by Ava Stone
“What has Clayworth done to be in your debt?”
Caroline flashed him a cheeky grin, “Nothing. But both of you are the two stuffiest men in all of England. I want her to appear as respectable as possible.”
Alex resisted the urge to cringe as the stuffy Earl of Masten approached him and Olivia. He had never gotten along with the man, and that was even before Alex had tried to seduce Masten’s wife. It was possible the earl had forgotten. Possible, not probable.
“Masten,” he drawled in greeting.
The earl barely flicked a glance at him. Instead, he focused his attention on Olivia. “My dear sweet girl, how are you holding up?”
Before Olivia could respond, Alex interrupted her. “You make it sound as if she’s caught something deadly. In most cases, becoming a duchess is applauded.”
“Yes, but this isn’t most cases,” Masten replied with an icy glare.
“Robert,” Olivia began, smiling sweetly, her seductive dimple making an appearance, “I am very happy. Please be so for me. And now, tell me, how are Lydia and the children?”
Masten’s stony face broke out into a grin, making the man look like a happy schoolboy. “They are wonderful, Livvie. Melody chatters all day long and Laurel has just started rolling over. And Lydia,” he flashed a quick glance at Alex, “couldn’t be happier.”
Well, that answered that. Masten definitely remembered. Alex possessively slid his hand along his wife’s waist. “Do send her our best.”
Masten’s scowl returned.
Olivia sucked in an elated breath, and both men turned their attention to her. “Cordie did come. Excuse me, will you? And do try not to antagonize each other.”
Livvie started toward the terrace doors where she and Cordie had planned to meet. She watched as Lady Avery vanished into the card room, hopefully for the entire evening. Then with a sly grin, Cordie crossed the room to her side.
Immediately, the two embraced. “Livvie!” Cordie gushed as she held onto her. “I feel like it’s been forever. How are you? Is Kelfield treating you well?”
Livvie blushed at the question, but nodded. “I couldn’t be happier, Cordie. Truly. Alex is…”
“Alex is what?” Alex asked as he came up behind them, resting his hand on Livvie’s shoulder. His sinful, grey eyes twinkled as they landed on her.
Livvie beamed up at him, linking her arm with his. “Alex is perfect, of course.”
He chuckled and leaned towards her, a rakish grin on his face. “Sweetheart, don’t tell everyone. I’ve a reputation to protect, you know.”
“Alex,” Livvie began softly, “aren’t you supposed to be keeping my cousin Robert company?”
“We nearly came to blows when you walked away. Hello, Miss Avery. You look well this evening.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Livvie couldn’t help but smile at her husband. It really was very sweet that he was so attentive. Still, she’d like to be alone with Cordie, if just for a while. “We never get any time together. Do you think could manage conversing with Lord Caretert or Commander Greywood without it coming to fisticuffs?”
He squeezed her hand, stepped away, and winked at her. “Whatever you wish, sweetheart.” Then he smiled at Cordie. “I’m only leaving her in your care. Don’t let any other blackguards or scoundrels near her.”
Livvie giggled. “Go on with you. I only have a fondness for my scoundrel, as you well know.”
After Alex disappeared into the crowd, Livvie turned her attention back to Cordie. “I am so glad to see you. Are you sure it’s all right? Won’t your mother be furious if she learns you’ve been associating with that scandalous duchess?”
“Of course she will,” Cordie answered honestly. “So we’d best make it worth our while.”
Just then Livvie looked across the room and frowned. “Oh bother!” she whispered with a frown. “Don’t look now, but Lord Brookfield is headed our way, and his eyes are on you, as usual.”
Cordie groaned, which was completely understandable. Viscount Brookfield was an unrepentant fortune hunter, nearly twice their age, and he always smelled awful. Unfortunately, he’d set his sights on Cordie and her large dowry at the end of last season.
“My darling girls!” came Caroline’s voice from behind them. “I am so happy you found each other.”
“Caro,” Livvie whispered behind her fan, “you must get rid of Lord Brookfield. He’ll try to monopolize Cordelia.”
Caroline frowned at the approaching viscount. “I don’t even recall inviting him. No matter, I’ll take care of it.”
As the man reached them, Caroline smiled beatifically. “My darling Brookfield,” she gushed. “Lady Astwick, the dowager that is, was just asking me about you.”
“Indeed?” Brookfield gulped.
Livvie suppressed a laugh. No one ever wanted to deal with the dowager Lady Astwick. In fact, Livvie avoided the old dragon whenever possible. Only Caroline ever seemed to get along with her.
“Oh, yes!” Caroline assured him. “In fact, my lord, I promised her ladyship that I would send you right over to her as soon as I saw you.”
“You did?” he squeaked.
“I did. She is there in the corner.” Caroline gestured to the other side of the room where many widows lined the wall. “Do you see her?”
Brookfield’s face turned white. He’d most assuredly seen the widowed marchioness, and he nodded sullenly. “Indeed, I do.”
“Splendid!” Caroline happily clapped her hands together. “Do go on, my lord, I would hate to keep her ladyship waiting.”
Brookfield spun on his heels and started across the room, his head hung low, like a man headed to the gallows.
Triumphantly, Caroline turned back to Livvie and Cordie. “Well, that’s over. Now then—” she looked Cordie up and down— “no Brookfield for you, darling. I shall endeavor to find you a handsome gentleman by the end of the evening.”
A laugh escaped Cordie’s throat. “Lady Staveley, that is not necessary in the—”
“Caroline.” The rich, baritone voice of Lord Clayworth floated over Livvie’s shoulder.
Livvie turned and smiled at the handsome earl. It was so nice that he chose to attend this evening. As he was seen as a paragon of honor in the eyes of the ton, his support would go a long way in helping to repair her reputation.
“Brendan!” Caroline’s smile grew wide as her eyes fell on Clayworth. “Darling, I am so glad you found time to attend my little ball.”
Clayworth raised one golden brow mockingly. “You didn’t really give me much choice.”
Livvie winced. It wasn’t terribly flattering that he would openly admit to Caroline’s browbeating him to attend.
Her cousin laughed charmingly and tucked her hand around Clayworth’s arm. “Darling, you know my cousin, the duchess, of course. But have you met Miss Cordelia Avery?”
“No. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Clayworth sounded less than pleased, though he did manage to smile pleasantly at Cordie.
No doubt the man thought Caroline was attempting to pair him up with her friend. Livvie grinned at the thought. While many women would swoon in the presence of Lord Adonis, Cordelia Avery would never be one of them.
“Then allow me the honors,” Caroline continued. “Lord Clayworth, Miss Cordelia Avery of Nottinghamshire.”
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Avery.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Cordie replied with a feigned sweetness. Livvie bit back a laugh. It wouldn’t do for the earl to know that the tone in Cordie’s voice was actually a dangerous one.
Caroline then tapped Clayworth’s chest with her fan. “Darling, you never dance. Might I persuade you to take to the floor this evening?”
The earl glared momentarily at her then the look of irritation vanished, as if it had never been there. “Yes, of course, Caroline.” His eyes swept across Livvie before landing on Cordie. “Miss Avery, may I see your dance card?”
Stunned, C
ordie raised her wrist for the earl, where her dance card and small pencil dangled. Then he scribbled his name for the next song.
Poor Clayworth. He apparently had awful luck. Any other lady in the room would have been pleased to dance with him. But he had to pick the one who disliked him deeply.
The first chords of a waltz began, and Clayworth offered his arm to Cordie. Livvie watched as her friend was practically dragged to the middle of the dance floor, but she didn’t have much time to contemplate Cordie’s predicament. Alex came up behind Livvie at that moment and slid his arm around her waist.
“I need you,” he whispered in her ear, and a frisson of anticipation raced up Livvie’s spine.
Livvie looked over her shoulder. Alex’s silver eyes, dark with desire, focused on her. “Now?” she whispered, glancing around at the throng of Caroline’s guests.
“Now,” he growled, making her knees almost buckle. Then he grasped her elbow and led her out of the ballroom. “Where was your room?”
“Upstairs in the family wing.”
“Lead on.”
“But Cordie—” she started to protest.
“Is well occupied with that self-important earl. If you hurry, we can be back before anyone realizes we’re missing.”
The idea was exciting. Livvie tugged Alex down the corridor and then up the flight of stairs that led to the family’s sleeping rooms. She threw open the door to her old chambers and quickly pulled him inside.
Alex lit a candle near the bed and turned to face her with one wicked black eyebrow arched. “Well, raise your skirt for me, Olivia.”
She blushed to her roots, shaking her head. She’d expected a quick tumble, not some sort of exhibition.
“Now,” Alex commanded as he sat on the edge of the bed and gestured an upward motion with his hands.
Livvie couldn’t believe she was obeying him. He was truly wicked, but her fingers tugged her copper skirt upwards to her knees and cool air swirled about her thighs. Alex grinned devilishly and again gestured higher. “I’ll tell you when you can stop, sweetheart.”
She stared into his silvery grey eyes, swallowed, and complied with his wishes until the hem of her dress was above her waist.
“Enough,” his gravelly voice reverberated throughout her. Livvie turned her head away, unable to look at him, knowing that he was seeing her displayed nearly naked since she’d obeyed his earlier request and hadn’t worn any drawers.
“Look at me, Olivia.” His seductive voice enveloped her.
Her heart pounding wildly in her chest, she met his eyes. Desire laced through the look he sent her, and Olivia thought her legs might buckle beneath her—especially when Alex stood up and sauntered over to her, his wicked fingers taking the bunched up copper dress from her hands. “You’re so quiet, sweetheart,” he replied and ran his free hand along her bare belly and hip. Then he kissed the hollow of her neck. “Say, ‘Touch me, Alex,’” he said against her skin.
“T-touch me, Alex.”
“With pleasure.” His clever fingers parted her curls and found her sensitive nub that quivered when he touched it. “Is that better, sweetheart?”
Olivia nodded and her head fell against his shoulder as he worked her into a frenzied state.
Alex toyed with her folds, and his fingers become slick with her wetness. “Say, ‘Enter me, Alex.”
On a sob, Olivia whispered, “Please enter me, Alex.”
One long, slender finger delved inside her soft opening, and she shuddered. With a languorous motion, he stroked her in and out, over and over, until she was writhing in his arms—begging him to take her.
Alex undid his trousers and pressed her against the wall. Then he lifted her in his arms and sunk into her. Olivia’s legs wrapped around his hips, sending him straight to heaven. It didn’t take long for him to find the release he’d needed ever since he’d first seen her wearing the mesmerizing dress.
Though he would like nothing better than to throw Olivia over his shoulder, take her back to Kelfield House, and enjoy her over and over again, a ballroom full of people were probably just now wondering where they were. Alex lowered her to the ground and kissed her. “God, you’re amazing,” he whispered across her lips.
With a charming giggle, Olivia straightened her skirts. “How am I supposed to go back downstairs and pretend that didn’t just happen?” she asked.
“We could go home,” he offered hopefully.
She playfully swatted at his chest. “This is important for me. I don’t ask much of you, Alex.”
“And Miss Avery is downstairs. I know. Perhaps I’ll go to the card room so I won’t be tempted to toss up your skirts again.”
“No!” Olivia almost squealed. Then she bit her lip. “Lady Avery is in the card room. I don’t think that’s the best idea… Commander Greywood goes back to Norfolk tomorrow. Perhaps you could just talk to him, say your goodbyes, and we’ll leave as soon as Cordie and I have talked.”
It was as good a plan as anything else. Alex pulled open the door so they could return, only to hear his wife’s earth shattering scream. Before he knew what was happening, Staveley’s beagle, Nelson, burst into the room, barking and growling. Olivia scrambled atop the bed, shaking in terror.
Alex lunged for the dog, but Nelson darted under the bed. The rumble of the dog’s growl grew louder. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ll shut him in here.”
Olivia shook her head back and forth. “No. I can’t.”
Damned bloody beagle!
With an irritated sigh, Alex got down on his hands and knees, lifting the edge of the counterpane. Nelson’s teeth were bared and he barked. “Oh for God’s sake, dog! You’ve chewed my bloody boots more times than I can count.” He slid under the bed, thinking momentarily that if anyone saw him like this, he’d be the laughingstock of London. The beagle started to nip at him, and Alex glared at the dog. “On my life, Nelson, if you bite me I’ll see you thrown in the Thames.”
Then Alex scooped Nelson up in his arms and looked into the dog’s black eyes with a frown. “You are a menace.”
Nelson licked his face.
Alex crawled out from under the bed holding the little devil by the scruff of his neck. Olivia was pale and still frightened. He nodded to her and quit the room. The corridor was quiet, and he wished he knew where the beagle was supposed to be kept. He poked his head inside a darkened bedroom. It seemed to be empty, so he deposited the little beast inside, firmly shutting the door behind him.
As he started back for Olivia’s old room, he could hear muffled barking and then a child’s squeal. Good God! None of this had been his plan. He rushed back into Olivia’s room, to find her still quivering, still standing on the bed—as if the beagle could have made the impossible jump.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?”
She took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you.”
“We need to go. I have to find Staveley. The little beast woke one of the children.” He picked her up and placed her back on the floor.
“Which room?” she asked, catching her breath.
“The one next to us, on the right.”
“Emma. Let’s hurry.”
Once in the hallway, more giggles escaped the child’s room. “Emma’s not afraid of the dog?”
“No, she adores him. They all do.” Olivia grabbed tightly to his arm. “I am sorry, Alex. I know I shouldn’t be afraid of the creature—”
He pulled his wife into his embrace and kissed her. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m just so sorry you had to go through that.” Then he quickly escorted her down the staircase.
As soon as they reached the ballroom, they found Caroline standing near the doorway, a grave expression on her face. “And just where have you been?”
“That beast Nelson was on the loose, Caroline,” Alex explained rapidly. If he kept talking, she couldn’t ask questions. “I figured you wouldn’t want the thing making an appearance down here, so I tossed him in one of the bedrooms. But I think I woke Emm
a in the process.”
She glared at him and started down the corridor. “Don’t think for one minute that I’m through with you, Alexander Everett,” Caroline threw over her shoulder as she disappeared around a corner.
As if he had ever considered it would be that easy to get rid of Caroline. He smiled down at his wife, who was still looking a little pale after the encounter with the dog. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“My hero.” She grinned in response.
He liked the sound of that, and her charming dimple made him stiff all over again. This night couldn’t end soon enough. “Go finish up with Miss Avery so I can have you all to myself again.”
Olivia giggled at that and then set off through the crowd to find her friend. Alex watched her departing form, the sensual swing of her hips, and sighed. Marriage was good. His friends had been right. Thank God he’d caught her hiding in his wardrobe and not someone else.
A hand clapped him on the back, and he turned to find Staveley smiling at him. “You do seem happy, Alex.”
“I suppose I am. Olivia is truly delightful. I get to spend time with Poppy every day. Who knew domesticity could be so enjoyable?”
“I believe I’d been telling you for years.”
Alex laughed. “Yes, but I rarely listen to you, Staveley.”
“You rarely listen to anyone,” his friend grumbled. Then Staveley blinked across the room. “What is he doing here?”
Alex followed the direction of Staveley’s stare and his own eyes grew wide. Haversham stood in the entrance, surveying the crowd. When he caught the marquess’ eye, Marc started towards them.
“Beckford has certainly gotten priggish since he’s married,” the marquess said in greeting.
Staveley chuckled. “Something my wife thanks God for every night.”
Marc looked Alex up and down. “And where is your lovely duchess?”
“Talking with a friend of hers,” he drawled.
Marc stared out at the sea of people. “Ah, there she is. Who is that delightful creature she’s talking to?” he asked, with an appreciative grunt.
