An Improper Proposal (The Distinguished Rogues Book 6) Read online

  The front door opened and Martin chivvied Mr. Hedley inside past Gibbs before he was seen in his current state on the street. A bath was essential, and soon. A tailor would need to be summoned as well so he was better dressed for the wedding tomorrow.

  Gibbs took Martin’s hat and addressed their guest. “Welcome to Holly House, Mr. Hedley. I am Gibbs, Lord Louth’s London butler. A room has been prepared for your arrival and if you’ve no objections, I shall act as your valet for the duration of your stay.”

  Trust Gibbs to assume a role that required a delicate touch. Hedley likely hadn’t had a servant in years and given the small dimensions of his trunk, would require many things replaced. Gibbs, of similar age to Hedley, could also be counted on to make the man at home without being obvious about it.

  “Thank you.” Hedley glanced around nervously. “Where is my daughter?”

  Martin smiled. “I will send a note to Lady Heathcote this evening and ensure Iris comes here in the morning rather than to the Marshalsea, as has been her habit.”

  “Thank you.”

  Gibbs beamed. “This way, sir.”

  Martin trailed behind the pair as they headed upstairs. As much as he wanted to see Iris’s face when she understood her father had been released from debtor’s prison, he was wary. Something about Alexander Hedley’s behavior seemed out of place to him, and it was not just the shock of surprise freedom.

  When Hedley passed into the bedchamber prepared for his use, he made no comment about his surroundings, and when water was delivered for washing, stood quietly as Gibbs attended him. He’d never seen a man so compliant. The man was indeed painfully thin, but appeared unconcerned about it. He didn’t even protest when his hair was cut and he was dressed in a borrowed nightshirt then settled before the fireplace with a cup of tea and biscuits.

  “Iris will be expecting me soon,” he told Gibbs suddenly.

  “Your daughter will be here tomorrow, sir,” Martin reminded the older man, strolling into the room. “A hot meal, a good night’s sleep and you’ll be fresh as a daisy to receive her.”

  Hedley nodded. “That’s true. Mama always says a proper rest can take your worries away.”

  He raised his teacup to his lips with a gentle smile, and sipped. His hands shook the tiniest amount as he sat it back down and snatched up a biscuit. He smiled then stared off into space as if being outside of the prison was of no consequence. He hadn’t even looked out the window.

  Martin caught Gibbs’s eye and moved toward the door. They stopped just outside the doorway to talk in private. “Does he seem all right to you?”

  “Forgive me, but no. I don’t think he’s been well at all.” Gibbs bit his lip. “It’s a horrible thing for a gentleman to live in the Marshalsea, I’m told. I’ll take good care of him tonight and I’m sure he’ll be more himself in the morning.”

  “Thank you, Gibbs.” He glanced along the hall, puzzled by the silence. “Is my cousin at home?”

  “Yes, my lord. She and Lady Ettington retired to her studio some time ago.”

  Martin groaned, remembering Ettington’s hint that his wife would lead his cousin astray. “I’d hoped to speak to her alone but I’d better share the news of our guest. She gets so shrill when surprised. The marchioness will hear what I’ve done anyway, so there’s no point keeping him a secret.”

  He headed up the hall and tapped on the door of the room Whitney had taken over for her art. There was a flurry of activity beyond before Whitney answered. “Yes?”

  “It’s me. I understand the marchioness is with you.” He set his hand to the knob, anticipating an entreaty to enter. “Might I come in?”

  “No,” both women squeaked. “Can you come back later?” Whitney pleaded.

  “Later?” Whitney had never once sent him away from her studio so he was surprised by her refusal.

  “Yes, quite a bit later, actually.” There was silence beyond the door a long moment. “A few hours at the very least.”

  “But I have news.” He listened hard. “We have a guest.”

  “Has Miss Hedley come to call?”

  “No. Her father has come to stay as our guest.”

  Soft footfalls raced across the room before Whitney unlatched the door and opened it a crack. There was a smear of paint on her cheek and a bright flush to her cheeks. She had undoubtedly been painting. “That is unexpected.”

  Whitney did not normally hide her projects, so he pushed lightly at the door. It didn’t budge and he suspected her foot was behind the door and preventing his access. “Yes. He will be staying with us indefinitely. He’ll rest tonight then tomorrow I’ll send for his daughter.”

  “Splendid.” Whitney pushed the door shut in his face and the lock turned. “I will come and see you later to discuss the matter further.”

  Martin set his hands to the doorframe as a lady groaned. “Pixie, has my cousin kidnapped you to sit for one of her ridiculous portraits? Do I need to rescue you or should I send for Ettington so he can break down another door?”

  “Don’t!” the marchioness screeched. “It’s supposed to be a surprise for his birthday and you will spoil everything if you even mention I was here.”

  He stood back, satisfied the marchioness was there of her own free will. He did not want to know what kind of portrait Whitney was painting but if Pixie had arranged the private sitting he would not interfere. “Very well.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Pixie giggled. “And congratulations on your imminent marriage, too. Miss Hedley is lovely.”

  Was nothing he ever did a secret? “Thank you.”

  Nineteen

  Iris took a deep breath as she approached the Earl of Louth’s front door. She could not believe the message in the note sent to Lady Heathcote last night and was here to see for herself if it was true.

  At her side, Esme was still trying to wake up. “Slower, my dear, Alexander will still be in his bed if you do not take a moment more to behave like a lady. What would he say if he saw you rushing about like this?”

  “He would give me that look he favors if he were in his right mind.” Iris rapped on the wood, aware that her early morning call might not be welcomed.

  Lord Louth opened the door himself. “You’re early, good. He’s just finishing his second breakfast.”

  She stared at him, her chest heaving from her anxiety. “My father really is here?”

  The earl smiled and nodded. “Oh yes. Collected him myself yesterday afternoon and have been wildly entertained with stories of his childhood since daybreak.”

  Panic filled her. The past had become her father’s favorite place. More so than the here and now. “Might I see him?”

  “He’s in the breakfast room, which you might recall is behind the stairs.”

  Even though it was terribly rude, Iris ran the length of the hall and burst into the breakfast room.

  Her father speared a beefsteak and plopped it onto his plate. “The food is indeed excellent.”

  Whitney’s eyes sparkled with laughter. “It is, truly. Only the best for Lord Louth’s guests.”

  She stood and joined Iris at the door. “Your father insists we’re in a posting house and won’t take no for an answer. He’s very good at a jest, isn’t he? I swear he believes every word he utters.”

  Iris pressed a cold hand to her face and then she skirted the table. She took the chair next to her father and captured his hand. “Father, what are you doing here?”

  “Eating.” He pressed his head to hers then stabbed his steak. “I’ve been told to make myself quite at home and I shall.”

  He gobbled down a forkful and, cheeks bursting, smiled brightly.

  Esme joined them and had the butler serve her tea and toast.

  “You could do with a steak too, missy.”

  Esme grinned at him. “And spoil my figure? I will not, sir.”

  “Sir, indeed.” Her father rocked as he laughed, as if Esme had told the finest joke he’d ever heard, and then tossed a sausage on her pla
te.

  Esme accepted the meat without comment but her smile was sincere. “I’ll stay with him. You should speak to your intended.”

  She would have to explain about her father. About his illness and that his obsession with old news was no laughing matter. “Thank you.”

  She stood and stepped back into the hall. Lord Louth waited, propping up the wall. “He’s in fine spirits this morning. He wasn’t half as lively last night.”

  “I’m sorry if he’s been any trouble.”

  “Not a bit.” He straightened. “We should talk in private, I think.”

  Iris nodded but her heart was pounding as she followed him into another room.

  She wrung her hands, glancing about the masculine study as anxiety filled her. Louth really must be upset if he didn’t at least smile.

  The door clicked shut then the key turned in the lock. “You place me in an uncomfortable position.”

  “I am sorry.”

  An exasperated expression passed over his face. “When I was a young man, I was given the most valuable piece of advice of my life. Be able to pay your debts immediately or don’t commit the funds. While many of my contemporaries were wasting their fortunes at cards, and running up bills all over Town, I kept my eye on the future and funds in my pocket.”

  “A wise decision.”

  “But do you know why I took that piece of advice to heart?” He stared at her and she trembled. “I’ll tell you why. Your father said it. Because of him, I have a fortune to support myself and my family, and plenty of it.”

  Iris winced at the mention of her father’s advice. Many men might attribute their success to wise advice but it was the first time her father had ever been specifically singled out. Lord Louth was undoubtedly not the sort to spread false praise. “I am glad of that.”

  “Your father is one of the few men I admire so well that I would dare to quote them.” He circled her. His eyes narrowed. “My cousin has a way of saying things that might sound completely honest, but are in fact lacking certain particulars of complete honesty. You never spoke of your father so you didn’t have to lie.”

  Iris closed her eyes. He likely knew it all but would he make her say the words?

  “Your father’s location would not have had any bearing on my decision to marry you,” Louth proclaimed, his voice dropping to a soothing whisper. “I would have preferred you were honest with me about your situation from the beginning. Having the duke point out my naivety is not a pleasant experience.”

  She kept her gaze lowered rather than reveal her misery. “I am so sorry.”

  “I’m sure you thought you had good reasons.” He sighed. “The moment your father lost his fortune, society turned its back on you both. Your mistake was imagining I could be just as cruel.”

  Iris squirmed and glanced up guiltily.

  The earl shook his head. “Please don’t look at me like that. I am not judging you. Everyone makes mistakes.”

  “So many in society have.”

  “You lost everything.”

  “Everything that was important.” She gripped her hands till her knuckles turned white. Her friends, her life, her future.

  He held out one hand for her to take. “You must have missed him terribly?”

  Although she trembled, she placed her palm over his. Iris glanced down at their joined hands and made a sound that might have signaled her agreement.

  He caught her chin and raised her eyes to his. “Why did you not tell me from the beginning where he was?”

  “He is my father,” she said. “I didn’t want to see the pity in your eyes.”

  “Good God, woman, have I not proven you can trust me these past weeks?” the earl snapped. “You put your reputation at risk daily by just going to visit him alone.”

  She lifted her chin defiantly and found Lord Louth scowling at her, concern writ large over his face. She paled. She’d had no choice but to lie about her life over the past year, particularly the past few months. She was ashamed that her father had accumulated so much debt. She was ashamed of herself.

  “Alexander Hedley has no further debts at the present moment and I prefer that it remain as such,” Louth continued, moving so close she could feel his breath on her face.

  She stared at him. “How could that be?”

  “I repaid every single mark against him. He is a free man now.”

  Heat burned her cheeks. “I’m sure he will agree to curb his spending.”

  “Damn right he will. He’ll remain as my guest for the rest of his life so I have my way.”

  “You would keep him prisoner?”

  “I would keep him, if it made his daughter happy. I have had a long discussion with your father this morning and the agreements are prepared.” Louth dropped to one knee. “Miss Iris Jane Hedley, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She gaped at him. “How could you marry me? You don’t know what I’ve done.”

  “But I do. You’re the spy among the ton, setting up all the robberies.”

  The room spun and she collapsed onto the floor beside him. “I was so afraid to tell you.”

  “Exeter thought to warn me at dinner the other night. He wasn’t a happy man about the danger his nephew placed himself in with the trap that was being set. He was also the one kind enough to clarify why I was having so much trouble locating your father.”

  Iris bent her head. “He wouldn’t look at me that night.”

  “Exeter will overcome it eventually. I hear Meriwether is very determined that nothing get in his way.

  “Talbot.” She squared her shoulders. “Charles Talbot is behind it all and threatened to hurt my father if I did not do what he wanted.”

  “You don’t say? That filthy prig. He acted so concerned for you, too.” The earl pulled her into his lap and settled them comfortably on the floor. “Miss Hedley, I am still waiting on an answer. I can protect my wife and her father.”

  But who would protect him. “I’m sure you would try.”

  “Then give me your answer. Will we marry today or not?”

  She drew back and searched his face for reassurance she’d heard him correctly. “Today?”

  “Better than too late,” he said quietly. “You father will never want for another meal and you will have every luxury I can offer.”

  “And there are always my lessons to continue?”

  He leaned forward, and kissed her cheek. “Damn the lessons. Tonight you graduate.”

  She tried very hard to hold back a smile but since she’d been dreaming of him for so long, she couldn’t quell her anticipation. “I would be honored, my lord.”

  Iris climbed to her feet unaided but her knees were weak with shame and hope. The earl drew her into his arms and wrapped her tightly against him. His sure and certain grip dispelled any lingering unease that he was truly cross with her. He cupped the back of her head and held her close. “Haven’t I done my best to make you comfortable, Iris?”

  She turned her face into his chest. “Yes, my lord.”

  “Have we not become good friends these past weeks? You can tell me anything.”

  But would he tell her tell her of the child he’d fathered? A child she yearned to care for herself?

  She placed her arms around his waist, unsure if she could deny this man anything. What had started as a desperate need for an independent future had shifted to a private wish to belong with him.

  He kissed her cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “My father had said much the same.” She caught the earl’s eye. He met her gaze with steadfast conviction. He believed every word he said. He sincerely wanted to protect her. But what about her father’s growing odd manner? Did Louth know her father well enough to sense the change in him?

  She rose on her toes and sought his mouth for a kiss to avoid that discussion. The earl bent himself to seal their lips together and the next moment she was swept up in his arms.

  They did not kiss for long, but Iris w
as trembling with anticipation by the time it ended.

  Louth nibbled at the skin of her neck and her pulse raced. “You should return to your father. I need to go out for a little while but Mr. Lynton Manning will be arriving at two o’clock to perform the marriage ceremony.”

  She hoped he wouldn’t regret his generous offer to make her his wife. She wasn’t exactly a good choice. “Thank you.”

  He swooped to kiss her firmly then took her hand and pulled her toward the door. They could hear her father’s laughter in the drawing room but when they reached the doorway, she gaped in shock. Louth’s mouth fell open too at the scene.

  Her father crouched on top of a lovely brocade chair, waving a riding crop about as if he were racing.

  “Alexander Hedley,” Iris shouted.

  He leaped from the chair. “Sorry, Mother.”

  She hurried to him, concerned by that slip. “But I’m Iris. Your daughter.”

  He squinted at her. “Of course you are. Have you no greeting for your old father?”

  She stepped into his embrace, squeezing back tears. “Papa, what were you thinking? Grown men do not stand on other people’s furniture.”

  The man gestured to Lord Louth. “Lord Louth said to make himself at home and I have done so.”

  “But you still should not stand on his furniture.” Her future husband merely smiled at the situation. She kissed her father’s cheek, noting at last that his hair had been cut, nails manicured and he was wearing a new suit of clothes. “You’re looking very fine today.”

  “Such a kind girl.” He embraced her tightly. “My daughter is getting married today so I’m told I have to look my best.”

  Tears pricked her eyes. “Yes she is. And she’s very fortunate in her husband.”

  When she glanced toward the door, she discovered Lord Louth had fled. She couldn’t blame him. Her father’s antics must have been embarrassing for him.

  Twenty

  No matter how much he tried, Martin could not wait to get his wife alone, preferably into bed. He understood her father needed her. Hell, everyone had needed her since they’d spoken their vows before a select company of friends invited for the hastily arranged wedding that afternoon.