Hardly a Husband (Free Fellows League 3)

"Sssh, my love." He placed his finger against her lips. "I knew who she was. I've patronized her house of pleasure because it is convenient and entirely discreet, but I've never sought pleasure from her. I never shared her bed. And this morning I was there for an entirely different reason."

"What reason?" Lady Dunbridge fought to keep the jealousy out of her voice.

"Jarrod sent me to make sure your niece wasn't one of the residents there."

"He knows Sarah isn't…"

Lord Mayhew shook his head. "He did, but I did not. He went to great pains not to reveal her identity or even hint that she was a young lady of good family. When I found her card on the floor of his study, I assumed Jarrod had sent for one of Madam — " He caught himself before he said the name he was sure would distress Henrietta. "I assumed she was one of the girls who reside at Portman Square. But Jarrod knew better. He was terrified that your niece meant to make good on her threat. He ordered me to go to Portman Square to interview any red-haired innocents in residence and to make certain they stayed that way until he arrived."

"Did you?"

"I did," he confirmed. "I spent the morning playing whist with three innocent red-haired young women. And I'm happy to report that your niece wasn't among them."

"Thank heavens."

"I paid for the time I spent with the three girls so no one else could purchase them. We spent a couple of hours or so playing half a dozen rubbers of whist. For cash," he said. "It cost me one hundred and eighty-seven pounds of my own money and another one hundred and sixty-three pounds of Jarrod's money to pay my gaming debt to the girls and to purchase the freedom of two of them."

"Only two, Robert?" Lady Dunbridge was surprised. "What about the third one?"

"She chose to stay," he replied. "I tried to dissuade her, but she chose to remain. It was her decision. The point is that Jarrod sent me to protect Sarah's virtue. He isn't immune to her. Believe me, the kiss I witnessed this morning was a prelude to lovemaking. There was no doubt about that. Jarrod wanted her, but he stopped short of taking her."

"He swore nothing happened," Lady Dunbridge muttered indignantly. "He swore she kept her cloak on."

Lord Mayhew smiled. "She had it on. He had it hiked almost to her waist, but she was wearing her cloak."

"But he wants a lover and she wants a husband." She looked up at Lord Mayhew. "And I won't allow him to make her his mistress. I can't. Even if that's what she says she wants, because I know that is no life for her."

"You may not be able to prevent his taking her to bed if that's what she wants," he told her. "But we can ensure that he makes it legal."

"How?"

"By reminding him that he compromised a young lady and that I was witness to it."

"Forcing his hand?" She made a clucking sound with her tongue. "Oh, Robert, he isn't going to like that at all and neither is she. Sarah wants him to come to her of his own volition. And I'd rather it happen that way, too."

"I don't know if he'll ever decide to marry her," Lord Mayhew conceded. "But I know he'd agree to it if we forced him. He's too honorable not to. But he's having a very hard time keeping his hands off her, so we'll give nature a chance to take its course."

"How long?" she asked.

"When do you want to get married?"

"Tonight," she answered.

Lord Mayhew laughed. "Tonight is impossible, I'm afraid. I can't purchase a special license until I make a trip to Lambeth Palace tomorrow morning."

"I suppose I can wait until morning."

"Tomorrow it is," he assured her. "At nine?"

Lady Dunbridge nodded. "Do you mind very much if we keep it a secret for a bit?"

Lord Mayhew frowned. "For how long?"

"I'd like to give Sarah a bit more time to do things her way. Maybe he'll fall in love with her. Maybe he'll decide he can't do without her…" Lady Dunbridge paused. "I wish she could stand up for me tomorrow, but given a choice, I'd rather have you…"

"Then that's the way it will be," he promised. "Make some excuse to Sarah tomorrow morning. Shopping or errands to run. I'll meet you outside Ackermann's at eight-thirty," he said. "We can throw a huge celebration later after we've had some time to ourselves. I've waited twenty years, Henrietta. Forgive me if I'm a bit selfish."

"Oh, Robert, I knew you'd understand. And it won't be for long. I promise. If she can't make him fall in love with her, then we'll force his hand."