Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Emmeline Appledore squared her shoulders and swallowed the nerves threatening to choke her. The clock on her father's desk ticked relentlessly, every second nearer to sealing her fate. She snuck a surreptitious glance at the man seated next to her. He looked just as nervous as she. Lord Marbury would become her fiancée the moment her father signed the papers in front of him. Marbury seemed the anxious sort, a sheen of sweat breaking out across his forehead, his fingers unable to stay still in his lap. His hair was an unremarkable light brown, the color of…well, dirt. It had the slightest wave with a little upturn at the ends, which helped to give him an air of pleasantness. His skin was fair, his face slightly angular. He was glancing around the room, looking everywhere but at her. His eyes, she noticed, were a lovely shade of deep blue. His general countenance seemed amiable, but he had yet to say more than two words to her. Fitzwilliam Darcy had recommended him to her father as a potential match, and Darcy took great care in choosing his friends, so she knew there must be something of significance to him…but so far, it seemed as if he'd hardly even noticed her.

Whatever the reason Darcy had brought him to her father's attention, Emmeline was grateful. Well, not exactly grateful. She had hoped for a love match, after all…but the viscount was saving her family from utter financial ruin, so there was that. It was unfortunate that she was the sacrificial lamb, but she had agreed to marry the man without much pressure from her parents. She loved them dearly, and could not bear to see them suffer. She would do anything to protect them, even marry someone she had only just met an hour ago.

"Everything appears to be in order, my lord," her father said. "This is a very generous settlement, I must admit."

Lord Marbury shot Emmeline an apologetic glance. "It seemed only fair, when I am getting your daughter in return. I know she had hoped for a love match."

"She is a good girl."

"Yes, Darcy assured me he thought we'd do well together."

Emmeline rolled her eyes. "I am sitting right here. I can hear you."

"My apologies," Marbury mumbled, his face coloring. "I meant no disrespect."

Heavens, the man could barely look at her. How was this man in charge of a vast estate with such a great fortune? He was so meek!

"Yes, well…she is my greatest treasure," her father responded, misty-eyed. Emmeline gave him a sad smile. She knew this was costing him.

"I am happy to do my duty, Papa. Lord Marbury and I will rub along well together, you'll see. Darcy would not recommend someone who would make me unhappy."

"I suppose you are correct," her father conceded. "My darling girl, I am sorry it has come to this."

She reached across the desk and covered his hand with hers. "It is not your fault, Papa. I am proud to be able to help."

Her father sighed. "I do not deserve you, my pet." He squeezed her hand and picked up his quill, scratching his name across the marriage settlement. It was done.

Lord Marbury regarded the sprite seated next to him. That was the only way he could think of to describe her, a sparkling little wood nymph with bright eyes and a warm smile. She was petite, with blond curls that danced about her rounded face. Darcy had done him a great service; he would have to remember to thank him. If this girl was as amiable as she appeared, it would be a fine match, indeed.

Darcy understood him. Though Marbury was passably handsome and quite intelligent, he failed utterly where social connections were concerned. He was abysmal at making small talk, could never think of a thing to say to anyone of the female persuasion, and God forbid he had to make a speech in Parliament. Public speaking was a death knell. He would sweat and stammer while his peers would snicker. But Darcy saw a kindred spirit in him, for he, also, sometimes felt awkward in social situations. Darcy was the only person Marbury felt completely at ease with, and as a result, was the only person who actually knew Marbury's true personality.

Marbury loved to laugh. He enjoyed children and their games, and would carry extra coins to give to the poor wherever he went. He loved horses and reading and theater and was fascinated by science…but he had no one with whom to share those pastimes.

Marbury was lonely.

But hopefully that was about to change. Darcy had assured his friend that Miss Appledore would not only accept him as he was, but would bring out the best he had to offer. She would make him feel comfortable and secure, which in turn would keep his shyness at bay. If Miss Appledore was as lovely inside as she was out, then Marbury was a lucky man indeed.

As he watched her worry her bottom lip in between her teeth, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss that plump mouth of hers, to feel her creamy skin beneath his hands. Despite being shy, he was a passionate man. He knew his way around a woman's body, and he wondered if his future wife would enjoy intercourse or endure it. He hoped for the latter, because he craved a little adventure. Adventure was everything he was not.

"My lord?"

Marbury snapped to attention. His fiancée was studying him with a question in her eyes.

"Forgive me. Wh-what did you say?"

"I asked if you would like to take a turn in the garden. It is a lovely afternoon and I thought perhaps we could talk and get to know one another, now that we are to be married."

Marbury's throat closed up at the thought. A one-on-one conversation? Perish the thought. However, he supposed eventually he would have to speak to his wife. He may as well start now.

"That would be…lovely." He stood to offer his arm, his chair nearly toppling as he sprang from it. Miss Appledore glanced at her father, who bestowed a reassuring smile upon her. Perfect, she was already concerned. Marbury forced a smile to his face and they left her father's study.

She took his arm as they descended the stone steps into the small garden. She smelled of orange blossoms and it was wreaking havoc with his senses, tantalizing him with images of picnics under sweet-scented trees. They walked along the gravel path in silence for some minutes while he searched his mind for something to talk about other than the weather.

"This is fine weather we've been having." Oh, for pity's sake! The words fell out of him before they could be stopped. He cringed inwardly as he cleared his throat. "I mean, the sun…well, it hasn't rained for…" Oh God, if he were to cock his toes up this very instant, it would probably be a blessing for all those involved. Miss Appledore laughed, and he steeled himself for some kind of smart remark that women thought sounded like teasing, but in truth, meant they were having fun at his expense.

"Oh, I quite agree! The sunshine has been divine. Spring is such a lovely time of year, don't you think? I just love riding through the park when the trees are just beginning to leaf out and the flowers start to bloom. Do you enjoy horses?"

Marbury glanced at her. "I love horses. I find them—er—I f-find them easier to talk to than humans." Capital. He was stuttering now.

"I know exactly what you mean."

He swiveled his head toward her. "You—you do?"

"Oh, yes! I daresay my horse is the only creature who knows every one of my secrets. And you know what? She's never told a soul."

Marbury froze mid-step and openly stared at her. She gave him a tentative smile.

"Am I being too silly, my lord? Please forgive me."

"No! No," he rushed to assure her. "I find you quite…d-delightful." He swallowed hard, marveling at the guileless expression on her face. He'd known her all of an hour, and yet, in the moment, he wanted to kiss her more than anything. It was madness.

"My lord?—"

"Nicholas. My name. It's…it's Nicholas. My friends call me Nick. You may as well, if you wish."

"Very well. Then you must call me Emmeline. Emmy for short."

"But Emmeline is so beautiful. I may start with that, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." She squeezed his arm reassuringly. "Mr. Darcy told me a bit of you. About how you get nervous talking to people and always fear you are saying the wrong thing. I wanted to assure you that you have nothing to fear with me. Darcy is a good friend, and I know he would not suggest a match between us if we had no hope of happiness together. I have watched Elizabeth bring him out of his shell, and I hope that I may do the same for you one day. Just know that you need not be anyone but yourself with me. I'm quite easy to get along with and will do my best to make you feel at home with me. And I thank you for coming to my family's aid. I don't know where we would have landed without you. I am most grateful."

She stunned him by stretching up on her tiptoes to brush a kiss against his cheek, the brief contact sending a quiver down his spine. She smiled openly at him, and Nicholas had the sudden sense that his life had finally begun. They continued on down the path, Emmeline happily chattering on about something while Nicholas struggled to ignore the humming in his veins. He was the withering plant, and she was the rain shower come to bring him back to life. His whole body seemed to vibrate just by being near her…a sensation he'd not experienced before. It threw him a little off balance.

He was looking forward to the Darcys' masquerade ball tomorrow evening. He lived for the moment he could don a costume and a mask, and no one would know who he was. The costume allowed him to be someone else for a while, someone who had confidence he didn't always feel, someone who could say something outrageous and no one would bat an eye. Someone who wouldn't be judged and found lacking because he couldn't hold up his end of the conversation.

Something the woman next to him didn't seem to mind at all. Nicholas knew she would be attending the ball, and he intended to use the time to get to know her better. He also meant to corner Darcy and fall at his feet in gratitude for suggesting this match.