Free Bedazzled by Bertrice Small

said to her son.
    “I don’t want to get caught,” he replied. “I want to wed her, and bed her before her family can intervene. If we were stopped before I could accomplish those two things, the duke is quite capable of dragging India back to Scotland and marrying her off to some highlander who would know nothing of the scandal; and finding his bride a virgin, would be satisfied with the match. I must take her someplace that they are unlikely to look for us at first. But where?”
    “Take her to Napoli, to my brother’s house,” his mother suggested. “Your uncle Giovanni will welcome you at Villa di Carlo. You can marry the girl, and bed her to your heart’s content The Leslies of Glenkirk are unlikely to seek you there, for how could they know of it? When she has given you a son, then bring her home to England. Her family will be forced to welcome you then, Adrian.”
    For the first time in many years, Adrian Leigh embraced his beautiful mother. “You are so damnably clever, madame!” he said. “You have always looked after my best interests. It is perfect!”
    She shook him off gracefully. “You must convince the girl, Adrian, and, believe me, it will not be easy.” She sat back in her chair, and, reaching for her goblet sipped the wine he had earlier poured them.
    “Why not? She loves me,” he declared with the enthusiasm of his youth. Picking up his own goblet, he swallowed the cool red wine thirstily until the goblet was empty.
    “She loves her family, too,” the countess of Oxton replied wisely. “She will be torn between you both. You will have to make her choose you over them, my son, or you have not a chance, despite her feelings.”
    “But how, Mother?”
    “We must make certain that the duke and his family continue in their coldness toward you despite your charm and good manners. The sweeter you appear, and the chillier their reception, particularly if it is in Lady India’s presence, will only help but make the girl take your side. Do not at any time criticize her family, my dearest. Defend them, saying if you had a beautiful daughter, you would want to protect her, too, from what you believed was an unsuitable match. Remind her what a fine old family the Leighs are. Say things like ‘We are not wealthy or powerful people like your family, but we are honorable and noble.’ That, too, will make her take your part. You will appear to be a worthy and virtuous young man, held unfairly responsible for the wicked behavior of your elder brother, and your flighty mother, neither of whom you approve of, and would disown if it would not break your poor old father’s heart.”
    Adrian Leigh laughed, genuinely amused by his mother’s cunning. “You are absolutely diabolical,” he said. “Again I say it is a perfect plan, Mother, and I thank you.” He leaned from his own chair and kissed her cheek.
    “If she proves too reluctant, Adrian, you must make love to her in order to convince her. I do not mean you should deflower the girl, but I assume, from what you have told me, that you have only traded kisses with her so far. Caress her breasts. First through the fabric of her gown, and then, if you can, slip your hand into her bodice and gently fondle her. Be certain not to frighten her, however, else you lose your advantage with her.”
    “I should like that,” he said softly. “She has the most tempting little breasts I have ever seen.”
    The countess of Oxton smiled at her son knowingly. He was a great deal more like her than he was willing to admit. His wife would not be unhappy with him as she had been with her son’s father, the cold bastard.

    The king was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Candlemas Day, February 2, 1626. The queen watched the procession from a window in the gatehouse of Whitehall Palace. The king wore a white satin suit, but, overall, the coronation was an austere event as the royal treasury was almost bare. Only the generosity of several wealthy families, prevailed upon