Infinitely My Marquess Read online

  “My father has his faults, and yes, I realize they are numerous, but he is still my father.”

  “And you love him?” He finished for her. Ryan wasn’t so delusional about his own family. There was one of them that deserved his devotion. “Or something like that?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” she replied, surprising him. “But there have been times I’ve tolerated him.”

  Ryan couldn’t stop the burst of laughter that came out of him. He was starting to like Lady Annalise, and that couldn’t be a good sign. There had to be something wrong with her. Beauty and intelligence was a hard mix to find. As long as she didn’t have a cruel heart he might find spending time in her company almost pleasing. “Truer words have never been spoken.” He grinned. “And I understand the sentiment. I often feel the same about my grandfather.”

  She frowned. “I’ve met your grandfather, and I have to agree. He does share some similar traits as my father. Do you suppose that is a duke thing?”

  “I hope not,” he responded. “Otherwise, I hate to see what I turn into when I inherit the title. That rotten old bastard all but disowned Estella. I don’t think he has ever even met her, and I know he barely mentions her. The only time I recall him bringing her up in conversation was to berate her father for failing to produce an heir. I don’t think he much liked the idea of making me next in line to inherit.”

  Ryan didn’t care for the title. He didn’t want to be a grand duke and be one of the rulers of society’s dictates. There were much better things he could do with his time. He liked working and making money. Power could be gained if in a variety of ways, and he’d done so over the years. If his grandfather lived to be a hundred, he’d be fine with that. The old bastard could keep his title. Ryan would be happy running his business and finding other things to invest his time in.

  “Some men are like that.” She gestured toward the door. “I assume you’re here to see Estella. Do you want me to show you to the sitting room?”

  “Please do,” he replied. “Are all the servants like that one.” He didn’t mention the old man who’d first greeted him. “I find it odd they let guests fend for themselves.”

  “It’s more relaxed at Manchester,” Estella agreed. “This is my second day here, and it has actually been rather refreshing. They might seem incompetent, but they’re rather efficient where it counts.”

  He hadn’t seen that. Ryan would have to take her word on it. Maybe if he spent any amount of time at the castle he’d appreciate whatever it was that the servants did. He found himself asking, “How long will you be visiting Estella?”

  “Not long,” she replied as they walked toward the door. He opened it and gestured for her to go ahead of him. Lady Annalise did, and he followed behind. She turned to him. “My father doesn’t have a lot of patience. I’m lucky he allowed a short visit.”

  “It must be difficult living with such a harsh man and strict rules.”

  “You get used to it.” She didn’t look at him and kept her gaze forward. “The castle is large, but it’s not difficult to navigate. Estella and Hannah—Lady Manchester—can be found in the sitting room this time of day. Though it’s hard to say what they’ll actually be doing in there.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Don’t be surprised if you discover them partaking in unladylike activities.” Her tone had a touch of humor in it. “They aren’t normal ladies.”

  They walked down a long hallway, and then she led him into a room. A very large room that didn’t resemble a sitting room at all… Ryan hadn’t been at Manchester Castle long, but he’d come to a couple of conclusions: the castle and its occupants constantly surprised him, and his cousin could take care of herself—she was bloody dangerous with a foil.

  Chapter Three

  The happiness that filled Manchester castle resembled nothing at Annalise’s home. To witness pure joy and have to leave it—she hated the thought, yet she fully realized that, in less than a day, she’d be leaving it behind. She had never envied her stepsister in the past. Now though… She longed for what Estella had. The love she shared with her husband was pure. Even Lord and Lady Manchester had something special between them.

  “What has you so maudlin?” Estella asked.

  “Nothing,” Annalise said. “At least, it’s not something that can be changed. Father would never allow me to stay any longer than I have.” She pasted a smile on her face in the hope that it would alleviate Estella’s concern. “How long do you and Lord Warwick intend to stay at Manchester Castle? Does he not have an estate of his own?” That should be enough to distract her stepsister. She didn’t wish to discuss how awful her father could be.

  “He does,” Estella replied, and then chuckled lightly. “We will depart not long after you. Garrick—Lord Manchester was kind enough to give us a place to stay for a while. I have enjoyed it, and Hannah is a new friend I’d never thought to have.”

  “I’m glad you’ve found a friend.” Another item to add to the growing list of things she envied Estella for having. If she dwelled on it too long she might start to resent her stepsister. “I’m happy for you.”

  “You’ll find someone to love one day,” Estella said. “Your father won’t always be around to prevent you from finding happiness.”

  He’d be around long enough… Her father had a way of always thwarting any courtship from starting. She had no real chance of finding love. It was as if he had some way of sensing when a male took interest in her. The duke was determined to pick her husband for her, and Annalise refused every lord he’d put in front of her. They were all of her father’s ilk, and she would not tie herself to another man similar to him for the rest of her days.

  “That is true,” she agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever find love. Some people are destined to be alone. I may be one of them.”

  “My dear Annalise,” Estella said and then smiled at her. “Have a little faith and dare to dream. Maybe you’ll have a fairy godmother like I did.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “I don’t have a true love I’m being kept apart from.” In some ways, she wished she did. She’d never fallen in love or even understood what it was like to have someone love her in return. Estella had always loved Donovan. Annalise had no one, and she probably never would. At least as long as her father lived… “Love isn’t for everyone. I’ll be all right—I promise.”

  “Well, as long as you promise.” Estella rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so cynical. Sometimes dreams do come true. If you won’t have faith, it’ll be up to me to have a little for you.”

  She didn’t want to argue with Estella. Her time was already dwindling, and soon she’d be in a carriage heading home. Annalise wanted her final hours to be ones of joy not sadness. If it made her stepsister happy to have faith, Annalise would one day find love, well, then she’d let her. It was no secret she needed all the help she could find. With a father hell-bent on making her miserable, she would not alienate her one true friend. Estella had always been better at socializing then Annalise. Most of society believed her pretentious and unkind. Truthfully, she found it difficult to talk to people and came off that way. She’d love to have more friends, but had no idea how to build those types of relationships. “If a miracle happens and I find true love, I’ll know who to thank.”

  “See that you do.” Estella winked. “Now come for a walk with me in the garden. Hannah is resting, and I have no wish to spend any time with Lady Corinne.”

  “Who is she?” Annalise asked. “She’s not much of a conversationalist. I tried talking to her at dinner and she outright ignored me.”

  The pretty blonde woman had kept to herself most of the time they were there. She had been secretly watching Marrok, and her brother had glanced at the lady in return. Something had happened there.

  “She’s somehow related to Lord Manchester, or maybe it’s his niece…” Estella frowned. “I remember now. She’s Amelia’s aunt. That is Garrick’s young niece. Poor little girl lost both her parents. Lady C
orrine was her mother’s sister. Garrick lets her stay for long visits so Amelia doesn’t feel so alone.”

  “That’s nice of him,” Annalise replied. “It’s good to see a man actually care about his female relationships.” Yes, her bitterness poured out in those words. For her father she was nothing more than a bartering chip to use to further his personal gain.

  “Not all men are like the Duke of Wolfton.” Estella stood up and Annalise joined her. They walked out of the sitting room and headed toward the garden. Once outside, Estella grabbed her arm and said, “Don’t make the same mistake I did. If you do fall in love, please don’t fail to trust it. If they’re good enough to win your heart, then they deserve the complete truth. If I had explained everything to Donovan, we might not have had all those years of separation.”

  “It’s hard to say what may or may not have happened.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “At least you have found your way back to each other now. Don’t worry about me. If I’m lucky enough to find love, then I promise to trust in it completely. What’s love without it?”

  That much she completely believed. They headed down the garden path that was a wall of rose bushes. It had a variety of colors from peach, to pink, to a brilliant red. Annalise loved flowers, but she had always loved roses. They were so beautiful, and she wished she could have grown some in the garden at home. Yes, they had some roses, but not nearly the likes of those growing in the Manchester garden. Her father didn’t care as long as it was well taken care of and looked decent enough for him to show off to guests.

  “Estella,” a male shouted. “Are you out here?”

  They both turned at the shout. “Ah,” Estella mumbled. “That’s my husband bellowing for me. I suppose I should go speak with him.” She glanced over at Annalise. “Will you be all right on your own?”

  “Of course—don’t be silly. Go to Warwick.” Her lips tilted upward into a smile to reassure Estella. “I promise I can manage on my own. We’ll see each other tonight at dinner.” In the morning, she’d be leaving and probably wouldn’t have a chance to visit with her stepsister before departing. Marrok wanted to get an early start and return home as soon as possible.

  “I look forward to it,” she replied then hugged Annalise quickly before departing to catch up with her husband.

  After Estella was well out of sight, Annalise let her smile fall from her face. Her cheeks ached from holding that look of contentment in place. It was better than allowing her stepsister to realize the truth. Misery resided deep inside her, in full bloom, and it didn’t appear as if it would wither away. Her destiny was evident, and while she had accepted it, that didn’t mean she had to like it. In fact, she detested the path she’d been forced to take. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to untangle herself from the twisted fate her father had in store for her.

  “What brings sadness to such a lovely face?”

  Annalise glanced up, startled out of her melancholy mood. She met Lord Cinderbury’s gaze and was momentarily taken aback. He said pretty words and was by far one of the handsomest men she’d ever laid eyes on, but something about him unnerved her. Perhaps it’s because he’s so gorgeous or maybe it had more to do with the way he looked at her. Something in his eyes seemed far older than he appeared. As if he saw more than the rest of the world did...

  “I’m not sad,” she denied. “Lost in thought.”

  “Then your thoughts have brought that frown out on such a fine day. I’d suggest you find something more pleasant to focus on.” His lips tilted upward into a sinful smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Lord Cinderbury carried a little sorrow of his own inside of him. Sometimes like recognized like, and that made him even more appealing. Whatever happened to him in the past had left a mark on his soul. Annalise hated that anyone else might suffer wretchedness similar to her own, but it also made Lord Cinderbury someone she could relate to. How depressing was that? She felt empathy toward him and a need to discover more about him. What did that say about her?

  “You’re right, of course.” She didn’t smile at him. He’d have seen through it much the same way she would have. “But sometimes doing that isn’t quite so simple.”

  He nodded. “That’s true as well.” Lord Cinderbury stared up at the sky for a moment. “But if we don’t at least try, what kind of life will we end up having.”

  A profound statement, but she found no comfort in it. She couldn’t dig deep enough inside herself to uncover the strength for such an endeavor. Why try when her father would squash every possibility of hope. “I must admit I didn’t expect to find such sanguinity from you.”

  “Oh?” He glanced down at her and lifted a brow. “Pray tell, what is it you did expect from me?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know that I had any, but if I did, I’d have said you were more of the brooding type. You don’t strike me as a gentleman who embraces his cheerful side.”

  “Normally, I don’t,” he admitted. “But since I’ve come here something inside of me seems—lighter. Maybe it was finally seeing Estella again and being reassured of her happiness. I haven’t seen her since her father died and the title passed on to me. I’ve worried about her.”

  Annalise tilted her head and studied him. “I never knew her father. Estella didn’t come into my life until some time after that. She spoke of you whenever father wasn’t around. I admit, it made me curious about you. What made you so special to her?”

  She’d never voiced that aloud. Marrok was protective of her, and they had a congenial relationship, but she often wondered if he’d come to her aid if it were needed. She’d like to believe he would; however, with her father in control, it might not be in his power to do so. Her brother was at her father’s mercy as well, and the duke liked to control those he deemed his.

  “I’m not special,” he said quietly. “I’m merely a man, nothing more, nothing less.”

  “And yet,” Annalise began. “Estella holds you in the highest regard. There’s no better compliment or recommendation a person can receive. She is an excellent judge of character.”

  When Estella had fallen in love with Lord Warwick, Annalise already knew he’d be a good man. He’d been so besotted with her stepsister. There was no other gentleman for Estella after their first meeting. Suitor after suitor would attempt to court her, but she’d denied every one of them. That alone had irritated Annalise’s father. But it had given her hope when none could be found. Estella had seen through all the other swains out to win her hand. Maybe Annalise would be able to find her prince amongst the sea of scoundrels in the midst of society. Sadly, she never had. She’d be alone forever. If she were lucky enough to find her one true love, she’d have him meet Estella. She trusted no other to discover a man’s true worth.

  “I fear I must agree with you again. She surrounds herself with people who are worthy of her.” Lord Cinderbury reached over and plucked a red rose from a bush. He carefully removed the thorns and then presented it to her. “A flower for a lovely lady—maybe it’ll give you something to smile about.”

  A slow smile formed as she met his gaze. He was a charming gentleman and oh, so tempting. “Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He seemed rather pleased with himself. “Would you like me to escort you inside or would you prefer to enjoy the lovely weather while it lasts?”

  Annalise nodded. “I am rather fatigued, and I would like to rest before dinner.”

  He held out his arm, and she placed her hand on it. They walked in silence back into the house. Lord Cinderbury was an enigma she wanted to solve. Was he really so wonderful, or did his charm mask a soul too wounded to find true happiness? Maybe it was a little of both. They did seem to bond over a shared history of unhappiness, and Annalise wasn’t a stranger to mixed emotions. She wished she could find more time to spend with him. Sadly, after dinner, she’d probably never see him again…

  Chapter Four

  Ryan wandered into what was supposed to be the sitting room for Lady Manchester, but she’d converted
it into a fencing parlor. He planned on leaving after breakfast, but had been delayed by Lord Warwick and Lord Manchester. They had gone riding on the estate, giving Ryan a chance to become more acquainted with the two gentlemen. He liked them quite a bit and wanted to further the friendship. Especially since his cousin had married Lord Warwick—Estella had chosen wisely by marrying him.

  He’d just come back from his ride with them, and now he was in search of Estella to say goodbye. He’d chosen to ride a horse from the Manchester stable instead of his stallion. He didn’t want to delay his trip home too much. Octavius had been well rested and should be all right for the long trek back to Cinderbury Manor.

  He rounded the corner to where Lady Manchester and Estella were embroiled in a fencing match. He’d discovered that the countess was enceinte and her insistence on fencing drove her husband mad with worry. Ryan didn’t quite understand how he managed not to pull all the hair out of his head from the stress of it. He didn’t know if he could handle watching his wife fence while she carried a babe—whenever he decided to marry, which wouldn’t be for a while. Lord Manchester had far more patience than he did.

  Estella and Lady Manchester parried. They were evenly matched, and he didn’t dare guess who’d come out the victor. Both ladies were deep in concentration as they battled with their foils and wits. Neither one of them had noticed him enter. They were so focused, nothing else seemed to exist in the room. As a spectator, he too was riveted to the match. Estella feinted left, but Lady Manchester hadn’t been fooled and easily deflected the corresponding attack. The sounds of the foils bouncing off each other echoed through the room until they both disengaged and laughed. There had been no clear winner, yet both were invigorated by the exercise.