Annabelle's Courtship

Pulling the ring from the palm of her hand, he slid it back on her finger. “Dinna take it off again.”

“I cannot promise to agree with you on everything.”

“I dinna ask you to. But you will keep your pledge to marry me.”

“I won’t be a bond-slave.”

“I dinna want a bond-slave. I want a wife.”

“You will not dictate my every move.”

“There isna a man alive that could.”

She could not help smiling. He sounded so resigned.

“Very well.”

“Are ye sure, lass?”

She looked into his eyes. The uncertainty she saw there settled her heart. Ian might not realize it, but he needed her. That was a fair step toward love, she hoped.

“Aye, I’m sure,” she said copying his brogue.

He leaned down and placed a quick, possessive kiss on her lips. Taking her arm, he pulled her toward the chairs near the fire where he sat and pulled her into his lap. She adjusted to the strange sensation of sitting so intimately with a man.

“Now, tell me about Thorn.”

He was not going to let up. She sighed and started her account of the letters and Diana’s quandary.

He remarked, “That explains it, then.”

“Explains what?” she asked.

Her heart broke for Diana when Ian told her about discovering that the other woman had sold her wedding pearls. She also accepted that with all that Ian had seen, she would never have been able to keep the blackmail a secret from him.

“I told her not to concern herself with the money. Why did she sell her wedding gift from Robert?”

“I dinna ken.”

“Ian, we’ve got to do something. Diana is up in the boughs as it is. I cannot imagine what she is feeling now.”

“Dinna worry, I’ll think of something.”

The chilling look in his eyes made her almost pity Mr. Thorn. Almost. She snuggled into Ian’s lap and tucked her head under his chin. “As to that, I’ve already come up with a sound plan.”

He caressed her back. “Aye?”

She explained her idea to go to the east side and inquire among her acquaintances there about Mr. Thorn. Ian’s arms tightened around her like a vice. He cursed long and loudly.

“You are not going anywhere near there. If anyone is going to search for Thorn, it will be me.”

She struggled in his arms until he loosened them enough for her to lean back and see into his face. The anger she saw there made no sense. It was a sound plan. However, she had no objection if he chose to take over the investigation.

“That’s a wonderful idea. I had thought that the women I knew might not be acquainted with a man of Mr. Thorn’s ilk. You, on the other hand, can disguise yourself as a common gamester or something and ferret out the information.” Her easy acquiescence to him taking over this part of the investigation should soothe him.

It did not. “I’m not a bloody ferret.”

“I understand.” Ian’s inconsistency annoyed her, but she did not argue with him.

“Well, if you don’t think you can find Mr. Thorn, then we will have to revert to the original plan.”

Ian caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Let us get one matter straight, Belle. You are no going anywhere near the stews.” The furious set of his jaw did not suggest she disagree with him. She ignored it. “If I don’t, then how are we to find him? You cannot be thinking of hiring a Bow Street Runner. There could be a scandal and that is exactly what Diana is trying to avoid.”

“Promise me, Belle.”

She stared into his implacable eyes. It occurred to her that even a modern woman of the nineteenth century could have difficulty asserting herself with a man like Ian.

“Very well.” She sighed to let him know what she thought of his demand. “I promise.”

He smiled. “I will find Thorn.”

She ground her teeth. Isn’t that exactly what she had suggested? Men could be so stubborn. “What a wonderful idea.”

“Ye needna take that sarcastic tone with me, lass.” She disagreed. It was much preferable to shooting him.

He kissed her gently and eased back. “We had best be headed back. I dinna want your aunt sending out a search party.”

On the way home, once again ensconced in the blanket, Annabelle’s heart beat with a mixture of delight and dread. She was going to marry the man that she loved. She was also going to marry a man who believed in passion, but thought love a romantic illusion.

She and Ian returned from their trip to the Inn to discover not only Lady Beauford waiting impatiently for their return, but Robert, Diana and Ceddy as well. Robert had opened his mouth to ring a peal over Annabelle, only to be checked by Ian with an announcement of the engagement.

Her earlier prediction of her aunt’s reaction proved to be correct. Lady Beauford gave Annabelle and Ian a satisfied smile. “So, you have finally come to your senses.” Annabelle grimaced at her aunt’s words. She truly hoped what she was doing was sensible. She had the terrible feeling that she had made a huge wager and had no clue of the outcome. It felt like someone had her marker and would come to collect when she least expected.

“I say, that’s capital news.” Ceddy patted Ian on the back. “When’s the nuptials going to take place, eh what?”

Annabelle answered. “Not for a while.”

“We’ll post the banns this Sunday.” Ian contradicted her.

“That would put the wedding at less than a month away.” Diana’s scandalized tones echoed Annabelle’s shocked thoughts. She needed more time. She hoped that over their engagement, Ian would come to love her. Three and a half weeks

was not nearly enough time.

Lady Beauford started up from her chair at Ian’s words. “Impossible. We cannot prepare a society wedding in that amount of time. Annabelle will need six months at least.”

“I will be taking Annabelle to Graenfrae in a month. We can be wed here or wait until we reach my home.”

Annabelle glared at him. “Do I not get any say in this?” Ian turned to her, his face an imperturbable mask. “You already agreed to become my wife. You gave me your word.”

“Yes, but—”

Ian did not let her finish.

“When we marry should be of little import to you.”

“That’s ludicrous. Naturally it matters when we marry. I will not be rushed into a hasty wedding.” She nodded her head for emphasis.

Ian’s impassive face broke into a smile. “I’m not proposing a runaway trip to Gretna Green, lass. A month is sufficient time to plan a wedding.” Lady Beauford snorted. “Spoken like a gentleman. Much they know about it.” Robert asked, “Will that give your family enough time to make the trip?”

“They won’t be coming.” Ian’s words brooked no argument.

Annabelle did not understand. “Why not?”

“They are still in mourning, don’t you know,” Ceddy answered.

Robert agreed. “Of course. The earl’s will forced Ian not to observe the year of mourning, but it would be highly improper for his family to attend a society wedding in London before the year is up.”

“Propriety is undoubtedly all that matters. Showing family support and loyalty comes in a poor second.” Diana’s outburst shocked everyone into speechlessness.

“It’s hardly that dire, m’dear. Annabelle will have sufficient opportunity to meet her in-laws in due course.”

Diana’s eyes glistened. “Without doubt.”

Annabelle wished she could strangle her brother. He didn’t know about Mr. Thorn, but he needn’t be so bloody correct all of the time either.

Robert looked completely baffled. Lady Beauford drew Diana to sit on the settee next to her. “There, there, dear. One must expect to be a bit emotional during this time.