His Scandalous Kiss: Secrets at Thorncliff Manor: 6 (20 page)

Leaning slightly to his left, Richard whispered in Mary’s ear. “Are you ready to make a public announcement?”

She didn’t turn her head to look at him, her eyes trained on the piece of meat she was cutting, but the blush that rose up
her neck and filled her cheeks spoke volumes about the effect he was having on her. “I fear that some may expire from sheer
shock since they thought you dead until only half an hour ago.” His return to Society had certainly been met by open-mouthed
gapes and a succession of gasps. One lady had even fainted since she’d thought him a ghost. “To announce that you are to be
married may be a touch too much.”

“So you think we should wait until tomorrow?” Discreetly, Richard reached beneath the table and placed his hand against her
thigh. A devilish grin swept through him when she almost jolted out of her seat, her cutlery clanging loudly against her plate.

“Mind your manners, sir,” she hissed while several curious gazes darted toward them.

“Once our engagement is official, I shall not have to mind them quite as much,” he murmured. “Much less once we are wed.”

She said nothing in response to that, but reached for her wine instead and took a lengthy sip.

“Will you tell us what you and Lady Mary are discussing?” Spencer asked. Leaning forward from across the table, he said in
a far more muted tone, “Chadwick is already placing bets on the subject of your interest.”

“And what, pray tell, do you suspect the subject to be, Chadwick?” Richard asked.

A cheeky smile lit Chadwick’s face. “Weeeell . . .” He took a sip of his wine and then returned the glass to the table. “I—”

“Will say nothing further on the matter,” Lady Spencer cut in. Seated between her husband and Chadwick she’d apparently been
following the conversation and had decided that it had gone too far.

“Then perhaps I ought to do so instead,” Richard suggested. Turning back to Mary, he asked her plainly, “Are you ready to
become the center of attention?”

“If you are,” she said, offering him the loveliest smile in the world, “then so am I.”

Confident that he would have the life that he had always dreamed of, Richard pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. A
tremor raced through him and his stomach clenched as he reached for his glass and hit his knife against it, making it chime.
The chatter that had filled the dining room just a second earlier, dwindled into silence as everyone turned toward him, giving
him their full attention. Richard sucked in a breath, his hand trembling slightly as he set down his glass. He wasn’t used
to getting noticed. Not anymore. And the curious looks he was now receiving were setting him on edge.

Briefly, he glanced down at Mary, caught the affection that shone in her eyes, and felt suddenly lighter. “Ladies and gentlemen,”
he said, shifting his gaze to the rest of those present. “I know that many of you are surprised to see me here after so many
years—that you thought me forever lost to the world. You may wonder why I chose not to announce my return from Belgium . . .
Suffice it to say that I did not feel comfortable, venturing out into public with the wounds that I had sustained, unsure
of how I would be greeted.

“The truth is that my injuries have served as something of a handicap. They have made me view myself in a different light.
For a long time I thought myself unworthy—of friendship, of respect . . .” He paused briefly before adding, “And of love.”

Reaching for Mary’s hand, he enfolded it in his own as he looked down at her with all the fondness in his heart. “That is
no longer the case.” Pausing for emphasis, he said, “It is with the greatest joy that I am able to announce my engagement
to Lady Mary. She is everything that I have ever dreamed of, and I cannot wait for the day when she and I are finally wed.
So if you would all please rise for a toast in her honor, I would be exceedingly grateful.”

It didn’t take long for all of the guests to get to their feet and pick up their glasses. From across the table, Spencer gave
Richard a distinct nod of approval that was mirrored by their father who’d been placed further away. “To Lady Mary,” the guests
spoke in unison. “And congratulations to you both,” Lady Duncaster added after everyone had taken a sip of their wine.

“Hear, hear!” Cheers rose up under the ceiling where they hovered above everyone like puffy clouds on a bright summer’s day.

“Richard,” Lady Oakland exclaimed as soon as she had a chance to approach her son later. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy
I am for you! Fiona did suggest a possible attachment between the two of you earlier, but having it confirmed is simply wonderful—the
very best news I could have hoped for.” Turning toward Mary, she reached for her hands and clasped them between her own as
she leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, my dear.”

Mary looked adorably befuddled as she nodded, smiled, and offered her thanks. Belatedly, as if it were an afterthought, she
dipped into a curtsy, but Lady Oakland quickly stopped her from completing the gesture, insisting that adhering to such protocol
would be completely unnecessary. It seemed as though Richard’s world had somehow managed to find its center of gravity once
more. And yet, in spite of the rightness of it all, a niggling feeling seemed to poke him in the shoulder, insisting that
the joy he’d been granted was but a mirage that would soon evaporate before him like the fleeting memory of a dream.

As it turned out, Mary was allowed two full days of blissful happiness before her world was turned upside down. It happened
in the late afternoon while she was out enjoying a picnic with Richard and his siblings. Having decided that the clover-filled
meadow beyond Thorncliff’s orchard would serve as a splendid location, Fiona had spearheaded the venture by determining who
would carry what and where it should all go since everyone had agreed that it would be a refreshing change not to have to
impose on any footmen.

Lady Spencer was also in full accord and had gazed lovingly at her husband while the Duke and Duchess of Stonegate followed
suite. As Richard’s eldest sister, the duchess had adamantly insisted on helping Mary with her wedding preparations, though
Mary soon discovered that the unmarried state of the remaining Heartly sisters would not deter them from voicing their own
ideas and opinions. Indeed, they had all become rather fond of sharing their views on flowers, colors, food and music. It
had gotten to a point where Mary could only hope that Lady Laura’s idea of a wedding gown would not come to fruition since
it sounded like more of a pastry than something that one might actually wish to wear.

“I am really not partial to large quantities of ribbons or lace,” Mary explained for what had to be the tenth time. Seated
beneath the shade of a handsome oak, she’d just selected a tuna sandwich when Lady Laura once again began suggesting the sort
of dress that
she
thought fitting for a Society wedding.

“What about beads then?” Lady Laura inquired. “Crystal beads are especially pretty and since I do believe it will be a sunny
day, they will catch and reflect the light, making you look like a princess right out of a magical fairy-tale story.” The
comment was, as had become the norm whenever Lady Laura spoke of anything remotely romantic, followed by a sigh and a distant
gaze.

Mary automatically scrunched her nose before making a deliberate effort to smile. “Unfortunately I do not care overly much
for beads either.” She shrugged one shoulder when Lady Laura gaped at her as if she were mad. “I find that simplicity tends
to serve me best.”

“I could not agree more, especially since it was one of the first things about you that caught my attention,” Richard said.
Reaching for Mary’s hand, he placed a reverent kiss upon her knuckles. “One cannot deny that a lady as pretty as you does
not require further embellishment. Least of all when one considers that they will only serve to distract from your natural
beauty.”

If Mary could have blushed both inside and out, she was certain that she would have done so in response to such a publically
spoken proclamation. Unable to help the smile that tugged at her lips, she offered Richard the most adoring look she could
manage before shyly lowering her gaze to her lap. After two weeks of secret rendezvous, she’d grown accustomed to private
signs of affection. To have their romance become the center of public scrutiny was making her feel as though she were an insect
under a magnifying glass.

Still, she felt her stomach swirl when, moments later, as the rest of the party was otherwise distracted by Lady Emily reading
out loud from the
Mayfair Chronicle,
Richard leaned in and whispered in Mary’s ear, “What I would not give for another moment alone with you in the antechamber.”

Not daring to respond, Mary did her best to focus on what Lady Emily was reading—something about an attempted jewelry heist
from a wealthy merchant’s house in London. But Richard’s presence proved too great a distraction. Especially when he went
on to tell her
how
he would like to make use of such a moment.

By the time the picnic was over and everyone decided to return indoors, Mary was quite certain that she had, in the space
of only two hours, somehow managed to grow warmer than the surface of the sun. It didn’t help that the younger Heartly sisters
giggled and whispered to each other as they followed behind Mary and Richard. This, however, came to an end as they climbed
the steps to the terrace and approached the French doors leading back inside the house. The eager chatter coming from small
clusters of guests made everyone immediately aware that an event of some importance must have occurred during their absence.

“Mama,” Spencer said, striding forward with purpose. Looking around, Mary caught sight of the countess, her smile filled with
eager excitement as she came toward them. “What is all the fuss about?”

“Oh, I knew that coming here would be the very best decision in the world and Lady Duncaster has just confirmed this. She
truly knows how to cater to her guests in every way.” Inhaling a deep breath, Lady Oakland continued with, “Just wait until
you hear of the treat that she has planned. You will scarcely be able to believe it!”

“Well? What is it?” Lady Fiona asked. She looked just as eager to discover the surprise as Lady Oakland looked at the prospect
of announcing it.

With her arm still linked with Richard’s, Mary leaned a little closer so as not to miss a single word. Admittedly, the buzz
of voices swarming through the atrium where they were presently standing, had stirred her curiosity.

A very dramatic pause followed before Lady Oakland casually said, “Do any of you know who Mr. Taylor is?”

A slight shiver crept across Mary’s shoulders. She felt Richard’s arm tighten against her own as she shook her head.

“The manager of the King’s Theatre?” Richard’s sister, Lady Rachel, asked.

“Precisely,” Lady Oakland said as she looked to Lady Rachel. “He has written to Lady Duncaster in response to some interest
that he has received regarding none other than Lucia Cavalani.”

Mary felt the ground sink beneath her feet.

“The opera singer?” Sarah put in. “Will she be coming here?”

“Well, that is just it,” Lady Oakland said. “Apparently, Mr. Taylor wishes to know if Thorncliff’s guests would like to enjoy
a private concert, in which case, he has promised to ensure Miss Cavalani’s imminent arrival.”

“Breathe.” The whispered reminder was made by Richard as he carefully disentangled himself and Mary from the group and proceeded
to lead her back out onto the terrace. Without pausing for even a second, he hastened her down the steps and toward the far
right of the garden where the Greek folly stood. At a reasonable distance from all others, nobody was close enough to hear
what they said or see their expressions, which Mary felt was just as well since she was certain she looked quite ill.

“Rotridge.” She spoke the word as if it were the missing piece she needed to complete a puzzle. “He wants to humiliate me—to
destroy my reputation completely.”

“He will never succeed. Of that I can assure you, Mary.” The fierce determination with which Richard spoke gave Mary hope,
even as she saw her downfall in vivid displays of color and detail.

“How?” was all she could ask. “How do you suppose we stop this catastrophe?”

Richard began to pace, the soles of his boots kicking up clumps of grass as he did so, due to frustration. “You can say that
you are unwell. That you have a sore throat and cannot perform. Surely that will—”

“Mr. Taylor will not hear of it. Not when most of England’s elite is gathered here at Thorncliff. Good lord! Do have any idea
of the sort of earnings he plans to make from my performance? Granted, I receive a large sum too, but Mr. Taylor, the theatre
as a whole . . . it would likely secure the salaries for all the other employees for the duration of the coming year!”

“But if Mr. Taylor is unable to find Lucia Cavalani, then how is she to perform in the first place?”

“Therein lies the problem,” Mary told him grimly. “Mr. Taylor knows exactly where to find me. It is part of the agreement
that he and I have with each other.” She watched as Richard stopped before her, his face drawn in tight lines as he took her
hands between his own. “In fact, I suspect that there is a letter waiting for me in my bedchamber, informing me that Lucia
Cavalani is expected to perform at Thorncliff Manor as soon as possible.”

“And if you do not?” Richard asked, his voice grave.

She looked askance, her eyes settling on the slim branch of a tree as it bobbed up and down in the breeze. “Mr. Taylor has
always been reasonable with me, but he is also a business man, so I would prefer not to take any chances.”

“You think he might threaten to reveal who you really are just to make you sing?”

Stalwartly, Mary stared back at the man whom she’d come to love, increasingly aware of something dangerous simmering beneath
the surface of his seemingly calm façade. His eyes shifted and it struck her then that he was furious. Not so much with her,
though she wagered he might be a little angry that she had allowed herself to get into such a muddle in the first place, but
rather on her behalf. “There is no telling what a man might do for money.” She spoke softly but with precision. “Is there?”

“You would be a fool not to expect the worst,” he murmured, mirroring her thoughts.

“Precisely.”

He nodded at that and, with a quick glance around, led her to the side of the folly. The grass was slightly taller there.
It tickled Mary’s ankles as Richard pulled her into his arms, the palm of his hand pressing comfortably against her back as
he simply held her. A long, drawn-out moment passed until she heard him whisper in her ear, “Rotridge means to unveil you.”

“Yes,” she whispered back.

“But what if he does not manage to unveil Lady Mary, but someone else entirely?” Stepping back a little, he nudged her chin
just enough for their eyes to meet. “He would lose all credibility and probably embarrass himself in the process too.”

It took a moment for Mary to figure out what Richard was plotting. Once she did, however, she knew that she’d found yet another
reason to love him. “That’s a brilliant idea, Richard. And I know exactly who we can turn to for help.” Closing the distance
between them once more, she wound her arms around his neck, her chest pressed flat against his. Settling her cheek against
his shoulder, she inhaled deeply, allowing the scent of him to travel through her, invigorating her and giving her hope. Whatever
happened, she had him. He knew the truth about her and he accepted it, was willing to stand by her and help her fight for
it.

Slowly, she allowed one hand to trail down over the front of his jacket while he in turn traced circles along the length of
her spine. His touch was gentle, feather light, and oh so very tempting. “I miss this closeness between us,” she said as a
hot shiver swam through her.

“Me too.” His hand found her cheek, turning her head and angling it just so . . . The kiss that followed was delicious, filled
with the flavor of tea and the chocolate they’d had on the picnic. A sigh of appreciation rose from Mary’s throat and in the
next instant she found herself pressed up hard against the cool stone of the folly with Richard standing over her, his eyes
slightly hooded and his breath coming fast. For a long moment, he said nothing at all, but then, ever so slowly, he leaned
back, adding distance. “Forgive me, Mary, but this is not like the stolen kisses that you and I have shared in the dark. People
talk. If someone were to see us . . . Please forgive me.”

It took a second for her dazed self to return to solid ground. Blinking, she looked back at him, saw the self-deprecation
in the tight lines of his face and expelled a deep breath. “There is absolutely nothing to forgive. You and I are engaged
to be married now and—”

“Even so, I would like to ensure that your reputation remains intact.”

Forcing a smile, she nodded before accepting the arm he offered her so that he could escort her back to the house. They had
almost reached the steps leading up to the terrace before he murmured, “Believe me, there is nothing that I look forward to
more than our wedding night, Mary. I hope that you are aware of that.”

This time, when she looked up at him, her smile was genuine. “Would it trouble you, Sir, if I were to tell you that I feel
precisely the same way?”

The look he gave her was darker now and filled with something secret that Mary didn’t quite understand. Yet somehow, she knew
that she desperately wanted to understand. Especially when he said, “Nothing would please me more.” His voice was low, rippling
along her nerves and sending frissons down her spine.

Shuddering slightly, she steadied herself against him as they made their way up the steps. “I will write to Mr. Taylor as
soon as I return to my bedchamber, informing him that Lucia Cavalani will be happy to perform at Thorncliff.” Reaching the
top of the steps, she drew Richard to a halt. “You were right to ask me to tell my aunt about this. The fact that she knows
makes this ordeal a little less terrifying, no matter how disappointed she is with me for deceiving her.”

“She will recover and she will forgive you for it.” The smile he gave her was slightly crooked, puckering the skin on his
left cheek a little more than usual. “That is what one does when one loves someone as much as she clearly loves you.”

Her chest tightened with affection for him, for how good and kind and honorable he was. Continuing their progress, he led
her back inside the house and toward the grand staircase. “She is Papa’s only sibling. The two of them have always been very
close so it was natural for her to have a large presence in my life. When Papa accepted the position in India and he and Mama
began preparing for their journey, Aunt Eugenia was thrilled with the prospect of sponsoring me for my Seasons and acting
as my temporary guardian.”

“When do you expect your parents to return?”

“In another year, according to the most recent letter that I received from Mama.” Her voice hitched a little. “I miss them
very much, but the things that they have described to me in their correspondences are truly incredible. There is no doubt
that their journey to such a distant location has been a memorable experience for them.”

Inclining his head, he escorted her up the stairs. “I have heard that people ride elephants there.”