In Compromise with the Earl by Ava MacAdams

Chapter Fifteen

Trembling where she stood, Aphrodite held in a breath while Jameson spat. “I am here to collect on my challenge. The Bow Street Runners will be our witnesses.”

Oswald gave the Duke a long stare. “You are too late. Challenging me for Aphrodite will be useless, as you have no authority over my fiancée anymore.”

“What?” Jameson shouted. “What are you—” He slapped the door away and barged into the chamber, to see Aphrodite there. Spinning on his heel, Jameson jabbed a finger at the officers. “Arrest this man. He has assaulted the poor damsel.”

Now, she understood what Oswald meant about playing along. She came to his side. “You cannot arrest him when we were only talking about our engagement. He proposed to me last night and I came here early because I could not sleep while thinking about it. You have no right, Your Grace, to intrude on a private matter.”

The Runners were starting to look uncomfortable and were looking everywhere but at Aphrodite, while the Duke gaped. “Aphrodite, have you lost your senses? You cannot marry this joke of a man!”

“Excuse me?” Oswald growled, his brows lowing and barely controlled fury radiating from his rigid body. “I will give you one chance to recant that statement.”

“I will not,” Jameson lifted his chin. “You are a cur.”

Oswald made for him, but Aphrodite held his hand tightly, “No, Oswald. He is not worth it.”

“Leave,” Oswald snapped, his hand tightening over Aphrodite’s. “Officers, take this man away before I do something I will regret.”

The Runners hurried Jameson away and when the door closed, she turned to him and held his face in both hands. “You’re going with the fake courtship then?”

“No,” he kissed her palm. “I want to marry you, and after that incident, I doubt it is avoidable.”

“I think so too,” she agreed. “Lady Pandora will be incensed—”

“Your father will be disappointed,” Oswald said, “My family too for that matter. My mother is not fond of your father’s activities.”

“Well, when she meets me, she will realize that neither am I,” Aphrodite said. “I think I should go to my chamber before we are called in to get our scolding.”

The tap of heels in the hallway had Oswald sighing, “It’s too late, Sweetling.”

Lady Pandora came into the chamber, her face as untroubled as always but her eyes and tone were icy cold. “His Grace just told me what happened. You are engaged?”

“Happily,” Oswald said, while putting himself a little in front of Aphrodite, partially shielding her. “And before you ask, yes, we will marry as not to draw speculation on your business.”

The matchmaker’s face was firm, while her eyes ran over the two. “This was not supposed to happen.”

“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry,” Aphrodite quoted quietly.

“Is that so,” Lady Pandora’s gaze made another pass. “Then why do I feel there is more to this sudden engagement than you are telling me. Is this a ploy to get out of my services?”

Aphrodite rolled her eyes. “Why can you not accept that we’ve found each other?”

“Because I know you,” Lady Pandora’s eyes snapped to her friend. “I know how sly you can be.”

Tugging her under his arm, Oswald said, “There is nothing sly about this. Now, if you would excuse us, Aphrodite needs to dress, and I need to arrange for the special license.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Lady Pandora overruled him. Her assessing gaze ran over them over again, her keen look as sharp as a fillet knife cutting under his skin. “Well, I suppose my felicitations are in order.”

Aphrodite nodded. “Thank you. I must go and get dressed.”

“Good,” Lady Pandora said. “Lord Tennesley and I must have a word.”

As curious as she was to stay and listen, Aphrodite slipped out of the chamber and mercifully made her way to her chamber, uninterrupted. She entered to find Lydia there, her maid pale faced and trembling where she sat.

“My Lady, is it true?” Lydia asked. “Did Lord Tennesley compromise you?”

Her brows darted up, “Where did you hear that? Heavens no. Oswald and I are engaged. There was no compromising and no ruination.”

“Oh,” Lydia blinked. “His Grace was ranting and raving about you and Lord Tennesley being alone in his chamber, looking ravished.”

Snorting, Aphrodite moved to remove her robe. “Nothing like that has happened. I went to his chamber to speak with him about our lives and the dastardly duke nearly broke through his door. I agree, I should not have gone alone, but I wanted privacy. Please, arrange for a bath for me.”

“Yes, My Lady,” Lydia nodded and hurried out the door.

With her maid gone, Aphrodite took a moment to internalize that last half hour. She had not expected these sudden turns, but, in her heart of hearts, she was not sorry for any of it. Last night, she had learned that Oswald was a skilled lover and craved to feel that spell-binding pleasure again.

Moreover, if what he had said about more bliss coming from coupling, she wanted to feel that too. What she had not expected was Oswald going further than agreeing to a fake courtship, but to marry her. She fingered the soft cotton of the dark-blue gown and smiled. Maybe this arrangement would be something good. It would shock London and be in the scandal pages for weeks, but could they get past a few other issues, her father, his mother and Oswald’s soul, still raw from his late wife’s betrayal?

Lydia came back with the other maids bearing buckets of water and soon the tub was filled. As they left, she did away with her robe and slid into the rose-scented water. A soothing bath did much to relax her and when she got out, Lydia assisted her in dressing and styled her hair before the dressing table. With each curl and twist, Aphrodite stared at herself, wondering who the young lady with wide, excited eyes was that stared back at her.

Rarely had she felt this type of excitement, and to know it came from a man who she found utterly enthralling. Similarly, dread began to thread through her chest at knowing that the moment she stepped out those doors, consternation would be coming at her from all sides.

Did it matter? All that does matter is that Oswald is with me. It might not work if their differences came between them, or it could be the best thing for them both. She did not know yet and knew that only time would tell.

When she left the chamber in time for breakfast, Lady Pandora sent a maid for her, asking—or ordering really—her to join her and Oswald in Lady Pandora’s private drawing room.

She entered to see Oswald there, nursing a cup of coffee while her friend sat primly. Dismissing the breakfast spread on the table, she sat near Oswald. “You need me, Lady Pandora?”

“Yes,” she said, “Would you like to have some tea?”

“In a moment,” Aphrodite replied. “What is it?”

“Now that you two are engaged,” Lady Pandora said, her tone still holding a note of disbelief. “There are a few important things to sort out. You must notify your father and you, My Lord, your family as well and to keep it concise, you must state it as if this was the plan all along, not only to keep shame from your families, but mine as well.”

“Why would disrepute come to you?” Oswald asked. “After all, is this not your business? Why wouldn’t a match come from it?”

Lady Pandora gave him a withering look. “Because you two were supposed to have been kept from each other, not matched. My Lord, you walk through life with little need for attachments while Aphrodite is even worse. She flies alone and you walk alone.”

“Forgive me if I am wrong, but eagles and wolves’ mate for life, don’t they?” Aphrodite asked. “Then what is the problem there?”

“But you two are made to lead,” Lady Pandora said. “Who will follow in this union? A marriage depends on one leader and one supporter, not two who will surge ahead and may take different paths when you want to get to the same goal, and so destroy your very aim.”

Aphrodite shared a look with Oswald and then faced Lady Pandora. “I see. You want me to be self-sacrificing and subservient.”

“Can you?” Lady Pandora asked.

At the pointed silence, Lady Pandora moved on. “My Lord, you must have a marriage contract in place, with all the particulars, dowry, separation, pin money, all of it. And since no banns will be called, you must have it done soon.”

“As for your familial relations, I hope your kin will be somewhat acceptable of this union as I know, Aphrodite, your father wanted you with Duke Strathmore, and you, My Lord, your mother wanted you with a docile lady.”

Twisting to him, Aphrodite’s brows were lifted. “Is that so?”

“Sadly, yes,” Oswald said, giving her a contrite look. “It was to safeguard me from women like my late wife. And your father?”

“He wants the Duke’s money,” she uttered gravely. “Sadly, he will be disappointed.”

“And lastly, again, I cannot stress this more, you must truly follow through with this marriage,” Lady Pandora said. “I need you to speak with each other, and I mean do speak with each other. Do not overlook any issue, as small as it might be, and be honest with each other. Nothing will work if you are not forthright.”

Oddly, Aphrodite began to feel nervous. Would Oswald understand her reluctance in going to the ton’s affairs, balls and the like? Would he empathize with knowing that she kept few friends? When he saw her father, would he realize why she was disgusted with men like him, the Duke included?

Would he tell her his secrets about his late wife? Would he tell her about the tricks she had played against him? Would he defend her from his family if need be?

The questions kept coming and she realized, they had to have some direct discussions about these issues. “I understand,” Aphrodite said. “May I send a message to my father this morning? I will not be looking forward to the meeting tonight, but what’s done is done.”

“Yes,” Lady Pandora said, “and you too, My Lord.”

“Thank you,” Oswald said quietly.

“Please, have breakfast,” Lady Pandora pointed to the spread. “I will be back in an hour.”

When she left, Aphrodite made her tea. “I shouldn’t have been surprised that your mother would want a woman who is not so sociable, but will she take me as I am? I don’t play coy games, nor do I shy away from tackling hard issues. I am not one to sit around and let things run over my head.”

“I think…” Oswald mused, “there might be some aspects of you she will like and others she will not understand.”

“You mean, parts she will hate,” Aphrodite grimaced.

“No,” he set his cup aside and reached out to hold her suddenly clammy hands. “Misunderstand, like your love for riding, or not mincing words. She might not understand how you draw attention without asking for it, and she might not see why you like books instead of dresses, or solitude instead of being under attention, but she will get accustomed to you.”

Unable to stomach more than a slice of buttered bread and some fruit, Aphrodite made another cup of tea. “If my father does come to see me tonight—”

“I would not be anywhere else,” Oswald said directly.

“Thank you,” Aphrodite said genuinely. “Now, are you ready to go and bear the brunt of people who, I can assure you, already have half the facts wrong?”

“I would not have it any other way,” Oswald laughed.

* * *

That evening, as Aphrodite came to the drawing room where her father had been admitted, it suddenly struck her how much she had prevented herself from experiencing life. She had been living each moment trying to distance herself from her father’s actions, while somehow trying to live up to his expectations, with little regard for the desires that lived in her heart.

Her father wanted her to marry Jameson, it had been evident in his every word whenever the three had crossed paths. Fierce emotions tumbled through her as she stepped into the room. Her father, standing by a window, was dressed smartly in tan trousers and jacket, a dark-blue waistcoat and a white shirt. His cravat was expertly tied, and a beaver hat perched upon the head of his cane with an odd sort of elegance.

I want more from life, Father, more than you want from me. And I am willing to pursue it.But I shan’t be foolish,especially when it comes to a gentleman with a certain crooked smile and a sensually slanted mouth.

“What were you thinking?” William said emptily. He turned and thumped his cane. “I told you to bond with Duke Strathmore, only to hear that you have contrived to marry this…” his eyes traced Oswald, “Earl.”

“Lord Kingsley,” Oswald bowed his head. “I would imagine that you would have preferred to see His Grace—”

“Clearly,” the Viscount said stiffly.

“But he was not enough for Aphrodite,” Oswald finished.

“And you are?” William’s lips lifted. “I know who you are, Tennesley, I know what stock you come from, and you are hardly the bloodline I want for my child.”

“He is not cattle, Father,” Aphrodite said. “You cannot grade him as you would a bull. Duke Strathmore is a petty, weak, selfish man who only cares about his money and trying to prove himself the leader of the pack and flaunt me in front of his friends. I am not an ornament for his amusement and no mountains of pounds will cater to that.”

“So, you chose the second choice,” William scoffed.

“I will not sell my soul to have what you think is best for me,” Aphrodite said. “If you want to have any connection with His Grace, then be free to enter any business contracts with him, but I will not be a part of it. I am not a bargaining card, or a prize steed to barter with.”

His brow lifted, uncannily like Aphrodite did in situations that stunned her. “If you are willing to throw your life and future away for a man that could not control his wife, be free to do so. I will be looking forward to you turning up back on my doorstep in the next three months. I will be watching you, Tennesley.”

The Viscount left the room, with a curt nod and Aphrodite made it to a chair, where she sat heavily. Framing her face with both hands she sucked in a breath and rubbed her eyes. Oswald stood silently by her side and waited for her to speak.

“Well, that was not as difficult as I had expected,” she said. “I thought he would rake me over the coals for not securing the courtship with Jameson.”

“I don’t know why he had expected you to be with him,” Oswald scoffed. “You have nothing in common.”

She gave him a faint smile. “And we do?”

“More than I think we realize,” Oswald realized. “We both have an aversion to the ton.”

“And Strathmore,” Aphrodite snorted. “That’s two.”

He sat as her side and grasped her hands. “Lady Pandora is right, we do need to talk over some matters and while not everything is set, we have enough to work with.”

Pulling a hand away, she touched his face. “You didn’t come here expecting a miracle match, did you?”

“I came here, ready to prove matchmaking was ridiculous,” Oswald said. “And with the lady I was paired with, it’s true. You might not be what they wanted for my perfect mate, docile, meek or compliant, but I am not complaining.”

“Funny enough, I came here with the same expectation,” she said. “But then he shows up and ruined any chance I had of leaving here peacefully. I had not planned to find a husband here, but I was sure about avoiding Jameson.”

“If I had not stepped in, how would you have fared with him?” Oswald asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Unless throwing a drink into his face and slapping him would count. Or possibly trampling him with my horse, but I think that is a bit too extreme.”

“Troy has magnificent hooves,” Oswald’s lips ticked. “But you are right, that would have been a step too far.”

“And how far is far,” a matronly voice cut through the air and both turned to see a lady enter the room, while removing a scarf from her neck.

Aphrodite did not have to search the lady’s face to know that she was Oswald’s mother. She had the same dark hair and bright blue eyes as her son, but her expression, while calm, had an unwelcoming air to it.

She stood and curtsied. “Countess Tennesley, my pleasure to meet you.”

The Dowager’s gaze dipped from Aphrodite’s head to her toes. “I would say the same, but I must say, receiving a letter from my son about being engaged to Lord Kingsley’s daughter was a shock to my sensibilities. I had thought Oswald had won over a lady like Lady Carmichael or Lady Fairchild, not…you.”

“Mother,” Oswald’s tone deepened to a warning. “Tread carefully.”

The Dowager’s lips flattened. “Forgive me for being overly cautious. I’m sure you know about my son’s late wife and how that ended.”

“And what does that mean?” Aphrodite asked. “That I’ll end up dead?”

“No, but I doubt you will last,” the Dowager said.