'However, I've no wish to break your heart by refusing, so will become your countess.'

  She expected him to get up, for the others to applaud, and then to be able to return to her rapidly cooling breakfast. Instead, he lifted her from the chair, drew her close and the next thing she knew she was being thoroughly kissed.

  Having his lips upon her own was a sensation she'd never experienced before and even though this was all play-acting she enjoyed every moment. Only as he raised his head did she see the triumph in his eyes and understood that by kissing her so publicly the engagement must stand.

  Being an intelligent gentleman, he saw at once she'd realised that he'd trapped her nicely. He also was aware that she was drawing back her arm in order to slap him hard across his arrogant face.

  'My darling, there are things we must discuss in private. Let's go at once to the study. I'll have our breakfast brought to us there.' He was gripping her sound arm firmly and unless she struggled in a very undignified fashion, she'd no option but to accompany him. He whisked her from the dining room and she was all but bundled down the passageway and into his private sanctum.

  Once she was safely inside he closed the door and leaned on it making absolutely certain she couldn't escape. So incensed was she by his cavalier behaviour she spun round and picked up the nearest weighty object and threw it at him. It was fortunate that her aim was poor, and his reflexes good, as the brass candlestick might well have knocked him senseless if it had made contact with his skull. Throwing one-handed wasn't ideal but it was her left wrist that was broken and she was right-handed.

  If he hadn't laughed things might have ended there. If there was one thing she couldn't abide it was being found a figure of fun by anyone, and certainly not by this objectionable, high-handed gentleman who she'd absolutely no intention of marrying now, or at any point in the future.

  She dashed to his desk upon which were a satisfactory number of heavy ledgers, inkpots and books all ideal for hurling at him. She picked up the first, an inkpot, and this time her aim was true and it hit him square in the chest. His smile turned to anger and before she'd managed to send more than one further missile in his direction, he was beside her.

  She was snatched from her feet, slung over his shoulder and carried willy-nilly to the sofa where he tossed her none to gently. 'Stay there. I swear that if you try to throw anything at me again I'll turn you across my knee and spank some sense into you.'

  'At least I now have a legitimate reason to reject your offer. My parents would never want me to marry a man who would beat me if I disobeyed him.'

  With what sounded like a groan he collapsed on the seat beside her. 'I'm a jackass to threaten you like that. I've never raised a hand to someone weaker than myself and don't intend to start now.'

  *

  Benedict was ashamed of himself – firstly for putting the girl he loved into an impossible position by kissing her so publicly and secondly for threatening to harm her.

  'If I could undo what I've just done, sweetheart, I'd do it. I am in love with you, that wasn't pretence. I've never been in love before and know that I'll never be so again. If I can't persuade you eventually to marry me then I'll remain a bachelor.'

  He was jolted from his wallow in self-pity by her grabbing his hand. 'You cannot do that for your brother's insane and for him to have the title would be a disaster.'

  'There are various distant cousins and I'm sure that one of them will take over the mantle when Benjamin kicks the bucket.'

  'Don't be such a milksop, I thought better of you. Are you the sort of gentleman to collapse at the first obstacle?'

  He steadied his breathing, didn't dare to look at her as the meaning of her words sunk in. She might not realise it, but she was offering him an opportunity to court her and persuade her to marry him.

  'It would appear that I am. If your intention is to goad me into pursuing one of the other young ladies then you've failed.' He swivelled and looked at her directly. 'However, I'm interpreting your comment to mean that you give me leave to attempt to change your mind. What do you wish me to do?'

  'I said no such thing, but I can see that a desperate man might believe that to be the truth. We must continue with this betrothal, but, as far as I'm concerned it's a false arrangement. I'm only doing so to spare the feelings of our parents.'

  'And to save your reputation – you might not wish to marry me but at some point you will wish to marry another gentleman who is more to your taste. It's wise for us to maintain the pretence until the other guests depart on the seventh of January.'

  She nodded. 'Also, I'm sure the bank won't foreclose as long as they believe a wedding to be imminent.'

  'Your parents have agreed that if we were to marry, they're going to convert one of the unused wings of this house into their own domain. The other will be converted for my mother and siblings. The central part of this house – chambers that we're using at present – will be our home.'

  She was unimpressed by this information and made no response. 'Do I have your permission to stand up?'

  'Don't be ridiculous, Thea, you'll do as you damn well please as you always do.' He hadn't meant to snarl at her but he was on edge and not behaving at his best.

  'Then, Benedict, either I return to the dining room and complete my breakfast or you fulfil your promise to have it served here.'

  There was a loud tap on the door and he called out that whoever was there should come in. Two footmen appeared with laden trays of food and another with a tablecloth and a smaller tray upon which were the necessary cutlery and crockery.

  In a matter of moments the octagonal table positioned in front of the window was set out for them. He nodded his thanks and the three young men departed. He was amused to see the last one out close the door behind him.

  The more time he and Thea spent unchaperoned behind a closed door the better as far as he was concerned. Even someone as headstrong and independent as her would eventually take notice and become aware that only by marrying him would her reputation remain intact.

  It fell to him to serve as she had only one arm working and to do so was a novel experience. He couldn't remember ever being in this position before. He was accustomed to being served first, waited on hand and foot, and it was a salutary lesson that he needed to learn if he was ever to convince this lovely girl that he was worthy of her.

  They were halfway through their meal when there was a second knock on the door and this time it was her parents. They didn't wait to be invited in – which they should have done – and were effusive in their congratulations.

  'Well done, my boy, now we must set about getting things in order and arranging a date for your nuptials,' Mr Watson said as he pumped his hand vigorously.

  Mrs Watson was embracing her daughter who wasn't given the opportunity to explain that the betrothal wasn't genuine.

  Nobody came into his private sanctum without his invitation yet here they were as if they had every right to be there. Is this how it would be once he was married to Thea? Would they be constantly intruding on their lives making free of his home? Had it been a catastrophic error of judgement on his part to invite them to live in the same building as he and Thea?

  Eventually the pair of them paused for breath long enough for him to intervene. He could have left things to stand as they were, congratulated himself on a job well done, but seeing his beloved girl so unhappy was enough to make him speak the truth.

  'Our betrothal is temporary, sir, ma'am, as Thea doesn't reciprocate my feelings and I have absolutely no wish to marry anyone who is reluctant to be my bride.'

  If he'd been speaking in tongues they couldn't have been more shocked by his words. 'What do you mean? You kissed my daughter in full view of your guests – if you don't marry she will be disgraced. I'm not having that. You might think yourself in financial difficulties, my lord, but believe me if this marriage doesn't take place then I give you my word that you and your family will be in the poorhouse by the time I finish.'

  Then Thea was at his side. 'You'd ruin Benedict for allowing me to choose for myself who I marry?'

  'He's ruined your good name by behaving the way he did. He'll marry you or suffer the consequences.'

  To Benedict's astonishment she slipped her good arm through his. 'Very well, I will marry him. You will settle his debts as agreed but you won't live here. Indeed, once I am a countess you'll no longer be welcome in my home.'

  Watson flinched and his wife wrung her hands. 'I see, so that's how it's going to be, is it? And what if I refuse to hand over your settlement?'

  The matter was getting out of hand. 'Sir, it might be best if you and your wife left Thea and I to talk. Threats and counterthreats are only exacerbating the situation.'

  Watson glared at his daughter, nodded at him and then marched out leaving his unfortunate wife to hurry after him. At least they didn't slam the door behind them. Once they were alone he turned to face Thea.

  'This is all my fault. I've caused a rift between you and your parents and can only apologise yet again for my reprehensible behaviour.'

  She shook her head and with a sad smile took a chair next to the fire. He sat opposite and waited for her to speak. They sat in silence for a while until she was ready.

  'It's my turn to apologise, Benedict. I've always thought my father a benevolent, caring and considerate sort of parent but just now I saw the truth. I always wondered how he'd become so rich and I believe it's because he's ruthless and will crush anyone in his way.'

  'I think he was just upset that his only child, his precious daughter, might find herself in disgrace because of my actions.'

  'Don't make excuses for him. You threatened me with a spanking but even though I reacted as if I believed you would carry that out, I knew in my heart that you never would. When my father said he would send you and your family to the poorhouse he meant every word of it.'

  'Why would he wish to do that when it would alienate you and very likely your mother too?'

  'She will do as she's told as she always has. Do you still wish to marry me knowing who your get as your father-in-law?'

  Now he was on safe ground. 'I'm not marrying you for your money, my darling, I want to marry you because I can't live without you. I pray that once the knot is tied you might come to feel the same way as I do.'

  She persisted with this theme. 'You would marry a nobody like me, lose this place and your position in society?'

  'Whatever threats your father made I don't think he can carry them out…'

  'He can and he will if I don't put things right between us. Money, despite the fact that people of your class believe it vulgar to mention it, is where the power is.'

  'I don't dispute that, sweetheart, but I do disagree with your opinion of your father. He loves you more than he wishes to cause me harm. When he's had time to calm down, I'll talk to him.'

  'Benedict, you're a good man and I'll marry you willingly. I just wish my feelings were engaged but, as much as I wish them to be, they are not.'

  Chapter Twelve

  Thea saw disappointment reflected in Benedict's expression and wished there was something encouraging she could say. It must be dispiriting for him to be madly in love with her, to be marrying her, when she couldn't return his feelings.

  'Please kiss me again. I think it might be different if it isn't so hurried or so public. We're both so far beyond the pale it hardly matters what we do in future.'

  He didn't need to be asked a second time. His eyes appeared to change colour, to darken somehow, and then his arms were around her and she was drawn so close that every inch of her was touching his hard, muscular torso.

  'Look at me, my love, I want to see your beautiful face.'

  She tilted her head, one of his hands cupped her cheek and then his mouth closed over hers. At first the pressure was gentle, sweet, nothing alarming about it. She relaxed into his embrace and things changed.

  The pressure on her mouth became firmer, then the tip of his tongue touched her lips and her knees almost gave way. A wildness overtook her, his kisses weren't enough and her one good hand was around his neck pulling his head down.

  Then her feet were in the air. She could scarcely breathe and when her lips parted his tongue invaded the moist depths inside her mouth. Then suddenly she was on her feet and he was standing several feet away from her with his back turned.

  'Benedict, did I do something wrong?'

  His voice was rough when he answered. 'No, darling girl, you did everything right. It's I that took things too far. What happened between us is something that must only happen between a married couple.'

  'Fiddlesticks to that! I can now tell you that I might not be in love with you but I do want to make love with you.' She was shocked by her immodesty and until that moment hadn't realised that she knew the correct words to describe what happened between a man and a woman in the bedchamber.

  He laughed but still remained with his back turned which she found rather odd. There was something niggling at the back of her mind. 'Oh, my word – I believe I know why you're embarrassed. I've seen stallions serve a mare but had never considered that the same process must happen to a man.'

  Now he turned back and carefully flipped his coat-tails across the front of his breeches. 'Are you eager to find out exactly what happens when a man and woman make love?'

  A wave of heat enveloped her. 'I am, I really am but it might be wiser to wait until we've exchanged our wedding vows. I recall a maid being dismissed without reference because she was in the family way.' She warmed to her theme. 'If you think my father wishes to destroy you now, I can assure you, Benedict, that if we pre-empt our wedding night, he'll want to run you through.'

  His smile warmed her to the very core of her being. 'Exactly so, sweetheart. I've taken disgraceful liberties with you and don't intend to do so again.'

  She laughed at him. He was so noble, so handsome, so desirable and soon he would be hers. 'I do hope that's not so, my lord, as I'm only marrying you so you can take as many liberties with my person as you wish.'

  'Baggage! I believe that you're going to run me ragged once we're wed. As you're here, let me complete the necessary paperwork so I can send an unfortunate groom to the curate. The banns can then be read this Sunday so we can be married on Twelfth Night.'

  'Something has just occurred to me that might be a problem. My father might now decide not to give his permission for us to wed. I no longer trust him to do the rational thing.'

  'He has already given me permission so any reversal of this will be ignored – he can make a complaint in court but no judge would find for him.'

  'Then shall we go to the drawing room and make it clear to everybody we're now officially betrothed and that they are invited to our nuptials on Twelfth Night? Perhaps we could have a celebratory meal tonight and then…' She couldn't think of anything else they might do and looked to him to make a suggestion.

  'It's a week until Christmas Eve – I was told last night that you had a scheme in place to entertain everyone until the true festive season starts. Let's compile a list of suitable activities for all members of the party – I'll be your scribe as you obviously can't write.'

  'I'm not left-handed so can write perfectly well, but I'm happy to hand that task to you as my writing is barely legible and the page usually covered in blots.'

  He'd ignored her suggestion that they leave the study and if she was honest, she'd much prefer to remain with her future husband than mingle with people she didn't know and, in some cases, didn't like.

  After an hour they'd compiled the clues for a treasure hunt, come up with some ideas for a card-based competition everyone could participate in, and had the barest outline for a pantomime.

  'I think we've left the dust to settle long enough, my love, so shall we venture forth?'

  He rang the bell and a young man, his secretary, appeared and was given instructions to copy out the list six times but to do so large enough so when pinned to a wall the items on it would be legible.

  She'd rather hoped they might exchange a kiss or two before they left and was disappointed they now didn't have the opportunity. He put his arm around her waist which was some small compensation.

  'I haven't given you a betrothal ring. The one I'd intended to use is something I purchased, but I want you to have a family ring but this, along with all the other jewellery, is being held by the bank as collateral.'

  'I don't require jewellery, heirlooms or not, I much prefer to be casually dressed and raking about outside with my horses and dogs than inside in a silk gown and diamond tiara.'

  'Devil take it! I'd forgotten about your dogs – thank God they weren't with us when your father started shouting.'

  'I asked one of your new footmen, I recognised him from when he worked outside, to let them out so they could join my stallion. I'm hoping that there'll be sufficient snow cleared from the paths to enable us to ride out tomorrow. Sinbad will be desperate to stretch his legs.'

  'I've yet to see this horse of yours. We'll go now. There's no need to return to our rooms as there are always clogs and cloaks hanging in the boot room. We can borrow from there.'

  'No, we cannot procrastinate further, Benedict. We must join your guests and hopefully my father will have recovered his temper and not do or say something to make things worse.'

  He dropped a kiss on top of her head. 'I bow to your common sense, my love, for someone of your tender years you're remarkably mature.'

  From the raised voices, laughing and chatter drifting across the hall everybody was now gathered in the drawing room. She moved a little closer to him, he tightened his arm, and reassured she pinned on a happy smile and walked into the room.

  A few people turned and nodded and smiled, but their appearance caused barely a ripple. 'Can you see my parents?'

  'I cannot and that's not a good sign. Sweetheart, join those at the far end and leave this to me.'

  He removed his hand then took hers and carried it to his lips placing the lightest of kisses on her knuckles. Even so small a touch sent spirals of excitement racing around her limbs. She might not love him, but she thought the physical side of the marriage would be more than enough to make her happy. There would inevitably be children and these were something they'd share and it would bring them closer.