Chapter Fifteen

The wedding of Allegra Duxcomb, Lady Falworth, to Lord Phillip Piers Allenbridge, Baron of Wensley and Bridgeford, Viscount Southerton, and Holder of Three Demesnes, took place within forty-eight hours of their return from that fateful night in the country.

The fact that it was accomplished so rapidly was rather a surprise to both parties, but the happy coincidence of Pip’s knowing Bishop Raleigh quite well, and the timely arrival of that worthy gentleman in London on business, made the procurement of a special license a simple task.

The Bishop declared himself thrilled that “young Pip” was going to settle down at last and was gracious enough to tease Allegra on her conquest.

For her part, she wasn’t sure exactly what she was supposed to have conquered. In fact, she wondered if the shoe was actually on the other foot, and Pip had conquered her.

Shouldn’t she be protesting this absurd marriage? Where were her practical arguments against tying herself to an almost-stranger for the rest of her life? Where was her firm decision never to let a man take control of her existence again?

But the night before her wedding, she honestly faced the fact that all these objections had disappeared in one single explosion—the explosion she had felt beneath Pip’s hands and in his arms.

He’d shown her more pleasure than she’d ever known in her life, and she confessed to herself that she greedily wanted more.

The groom was surprisingly cheerful about the whole situation, leading Mrs. McBride to comment that it was almost as if His Lordship couldn’t wait to be wed.Pip was not about to tell his housekeeper that the thought of being able to legitimately rip the clothes off Lady Allegra and have his wicked way with her delectable body was responsible for the smile that frequently crossed his lips.

And some other delightful ideas turned that smile into a grin.

At last, the couple found themselves standing in front of the altar in Wensley Church before they quite realised it was actually happening, sobered by the atmosphere within the small chapel, the sunlight glimmering through the ancient stained-glass windows, and the simplicity of the wedding service.

Grace and Penelope were, in large part, responsible for this impressive feat of management, because their joy knew no bounds when Pip and Allegra announced their intent to marry on that memorable morning.

No sooner had the words left Pip’s lips than the twins threw themselves onto Allegra with much hugging, laughter, and tears of joy.

“Oh, how wonderful. It’s the best thing ever...” gushed Penelope.

“I’m so happy for you both. It’s the wisest thing, and you two make such a good team,” said Grace in her practical way.

“Let us arrange everything, please? We were discussing it already and would suggest that Wensley Church would be best—it’s only a couple of hours’ drive and then you can go where you want on your honeymoon.”

As if realising that she was straying into private and dangerous territory, Grace’s voice trailed away as she noticed the strained looks on both Pip and Allegra.

“Ally and I have agreed to marry as the only sensible course of action to resolve those issues which might have raised their ugly heads due to our unfortunate accident,” said Pip, firmly.

“She and I have both agreed that we will suit, and she has graciously accepted the responsibilities that go with the job of being Lady Allenbridge. There won’t be a wedding trip at this time because our first responsibility will be to plan and hold a large affair here at Bridgeford House, at which time your engagement, Penelope, will be announced. We hope that news will eclipse our own marriage, and render you and Vivian the centre of attention—a position which will, I’m sure, be extremely uncomfortable for you both, but considering what Ally and I are going through, much less uncomfortable than it might be.”

The businesslike way in which these words were said, and the rather desperate look in Allegra’s eyes as they were spoken, seemed to tell their own story to Grace and Penelope.

Glancing at each other, they moved together to Allegra’s side. “Well, whatever you decide is, of course, best, Cousin...,” said Grace.

“And I am very happy to know you approve of my engagement to Vivian...” Penelope glanced over at her beaming fiancé. “However, first things first. We must get you two married. Now here’s what we’ve planned...”

Thus, the twins ruthlessly organised all the details, managing to keep the news out of the public eye by means known only to themselves. Flowers were cut and arranged, food ordered and prepared, and an evening gown of Allegra’s “fancied up” by Penelope’s nimble fingers with fresh blossoms.

So it was that she found her cool hands being clasped in Pip’s warm, strong ones as she vaguely heard his responses to the Vicar’s questions.

The moment when Pip’s voice said “I do” started her heart pounding and her hand trembled violently in his grasp.

Closing her eyes briefly, she fought for control of her emotions, reminding herself that this was Pip Allenbridge she was marrying, not Charles Falworth. But she couldn’t help wondering what kind of marriage this would be.

She knew deep down that she was developing strong feelings for this man, but she also knew it was extremely doubtful that he felt the same way. He was marrying her because he had to, not because he wanted to.

Touching and playing and kisses aside, Allegra knew that she was really just a convenience. Pip would get a wife, a chaperone, and no scandal.

What would she get?

She glanced at his profile and shivered.

As if understanding that his bride was under a great deal of stress, Pip gently covered her hand with both of his.His touch reassured her and Allegra was able to quietly and confidently answer the traditional question with the traditional words.

“I do.”

And it was done.

“You may kiss the bride...” said the Vicar ponderously. The honour of officiating at the nuptials of the Lord himself was almost too much, and his chest swelled dangerously beneath his vestments.

Pip turned to Allegra and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. Bending to her, he lightly touched her lips with his, just brushing their softness with his warmth. He deepened the pressure a little and, for a brief moment, held her close to his body.

He could almost feel the blush begin deep within her as her whole body suffused with a rush of heat.Fighting a tremor, she clung to Pip’s hand and buried her face in the nosegay of flowers she was carrying.

He smiled to himself. He was going to make her do a lot more than blush.

As they turned to leave the church, Pip saw Penelope and Grace look at each other knowingly and then hurry to throw rose petals over the newlywed couple as they made their way to the waiting carriage. He winked at them.

A sumptuous feast had been arranged at Wensley, at which time the household staff was formally introduced to their new mistress, and given suitable largesse as warranted by the joy of the occasion. Needless to say, the food was outstanding and the service impeccable.

Although the wedding breakfast party was small, it consisted entirely of people who liked each other, which made it a rare and enjoyable experience.

It was also considerably quieter than the party taking place below stairs, at which the health of the new Lady Allenbridge was toasted many times—resulting in the boot boy being hauled out to the pump and thoroughly doused after too much rough cider.

If the number of headaches that followed was any indication of the success of the revels of day, then it would be quite some time before anyone saw another such magnificent festivity.

Headaches, luckily, did not extend to the principals, who found themselves back at Bridgeford House just after dusk.

“You will find your things in the Cherry Suite,” said Pip as he led his new bride into the house.

“My Lord?” Allegra sputtered. His casual comment had apparently caught her off guard.

“First, I am not your Lord, anymore, I am now your husband, and it would be quite correct for you to use my given name. Second, it was necessary. You are Lady Allenbridge, and must occupy those rooms for appearance’s sake, if nothing else. They really are quite nice, you know. My mother always liked them.”

He was hoping to soften the rather daunting changes Allegra was about to face.

And indeed, they were nice rooms.In fact, nice, she thought, was an understatement.

Deep cherry wood furniture was upholstered with the most gorgeous red velvets and damasks, and the carpet was a unique design featuring many shades of red intertwined in a complex pattern.

“How lovely,” breathed Allegra as she entered. “And such beautiful windows...” They ran almost to the ceiling and would admit the maximum amount of light into the suite.

“Through here is the bedroom,” said Pip, throwing open another door.

A huge bed met Allegra’s eyes, also intricately carved from shining cherry. The hangings were of silk, and red too, but lightened with a delicate tracery of gold embroidery. The spread matched and some gold pillows were casually tossed on top.

“I had it cleaned and freshened up for you yesterday. I hope you don’t mind,” said Pip apologetically.

“No, no. How could I?” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “It’s just so...grand and imposing. And this door...?” She crossed to a door at the far end of the room.

“That leads to my rooms, Ally,” said Pip.

“Ah. I see.” Allegra struggled not to allow any trace of the hundred images which were whooshing through her imagination to be reflected in her voice.

“Yes...well, I should let you settle in. Perhaps you will join me for a few moments before dinner? We must decide on plans for Penelope’s engagement party before those two determined young ladies have the entire event planned for us.”

Nodding at her, Pip left the room.

Allegra turned and looked at the door again.

There was no lock on her side, so she could pass into his rooms or he into hers without anyone knowing. She leaned against one of the beautifully carved bedposts and tried to stop imagining her new husband coming through that door to do more wonderful things to her.

He’d told her she was passionate.

She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but deep inside, she yearned to find out.

Sighing, Allegra shook her head to clear it of troublesome thoughts, and set about finding her way around her new suite.

When they met some time later, Pip was pleased to see that the strain of the last few days seemed to have eased, and his bride wore a sunny smile on her face.

“I do like my rooms excessively, my...er...Pip.” Allegra stumbled over her new husband’s name. “I daresay I shall even get used to not calling you ‘my Lord’, but it’s going to take a little time.”

Pip led her to a comfortable chair and sat next to her on the sofa. “We must work together on this, Ally,” he said quietly. “I know this has all been rather hurried, but I believe we can carry it off between us. We are both of an age where a love match would not be expected, and having the chaperonage of Grace and Penelope makes an alliance such as ours the most sensible course of action.”

His conscience frowned severely at him and shook a reproving finger. Who did he think he was fooling? He wanted this marriage with a degree of desire that surprised even him. He ignored the annoying voice, and continued. “We may be the source of some raised eyebrows for a little time, but overall I think we shall scrape through with reputations intact, and I am confident that nobody will refuse an invitation to our ball. Once news of Penelope’s engagement is out, the town is going to have a new item to chew on, since I’m sure most everyone had just about given up on Vivian.”

“Given up on me? Why would anyone do that?” inquired a voice from the door. “Sorry, I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I heard my name as I came in.” Vivian settled himself at the opposite end of the sofa.

“We were simply wondering how much effect the news of your engagement will have on the Ton...” said Pip dryly. “Hordes of Mamas sobbing into their lace handkerchiefs at the thought of such an eligible bachelor retiring from the lists?”

“Good God, what a picture.” Vivian sputtered, struck by the notion. “Do you think I was that much noticed?”

“Well,” teased Allegra. “It depends on how many people you gave roses to. I mean, you may single-handedly have restored the English rose industry to great financial success...”

“Lady Ally, please...” begged Vivian, holding out helpless hands to stay her gentle humour.

“What are you saying to poor Vivian...?” Penelope walked into the room with her twin to find her betrothed looking quite flustered.

“Just an observation, Penelope, nothing to get upset about, especially as we are counting on you two to grab the attention of the world at your engagement ball. Shall we go into dinner and start making plans?”

“Isn’t Angus joining us?” asked Grace, looking at the door.

“Unfortunately, he begged to be excused. There was some business he had to attend to this evening,” said Pip formally.

“Well, he might have told me,” muttered Grace, with a hint of a frown.

Pip and Allegra glanced at each other, as a thought clearly hit them both at once.

“Never mind, dear.” soothed Ally. “It’s an informal evening, and we mustn’t forget that Angus has other commitments, you know. I’m sure he’ll be with us tomorrow, in fact I’m going to be relying on his experience to help with this ball.”

“Yes, he’ll be awfully good at organising things...” Grace cheered up a little.

Nevertheless, it was a rather subdued young woman who meekly agreed with the proposals that were bandied about during the evening, relative to the success of such a momentous occasion.

Roses, it was decided, would not be used.

Allegra mentioned that she had always wanted to try to recreate a shrubbery indoors, and after listening calmly to the laughter from her audience, proceeded to tell them just how it could be done.

Finally, it was agreed that the ballroom would be decorated with greenery of all kinds. No flowers—the gowns of the ladies present would be colour enough against the leaves.

The theme of “Summer is A’coming In” was suggested after the old English song, and also agreed to, provided (stipulated Sir Vivian) “no one asks me to dress like a blasted cuckoo.”

Reassured that costumes would not be required, and the theme was just to give the ball a foundation on which the decorations and refreshments could be built, Vivian relaxed and even went so far as to offer a few names from his family who he thought should probably be on the guest list.

The composition of this list was causing the new Lady Allenbridge’s brow to furrow as they adjourned to settle down to some serious work in the small parlour.

By the time the tea tray was brought in, most of the important guests had been included and there remained a few who were on the “possibly” side of the paper.

The Jamesons’ names topped the list.

“Really, Pip...” expostulated Allegra. “We have to invite them. They have invited us to so many of their activities, it would be unpardonably rude not to.”

”I don’t relish the idea of Nigel Jameson making sheep’s eyes at you all evening,” said Pip, frowning. “And I especially dislike the thought of that young woman attaching herself to my arm. She’s the most determined creature I’ve ever run across, and I don’t want to go through that sort of behaviour at my own ball.”

“In addition to which,” added Penelope, “...they’ll probably bring that rather unsettling Rajah with them, and I would much prefer they all stayed home.”

Silence greeted this somewhat uncharacteristic show of determination on the part of one who was usually so compliant.

Allegra was the first to recover herself. “I am forced to admit that I agree wholeheartedly with Penelope, although I know I shouldn’t...”

”Me too,” added Grace, nodding her head.

“However, this is an occasion for us to all practice being true ladies and gentlemen. We simply have no choice but to put our personal feelings aside and do the correct thing.” Allegra sighed. She knew she was right, but she also knew she was dreading her first exposure as Pip’s new wife.

Pip looked across at her, as if anticipating her next words.

“We must send an invitation to the Jamesons. We can only hope that Nigel and Miss Jameson will behave circumspectly in light of the fact that my Lord and I are now wed, and we can also pray very hard that they don’t bring the Rajah, but we can’t turn him from the door.” Allegra was firm.

Vivian nodded. “You are in the right of it, my Lady. How will the rest of the world know how to go on if we don’t show ‘em the proper way?”

Chastened, Penelope tucked her hand in his. “If Vivian says it’s the right thing to do, then I’ll do it, but promise you won’t leave me anywhere near the Rajah? He gives me goose bumps with that horrid voice and the things he says.”

“He won’t get within twenty yards of you, my dear,” said Vivian protectively. “Let’s hope he’s found other people to weasel his way around.”

”Well, we’ve made aa very good start tonight. I’m beginning to think this might be fun after all. And here I was thinking that being married would be a nightmare...”

Pip ducked a small pillow thrown at him by his new wife. A fire ignited somewhere beneath his breeches.

“However, it’s been a long day for all of us, so you’ll forgive me if I remind you all that it is time to retire if we’re to attack these arrangements with a fresh mind in the morning.”

Pip stood and held out his hand to Allegra, who took it quite naturally and rose from her chair.

“Grace—to bed, my dear. Penelope, just a few moments to say your goodnights to Vivian, and then you too.”

“Yes Cousin Ally,” chorused the twins.

Leaving the chattering youngsters in the hall, Pip and Allegra ascended the stairs.

“I think it will work, don’t you?” asked Pip conversationally, as they turned down the darkened hallway to their suites.

“Oh yes, they are a lovely couple,” answered Allegra, clearly assuming he was referring to Vivian and Penelope. “But I must confess, I am a little unsure about Grace’s feelings towards Angus. Did you notice?”

“Her reaction to his absence? Mmm, I did.” Pip stopped outside Allegra’s rooms.

He absently raised her hand and played with the simple gold band on her third finger. “Perhaps...perhaps the best thing we can do is let them work it out between them. I should hate to have any awkwardness between my niece and my secretary. After all, he is quite indispensable, you know.”

He looked up, grinning at Allegra’s exasperated snort.

“Really? I suppose then, if the romance doesn’t work out, you’ll fire your niece,” she shot back.

“Absolutely. Grace is decorative...Angus is useful.”

“Oh...those are the criteria for success in this house, are they?” Allegra bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

“Well, it depends...,” said Pip. “My butler is useful, my valet is useful, my housekeeper is useful...and they are all supremely successful at what they do. Not one of them could be described as decorative in any way—although honestly compels me to mention that Runcorn’s new waistcoat comes very close to fitting that description...”

“I can see I shall have to find some useful occupation then, my Lord, or you’ll be firing me next,” chuckled Allegra.

“Oh, I’m sure I can think of something...” Pip’s eyes lowered provocatively to her lips and his grip on her hand tightened. “I’m known for my excellent notions.”

“My Lord...Pip...er...shouldn’t we talk about...um...I mean, what are we going to do about...” stuttered Allegra.

Suddenly she was very much aware of the fact that it was her first real night as his wife, and she was standing too close to the man who was now her husband.

A wry smile crossed Pip’s face, and he lowered his lips to hers. “Aren’t you the woman who promised to ‘love and obey’ me just a little while ago?” Light touches of his mouth punctuated this question.

Not trusting her voice to answer, Allegra simply nodded, eyes wide.

“Well, let me give you an order—kiss me, Ally. Let yourself go and just kiss me...”His arms slid around her lithe body and gathered her close to the warmth of his chest.

Sighing, Allegra ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders and to the back of his neck where her fingers ran through the softness of his hair. She willingly opened her mouth and let him push his tongue past her teeth, in fact, she welcomed it and did just as he had ordered—she let herself go.

Pip groaned as their tongues met in the ancient duel between a man and a woman.

They twisted and twined as Allegra felt a wave of desire sweep over her and make her want to devour the man holding her in his arms.

With a little sound, she pulled back, gasping air into her lungs.

Her eyes filled with tears, whether from joy or fear, stress or desire, she couldn’t tell.

But Pip noticed and relaxed his grip on her.

“Go to bed, Ally...” he whispered, feathering little touches of his tongue along her jaw line. “It’s been a long and eventful day. We have the rest of our lives to sort things out between us...”

Ally bent her head forward and rested it for a moment against his collarbone. “Pip, I...I don’t know what to think—or to feel—”

“Sssh. I understand.” He raised her chin gently with his hand. “Don’t do anything but rest. We’ll work everything else out tomorrow. We’re not two young and hot-headed newlyweds eager to romp between the sheets, Ally. What we have will be the better for waiting...”

With that cryptic comment, he raised her hands in both of his and gave her a smile that melted her heart.

At that precise moment, she knew she’d fallen deeply in love with this man.

Pip turned her hand and pressed his lips to the blue veins on her wrist. A little shiver ran down her spine, and her body tingled. Surprised, she realised that if he really wanted to come in, she would let him.

But he released her and walked away from her down the hallway to his own door.

Heart thumping, Allegra stood rock still for what seemed like an eternity. Then, cursing herself for her silliness, she whisked into her own room and began the process of readying herself for bed.

Glad that she had refused the offer of a maid, she found herself beneath the covers in short order, only to jump up as she heard a door slam and masculine voices in the next room. Soon, however, all was quiet, and Allegra laid her head back down on the pillows.

Somehow, knowing that Pip was sleeping in the room next to hers gave Allegra a sense of security that she had not known in many years, and in spite of herself, she fell into a dreamless sleep.

She never heard the connecting door open, nor did she see a face appear around it.

Pip stopped at the threshold, hearing the even breathing of his new wife as she slept in a rumpled heap under the covers.

A painful grin crossed his features since his body wouldn’t allow him such restful slumber tonight.

He knew he could have been under those covers with her had he pushed just a little, but he also knew that she was tired, confused, and unsure about her feelings. Better to wait until she was ready for him, because then, oh yes then, his Ally was in for the ride of her life.

Grimacing down at his rock-hard arousal, Pip turned back to his room. Everything was where it should be—except that.