A Breach of Promise (The Rules of Engagement #1)(26)

“Now? It is so sudden!”

“Carpe diem, my love. Or would you rather wait another six years?”

“But what about Woburn Abbey?” she asked in disbelief. “You can’t sacrifice your future like this!”

He took her in his arms. “You led me a merry chase, my dearest heart. I’m not about to let you get away.”

She smiled impishly. “But we have three hours ahead of us, ample time for me to come to my senses.”

He spoke into the hollow of her neck, taking her earlobe gently between his teeth. “Then I’ll apply all within my power to induce you otherwise.”

“Induce me?” she repeated breathlessly. “Are you sure that’s quite the word you had in mind?”





Chapter Eight


Lydia was fast asleep, curled against Marcus’ chest when the chaise finally rolled into the U-shaped courtyard of Woburn Abbey, the Duke of Bedford’s country seat. It was well past midnight with the few lights that still blazed emanating from the second-story bedchambers.

At the jarring halt of the chaise, her lids fluttered open. “Are we arrived, Marcus?”

“Indeed we are, my love.”

The carriage door opened as he spoke, the steps lowered by a bleary-eyed, liveried footman. Marcus preceded her and handed Lydia out of the vehicle where she stood gaping in the courtyard. Marcus tilted his head. “Welcome to Woburn Abbey, Lydia.”

“Good heavens,” she caught her breath on a gasp. Even in darkness, its splendor in the flickering light of torches was daunting beyond description.

“Good heavens indeed,” Marcus laughed. “It was once a Cistercian monastery, you know, until confiscated by our good King Henry and awarded to my ancestor Sir John Russell for services to the crown. The original structure dates back to the twelfth century, though I don’t know how much remains, as my uncle has largely rebuilt it in the neo-Palladian style.”

“I had no idea,” she murmured.

“That you are now so well-connected?” he asked with a grin. “My uncle is one of the most powerful men in the country, Lydia.” His smiled dimmed. “And the thought of facing His Grace in the morning nigh strikes terror in my heart.”

“Is he that bad, the Duke of Bedford?”

Marcus replied with a great sigh. “I fear I don’t exaggerate in saying my uncle is known for two things apart from his love of this monstrosity.”

“What are the other two?” She was almost afraid to ask.

“His hot temper and his cold heart.”

Lydia cringed. “I can hardly imagine a more unpleasant combination.”

“Indeed. He has been a formidable patron, as nearly all bow to his will for fear of incurring disfavor.”

She was struck with a keen awareness of what Marcus’ actions may truly have cost him. “Yet you chose to return to Westminster when he expected you? Oh, Marcus, how foolish you are!” The thought weighed heavily on her heart.

“If I am a fool, it is all for love.” He smiled and kissed her. “I could have done no differently, you know. One more day and I would have died in my want of you.”

As the chaise set off to the carriage house, two more footmen appeared to flank their progress to the massive double doors.

His eyes grew dark with desire. “I’ll instruct Sally to have your things moved to my bedchamber.”

“Is that done, Marcus?” she asked. “Would it not be scandalous for us to share a bedchamber here?”

“I don’t care. I’ll be hanged before I sneak through the halls like a thief to claim my own bride.” His words made her shiver in anticipation.

The doors opened into a marbled foyer with soaring ceiling and silk-covered walls adorned with old masters. It was a struggle not to gape at such opulence.

Marcus followed her gaze and shrugged. “The Dukes of Bedford are renowned for their art collection.”

They had only been divested of hats and cloaks before Nicholas and Mariah descended the stairs, looking sleepily disheveled. Lydia noted curiously how they avoided each other’s gaze.

“Where the devil have you been?” Nick cried. “I don’t envy your position at the moment. Bedford is in a thunderous temper over your absence and your mother has spent the night in a near swoon, certain you’d been set upon by brigands. She only retired after taking a sleeping tonic.”

“She did not receive my missive? I dispatched a messenger from the coaching inn before we turned back for London.”

“Why the devil would you have done that? Turned back to London?”

“Let us say I discovered an urgent need, a matter I was certain would allow me no rest until satisfied.”

“Given the circumstances, you could not trust your errand to me?”

“No, dear boy. This was a business requiring my own delicate touch.”

Marcus struggled to maintain a straight face and Lydia’s burned white-hot from his blatant innuendo.

“Shall we continue this discussion in the morning, Nick? It has been a long day and will assuredly be an even longer night.” His meaningful look sent a bolt of heat to Lydia’s belly as well as her cheeks.

“You must be exhausted, Lyddie,” Mariah said. “I’ll show you to your chamber. It’s adjacent to mine.”