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Lord Rake's Bride

Laura Mills-Alcott

England, 1827

Gray watched as pink and orange hues replaced the night and streamed into the chamber as the sun peeked over the horizon.

He'd had no intention of lingering in Diana's chamber so long. He'd thought only to fulfill his promise to her, his own need, and then be gone, without thinking any more on it. But then, he hadn't expected to feel anything. He never had before, and Grayson Ellsworth had had more than his share of beautiful women.

So why was this different? What, exactly, was it he felt?

Diana inched closer in her sleep. Gray marveled at the perfect fit of her body against his – the feel of her legs entwined around his own. He wrapped his arms further around her, so that there was no space left between them, and brushed a stray lock from her cheek. Then he nuzzled his face into her long auburn ringlets, placed a kiss to the top of her head, and drank in the sweet fragrance of Diana.

Damn, this woman was a complication in a life already filled to the brim with them.

She'd always been a complication – the little girl that tagged along wherever he went, who proposed to him when she was seven, who pouted when he ignored her, and who teased and taunted him in front of his friends, dubbing him Lord Rake.

She was the child he'd married more than four years earlier, abruptly ending his reign as London's most notorious womanizer.

A marriage of convenience, contrived by her own mother and his, when a plan to kidnap her, force her into marriage, and steal her fortune had been discovered. He'd agreed to the marriage, in name only, and he'd agreed to claim himself unable to consummate the marriage, so the marriage could be annulled when the time came. The temporary embarrassment of the public revelation was a small price to pay, considering the Duchess of Bradenshire had signed over one half of Diana's inheritance as payment, in return for his protection. And that money had helped him rebuild the family holdings, left bankrupt with his father's death, to their former grandeur.

Only fourteen when they'd married, Diana had been thrust into a lonely existence as the Marchioness of Ellsworth, confined on England's west coast at Stratford Hall, while he spent most of his time in a London flat.

At first, he'd stayed in London for the purpose of business, with the intention of taking a mistress to make the prison of marriage an easier sentence. Gray occupied himself with financial affairs, and found himself too busy to even contemplate those affairs of a physical nature. Later, it was his conscience that would not permit him to keep a mistress, while Diana remained confined at Stratford Hall.

During the first three years, he saw little of Diana, and when he did, he was too preoccupied with other matters to give her his full attention. By the end of the third year, Gray had managed to erase every debt, with enough left over to repay Diana every shilling, with generous interest. But upon returning to Stratford, he found the girl he'd married had grown up, and it had been hell on his sanity ever since.

It was all supposed to be so easy. In a matter of a few short months, he could be done with this farce of a marriage, and get on with his life.

But instead of becoming easier, now the complications were even more intricate.

First, he had broken his agreement with the Duchess of Bradenshire, and had given into the temptation of Diana only four months before the annulment was to take place.

Second, Gray could no longer brush Diana aside or ignore her. At nineteen, she was no longer a child, but a breath taking copper-haired, emerald-eyed beauty, who drew him in and threatened to consume him.

He looked down at the sleeping woman he held. It occurred to Gray that nothing had ever felt more right – and he'd never felt so scared of losing anything in his life.

What was this feeling that tore at his heart and exposed his soul?

Then it came to him – not the manner in which a storm comes, fast and furious and threatening. More like the dawn – not something one fears or hides from, but accepts without question and looks forward to with great anticipation. It almost felt as though he'd been reborn, and holding Diana, he felt truly alive for the very first time.

Grayson, Marquess of Ellsworth, was in love.

What would he do now?

**

Diana awoke to the bright morning sun gleaming through the long windows of her chamber. She blinked until her eyes adjusted to the light. She struggled to clear her mind fully from the slumber. Why was she so tired?

And naked!

Memories of the night before came back in a flood. She turned to face the other side of the bed. Gray was gone. Diana threw the sheets over her head.

Oh, what must Gray think of her? It seemed so right last night. Why did it feel like such a dreadful mistake by the light of day? Was it because she'd been shameless and brazen? Or because he'd left her bed before dawn?

What had she expected him to feel? She'd resigned herself to the fact that Grayson Ellsworth would never love her. She'd known the annulment would take place regardless of what happened between them. And last night had been merely the living out of her dream – to feel his love, if only for one night, and pray it would be enough to last her the rest of her days.

So why did it hurt so bad?

Because she loved him. Loved him in spite of himself. Loved him with all her heart.

Diana brought the sheets back down and faced the morning. It came to her that she had not eased the pain of loving Gray with her reckless behavior, but had, instead, made matters worse. She would not be able to remain at Stratford Hall another day, for to stay longer would only serve to break her heart every moment. She had to return to Braden Court, and forget her love for the Marquess of Ellsworth.

A soft knock sounded at her door. Diana hurriedly brushed the mist from her eyes, but before she could grab for the robe to cover herself, Amelia threw the door open.

"I've come to dress you, Lady Ellsworth," Amelia said cheerily.

But then her eyes opened wide, and her jaw dropped, when she witnessed Diana leaping up from the bed and scurrying to wrap the quilt around her.

"Do not ask, Amelia," Diana warned, trying to conceal her embarrassment.

Amelia's eyes darted to the bed and fixed there, on the tangled sheets that told the whole story.

Diana felt the scarlet wash over her, and dropped her eyes in shame.

"Lady Ellsworth!" Amelia shrieked suddenly, throwing her arms around Diana, nearly knocking her down. "I was beginning to wonder if there was ever going to be a marriage bed for the two of you!"

Diana broke free from the maid's hug. "Amelia!"

"Well," she said, moving to the wardrobe, "the way you two dance around each other, I am surprised it took him so long to claim his wife!"

"You should not speak about such things!"

"Maybe not," the pudgy gray-haired Amelia conceded, as she laid out a light green percale dress across the bed.

The door to Diana's chamber swung open again, and Josephine entered with two full buckets of steaming water, followed close behind by two other servants with buckets, and a third with bath sheets.

"What is the meaning of this?" Diana demanded.

"Beggin' your pardon, Lady Ellsworth," young Josephine said, setting down her buckets gently, while dipping into a curtsey. "'is lordship says we're to get you bathed and dressed and into the dining room for breakfast, so's old Bob can be removin' your things from your chamber."

Removing her belongings? Tears stung Diana's already burning eyes. Was he putting her out? Of course he was! He was going to add to her humiliation by having the servants load her belongings onto the carriage and escort her back to Braden Court. The very least he could have done was let her leave of her own accord!

As the women filled the iron tub in the corner, Diana dried her eyes with the quilt she still held tightly around her naked body. Grayson Ellsworth was truly cold and callous! A rake of the first degree!

She would be glad to be free of him and never look back.

No, she wouldn't. But that was entirely beside the point.

**

"Oh, come now, Lady Ellsworth! Are you certain this is what you want to be doin'?"

Amelia, obviously against her will, helped Diana into her cloak.

"I have never been more certain of anything in my life." Diana swiftly pulled on the black silk gloves, squeezed the dear old maid, and pecked her cheek affectionately. "I will miss you, Amelia. But I've been at Stratford Hall too long, and it's more than time for me to leave."

"I just don't understand, after –" she looked to the bed and then back to her mistress.

Diana feigned a smile, and forced back her sorrow before it slipped to her cheek again. "Amelia, there is nothing to understand. I would like you to gather the maids and Bob together, and have them fill my bags, and load them quickly onto the carriage."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And Amelia?" Diana turned back from the door. "Thank you for being my only friend these last four years. I really do not know how I would have survived without you."

And with that, Diana marched out of her chamber, down the staircase and toward the dining room. She resolved to walk in with her head held high, her voice calm. She promised herself she would be strong, speak her mind, and be gone. All crying would be reserved for the privacy of the coach as she was driven back to her mother.

"Diana!" Gray exclaimed, leaving his chair the moment she entered the dining room. Then his smile faded and his brow furrowed. He raked his hand through his black waves nervously. "What is the meaning of the cloak?"

"I'm leaving Stratford at once."

"Sit down. You will eat the food I've had prepared for you."

"The Last Supper? You can hardly hold me here against my will," she retorted, defiance set plainly in her eyes, and her fists firmly planted on her hips.

Gray leaped around the table, and stormed to the doorway where she stood. "I shall do just that, if that is what it takes, Diana."

Oh, why had she expected reason from a man who wouldn't know reason if it thumped him on the head and introduced itself?

She threw her arms in the air, turned on her heel and marched out of the dining room, headed for the foyer, determined to wait on the stoop for the coach if need be.

"Diana!" Gray bellowed.

She ignored him, quickening her pace.

"Diana! Stop at once!" he barked, harshly grabbing her arm until she cried out and faced him.

"Let go! You are hurting me!"

His grip lessened, but he did not release her. His eyes brown eyes grew black, and his low voice shook. "Just where do you think you are going?"

"Home, to Braden Court."

The sound of the team's hooves could be heard making their way up the drive. Diana tried to yank her arm free, but in one swift motion, Gray hoisted her high and threw her over his shoulder.

"What the devil are you doing? " she shrieked, beating his back as he began to ascend the staircase. "Put me down!"

Gray climbed faster. "I'll put you down all right. When I am bloody good and ready!"

"Blast you, Grayson Ellsworth!"

He did not reply, only strode fleetly down the corridor, past her chamber, and into his. Slamming the door with a kick of his boot, he moved to the bed, and dropped her there, with a bounce.

"You're despicable!"

Gray bolted the door shut and in a few long strides stood before her again. "Now, what's the meaning of this unwarranted attack first thing in the morning?"

"Unwarranted? How could you embarrass me so in front of Amelia, Josephine…Bob!"

"Embarrass you?" He rubbed his hand roughly over his chin and paced back and forth across the room. At last in front of her again, she saw the anger fade from his expression. "That was not my intent."

"What did you expect?"

"I expected you to be happy about it!"

"Oh, you did?"

Gray nodded. Diana slid from the bed and assumed her most aggressive stance.

"Well let me tell you one thing, Grayson," she said, shaking her finger in his direction. "I am happy about it! Deliriously so!"

"Then why are you shouting? You're making no sense."

"Why should I give you the satisfaction of setting me out? Have you invited all your friends to witness the event? Is that why you will not allow me to leave just yet?"

"Who told you I was setting you out?"

"Maybe you think I'm not very bright, but when Josephine walks into my room and announces I must hurry and get to the dining room so old Bob can clear my belongings out of my chamber, I know good and well I am being set out!"

The frustration dissipated from his eyes, and a low rumble started in his chest and worked its way up until his laughter rang throughout the room.

"Why do you laugh? Have you no heart at all?"

His countenance grew solemn. "You are right. It is completely heartless of me to laugh. Just stay right there."

He walked quickly to the door, threw it open. "Robert!" he shouted at the top of his voice. Gray looked back to Diana. "I think we can have this little matter cleared up in a matter of minutes."

"And you will allow me leave?"

"You will have the freedom to do as you please."

Bob arrived at the door with a click of his heels and a bow. "My lord?"

"I would like you to have Lady Ellsworth's room cleared out, just as I instructed you earlier."

"But, my lord, Lady Ellsworth – "

Gray cut him off. "Just do as I say, Bob, and I will take full responsibility. Now hurry, for it seems Lady Ellsworth is impatient this morning."

"Yes, my lord, as you say."

Gray closed the door and moved to the chair beside his bed and fell back into it. "Sit, Diana." He motioned to the be.

She crossed her arms over her chest and held her ground.

"Very well, stand."

He propped his elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his chin. In silence, he studied her face.

Uneasy beneath his dark gaze, she shifted her weight to one foot and then the other, and looked away from him. Diana darted her glance from place to place within the chamber to avoid meeting his eyes again. She was glad the room was thrice the size of hers, so there was plenty to hold her attention. But nothing could hold her focus enough to prevent her from feeling those dangerous black eyes, penetrating her, stealing the most private secrets from her heart.

Did he think her a foolish little girl to have given up her virtue for her romantic delusions?

The room was as still as stone. The seconds dragged into minutes – very long, endless minutes.

Why didn't he speak?

A timid knock at the door.

"Would you get that, Diana?"

Of all the audacious nerve!

"I will not play the outcast wife and the obedient servant all within the space of one day."

"Enter!" he thundered in exasperation, rising from his chair.

Diana looked to the door. But still, she could feel him watching her.

Old Bob peeked through the doorway. "Lady Ellsworth's chamber has been emptied entirely, my lord."

"Then finish the task, before Lady Ellsworth loses what little good humor she might still retain."

"As you wish."

The door swung fully open. Bob entered, followed by a dozen servants, each carrying an armload of Diana's personal effects.

She glared at Gray, her eyes narrowed. "You could not have them carry these things to the carriage?"

"No."

"I suppose you expect me to drag everything down the stairs myself?"

"If you wish to take them with you."

Diana looked on as everything she owned in life was placed in various corners, across the floor and along the walls.

"That will be all, Bob," Gray said, waving the dismissal of the servants with a brush of his hand.

Diana had never been so angry or disgraced. Her lip quivered and her flesh grew hot. She had no idea how to counter this wretched act of Gray's. Why would he be so cruel?

"Now what are you going to do?" Gray's voice came from directly behind her.

She continued to stare at the door. "What do you expect me to do?"

"Well, the way I see it, you have two choices." He took her by the shoulders and angled her to face him.

Still she refused to meet his eyes with her own.

"You can either remove every item of yours that is in this room, and load up the carriage yourself…" His voice trailed off, but she still thought she detected a hint of laughter. Gray composed himself and continued. "Or, you can quit being so stubborn, and start filling up the wardrobes I've emptied out, with your dresses and gowns."

Her eyes leaped from the floor to his face. Gray smiled and took her hands in his.

"I ordered that your belongings be removed from your chamber so they could be put into mine. I do not wish for you to leave, Diana. Not today. Not ever."

The tears were there again, ready to fall.

"Are you saying…"

"I do not want the annulment."

"Gray," she choked, his name falling tattered from her lips, "I thought…"

"I've been in love with you for some time, Diana. But I was too foolish to realize it, or admit it – to myself, or to you. But I do love you, and I want you to stay. If you will have me, that is."

He leaned down and brushed her lips with his.

She choked back a sob, and for the first time in her life, Diana was speechless.

"Tell me you'll stay, Diana," he whispered, as his finger lightly stole the tear from her cheek. "Tell me you love me."

"I love you with all my heart, Gray."

"Then I can begin filling the wardrobes with these dresses?" he asked, indicating the piles of dresses draped across the chairs.

Diana sighed, and pulled out of his embrace. "No."

The marquess's expression went staid. "But—"

Suddenly a wry grin graced her face, as she crossed the chamber and locked the door. "The dresses can wait."

Diana took his hand then, and walked toward the bed.

A smile replaced Gray's frown as understanding washed over him, and he could only follow where she led.

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