His Perfect Bride(11)

If he were to present himself to her at a public gathering, his identity  would be revealed. Once her misconception about him was righted, her  pursuit of him would certainly increase. After seeing how determined she  was, he knew she would not easily be deterred. There had to be a way to  see her and hide his identity, while still continuing with his bride  search. It would not prove to be easy, but he never backed down from a  challenge.



By the time the carriage arrived back at the club, he came no closer to  finding a solution than when he left Lady Brianna. Now he realized he  would have the added complication of explaining what had occurred with  Lady Brianna to his friends. Jonathan would have endless amusement, and  Richard would not tolerate anyone laughing at her.

Lady Brianna had unknowingly become more important to him than she  should be. Telling himself it only consisted of a burning desire for her  and nothing more, he pushed her from his mind. It had simply been too  long since he'd taken a woman to his bed. At least that is what he  wanted to believe.

"There you are," Jonathan exclaimed as Richard strolled in. "I thought  we would have to cancel tonight, considering you discarded us to go  enjoy yourself with your friend."         

     



 

"Don't refer to her in that manner. She isn't a common tart. She is a  lady of our class." Richard used every ounce of strength to keep his  voice even.

"Then what was she doing here, alone at night?" Greyson asked, his voice incredulous.

"She wanted to discuss an inconsequential matter. She, being a trusting  soul, didn't perceive the danger to herself due to the late hour."  Richard hoped his friends would not press for more information.

"What matter could possibly be so important to take her from her home when she should be abed?" Jonathan asked.

"Nothing. You know how women can be," Richard responded inadequately.

"Interesting, you or your title must have made quite an impression on the lady for her to seek you out here," Greyson observed.

"Or perhaps it was she who made the impression on you," Jonathan added,  with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Don't think her improper address  escaped my notice."

"You both have the situation wrong. It has nothing to do with my title,  and her informal address was not due to a lack of respect or a shared  familiarity. It's due to a lack of knowledge. She is unaware I do indeed  hold a title." The telling silence that followed had Richard regretting  his words.



"Well, I can't say she would be my idea of a submissive, obedient wife,  but I'm not going to judge your decision," Greyson supplied, breaking  the silence.

"I commend you. Not flaunting your title was a stroke of brilliance. Now  you should be able to determine who is interested in you and who wants  your title. I only wonder how it's possible that no one recognizes you,"  Jonathan remarked.

"I agree. If such a ploy could be possible, it would be an exceptional  plan, however this was simply a misunderstanding I have yet to correct,"  Richard explained as he approached the sidebar and poured himself a  much-needed drink.

"She is quite a stunning confection. Why do you not tell her now? Then  she will have no reason to escape you. Better yet, don't tell her, and  perhaps she will be as enchanted by me and my eventual title of  viscount." Jonathan rubbed his chin in consideration.

Richard clutched his glass dangerously tight and was about to tell  Jonathan exactly how he felt about that, when he saw the satisfied smirk  on his friend's face. Richard cursed himself for allowing Jonathan to  goad him, although he could not understand why the idea of Lady Brianna  and Jonathan bothered him. She didn't belong to him and never would. She  was too wild and reckless to fit into his designs for the future.

The problem was Richard could easily picture her at Stonemede, running  through the grounds with her wild spirit as her black hair trailed  behind her. He could feel the breeze on his face as he chased her. Once  he caught her, he could imagine how her sweet scent would mingle with  the fresh grass, a smell designed to taunt him. There would be no one  around to hear her soft cries as he took her with the sun shining down  on them.



"We are not here to talk about her." Richard tried to shake off the too real dream that left his body aching.

"Yes, tell us what you found out about Tarrington and Kirkwood," Greyson proposed, his mind easily turning to business matters.

Jonathan acted as if he wished to comment further, but instead refilled  his glass with brandy and sat back down. When Richard gained his full  attention, he sighed in relief.

"Well, Erik Langley, Viscount Tarrington, is in a bad financial state  due to his gambling habits. He is young and from what I understand, he  has an easy time with the ladies. He also has a temper that isn't  exactly conducive to the calm atmosphere we have established in the  club."

"I vote to reject him," Jonathan said easily.

"Agreed," Greyson concurred. "Do you think he will attempt to retaliate due to our decision?"

"I don't believe so, but it will not hurt to have Nathaniel prepared.  Now, Alan Parks, Earl of Kirkwood, is another matter. He is known for  his maliciousness. He enjoys gambling as well, but only when the stakes  are high. His favorite activity is ruining young lords who don't have  better sense. He easily talks them into a game of losing their estates."

"I believe I have heard of him," Jonathan chimed in. "His holdings are  quite vast, and another of his past times is ruining young ladies."

"Hmm, I would not mind pitting my talents up against his," Greyson said.  A devilish gleam shone in his eyes as he shuffled his ever-present deck  of cards.

Richard imagined it would be quite an entertaining match. As skilled as  Greyson was, however, he did hate to lose, and Richard would worry at  the outcome.         

     



 

"Anyway, the rejection will not sit well with him, and I do suspect  retaliation." Richard hoped the idea would distract Greyson from his  current train of thought.



"Regardless, we must reject his membership, so can we adjourn this  meeting?" Jonathan stood. "Due to Richard's little love scene, I'm  already late for a very important meeting with my current mistress."

"Go. We are done here," Greyson acknowledged, not raising an eyebrow at Jonathan's ‘important' meeting.

"Please forgive me for detaining you," Richard added with a mock bow.

Jonathan inclined his head and left, no doubt anxious to begin his  evening. Jonathan's plans actually worked out better for Richard, as he  had hoped for an opportunity to speak with Greyson alone.

"Are you in a hurry to leave as well?"

"No, there are no claims on my time." Bitterness rang from Greyson's words.

"I wondered if I could recruit your help with something," Richard began, unsure of how to proceed with his newly developed plan.

"I would be happy to. Is there a problem?"

"Not a problem. I'm currently working on something, and I'm not quite ready to tip my hand."





Chapter 5



Brianna hesitated as long as she could in the ladies' withdrawing room.  She could not understand why the Marquis of Stonemede had to show up  again. Throughout the evening, her mother had unfortunately kept a close  watch on her and was never far from her side. In spite of that, luck  remained with her once again as her mother was unable to secure an  introduction with the marquis. If her luck continued, she imagined she  would be able to make it through one more ball without procuring the  dreaded presentation.

Another negative aspect of the evening was Mr. Richard had yet to  surface. Several times she caught sight of someone with similar features  on the dance floor, but was never awarded enough of an opportunity to  confirm or deny his presence. After the incredible experience they had  shared in the carriage, she imagined he would have made his way over to  her already if he was in attendance. His kiss had been more passionate  and fiery than the last, and the difference fascinated her. Then when  he'd touched her . . . Her body burned simply thinking about it.

When she had arrived home the previous night, James had yet to return,  so she was able to tell Ashley how Mr. Richard offered her a ride home  before James burst in, frantic with worry. Once he laid eyes on her, he  calmed down. However, after Ashley heard his accounting of the events,  she said she would no longer help in the future with anything she deemed  reckless. Brianna sincerely hoped Mr. Richard would show up so she  would have no reason to seek him out again.



Reluctantly exiting the withdrawing room, she immediately spotted her  disapproving mother, who, sadly, made eye contact. Her mother's  displeasure caused Brianna's mind to conjure up possibilities and raised  questions. Had Mr. Richard arrived? Had he approached her mother? She  certainly would not condone a relationship with him, being untitled.  Would Mr. Richard be willing to see her secretly? Should she want him  to? Luckily her disturbing questions were interrupted by the sight of a  gentleman approaching her mother.