"I don't understand what you are saying."
"I'm saying that if I succeed, I will return within a year and make you my wife, but if I fail, I must give you up to one who is more worthy."
"Give me up? You are making no sense!" she cried tearfully.
"On the contrary, my love, I am making perfect sense. Earlier tonight, Lady Russell remarked that a man can change his circumstances with proper motivation. Your promise to abide by this bargain gives me all the motivation I will ever need. I must have your word that you will abide by this bargain. I must know before I leave this place that I will not ruin your life."
"You make my heart ache with both hope and fear at the same time, but my answer can only be yes, Nick. Know that I can only make this promise because I have faith in you."
"You must tell no one about us until I am in a position to formally offer for your hand, Mariah. Until that time, this must be our secret alone."
"Yes, Nick," she replied. "I fear I may burst, but I will say nothing."
He gave her a warm smile. "If we are agreed, let us seal this bargain with a kiss."
Not trusting himself again with her mouth, he instead raised her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers. He then upturned her palm and placed another far more intimate kiss that she received with a quiver. She was so wonderfully warm and responsive. How fortunate he was to have found her. He couldn't wait for the time that he could make her his in every sense. Even now, his mind conjured erotic visions of her lying sprawled beneath him with a sated smile on her sweet lips.
The moment he released her hand, the glow of lanterns cut through the night. The whinny of horses and ring of iron-shod hooves striking gravel followed, announcing the arrival of Marcus's post chaise.
***
Nick escorted Mariah to the servant's entrance, where she sneaked inside and miraculously found her way back to her room unseen. Closing the door quietly behind her, she flew to her dressing table and gasped at the shocking vision she presented in the looking glass. She was a truly shameful sight! Her eyes shone overbright, her hair was mussed beyond repair, and her gown was in total disarray. Yet, pressing her fingers to lips that were tender and swollen from Nick's passionate kisses, she smiled. She could feel no remorse. On the contrary, she wanted to laugh aloud with giddiness.
Although he'd stopped short of speaking the actual words, the implication was clear. He'd asked her to wait for him, to give him time to establish himself because he cared enough for her to wish to wed her. One year. She sighed. It already felt like forever.
Yet Nicolas Needham was a man of many talents. Surely his worth would soon be recognized and he'd be rewarded with an appropriate post. She hoped it would be soon.
Mariah snatched up a handful of pins in hope of making repairs to her hair only to throw them back down in dismay. She chose to don a lace cap instead. It was well after midnight. Most of the guests were already abed. Surely anyone who saw her would assume the same of her, that she'd been roused from her bed.
She was thankful the gown was a front-opening mantua that she could get out of without assistance. She kicked off her slippers and then removed the silk gown in favor of one in simple calico and departed her room, lamp in hand, to greet the new arrivals.
***
The footman had barely divested Marcus and Lydia of hats and cloaks when Nick met Mariah at the top of the stairs. Although she had changed her clothing, she still looked suspiciously disheveled. He hoped Marcus and Lydia wouldn't take note. For fear of betraying themselves, he was careful to avoid her gaze. He had no plans to tell anyone of their secret pact, not even his best friend, Marcus.
"Lyddie! You have finally arrived!" Mariah declared as she embraced her cousin. "I was so worried about you."
"Where the devil have you been?" Nick asked Marcus. "Bedford is in a thunderous temper. You have no idea what I suffered on your behalf."
"That bad?" Marcus shuddered. "I confess the thought of facing His Grace in the morning nigh strikes terror in my heart."
"As it should," Nick replied dryly. "Your mother was also beside herself."
"Didn't you receive my missive? I dispatched a messenger from the coaching inn before we turned back for London."
"Yes, I got it, but you revealed virtually nothing. Why did you turn back to London?"
"Let us say I discovered an urgent need, a matter I was certain would allow me no rest until satisfied."
"Given the circumstances, couldn't you trust me to handle it for you?" Nick asked.
"No, dear boy." Nick noted the exchange of looks between Marcus and Lydia. "This was a matter requiring my own delicate touch. Can we please continue this discussion in the morning? It has been a very long day and will assuredly be an even longer night." Another meaningful look in Lydia's direction sent a flush of color into her cheeks.