To Tempt a Scandalous Lord by Liana De la Rosa
Chapter Eight
“Ladies,” Niall murmured as he advanced into the room, giving a cursory glance to the guests arranged before Lady Lindsay like a firing squad. Stopping at her chair, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. “My dear, are you telling the ladies about our engagement? It did not go how I planned it.”
The ladies tittered, with Lady Lampley finally asking, “How did you mean to ask, my lord?”
Niall clasped his hands behind his waist. “Well, I hadn’t meant to ask on the dance floor. I know that. But I was simply overcome with the certainty that the woman I held in my arms was meant to be there and remain there.”
While the ladies laughed, Lady Lindsay dragged her gaze from his to glance at the door, and her eyes widened. She promptly jumped to her feet. “Your Grace, Your Ladyship, how do you do? I’m honored to welcome you to my home.”
Juliana came forward to grasp the countess’s hands and bussed her cheeks. “We apologize for not calling sooner. I had a sick little one to tend to, and Flora only just arrived from Suffolk. Care to introduce us, brother dear,” she murmured, arching her brow at him.
Right.He should probably introduce his future wife to his sisters.
“Sisters, this is her ladyship, the Countess Lindsay.” He swept his hand. “This is Juliana, the Duchess of Ashwood.” Turning to look at his youngest sister, he smirked. “And this termagant is Flora, the Marchioness of Amstead.”
Flora stepped forward and bussed Lady Lindsay on the cheek. “I’ve heard so much about you and I’m happy Juliana invited me to accompany her today.”
“Please have a seat. Would you like some tea?” Lady Lindsay swallowed as she gestured to the tea tray.
There were no seats left for anyone to sit.
Flora stepped forward to solve the dilemma.
“Lady Dunmore. Lady Lampley. I have not seen you since the ball at Campbell House when Inverray announced his bid for Prime Minister.” She took a step closer to them, cupping a hand around her mouth as if imparting a great secret. “When I overheard your discussion about the likelihood the party would ever tap an ignorant Scotsman as leader.”
The women gasped, their faces red with shock…or perhaps embarrassment.
“Did I remember that correctly?” Flora pressed a palm to her chest, a picture of apology. “I usually have a first-rate memory, but every so often I mistake details. On accident, of course.”
“I have always relied upon your memory, Flora, dear. I’m sure if you remember their ladyships saying such unfortunate things, they really did say them.” Juliana furrowed her brows. “How silly they must feel to be reminded of such a terrible faux pas. Are you inclined to forgive them, Inverray? Flora, Lady Lindsay, and I won’t think less of you if you choose not to.”
Accepting a chair from the butler, who recognized the seating problem well before Lady Lindsay had, Niall arranged himself by her side.
“Of course I forgive them.” Niall tilted his head in the women’s direction. “Prejudice against Scots is usually taught at a young age, and such teachings take a great deal of time to overcome.”
“Indeed they do.” Flora turned her debilitating stare on Lady Lindsay’s guests. “How lucky you are that my brother and sister are so very understanding, for while I comprehend the antics of horses, I’ve yet to grasp the machinations of the ton.”
The ladies in question looked between each other for a pregnant moment, before they mumbled hasty goodbyes and departed with all swiftness.
Flora collapsed onto the settee with a loud sigh. “I’m guessing they far exceeded the allotted time for such a visit, am I right?”
Lady Lindsay nodded, not looking up from where her knotted hands rested in her lap. What had those harpies said to turn the dauntless woman he had sparred with over any number of issues into the meek creature sitting next to him now? His chest squeezed tight with self-reproach at not arriving earlier.
“Just as I figured. Their ilk are concerned about the proper protocol for any possible social situation that may occur, but heaven forfend they adhere by the same civilities when there is gossip to be gleaned.”
“They are only concerned about the rules when it applies to others, never when it applies to themselves,” Juliana added.
Lady Lindsay dipped her head, and he suspected she might be hiding a smile.
“Based on the visitors who just left, I think it’s safe to assume you’ve been inundated with guests since the ball.” Juliana gave her a commiserating look. “Has it been horrid?”
“It’s been…exasperating. I’m suddenly popular, and for the worst reasons. And what’s worse, I don’t know what to tell them. The way forward is frustratingly unclear.”
Niall huffed a breath. “That is my fault. I am sorry I have left you to fend for yourselves against the wolves. I should have visited yesterday so that we may decide on a course of action.”
“But you’re here now,” she said, with a decisive nod. “So perhaps you can tell me what on earth we’re supposed to do.”
“Well, we are going to marry.”
Lady Lindsay blinked. “I know the night of the Talbot ball ended in a bit of turmoil, but I don’t remember being asked to marry you. I was never given a choice in the matter, and now you’re essentially doubling down on that decree. I’m afraid, for you, that I can’t simply become your wife because you proclaim it.”
Before Niall could respond, Flora burst out laughing. “Bravo, my lady. Do not let Niall run roughshod over you. He can be horribly autocratic when he thinks he knows the best way forward, and you have to remind him that you are an intelligent woman who can make your own decisions. I speak from experience.”
Rolling his eyes, Niall turned pointedly away from her. “I apologize for not giving you a choice in this marriage matter, but what choice do you have? Your gown ripped in front of half of the ton, and those vipers were already whispering despicable things about the two of us.”
Lady Lindsay held up a hand. “What do you mean they’re whispering about us?”
Niall slid his gray eyes to a point across the room, and Lady Lindsay turned to Juliana, who was pressing two fingers to the spot between her dark brows. Noticing the countess’s regard, she sighed. “You and Niall were dancing…very closely—”
“You failed to leave room for propriety,” Flora interjected, her mouth quirking in devilment.
“I hadn’t realized our conversation had drawn attention,” Lady Lindsay said, her cheeks rosy.
“Well, it did. Then the unfortunate mishap with your gown confounded the problem, and marriage is the only remedy.” Heat spread like red ink across his skin, and Niall clenched the fist resting on his knee so tightly, the leather of his gloves creaked in protest. “I assure you that I did not arrive at the Talbot ball determined to leave with a wife.”
“My lady, I imagine that you’re confused and frustrated by this situation you’ve found yourself in by no fault of your own. I’m certain, that like Niall, you did not expect to leave the ball with a fiancé.” Juliana bit her lip. “Yet, I am forced to agree with my rather high-handed brother that marriage seems the only way to go forward.”
“It is not the only way.” Flora wrinkled her nose at her siblings, her green eyes a thunderstorm. “Why must the countess be the one to sacrifice her independence? Niall’s bid for Prime Minister will be salvaged if she agrees to this path, but why should she? She’s a widow, and her actions are not held to the same standard as those of a debutante fresh from the schoolroom. The winds of scandal will blow over her in far less time. Perhaps she feels no obligation to save your reputation.” Her brows disappeared into her hairline as she stared at Niall. “Would you feel obligated to save her if the positions were reversed?”
“What do you think I’m doing, Flora? Engaging in some sort of twisted courtship?” Niall threw his hands up, his pulse thundering in his veins. “Marriage is the only thing that will save both of our reputations.”
He refused to concede his future. Niall would not allow the political machinations he set in place, the years he labored to bring issues that were important to his fellow Scots to the forefront of national discussions, to be toppled like so many toy blocks because he held a beguiling woman too closely in his arms.
Lady Lindsay bit her lip, her mien pale. “But surely a man of your standing would be better served with a different sort of wife. One who possesses the connections and purse strings that would make marriage more appealing.”
She was not wrong…but he couldn’t bring himself to agree with her. The countess was all that was wrong and yet everything that was right. Thankfully, his sisters saved him from having to respond.
“Niall is not in need of a hefty dowry. And while you may not have the supposed right connections, Charlotte has told me of how clever you are.” Juliana’s dark brows furrowed as she looked back and forth between them. “I believe you two would make a fine match.”
“And Niall needs someone to tell him no. From what I’ve seen during my brief acquaintance with you, my lady, you do just that,” Flora chimed in and then groaned. “Niall, for Christ’s sake, tell this woman you actually want to marry her.”
Niall launched himself to his feet and prowled to the window. He stared silently at the activity on the street, willing his thoughts into order. Licking his lips, he turned to look at Lady Lindsay.
“I’m sorry for this scandal you find yourself in. I’m sorry that I became panic-stricken when I realized the other guests had taken note of your undress…when I heard the horrid things they were whispering, and the only excuse that came to mind is that we were to be married.” He released a ragged breath. “And I’m sorry I announced our supposed engagement to the entire ballroom.”
Lady Lindsay dropped his gaze, swallowing as she stared intently at her hands knotted in her lap.
“While this is less than ideal, I would be remiss if I did not confess that I think”—he paused to clear his throat—“we could get on well with each other.”
Very well, he thought to himself as he studied her downturned head.
“I don’t want to say this, but someone has to.” Juliana looked first at him before latching her eyes on the countess. “If you two don’t marry, the resulting scandal could not only cost you the leadership bid, Niall, but erase any standing you had amongst the ton, Lady Lindsay.”
“Maybe that’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make,” Flora interjected.
Juliana threw her hands into the air. “Perhaps it is. But I believe that if they’re both clever, they can gain so much, together.”
Niall heard his sisters’ arguments, but they were background noise, much like gnats buzzing about his ears. For how was he to pay attention to Juliana and Flora when he was so riveted with every minuscule change in Lady Lindsay’s expression? It was obvious his well-meaning sisters were intimidating her into silence, and that would not do.
“My lady, would you consent to join me for a ride tomorrow morning?” Niall rubbed his hands along his thighs. “I think it would be best if we continued this discussion in private.”
She slid her eyes up to meet his, a hesitant chuckle escaping her lips. “It’s been quite a number of years since I have ridden out. Lindsay was never much of a horseman. And unfortunately I do not have a mount.”
“That’s quite all right.” Flora beamed at her. “I will pick out a suitable horse from the few Amstead and I brought along with us, and make sure Niall brings it with him when he comes to pick you up in the morning.” She raised her brows, as if to say Do you have any other objections?
Lifting her chin, Lady Lindsay offered his sister a smile. “I would appreciate it.”
Swallowing discreetly, she turned back to him. “I will meet you for a ride, my lord, thank you. My hope is that between the two of us, we can find a happy way forward.”