by Lisa Doughty
Emelia was like the sister Cordelia never had. Emelia had taught her everything she knew about the art of persuasion and seduction, and how to handle the Earl in his particular moods.
“Teach her what she needs to know,” The Earl had said, after a quick introduction. “Bring her to me when she’s ready, but not before.”
Roddy could only imagine what Cordi had felt. She had been yanked straight from the convent to find herself married to a stranger thirty years her senior, living with his sister, who had been instructed to teach her the art of seduction so she could lure men into her husband’s web of deceit and revenge. If it were not for Emelia’s gentle way, Roddy was sure things would have turned out differently.
“Cordi will never voluntarily put herself in a situation where she could get hurt, Roddy. It will take a special kind of man to get through to her. She will never admit, even to herself, what arouses her. Sweet kisses and typical romance will not entice her to let go. Not after what she has been through,” Emelia said, by way of explanation.
“What of Lord Roth? To her surprise, he took what he wanted from her. No one has ever been able to do that before. Could he be the one? The one to show her there is more to life?”
“Ah, Lord Roth. I have heard of him. He is a man of discriminating taste. He may be the gentleman for the job if he knew what to expect and was not deterred by it. But, how to tell him without tipping her hand? It would be better if they naturally discovered their attraction. If they did, then it just may work, for both of them. If Cordelia suspected you or I had a hand in it, she would reject him immediately,” Emelia stated.
“What of the sister? Could she say something…a hint maybe?”
“Lady Esme would never, because then her brother would discover she has experience herself.”
“What?”
“Ahh, I’m surprised you hadn’t discerned that for yourself. Lady Esme is much like her brother when it comes to her suitors. She likes to taste them before she rejects them. She searches for an exciting match, which means a gentleman whose needs match her ardor. I spent most of our session teaching her restraint. I hope this Duke you have picked for her is ah…shall we say…rambunctious.”
“I will have to tell Cordi. She may change her mind for Lady Esme.” Roddy thought. “Now, back to Cordi…there has to be a way to encourage this. Hmm, a note then?”
“If we could get them alone for a time, I’m sure nature would take its course. He already shows interest. I have a feeling he will not stop until he gets what he wants. Something tells me the man does not like to lose.”
“Fine. I know just the thing.”
Chapter 17
Roddy was beyond frustrating! Cordelia thought, as she stormed to her room. Who did he think he was? Telling her what she needed! She was a grown woman who has survived a horrible marriage and the financial ruin her husband had left behind. She had made Middleton Park not only self-sustaining but profitable! Roddy would have spent all the money on fabric and lace if she had let him. And, look at him now! The toast of London and Paris. He could have never accomplished that without her. The audacity!
“Tilly!” she bellowed, once she was in her suite. Where was the girl? “Tilly?”
“Yes, my lady?” Tilly scurried into the room with a dressing gown over her arm.
“I need another hat.”
“Another hat? Where is…”
“Do not ask, just fetch another,” she snapped.
“But there is not another that matches your dress, my lady. Maybe we could use the pink one.”
“Damn Roddy! He had done this on purpose.”
“What about a parasol? I could fashion a ribbon for it that matches your dress.”
“Fine. As quickly as possible please. Thank you, Tilly.”
Anything to keep the man at bay. Although, the truth was, the hat had been no protection at all. At least, now she knew his tactics. He would not catch her off guard again. Two days was all she needed. If her instincts were correct, the Duke would be showing interest by then, and Lady Esme would tell her brother she wanted to stay. Hopefully he would leave then, and things would return to normal.
She looked at the group outside. Many of the young gentlemen were hovering around Lady Esme. She laughed at something one of them said, tilted her head back, calling attention to her attractive, long neck. Lady Esme had more experience than she had let on. The Duke was going to like that. He had asked for an experienced bride. He did not want to break in a virgin. Those had been his exact words. She pondered them, how does one break in a virgin? She would have to ask Emelia. There was so much she didn’t know.
Scanning the group, she found the dark hair of Lord Roth. She sighed, and her nipples tingled at the thought of his kiss. Oh my, how delicious it was. Thank goodness, she hadn’t told Roddy everything. He would have her stripping in front of the man, offering herself like a plum pudding pie! That was the last time she would confess anything to Roddy! He was just as bad as Emelia! Defiantly, she pulled her bodice up as far as it would go.
Lord Roth looked lost in thought as Lady Adaline talked to him animatedly. Adaline leaned forward flirtatiously, just as Emelia had taught her, then slapped him on the arm with her fan. His brooding turned into a scowl as he slid further away from her and out of reach of the offending weapon. A small giggle escaped Cordelia, she put her hand over her mouth to muffle it. Here was another adversary for the man to dodge! He must be beyond vexed. She would have to talk to Lady Adaline when she rejoined the group. Although it was satisfying to watch her use the weapon on Roth, its misuse could hinder her chances at a real match.
The thought of approaching Lord Roth gave her butterflies. She pulled her sleeves and bodice down a tad, then a tad more. The man was dangerous, alright. He had her nerves on edge, and she intended to return the favor.
“Here you are, my lady.” Tilly came in with a light blue parasol with ribbons flowing from the tip which matched her dress. If she did say so herself, the ensemble was attractive. She opened the parasol and rested it on her shoulder as she examined herself in the mirror.
“Oh, my lady! The blue in the parasol is the perfect complement to your eyes. You look very fetching!”
“Thank you, Tilly. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that right now.” She smiled at the maid and left. She straightened her shoulders and put on a stoic expression. It was time to face the horde.
Cordelia saw Lord Roth watching her as she entered the garden, she opened her parasol to avoid his gaze. She strolled through the crowd, nodding and making eye contact with the guests. Roth blatantly stared at her. Did he not care if everyone knew he had an interest in her? His staring would do him no good. He wasn’t the first to pursue her, and she would show him no favor to minimize his embarrassment when she rejected him.
Lord Roth turned to Lady Adaline as she addressed him. He started to rise, and she put her fan on his arm to waylay him. Lady Adaline didn’t notice the look of fury on his face as she continued to flirt. He removed the fan from his arm with two fingers, as if it were diseased. Cordelia heard his curt words as she approached.
“It would do you well to stop…”
“A fan is meant to cool oneself, Lady Adaline, and as it is quite warm today, I suggest you put it to its proper use,” Cordelia said, teasingly, saving him from insulting the young woman. “Lord Stratford is looking for a croquet partner. Since you seem otherwise unoccupied, you may want to volunteer for the position before one of the other young ladies gets wind of the vacancy.”
“Oh! Yes! Thank you, Lady Cromwell.” Adaline rose and curtsied at them before quickly walking to the lawn area.
“Thank you,” he said sincerely. Cordelia met his eyes, then looked away. She curtsied, and turned to walk away. He quickly joined her. “You saved me from buying the young lady a new fan.”
“She is young, my lord, and has yet to refine her use of it. By this time next year, she will have mastered the art. Although, for some reason, I cannot see
it would make a difference to you.”
“No, it would not. I detest the things. In my mind, they only have two uses.”
“Since you detest them so, I am surprised you can find two uses for them.”
He gave her a rakish smile but stayed silent. She glanced at him, failing to discern the reason for his silence. She didn’t blame Lady Adaline for trying to catch the man’s eye. He could have any lady he wanted she surmised. Except her, of course.
“I meant no insult, my lord, my apologies.”
“None taken, my lady, I assure you.”
“I cannot fathom you, Lord Roth. You are an enigma to me.”
“Is that so?”
“Quite.” She stopped and faced him fully. “Your sister seems settled, and I’m sure that you know by now that I have no intention of fulfilling your request. Why do you remain here when you can return to London in two hours’ time?”
“Because you haven’t asked me the right question yet.”
She cocked her head and furrowed her brow. He smiled at her, which confused her further. Maybe he knew something she didn’t.
“But I already know everything of you I wish to know, my lord.”
At that statement, he looked shocked.
“Oh? And?” He smiled, throwing her off balance again.
“I cannot think of another question I need answered.” Cordelia turned away, her parasol blocking his view. His smile made him even more handsome and she did not think she could take another one. She realized that they were getting far from the guests again, so she turned back, not wanting to make the same mistake as the last time.
“You are not even curious?”
“About you?”
“No. As you said, you know everything about me.”
She stopped and faced him again. What was this game he played? Couldn’t he see that she was not interested? Well, at least that she was acting not interested, which should be off-putting in itself. She studied him for a moment, then looked towards the guests mingling about. How is it that he is so different than the other gentleman here? It was perplexing.
Cordelia saw Roddy walking toward her with purpose. Perfect, time to put an end to this once and for all. She switched the parasol to her opposite shoulder so she could move closer to him, then slid her hand around his bicep. He stiffened at first, then relaxed. A rakish smile curled his lips as he looked at her. She tilted her head to speak to him.
“Why do you insist on teasing me, my lord? Can you not just speak your mind?”
“Because I am interested in you, Lady Cromwell, and the last thing I wish to do is send you running.”
“I hardly think you could send me running, my lord.” She smiled, as he stared at her mouth.
“Really? Then ask me what I think the only two uses are for a fan.”
“Mmmm, a conversation for another time perhaps. Have you met Lady Tilborne?” They approached a group of ladies, Last Tilborne just happened to be the closest. “Lady Tilborne? May I introduce Lord Roth.”
Chapter 18
“Please excuse my interruption, my lady, may I please have a moment?” Roddy asked, with a bow, cutting off her conversation. She smiled, she suppressed a smile at how perfects had timed that. Lord Roth looked livid for being passed off to Lady Tilborne. Even more perfect!
“Of course. Lord Roth.” Cordelia said with a shallow curtsy dismissing herself. He nodded, never breaking eye contact. Butterflies took flight with that look. No wonder he was a womanizer. He could stop a woman’s heart with those looks of his. Lady Tilborne looked enormously pleased! She walked away with Roddy.
“I’m not speaking to you,” she hissed. “You cannot say those things to me, you know. You do not know what I need.”
“Oh? Then why are you blushing?”
Bloody hell! She should have known better than to try and hide anything from Roddy. Nevertheless, she would not give him the satisfaction of being right!
“Because I’m angry, and with good reason!”
“Alright, I may have crossed the line a little, but only because I care about you.” He sounded sad, and it melted her heart. Roddy and Emelia were the only family she had, had ever had. She knew they cared about her. Their hearts were in the right place even though they missed the mark on occasion. Her anger melted away.
“Fine. But please, cease. I can make my own choices. I am a matchmaker after all. I think I can pick a man that suits me.” She smiled, took his arm, and hugged it. “Now, why did you pull me away from the man you think should be my heart’s desire?”
“You just passed him off to Lady Tilborne!” At her cheeky smile, he continued. “The guests are bored. The matches are not developing as they should. You have been distracted, and I’m afraid we may lose a few if we do not do something.”
Cordelia looked around and discovered that Roddy was right. They were back to square one. It was just the same as it was when she walked into the courtyard. Gentlemen on one side and ladies on the other. Damn! She had been distracted since Lord Roth arrived.
“What do you suggest?”
“Closet Duo?”
“Do you think they are ready for that?”
“If not, at least it will be stimulating.” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, it looks as though a little stimulation is in order. Is everything ready?”
“Of course. I shall take that side, and you round up this side. I will meet you in the hall of closets.”
Five minutes later they had all the guests assembled in a hallway with twenty doors, ten on each side. Everyone was murmuring amongst themselves. Lord Roth was lingering in the back of the crowd. He smiled one of his rakish smiles at her, making her blush. She straightened her spine, cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment, and got everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me, everyone, if I could have your attention please,” she shouted. Her voice echoed off the walls in the long hallway. Once they had settled, she continued. “Welcome to the hall of closets. Every door you see leads into a small closet, giving the hall its name. No one knows who or why the hall of closets was built but many strange and bizarre explanations have been passed down over the years.
One is that they were built as meditation cells for the sisters that resided here when Middleton was an Abbey for the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Another is that the fourth Countess of Middleton had them built for the twenty elaborate gowns she had made to attend court each year. But now, as the tenth Countess of Middleton, they will be known for a game I invented, called Closet Duo.”
The guests’ murmur increased at her announcement. Her game had become famous as of late, since it was a bit scandalous. It was right on the edge of propriety, but not so far off as to ruin anyone’s reputation for playing it.
“Ahhh, I can see some of you have heard of the game.”
A round of giggles and chuckles echoed throughout the hallway. Cordelia smiled at everyone.
“If anyone is uncomfortable playing Closet Duo, you may excuse yourself now with no judgment.”
She paused, and everyone looked around to see if someone was going to retreat, but no one did.
“A room full of adventurous souls, I see! That makes for a lively game, does it not?” she asked enthusiastically as everyone whispered to each other, excited.
“Now, if the gentlemen would not mind lining up against this wall, facing the closets. And ladies, please line up against the opposite wall.” Once everyone was in position, footmen came in with trays of material cut into strips. “If each lady will please take two strips of material. Once you have them, step forward and blindfold the gentleman standing directly in front of you with one of the strips. Don’t be shy.”
Cordelia smiled at the laughter coming from the ladies as they did her bidding. The excitement was building as the ladies reached around the gentlemen to place the blindfold over their eyes. Some were treated with a brush of breasts on their back, if they were lucky.
“Good job ladies. Now if you gentlemen would
n’t mind placing your hands behind your back so the ladies can tie them together.” She paused for drama. “Tie them tight ladies, but not so much that they lose blood flow. We do not want a permanent injury, just propriety. Now, gentlemen, as the ladies finish their task, I will explain the rules.
Gentlemen, you will be placed in one of the closets. You may not leave your closet at any time. Ladies will be visiting you, and you are expected to act with the utmost decorum at all times, whether you recognize the lady or not. You may not remove your blindfold or untie your hands. You are not allowed to touch the ladies. And, finally, you may only ask two questions of each lady who visits you.
Ladies, you are not allowed to remove a blindfold or untie the men’s’ hands, even if they ask you. You may touch the gentleman, but only if he grants permission to do so and where appropriate. And, finally,” she had to pause as the ladies all started to chatter amongst themselves.
“And, finally!” she shouted, “You may choose to answer the gentlemen’s question or not. But, a word of caution. You will only have two minutes, so I suggest you use them wisely. You may not get another chance alone with these handsome gentlemen. Two minutes can go by very quickly or can seem like forever, depending on your participation. For all of you, when you hear this sound…” Several footmen rang bells. “The lady must exit the closet and pick a new one. You will switch five times, but you may not choose the same closet twice. If any of these rules are broken, you will be asked to leave the game. Understood?” Everyone nodded or gave verbal consent. “Alright. Ladies, please follow Lady Emelia to the adjoining parlor while we get the gentlemen situated, thank you.”
Once the parlor doors closed, the gentlemen were shuffled and placed in a closet, each with a single candle. Then, the ladies were led into the hallway, and the footmen rang the bells. They dashed to a door until all of them disappeared. Cordelia flipped the two-minute hourglass to start the time.
“You know what to do,” she stated to the footman, and he nodded. She went to the end of the hallway and heard giggles and baritone murmurs from each of the doorways. Good! They were having fun! Once she reached Emelia, she asked. “Where is Lady Esme?”
