Knight of My Dreams by Lynsay Sands Page A

plan?” Elizabeth asked dryly.
    â€œâ€™Twas a long winter, was it not?” came Lady Fairley’s response. “And ’tis always nice to have a project to occupy the mind during such long, bitter winters.”
    â€œHmm.” Lady Houghton shook her head at her friend’s antics, watching her draw up a list of ways to encourage grandchildren. “Did I not hear you vow mere moments ago never again to interfere in the lives of our children?”
    â€œOh, well. And I shan’t . . . except for ensuring that I get grandbabies.”
    â€œBut you swore on your honor.” Lady Houghton taunted.
    Margaret gave her a dry look. “Elizabeth, darling, you know that a mother lets nothing, not even her own needs, not even her honor, stand in the way of her child’s happiness . . . and getting her grandbabies.”
    â€œA lice!” Jonathan leaped to his feet the moment he saw her approaching and silently blessed his mother for whatever it was she had said. Things must be fixed, for that was the only reason he could see that Alice would be there. He knew he was right when, as soon as she spied him, a smile bloomed on her face. She picked up her pace to run into his open arms.
    â€œOh, thank God,” he said softly, holding Alice close and swinging her around in a half circle before setting her down. Peering down into her face in question, he asked, “Mother straightened everything out? You will marry me?”
    â€œAye.” Alice laughed happily. “She explained everything, and really, she is a dear, Jonathan. You are very fortunate.”
    He goggled at the claim. “A dear? Fortunate? She nearly lost you for me.”
    â€œNay. She loves you very much, Jonathan. And were it not for her help, we would not be together.”
    â€œHer help? Ha!” He scoffed at the very idea. “She did everything in her power to turn my attentions away from you. Had I listened to her, we never would have even met. Why, that first morning, she did everything in her power to dissuade me from accompanying her to the gardens where she was to meet you, your mother, and uncle.”
    â€œWhich only made you more determined to accompany her,” Alice pointed out gently.
    Jonathan stopped his pacing to turn slowly toward Alice. The truth dawned on him. “She manipulated me.”
    Alice nodded apologetically. “She knew that if she asked you to accompany her to meet the daughter of a friend, you would balk. And that if she acted at all as if she thought I was suitable, you would find some excuse not to be interested in me. So she—”
    â€œPlayed me false. She acted as though you were thoroughly unsuitable in her opinion and . . .” He narrowed his eyes. “Your uncle?”
    â€œA trick, I fear,” she admitted with more apology. “His attentions were false, something they stirred up between the three of them. It was intended to keep you around us long enough for you to get to know me.”
    â€œYour mother was in on this, too?” he asked in horror.
    â€œWell . . .” Alice grimaced. “Your mother said that she was not, but I suspect she was: Mama is the only one who could have convinced Uncle James to participate.”
    â€œDamn.” Jonathan sank slowly to sit on the bench. Alice peered at him, obviously worried.
    â€œJonathan? Are you all right? Has this changed things? Do you not wish to marry me after all?”
    â€œWhat?” He glanced at her distractedly; then what she had said sank in. He leaped to his feet again. “Nay! I mean, aye! Aye, of course I still want to marry you. I just . . . well, I—” He made a face. “It is discomfiting to know I am so easily played by the woman.”
    Alice seemed amused by that comment when he suddenly whirled on her. “Did she admit to involvement in getting the king to order me to marry?”
    â€œEr . . . well, no.