His chest burned. He clenched his jaw. He had to leave or otherwise he’d find her, draw her to an empty corner, and pull her soft body against his. He’d ravish that cold mouth of hers until it warmed. Plus, he’d love to go to the game room and win all of the Earl of Halsford’s money. To leave him penniless would bring him great pleasure, but not yet. That would be too quick. He preferred to prolong his confusion and anxiety. He’d waited twelve years. He would manage to be patient a little longer.
After he said his good-byes, he headed outside. The cool night refreshed him after the stale, warm air inside. Rook joined him as he stood on the steps, undetermined whether to go to a club or home.
“I was glad to see you leaving. Let’s go to White’s. It will be more interesting than this ball. After we leave there, we can continue on to Madame Maisie’s. Her girls are beautiful and accommodating.”
“You always did have the best ideas, Rook. Let’s go squander the night away. It has been a very long time since I spent a night out in London.”
Damon had one drink with Rook and several of their friends at White’s before deciding to forego the trip to Madame Maisie’s establishment. He had plans to pursue tomorrow and tonight his mind was too full of gray eyes, golden hair, and the challenge of her cold lips. He smiled to himself when he thought about her and all the puny attempts she made to ignore or avoid him. All to no avail. He would have her. He had made up his mind.
How well would her father sleep each night knowing Damon had control of his only child? He would lose his money and his daughter. Afterward, maybe Damon’s thirst for revenge would be quenched. But would this hunger he had for Caroline ever be?
* * * *
Caroline was glad to return to the ballroom. But, although she danced constantly, she thought the night would never end.
When her father returned from the game room and announced it was time to leave, Caroline was ready. The gray pallor on her father’s face worried her. He brushed aside her concerns, saying he was tired.
As soon as they arrived home, Caroline hurriedly left her parents and went upstairs. She sat at her dressing table and bowed her head. Headaches seldom bothered her, but tonight her head throbbed.
“Would you like me to brush your hair, my lady?” Mary asked as she slipped into the room.
“Please. I would appreciate it.”
“I can see you don’t feel well.”
“No, I don’t.”
She gave a sigh of relief when Mary freed her hair of the hairpins. Mary pulled the brush gently through her hair. “You should dress your hair up more, my lady. It is so beautiful, but no one really sees its beauty in the tight hairstyles you prefer.”
“Perhaps that is the reason I chose those hairstyles, Mary. I don’t want to draw attention to myself.”
Mary quipped, “’Tis going to be a right fine surprise on your wedding night, my lady, for your husband.”
Caroline stood abruptly and went over to her bed. “Thank you, Mary. Please help me out of out of my clothes and then go get some rest. I really must lie down.”
When Mary left, Caroline crawled into her bed and pulled the covers over her head. This evening had been most unpleasant. She didn’t want Lord Royston’s attention. Maybe if she repeated that enough, her body might stop responding to him. He was handsome, she admitted reluctantly. His dark-brown hair and sea-blue eyes were striking, and his wide shoulders shone to perfection in his evening jacket. Nevertheless, she had learned long ago to look beneath the outward coverings of a person. He made her uncomfortable, and she didn’t like the feeling of not being in control when he was near.
* * * *
Damon stopped by the bank to talk with Mr. Brown, his banker, and then went to the docks to watch the unloading of one of his ships. He walked into the shadowy warehouse and stood while his eyes adjusted to the dimness.
“Hello, Lord Royston. Did you come to see about your goods?”
“Yes. I’d like to choose some new materials as a gift for my aunt and sister.”
“Best look in these crates over here to the right.” The worker walked ahead and opened several wood boxes. They were full of silks of gorgeous colors, and one had shawls of fine silk and others of cashmere.
Damon chose several pieces of silk he thought his aunt and sister would like and a shawl for each. As he pulled his hand out of the crate, the blue-green edge of a piece of silk caught on his coat sleeve. He pulled it free.
The material was light and a swirl of blues and greens. He pulled it out of the box and chose a silver cashmere shawl to go with it.
“Wrap this silk and the shawl for me. But first, bring me a card from my desk in the office. I want to write a note to place inside. When you’re finished, I’ll address the package. Then I’ll take the other silks and shawls for my aunt and sister with me.”
“Yes, my lord.” The man took all the articles Damon had chosen and went toward the office.
Damon thought of her flashing eyes and golden hair. She’d never have the silk made into a dress. He was almost sure she’d return it, but someday he would wrap it around her. When she was his.
His nostrils flared and his breath quickened when he considered touching her soft porcelain skin, and then kissing those cold lips until they were warm…and her.
She was like fire and ice. He would melt the ice. If he played his cards right, he would have her and his revenge.
“My lord.” The man held out the card. Damon scribbled his message and secretly chuckled thinking of her response when she got the package and read the note. The gift was quickly wrapped and brought to him.
Damon wrote the address with his slashing letters on Caroline’s. “Send it right away.”
* * * *
“Caroline, are you ready?” her mother called up the stairs.
Caroline hurried down the steps. Her white muslin gown, covered in tiny rose buds and trimmed in pink ribbon and embroidery, fell in soft folds to her pink, low-heeled slippers. On her head, she wore a white bonnet with pink lining.
“You look very nice,” her mother commented while pulling on her gloves. “I know you will enjoy this tea. It is such an honor to be invited to the Duchess of Osbert’s home.”
“Yes, Mama, I am sure it will be very pleasant.”
“Did you remember we will be going to the Monroes’ for dinner and music this evening?”
Caroline nodded yes, although she planned to have a headache and miss the dinner. She wasn’t ready to take a chance on running into Lord Royston so soon. She felt fairly safe the man wouldn’t be at the tea.
Sara met them after they’d been greeted by their hostess. She said hello to Lady Halsford and waited until Caroline’s mother had joined the other matrons. Then she clasped Caroline’s arm, pulling her into a small sitting room. Joan was already there.
“We have only a few minutes before we must join the others,” Sara said. “Joan and I are full of curiosity about what happened last night. You never did really explain why you don’t like the handsome viscount.”
Caroline looked at their faces. Sara was smiling her usual sweet smile. Joan was the tallest of the three and had dark hair. She had dressed in a light-green gown with white trim. Her expression showed her usual reserve as she waited patiently for Caroline’s explanation. They had all been friends since childhood and had shared their secrets with each other. But how did she explain something she didn’t understand herself?
“I’m not sure. He annoys me. I think it’s the challenge he mentioned. Rook must have told him my nickname, Lady Icicle, and he seems to have decided to try and melt the ice.”
“How is he doing?” Sara asked. “He’s very handsome.”
“Hah, I don’t care how good looking he is. I feel strange when he is near, as though he has the upper hand. I don’t understand it.”
“Maybe it’s love,” Sara persisted.
“Really, Sara, you are such a romantic.” Joan patted Sara’s hand. “We love you, but I agree with Caro
line. I’d be wary of a man making such a challenge. It sounds very improper.”
“The strangest part is Papa said he wasn’t the one for me to marry, and he and Mama are constantly encouraging me to choose someone.”
“We need to join the group,” Sara said. “By the way, his sister, Hannah, and his aunt, Lady Sommerplace, arrived a few minutes before you. Maybe you can find out something from his sister. She’s a sweet girl.”
“Wonderful, introduce me.”
Sara agreed. They went out to the terrace where everyone had congregated.
The day was perfect, beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds. The ladies added to the colorful picture in their light, pastel-colored muslin gowns. They moved gracefully around the terrace with the spring flowers blooming behind them. Caroline took a deep breath of the fresh air. A breeze ruffled her hair and some of the distress from last night left her.
Sara took Caroline’s hand and led her to an older woman with blonde hair and dark-blue eyes sitting beside a young lady with the same coloring. They have his eyes, Caroline thought as they smiled at her. Only their eyes were warm and welcoming.
“Aunt Elizabeth, this is the lady I told you about. The one who danced the waltz so gracefully with Damon last night.” Hannah smiled across at Caroline. “I was telling Damon today, I can hardly wait to get permission to dance the waltz.”
“Had you met my nephew before last night?” His aunt looked at Caroline over the edge of her teacup.
“No. Last night was our first introduction.” Well, that wasn’t exactly a lie. They hadn’t been introduced that day on the street corner. “His friend, Viscount Roland Stinson, introduced us.”
“Ah, you mean Rook. He and Damon have been friends since they met in school. Rook, Damon, Lord Sylvester, and the Marquis of Milbourgh were quite a foursome. I think they are the only friends Damon kept in touch with over the years when he was traveling.”
“He must have been away a long time.” Caroline took a sip of her tea. “I’ve not heard of him, and I’ve been out the past three years.”
The question hung in the air. Lady Elizabeth took another sip of tea. Hannah looked at her and sat quietly.
Caroline knew she had touched on something they did not wish to share. She glanced across the room and saw Joan and Sara talking with her mother.
“Excuse me, I have asked too many questions. I did not mean to be impolite.”
“No, my dear, certainly you were not. I…”
Caroline waved her hand. “Please excuse me. I see my mother across the room. I should join her.”
She stood, nodded at them, and walked away. She berated herself. Where had her manners gone? She had placed two ladies in an uncomfortable position because of her curiosity. Wanting to know more about Lord Royston was no excuse. And if they told Damon, as they called him, Caroline suspected he’d be angry. Why, oh why, did she have to attract his attention that day in town? Nothing had been the same since.
* * * *
Caroline, Joan, and Sara, along with Mary for their chaperone, decided to visit the bookstore after the tea party. Lady Halsford waved them on and went directly home. After finding several books to read, Caroline invited her friends to follow her home for a cup of tea.
“Please.” Caroline persisted when Sara started to refuse.
“All right, but Mama will be upset if I do not arrive home soon. We’re to go to Grandmama’s for dinner before we go to the Monroes’ party,” Sara explained.
“I too have only a short time before my parents expect me home,” Joan added.
“I’ll go ahead and ask cook to serve the tea as soon as we arrive.” Caroline hurried to her carriage. She’d insisted because she wasn’t yet ready to be alone with her thoughts. She needed the comfort of her friends around her. When they arrived shortly after her, she led them into the back sitting room. Sunlight shone across the wood floors.
The tea arrived promptly and they’d barely taken the first sip when a housemaid knocked on the door and brought in a package.
“It’s addressed to me?”
“Yes, my lady.” The housemaid curtsied and left the room.
Sara leaned over to look at the writing. “Who sent you a gift?”
Caroline hesitated before opening the wrapping. The bold, dark letters made her think of the viscount. Surely he would not send her anything. Even if he had been out of the country, he must realize the impropriety of her accepting any type of gift from him.
“Open it,” Sara and Joan encouraged.
“I suppose I can always send it back.” She pulled the paper away and the girls gasped at the beautiful material and shawl enclosed.
“That is very expensive silk, and the cashmere shawl is exquisite,” Joan said.
Caroline’s hand caressed the soft material. The colors were her favorites. The cashmere shawl made a perfect accessory. When she pulled the paper further apart to lift out the material, a white card fell out. The same bold writing stood out on the cream-colored vellum.
“I hope you will enjoy my gift. I shall look forward to seeing you dressed in the silk. Damon, Lord Royston.”
She flung the card down. “He has to know it is not proper to send me a present.”
Sara took the card and read it. “You’ll have to return the package to him. What a shame to lose this beautiful silk. It would have made a gorgeous gown.”
Sara hugged Caroline. “I must go. It’s late. I see this is going to be an interesting courtship between you and the handsome viscount.”
“We are not courting.”
“Apparently he thinks you are,” Sara said, then laughed and waved as she went out the door.
Joan stood beside Caroline. “I must leave, too. Be careful, Caroline. I agree with you that something does not seem quite right. You must be wary of him.”
Caroline hugged Joan and walked with her to her carriage. When Joan had gone, Caroline went back to the sitting room.
She picked up the soft material. A part of her wanted very much to keep it. She envisioned the lovely gown she’d have it made into. She fantasized herself dancing the waltz with the viscount, her skirt flowing out around her, the soft material silky against her skin while his body sent sensual waves of heat burning through her. She shook her head, bringing herself out of her silly dream.
Whatever brought those thoughts into my head? I don’t even like Lord Royston.
The house was quiet. Her father must be out and her mother resting. She had time to return his gift in person and give him a piece of her mind. If anyone said anything about her going to his house, she would say she went to see his sister. What she planned to do was most improper, but her anger spurred her on.
Chapter Four
Lord Royston’s butler looked sternly down his nose at Caroline. Even though she’d worn a very proper walking dress of dark-blue silk material trimmed in silver, and her silver and blue bonnet covered her golden hair, his expression clearly denoted disapproval. She had no companion or maid with her.
“May I help you, my lady?” he asked.
“I would like to see Lord Royston,” she said in a firm tone.
“Come in, please. I’ll announce you.”
Caroline stepped inside and waited as he walked down the corridor and knocked on a door. She glanced around the foyer. There were several small landscape paintings on the walls and a bowl of white roses on a Chippendale table. The furnishings were new and of the best quality.
“My lady.” The butler bowed and directed her to follow him. He opened the door he had previously entered and motioned for her to go in, then after announcing her, the door snapped firmly shut.
Damon stood in the shadows by the fireplace. The French windows were open to the garden where she heard birds chirping. She held the package in front of her, as though it could protect her from the look he sent her way.
“Ah, I see you are returning my gift. What a shame, but you did not have to bring it yourself,” Damon said sardonically.
/> She placed the package on his desk. “Yes, I did. You are certainly aware this is not proper. I don’t know what you think you are doing. I wanted to tell you, in person, to leave me alone.”
Caroline heard his chuckle and saw him move toward her. Panicked, she backed away. He looked at her intently as he approached. Her heartbeat quickened. He must not see her fear. She tilted her chin, squared her shoulders, and glared at him defiantly.
Damon’s eyes narrowed as he stopped right in front of her. “You will be mine…soon. Then, I shall return this gift to you.”
“I have no intention of marrying you!”
“Did I mention marriage?”
His hand reached out and pulled her against him. The other hand lifted her face to his.
“You want me as much as I want you. I can feel your body tremble.”
Damon’s lips brushed gently across hers, and then he crushed her mouth with his. Caroline tried to push away, but he held her close. When she started to yell, his tongue went into her mouth, caressing, touching, and pulling her into a whirlwind of emotions.
His hand on her back slid up and around to cup her breast, and his thumb brushed across her nipple. Even through her clothes the sensation took her breath. She gasped and shivered. Involuntarily, her hands reached up around his neck to touch his silky hair. She had become lost in a world unknown to her until this moment.
He reluctantly dragged his mouth away. His gaze captured hers and something intense flared in his eyes. “See how it will be between us. Nothing will keep me from claiming you.”
Stunned by her own behavior, Caroline put distance between them. She was breathless and her heart beat so rapidly she felt dizzy. She struggled to calm herself. How could she have behaved so improperly?
She turned and ran from the room and out the front door. After hurrying down the steps, she stopped and took a breath. Then she forced herself to stroll casually toward her carriage, parked on the corner of the next block.
Too late, she glanced around. If anyone had seen her rushing out of his house, she would be in serious danger of losing her reputation. How had she allowed her anger to override her upbringing and common sense? How dare him to insinuate that she’d be his? She was a lady, or had been until today and this disaster that she’d brought on herself.
The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 4
