To Seduce a Bride (Courtship Wars)

Just then Marcus and Drew joined him.

“So now you are one of us,” Marcus drawled in an amused voice as he clapped Heath on the back. “I seem to recall not three months ago you adamantly protesting that the marriage noose was too restrictive to your freedom.”

Heath chuckled. “You were right, old friend. It only took meeting the right woman.”

“We all three learned that lesson,” Drew added with wry humor yet no trace of his former cynicism. “Although it is rather remarkable that we managed to find our ideal wives, and that they happened to be sisters.”

When the three noblemen turned to admire the beautiful Loring sisters, Heath knew his friends’ feelings for their respective ladies were very similar to his own for Lily.

“Yet I had to work for my bride,” Heath reminded them. “I had the devil of a time convincing Lily even to allow my courtship.”

“Then it was extremely fortunate,” Lady Eleanor interrupted as she moved to her brother’s side, “that you didn’t give up, Heath. You and Lily are perfect for each other.”

Grinning, Heath gave Eleanor a bow of acknowledgment. “And I have you to thank for helping Lily to come to her senses by pretending a betrothal to me.”

Marcus’s look was teasing as well as he put a brotherly arm around Eleanor’s shoulder. “What was that, Nell? Your third betrothal?”

She made a humorous face. “I suppose so, even though this engagement was a total fabrication and only lasted a few hours.”

Marcus turned to Heath. “I trust you used discretion in having that false announcement printed?”

“I did. The publisher and his printer are sworn to secrecy, with their palms well greased.”

“Good,” Marcus replied. “If word got out about yet another broken betrothal of Eleanor’s, it would only cement her reputation as a jilt and make it even harder for her to wed. And unlike Lily, she doesn’t wish to remain a spinster for the rest of her life. Isn’t that so, minx?”

Eleanor nodded cheerfully. “Yes, dearest brother. I would very much like to find true love as you and Heath and Drew have done. I have not given up hope. Miss Irwin’s book, which reportedly advises young ladies on how to catch a husband, is to be published soon. Perhaps it will help me to find my ideal mate.”

Lady Freemantle overheard her comment and called over to her. “If you need any assistance, Lady Eleanor, I am just the person you need.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Eleanor said with a smile. “I will keep your kind offer in mind.”

Fanny joined their conversation then. “Lady Eleanor, I would be pleased to let you read my book in advance. If you find my advice beneficial, you might suggest its purchase to your genteel friends.”

“I would be delighted to read and promote it, Miss Irwin.”

“Thank you. I am hoping the proceeds will be profitable enough to allow me to become an authoress full time.”

When Fanny glanced at Basil, whose face was still discolored from his beatings, the tender look they shared only confirmed Lily’s suspicion that they wanted a future together. Heath had promised Lily he would do his part to help their love affair progress, beginning with finding a more profitable post for Basil than law clerk. Thus far he had three possible positions in mind.

And Basil already looked the part of a nobleman’s secretary. The elderly courtesans had taken him in hand, intent on turning him into a fashionable gentleman. Under their direction, Basil had shed his clerkish aura along with his homely attire. Now dressed in an expertly tailored frock coat and pantaloons and shiny Hessian boots, he carried himself with far more confidence, more manliness, even, as if he planned to be the equal of a beautiful Cyprian like Fanny.

The crowd shifted a little just then so that Tess Blanchard could move closer to Heath. “I wish to thank you, Lord Claybourne, for your generosity to my causes. We are fortunate to have such a magnanimous benefactor. You may be pleased to know I have located a house that might do very well for your needs.”

“Oh?” Winifred broke in. “But his lordship already has a magnificent house-several of them, in fact.”

Lily replied for Tess. “We plan to start a home for needy women, Winifred. A place where desperate girls can find refuge and learn various skills that will allow them to seek respectable employment.”

“How admirable,” Winifred exclaimed, eyeing Heath in approval.

“I cannot take the credit,” he said, holding out his hand to Lily. “My lovely bride came up with the idea.”

Taking his hand, Lily moved to stand beside him. “But you are making it a reality. It is extraordinary, how willing you are to champion my cause.”

When the conversation moved on, Heath bent to murmur in Lily’s ear so that only she could hear. “That is what love does to a man, wife of mine. Makes him willing to slay dragons for his lady.”

Lily’s eyes danced as she gazed up at him. “Are you offering to slay my dragons, husband?”

“If you should need me to-although you are fierce enough to do your own slaying in most instances.”