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Authors: Anne O'Brien
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overheard—so it is now the talk of the servants' hall.' She smiled a
little at his momentary discomfort.
'I see. Then I must learn
discretion and to guard my tongue. But I am no radical.' His eyes glittered
with a touch of humour. 'But, yes...of course it would be foolish to deny that
it is divisive. But is it insurmountable?'
'Would it be possible to
differ on politics, when blood is being shed in the name of King and
Parliament, but yet preserve domestic harmony?' There was more than a hint of
doubt in her voice.
'I have no idea.'
Frustration engraved a deep line between his brows. 'I agree that it is an
issue, but I find your safety to be a more pressing one. Perhaps we could beg
to differ on the powers invested in the monarch, but not be reduced to shooting
each other over the breakfast table.'
'I suppose so.' The doubt
was still very evident. 'But I would not care for you to suspect my loyalties.
As you say, we have no idea of what might develop to split families asunder.'
'Very true. Yet I still
believe that the advantages far outweigh any difficulties that may not even
happen.' Mansell hesitated a moment, hearing his own words, amazed that he
appeared to be talking himself into an alliance when he was by no means certain
that he desired it, whatever Lord Edward's wishes might have been. Why not
simply let the matter rest and let the lady sever all ties with the Bramptons,
if that was her choice? And then a thought struck him. One he did not care for.
'Unless, of course, you would find me objectionable as a husband.'
She glanced up, her eyes
wide, her hands suddenly curled into fists, hidden in the folds of her black
skirts. Objectionable? Oh, no. How could any woman find an alliance with this
virile, formidable man anything but acceptable? Those magnificent eyes, which
gleamed silver in the light. The strong wave of his dark hair. The strength
and power of his lean body. How could she resist such an offer? And yet she was
afraid. Lord Edward had taught her well that... And how could she possibly tell
Francis Brampton of her fears?
She
is actually thinking about it? His smile had a sardonic
edge as he waited. Finally he gave up.
'If I lacked for
self-confidence, my lady, you would just have destroyed it utterly. Would you
reject me as being unsuitable? Do you dislike me so much that you could not
consider matrimony with me?'
She shook her head,
flushing vividly. 'No, my lord. Never that. But I cannot imagine why you would
show such concern for my future. There is really no need.'
As she spoke, the answer
came to her with all the clarity of a lightning strike. Think, you fool. Don't be lulled by a masterful face and imperious eyes. Think
of how he would assess the value of Ingram House and Leintwardine Manor. Of
course he would not turn his back on such a gain, offered to him on a silver
platter, at so little cost to himself Of course marriage would be acceptable to
him! Even marriage to me! Perhaps he is no different from Edward after all and
simply sees me as far too valuable an asset to be allowed to go free.
'It is my thought that I
could do no better for a bride. I would be honoured if you would accept my
offer.' He tried for a persuasive tone.
'Perhaps you have not
considered, my lord. Perhaps you would not choose to marry again so soon after
your sad bereavement.' There, she had said it. Poor lost Katherine. She awaited
his reply, her breath shallow, barely stirring the bodice of her gown.
Mansell considered his
reply for a long moment. 'It is now more than a year since Katherine's death. I
have grieved for her. And the son I never knew.' The lines around his mouth
were deeply engraved as he frowned down at the tankard in his hands, but his
words were gentle enough. 'But you must not think of her as an impediment to
our marriage, a shade who will tread upon your heels at every step. She does
not govern my future decisions, as Lord Edward must not influence yours. Is
that what you wish to hear?'
'I
little at his momentary discomfort.
'I see. Then I must learn
discretion and to guard my tongue. But I am no radical.' His eyes glittered
with a touch of humour. 'But, yes...of course it would be foolish to deny that
it is divisive. But is it insurmountable?'
'Would it be possible to
differ on politics, when blood is being shed in the name of King and
Parliament, but yet preserve domestic harmony?' There was more than a hint of
doubt in her voice.
'I have no idea.'
Frustration engraved a deep line between his brows. 'I agree that it is an
issue, but I find your safety to be a more pressing one. Perhaps we could beg
to differ on the powers invested in the monarch, but not be reduced to shooting
each other over the breakfast table.'
'I suppose so.' The doubt
was still very evident. 'But I would not care for you to suspect my loyalties.
As you say, we have no idea of what might develop to split families asunder.'
'Very true. Yet I still
believe that the advantages far outweigh any difficulties that may not even
happen.' Mansell hesitated a moment, hearing his own words, amazed that he
appeared to be talking himself into an alliance when he was by no means certain
that he desired it, whatever Lord Edward's wishes might have been. Why not
simply let the matter rest and let the lady sever all ties with the Bramptons,
if that was her choice? And then a thought struck him. One he did not care for.
'Unless, of course, you would find me objectionable as a husband.'
She glanced up, her eyes
wide, her hands suddenly curled into fists, hidden in the folds of her black
skirts. Objectionable? Oh, no. How could any woman find an alliance with this
virile, formidable man anything but acceptable? Those magnificent eyes, which
gleamed silver in the light. The strong wave of his dark hair. The strength
and power of his lean body. How could she resist such an offer? And yet she was
afraid. Lord Edward had taught her well that... And how could she possibly tell
Francis Brampton of her fears?
She
is actually thinking about it? His smile had a sardonic
edge as he waited. Finally he gave up.
'If I lacked for
self-confidence, my lady, you would just have destroyed it utterly. Would you
reject me as being unsuitable? Do you dislike me so much that you could not
consider matrimony with me?'
She shook her head,
flushing vividly. 'No, my lord. Never that. But I cannot imagine why you would
show such concern for my future. There is really no need.'
As she spoke, the answer
came to her with all the clarity of a lightning strike. Think, you fool. Don't be lulled by a masterful face and imperious eyes. Think
of how he would assess the value of Ingram House and Leintwardine Manor. Of
course he would not turn his back on such a gain, offered to him on a silver
platter, at so little cost to himself Of course marriage would be acceptable to
him! Even marriage to me! Perhaps he is no different from Edward after all and
simply sees me as far too valuable an asset to be allowed to go free.
'It is my thought that I
could do no better for a bride. I would be honoured if you would accept my
offer.' He tried for a persuasive tone.
'Perhaps you have not
considered, my lord. Perhaps you would not choose to marry again so soon after
your sad bereavement.' There, she had said it. Poor lost Katherine. She awaited
his reply, her breath shallow, barely stirring the bodice of her gown.
Mansell considered his
reply for a long moment. 'It is now more than a year since Katherine's death. I
have grieved for her. And the son I never knew.' The lines around his mouth
were deeply engraved as he frowned down at the tankard in his hands, but his
words were gentle enough. 'But you must not think of her as an impediment to
our marriage, a shade who will tread upon your heels at every step. She does
not govern my future decisions, as Lord Edward must not influence yours. Is
that what you wish to hear?'
'I
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