His Perfect Bride(6)

"I want to thank you for helping me back on the terrace," she said  softly. "I'm sorry for my improper behavior, but I'm very grateful you  assisted me in spite of it." As she spoke, her face came closer to his,  and Richard's body demanded he close the distance. Luckily, the nagging  voice of reason continued. He cleared his throat and reluctantly took a  small step back.

"Think nothing of it. You needed assistance, and I was happy to offer  mine. Now, I believe I have detained you long enough. It would be wise  to return to the ballroom before your absence is noticed by someone  other than your mother."

She didn't appear to be bothered by his rejection, but since his logic  was infallible, he imagined she understood he was left with no option  but to retreat. After a brief hesitation, she nodded in agreement,  backing away from him and removing her hand from his arm. Expecting  relief at her withdrawal, he was surprised to discover disappointment  came instead.

"I do hope we can meet again," she replied with a beautiful smile, before she turned and made her way back to the ballroom.

Conflicted, he watched her walk away. He had no business thinking the  things running through his mind, but he'd lost control over himself. One  thing was for certain: He would have to set up defenses to ensure he  never saw Brianna again.





Chapter 3



Brianna awoke late the next morning to the sound of the curtains being  drawn. Since her maid obviously decided it was time to wake up, Brianna  dragged herself out of bed. As she prepared for the day, her mind kept  running over the events of the previous night. Again, the wondrous  feelings swamped her as she remembered the sensation of Mr. Richard's  lips on hers.

Yesterday afternoon she'd wished for such a kiss, and he'd fulfilled her  fantasy easily. The event held everything she anticipated and so much  more. She sincerely hoped it would not be long before she could repeat  the experience. Seeing her cheeks color in the looking glass, Brianna  cast her thoughts from the kiss. She had no desire to unwittingly let  her feelings be known.

Amazement filled her at the luck of finding a perfect candidate for a  husband so quickly. Since Mr. Richard refused to be called "my lord,"  Brianna deduced he had no title to flaunt and, judging from his  reaction, he was distressed about it. Adding all the factors together,  she came to a conclusion that sounded favorable to her. He must be a  younger son, most likely penniless, and seeking to marry an heiress. Her  parents never spoke of her dowry. However, knowing her father, it would  be substantial. Brianna was quite content to offer herself to Mr.  Richard as his heiress.         

     



 

Once her maid left, she allowed herself another moment to daydream about  her quiet cottage in the country before she made her way downstairs to  face her mother and the inevitable questions. Her mother had been much  too upset to speak with her the previous night, but she would have no  reservations today. Sighing, Brianna opened the door and jumped to see  Grace with her hand raised to knock. Grace smiled, then walked in and  sat on the bed.



"Good morning, Bree. You slept much too late."

"Yes, I suppose my good dreams were not quite ready to release me this morning."

"Really? What were you dreaming about? Was there a handsome gentleman  involved? I do enjoy a good love story." Her sister anxiously leaned  forward.

Brianna could not help the blush that colored her cheeks, but she was  not about to confess anything to her fourteen-year-old sister.

"Did you come here this morning to ask of my dreams?" she asked, hoping Grace didn't notice her blush.

"No, that is only a perk. Since I don't remember most of my dreams, I  could pretend your good ones are mine," Grace replied with a teasing  grin. "Actually, I came here to see if you were awake."

"As you can see, I'm ready to make my way downstairs for breakfast.  After a late night, I don't imagine we will be seeing Mother for a  while. Would you care to spend some time in the garden this morning,  after we rid ourselves of the governess's company, of course?"

"Normally I would be delighted, but Mother is awake. That is the other  reason I'm here. From what I can tell, she rose early to speak with  Father at breakfast while you were still asleep."

"Why?" Brianna asked, feeling the cold fingers of dread encircle her neck.

The morning after a ball her mother always slept in and took her first  meal in her bedchamber. This abnormal alteration in her schedule gave  Brianna a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, as this change didn't  bode well for her.

"I'm not exactly sure, but I overheard some of their discussion. I was  about to enter the room, when I heard Mother say your name. Naturally, I  kept back to hear the details."



"And what exactly did you hear?" Brianna knew her sister planned to drag  the story out for suspense, but she had no patience for her sister's  drama this morning.

"She was talking low, but I understood she was upset by something you  did at the ball last night. She also mentioned a gentleman, but I didn't  hear a name. Was he the one you were dreaming about? Tell me  everything!" Grace exclaimed, bouncing on the bed.

Brianna felt sick as the icy fingers squeezed her throat. Instantly  alarm shot through her body, and she dropped onto the bed beside her  sister, waiting for the feeling to subside. They knew. Someone must have  seen her with Mr. Richard last night and now her mother knew. The  unusual silence in the carriage should have been a warning of the depth  her mother's anger. Now she devised a plot with Father, and Brianna was  afraid to find out what punishment they contrived.

If Mr. Richard's identity remained a mystery to them, her mother would  relentlessly interrogate her until she divulged his name. Then Father  would track him down to demand marriage. Knowing of Mr. Richard's lack  of title might deter her mother, but Brianna didn't know for certain.  Since she already considered the possibility of marrying him, she was  not averse to the idea of taking him for a husband. However, she didn't  imagine a man forced into marriage would make a very accommodating  husband.

Trying to keep her face blank as the opposing emotions swirled through  her, she slowly cultivated her response. Grace was trustworthy and a  confidant. Still, Brianna could not bring herself to admit what she had  done. The fewer people who knew the truth, the better the chance of  denying the accusation.

"I'm sorry, Grace, but there is nothing to tell. I have no idea of which  gentleman mother is speaking, for I danced with a number of them. Is  there anything else you heard? I don't remember any one of them standing  out above the rest."



Grace eyed her critically and then, seemingly satisfied Brianna spoke the truth, she nodded.

"I did hear another thing of note, but it does not help determine which  gentleman she referred to. For some reason, Mother and Father will not  speak to you about it. They have decided to allow Miss Ashley to discuss  it with you."

"What? Did she say why?"

"No. At least not where I could hear."

Furrowing her brows, Brianna paused to assess the new situation.  Certainly they didn't think the governess would have more success in  discovering the details. Miss Ashley held no power over her and  therefore didn't have any leverage for negotiation. Although unable to  understand the logic behind the decision, Brianna smiled, thinking of  how convenient this had become. She only needed to bring Miss Ashley to  see her side, then any information flowing to her mother would be well  planned and edited.         

     



 

Feeling better about the situation, Brianna stood up and smiled. "I  think it's about time I spoke with our new governess, do you not agree?"

"What are we going to do about her?" Grace asked, looking away in  embarrassment. "I mean, I actually think I like her, but if you don't,  then . . ."

Brianna worked to conceal her surprise at Grace's reluctant admission.

"Don't worry. I'll be nice this time and then we will see. I may find  that I like her as well." Brianna smiled encouragingly at her sister and  was happy to see Grace return the smile.

Since her sister had never warmed up to any governess or nanny in the  past, this grabbed Brianna's attention. Due to Grace's aversion to the  previous caregivers, Brianna had taken over her sister's care,  transforming herself into any role Grace required. When the governess  found out Brianna was participating in raising her sister, she forbade  Brianna from having contact with Grace. That was when Brianna decided it  was her duty to rid them of the more bothersome women. Knowing she  would be preparing for marriage in the near future, Brianna was happy  Grace finally found someone whom she could accept and resolved to do  everything in her power to keep the new governess around for her  sister's sake.