A Gentleman’s Vow Read online

  Jessica thankfully did not look back. Her back was stiff as she spoke to her father, then moved on to talk to her friend Miss Hawthorne for a little while. Eventually, she disappeared into the crowd, and he hoped she was enjoying the sunny day and not thinking of him.

  He tried not to look for her again. He shouldn’t, but the habits of a lifetime were hard to resist, and when he wanted to find her, to no avail, he grew concerned. He moved through the crowd, restless and uneasy about how they’d parted. She would never understand the terror he felt when he imagined any future with him as a parent.

  “Oh, there you are, Whitfield.”

  Gideon could groan, but he schooled his features and smiled as Lord James bore down on him. “My lord.”

  “Congratulations on your fine win.”

  He sighed but kept his real feelings about the matter to himself. “Lord Rafferty gave me an excellent start.”

  “Excellent form for a gentleman of your years,” Lord James exclaimed.

  Gideon took offense at that. “Rafferty and I are almost the same age.”

  Lord James colored as Gideon glared at him. “Any chance you might have a moment for a word?”

  Gideon looked about them but hadn’t a clue what Lord James could possibly want. Gideon had been trying to avoid him today. The man’s waistcoat made his eyes water.

  Gideon nodded slowly. “I have time now.”

  “It is a private matter.”

  Stranger and stranger. He gestured toward the side gardens where only a few people lingered. “What can I do for you?”

  “I am in need of assistance.”

  “With what?”

  “Lord Stapleton’s daughter. I want her.”

  Gideon nearly staggered at the way he spoke of Jessica. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Well, you’re…” Lord James gestured up and down. “You are uniquely placed to ensure my success and bring your influence to bear. You’ve known the family a long time, being neighbors and all.”

  Far too long to like the direction this conversation was headed. “Indeed.”

  “It’s clear to see Stapleton trusts your opinion. The man talks about your easy good nature all the time.”

  “Does he?”

  “The thing is…I have botched my affairs quite thoroughly, and I need your help to win her hand in marriage.”

  Learning to notice when a lady isn’t interested in you might be a good idea, Gideon almost said aloud. “I’ve never been married, so I wouldn’t know how to advise you about a courtship.”

  The fellow frowned deeply, lips tightening until the skin around his mouth puckered. James squinted at him. “How much?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “How much for your estate?”

  Gideon grew cold all over. “Quigley Hill is not for sale.”

  “My father says everything is for sale.” He leaned close. “If I dangle my purchase of such a prime estate before Stapleton, one conveniently close, he’ll see the merit in the marriage. Agree to sell Quigley Hill to me now, and I’ll make you a rich man by the end of the month.”

  “I’m rich enough. More than you, I’ve heard.”

  “Marriage will restore my coffers and overflow yours.” Lord James’ face became set. Hard. “But you are not titled. I can make that happen.”

  He stared at the man in shock. “You’re offering me a title?”

  “My father can arrange anything.”

  Gideon’s chest expanded with fury. Jessica’s affections could not be bought, not with his help. He took a menacing step toward Lord James, fists clenched. “Get off my land before I kick you to the boundary, you impudent whelp.”

  Lord James narrowed his eyes. “You’re making a mistake,” he muttered, but spun on his heel and stalked away.

  A heavy hand landed on Gideon’s shoulder and squeezed. “Come back, little lordling, and let Whitfield kick your pampered arse,” Rafferty called out softly, mocking Lord James. “Grasping bastard, isn’t he? Father is much the same. I’d have punched him in the nose.”

  “Tempting.”

  Rafferty got in front of Gideon and set his fingers to his chest. “Was it my imagination, or are you unsurprised by his plans to wed Lady Jessica?”

  Gideon pushed his hand away. “I knew about the possibility a few days ago.”

  “Stapleton really does like you, to share that juicy tidbit,” Rafferty mused, rubbing his chin. “I’ve always found the family rather standoffish.”

  “A few of them are.”

  Rafferty started to chuckle. “The pretty one has you well tangled up in her affairs.”

  Gideon scowled at Rafferty rather than answer him.

  “Well, she won’t stand still for that sort of treatment.” Rafferty smiled quickly. “Stubborn. Set in her ways already.”

  Gideon shook his head. “You’re describing Mrs. Warner, not Lady Jessica. For all that they are sisters, Mrs. Warner is not as easy to manage as Jessica has been.”

  “Women are never easy, and they always want to manage us.” Rafferty grunted. “So, do you intend to propose to her?”

  “Who?”

  Rafferty rolled his eyes. “Lady Jessica.”

  Gideon did not answer that.

  “Wait too long, and you’ll lose your chance.” Rafferty chuckled evilly. “Or are you afraid you’ll disgrace all men on your wedding night when you fail to get a rise at your advanced age?”

  Gideon glared at Rafferty. “Not likely.”

  “Not with her beauty in your bed, I’d wager.” Rafferty looked at him slyly. “Why haven’t you gone after her yet?”

  Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose. “Rafferty, do be quiet. I’m about ready to throttle you.”

  “I’d pay to see that. I’ve never known you to lose your temper in all the years we’ve been acquainted.” Rafferty lifted his fists though, throwing a few harmless punches into the empty air between them. “Despite your advanced age, you’ve still got some fight left in you yet, I’m sure.”

  “We’re the same age,” Gideon ground out.

  “I’m younger.” Rafferty chuckled. “What’s the problem?”

  Rafferty had no idea about his childhood, the beatings he’d endured so his mother would remain unharmed. “Too much.”

  Rafferty dropped his fists, looped an arm about Gideon’s shoulders and shook him. “Have you never once been in love?”

  Gideon almost felt sick to his stomach, especially when thinking of Lord James and Jessica alone together.

  Rafferty seemed not to need his answer and kept talking, walking with him back into the crowds. “Tell me, what would you do to win Lady Jessica’s hand in marriage?”

  Anything.

  Gideon tripped over his own feet but Rafferty held him up. “Steady on, sir, or should I fetch your walking cane or a sedan chair, perhaps.”

  “Would you shut up and let me think,” Gideon grumbled.

  He’d overcome any obstacle to be the right man to keep her safe. He brushed his hand over his mouth, realizing that for all his hesitation, he might not be able to live in peace without Jessica in his life. He wasn’t sure if that was love or his need to be the one to make her happy. He could have had her last night, but his protective nature got the better of him.

  Love? Perhaps, but he’d no idea how to prove it. None at all.

  “Thinking. That’s definitely your problem,” Rafferty warned. “Trust me, I’ve been through this before. You just have to throw yourself into the chase and hope to come out on top. You need any pointers for the courtship?”

  “No.”

  When he spotted Lord James skulking about, cozying up to Jessica’s father, he scowled. Lord James had the advantage of proximity. “Maybe.”

  “I’m your man, and I have the perfect solution to your courtship woes. Come with me.”

  Gideon followed Rafferty all the way to the Duke of Stapleton’s broad back, a little worried by Rafferty’s enthusiasm to see him leg-shackled at last.

 
; “Whitfield has just given me the perfect idea, your grace,” Rafferty called out.

  The duke turned, a frown marring his face. “Oh?”

  “It is well past time you invited us both to stay, like the old days. Wine, and a song or two until dawn. What do you say?”

  “Dear God, I was hoping you’d forgotten how to sing. But,” Stapleton’s face grew still, and his eyes darted to where Lord James stood a little to the left, “if Whitfield stays, too, then I can’t see the harm. We’ll make it a proper house party. A week or two, but no sleeping on the dining room table this time, Rafferty. My daughters are old enough to make an example of you.”

  Rafferty and Stapleton discussed particulars of their invasion of Stapleton manor within the hour.

  Gideon’s head spun at how quickly his future might be changing from what he’d always expected. The dispatch of servants to bring fresh clothing for them both was underway, and to soften the impact of their stay, Gideon pledged his winnings, the wine Rafferty had wagered, to Stapleton’s cellar instead of his own.

  Tonight, he would sleep under the same roof as Jessica and had no impetus to return to his own home for the next two weeks. A man might win a woman’s hand in marriage in that space of time…but could Gideon win Jessica’s understanding, too?

  When he looked at Lord James again, smiling as if the party were for his benefit, he vowed to protect Jessica forever.

  Stapleton clapped him on the shoulder suddenly. “You are a true friend to save my family from another night of tedium. I swear that pair talks of nothing but their own ambitions day and night.”

  “I’m glad to be of service,” he murmured, then winced.

  Pursuing Jessica for his wife could put his friendship with the Duke of Stapleton in a whole new light. He’d have a father again.

  Jessica slunk back to Stapleton, dejected by Gideon’s rejection of happiness. She gave her horse an absentminded pat, slipped a coin to Paulson, and climbed the stairs to Stapleton Manor’s front door very slowly. Why couldn’t Gideon see that she was grown enough to be…his?

  The knowledge that he didn’t want her the way she thought of him made her both angry and miserable. For a year, she’d endured talk about the qualities she should look for in a potential husband. Gideon embodied every good and kind attribute a spouse could, and his name had never been mentioned. He’d even participated in several discussions. Admittedly, his remarks had been supportive of not rushing any decision, which she’d attributed to him being a bachelor of long standing.

  Stapleton’s butler opened the door for her and welcomed her home, and she answered him with just a nod. Maybe Gideon didn’t want her after all, or perhaps he didn’t want a wife of any description.

  She’d taken three steps inside the cool interior, hadn’t even removed her bonnet and gloves, before Rebecca was suddenly upon her. She blinked at Rebecca stupidly, tears beginning to prick her eyes.

  “I need to talk to you in private,” Rebecca said as she grabbed Jessica’s hand and towed her toward the music room. Jessica stumbled as the door was thrown shut behind them with remarkable force.

  She turned around quickly. “What?”

  Rebecca stalked toward her, apparently very angry. “Who. Is. He?” she ground out, eyes blazing.

  Jessica took a pace back from her sister’s unexpected fury. “Who?”

  Rebecca grabbed her arm before she could retreat farther, holding her tightly until it pinched. “You were seen last night, meeting with a man.”

  Jessica was not a good liar but she had to try. “I wanted some air.”

  Rebecca leaned close and ground out, “And the man you left behind? You will tell me his name this instant.”

  Jessica swallowed hard. “It’s not what you think.”

  It was probably worse.

  “Who were you with?” Rebecca was so angry her mouth was pinched white around the edges. Her grip tightened even more as the silence lengthened. Rebecca could cause a great deal of trouble for Gideon if she wanted to. “Were you meeting with Lord Rafferty?”

  “No!” she cried. “I was with Gideon.”

  Rebecca released her immediately and turned away. When Rebecca began to pace, arms folded across her breasts, Jessica’s heart started to pound in time with her hard steps.

  “What are you going to do?”

  Rebecca paused and then turned, smiling with triumph brightening her eyes. “Nothing. For now.”

  Jessica was afraid of that smile but stood her ground. “What do you mean, ‘nothing for now’? What about the gossip you heard?”

  “Gossip is unavoidable on an estate of this importance.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. We will do nothing and allow the rumor to spread.”

  Jessica paled. “Father will be angry at me. At Gideon, too.”

  “You should have thought of that before you started flirting with Father’s best friend.” Rebecca wagged a finger.

  Jessica gaped but then snapped her mouth shut. She had been drawn to Gideon more since her return home, but she hadn’t quite considered what she’d been doing as flirting. Not really. But if she loved him, her behavior was completely normal. She looked across at her sister and winced. “I’m sorry if my actions have disappointed you.”

  “I knew something was in the wind at dinner last night, but the duchess swore Whitfield was merely being protective. Possessive is more likely.” Rebecca came close and put an arm around Jessica’s back. “What you start must be finished.”

  It took her a moment to work out what Rebecca might mean. “You mean you want me to marry Giddy?”

  “I wanted you to marry a duke’s son but, as always, my little sister has had everyone wrapped around her finger since her first breaths,” Rebecca stated with a touch of bitterness Jessica had noticed before but never dared point out.

  “It isn’t my fault the family doted on me,” Jessica protested. “I would gladly trade places. Everyone had such high hopes for me that it’s suffocating.”

  “Better than being overlooked altogether,” Rebecca whispered, almost to herself. She looked up quickly, eyes softening. “You can do no wrong in Father’s eyes, and he will, of course, forgive you for any indiscretion in the end. I assume the duchess is unaware you’ve been encouraging our neighbor?”

  “She doesn’t know about last night.” Jessica moistened her lips. “What do you think? About Giddy and me?”

  Rebecca sighed and then, lips pursed, neatened Jessica’s hair, pushing strands behind her ears before she spoke. “I’ve nothing to say against him.”

  “But he’s older. Twice my age, in fact. Some people might consider that strange.”

  Rebecca shrugged. “My husband was older than me, too, so I do not consider it a disadvantage. Marrying an older man can have many benefits, in fact.”

  Jessica couldn’t contain her relief at the news. She’d imagined Rebecca would hate the idea of Gideon as her husband. Rebecca had always pushed Jessica toward younger men, especially ones with a title. She caught Rebecca’s hand and squeezed her fingers tightly. “What are they, the advantages?”

  “Generally, older men are sensible, long since leaving their wild days behind; frugal, and we both know Whitfield is sensible and is as wealthy as he could possibly be. He can afford a wife, even without your dowry, though he should be encouraged to employ more servants once you are wed.”

  “Giddy is not always sensible,” she said, defending him. “He let me kiss him.”

  “Sensible in the way he conducts himself in society. I highly doubt him capable of causing a scandal that might embarrass the family at his age.” Rebecca smiled slyly. “And now that I know you have kissed, I’m even more determined that you should marry him. Eventually.”

  “Eventually?”

  Jessica sank to the music stool, and Rebecca joined her at the instrument. Rebecca laid her fingers on the keys softly and played a sad tune. She had once been the musician of the family. Jessica had longed to play half as well
when she’d been a girl and had always admired her sister’s skill on the instrument.

  Everyone said Jessica had surpassed Rebecca at a young age, and she was always first to be asked to play, now she thought about it. Rebecca’s bitterness was understandable she supposed, but still not her doing. She folded her hands in her lap, content to listen to someone with more experience.

  After a moment, Rebecca glanced sideways at Jessica but continued to play the sad tune. “Older men do not rush when it comes to marriage. It is one of the challenges you must prepare for. If Whitfield proves resistant, however, I shall have no hesitation to exert a little pressure to bring him to the point.”

  “I won’t have you threatening him,” she warned.

  Rebecca shrugged. “I highly doubt I will need to say a word if you continue to persuade him to kiss you back. He’ll do the right thing in the end.”

  Jessica’s heart began to pound. “That does not sound hopeful.”

  “Well, you’ve chosen a worthy adversary.” Rebecca let her hands settle on the keys. “Gideon has certainly had his share of admirers. He’s proved quite adept at avoiding entanglements over the years, even the most blatant ones.”

  Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “From whom?”

  Rebecca frowned. “Jealousy is an unbecoming emotion in a lady, little sister. You must learn to curb your possessive tendencies when you marry Whitfield. You will meet many people who have a history of friendship with him that you cannot share and may never fully understand. You must always remind yourself that he married you. That must be enough.”

  Jessica bit her lip. Gideon had lived another life while she’d been in the nursery playing with her dolls. She had to make a place for herself beside him somehow. “He doesn’t want things to change.”

  “Men never do. They like to believe the decisions they make are always their own.” Rebecca smiled. “He will learn soon enough that Lady Jessica Westfall will always have her way.”

  Jessica gripped her sister’s arm and hugged her fiercely, grateful that Rebecca approved of the man she loved. “Mrs. Rebecca Warner can have hers, too.”

  Rebecca stood suddenly. “Mrs. Warner is far too old for daydreams and late for an appointment. I advise you not to waste any time capturing Mr. Whitfield’s complete attention.”