His Perfect Bride(32)

He gently clasped her fingers and bowed over them.



"The pleasure is all mine. I hope you don't mind me saying, but you are quite lovely, Lady Brianna."

"Thank you," she murmured, turning her head to hide her blush. One  glance at Richard told her he didn't care for this arrangement any  longer, but she would not allow him to ruin her chances with Mr.  Jonathan. He could very well be what she was looking for, saving her  from having to partake in another Season and begin anew.

"Richard," Mr. Jonathan began, "if you would excuse us, I would like to take Lady Brianna for a walk."

"If she agrees, I would be happy to give you a minute or two."

"I apologize. I don't know what happened to my manners." Mr. Jonathan  then turned to her. "Lady Brianna, would you care to take a stroll with  me? I promise to be charming and bring you back safely."

"I would be delighted." She released Richard to take Mr. Jonathan's  offered arm. Although Richard agreed to leave, out of the corner of her  eye, she noticed him standing as if rooted to the spot. He stayed there  watching them walk away.

"Richard told me very little about you," Mr. Jonathan told her when they  were far enough away from him that he would not overhear their  conversation.

"What did he tell you?"

"Only that he wanted to introduce us since you are looking for a husband. I must say, this is a rather odd situation."

"I'm sorry about the unusual circumstances, but there are reasons. Was that all he told you about me?"

"He also mentioned how beautiful you were, which was no exaggeration. As  a matter of fact, his description fell flat compared to your  magnificence," he praised, eyeing her with a rakish grin.

"You must stop the compliments, or I shall forever be this shade of red," she teased, her face hot. He merely laughed.



"It's a very enjoyable shade. I'm sorry. Richard didn't mention how you were unaccustomed to compliments."

Blushing further, she chose not to respond. "Did Lord Stonemede tell you  what made him choose to introduce us?" she asked, wanting to understand  the conversation between him and Richard. As he had mentioned, this  introduction was unusual, and she would find it strange if he didn't  question Richard's motivations.

"I imagine he thought the two of us would suit. He is obviously not in  pursuit of you, so he is helping us meet considering we had not had an  opportunity before. What do you think?"         

     



 

"I agree. Lord Stonemede is quite a selfless man." Her comment earned an amused grin from Mr. Jonathan.

"In all the years I have known Richard, I have never considered him selfless."

"How would you describe him?"

"In a word-determined. He does not retreat when he finds something he wants, and I have never known him to fail."

His words sent a shiver down her spine. Was Richard determined to have  her? If so, he was sorely mistaken if he thought he would be able to  persuade her to marry him. He did have the ability to force her, but she  could not see him resorting to that. Trying to shake off the  uncomfortable feeling, she decided a change of topic was due.

"I believe we have spoken enough of Lord Stonemede. Why do we not begin by reviewing each other's qualifications for marriage?"

"That is a wonderful idea. I do enjoy when a woman knows what she  wants." His sideways glance and wink made it clear he was not only  referring to her knowledge of what she wanted in a husband.

"Why do you not tell me of yours first?" she suggested, unsure how she felt about his flirtatious manner.



"Well, you are lovely, so you meet my first requirement." He stopped and  turned to appraise her. "Your height too is quite ideal for . . . well,  ideal. Also I do find your blushes to be charming. I must say, I have  never seen a woman change such a deep shade of red before."

"I apologize, for I'm unaccustomed to being studied so closely."

"Don't worry, you passed."

"Thank you." She waited for him to continue with his list, but instead  he took her arm and resumed walking. "Do all your requirements pertain  to physical appearance?"

"Certainly not," he exclaimed, placing his free hand over his chest as  if insulted by her question. "However, since the physical qualifications  are the deciding factors, I felt it necessary to voice them, whereas  the others are less important."

Brianna's eyes widened, and she thankfully regained herself before her  mouth dropped open. He was different than anyone she had met. Although  open and honest, he also seemed very shallow. A jovial gentleman, his  happiness so abundant, he appeared to have been on the verge of laughter  their entire conversation. Overall, she decided he would be easy to  deal with, so she imagined it would be wise to get to know him further.

As they turned with the path, she saw Richard quickly making his way  toward them. He had not allowed them much time, and she now regretted  wasting most of the conversation on him.

"Mr. Jonathan, would it be possible for us to meet another time, perhaps  without our chaperone?" she asked, motioning to Richard.

Mr. Jonathan laughed, clearly amused at her all-too-correct designation for Richard.

"What do you have in mind?"

"We could meet here again. Would this afternoon be acceptable?"



"It's rather soon, but I imagine that, for you, I could arrange my schedule."

"Then I shall be here." She sighed in relief to have that settled before  Richard approached. He would not approve of the arrangement, but his  opinion didn't matter. He held no power over her, and she certainly  didn't need his permission to do as she pleased.





Chapter 11



Richard paced the room, more impatient than ever for Jonathan to arrive.  Traditionally Jonathan was late, but his tardiness had never irritated  him that much until today. After he had taken Brianna home, his friend  informed him of the arrangement he had made with Brianna. Richard wanted  to howl in fury. Now all he could do was wait until Jonathan arrived to  tell him what had occurred.

Since Jonathan knew of Richard's plans for Brianna, he was in no danger  from losing her to his friend, but it didn't appease his anxiety. He was  still furious she requested the meeting in the first place. If he had  done as she requested and offered her a gentleman of no title, who he  didn't know . . . He could not even finish the thought. She certainly  had no idea of the possibilities, and Richard didn't care to think of  them either.

The announcement that Jonathan had arrived broke his unsettling  thoughts, and allowed him to finally sit back down in his chair. Shortly  after, Jonathan entered, smiling like a fool, and sat down across from  him.

"Good evening, Richard."

"How was your meeting with Brianna?"

"Well, I'm fine, and I thank you for asking. And yes, I would love a brandy."

Richard sighed loudly then brought the decanter of brandy and two  glasses to his desk. As he poured the glasses and handed one to  Jonathan, he tried to ignore his friend's obvious enjoyment of this  miserable situation.         

     



 

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" Richard inquired sarcastically.



"Your hospitality skills are lacking, but I shall forgive you since you are obviously making an attempt."

"I'll remember your gentle guidance in the future. Now, tell me about  Hyde Park." Richard could no longer wait for Jonathan to impart the  information.

"Hyde Park was pleasant. The rain held off for the majority of the time,  so I believe all the occupants were able to enjoy the evening."

"Why do I even bother to ask?" Richard tossed his hands in the air.

"I have never seen you so tied up over a skirt before, and I'm  thoroughly enjoying the show. Was it not you who said women are all  alike? Do you now realize how incorrect your assumption was?"

"Yes. I have never met anyone like Brianna, and each day I find myself becoming more fascinated with her."

"She is unpredictable and wild, not meek and soft-spoken."

"I know, but after we are wed, I shall fix that. Once she has a nightly  outlet for her more wild nature, her days will be filled with a calmness  befitting my marchioness," Richard explained, anticipation welling up  inside. Jonathan only laughed.

"I wish you luck with that one," Jonathan said once he sobered up.

"Although I appreciate the offer of luck, as I imagine I shall need it, I would much prefer to hear of your time with Brianna."

"I suppose I have made you wait long enough." Jonathan sighed. "As  discussed, we met at Hyde Park in the same place you designated this  morning."

"Who did she arrive with?"

"She was with two other ladies, but she approached me alone."



"Probably her little sister and Lady Grace's governess."

Although not surprised, he didn't approve of her choices. She should  have brought her footman with her or at least someone who could provide  more protection. Brianna, however, was never one to understand the  danger she unwittingly put herself into.