“I’ve never met any of your family?” He was clearly taken aback.
“We got married quickly.” Her false confession was grudging. “And now, without your memory, I preferred to wait.”
“And how would you introduce me if you could?” He sounded as if his question was very important.
“I don’t understand?”
“Would you present me as Mr. Leighton?”
“Well, of course. How else could I present you?” What on earth did he mean? A horrifying thought almost made her faint. What if he had remembered his name, his real name! If he had, this was the worst place for him to be revealing it!
His face fell. She’d have sworn that was a look of guilt she saw. Guilt about what? About coming here and almost exposing them to scandal? But he had no idea they weren’t really married… did he?
“Forget it.” He shifted subjects. “I understand why you won’t introduce me to your family while I’m like this, but has my family met you?”
“No, they haven’t.” Lord but she hated all these lies. Sir Walter Scott had it right when he wrote of that “tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive”. This was becoming far too complicated and she felt like she was all tied up in knots! Each one tighter than the next. “Our marriage was… impulsive. Neither of our families were present.”
His look of utter disbelief made her squirm. “That doesn’t sound like me… or the person I think I am.” She saw the effort he made to lower his voice that was rising along with his agitation. “Doesn’t your family think it odd that I’m not escorting you to this ball? Or do our families even know we’re married?”
“No, they don’t and that’s all I’m going to tell you. You know what Dr. Graham said.”
“It’s just that… I’m so at sea. I’m trying to understand.... to remember.”
“Well, no matter how much you press me, I’m not going to tell you more. I’ve already said too much.”
“But how much of it can I believe?” he mused.
How dare he question her! She snapped, “Well, that’s the way it has to be. I can do nothing about your lack of trust.” Hearing herself, she felt the hot stain of mortification heat her skin. She was insulted by his question? His lack of trust? She exhaled noisily, exasperated with herself. She was an idiot. And a liar. His instincts were absolutely correct. Almost everything she told him was lies!
Uncertain how to continue, she confronted him. “I saw you in the window. How did Mr. Mason end up being discovered instead of you?”
“Seems I wasn’t the only one keeping an eye on the proceedings,” he said. “When they shouted at me, Mason yanked me behind a tree and pitched himself forward to be discovered in my place.”
Her sham spouse didn’t seem too worried about Mr. Mason or about almost being caught, while her heart was still racing at full speed. Easy for him. He had no idea what a scandal he’d have caused.
“Once their attention was on him, I moved back here.” He expelled a shaky breath.
So he wasn’t as calm as he appeared. Good. He had to be more careful!
“I’m grateful for his assistance. I’d have hated being the focus of all that attention, especially since I can’t remember if I even know any of them.” He looked at her, clearly hoping she’d tell him if he did know anyone.
“I trust you’ve learned your lesson and that you’re going to find a way to leave here without being seen. Immediately.” She wouldn’t breathe freely until she was sure he was safely away from here.
“I’m just waiting to be certain Mason’s going to be all right.” His resolve sounded unshakeable. “He saved me. I won’t abandon him.”
Although she wanted him gone right now, she liked that about him. He was an honorable man, despite having no memory of being taught it. “So you didn’t come together?” She wondered if he realized that Mr. Mason had been following him.
“No. I had no idea he was there until he leapt to take my place. I suppose he was here to protect you?” he asked.
Not bothering to answer him, she said, “If you promise not to move from here, I’ll go see if I can ensure he is well treated and released.” She put her hand on his arm. “But if he hasn’t returned in a quarter of an hour, promise me you’ll find a way to leave undetected. I’ll do my best to get him away safely.”
“I promise.”
“Thank you.”
He grasped her wrist to stop her from leaving. “Come kiss your husband adieu, my darling.”
“Shh…” If anyone overheard him saying that!
“Still shy, even in the dark of night,” he teased. “How did we ever get to the point of marriage?” He hesitated, having just recently garnered a new impression of their relationship. “You never answered me the last time. Mrs. P tells me you left your home a little more than three weeks ago and you weren’t wed then. So we can only have been wed that long. Ours must have been a very hasty wedding.”
Oh god, not now. “I just told you that!” she whispered furiously, refusing to say more.
“What happened? What did I do to cause you to back away from our marriage like a frightened virgin?” He tapped a finger on her nose. “Some day I’m going to remember, you know. I’m hoping the good memories will outweigh the bad.”
To Tally, that sounded more like a threat than a promise. “I must go back or my sisters will send out a search party for me.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips softly to hers but, somehow, the instant their lips touched, a searing need rose in her to stay here, in his arms, and let the whole world dissolve around them. Let everyone discover their secret!
His mouth slid from hers to nibble at her neck, sending shivers scurrying down to her toes. His fingers ran along the same path his mouth had taken and ended by gently encircling her neck and lifting her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. His other hand stroked over her bodice and, when she gasped, he flashed a wicked smile. “Ah, sweetheart, the things I want to do to you.”
But his hearing was better than hers, it seemed, because he suddenly put his finger against her mouth to silence her moan and lifted his head to look toward the house.
What was she doing! Standing out here in the garden behaving like a wanton! She moved back a little, straightened her dress and patted her hair to see if it was intact. Luckily, it had been well pinned and lacquered; not a hair seemed out of place.
“I have to go in,” she said reluctantly. “Someone is sure to miss me soon.”
He pulled further away, leaving her bereft, feeling a strong sense of loss.
“How are you coming home?” he whispered.
What? He asked a prosaic question like that, after they’d almost set the nearby shrubs aflame with their kisses! “My sister has arranged for her carriage to bring me home.”
“You will have protection?”
Shaking her head to clear it of the sensual mists caused by his touch, she replied, “Yes. I’m the youngest, so they still treat me like a child. I’m certain there will be footmen accompanying the driver.”
“Promise me you will insist on at least two footmen. Mason may not be free to protect you.”
“He was not supposed to be here tonight. So I made arrangements with Venetia.”
“At least, two footmen?” he repeated. “Humor me in this, please, Tally. If not, I’ll be forced to wait out here all night until you leave.”
She was so surprised to hear him use her nickname, she almost missed the rest of his sentence, but not the underlying message. He was concerned about her. “Don’t worry, I’ll insist on sufficient protection.” She gave a weak smile. “I’m not that brave in carriages, anymore, day or night.” At his perplexed look, she realized he had no idea why she’d developed this new fear.
“Good. I’ll feel better knowing that you’re well guarded.” He bent to place a quick kiss on the end of her nose. He whispered, “Remember, I don’t need my memory to know that I love you and need you to be safe.” Then he backed away into the he
avier foliage and disappeared into the shadows.
For brief moments, she stood savoring the warm glow of having someone, other than Foster, care enough to watch over her. Her hand touched her nose to hold onto the light kiss that, like a moonlight butterfly, alit for mere seconds before taking wing into the dark sky. She repeated his final words in her mind and felt the sudden weight of sadness. No man, especially not a strong, proud gentleman like Reed, would forgive her for duping him into believing they were married.
When… if… he ever recovered his memory, he was going to despise her!
The noise from inside increased. Someone had just opened the French doors and come outside. She’d better go back, though all her inclinations were to fly home to spend the rest of the night in Reed’s warm embrace.
Grimacing at how impossible that fantasy was, she made her way back and slipped into the ballroom. The heat from the assembly was almost overpowering. She was relieved to see both her sisters on the dance floor. No one had noticed her absence. Good.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Oh! You startled me!” She turned to find Mr. Dubuc behind her. Almost no one, she corrected herself.
“Where have you been?” His smooth, honeyed tone was roughened by annoyance.
He sounded almost accusatory, which put her back up. She was not his concern! “I took advantage of the excitement to get a little fresh air,” she explained calmly. “What happened to the Peeping Tom?”
He visibly swallowed his irritation. Interesting. So he wasn’t as insouciant as he wanted to appear.
“They took him upstairs to the library.” Rapidly recovering his former languid cadence, he cast a bored glance over the crowd. “Hargrave and Morley are questioning him.”
“I see.” The Baron and her brother-in-law, together! How well did they know each other? That could spell trouble. Not sure quite what to do, she knew she had to at least try. “If you will excuse me, I must have a word with Milana.”
He didn’t look pleased about her leaving him again so soon, but she gave him no choice. She headed toward the back of the house, intending to take the servant’s stairs, to look for the library.
“You sly dog, Mason.”
At the sound of men’s voices, she withdrew quickly into the shadows of the back hall, torn between staying to hear what was being said and leaving, so she wouldn’t be caught eavesdropping.
“Sh! Lower your voice, Morley. You’ll have the lot of them out here, wanting to know why Mason arrived the way he did.”
That was her brother-in-law’s voice.
“I don’t mind telling them that I hadn’t been invited but knew the Baron would be here and I needed to talk to him.”
Mason’s voice!
Multiple footsteps clomped heavily down the back stairs amid subdued male laughter. First down was the Baron, then Mr. Mason, followed by her brother-in-law. She detected no animosity among the three men. In fact, if one didn’t know better, the three seemed quite friendly.
She faded even further into the shadow of the stairwell. She was amazed to see Hargrave shake Mr. Mason’s hand. The Baron even clapped her investigator on the back as they led him to a side door and bid him goodnight.
Puzzled at the bonhomie among the men, she had the sudden thought that maybe Reed, with his memory, would have recognized her brother-in-law and the Scot. Mr. Mason had given no indication he knew or could identify Reed Gordon, but for an interloper, he appeared to be on remarkably good terms with both her brother-in-law and Reed’s friend, the Baron.
The Baron! Why hadn’t Mr. Mason recognized Lord Morley the other day at the Art Exhibit? Oh, he hadn’t been there! For a moment, she’d forgotten. She was so unnerved she was ready to see people conspiring at every turn. He had missed Reed’s meeting with the Baron and his friend.
But he was at the library when she’d researched Lord Morley. And she’d given him the Baron’s sketch! If he knew him, surely he’d have told her!
Maybe he hadn’t known him but had come here looking for him to ask him about Reed? No, that didn’t sound right. Something was wrong. Was her investigator playing some deep game? She made her way slowly back to the celebrations. She tried to remember what Foster had told her about who had given him the Scot’s name? Was he a plant sent there by those trying to hurt her? Had the investigator agreed to help her for motives other than her protection and to solve an intriguing amnesia case?
She no longer felt as safe as she had moments earlier.
Perhaps it wouldn’t matter. Their first problem would soon be solved, whether Mr. Mason knew the Baron before this evening or not. Now, he’d be able to learn Reed’s true identity and make sure he was returned safely to his own home. After that, she’d confront her investigator and find out why he hadn’t told her. Then, because he seemed to genuinely want to help her and she didn’t want to believe he was working against her, she’d ask him to find Monsieur.
Which reminded her, she must find a way to talk to Mr. Dubuc about his uncle.
“There you are.”
Looking up, she saw that very man approaching her.
Speak of the devil! She quelled the shiver of premonition that raced up her spine. Her nerves were on edge. She walked calmly along the hallway to meet the man strolling in her direction. He was not a devil. There was nothing sinister about Mr. Dubuc, for goodness sake! “This sounds like the same conversation we had just ten minutes ago.” She laughed.
“Not exactly. This time, I’m hoping for a more felicitous ending.”
He’d gotten over his huff, she was pleased to note. Tally knew she was not without attributes, but the idea that he could have fallen for her this quickly didn’t hold much sway with her practical side. So she had to ask herself, what did he want? He’d only just met her!
Offering her his arm, he smiled and said, “Shall we take a turn around the room. The crowd has thinned a little so we should make it the entire way unscathed.”
She chuckled at his sally and placed her hand lightly on his sleeve. “Thank you, kind sir, a stroll would be nice.” It was a fillip to her confidence to be pursued by the best-looking man here tonight. He took himself a little too seriously, but he was exerting himself to be amusing and for the most part was succeeding.
Besides, it was the perfect opportunity for her to ask him about Monsieur.
Suddenly a warm arm slid around her waist, startling her. “Come, bella. Mr. Dubuc has monopolized you for long enough.” Milana slanted him a knowing smile. “It’s time for you to meet some new dance partners.”
Mr. Dubuc tsked in annoyance but, seeing he had no choice, gave in gracefully. He shrugged his elegant shoulders and gave a rueful smile. “I will see you later, mademoiselle.”
The next hour was a whirl of introductions. If Victor Dubuc’s presence had saved her from being cast in the limelight until now, her sisters clearly intended to make up for lost time. Despite her efforts to remain in the background, they were determined to have her shine as their guest of honor. They were still hoping to convince her to make a proper debut.
Talk with her new acquaintances was shallow and consisted mostly of light-hearted banter. Her sisters ensured she had continuous dance partners, which left her little time to chat with those who might ask the more pertinent… or, to her mind, impertinent… questions.
“Welcome, my dear. So you’ve finally graced us with your presence in the capital.”
“Grandma!” Tally spun around, a huge smile on her face. In spite of qualms at what her grandmother was capable of now that she knew her granddaughter was in London, she was pleased to see her favorite relative. She leaned over to place a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek and teased, “Fashionably late, as usual.”
Her grandparent hugged her and returned the affectionate buss. “I thought I was going to have to go fetch you in Evesham.” Then she drew a gentleman forward and said, “Your Grace, may I present my youngest grandchild, Miss Talia Lawton.” Tapping her fingers lightly
on his arm, Lady Lawton continued, “Talia, this is the Duke of Merriman.”
The bushy-browed, cheerful-looking elderly man bowed and, with soft periwinkle eyes twinkling, said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Lawton. I see you are as beautiful as your grandmother.”
“Oh, Merry, you flatterer you.” Grandma Lawton surprised Tally by blushing and sending the older gentleman an arch look.
Flustered by his friendly manner, Tally bobbed a curtsy. “I’m honored, your grace.” She was torn between being amused and being amazed by this never-before-seen side of her grandparent.
“Your grandmother has been most anxious for you to come to London.” His bluff manner didn’t completely disguise the sharpness of his gaze. This man didn’t look like he missed much.
Heavens, she hoped he didn’t come to visit with Grandma Eva! One sharp-eyed elder was sufficient.
“I know you have Spare matters to catch up on, Merry.” Her grandmother patted his arm again. “I’ll find you later.”
The older couple were clearly very comfortable with each other. “I plan on having a long coze with my grandchild. Now that she’s finally consented to come to London, I want to know what she intends doing here.”
“Come.” Her grandmother drew her along, toward a quiet sofa away from the noise of the party. “Now let me welcome you properly, dear.” She pulled Tally into her arms for a hug.
Tears welled at the familiar scent of yellow roses and the warm sense of being loved that enveloped Tally. Being embraced by her grandmother like this brought back happy childhood memories and the rare feeling of belonging she always had with her father’s mother.
“You look beautiful this evening, Grandma.” A lump rose in her throat. She felt mean and small for not having contacted her dearest relative since arriving in Town.
As if she read Tally’s thoughts, her grandmother said, “It’s good to be selfish, sometimes, child.”
She must have looked bewildered because her grandparent went on to explain, “You needed to be away from your overbearing family. I understand.” She gave Tally such a knowing smile, she felt exposed, as if her grandmother knew everything that had happened since she’d come to London! “But I’m glad you’re finally here.” She tapped her fan on Tally’s knee to ensure her full attention.
The Viscount's Counterfeit Wife Page 29
