The next two weeks Isobel hardly had time to gather her thoughts. Lord Bentley was constantly at her side and she was whisked to the opera, to the theatre and escorted to all the most prestigious social events. It could only be a matter of time before he made her a formal offer. He was to dine with them tonight and had asked for a private audience with Uncle Benjamin who stood in loco parentis.
She was sitting in front of the fire in her sitting room drying her hair when Aunt Laura came in. “My dear, I must speak to you. As your dear mama is not here it falls on me to do what she would do.”
“Aunt Laura, there’s no need to explain what is required of me when I become a bride, I am well aware what my duties will be.”
“That’s a profound relief, my love, I can now move onto the next matter. Rochester intends to speak to your uncle this evening. If you have any doubts about marrying him then you must say so now.”
“I had thought there would be longer to make up my mind. I have known him only three weeks. I know I should not hesitate; I shall be a duchess, have everything I could possibly wish for, but I keep remembering his anger. I could not marry him, even though I am almost in love with him, if I believed I should spend my time in fear of what might happen if I upset him.”
Her aunt settled herself comfortably on the chaise longue before replying. “There are things about his past that it is only right I should tell you. He was married before— this was, like yours, a marriage of convenience, but from all accounts he came love his wife and they were content together.”
“I had no notion this was to be his second marriage. What happened to his wife?”
“Rochester was in London on business, his wife and two small daughters at home in Newcomb when they were struck down with the sweating fever. All three had died before he could be sent for.”
“How dreadful!Poor man, to lose all three like that, and so suddenly too. Small wonder I detect a darkness in him. This explains a lot to me.” Isobel scrambled up and pushed her hair to one side. “I shall make him happy, bear him children and help him forget about the sadness all those years ago.”
“In which case, my love, I shall tell your uncle to accept the offer. We are both delighted— when you came to us I knew you would take, but had no idea it would be Rochester who offered first.”
“Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me, Aunt Laura?”
Her aunt smiled and patted the chintz covered seat beside her. “Sit down, Isobel, there were one or two things I don’t expect your mama told you. Your husband will be vigorous in his attentions until you are increasing. From that point you will be left in blessed peace until several weeks after the baby is born. With luck you will become pregnant the first month— it’s what all new wives pray for I am sure.”
This was indeed a strange conversation to be having. Could it be true that what took place between a man and wife in the privacy of the bedroom was so unpleasant it was preferable to be permanently with child?
“I hope I am able to provide the duke with an heir, after all it’s why he’s marrying me. I am not so naive, Aunt Laura, to imagine he feels the same way I do. But underneath his reserve I believe there’s a loving man waiting to be discovered.”
That night Mary laid out her newest acquisition. The gown was not the usual white of a debutante, but of palest green, silk chiffon, the over skirt in sparkling, silver sarcenet. She was like a princess from a fairytale; although the neckline was a trifle daring for someone of her age her emerald necklace filled the expanse of creamy skin and she felt less exposed. This stunning item had once been her mother’s and was handed to the oldest daughter on her come out.
“Mary, do you think I am doing the right thing?”
Her abigail shook out an invisible crease in the gown before answering. “It isn’t for me to say, Lady Isobel. If you’re happy then I’m content also.”
With this unsatisfactory reply ringing in her ears Isobel hurried out to join her cousin who was waiting impatiently in the parlour. They intended to descend together.
“Pet, damask rose is perfect for you. I’m so glad you have been allowed to wear a coloured ensemble tonight.” She slipped her arm through her cousin’s and twirled her round. “And when do you expect to receive your first offer? Have you decided which of your many admirers to accept?”
“La, Isobel. I have decided not to accept any of them. I wish to have a second season as it’s so much fun. I’m sure being married could not possibly be nearly as exciting. Eleanor, now Mrs Eleanor Watson, was at school with me and she’s already a mother and was only married last summer.”
“Unlike you, my dear cousin, I much prefer to be in the country and not gallivanting all over the place attending balls every night.”
Petunia’s tinkling laugh echoed along the corridor. “Fustian, Isobel, and you know it. You have enjoyed every minute of these past weeks that you’ve spent with the most attractive man in London at your side.”
Giggling, Isobel squeezed her cousin’s arm. “But it will be so much more enjoyable having him all to myself in the country.”
Still laughing at their daring conversation they arrived pell-mell at the head of the stairs. Isobel all but tumbled headlong in her effort to stop. Halfway up the staircase was the gentleman they had been discussing. From the amusement in his eyes she was certain he had overheard. She wished the floor would open and swallow her. She was scarlet from her toes to the tip of her ears. Petunia abandoned her and ran past leaving her to face him alone.
“Lady Isobel, every night you appear in a different gown and each time you take my breath away. I apologize for eavesdropping. This was not my intention, I assure you. Come, sweetheart, I have permission to take you to the library. There is something most particular I wish to ask you.”
Unable to do more than mumble a response she allowed him to guide her down the remaining stairs and along the wide passageway. The door was standing open, no servants lurking to overhear. He almost bundled her inside and she heard the door click shut behind her. Her heart raced. She was about to receive a marriage proposal from the man of her dreams — so why did she feel so apprehensive?
Should she find herself a seat or remain trembling in the centre of the carpet? From what little she knew of these matters the gentleman was obliged to go down on one knee in order to ask her that all-important question.
“My love, do not look so scared. We both know why you’re here and we both know my question is a formality.” He walked towards her and she was unable to move. Her feet seemed to be glued to the floor. “Before I ask you to marry me there’s something I must do.”
The distance between them vanished. His arms came around her and she was pulled gently until she could feel his heat burning through the thin stuff of her evening gown. Her knees were shaking. She raised her hands to press them on his chest and tilted her head intending to ask him to release her. She had no opportunity to speak. His mouth closed over hers in a kiss of such sweetness her fear melted.
His heart pounded beneath her fingertips. He was as disturbed as she and this gave her the courage to respond. Her hands crept up until they were around his neck and she buried her fingers in his dark hair. It was smooth and silky beneath her touch; she tugged at the back of his neck to bring him closer to her.
Then her feet were dangling free, his arms crushing her close and the pressure of his lips increased. His tongue ran along her mouth demanding entry to the moist recesses within. This was too much. She was overwhelmed by what was happening. Her body was responding to his lovemaking whilst her head was screaming no.
Suddenly she was free, but her legs gave way and without his arms to support her she would have sunk in a pool of green silk at his feet. “Sweetheart, I apologise, I did not mean to frighten you. Here, darling, let me carry you to the sofa.”
“No, I am quite recovered thank you, sir,” her voice was little more than a whisper but he took heed and did no more than guide her to the seat.
“Lady Isobel, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Shocked by the abruptness of his proposal she almost refused. He had not bothered to go down on one knee, but remained staring down at her as if impatient for an answer. “Thank you, your grace, I am delighted to accept.”
“Excellent. I shall ride down to Norfolk tomorrow to speak to your father and arrange the settlements. We will be married at Newcomb four weeks from today. I shall leave you to organize your bride clothes. Four weeks is sufficient I hope?”
Isobel wanted to tell him it wasn’t nearly enough time, that an engagement of a month was far too short. She’d hoped to get to know him better before the marriage took place. This would be a fruitless exercise. She had better become accustomed to being dictated to. The man she had just agreed to marry would brook no contradiction to his orders. Had she made a dreadful mistake?
“I shall be ready in time. Are we to have a wedding trip, my lord?”
He cupped her face and brushed her lips with his own. “My love, did you not say you were eager to spend time in the country alone with me?”
“I did, and April is the perfect month to spend in Hertfordshire.”
“Come, sweetheart, give me your hand, there’s something I still have to do.”
Obediently she held it out and he pushed a betrothal band with a perfect square cut emerald onto her ring finger. She gazed down and her eyes pricked— the ring was perfect. It also exactly matched the necklace she was wearing. Her hand strayed to her neck and his eyes followed it. Before she could retreat she was once more within his arms but this time his lips drifted across her neck leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
A strange languor made her limbs heavy. She relaxed against his arms, tipping her head back to give him access to her breasts. She was released abruptly and her future husband moved abruptly away to stand with his back to her. Was he unwell? Instinctively she stepped forward and touched his shoulder.
“Lady Isobel, return to the drawing-room to give your family the good news. I shall be with you directly.”
How inconsiderate— it would look decidedly strange for her to enter without him at her side.
She sighed and did as she was bid. Probably best to start learning to follow his dictums. One she was his wife he would own her. She would be considered his chattel, of no more value than his horse.
The next four weeks flew past. Her parents arrived from Norfolk and her bride clothes were completed. There was no time to repine, everyone told her she was the luckiest girl in the land. As the day for her departure to Hertfordshire drew closer she hoped her fears were unfounded. Bentley had rarely been alone with her, and then he left for Newcomb to oversee the preparations for her arrival a week before the wedding.
“Mama, I have scarcely had time to converse with my future husband. We have been acquainted but a few weeks— how am I going to manage living with a stranger?”
Her mother shook her head. “Isobel, child, you have the rest of your lives to get to know each other. There is not a woman in town that does not envy you. To be married to a duke who is not in his dotage is good fortune indeed.”
“We are not to have a wedding trip, did I tell you?”
“As you have no taste for travelling, my dear, I should think you are relieved to be staying put. Anyway, as he is marrying you to fill his nursery it is far better you remain in England. I doubt the physicians in other countries are as expert as our own.”
No more was said on the matter and two days before the wedding the baggage carts set off at first light and Isobel and her family followed after breakfast. There was to be a celebration ball that night for the most prestigious of his neighbours, and then the next day there was to be a garden party for the staff and tenants in order to allow them to pay their respects. A quiet family dinner would precede her wedding day. Her uncle, aunt and her cousins, Petunia and David, had accompanied them. David was two years older than Pet, and great fun to be with. Everything was a lark to him, including the thought of Isobel marrying a duke.
As the carriage turned into the drive of Newcomb, Isobel lowered the window and craned out like an urchin ignoring her mother’s demands that she sit down immediately.
“Look at that monstrous building— it must have hundreds of rooms. I’ve never seen anything so enormous in all my life.”
“Isobel, sit down at once. How can you express such a view about your future home? You should be grateful it is not in the north of England but a mere morning’s drive from Town.”
“I beg your pardon, Mama, but the thought of spending the rest of my life here is quite daunting. It must have a hundred staff to maintain it. How am I going to manage to run such a place?”
Her father frowned and cleared his throat noisily. Hastily she sat down, recognizing the danger signals. “Isobel, I am shocked by your disrespect. This place will not require your intervention; there will be a housekeeper and butler to take care of things. Your duty is to be a good wife and provide your husband with an heir.”
“Yes, Papa. I know what is expected of me, and apologize if I have given offence.”
A small army of liveried footmen were waiting to greet them. Where was Bentley? Then he appeared in the doorway and strode down the steps to snatch open the carriage door himself.
“My love, you are here at last. Come, let me show you around your new home.” Ignoring her parents, and the second carriage that contained the rest of her relatives, he escorted her inside. She was almost running to keep up with him.
“Please, my lord, should I not speak to the staff that were waiting to greet me at the door?”
“Absolutely not, darling girl. I have something to show you and it cannot wait. Remember, you will be my duchess the day after tomorrow. You’re answerable to no one here apart from myself.”
She was breathless when he stopped outside handsome double doors. Two flunkies bowed and opened them. “My word! What a pretty sitting-room. Is this to be mine?”
His delight at her reaction told her she had said the right thing. “I’ve had your apartments refurbished and redecorated. That’s why I have been absent so much these past few weeks. I wished it to be perfect for you.”
Her heart skipped and impulsively she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Laughing he swung around like a child and kicked the door shut in the faces of his staff. “If there is anything I’ve forgotten, anything else that you wish for, you only have to ask.”
She gazed round the room, her eyes wide as she took in exactly what was there. She ran from one item of furniture to another exclaiming in pleasure. “A walnut desk, and a harpsichord. Look, an easel and everything I need to paint. I cannot believe it, you have chosen all these novels and they are exactly what I would have picked myself.”
“I spoke to your mother when I was in Norfolk and she told me of your interests. I have a stable full of horses you can ride. As I don’t care for house pets there are no dogs here for you to fuss.”
At the mention of her own beloved animals she felt a moment’s sadness. She would miss them sorely, but her siblings had promised to take care of Ebony and Othello in future. “You’re a kind and generous gentleman; thank you for doing this for me.”
At that moment she had no doubts. He might be a reserved man, might not love her as she loved him, but he cared enough to oversee the redecoration and refurbishment of her apartment personally. That was enough to reassure her she had not been mistaken in her choice.