It appeared that she enjoyed gentle sparring as much as he did. He approved of her bottom, too, as he assisted her back onto her horse, and how she’d felt in his arms. Her full lips when he’d kissed her had been sweet and soft. He would have liked to kiss her more deeply, to hear her sigh and respond to him. He’d seen enough to know she would, and in that moment, knew at least in this, they would be good together. Physical attraction certainly made marriage more agreeable.
He and Dountry had already agreed on a satisfactory settlement. All in all, not a bad decision. The ledgers balanced, and all parties were satisfied or would be in the near future. He smiled slightly at his unintended double entendre and drew his horse alongside hers. “Let’s visit those Herdwicks, shall we, Nellie?”
“As you wish, Charles.” He caught her smile as she turned her horse’s head and led the way.
It surprised him how much he enjoyed his given name on her lips. Intimate. He allowed himself to dwell for a moment on the pleasure they would experience together.
The sheep were as expected. The lambs cavorted on the grass. He’d suggested they come to give them more time together, and it confirmed his opinion. Nellie was amusing, poised, and intelligent. He liked how confident she was. No clinging vine. She wouldn’t impinge too much on his life or make outrageous demands on him. While involved with her own duties, the charity work, and so on, she would fit seamlessly into the routine of his days, while he continued to pursue his interests.
When they returned to the house from the stables, four ladies who were ambling along the garden paths paused to watch them.
“We are being observed,” Nellie said in an undertone. “My father did try to keep the possibility of an announcement quiet, but these things have a way of slipping out.” She smiled. “The servants are worse gossips than we are.”
“It hardly matters now,” he said. “Everyone will soon know.”
He saw her chest rise and fall sharply.
“Let’s give them something to talk about.” He took her hand in a firm grasp, and they climbed the steps to the terrace. He smiled down at her as a ripple of conversation floated toward them on the breeze.
As his duchess, she would attract attention wherever they went. He considered her a good choice. He knew of several successful marriages where love was not the glue that kept a couple together, but rather friendship and understanding. He preferred that to the explosive love matches, which burned out fast and messily, or worse, faded into indifference.
He and Nellie parted in the hall. He would wash and change before they told Dountry.
Charles ascended the stairs to his bedchamber. So he was to marry. He had made up his mind to marry Nellie at first sight, which was unlike him. He usually gave a good deal of thought to a matter before proceeding. He forced his mind back to the time when his older brother, Michael, had rallied and enjoyed a brief period of good health. Hopeful talk of his marrying Nellie’s sister, Marian, to secure an heir had been revived.
At that time, Charles had become informally engaged to Drusilla. Although no announcement had been posted in the Morning Post, it was common knowledge amongst the ton. When it appeared, Charles would not be next in line, his prospects were suddenly diminished in the eyes of Drusilla’s father. He decided the Marquess of Thorburn, whose lands joined his own, was the better prospect. Charles had thought Drusilla would fight for him, but she did not. He had struggled with the loss of hope, and his dreams and been bitterly angry and hurt. Then he’d watched his brother grow ever paler and sicker. Michael slipped away without fuss, and the family plunged into mourning for a beloved brother and son. Not long afterward, their father, his heart broken, sickened and joined Michael in the Shewsbury vault.
Charles, determined never to fall in love again, had taken a French mistress full of fire and charm, whose mercenary heart ensured he would never love her.
Chapter Three
In the library, Nellie’s father beamed when given the news. He congratulated the duke and kissed her. After Charles had left them, Papa confirmed his view that Nellie was the daughter he’d always thought would marry well.
Nellie was glad Marian was not present. She had been permitted to marry the man she loved, but her choice was not a popular one. Gerald Belfries was not particularly wealthy.
“Marian and I believe Alice will be the beauty in the family, Papa,” Nellie said.
“All my girls are beauties.” He smiled at their mother beside him. “Like their Mama.”
“Alice shows great promise,” Mama said, “but she is still hoydenish. She must learn to conduct herself like a young lady. All you girls are spirited and intelligent.” She patted his arm. “You take after your father.”
Nellie left her parents behaving like a pair of lovebirds. Her father had been at pains to assure her that although their marriage was arranged, he and her mother loved one another. And there was every chance Nellie and Charles would come to love each other in time.
Marian awaited her in her bedchamber. “How was it?”
“I accepted him.”
Her sister nodded. “You approve of him then?”
Nellie took a deep breath. “One would find it hard not to, I suppose,” she said. “He’s attractive, and he rides superbly…but…”
Marian’s eyes widened. “But what?”
“He kissed me.”
Her sister nodded appreciatively. “After you accepted him.”
“No. Before.”
“He is a rake?” Marian’s eyes narrowed. “He behaved improperly? Grabbed you and mauled you?”
“No, it wasn’t like that. I had trouble making up my mind, so…”
“He kissed you and made up your mind for you. I like him already.” Marian chortled. “And as you’ve accepted him, I gather you didn’t mind the kiss.”
Nellie frowned at her. “Charles will always want to have the upper hand. I shall have to
