They remained silent all during the carriage ride, but Laura’s thoughts whirled as the wheels clattered along the cobblestones. Tonight was yet another test of her parental abilities. This morning, she’d threatened to take him back home to their country estate, and he’d apologized, but she’d known he was only trying to placate her. Laura had spoken to him at length about criminals and pickpockets. He’d scoffed and told her he could take care of himself.
All of his insistence that he could look after himself had the opposite effect on her. She worried that he’d never even considered the bad things that might befall him if he wasn’t careful. Laura suspected he didn’t believe anything bad could happen, and that worried her more than anything.
Part of her wanted to take him to their country home immediately, but she would give him another chance. Tonight, he’d listened to her, and that gave her hope. In truth, she’d looked forward to spending the season in London, even though she’d initially been a bit intimidated. Of course, she’d had visions of visiting museums and plays with Justin, but he preferred his friends to her. Laura supposed it was only natural, but she’d grown increasingly anxious about his friends the past fortnight. No matter how trying it was, she must stand her ground.
In the near future, Justin would reach his majority and sooner than she wished. She didn’t like to think about the day when he no longer needed her, but it was coming, and she must mentally prepare herself. But how did a mother let her chick fly from the nest? She shook the thought off and decided to deal with that eventuality only when she must.
After waiting in a long queue of vehicles, the carriage finally rolled to a stop before Lord and Lady Atherton’s grand mansion. Two tall lamps produced flames, lighting their way. Justin accompanied her inside and walked beside her up the stairs. The enormous crowd in the ballroom rattled her nerves a bit. Laura feared she would spend the evening all alone, but Lady Atherton greeted her and offered to introduce her to others. Laura was grateful, but her pulse quickened when Justin disappeared in the crowd. She squelched the urge to go after him and told herself that he wouldn’t get into trouble at a ball. Yet apprehension niggled at the back of her brain. Oh dear, she must stop worrying so much. If she attempted to smother him, he would most certainly balk.
Lady Atherton smiled at her. “Lord Chesfield looks very handsome tonight. You must be proud of him.”
“I am, thank you,” Laura said. “There are days when he tries my patience.” That, of course, was an understatement.
“If you ever need anything, advice or assistance, you must come to me, dear,” Lady Atherton said. “I have four boys, all grown now, but I’ve not forgotten their unruly years.”
Laura met Lady Atherton’s lined eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate any advice you’re willing to impart.”
Lady Atherton took her arm and leaned closer to Laura as they took a turn about the room. “Many are watching you tonight. You’re new to town. Others are curious.”
“The very thought is a bit unsettling,” Laura said. “I fear I’ll appear a country bumpkin in their eyes.”
“Well, if it helps, you look quite poised and very beautiful. The yellow trim on your white gown is understated, but it is lovely on you.” Lady Atherton surveyed the ballroom. “Ah, I see more than a few curious glances directed at you. Beware the jealous cats.”
Laura frowned. “But they don’t even know me.”
“My dear, they have eyes in their head, and you are easily the most beautiful woman here.”
Laura scoffed. “You flatter me too much. There are many ladies here who are far more elegant and sophisticated.”
“But you are new and a curiosity for everyone. They wish to challenge you and see if you’re clever or not.”
“I’m not one to play games, Lady Atherton. All I can be is myself, and if that is unacceptable to the ton, then so be it. I’m here only for the sake of my stepson.”
Lady Atherton raised her brows. “Really? How very unselfish of you.”
Laura’s face grew a bit warm. “While I’m certainly happy to make new acquaintances, I have no expectations of impressing anyone.”
“Well said, my dear. I rather think your practicality will win over more than a few.”
“And perhaps bore the others,” Laura said with a smile. “I’m a country girl at heart and unlikely to make a splash. Frankly, I don’t wish to do so.”
“What you wish may not be yours to command,” Lady Atherton said.
Laura smiled. “I fear I’m keeping you from other friends.”
“Nonsense,” she said. “Now, here’s a bit of advice, all of which I learned the hard way over the course of many years. Ignore any snide remarks and steer clear of that man,” she said, tipping her silver coiffure.
Laura blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
Lady Atherton led her a few paces forward and halted. “Turn to your right and peer about as if you’re looking for someone. You’ll see a gentleman with the most startling blue eyes standing beneath the chandelier near the sideboard.”
Laura laughed a little and followed Lady Atherton’s instructions. A man who easily stood over six feet tall was speaking to two other gentlemen near the sideboard. She caught her breath when he turned slightly, but he didn’t appear to notice her, thank goodness. In profile, he had a shock of fashionably disheveled black hair and thick arched brows that made him appear almost satanic. She started to look away, but the tall man turned forward to speak to someone. An ironic, sideways smile lit his face.
She caught her breath. He had the most arresting sky blue eyes she’d ever seen.
All around her, people swept past, but it was as if time had slowed. She’d met her share of attractive gentlemen, but this man was so far above handsome that any descriptive words escaped her. And God help her, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him.
He was the sort of man who made virtuous women forget their morals and lift their skirts.
His brows drew together as if he were puzzled. Then he looked directly at her.
Breathe.
A wicked smile lit his face as he slowly let his gaze slide down her body.
Her pulse quickened, and her lips parted. Every inch of her skin felt warm, too warm.
He reversed his gaze with agonizing slowness until he paused to look at her breasts. She should be horrified and outraged, but long-buried desire flared. Her nipples tightened, and she realized his visual seduction was calculated to make her feel as if he’d touched her.
At long last, he looked into her eyes with a knowing expression and winked.
Mortified, she turned away and applied her fan to her hot face. Her heart was pounding. Oh, dear God, she’d just stood there while he perused her body as if he were mentally peeling off her clothes.
What was the matter with her? Laura winced, realizing he’d probably marked her for a loose woman. Oh, she wanted to kick herself for allowing him to ogle her as if she were a strumpet.
When someone tapped her shoulder, she gasped and then exhaled in relief upon seeing Lady Atherton. “You startled me.”
Lady Atherton smiled a little. “That man is the Earl of Bellingham. He is a handsome devil, but you do not wish to become one of his conquests. By all accounts, his soul is made of ice, and he has no scruples whatsoever.”
A nervous laugh escaped Laura. “I’m positive he would have no interest in me.” She wanted to shift the blame to him, but she’d all but invited him to examine her.
Lady Atherton took her arm and started strolling. “What he wants, he gets. Be sure it’s not you.”
The fine hairs on her neck stiffened, but she refused to be afraid of him. She was fooling herself. It wasn’t him she feared; it was herself. Never before had she reacted so strongly to a man, but she would have to be made out of stone not to find him exceptionally handsome. “I doubt he’d be interested in me when there are so many ladies who possess the sophisticated veneer that I lack and really do not wish to acquire.” But she suspected it
wasn’t sophistication he sought.
“Ah, but you are new, different, and have a smile that could light up every lantern in Vauxhall,” Lady Atherton said.
Laura shrugged. “I will have to take your word for it, because I’ve never been there—or anywhere else but here for that matter.”
“Tomorrow, you must come with me to Rotten Row. It’s where everyone rides at five in the afternoon to see and be seen.”
Laura winced, fearing she’d sounded as if she were fishing for an invitation. “You mustn’t feel obliged to entertain me. I’m sure you have other friends, and I do not wish to impose.”
“It is no imposition, dear. I enjoy your company.” Lady Atherton looked past her and then released her breath. “Oh dear, he’s watching you.”
Laura frowned. “Who?”
“Bellingham. Do not look in his direction.”
“Trust me, I’ve no intention of doing so,” Laura said.
Lady Atherton sighed. “Admittedly, he does have a tragedy in his past that everyone says changed him drastically.”
The news piqued her curiosity. “What happened?” Laura said.
“I’ll tell you what I’ve heard later, when we can speak without listening ears. Only his closest confidants know the particulars.” She sighed. “It is such a waste. I’ve heard he never intends to marry, even though all of his properties will forfeit to the crown.”
“Good heavens,” Laura said. “What is wrong with the man?”
Lady Atherton shook her head. “Everyone has a breaking point. His came far too early in life.”
Despite her friend’s warning, Laura couldn’t help the compulsion to steal one more glance at him, but he no longer stood in the same place. She released her pent-up breath and thought it for the best. Then someone brushed very close past her. She looked over her shoulder, only to find the earl standing before a woman wearing a ruby-colored gown with a daringly low bodice. Laura sniffed. Well, he’d clearly found a disreputable female to do his bidding.
“You see, he is a rake—one of the worst,” Lady Atherton said. “There is a long list of high flyers in his past.”
Laura regarded Lady Atherton with puzzlement. “High flyers?”
A fleeting smile touched Lady Atherton’s lips as she leaned closer. “It is a fancy term for a courtesan.”
“Well, then, I’ve nothing to worry about. A man like him would have no interest in a respectable vicar’s daughter.”
“My dear, you may be a widow and have a stepson, but you’re very naïve if you believe you are unattractive, and I say that only to protect you. A woman who is hard to get is like a carrot dangling on a stick to a rake.”
“Well, I’m sure the earl can find riper vegetables elsewhere,” she said. “I’m far too sensible for the likes of a big, bad rake. Besides, I have my hands full looking after my stepson.”
Lady Atherton regarded her with a smile. “He’s a very lucky young man to have such a wonderful stepmama.”
Laura gave her a rueful look. “I doubt he would agree right now.” She sighed. “He wishes to be independent, but I fear he lacks judgment.”
“Speaking of your stepson, he’s dancing with Lady Celeste.”
Laura turned and smiled upon seeing Justin acquit himself so well. She’d taught him to dance, and he’d had plenty of practice at country assemblies. “Oh, he does look handsome, doesn’t he?”
Lady Atherton looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression. “You’re as proud as if he were your own son.”
“Justin is my son, even if he is not of my flesh and blood,” she said.
“Have you considered marrying again? You can’t be above twenty-six,” Lady Atherton said.
“I’m twenty-eight,” Laura said with a rueful smile. “I doubt I shall ever remarry. Justin is my focus right now. At any rate, I cannot imagine ever meeting another man who would suit me as well as Phillip.”
“Perhaps a gentleman in London will sweep you off your feet,” Lady Atherton said with a sly smile.
Laura shook her head. “I’m far too practical for that.”
“Come with me,” Lady Atherton said. “I wish to introduce you to the Duchess of Shelbourne. You’ll like her. She’s quite witty, and not so very long ago, she was a bona fide matchmaker.”
“Oh dear,” Laura said. “Should I be afraid?”
“She gave up matchmaking for motherhood a few years ago. For now, let me tell you the arresting tale of how she became the duke’s matchmaker and eventually his bride.”
Chapter Six
Bell spoke briefly with his former mistress, and then he saw the beautiful blond lady walking away with Lady Atherton. He followed at a discreet distance, because he couldn’t get her out of his head. But then Lady Atherton led her over to the Duchess of Shelbourne, and Bell made himself turn away.
He recalled his feeling earlier that someone was watching him, and then he’d met her gaze. He’d been taken aback by her pretty eyes and had expected her to blush. Instead, she’d stood there with her plump lips slightly parted, as if mesmerized. Then he’d given in to the wicked urge to survey the rest of her. He accounted himself a connoisseur of shapely women, and she was perfectly proportioned. Sanity returned as he’d realized that others might remark upon his visual inspection of her, and so he’d winked to break the spell.
He should keep his distance. Lady Atherton was a well-known high stickler and would have put a flea in his ear if she’d seen him mentally undressing the younger woman. He told himself the petite blond was not for him, but she was the kind of woman a man didn’t easily forget.
With a sigh, he joined some of his political acquaintances in one of the drawing rooms. A few minutes later several other men, including Harry and Colin, invaded the room. Bell stood with his arms folded over his chest as Harry exaggerated Bell’s heroism two nights ago. A number of grinning gentlemen gathered around. Harry greatly embellished the tale by adding a fight with the waterman and snakes in the river. Bell figured that even reptiles couldn’t survive the foul Thames, but he said nothing.
Judging from the men’s expressions, everyone was accustomed to Harry’s tall tales. When he finished the story, the other gentlemen chuckled and disbursed. Bell followed his new friends back to the ballroom and found himself looking for the lovely blond, even though he’d sworn to stay away from her.
A few minutes later, he walked with Harry and Colin over to the punch bowl. Colin looked out at the crowd and frowned. “Excuse me,” he said.
Harry poured a cup of punch, sipped it, and grimaced.
“Is it too strong?” Bell asked.
“Lord, no. It’s completely devoid of spirits.” Harry set the cup aside. “Where is the brandy decanter?”
Lady Atherton walked over to him. “Harry, you rogue, I’ll not have you spiking the punch bowl again. Lady Renwick is still mortified over her drunken state on the dance floor last year.”
Harry wagged his brows. “Literally on the dance floor, with her skirts up to her knees.”
“I’m sorry to have missed it,” Bell said, laughing.
Lady Atherton rolled her eyes. “Men. No matter how old you grow, there’s a twelve-year-old scamp inside all of you.” She made a shooing motion. “Both of you find dance partners and stay out of the brandy.”
Bell’s shoulders shook after she left. “I haven’t had a trimming like that in years.”
Harry looked out at the dance floor and stiffened. “Dash it all. I hope they don’t kill each other.”
“Who?” Bell said.
“Colin and his nemesis Lady Angeline,” Harry said.
“Lady Angeline?” Bell said.
“The Duke of Wycoff’s eldest daughter,” Harry said. “She and Colin were born only one week apart, and their mothers promised them to each other in the cradle. Naturally, they hate each other. I hope Angie doesn’t plant him a facer.”
Bell saw Colin and a young woman glaring at each other on the dance floor. “She’s a hoyden, I take it.
”
“Only around Colin,” Harry said. “She can’t stand it when he bests her and vice versa.” He paused and added, “Did you meet the new widow yet?”
“No, but then I don’t know her name or what she looks like.”
“My female cousins said she’s Lady Chesfield, but I think they’re leading me on a merry chase.”
“Probably,” Bell said.
Harry looked toward the dance floor. “I’m to dance the next set with Miss Martindale. I’d better find her.”
As Bell made his way through the crowd, he noticed that Lady Atherton was strolling with the petite blond again. Ah well, she was a friend of Lady Atherton, which meant she was too respectable to be any man’s mistress. For all he knew, she was some man’s wife.
Bell decided to walk out to the gardens and smoke a cheroot. He strode toward the back of the house, and though he wasn’t familiar with the layout, he managed to find his way to the door leading outside. There were lanterns in the trees, though he detected no one about. The wind was a bit chilly as it whipped the tails of his coat, but he welcomed the cold as he lit a cheroot from one of the lanterns. The wind riffled the leaves in the tall trees. He inhaled the smoke from the cheroot and enjoyed the relative silence, though London was never really quiet.
He exhaled and recalled his aggressiveness while fencing. The best cure for his hot-blooded nature was a toss in the sheets. He wondered about the best way to secure a new mistress. The Cyprians were giving another entertainment next week, and that was probably his best bet.
Too bad about the fictitious widow, he thought with a slight grin. Lord only knew where or how these rumors got started, but he thought a widow might suit him, provided she understood that marriage was not part of the bargain. It would be a tricky business, trying to figure out whether the widow was amenable to an intimate relationship or not. If he made a mistake, he would cause a grievous insult. His lips curved a bit. Since when had he ever missed an opportunity to persuade a lady to loosen her morals?
He ground out the cheroot and lit up another. Next week, he would attend Fordham’s wedding. He’d just never thought Fordham was the marrying kind, but he supposed most men took the step, because of the expectations of family and friends.
A Season for Sin Page 6
