A Gentleman’s Vow Page 16

  “The proposal must become law. Reform cannot wait,” Lord Newfield insisted, banging his fist on the arm of his chair.

  Ugh, politics again. Would Lord Newfield never be quiet? Gideon had been willing to read to them tonight, but he’d never had a chance to do more than suggest a book of poetry.

  Father shook his head. “No. No. In its present form, the bill will never pass.”

  Lord Newfield glowered. “Progress will not be halted by a dozen men determined to keep their monopoly in the north intact.”

  Father grew still, and Jessica’s smile slipped. Father opposed the current bill before parliament, but not because he had any pecuniary interest. The proposal was obviously flawed and unfair.

  Tension mounted as Father and Lord Newfield engaged in a staring contest.

  “Lady Jessica, might I prevail upon you to play the pianoforte again this evening?” Gideon asked suddenly.

  “Yes, a fine idea,” Rebecca agreed, her eyes widened—encouraging urgent agreement with Gideon’s suggestion.

  “Of course, but only if you will play with me tonight,” she suggested to her sister.

  “Yes,” Gideon agreed. “We can all take a turn tonight.”

  “Oh, no,” Rebecca and Mother each cried out in protest, causing Jessica to laugh.

  Gideon shrugged. “I’m not that bad.”

  “Would you excuse us?” Jessica went to Gideon, hooked her arm through his and drew him toward the music room. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Giddy, but you are simply awful on the pianoforte.”

  “Misjudged unfairly,” he cried as Father and Lord Newfield resumed their argument. Mother and Rebecca trailed behind, each offering the other a chance to play with Jessica first.

  Jessica looked over her shoulder as Father and Lord Newfield’s voices rose louder than ever. Poor Papa. There were times when his life seemed unfairly boring.

  Lord James followed, silently, thank heavens. At least he could withhold his opinions on occasion. She turned away from him without smiling.

  A set of maple drawers contained all the music the family owned, and Gideon opened the drawer containing duets. “So many to choose from,” he said as he began to shuffle through the collection.

  Jessica winced. Giddy really was terrible. For a man who had a lovely instrument sitting idle at home, she couldn’t account for his lack of skill. His mother had played beautifully until the day she died, she’d heard.

  He chose one sheet at last, turned for the instrument and sat down at the bench before Lord James could beat him to the spot.

  Jessica exchanged a resigned glance with Mother and then sat at his side. She read the music sheet he’d placed before her, noticing it was a very old one she hadn’t played in years.

  Lord James, denied a chance to sit beside her, hovered near the instrument—obviously keen to take Gideon’s place the moment he rose. Jessica took her time reacquainting herself with her part, and then braced herself as she glanced at Giddy. He had to start first. “I’m ready.”

  “Good.” He fitted his eyeglasses and raised his hands to the keys.

  And then he played. Perfectly.

  Jessica gaped in shock and continued to stare as he performed his part of the piece flawlessly without her. He glanced her way, one eyebrow raised. “This is a duet,” he noted. “Shall we try again?”

  “Yes.” She gaped still. Mind reeling. Gideon knew how to play the pianoforte. “Yes, please.”

  She faced the keys and played with him, the first time she’d ever enjoyed doing so. They played to the end, and then his fingers left the keys. The silence was startling in the wake of their performance. “Whenever did you learn to do that?”

  “I took lessons as a child. My father did not approve and made me stop, but while you were gone to London, I found an instructor to refresh my memory,” he confessed, a slight smile turning up his lips. “Not so terrible now.”

  “No indeed. But as you’ve always told me, practice will help. There is nothing you cannot do once you set your mind to it.”

  “I wanted to surprise you when you came back,” he touched the tip of her chin with his knuckle, “you’ve no right to tease me about how terribly I play now.”

  Astonished and so very pleased, Jessica hugged him quickly. He’d done it for her, she was sure. From now on, she wouldn’t play duets with any gentleman but him. Especially not Lord James. “Thank you, Giddy,” she whispered. “We’ll be able to play together all the time soon.”

  He laughed softly as he reached for the music sheet and folded it closed. “Anyone would think I did something unusual.”

  “Not unusual for you, but very agreeable.” Excited, she jumped to her feet. “Shall I find another we can play together?”

  He shook his head and stood up. “Let us hear you with Mrs. Warner next.”

  “But—”

  He leaned close. “It took me all the months you were away to perfect that one.”

  “I’ll teach you another, starting tomorrow,” she decided, grinning at him shyly.

  Gideon smiled back too. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind helping me along with my lessons when you have the time to devote to my instruction.”

  She shivered at the suddenly husky tone of his voice. Later, when they were married, when she was his wife, her life would be devoted to him in so many ways.

  She turned away as her pulse kicked up speed. The problem with suddenly feeling desire was that she’d not the faintest idea what to do with herself while the sensation lasted.

  “When might you have the time to spare me a moment of your attention, Lady Jessica?” Lord James cut in bluntly.

  Jessica looked up at Lord James, noticing his suspicious stare and clenched jaw.

  She moved toward Gideon. “Never, my lord.”

  Gideon put his arm around her shoulder briefly. “Jessica mentioned you spent a great deal of time with Lady Hannah Alexander during the season. I’m familiar with the family. I went to school with her uncle George for a time. Fine family. Not a hint of scandal anywhere in the ranks.”

  Jessica caught Lord James’ eye. “Lady Hannah must be missing you as much as I did Mr. Whitfield while I was in London. She did seem quite taken with you.”

  Lord James’ eyes narrowed on them. “Yes, Lady Hannah is a fine woman. Very proper,” he murmured with a frown for their proximity.

  That was almost an accusation that Jessica was not! Undeterred, she smiled anyway. She would be married to Gideon. Soon, she expected. “We hope to read happy news about you both soon in the papers.”

  Lord James took a pace back, but his eyes flickered to Gideon, questioning. “I hope to read a similar notice for you, too.”

  “There will be,” Gideon promised.

  Lord James ran a hand over his mouth then scratched his head. “Would you excuse me? I need to be…somewhere else, I think.”

  “Of course,” Gideon said as he held his hand out to Lord James. “I wish you good hunting.”

  “Groveling is always a good idea,” Jessica suggested as the pair shook hands. “But hurry. You never know who might be trying to take your place in her heart.”

  Lord James nodded and then rushed across the room. The young man said good night to Mother and Rebecca, who had remained locked in their own conversation.

  She and Gideon stood side by side for a moment, and then he turned to her. “I really missed you, Jess.”

  She grinned. “You did?”

  “Every damn day you were gone was agony,” he admitted with a shy shrug. “I tried not to worry, but I’m not very good at that.”

  “What did you worry about?”

  “That someone else might love you as much as I wanted to,” he admitted.

  Jessica laughed. “Then I am grateful my season was such a failure.”

  He drew close. “It wasn’t a failure. You came back to me.”

  She nodded but she could feel tears forming in her eyes.

  She turned away before he noticed, but Reb
ecca was watching them now, a triumphant smile hovering about her lips.

  Jessica ignored the smile and moved toward her mother. “What were you pair talking about?”

  “Christmas.”

  Jessica let out a sigh of relief. At least Rebecca hadn’t revealed her pursuit of Gideon to Mother yet. She wanted to be the one to tell her.

  “Mrs. Warner has offered to organize everything for Christmas this year,” Mother murmured with a smile of gratitude. “And I have agreed.”

  Jessica smiled. “But—”

  Mother placed her hand on her expanding middle. “I will be a new mother at Christmas, and I don’t know how difficult this little one might be.”

  “She will need to rest. Before and after,” Rebecca murmured, eyeing the small bulge with a frown of her own.

  Jessica stared at her sister, wondering what she really thought about the impending addition to the family. Rebecca had never had children, but she was very good with their brother’s children. Everything they both knew about birthing a child came from observing other women go through the experience. But it was kind of Rebecca to offer her help with the manor. “Are you going to stay in the country then? Stay at Stapleton until the child comes and beyond?”

  “If Father will allow it,” she murmured. “I’d be happy to.”

  “I’ll convince him.” Mother’s statement shocked Jessica so much, she gaped.

  Neither one of them had liked the way Rebecca had behaved toward Gillian last Christmas. When Jessica had not been paying attention, Mother and Rebecca seemed to have made peace, and that was such a relief, too. When she married Giddy and moved to Quigley Hill, Rebecca would be here to take Jessica’s place.

  She looked up as Father entered the room. Thankfully, he was alone. “Well. That went as well as expected.”

  Gideon turned away and poured Father a whiskey. “What did you say?”

  “What I needed to.” His expression grew sour as he looked at Gideon. “A word, if you please.”

  “Of course.”

  The pair moved aside and spoke privately for a few moments, Gideon’s back growing stiff with every word spoken, while Father became more expressive with his hands.

  The pair turned, Father revealing annoyance, Gideon’s expression unreadable.

  The pair took chairs on opposite sides of the room, Father at Mother’s side, Gideon alone. Both offered up false smiles when Jessica caught their eye.

  “Jessica?” Rebecca called. “I have found the perfect music for us.”

  Troubled by the tension she sensed in the room now, Jessica hurried to her sister’s side and looked at the sheet she held out. It was a complicated piece of music to play, one that gave her the most trouble. “Are they arguing?” she whispered.

  “I suspect so. Father has been watching you both all night, and he is clearly not happy with what he sees,” Rebecca warned. “What progress have you made with directing Whitfield to the outcome we discussed?”

  “The best outcome imaginable. He admitted he loves me.”

  Rebecca exhaled. “Thank heavens. Now we can work on Father. I am sure Newfield brought up your future tonight and was refused. Can you hear the servants rushing about above us?”

  Jessica concentrated and heard more noise than expected at this time of night. “Oh I hope Lord Newfield and Lord James never come back.”

  “Let us hope so. But no matter if they return. We’ll have the time we need to convince Father to let you marry.”

  “Let me?”

  Rebecca smiled wryly. “You may have gone to London to find a husband, but father has never believed anyone would be good enough for his daughters. We still have a battle on our hands to make him accept your loss.”

  Although she meant to have Gideon for a husband, she did not really want Father unhappy about it. Gideon was a good man, kind, thoughtful and her friend. Her father’s friend, too. They were neighbors, and she couldn’t stand the idea that loving her put them at odds.

  When they sat down to play, the tension in the room eased a little. By the end, when Mother announced fatigue, Father left the room with her.

  Jessica put her hands in her lap and looked across at Gideon, feeling stricken with uncertainty. He smiled, but it never reached his eyes.

  He rose to his feet slowly and came closer. He complimented them on their performance and then drew in a large breath. “I am afraid I have been recalled home and must beg your forgiveness for my leaving.”

  “What has happened?”

  “Nothing you need to worry yourself over.”

  “Father has sent you away,” Rebecca said quietly.

  Gideon nodded. “I must go.”

  Jessica exchanged a glance with Rebecca. “When will you be back?”

  His smile slipped. “I am not certain. My possessions are being packed as we speak. You will have to make do with Lord Rafferty’s poor company, if he ever shows his face.”

  Jessica burst to her feet. “I will see you out.”

  “I am not sure that is a good idea,” he advised. “It is not proper.”

  “Rebecca?”

  “Patience,” Rebecca cautioned.

  She merely stared at Gideon, overwhelmed with disappointment that he had to go. “Oh, to hell with that,” Jessica muttered under her breath. She’d let Gideon leave and follow him later.

  Chapter 17

  Gideon sighed as the door beside him eased open and Jessica, clad now in a darker gown, appeared beside him on the terrace outside the long gallery. She startled when he made a soft sound to announce his presence but grabbed his outstretched hand quickly. Gideon closed and locked the Stapleton door securely, tucked the key into his pocket, and led Jessica into the empty, dark garden, keeping to the shadows. They said not a word to each other until they were on Quigley Hill land.

  “I thought I was clear about not doing this,” he complained.

  “But I needed to see you,” she promised. “I want to know what’s going on.”

  “There is nothing to worry about. I told you I wouldn’t give up,” Gideon promised as he took her in his arms, smiling down at her fondly. “No matter what your father does or says, I’m in love with you. I will wait forever for him to accept that. What did you want to say to me that couldn’t wait until tomorrow or the next day?”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “There is nothing to do. Lord James has already gone. He called for his horse as soon as he left us, and he’s no doubt headed directly for Lady Hannah’s door to beg her forgiveness for abandonment.” He pressed his head against Jessica’s and inhaled the scent of her hair. “I wonder when your father will realize you’ve gone.”

  “He won’t,” Jessica promised, running her hands up and down his chest. “I made sure everyone saw me go to my own room and into bed.”

  He stilled her hands before he became too distracted. “He is your father, and he knows you as well as I do. If I can anticipate your every move, so will he.”

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t.” She looped her arms about Gideon’s shoulders. “Did you ask Father’s permission to court me?”

  “It seemed the right thing to do. A certain young lady was not content with finger kisses.”

  “The ones from your lips are better.”

  “Wait till I’ve kissed you all over, then you’ll really be impressed.” He laughed softly but heard her breath catch at his suggestion. “Kisses can be anywhere, Jessica. Lips, neck…elbows.”

  “Elbows?”

  He grinned slowly. “I didn’t want to shock you by naming the real place I was thinking about kissing you.”

  “Where is that?”

  “I’ll leave you to imagine. We’ve been alone too long as it is.”

  “I’m not going home yet,” she said stubbornly. “Take me with you so we can continue talking.”

  Although he should not, he eased closer. “You know what will happen if I take you home with me. We will probably not talk at all.”

  “What is wr
ong with that? I want my suitor to tell me more about passion tonight.”

  “That would be the study of a lifetime, not one single night in my bed.”

  She toyed with the buttons on his waistcoat. “You’ll give me that lifetime soon enough.”

  “I will,” he promised, looking forward to those blissful days ahead.

  “Then we start tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day and the next.”

  He shook his head at her. “There really is no stopping you now, is there?”

  “When I gave you my heart, you got the rest of me, too.”

  Jessica’s hands spread on his chest, and then she gripped the lapels of his coat. “I need you, more than I’ve ever needed anyone in my life.”

  His pulse raced at that admission. He might need her just as much, too. “Just how much were you told about intimacy?”

  “I blushed quite a bit,” she admitted. Jessica took his hand and placed it on her breast. “And now my skin heats whenever you are near.”

  He moved his hand until his thumb brushed over her nipple. Jessica gasped but did not pull away. “Hmm, I begin to suspect your instruction was a bit more explicit than strictly necessary.”

  Jessica laughed and hugged him. “At least I know enough not to be afraid. I actually look forward to certain aspects; being naked with you is one.”

  He drew her closer. Jessica continually surprised him with her willingness to explore the desire growing between them. It made him a little crazed, imagining all the things he could do to her in his bed with her permission. He lowered his head a little more and pressed his lips to the skin of her neck. A ragged sigh left her lips, and she turned her head to give him better access.

  “I want to be with you,” she whispered.

  He debated refusing her, but being alone with her was what he wanted, too. “All right.”

  He scooped her up into his arms and began walking.

  Her arms tightened about his neck. “Where are we going?”

  “My bed.”

  Jessica cuddled against him and fell silent as Gideon carried her home. His house was dark, his servants long since gone to bed, he suspected. They encountered no one as they went inside.