Page 64 of Dare to Risk it All

Dear Vivien,

I am not exaggerating. He really is the most obnoxious, conceited, infuriating man I have ever met in my life. I shall be sorry to leave the Hall, for I have loved being with Greer and Elspeth, and Alana too, and have enjoyed my time here very much. However, I will not be sorry to part company with Mr Sylvester Cootes. His older brother, Lord de Ligne, is a charming rogue and adores Greer, and the younger is a dear creature, but Mr Cootes is like a stone in my shoe, and I can never be comfortable when he is at hand.

―Excerpt of a letter from Lady Aisling Baxter (Daughter of the Right Hon’ble Luke and Kitty Baxter, the Earl and Countess of Trevick) to Miss Vivien Anson (Daughter of the Right Hon’ble Silas and Aashini Anson, The Viscount and Viscountess Cavendish.)

27th December 1840, Rowsley Hall, Derbyshire.

On the 27th of December, in the elegant drawing room of Rowsley Hall and with her family, and the Marquess and Marchioness of Bainbridge, in attendance, Miss Greer Cadogan became Lady de Ligne, a fact that made her grin like a lunatic and break into giggles for little or no reason. She could not help smiling, and talking too much and too fast, and staring like a besotted fool at her handsome husband.

Lord above, but he was a fine sight. Every time she stole a glance at him, her stomach quivered with anticipation. Tonight, they would finally be alone together. No stealing away in secret to grab a few moments together. No fear of discovery. He was all hers. She looked up, watching him as he laughed with her mother, and a blush burned her cheeks as lust simmered through her. He was deliciously big and broad. His elegant attire highlighted a powerful frame but, despite his easy manner and charm, there was the unmistakable air of danger about him. He looked what he was, a man who had lived life to the full and knew every one of its wicked pleasures.

Raphe glanced around, catching her watching him and from the devilish smile he returned, he was well aware of the turn her thoughts had taken.

“Oh, run along, do,” her mother said, laughing. “Poor Gee. She looks like she’s about to burst into flame.”

“Mama!” Greer exclaimed, blushing harder than ever.

Her mother only laughed harder, perfectly unrepentant.

“Bonnie, you wretch,” her father said, rolling his eyes.

To Greer’s mingled relief and chagrin, Raphe took her mother at her word and lost no time in ordering their carriage.

The assembled company came outside to see them off. A merry party, full of laughter and inappropriate comments, they threw rice in abundance and did their best to make the bride and groom blush.

“We’ll be along in a bit, Raphe,” Bainbridge called out as Raphe handed Greer up into the carriage. “I’ll be in the library if you want any advice about how to go about things. You won’t weep, will you? Or swoon? Shall I send smelling salts up to your room, just in case?”

“I think I’ll manage,” Raphe replied, giving Bainbridge a warning look.

“Are you sure?” Bainbridge persisted. “Better safe than sorry. It’s no trouble.”

Greer smothered a giggle as Raphe shook his head, laughing despite himself. “Sod off, you silly devil.”

“Well, I like that. I was only trying to help,” Bainbridge retorted, adopting a wounded expression.

Ignoring him, Raphe climbed up into the carriage. Greer looked out of the window to see Bainbridge withdraw a large handkerchief and dab at his eyes.

“They grow up so fast,” he said mournfully as Dare snorted with mirth.

At last, the carriage lurched forward, and they were off.

“Thank God for that,” Raphe said with a heartfelt sigh, before turning to Greer. There was a bemused, slightly anxious glint in his eyes as he looked down at her. “Happy?” he asked, as though he really wondered about the answer.

Instead of answering, Greer threw her arms about his neck and kissed him. His arms closed about her at once, pulling her against him. He buried his face against her neck.

“No going back now.”

“I should think not,” she said, indignant at the idea.

He raised his head, staring at her. “You are the loveliest creature that ever lived, Lady de Ligne.”

Despite the sincerity of the comment, Greer had to muffle a snort of amusement. “Me—Lady de Ligne.”

“Indeed you are, and the title is ancient. I insist you carry it with all the gravity and pride that generations before you have done.”

He sounded so intense that Greer started in shock, wondering how on earth she’d manage it. And then he burst out laughing.

“Oh, love. The look on your face.” He doubled over, dissolving with glee.