His Willful Bride (Victorian Brides Book 1) Read online

  “You are, m’lady? I’ve never heard that before.”

  “No, and I could be completely wrong. He may be a frightful bore like all the others.”

  “I doubt that,” Helen said with a knowing smile. “I can’t imagine a man on a horse like that would be a bore.”

  “Perhaps,” Charlotte said thoughtfully, and as she watched the man pull his impressive horse to a stop, to her surprise, he gazed up at her window.

  “Look, m’lady. He’s staring up at you?”

  “I doubt it. We’ve never met, and he probably can’t even see me. He’s just studying the house. It is rather grand.”

  She watched as the man dropped from the saddle and handed the reins to a footman.

  “Do you know who it is, m’lady?”

  “I believe he might be Lord Pemberly,” Charlotte replied. “He’s the only one I didn’t recognize.” Hmmm, maybe I will be a good girl at dinner after all. A very good girl, or maybe I’ll be extra mischievous.

  Chapter Two

  Lord Edward Pemberly III strode into the elegant foyer of the grand house, and as he knew they would, the earl and his wife greeted him with warmth and enthusiasm. It was no secret why he was there. The earl had initiated contact, suggesting his niece would make some lucky man a most delightful wife and companion, and urging Edward to accept their invitation for dinner and an overnight stay. Edward had happily accepted the effusive request, but he had no illusions about Lady Charlotte Winthrop.

  Though they were not close neighbors, his valet, Reese, had long been friendly with the earl’s valet, Walters, and with some gentle coaxing, Reese had shared some of the scandalous stories he’d heard from Walters about the beautiful, but willful young woman. Edward had found the anecdotes amusing, sometimes alarming, and always intriguing.

  As he shook the earl’s hand and made small talk with his wife, a bird-like creature with oddly thin lips, he felt eyes on him, and lifting his gaze to the top of the stairs he saw a beautiful creature in a sparkling dark green gown. She made no effort to drop her stare as a proper, well-bred young lady should, but kept her eyes fixated on him in an almost challenging glare. It was Mildred who was the first to notice, and stepping back, she gestured for her niece to join them.

  “Charlotte, come down, my dear.”

  He noticed the corners of Lady Charlotte’s lips curl slightly before she began to move, and as she glided down the stairs he took note of her pale skin, graceful neck, and delightfully curvaceous figure. He could easily imagine stripping her down and casting his eyes over her corseted body. He did so enjoy gazing at a woman in her undergarments.

  “Lord Pemberly, may I present my niece, Lady Charlotte. Charlotte, this is Lord Edward Pemberly the third.”

  “Delighted,” Edward said with a nod of his head.

  “My lord,” she replied with a soft smile.

  “I understand I will be escorting you into dinner.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Shall we move into the reception room for a glass of wine?”

  “I would very much enjoy a glass of wine, so yes.”

  Hugo and Mildred shared a glance. Things were off to a good start. Charlotte was usually off-handed or unwelcoming at such times, and as the smiling earl of Cheltenham watched the couple walk slowly away, Mildred closed her eyes in a quick prayer.

  “Do you enjoy music, Charlotte?” Edward asked as they entered the elegant reception room.

  “It depends.”

  “Upon what?” he pressed.

  “Who is singing. I prefer a man’s voice to a woman’s. A man’s voice is full and robust.”

  It had been a bold statement, and Edward sensed a provocation. Already she was subtly testing his mettle.

  “You are a woman of strong opinions.”

  “Yes, I am,” she nodded, “and I’m proud of it.”

  “A woman of strong opinions is a woman of passion,” he said, lowering his voice. “Such a woman needs a strong man.”

  She had been keeping her gaze steadily ahead, glancing at the various guests in the room, but his comment made her turn and look up at him. Something strange had just happened. A funny flip had danced in her belly, and she could feel her face growing warm.

  “I do not, uh, I’m not sure I understand,” she murmured.

  A servant approached carrying a tray of crystal goblets filled with red wine, and apparently grateful for the distraction, Charlotte took a glass and immediately downed several swallows. The liquor left a red tint to her lips, and Edward suddenly found himself with an overwhelming desire to slide his tongue across the red stain, then sweep her into his arms and ardently kiss her. It was unnerving and rare to experience such an immediate and visceral reaction.

  “This wine is excellent,” she declared.

  “You have experience in wine?” he asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Enough to know when it is good or bad,” she quipped.

  “Another of your strong opinions?”

  Much to her chagrin she could feel he was getting the better of her, and his eyes, when they met hers, made her uncomfortable. Not sure how to respond, she said nothing and looked away, but she could feel his stare.

  “Tell me, Charlotte, do you have many young men calling on you?”

  He already knew the answer. He’d heard on good authority that when a potential suitor stopped by the home of the earl of Cheltenham to pay his respects and meet his attractive niece, Lady Charlotte could be less than charming.

  “None that I care for,” she said haughtily.

  “How must a man win your favor?”

  “That is something I must ponder,” she replied thoughtfully. “Perhaps I have not yet discovered it.”

  “Perhaps it is something about which you are just now becoming aware,” he remarked softly.

  “It is? What might that be, Lord Pemberly?”

  “The idea of enjoying the company of a man stronger than you.”

  She didn’t respond, but Edward witnessed a fresh blush crawling up her neck, and he was about to make further comment when the dinner gong sounded.

  “If you would, to the dining room,” Mildred proclaimed, stepping into the center of the room.

  Charlotte began to move quickly forward, but Edward kept pace, following her to the table and taking the seat next to hers. Still holding her wine, she finished the last of it as she sat down, then signaled for a servant to bring more.

  As the ten-course feast began, starting with a savory soup, Edward was amused at her attempts to avoid his conversation, turning her back to chat with the woman seated on her other side, but when the second course was served she was forced to face him. He was sitting to her left, which meant her food was served from his side.

  “The roast beef looks excellent,” he remarked as the meat was carefully deposited onto her plate.

  Lifting her eyes, she stared directly back at him, broke into a smile, then giggled.

  “Did I say something amusing?” he asked.

  “You don’t have to say anything to be amusing,” she replied, “you just are.”

  “I shall take that as a compliment,” he smiled.

  “Take it as you wish, sir, but I wouldn’t object if you desired to walk the gardens with me tomorrow before afternoon tea.”

  Moving to Edward’s left, the servant began to serve him the meat, but Edward paid little attention as he watched Charlotte reach for her wine glass and discover it once again empty.

  “Bother,” she humphed.

  “Lady Charlotte,” he said quietly. “I would be delighted to walk with you in the gardens, but on one condition.”

  “Condition?” she quipped, her smile instantly transforming into a frown. “What do you mean, condition?”

  “If you refrain from drinking any more wine this evening, I shall wander the gardens to your heart’s content.”

  Charlotte stared back at him. Men did not dictate such terms; no one dictated such terms, at least not to her, and she was about to p
ut him firmly in his place when she suddenly felt the strange fluttery thing in her belly.

  “I shall leave this entirely in your hands,” he said with a beguiling look in his eye. “If you drink further, I shall take it as a sign that you would prefer not to walk with me tomorrow afternoon.”

  The wine she’d already imbibed was making her feel slightly giddy. It was a feeling she thoroughly enjoyed. It made the tedious dinners with the tedious guests and the tedious conversation much more entertaining.

  “But you’re not tedious,” she mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, Lady Charlotte, I didn’t hear you,” he lied.

  “Oh, nothing, nothing important,” she replied, and feeling flippant and foolish, she immediately turned her back to him.

  Sitting across from Edward was an attractive young woman whose acquaintance he’d made when attending a charity event in London. He had found her warm and companionable, and while he’d had no physical attraction to her, he had found her conversation stimulating. Purposefully he reached for his water glass and was able to catch her eye.

  “Lady Jane. You are looking well,” he smiled.

  “Lord Pemberly, how have you been?”

  “Very well, thank you, and you?”

  ‘“London agrees with me. I’ve enjoyed being in the city,” she brightly replied.

  “We must make it a point to chat after dinner. When might you be returning to your country home?”

  “Soon, in less than a week.”

  “Then five minutes before you depart.”

  “Yes, we must,” she nodded.

  Hearing the exchange, Charlotte felt an odd twinge of anger. Lady Jane was stuffy and traditional. Why would a dashing man like Lord Pemberly wish to chat with her? Slowly turning around, she glanced at him, trying to discern if he was particularly drawn to the young woman across the table, and as she did she automatically reached for her wine glass.

  “Would you care for some more wine?” he asked, turning to face her and locking her eyes.

  She gazed back at him, unexpectedly feeling trapped.

  If I say no, will it make me seem weak? Too eager to please him? Does it give him the upper hand right away? If I say yes, and he still walks the gardens with me, then I will be on top. This is indeed a moment, an opportunity to score a victory. He is interested in me, I can feel it, and Uncle Hugo will put pressure on him. Surely I must come out ahead in this.

  Her musings had rattled through her brain in seconds, and with a slightly imperious air she nodded her head.

  “Yes, Lord Pemberly, I believe I would, and how fortuitous, here it comes now,” she said lightly, but as the servant reached for her glass in order to fill it, she saw Lord Pemberly’s brow crinkle. An unfamiliar feeling washed through her. It was like the strange butterflies that had fluttered in her stomach, but this new feeling wasn’t pleasant, not pleasant at all.

  Though her glass was full, she found herself not wanting to reach for it. Throughout the remainder of the meal she sent covert glances his way, hoping he’d notice the wine continued to sit in front of her untouched, but to her dismay, not only did he show no awareness, his manner had changed.

  He was removed, and made no effort to engage her other than the superficial niceties expected. By the time the last course was served, sweet cakes followed by ice cream, she was feeling quite dispirited. She wanted to find words to warm the chill that had descended between them, but her aunt had signaled for the servant to open the door. It was time for the ladies to retire from the table.

  “Perhaps I shall see you another time,” he said formally.

  “My lord,” she said quickly. “I, uh…”

  “Yes, Lady Charlotte?”

  “The glass,” she quietly stammered, “it is still full.”

  “Of this I am aware.”

  “Then, will I see you tomorrow, before afternoon tea, to walk the gardens?”

  “It is a matter I’m considering,” he replied, his brown eyes capturing hers.

  “Considering?” she whispered.

  “Considering,” he nodded.

  In a sudden, uncontrollable defiant gesture, her hand shot out, her fingers clasped the goblet, and she brought it to her lips. Their eyes were still locked, and as the liquid spilled against her tongue and down her throat, her truculent gaze did not waver.

  “You may consider,” she said curtly, rising to her feet, “that, my lord.”

  To her shock he did not scowl at her. There was no frown on his brow, no scorn in his eyes, only the slightest suggestion of a smile.

  “Goodnight, Lady Charlotte. You were, and are, delightful company.”

  For the first time in her young life Charlotte was utterly speechless. He was unlike any man she’d ever known. Confounding, exasperating, and wholly unpredictable, and staring at his dark wavy hair, strong jaw, and frighteningly wide shoulders, she decided he was also far too handsome.

  She could feel his eyes on her as she moved briskly from the table to catch up to the other women, and as she heard the men gathering to retire to the library, she shot a quick last glance over her shoulder. He was still seated, and still studying her. Embarrassed that he’d caught her looking back at him, she felt a hot burn across her cheeks.

  “Charlotte?”

  It was her aunt’s voice, and Charlotte recognized the subtle scolding tone. Charlotte had little doubt that the scene at the table, though discreet, had not gone unnoticed by the woman who was so determined to see her gone. Under normal circumstances Charlotte would not have cared, but the earlier events of the evening, and the threat of the rod striking her bottom, was still in the forefront of her mind.

  Oh, dear. Have I just made a mess of things? Lord Pemberly may be insufferable, but perhaps I should spend some time with him. At least it would give me something to do, and it might calm things down with Aunt Mildred.

  “Yes, Aunt Mildred,” she said turning her attention away from the dining room and moving forward.

  “Come along, stop loitering,” Mildred said under her breath.

  “Sorry, auntie.”

  Though Mildred moved quickly back to her guests, she thought she had heard a change in her niece’s usually impertinent tone, and had discerned a subtle shift in her attitude.

  Is it possible? Has Lord Pemberly touched her? Saints alive, please let it be. Whatever I must do to see this girl from this house, I shall do it.

  A short time later, Edward was in the library sipping a brandy and idly listening to the conversation around him. The men were discussing the latest innovations in transportation. Edward was enthralled by the motorcar, though he always enjoyed galloping his horse from his country home into the city. He had heard it would only be a few short years before the automobile would be available to the general public, and he was already exploring the idea of learning how to operate one. Though he was genuinely interested in the discussion and contributed his thoughts, he had another matter at the forefront of his mind. How to handle the situation with Charlotte.

  He was only there through the following day, and he wanted very much to walk the gardens with her, but he certainly couldn’t go back on his word. He would lose her respect, and she would most certainly be disappointed. A girl like Charlotte was unique. She needed careful handling, and above all, she needed to know he was reliable and consistent. If he said it, he meant it.

  It was when the small group were readying themselves to leave that the idea came to him, but he would need the earl’s approval and cooperation. With the man so desirous of seeing his niece married, Edward had little doubt that he could garner both. The men slowly departed, but Edward lingered, making sure he was the last to leave the room, and as he approached Hugo to shake his hand and thank him for the evening, he paused.

  “Sir, might I have a quick, private word before we join the ladies?”

  “Of course, please,” Hugo replied, hopeful the handsome man wanted to discuss further meetings with Charlotte.

  “Your niece is an inte
resting young woman,” Edward began, “but I find myself in somewhat of a quandary, and I would appreciate your help.”

  “Whatever I can do,” Hugo nodded. “I do believe she was quite taken with you.”

  “I did sense that, and I’m delighted to say the feeling is mutual, but if I may, I shall tell you my dilemma, and then my thoughts about how best to deal with it.”

  “Yes, please, sir, tell me. I am most eager to help if I can.”

  As Edward told him about the small scene at the table, then his plan to achieve the walk in the garden while simultaneously keeping his word and teaching the young woman a lesson, Hugo broke out in a wide smile.

  “If I may say so, Lord Pemberly, you are indeed a match for my niece. You have my complete approval. I shall make sure she will be ready on time.”

  “I am grateful, sir,” Edward smiled.

  “I am the one who is grateful,” Hugo replied. “Very grateful.”

  They meandered into the drawing room to join the ladies for a short while before the guests departed, and when Edward glanced across at Charlotte, he could see she was clearly tipsy.

  That last gulping of wine has done that to you. What a willful young woman you are. Given the opportunity, I shall take immense pleasure in reining you in.

  Charlotte looked up as the men moved into the room, and without meaning to, she caught his eye. The funny butterfly thing happened in her stomach again, and she couldn’t stop the smile that fell across her lips as she looked back at him.

  What on earth is the matter with me? He has such a strange affect. Oh, I do hope my uncle convinces him to walk with me tomorrow before afternoon tea.

  Chapter Three

  By the time Charlotte had said goodbye to the guests, and had been able to extricate herself from her aunt to retire to her bed, she wasn’t feeling well at all. Her head began to spin as she laid it on her pillow, but she fell asleep immediately, dreaming dreams of a gallant knight riding to rescue her from a huge palace, and whisk her away from the evil machinations of the queen who ruled over her. She was about to mount the knight’s noble grey steed when she was abruptly woken by Helen drawing the drapes, allowing the bright morning sun to spill into the room. Shielding her eyes, Charlotte grumbled in protest.