Chapter 6

6

Nathaniel walkedby Lady Calliope’s side, meandering among elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen strolling along Bond Street and filling the air with lively chatter. The dowager walked behind them, at the right distance for a chaperone—close enough to show that she was part of their trio, but not close enough to eavesdrop. Horse-drawn carriages maneuvered past each other, the clip-clop of hooves echoing on the cobblestones.

Luxurious shops displaying the finest wares lined both sides of Bond Street, offering everything from bespoke clothing and hats to exquisite jewelry, high-quality timepieces, and ornate silverware. The rich scent of exotic teas and spices wafted from specialty grocers, while the sweet aroma of French pastries and confections enticed passersby from the windows of exclusive patisseries.

Nathaniel noticed Calliope’s gaze linger on the latest publications on offer at a bookshop they passed. She could afford it; any whim she had on this street, she could allow herself. He didn’t remember the last time he’d gone shopping here.

And with his last hope of overturning the will dead, his only chance of accessing his fortune and providing for his sisters was to find a wife and to impregnate her as soon as possible. God in heavens, how he hated his father for this.

Anything of luxury, like the dresses his sisters would need to make a proper appearance in the best ballrooms of London, would sink him deeper and deeper into debt.

“We shouldn’t miss an accessories shop.” Calliope chuckled. “What would I do without that umbrella you broke?”

He chuckled back, warmth spilling through his whole body. Just her presence, just walking next to her did that to him. What a pleasant change from the last two days of dark desperation.

“Your brother wouldn’t forgive that umbrella to me.”

Calliope threw a careful glance over her shoulder at Grandmama. “So, what is the real reason you called, sir?”

He leaned closer to her, lowering his voice. “To ask you to give back the page you stole. Otherwise, I assure you, I’ll get you in enough trouble that your brother won’t allow you to see the light of day without his presence.”

Calliope frowned. “Page? What page?”

“Please, Lady Calliope. I understand your need to come up with excuses before your grandmama and your brother, but let’s not play games between us.”

“Kelford, I assure you I didn’t steal anything.” She looked into his eyes without wavering. “I only looked through two ledgers, and both were for the wrong months, anyway. When I picked up the third one, you came in.”

A large gentleman and three ladies walked towards them. The gentleman wasn’t looking where he was going and was heading straight for Calliope. The street was so busy, there was no room to avoid being trampled. Nathaniel stepped to his side to shield Calliope from collision and take most of the gentleman’s strike on himself. The impact knocked the breath out of him.

“Pardon me!” said the gentleman, but his attention was diverted by something one of his companions said, and he quickly passed by.

“Thank you,” said Calliope with a smile that made his heart ache.

They kept walking, and Nathaniel’s gaze returned to her. Could he trust her? Was it possible she was telling the truth? The ledger for September had lain where Nathaniel had expected it to lie.

“But that means, if you didn’t take it,” he said thoughtfully, “someone else did. The page was torn out.”

Calliope’s eyes sparkled. “See, there’s more to it,” she blurted. “Someone else must be involved in this whole thing. Before he disappeared, Spencer mentioned someone had followed him…”

Suddenly, Nathaniel very, very much disliked the idea of Lady Calliope being involved in anything where someone had followed a duke and was involved in his alleged death or press-ganging. He had no idea what her eldest brother could have done and what kind of people he could have angered to cause such actions, but whatever it was, Lady Calliope had no business getting mixed up in all this.

“Please, Kelford,” she said as she looked up at him, her blue eyes so big and bright, breathtaking against her auburn hair. “Please, help me find out if Spencer really was press-ganged and how and where he may be now.”

He swallowed hard. It was almost impossible to say no to that gorgeous face. “Your brothers should be helping you. Why are you so determined to take it on?”

“Because they wouldn’t do it as well as I could. Preston already tried but was refused.”

“So were you.”

She gave him a mischievous smile that made her look like a fox once again. “And yet, here you are.”

A growl was born low in his throat but got swallowed by the noise of the street around them. She liked to play with him, and goddamn him to hell, he loved the game. How could this petite beauty be both a scholarly bluestocking and a seductive temptress? Her gazes could be flirtatious, yet she could turn cool and assertive in an instant, never backing away from a challenge. She’d jeopardized her reputation to save her brother. Was it selflessness or sheer madness?

For the last two days and nights, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Every waking moment, he remembered her face and her scent, the warmth of her body as he held her in his arms at the ball and in the office.

He’d never been obsessed with a woman.

And yet, his mind kept coming back to her. He’d even fantasized about her as he’d taken his bath and pleasured himself. Imagined those plush, pink lips on his skin. He wanted more of her. More time with her, all the troubles she may bring him be damned.

“I can help, Lady Calliope,” he said, his voice rasping. “But this seems to be a dangerous business you’re determined to involve yourself in. If one of my own sisters was so reckless, I’d lock her down and wouldn’t let her out of my sight for her own safety. Therefore, I will only help if your brothers do get involved and you step back.”

Calliope scoffed. “I can protect myself, sir. Spencer taught me boxing.”

Boxing… Something about seeing Calliope, like a warrior woman, with her fists ready to strike, shot another wave of hot desire through him.

“Are you not afraid you’d ruin your reputation? You’ve already put it in danger by going to see me alone. Any more of this, and you won’t be able to find a husband at all.”

“Not you, too. Preston is already trying to force me into marrying, but it’s the last thing I want. Unfortunately, my brothers are unlikely to leave me alone. Preston won’t back down until he sees me wed.”

A woman passed by them, laughing hard, and as her eyes met Nathaniel’s, she went silent. It was Lady Seraphina Strefford, one of his previous lovers—a widow he’d done his best to cheer up. She had rewarded him with a jewel that he was able to sell. That had gotten him and his sisters through the next five months. He hoped she did not think poorly of him now. As a widow, she had much more freedom than a young, unmarried lady like the one at his side, whose brothers were determined to find her a husband.

He understood the pressure of external forces governing one’s marital decisions. He needed a wife, and now. If he lost his fortune, his sisters would also lose their significant dowries. What a cruel thing his father had done. In his rage and disappointment in Nathaniel, he’d actually punished his own daughters more than he’d punished the son he had hated so much.

And now, not a single mama would allow her unmarried daughter to step near him. His rakish reputation was bad enough, but most mamas were willing to overlook such things when a rake possessed a fortune and had a title.

He had a title, but it was useless with his fortune being tied into an impossible will. He was in a vicious circle. He needed to marry to access his fortune, but he couldn’t marry without a fortune. And even if he told a prospective match about the will, not every woman would want a gamble. She may never be able to get pregnant, in which case, all would be lost.

He felt his shoulders sag a little. Then, like a bolt from the blue, a solution so glaringly obvious yet audacious unfurled in his mind. His gaze fixed on Calliope’s perturbed expression as she recounted her brothers’ persistent meddling. The ton avoided him because of his reputation and lack of wealth… But Lady Calliope cared for neither. Perhaps she was the singular exception in the entirety of England. She wasn’t actively husband-hunting, yet circumstances demanded she find one.

If he could propose an arrangement beneficial to both, would she consider it?

And it had nothing to do with the delicious thought of spending every day in her company…of bedding her on their wedding night…and so many other nights. After all, he’d have to try to get her with child as soon as possible.

“Lady Calliope,” he said slowly. “I will help you find out what happened to your brother. I know most people in the Admiralty, and those I don’t know, I’ll find.”

“Really?” Calliope bloomed, looking at him with the broadest grin. “You would do that? I knew you weren’t as coldhearted as you tried to appear.”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid I am exactly as I appear. I have one condition. Well, two.”

She frowned. “What conditions?” she asked, her voice cooling.

“You see, I find myself in need of a wife. And not just a wife, but an heir, too. And, as your brothers are hounding you to find a husband, I imagine we can help each other with that. In exchange for your hand in marriage and your ability to birth my heir, I will not stop until I help you find your brother.”

He would need to bed her…a lot. Every night. Multiple times. Kissing her and touching her and making her quiver and squirm from pleasure in his arms… Good God, his loins tightened and swelled in the middle of Bond Street.

So much so that he didn’t notice at first that Calliope had stopped walking and was frozen in place, gaping at him. He walked two steps back towards her, and passersby glared at her because of her sudden stop. She was drawing attention to herself, quite improperly so for a young lady.

“What do you say, Lady Calliope?” he asked as he covertly grasped her elbow to get her moving.

When she resumed her stroll, her eyes were big and darting quickly between his own, her mouth open. Clearly, she was in shock. He imagined it took a lot to shock this feisty little fox.

His breath caught as he waited.

“Heavens…” she muttered. “I never imagined my first marriage proposal would be this…”

“What have you imagined?” he asked. “I realize this sounds like a business proposal. Because it is. I do not need a woman to love. I need a wife who’s able to give me a child within one year. And what I offer isn’t love, either. It is help that you require to find your brother.”

She chuckled, her cheeks reddening. “I understand that. My answer, however, is no.”

He hadn’t expected her to say yes right away and smiled to himself. He could turn a no into a yes. He’d done it countless times.

“I just do not want a husband,” she replied. “I have my own plans, and a husband would surely forbid me doing them, just as my brothers do.”

“I am not most husbands, Lady Calliope. Whatever you wish to do, I am sure we can come to an agreement.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps I don’t. But I do know your brothers won’t leave you alone until you find someone.”

She sighed heavily and muttered, “Yes, someone like the Marquess of Huntingham.”

Her voice trembled at the name, something about it making a protective part in Nathaniel bristle up.

“Who?” he asked.

“The Marquess of Huntingham. Preston thought he may be a good match.”

Something possessive came over Nathaniel. The very thought of another man courting her made his hands curl into fists. “And is he?”

She gave a small scoff. “No.”

“So maybe I am.”

She stepped aside closer to him to avoid stomping on a small dog darting under her feet. As a gentleman tugged the dog’s leash to him, she stepped away from him again. “My brothers do not hold a high opinion of you, Your Grace.”

“I am aware. Most of the ton does not. However, once you give me an heir, I will leave you alone. You will have my permission to do whatever it is that you want. Within reason, of course.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, attentive. “What is within reason for you?”

“I will not tolerate lovers,” he said coldly.

“You will not need to worry about that. It seems there’s something about me men find disagreeable.”

Disagreeable? Who would find her disagreeable? She may be the most fascinating female he’d ever met in his life.

He could think of only one thing he didn’t care for… When she lectured him about responsibility. But even with that, she was annoyingly right.

“But I would not betray my husband,” she said. “I take the promises I make very seriously.”

He knew she would. She was loyal and kind, or she wouldn’t have risked everything to search for her brother.

“Does that mean you’re reconsidering my proposal?” he asked.

* * *

Calliope looked over her shoulder at Grandmama, who walked ten steps behind them. Grandmama caught her gaze and raised her eyebrow questioningly. If only Grandmama could imagine that Kelford had just proposed to her and was trying to convince her to say yes.

What would she say? And why was Grandmama even helping her at all? Why hadn’t she forbidden her to see Kelford just like Preston had? As one of the most influential ladies in London, she knew everything that went on in the ton and knew Kelford was bad news.

Kelford had asked if she was reconsidering…and was she?

The thought of him being her husband both filled her with dread and covered her body with sweet tingles.

Grandmama had once told her in confidence not to marry without love. She knew what it was like. Though, with time, she had learned to love her husband.

Calliope herself had grown up raised by two parents who were incredibly happy. That was, happy enough to produce four children.

But was it only the thought of William as her husband—a thought that filled Calliope with prickly disgust and cold dread—that made standing at the altar with Kelford seem quite appealing?

Of course, she didn’t know if Kelford would be the same as William. If he would think her a whore, a woman with disgusting habits. But, from what she knew about rakes, between her and Kelford, it would be he who was much more experienced.

If their genders were reversed, Nathaniel would be condemned as a whore while Calliope would be merely applauded for reading arousing literature and enjoying herself doing it.

“Are you reconsidering?” asked Kelford again, still awaiting her reply.

His face bore no signs of emotion, but his eyes were twinkling, his pupils large and dark. He looked at her as though he didn’t see anyone else in the world.

She supposed she was thinking it over. If he didn’t object to her investigative agency, having a husband would actually be an advantage. She wouldn’t need to worry about her brothers. She wouldn’t have to watch her every step guarding her maiden’s reputation. She wouldn’t need to live with Grandmama anymore… As much as she loved Grandmama and Miss Furrington, it meant needing to take her as chaperone practically everywhere. So inconvenient when one had to sneak into the Admiralty or other places forbidden for ladies.

So, perhaps, there was something about his proposal that made sense.

It was only that thought of having babies with him that filled her with unease. Not the idea of having children per se; she liked children and had always enjoyed the idea of being a mother.

It was the act of conceiving a child that filled her with dread. The memory of that painful pinch on her neck at the very moment when she felt pleasure like bathing in honey, thinking of William…

Logically, she knew the act could be pleasurable. The book said so.

But there was nothing logical in her body’s revulsion and fear at the thought of being open and vulnerable like that with a man. The thought of being weak and giving up control.

However her body reacted to the thought of the act itself, she knew that if she had to choose between William and Nathaniel, her choice was clear.

She’d marry almost anyone but William. She’d be safe from his attentions, his advances. She’d never have to see him again. She’d be free from his threats and his blackmail, too.

She’d just have to endure the sex.

And once she gave Nathaniel an heir, she could start her agency.

“You will allow me to do anything I want after I give you the heir?” she confirmed. “Do you promise?”

“Within reason.”

“Yes, that is what I meant. And reason being no lovers.”

“Yes.”

“And you will help me in any way possible to find out what happened to Spencer?”

“Yes. And I will shoot Huntingham from the balcony to make sure he doesn’t bother you again.”

That made her chuckle, and she bit her lip to stop herself from grinning. “Thank you, but there’s no need. If anyone would shoot my suitors, it will be me.”

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, having a child and a husband were secretly delicious ideas. She did crave the love she’d seen between her parents, the love she’d hoped to have before William King had destroyed that part of her long ago.

She nodded. That was good enough. He still didn’t know about the sleuth agency, and he may still thunder when he would eventually find out. But she’d get his promise in writing in their marriage contract.

Her heart slammed hard. Was she really about to agree to get married?

But there was one thing she needed him to promise, too.

“If I’m not to have lovers, neither will you.”

He chuckled. “I have a suspicion that once I have my hands on you, that promise will be easy to keep, Lady Calliope.”

A warm thrill ran through her. She stumbled over an uneven stone in the sidewalk and Kelford caught her hand and steadied her.

Still, despite just what he’d said, he would likely not be very interested in his role as a husband. Which suited her perfectly.

For Spencer, she thought. This was for Spencer.

She felt like she stood on the edge of a cliff, staring into the dark abyss, about to jump.

“Then, Your Grace, I will marry you.”