She repressed a smile but couldn’t resist replying, “Rather fitting, I should think.”
The responsive flicker in his dark eyes might have been amusement, but the glance he gave her was unreadable. “Kell is actually my middle name, the one my mother gave me. Sean chose to use his Irish name as well.”
Any humor Raven felt disappeared abruptly at the mention of his brother, while her misgivings returned full force as a wretched thought occurred to her. Sean Lasseter would shortly become her brother-in-law.
Frowning, she hesitantly broached her concern. “After tonight your brother and I will be related by marriage. But I…it will be difficult for me to treat him with civility. I would prefer to have nothing to do with him.”
“I see no reason why you should have to deal with him,” Kell responded without inflection.
“But he may not consider his vengeance complete. I might even need protection from him.”
She saw Kell’s jaw harden momentarily before he spoke. “I will see to it that he doesn’t abuse you again.”
Deciding to be content with his assurance, Raven lapsed into silence for the rest of the journey.
At length the coach turned off the main road and onto a smooth gravel drive. The well-kept grounds were landscaped with lush foliage that offered occasional glimpses of the Thames River. And when they drew to a halt, Raven found herself impressed. The house seemed more a mansion than a country cottage, large and elegant and built of mellow red brick.
“Is this your home?” she asked Kell. “Or do you use it primarily for diversions?”
“Diversions?”
“I’m aware that gentlemen often have pleasure houses for the purpose of keeping a mistress.”
He glanced at her for a long moment, but his reply was less forthcoming than Raven could have wished. “This is indeed a pleasure house, but it is unoccupied at the moment.”
“Because you already have Emma Walsh? Is she your mistress?”
One dark brow lifted sardonically. “I offered to wed you, Miss Kendrick. Not to divulge the details of my personal life.”
Raven found herself flushing. “I simply wanted to know the circumstances of our relationship so I would not be caught off guard.”
“I believe we agreed to live separate lives. Are you acting the managing wife before we are even wed?”
“No, of course not!” Raven retorted, stung by the accusation.
Thankfully O’Malley came around just then to hand her down from the carriage. But it was Kell who escorted her up the front steps. As he ushered her inside the house, his touch on the small of her back sent a sensual shock rippling down her spine. Raven was glad he was eager for them to live apart. Enduring such close proximity with Kell Lasseter day after day would be unnerving in the extreme.
The interior of the house was just as elegant as the environs, not at all the sort of residence she would think of as belonging to a gamester…or to a gamester’s mistress.
They were met by a butler and housekeeper, who were apparently a couple. If the Goodhopes were startled by their master’s announcement of his impending marriage, they were too well disciplined to show it. Kell ordered Miss Kendrick’s valise unloaded and a bedchamber prepared for her, but he waited until the servants had left to execute their respective tasks before he spoke again.
“It may take me the better part of the day to arrange for a special license at Doctor’s Commons and to engage a clergyman. While I’m away, you can make use of the drawing room”-he pointed toward a door off the entrance hall-“or perhaps you would prefer to rest.”
Raven shook her head. She’d had little genuine sleep the previous night, but at the moment she had more pressing matters on her mind than rest. “I should write Halford as soon as possible.”
He nodded. “I will have one of my grooms deliver your letter.”
“If it is all the same to you, I would rather send O’Malley. I don’t care to trust such an important commission to a stranger. His grace is not likely to take the news well, and it would be better if only O’Malley were there to witness his reaction.”
“I suppose so.” Kell made a scoffing sound deep in his throat. “Halford is as pompous and stiff-necked as they come. I can’t imagine how you ever came to be betrothed to him in the first place. He hardly seems to be your type-Never mind,” Kell said curtly. “I can imagine. Doubtless you were enamored of his title.”
Raven felt herself wince. He wouldn’t understand her determination to make a magnificent match, or her distress at having those plans shattered. “I don’t deny,” she admitted, “that his title was one of his strongest suits.”
She saw Kell’s mouth harden with something like contempt, but then he shrugged. “Do whatever you like. But you may consider the staff at your disposal. It isn’t large, but Mrs. Goodhope can send a maid to attend you later.”
“I can make do without a lady’s maid.”
He looked skeptical.
“Truly, I managed to dress myself for years,” Raven said. “Servants were a luxury when I was growing up. Not until I came to England did I have anyone to wait on me.”
Kell’s dark brows drew together as if she’d surprised him once again, but he made no comment. “Very well, then. I will see you this evening.”
He started to turn away, but Raven stopped him. “Mr. Lasseter…Kell…I am grateful for your…sacrifice. I know this is not what you planned for your future.”
His mouth curled in a cynical half smile that was not unattractive. “I can only conclude my innate chivalry overcame my good sense.”
“Even so, I should like to thank you.”
“You can thank me once your reputation is safe.” He hesitated before giving her a pointed glance. “You realize, of course, that we will have to consummate our union. Unless you want there to be a question about the legitimacy of our marriage.”
Raven’s breath suddenly escaped her. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I…suppose you are right.”
His smile was humorless. “Are you certain you don’t wish to withdraw now, Miss Kendrick? The prospect of sharing my bed doesn’t intimidate you?”
She gazed up at him, at his strong, chiseled features. She was indeed intimidated. The scar slashing across one high cheekbone marred his masculine beauty and suggested he was capable of violence, while those midnight eyes were heart-stoppingly intense. His mere glance made her quiver inside-as did the thought of making love to him.
“It need only be once, isn’t that so?” she murmured finally.
“Yes, it need only be once.” The edge of determination in his voice implied that he didn’t relish the obligation any more than she did. “Until tonight then.”
With a brief bow, he left her standing there staring after him.
Alone, Raven bit her lower lip, wondering if she was making a terrible mistake by allying herself so intimately with a perfect stranger. Especially one so compelling as Lasseter. He was dark, dangerous, and handsome as sin, with a damn-your-eyes attitude that was inexplicably appealing-the precise opposite of the husband she wanted. Despite her every instinct of self-preservation and common sense, she was attracted to him against her will. The heat and vitality that throbbed from him set her every nerve ending on edge. And the thought of the night to come…
If her sensual memories of last night were anything to judge by, Kell Lasseter would make an exceptional lover.
Shutting her eyes, Raven made a sound of distress deep in her throat. She didn’t want an exceptional lover. She didn’t need a real lover when she had her pirate. For tonight, however, there was no hope for it. She would have to become Lasseter’s wife in truth.
She took a deep breath to steady herself. Surely she could manage to resist his dangerous appeal for one night.
Determinedly attempting to dismiss her chaotic thoughts, Raven made her way to the drawing room to compose what was certain to be a difficult letter to her former betrothed.
It took over an hour, as well as a half dozen drafts before Raven was satisfied with her letter to Halford, explaining how she had been stolen on her wedding day by a man who’d captured her heart long ago.