Page 14 of The Lyon’s Paw

“But she will find it unnecessary to do so, madam.” The deep, rumbling voice of Lord Longford right behind her sent a chill down her spine. “I will gladly pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s fee for procuring me so lovely a bride.”

Something in his tone—Diana had no idea what, although the image of two smoldering black eyes came to mind—made the shiver he’d elicited extend all over her body. She squeezed her aunt’s hand and hurried down the hallway behind Mrs. Dove-Lyon, refusing to look behind her at her bridegroom. Afraid the look in Lord Longford’s eyes would mirror the one in her mind.

Less than twenty minutes later Geoffrey emerged from The Lyon’s Den a married man. Not at all the way he’d have wished his wedding day to have gone, but the deed was done, for better or worse, and he would have to find a way to reconcile himself to the reality of it. And he’d best do it quickly before he lost his bride. “Lady Longford,” he called to the woman trying to climb into a waiting hack. He strode over to her and grasped her arm gently. “Lady Longford.”

Startled, the lady looked up and around, then stopped, her pink lips dropping open. “Oh, I beg your pardon, my lord. I didn’t realize you were calling to me.”

“I thought you might not. It may take some getting used to. Can we talk for a few minutes, my lady? We have some things to discuss now we are married.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What sort of things, my lord?”

“Practical things regarding our newfound situation. May I sit in your carriage with you and your aunt to discuss them?”

The suspicion in her face softened and she nodded.

Thank goodness the woman was at least willing to hear him out. Geoffrey assisted first her, then her aunt, into the hack, then climbed in himself, opting to sit on the back facing seat beside her aunt. Mrs. Beaumont must have assumed he’d wish to sit next to his wife, although nothing could have been further from the truth. Once he’d settled himself, Geoffrey squared his shoulders and began. “The first thing we need to discuss is where you will reside, my lady.”

“That is an easy one, my lord. I will reside where I have for the past year, with my aunt.” Lady Longford’s gaze never left his face, her eyes steady, her manner calm. “Until we actually leave for America, I see no reason why we should not go about our lives as we have before now.”

“That is because you do not know my circumstances.” Every time Geoffrey thought about the evening to come his stomach clenched. “This evening, I will return to Longford House and tell my mother and sister that I am now a married man and I did not inform them of my betrothal nor allow them to attend my wedding.” He turned to Mrs. Beaumont whose eyes had widened considerably. “You may understand how hurtful this is going to be for them.”

The lady nodded. “I did not know you had close family, my lord. I wish they could have attended, but I understand why you have not told them.”

He turned back to his wife, whose face had softened slightly. “I would like to take you home with me to Longford Manor, introduce you to my family, and tell them most of what has happened.”

“Most of it?” Lady Longford sounded puzzled. “What part would you leave out, my lord?”

“The part where I married you to gain twenty-thousand pounds.” Geoffrey gritted his teeth, but hurried on before the lady could object further. “They know nothing of the debts owing on my properties and I wish for them to remain ignorant of it. I wish only to tell them that we married to save your inheritance.”

“Making you the hero of the story, Lord Longford?” His bride’s wry tones were only to be expected. “And me the damsel in distress?”

“Well, that part is true, Diana,” her aunt tried to come to his defense. A valiant but completely useless endeavor. “You did need Lord Longford’s help.”

“Because Sir Harry died at an inopportune time,” his wife shot back.

“I’m certain he didn’t do it on purpose to thwart your plan, my lady.” Geoffrey didn’t want to antagonize her any more than necessary, but damn it, the woman wouldn’t give an inch where he was concerned. “The fact remains, my dear, that you married me, and I am asking this boon of you. You must admit, it will look very odd if you do not reside with me in my home. Especially when we absolutely do not want anyone to doubt we are married.” There was only one further inducement he could think of to tempt her with. “If you can think of something I can do for you in return, name it and if it is in my power, I will do it for you.”

A fearsome frown came over Lady Longford’s face and he steeled himself to have a fine peal rung over him, but after a moment the lines on her face smoothed themselves out, and she shrugged. “Very well. I will hold you to that boon, Lord Longford. I will agree to remove to your house…when?”

“Day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll be returning my mother and sister to Longford. As I have only the one carriage, I will transport them tomorrow and come back for you and your things the day after.”

She paused, then nodded. “Very well. I will spend tonight and tomorrow night at my aunt’s. After we go tomorrow to provide Mr. Boniface proof of our marriage, I will have my belongings packed and be ready to move to Longford Manor.”.”

Amazed that at last the lady had decided to cooperate, Geoffrey thanked heaven for the small concession from his wife. Relieved, he rose, easier in his mind than he’d believed he could be, under the circumstances. He stepped out of the carriage, then stuck his head back inside, a genuine smile on his face. “Thank you, my lady. I appreciate your agreement with my plan.”

“Not at all, my lord.” She smiled sweetly at him, which instinctively put his hackles up. “I will spend most of the time devising that boon you promised.”

Geoffrey bowed and left quickly, not wishing to ponder what the cunning lady might actually come up with. Of some things he was happy to be kept ignorant.

Chapter Six

Arriving home just in time to dress for dinner, tired and weary, Geoffrey thanked the heavens he’d have an additional hour to figure out how he was going to tell his mother and sister that he had married so out of hand. As he stood still, allowing Taylor to dress him, he kept trying out bits of conversation that might lead naturally to his explaining how he’d come to be wed to a woman he knew very little and liked even less. The best thing would be to stick to the truth as much as possible and at all costs avoid mention of his wife’s promised gift of the money to pay off Dandridge. Under no circumstances could he let his mother know he’d basically sold himself to keep Joanna from the clutches of that criminal. His mistake in keeping Griffin on as steward was one he also wished to take to his grave.

By the time his valet had brushed his coat and straightened his cravat, Geoffrey was fairly certain he could tell the tale without faltering or bringing up anything unsavory. “Very good, Taylor. Thank you.”

A final glance in the mirror showed his face flushed, as might be expected with the antics he’d had to endure today. Perhaps his mother wouldn’t notice. With a shrug, he quit the room and hurried down the stairs to the small drawing room where his mother and sister sat waiting for him.

“Geoffrey!” His mother rose and bussed his cheek. “You have arrived on time for a change. What a pleasant surprise.”