A Bluestocking Christmas (6 page)

“
Your
mistake?” Anthony directed a baleful stare at Simon.
 

“When I was your age, I thought I was in love.” Simon’s body tightened as the past pushed its way out of the dark place where he kept all the humiliation of that time in his life. It still stung even after all these years. “She was a tradesman’s daughter, and when I proposed she accepted. The moment my father learned of our engagement, he made it a point to illustrate the difference between a commoner and someone of our station. I never forgot that lesson.”

“I’m not you, Simon, and you—”
 

“The matter is
not
up for discussion,” Simon snarled.

Tension knotting his muscles, he brushed past Anthony to stalk toward the sideboard, where he poured himself a stiff bout of whiskey. It was way too early in the day to indulge in spirits, but he didn’t care. Simon tossed the amber liquid down his throat and coughed slightly as the fiery liquid burned its way down into his chest.
 

It had been a long time since the anger and pain had flooded his limbs as it was doing at this moment. Images of his father and Elizabeth rose up out of the past to taunt him. His conviction that Elizabeth was beyond reproach had been so strong that he’d challenged his father to find fault with her. His father had done just that. The bastard had bedded Elizabeth and deliberately allowed Simon to stumble upon the two of them.
 

“Damnit, Simon, you can’t judge Miss Beecham or any other woman based on their position in society.” Anthony’s belligerent tone made Simon whirl around to face his nephew.

 
“I can, and I will, because my father taught me how easily a commoner’s daughter can be bribed. He made a settlement on the woman I thought loved me, and he bedded the bitch,” Simon said with contempt as he swallowed the bile rising in his throat. His father had taught him a valuable lesson, but he’d never forgiven the bastard for being his tutor.
 

“Bloody hell,” Anthony exclaimed in a hushed voice.

“I understand your fascination with Ivy Beecham. She’s an enticing morsel, but marriage is out of the question,” Simon bit out.

 
“I have no desire to marry her,” Anthony said with quiet, steely precision.
 

Frowning, Simon studied his nephew’s face for any sign of deception. For a man so in love, the boy was giving the woman up far too easily. He couldn’t remember the number of times the boy had waxed poetic about Ivy Beecham’s charms. The lad had given the woman his highest accolades, calling her lovely, pleasant, amusing, and kind. There had been more than a dozen different descriptions of the lovely Ivy’s charms.
 

“Did you hear me, Simon?” His nephew’s gaze was harsh and cold as their eyes met.

Simon expressed his satisfaction at Anthony’s announcement with a sharp nod. Relief sailed through him at the boy’s sudden about-face. At least his nephew wouldn’t be crushed when Simon made Ivy his mistress. And if there was one thing he was certain of at the moment, it was that he intended to have Ivy in his bed within the week. If only to prove to Anthony and himself that Ivy was no different that Elizabeth had been.

“I’m delighted to see that you’ve come to your senses.”

“I never lost them you arrogant bastard,” Anthony snapped. “I was never in love with Miss Beecham. She simply helped me find the means of writing poetry to Olivia.”

“Who in the hell is Olivia?” Simon stared at his nephew in amazement.
 

“The woman I intend to marry. In two months, I’ll be of age, and we’ll be married a few months afterward.”
 

“Where the devil did you meet this woman?” Simon glared at his nephew. “The very fact that you’ve not mentioned her before makes me believe you’re worried your mother and I will disapprove of her.”

“Olivia is more than suitable, which is beside the point. Mother needs to learn her place when it comes to my personal matters as do you, Simon. Would you allow me to meddle so liberally in your own affairs?”
 

Anthony arched his eyebrow with obvious disdain as he calmly met Simon’s gaze. Again, the youth demonstrated a maturity Simon hadn’t seen before. And the boy was right—
no one
would dare to interfere with his personal matters. He frowned with displeasure. It didn’t change things. He was still Anthony’s guardian, and he was determined to make sure the boy would make a match appropriate to his station in life.

“We’re not discussing me. We’re talking about you and the fact that the family has yet to meet this Olivia of yours. We know nothing about her, whether she’s suitable or not.”

“I’m more than capable of determining whether Olivia is suitable for me to marry,” Anthony said calmly. “And you and mother will meet her when I deem it appropriate.”

“When you deem—”

“Yes, Simon. When
I
think it’s the right time.” Anthony’s expression wasn’t that of a stubborn boy hell bent on having his way. Instead, the look on his nephew’s face was that of a man resolute in his decision. “I refuse to let you intimidate Olivia the way you did Miss Beecham.”

Simon almost laughed out loud at the comment. Ivy Beecham hadn’t been afraid of him. She’d been ready to roast him and serve him up for supper.

“I can assure you, Anthony, your Miss Beecham was far from intimidated by me.”

“No, you’re correct on that score. I can’t see her being all that overwhelmed by your presence,” Anthony said with a nod, and a small smile touched his lips before his expression hardened. “I expect you to apologize to Miss Beecham.”
 

“Apologize.”
Simon stared at his nephew, caught off guard by his authoritative demand. “Why the devil would I apologize for doing my duty as your guardian? What was I supposed to think about your Miss Beecham when you so profusely shared your admiration for the woman over and over again?”

“Don’t be a horse’s ass, Simon,” Anthony growled his impatience. “You thought the worst and didn’t even bother to discuss the matter with me. Now you’ve insulted my friend, and that’s all she is, a friend.”

“I’m still not convinced Miss Beecham was only eager to be your friend.” Simon’s jaw tightened at the growing realization that he might have actually misjudged Ivy.

“Miss Beecham did nothing more than help me research poetry at the library so I could impress Olivia.” Disgust darkened Anthony’s expression. “She was quite helpful, nothing more.”

“I’m certain she was.” Simon found it impossible to keep a note of cynicism out of his voice. “I imagine she saw you as the fatted goose all trussed up for the taking when it came to your finances and social stature.”
 

Once more, Simon experienced a nudge of misgiving when it came to Ivy’s motives. Perhaps he’d been too hasty. Doubt took a small bite out of him. What if Anthony was right? What if Ivy had simply been acting in the way a good friend would? He dismissed the notion immediately. Anthony was blind to the possibility that Ivy Beecham was without flaws. He didn’t like the idea of having made a mistake where she was concerned. It would mean an apology was in order, and he’d never been very good at apologies.

Turning away from his nephew, Simon picked up a stack of invitations from his desk. The woman might have thought to seduce his nephew, but she was about to have the tables turned on her. He would enjoy seducing the avaricious, but tempting, Ivy. Behind him, Anthony uttered an expletive.
 

“Miss Beecham was right, Simon. Your attempt to seduce her was the height of arrogance.” Anthony’s comment made Simon smile with satisfaction. So Ivy Beecham had realized seduction had been his intent. It meant she’d been disturbed enough by him to label their encounter a seduction attempt. The thought pleased him. He shot a brief glance over his shoulder at his nephew.

“So the esteemed Miss Beecham thought I was attempting to seduce her simply because I offered her a settlement to stay away from you. She was foolish not to accept the money if she knew your affections lay elsewhere.”

With a silver letter opener, Simon slit open the note card he held. As he pulled the parchment out of the envelope he stared down at the note, his mind focused on Ivy. Why hadn’t she taken the money? This time the probability that he’d misjudged her was far too strong a possibility to easily discard the thought. His fingers tightened on the delicate notepaper and it crumpled slightly beneath his grip. Behind him, Anthony uttered a small oath of disgust.

“For your edification, Miss Beecham doesn’t need your money. She’s wealthier than the two of us put together.”

“If that’s true, why is she working in the London Library?” Simon snorted with disbelief as he turned to face his nephew.

“Because she loves books. It’s her passion.”
 

Anthony’s voice was fierce as he defended the woman. It was difficult to fault his loyalty. He wouldn’t have Carlton blood running through him otherwise. As for passion, Ivy was going to realize there were other things besides books to be excited about.
 

His mind immediately conjured up the image of Ivy standing naked before him. The picture in his head wasn’t just pleasurable—it was arousing. Soon, quite soon, he’d make that irresistible image a reality. Anticipation nibbling at him, he returned his attention to the conversation at hand

“And this passion for books, I suppose Miss Beecham told you this.” Simon folded his arms across his chest and directed an arched look at his nephew.

“Actually it was Lord Asterly who told me.”

“Exactly why would Lord Asterly tell you such a thing?” Surprised by Anthony’s response, he frowned.

“Because I mentioned I’d like to supplement her salary with a gratuity. The old man nearly laughed himself into an apoplexy. He said Miss Beecham was Neville Beecham’s sole heir.”

“Neville Beecham,” Simon exclaimed, “The shipping magnate who died in shipwreck just off the Dover coast two years ago?”

“Beecham was her uncle.” Anthony nodded. “As Asterly tells it, Beecham didn’t know about her until she was of age. He’d been estranged from his brother for years, and learned of Ivy by happenstance.”

Simon winced at this new information. It left him in a decidedly prickly position given his behavior this morning. His jaw tightened at his behavior in the library. He’d insulted Ivy, and it wasn’t one of his better moments. Anthony was right. He’d assumed the worst and not bothered to investigate the woman extensively before rushing forward with his attempt to protect his nephew. Even his servants had never been treated with such disparaging behavior. Regret bit its teeth into him, and he found himself wishing he’d handled the matter more diplomatically.

His behavior would make it difficult to find his way back into Ivy’s good graces. Worse, it would make it damned difficult to bring her to heel. But then he’d not realized he would be making the woman his mistress when he’d made a point of offering the woman a bribe. He pinched the bridge of his nose in self-disgust. Without the lure of money, he’d need to find something else with which to pique her interest. Damnation, it would have been much easier for him if she’d been poor as a church mouse.

“And exactly how did Miss Beecham manage to finagle her way into the London Library?” he asked as he lifted his head to meet his nephew’s disgusted look.

“Apparently she made a sizable donation conditional on the library board allowing her to volunteer at the circulation desk.” The admiration in Anthony’s voice was difficult to miss.
 

“I imagine she caused quite a stir.”
 

Simon bit back a smile at the image of Ivy storming the bastion of the London Library. Given his encounter with her earlier, it didn’t surprise him she’d overcome any of the board’s objections to her presence. His problem was going to be how to overcome her resistance to his advances. Not only did he have his own behavior to overcome, but Ivy’s substantial financial portfolio was another issue altogether.
 

An inheritance of such magnitude always attracted fortune hunters. It would make her all the more guarded where he was concerned even in spite of his own wealth. In short, she was going to be a challenge. But then he’d never been intimidated by challenges. Quirking an eyebrow at his nephew, he shook his head.
 

“I’ll see to soothing Miss Beecham’s ruffled feathers, and you are to consider introducing the family to your Olivia.”

“I’ll consider it, but don’t expect me to change my mind until I’m good and ready,” Anthony said as he headed toward the study door.

“Perhaps, but for your mother’s sake, I hope you’ll give the matter a great deal of thought.” Simon frowned as his nephew sent him a steady look over one shoulder.

“And I suggest you apologize to Miss Beecham by tomorrow, uncle.”

“I’ll see to it that your Miss Beecham finds me most agreeable when I call on her.”

As Anthony bobbed his head sharply, Simon glanced down at the ivory envelopes on his desk. He picked up the invitation he’d laid aside moments ago, a plan formulating in the back of his mind. If Ivy’s passion was books, then he had just the thing to make her fall into his arms and his bed.

Chapter 4

Curled up in her favorite chair by the fireplace, Ivy jerked her head up with alarm as the murmur of voices in the foyer interrupted her reading. Guilt spiraled its way through her at the thought of someone catching her with the book she’d borrowed from the library without permission. With a quick movement, she slid the bulky book into the crevice of the chair.