Four Times The Temptation (The Northumberland Nine Series Book 4)

by Dayna Quince

  She sobered. He offered his arm, and they moved farther into the garden. Jeanie’s heart was in her throat. At any moment she expected to come upon her sister doing… She didn’t know what exactly, but if she’d been swept away as Jeanie had just yesterday, it could be quite intimate. She glanced at Luc. His teeth were clenched.

  If Georgie and Mr. Cage were caught together, they should marry. Mr. Cage was a wealthy gentleman. Wasn’t this good? Clearly Georgie had feelings for him, she would not otherwise be lured by a rake, but what of Mr. Cage? Could he be using her as Josie accused Luc of doing?

  He paused. “They are just around the corner.”

  “You saw them already?”

  He nodded once.

  She sucked in a breath. “Are they…”

  “Their dressed if that is what you’re asking.”

  It was and yet it wasn’t. “Do we catch them or warn them?”

  He took a deep breath. “It’s up to you. But know that Cage has always declared he won’t marry. Compromising them may not lead to the desired results.”

  She ground her teeth. What was it with these men? Well, she knew Luc’s difficulties regarding marriage, but what reason could Mr. Cage have? She was going to have a stern conversation with Roderick about the kinds of friends he kept.

  “Georgie?” she called out. She’d rather not embarrass her sister and talk privately about what was going on.

  “We’ll give them just a moment more,” Luc whispered.

  She nodded in agreement. Watching him, his blue eyes looked more green in these surroundings. She wanted to get lost in them and maybe…maybe just one kiss…

  His eyes changed, the color deepening. Were they sharing thoughts again?

  “That’s enough time,” he said. She squashed her wanton thoughts, and they continued around the bend. Jeanie gasped, partly because the delightful stone path continued across a pond where bright orange and white fish swam near the surface, but also because there Georgie and Mr. Cage sat, calmly—or attempting to appear calm—under a red-pointed gazebo for all the world as if they weren’t doing the very thing they should not be doing.

  Jeanie clenched her fists, angry and so embarrassed, but also ashamed because she was a hypocrite. She was not acting as a proper young lady should, but she was in love, and if her parents were any indication of the state, love made one to crazy things.

  Like birthing nine children you can barely afford to feed. And then fall pregnant with another after seventeen years!

  She frowned in disappointment. “Georgie?”

  “Quiet, we’re not supposed to be in here,” Georgie whispered and then smiled. “Isn’t it marvelous here?”

  Jeanie wanted to snarl. She didn’t believe Georgie’s false innocence one bit. She wasn’t sure exactly what had occurred here, but by Georgie’s high color and the dewy sparkle in her eyes, she reminded Jeanie of…herself. Just yesterday, after being with Luc in the tower.

  “We should be going. Josette is waiting by the gate keeping watch,” Jeanie said, not returning her smile.

  They filed back toward the entrance where Josie waited, the silence thick between them.

  “The path is clear,” Josie whispered.

  They exited the gate and the heavy door closed behind them. Jeanie turned to Luc because she needed him to take the lead. She was too distraught, too angry at herself and Georgie to think clearly.

  But he would know what to do.

  “If you’ll excuse us, I must beg Mr. Cage for an introduction to someone here,” Luc said.

  Jeanie grabbed Georgie’s arm and nodded. “Of course.”

  So they were to pretend nothing was happening? Her heart hammered in her chest. She wished she had his cool demeanor. There was a hardness in his gaze that worried her. Would this change things between them? How could it not? It was a clear warning, Jeanie could see that. But surely he realized what they had was different. The feelings between them too strong to ignore.

  But whatever needed to be said between them, it would have to wait. Jeanie tried to mirror his cool mask, and she and her sisters returned to the party. Meeting Georgie’s glance, she shook her head, not wanting Josie to hear what need be said between them.

  Later. The interrogation would have to be later.

  Chapter 18

  Luc and Cage moved away from the party. Luc had never felt such seething rage. Especially toward a man he considered a close friend, but this betrayal, the idiocy of his actions felt too close. As if Cage had personally wronged him, which he hadn’t of course, he was simply doing as men like them did.

  Pursuing women.

  But these weren’t just any women, and he thought he knew Cage better than this. He’d thought Cage a better man than to do something so low. He’d never pursued an innocent, and what astounded Luc the most was that it wasn’t just a tryst. Cage had been unsettled by Georgette Marsden since the start of the party, and in Cage, he saw himself.

  That was the most frightening of all.

  He’d had Jeanette under him just yesterday, moaning, sighing, begging him with her body for things she didn’t even understand. But he’d stayed in control, giving her the release she’d sought but taking none for himself, because he knew that unless he could give her what she deserved, his name, his protection, his heart, he couldn’t take what he wanted.

  Her body. He gulped. Her heart.

  He was shaking by the time he turned to face Cage. “Did I not specifically inform you to keep your prick in your trousers?”

  “I—” Cage swallowed, flushing with guilt.

  “These are innocent women,” Luc continued, his tone damning. “Maybe two weeks ago I’d find this amusing, getting involved with a country gentlewoman. But I know them now, and they deserve our utmost respect and honor—”

  “Stop,” Cage said. “What is it you think I’ve done precisely?”

  He’d seen enough. He could call him out on compromising Georgie and force his hand. But Cage had reasons for not marrying, damn good ones. And Luc wasn’t sure he wouldn’t be condemning her to a life of unhappiness if they married.

  “Taking her to the Paradise Garden? I know you, Cage. You can’t resist a challenge, and she is the epitome of an unavailable female. Your skills are legendary among our set, but damn it, I can’t let you do this.”

  “She’s not a Gemma,” Cage said.

  “What?”

  “She doesn’t have a preference for women over men, she simply has no experience with men.”

  Luc recalled their conversation at the start of the party. He’d suspected Georgette might have inclinations toward women, like a popular courtesan in town, but it seems Cage decided to put it to the test. Luc ground his teeth.

  “Which is double damning for you. What the devil are you thinking?”

  “I know I’m playing a dangerous game. But we’re friends. We understand each other.”

  “Do you? Because from my vantage, it looks like your capitalizing on an easy mark, and you’ll end up married to her or dead by Selbourne’s hand.” His own words rang in his ears. He could be accused of doing the same thing, but he wasn’t, he cared about Jeanette.

  He would marry her if he could.

  If he didn’t have his siblings to support, he wouldn’t care that the family fortune was falling by the day. And neither would she. She was used to economizing. She was probably the one woman who wouldn’t lament about their lack of fortune. She would marry him because she…because she loved him.

  A sharp pain pierced his heart. That was the truth. He could feel it in his bones. He could offer her nothing but himself and she’d take it. The realization struck him so hard he almost stumbled back. He focused on Cage and blinked.

  “Did you or anyone else see us behaving inappropriately or was it only that we were alone?” Cage asked.

  Luc folded his arms, trying to gather his wits. “I saw you two sitting rather close in that Japanese gazebo. It looked from my experienced eye like two lovers post-tryst, rec
overing their faculties. Her mouth bruised with your kisses, both of you flushed and dazed.”

  “As I said. We understand each other. Georgie isn’t like any woman you’ve ever known. She’s innocent, but she isn’t naïve and gullible. She’s strong and intelligent. She’s brave and—”

  Luc scoffed. Cage was in deep, just as he was. “And you love her?”

  Cage gulped. “Don’t be absurd.”

  “You’ve never spoken of any woman like this.”

  “You don’t understand. I greatly suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.”

  Luc stepped closer. “As your friend, I suggest you find your head and keep your distance. She may be all those things you say, but she is still an unmarried woman and honor dictates you marry her if you compromise her. Her sisters cannot afford to be scandalized, they’re already dealing with enough as it is.” He wouldn’t let Cage hurt them, even if it meant throwing away years of friendship. He had to open his damn eyes and see what he was doing.

  “I know all this. Georgie has told me much of her family.”

  Luc laughed. “Do you bloody hear yourself? Georgie? Shall I go about calling Miss Jeanette Jeanie as her sisters do or Bernie, Josie, Luna…” He’d already done it. As had Selhorst. They were all losing their faculties.

  “Enough of your teasing.”

  “Teasing aside, I cannot stress enough the stupidity of your actions.” And his own. He couldn’t go on like this. After this afternoon, it was all too clear he had to put an end to it.

  “I know,” Cage said, his tone ringing with a hollowness Luc felt.

  “And yet you still did it! Why don’t you jump off the bluffs? The result will be the same for both of you.”

  Cage turned away and Luc wanted to ring his neck, or his own. He kicked a clod of dirt and threw off his hat, digging his fingers into his hair in aggravation, tugging until his scalp burned. He let go and fixed his hair, yanking his jacket in place.

  He had to regain his control, with himself and with Jeanie. This couldn’t go on. One of them was bound to leave lasting damage in their wake, and Luc just couldn’t bear the idea of hurting any of the Marsden sisters.

  Maybe it struck a chord because he had his own sister to protect, and he’d kill any man with his bare hands who toyed with her emotions as he was doing.

  No, not toying.

  He was not intentionally leading Jeanie to false conclusions. He couldn’t control what he felt for her. It was like trying to harness a storm. It was far bigger and stronger than he was. He was just a man. All he could do was try.

  “Let’s go back and try to salvage this party, shall we?” Luckfeld suggested, smoothing his hair and dusting off his hat before putting it back on his head.

  Cage nodded in agreement.

  They were halfway to the lawn when the duke, Weirick, came upon them, his expression foreboding and his stride menacing. Luc cursed under his breath. Marriage and contentment had changed his personality but not softened his exterior. He was still every bit the pugilist who had traveled the world on the currency of his fists and survived near death after having an oil lamp thrown at his back, rendering him scarred and bald. Luc was glad for their friendship but knew the man would not hesitate to end his life if he stepped out of line. The duke considered the sisters under his protection.

  “We’re leaving at once,” Weirick said. “Gather any of our guests you find and inform them to return to the castle.”

  “Is something amiss?” Luc asked.

  “I don’t have all the details.” The duke’s gaze moved from Luc to Cage. “I’m sure all will be revealed once we return.”

  Luc bit back a curse. Trouble was afoot.

  “We should split up and collect as many of the sisters as we can,” he said to Cage. “I don’t want them to be treated poorly by any of Lady Kirkland’s guests if rumors are spreading.”

  “What rumors?” Cage asked.

  Luc shrugged, but it was more to ease the tension in his shoulders than display his nonchalance. He was far from cavalier. “Perhaps I wasn’t the only one to see you in the Paradise Garden.”

  Cage tensed. “I’ve never been caught.”

  “Until now,” Luc bit off. “I’ve caught you. Either you’re losing your touch, or you’re in deeper than you realize. You’re growing careless.”

  Luc went to gather as many Selbourne guests as he could, but the storm inside him, the one too big and menacing for him to control, was growing evermore and he was powerless to stop it.

  He’d felt like this before the viscount had died. Luc had watched him spend carelessly, gambling until he lost, building debt faster than Luc could try to pay it. They’d lost credit with shops, and Luc couldn’t even try his hand at investing to recuperate the funds with nothing to invest. The viscount had made sure to burn every bridge he could to leave Luc with an impoverished title and a worthless name with any person who might extend him credit.

  The only thing Luc could do was keep up appearances at social gatherings, playing his part of the future viscount—lest the marriage-minded mamas forget—and make promises that when he inherited, he would make good on all the debts. The value of his word was all he’d had left, that and the face God blessed him with. Which to greedy creditors was perhaps more convincing than his word. A titled, handsome aristocrat such as he should have no issue finding a wealthy wife to fill the coffers.

  He’d thought he’d long smothered his hate for the viscount. It did him no good, sucking up time and energy he needed to care for his brother and sister. But it rose again inside him, reminding him of all he’d lost, and all he would still lose.

  He’d never wanted love, had never even entertained the idea. But he wanted Jeanette, more than anything in his life.

  He could add her name to the long list of things he’d given up because of the viscount. A star close enough to tempt him but still out of reach.

  Chapter 19

  Returning to the tents erected on the lawn where most of the guests lingered, Jeanie and her sisters merged with another group, though Jeanie was not in the mood to converse. Her stomach in knots, she made eye contact with no one and waited for Luc to return.

  Lady Elaine, Lady Kirkland’s niece, appeared before them. Jeanie had met her at the start of the party.

  “I am so pleased to introduce my dearest friend, newly arrived from a visit to Bath, Lady Henrietta,” Lady Elain said. “She’s taken London by storm and rumor has it, has claimed the heart of the most eligible bachelor of the season, though”—she shaded her eyes and scanned the area past the group—“I don’t see him at present.”

  Jeanie chewed her lip. Eligible bachelor? Her mind immediately produced a vision of Luc.

  Lady Henrietta had a smile as bright as a full moon. She had brilliant blue eyes that matched Luc’s and hair perfectly curled and shining like pale yellow silk. Her fan was encrusted with crystals and nearly blinding as she fanned herself.

  “He’ll come around, I’m sure.” She smiled with such confidence Jeanie’s stomach dropped.

  She couldn’t mean Luc, could she? Jeanie didn’t know if he was considered eligible given his financial troubles, unless… He’d said no one knew.

  “No doubt, once he knows you’ve arrived at last. He won’t be able to stay away though he isn’t part of this house party.”

  Jeanie wanted to sink into the ground, where her stomach and her heart must be waiting to be trampled. This woman was everything Jeanie was not, elegant and clearly wealthy. Exactly the woman Luc needed to marry.

  “I do believe I’ve heard of the Northumberland Nine. How quaint to finally meet you in person.”

  Lady Henrietta addressed Georgie, saving Jeanie from having to respond, but Georgie was standing frozen like a mouse cornered by a cat.

  Jeanine nudged her.

  “Oh, um, yes, I’m Miss Georgette, and this is my sister, Miss Jeanette, and the next youngest, Miss Josette.”

  “Oh, do you all have names ending in ‘ette’? H
ow novel. My name is quite similar but I am the only one in my family.” Lady Henrietta cocked her head to the side. “And you live near?”

  “We are neighbors,” Georgie replied. “Our home is situated between the castle and Kirkland Manor.”

  Lady Henrietta laughed, a wretchedly musical sound. “The little house I passed in my carriage is your home? My, you must sleep on top of each other!” Some of the group snickered with her.

  Jeanie blushed, turning her face away from the group. Lady Henrietta personified everything Jeanie had wanted to be, with the exception of being a snob. Were all women like her so awful? Suddenly she wasn’t so pretty. For all her fine clothing and sparkling accessories, they didn’t hide her true character.

  “An amusing thought but not really,” Georgie returned. “We’re a cozy family. ’Tis a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

  “Likewise, Miss Georgette.”

  Jeanie was proud of Georgie for standing up to her and doing so with such decorum. They turned away and caught sight of Mr. Cage striding across the lawn.

  “Oh,” Lady Elain said, “there is your soon-to-be husband now.”

  Jeanie heard Georgie’s indrawn breath.

  Mr. Cage was Lady Henrietta’s mystery man? Not Luc?

  She could have whooped with relief, but her joy was short-lived.

  “I told you he couldn’t stay away,” Lady Henrietta replied.

  Georgie nearly tripped at her side, and Jeanie caught her arm.

  “Georgie?” Jeanie asked in concern.

  “I’m sorry,” Georgie said. “I need to sit. My knee is hurting.”

  Mr. Cage stopped before them. “Our party is departing.”

  “So soon?” Jeanie asked.

  “Return to the castle immediately,” he whispered.

  Jeanie tugged Georgie away, and they cut across the gardens and around the side of the manor.

  “What is going on?” Josie asked. “Did something happen?”

  “We don’t know,” Jeanie replied. She shot a glance at Georgie. Her face was pale, her eyes overly bright.