Page 97 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

‘I would obtain a special licence, and we would marry within the next few weeks. Then I would continue with my plan to leave the country.’

Alice’s eyes flicked up to meet his, and she realised the importance of what he was saying and why he had told her exactly what had happened to his father and brother.

‘You would be free to use whichever of my houses you wished, and I would ensure there was a good amount of money available for you. You would have a comfortable life, Miss James, but it would be a life spent on your own, at least at first.’

She opened her mouth to speak, but he pushed on quickly.

‘Hear the last of my proposition,’ he urged her. ‘After we are married, you will not see me again. We will not consummate our union, and you will never bear me children. You will live as my wife in name until I die, and then you will be my widow.’

Alice took a step back, unable to take it all in. It was a generous proposition in so many ways, but she wasn’t so naïve to think it the perfect solution to her problems. She would become a countess, an elevation in social status most women could only dream of, but Lord Westcroft had made it clear it would not be a normal marriage where their union would be celebrated. Alice tried to imagine her life if she did decide to marry Lord Westcroft. She would be mistress of her own home, finally in control of her own life, but it would be a lonely existence.

‘There are some terms that I would ask you to abide by, if you did decide to accept my offer,’ Lord Westcroft said slowly. She could see he wasn’t sure if he had lost her to her racing thoughts.

‘What terms?’ It was best to know everything now, to have all the facts in her possession so she could make the best decision.

‘I would ask you not to take a lover whilst I was alive.’ He pressed his lips together and looked over her shoulder into the distance. ‘It would complicate the matter of inheritance if you were to get pregnant.’ She nodded, understanding his reasoning, and he quickly continued. ‘I would leave you a generous settlement in my will. Enough to allow you to live as a wealthy widow for the rest of your life if you so desired, or to provide a generous dowry to take to your next marriage.’

His offer was kind, his tone calm but firm, and Alice realised he had thought about this a lot on his way to see her. What he was prepared to offer and what he wasn’t. It showed how sure he was in his decisions and how convinced he was that he would likely go the same way as his father and his brother soon.

He fell silent and looked at her with those bright blue eyes, and she felt a pang of sadness that there was no desire in them now. What he was proposing was purely an arrangement made to safeguard her reputation and fulfil his obligation. He owed her nothing, but chivalry demanded he take responsibility for his part in tarnishing her reputation.

Alice turned away, desperately trying to weigh up what he was offering her. If she accepted his proposition she would be a countess, mistress of her own home and finally in charge of her own life. Yet she would live alone, with no prospect of love until Lord Westcroft died abroad and released her from the marriage.

She wanted children, a home filled with love, and this would give her none of that, but it would likely mean postponing that part of her life, not forgoing it.

The alternative was Cecil, if he would have her. After this scandal her parents would be more keen than ever to marry her off quickly and quietly, and she would be stuck with Cecil and his pawing hands and horrible views on society for the rest of her life.

‘I could come with you,’ she offered, turning back quickly. ‘If you would prefer someone to look after you.’

‘No,’ he said sharply and then made an effort to soften his tone. ‘I need to be alone. I can offer you my name and my protection, but no more, Miss James, not under any circumstance.’

‘I understand,’ she said. She would not build this into a fantasy of something that could never be. The decision had to be made on what he was offering, weighing that up with the alternative.

‘I do not wish to rush you in your decision, but if we are going to do this, it has to be quick for a couple of reasons. The first, as I said, I plan to be on a boat leaving London in two weeks, and the second is that rumours will spread fast. If we announce our engagement it will stop any malicious gossip in its tracks. You will be protected by your new title, but that only works if we preempt the majority of the speculation.’

‘Your offer is very generous, Lord Westcroft,’ Alice said, raising her eyes to meet his. ‘I do not want you to feel obligated to do this. I never set out to trap you. I never thought this would be the culmination of last night.’

He smiled grimly. ‘I know, Miss James. Perhaps we were both a little naïve thinking we could get away with such a deception. Please do not concern yourself with worrying that I might think you did this on purpose. I pride myself on being a good judge of character, and I like yours. If we had met in other circumstances, perhaps we would even have been friends.’ He took her hand in his, and Alice inhaled sharply at the contact. ‘I would not propose to a woman who I thought would bring my family’s name into disrepute. I cannot make this decision for you, but please do not think I am insincere in what I am offering.’

Alice closed her eyes and let the two possible lives wash over her. The first was marriage to Cecil, a man she despised. The second was less conventional, perhaps a little lonely, but contained the chance of happiness along the way. She knew she had to be brave and reach out and grab what was being offered.

‘Thank you, Lord Westcroft. I accept.’

Chapter Six

Simon adjusted his cravat and looked in the mirror. On the outside he looked composed and together, but inside he was less certain about what he was about to do. It was his wedding day, a day he had thought might never happen, yet here he was twelve days after proposing to Miss James, ready to get married.

It had been an odd couple of weeks. He had paused his preparations for leaving England, instead spending all his time preparing for his coming nuptials. Obtaining the special licence that allowed them to marry in haste had taken much time and a small fortune. Simon had called on friends throughout the country to exert their considerable influence and get one issued so quickly. It was a relief to know he would not have to change his plans after the wedding.

There was a knock on his door, and he glanced at the clock. There was still fifteen minutes until the ceremony, but he expected the vicar was already downstairs, preparing for the hurried nuptials.

‘Come in,’ he called, turning to face the door.

The door opened, and Sylvia, his youngest niece, slipped inside. She was six years old, a confident, happy child who managed to hold the whole family in her thrall despite her young age. She had only been one when her father died, and it saddened Simon that she would have no recollection of him at all.

‘Good afternoon, little minx.’

She skipped into the room and threw herself down on the bed dramatically.