The Mammoth Book Of Regency Romance Part 60

"A package for you, my lady. Where shall I put it?"

Addy, who had been sitting in the parlour drinking tea and watching the clock move excruciatingly slowly, looked at the large white box with its pink bow in both excitement and trepidation.

Setting her cup aside, she motioned to the spot beside her. "Right here, Nelly."

Was this a gift from Seeton? Aside from flowers on their first meeting, he had not been p.r.o.ne to gift-giving, but then again, he seemed to have grown more affectionate since Roan arrived.

Addy slipped the ribbon from the box, and removed the lid. Her breath caught in her throat. It was the scarlet gown she had seen in the shopfront window yesterday.

"How lovely," Nelly said, and Addy nodded in agreement, her throat tight with emotion. It could only be from one of two people.

"Here is the card," Nelly said.

With trembling hands, she opened the envelope and pulled the card out. "To Addy . . . just for being you. Your friend always, Roan."

Nelly sighed. "How very kind of Lord Drayton. What a lovely man he is."

"Indeed, he is," Addy replied, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest.

"He's always looked upon you as a little sister, hasn't he?"

"Yes, yes, he has." But she didn't want to be looked upon as his little sister any longer, but as someone who was far more important and dear to his heart.

"Have Lord Drayton and my brother returned from their ride yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Good. Come, Nelly. I need your help."

Roan and Jack arrived back at the manor and were surprised to find Seeton standing on the veranda, smoking. Seeing them, the younger man dropped the cheroot and crushed it beneath his heel.

"Have you been waiting long?" Jack asked.

"No, I only just arrived."

"Is Addy not here?"

"Actually, I've come to speak with you, My Lord."

Roan's stomach clenched.

"Do come in," Jack said, motioning for him to follow him into the house.

Roan promptly excused himself. He walked in long strides to his chamber, shut the door and closed his eyes.

d.a.m.n it!

At this moment, Stephan was asking for Addy's hand and, knowing Jack, he would heartily agree to the match.

The wheels were set in motion and there was nothing Roan could do to change their course. After all, he was but a family friend. Stephan had been courting Addy for weeks while Roan had been convalescing at his home in Ess.e.x. He had no business to be as furious as he was . . . or so intensely jealous.

The younger man did not deserve her. Stephan had no idea how to make a woman like Addy happy.

Dearest Addy, with her love of the outdoors, her free spirit and outspoken nature.

And those lips good Lord, those lips lifting in that coy way, promising things she had no right to.

He removed his jacket and waistcoat, and tossed both items over the back of the chair. Reaching behind his head, he lifted his shirt, but stopped short upon hearing a knock at the door.

No doubt it was Jack, come to tell him the good news. Or perhaps he'd realized that Roan was worthy of Addy. He ran his hands through his hair and, with a steadying breath, opened the door.

Addy stood before him, dressed in the gown he had bought for her. The scarlet gown fitted her like a glove, the shade doing incredible justice to the colours of her eyes and hair.

"Beautiful," he said on a whisper, his gaze wandering down the length of her and back up again.

She was absolutely breathtaking, the kind of woman any man would be proud to call his wife.

"Thank you so much, Roan. I cannot believe your kindness," she said, stepping into the room and shutting the door.

"It fits you beautifully."

"Indeed, it's perfect." Her eyes shifted from his to his chest, reminding him that his shirt was open. He lifted his right hand and touched the scar at his neck. His skin was rough, puckered, a mixture of pink and purple a gruesome sight for one so fair.

"Do not hide from me, Roan. Never from me," she said, her hand covering his at his neck. Her fingers slid between his, and then she did the most extraordinary thing she kissed his neck and the thick scar there.

"Addy," he said her name on a groan.

She didn't stop. She kissed his scarred cheek, his jaw, his throat, his shoulder, made a pathway of kisses all the way to the burn on his hand, and then she kissed each of his fingers. "You are the most beautiful man I have ever known, and will ever know, Roan. Don't hide from the world. Don't hide from me. You are not changed. If anything, you are a better man for the things you have suffered through, for now you have a greater understanding of what real trials are."

Her words eliminated the last of his will power.

"Addy, we shouldn't be alone."

Her lips curved. "Why is that, Roan?"

"You know why," he replied, his voice husky.

She lifted her face to his, their breath mingling.

He should put her at arm's length. He knew that. Everything within him told him to do so and, yet, he could not bring himself to deny her, not when she had bewitched him body and soul.

He reached for her with his injured hand, his thumb brushing over her soft lips. She didn't pull away, did not flinch in the least. Instead, she smiled; her eyes warm and full of desire. A desire he understood all too well.

She turned her head the slightest bit, pressed her soft lips into his scarred palm . . . and he was lost.

He pulled her into his arms, held her close, felt the tears burn the backs of his eyes as he inhaled deeply of her scent, felt her arms come around him, holding him tight, embracing him. Comforting him.

"Adelaide!" The call came from downstairs.

"It's Jack," she whispered, a mixture of frustration and irritation in her voice.

"You had better see what he wants before he comes looking for you."

"You are right," she said, kissing him softly. "Thank you again for the gown. You didn't have to."

He smiled. "Yes, I did."

Addy entered her brother's study and was stunned to see Stephan standing there. Dressed in a tailored dove-grey suit, he looked the epitome of the English lord. His golden hair was swept off his forehead, the ends curling at his collar.

How very different he was from Roan in every way. His shoulders were not wide like Roan's, nor were his features quite so fine.

"Lord Seeton, what a surprise."

"Adelaide, you look absolutely stunning," Stephan said, taking her hand in his and kissing it.

If Jack recognized the dress from the shop window, he wasn't letting on. He folded his hands behind him. "Stephan would like a word with you . . . alone."

Her stomach dropped to her toes. Oh dear, this was not good. "Oh?" she said, forcing a smile she did not feel.

"I shall give you two a moment alone together. I'll be right outside."

Her eyes widened, but Jack did not see her distress. Instead, he slipped out the door.

Stephan squared his shoulders and released a breath, treating her to a whiff of brandy. Good gracious, it was barely four in the afternoon and he smelled like he'd been drinking all day.

"Dearest, Adelaide, we have only known each other for a short time, but I feel as though it has been forever, and I feel we are well suited. Indeed, we are so very similar."

Similar. In what way? They didn't seem to like any of the same things.

"I asked your brother for his permission to marry you and he has agreed."

She pressed her lips together, and couldn't form a reply to save her life. The awkward silence continued as she struggled for something to say.

"Well, do you have an answer?"

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she replied, "I just did not expect a proposal so soon."

His eyes widened. "Are you refusing me?"

"No, I just . . . am surprised, that is all."

"Take the evening to decide then, my dear," Seeton said, the smile returning in force. "I am sure you will have a clear head come morning."

A clear head? She could not be thinking more clearly.

The door opened abruptly and Roan stood there. He looked just as he had when she'd left him five minutes before save that his shirt had been tucked into his breeches. But his hair was even more unruly, as though he had been running his fingers through it time and again.

"Lord Drayton?" Seeton said, his brows furrowing as he glanced from Roan to Jack, who appeared at Roan's shoulder.

"I am afraid Addy can't marry you," Roan said matter-of-factly.

Seeton frowned and puffed out his chest. "Why is that?"

"Because I love her, and I want her to marry me."

Addy's heart soared to the heavens.

"Do not be ridiculous," Stephan said, lifting his chin a good two inches.

Jack glanced at Stephan, his eyes narrowing. "Why is Lord Drayton asking for my sister's hand ridiculous?"

"He is . . . scarred. What woman would want-"

"I would," Addy said, rushing into Roan's arms. "Yes, I'll marry you."

She saw the surprise in Roan's eyes, the intense relief. A relief she felt herself.

Stephan's face turned bright red. "I cannot believe what I am hearing. Good G.o.d, Adelaide, you would have this . . . this monster for a husband over me?"

"Indeed, I would," she replied.

"The two of you deserve each other." Stephan whisked his hat off the desk and rushed out of the room.

"I'll give you two a moment alone," Jack said, clapping Roan on the back. "I can think of no one else I would rather lose her to than you."

"Thank you, Jack," Roan said, smiling as he turned to Addy. "My beautiful Little Miss Independent."

Addy grinned, and cupped Roan's face. "I love you, Roan. I always have, and I always will."

The Devil's Bargain.

Deborah Raleigh.

One.

London June 1814.

Contrary to many of the fine homes currently being built in Mayfair, the townhouse near St James' was a plain three-storeyed structure made of red bricks, with a columned portico that was hidden from the road by a walled garden.