outstanding matter of our marriage settlement once Parliament is back in session and I return to London. I’ll have my solicitors there prepare the necessary documents.”

He wasn’t keen on returning, but he was one of the Scottish dukes nominated to sit in the House of Lords and could not shirk this duty. Nor did he wish to shirk it, for he’d always understood the importance of his role in protecting the interests of all Scotsmen.

This would also give him the opportunity to catch up with Bromleigh and Lynton. Those two confirmed bachelors would have a good laugh over his marriage. Perhaps the news would have reached them by the time he and Jocelyn arrived in London.

He would take their ribbing good-naturedly, for he certainly deserved to be given a hard time about his former views on marriage. He was considered the wildest of the three Silver Dukes, and that reputation was not exaggerated. He had done some questionable things he could not reveal to Jocelyn because she was still too innocent. Yes, they had enjoyed their nights of intimacy. But she was, at heart, too sweet and good to be told those other things.

She was also very sentimental. Tears formed in her eyes.

“Lass, what has ye about to cry?”

“When you return to London? Does this mean you will not be taking me with you?”

He frowned. What had he said to make her think he would leave her behind?

She swallowed hard and began to speak shakily. “I suppose I could return to Granby with my parents. Is this what you want?”

“No, Jocelyn. I want ye with me.” He worried about her and wanted to protect her. How could he do it if she was not with him?

And he did not expect she would want to live with her parents once she learned the truth about what her father had done. He’d emptied her accounts, all of them. Even the ones held in her own name.

He’d left her with nothing.

Malcolm did not have the heart to tell her. But this was another matter that needed to be addressed while they were in Aberdeen. It was her father’s secret to tell, his shameful behavior to confess.

That Granby had waited this long to admit the truth to Jocelyn did not sit well with Malcolm. But he had promised Granby he’d keep silent. He had also promised to replenish Jocelyn’s lost funds, and he fully intended to do so. He never went back on his word.

However, it had been a mistake to give Lord Granby these assurances. He had wanted to protect Jocelyn from heartbreak. But hiding the truth from her would only postpone the inevitable and make matters worse.

At the time, it had seemed important to Malcolm to spare her feelings. She looked up to her father, this man who had doted on her for much of her life. It had been so important to Malcolm to keep that family unity alive. Of course, he had been thinking of his own family and how much he missed them to this day.

But keeping the truth from her was not wise. In fact, deceiving Jocelyn was a terrible idea, and he worried that it might blow up in his face. He could only hope her father would do the right thing and tell her what he had done.

A knock at their door shook Malcolm out of his thoughts. Jocelyn scampered out of his arms and stared up at him with concern. “Is it Ballantry come to claim his funds already?”

“I doubt he would tip his hand and show his desperation. It would reveal he held the weaker hand.”

She nodded. “Perhaps my parents, then, or the staff delivering something for us.”

“Aye,” he said with a nod, moving toward the door.

But his neck was beginning to prickle. Something did not feel right.

“Step back, lass. I dinna want ye in their direct line of sight.” Why did he suddenly feel as though something was about to go terribly wrong?