Miss Foster’s Folly

by Alice Gaines

  He thought for another moment. Given her stubborn nature, the project would take some time, and he’d have to insure that she didn’t run away the first moment after they’d made love. “If she still persisted in trying to run to the Continent, how could I keep the villagers from helping her?”

  “Hmm.” James rubbed his chin with his free hand, not the one holding the razor. “Tell them she’s a long-lost relative who’s not right in her head. They’d return her to you. It is a lovely place, sir.”

  “And full of nude statues, thanks to Harry. She’d love it.” He paced some more. “And then, when she wants to leave, I’ll tell her she had to give me more time to woo her.”

  “Excellent plan, sir.”

  “I’ll take her there, show her every pleasure of the marriage bed, and keep her until she’s agreed to be my wife.”

  A scratch came at the door.

  “Enter,” Derrington called.

  Russell did so and stood just inside the room. Nothing cracked the man’s cool reserve, and to look at him now, a stranger would think him the picture of tight control. But his hair was mussed, as if he’d run his fingers through it. Honestly, Derrington had never seen his butler so upset.

  “There’s a young lady downstairs, my lord.” Russell put enough emphasis on “young lady” to signal true alarm to anyone who knew him.

  “Is she dressed decently?”

  That question seemed to hit him like a blow. He actually recoiled. “Why, yes, sir.”

  Not Juliet Foster, then. “Does she have red hair?”

  “Very red, sir.”

  Miss Rhodes. He should have guessed. “Tell her I’ll be down shortly.”

  “Very good, sir.” Russell turned on his heel and left.

  “I’ll finish shaving you,” James offered.

  “No time for that.” He used the towels to wipe the rest of the lather from his face. “I’ll put on some trousers under my robe. I won’t let her collect Miss Foster and leave before I can talk to her.”

  ***

  Millicent Rhodes stood in the foyer, a large parcel in her hand. She looked perfectly shocked at his appearance as he guided her into his study. In fact, she appeared ready to bolt at the slightest noise. He pointedly left the door open so that she couldn’t mistake his intentions as seduction.

  He indicated an arm chair. “Have a seat.”

  “I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind.”

  “Suit yourself. Cook will serve breakfast soon. You’re welcome to join me.”

  “Is Juliet here?”

  “Miss Foster? Why do you ask?”

  She hesitated, nibbling at her lip and casting glances at the doorway. After a bit, she squared her shoulders. “Because she left a note in my bedroom that I was to come here and bring her a dress.”

  “So, did you know she was planning a midnight rendezvous with me last night?”

  “I knew she was going to do something, but she didn’t tell me what,” she said.

  “She came here pretending to be a beggar. She convinced one of my footmen to let her in.”

  Miss Rhodes managed to look shocked and bereft all at once. “I’m very sorry, your lordship. She’s…that is…I have no…she’s…well…”

  “Nicely put. My sentiments exactly.” He said. “Oh, do sit down. Please.”

  She did, finally, in an armchair and set the parcel in her lap. “She means well. She’s just headstrong.”

  The words tugged at a very old memory. Perhaps as far back as his childhood. They might have been applied to him, but few people ever described him as meaning well. No, he’d heard those words to describe someone else. If only he could remember whom.

  “Lord Derrington?”

  He shook himself free of the images and found Miss Rhodes studying him, a puzzled look on her face.

  He took a seat on a chair opposite her. Not too close, but not too far away. “I’d like your help. In fact, I’ll beg for it if necessary.”

  Her curiosity turned to outright surprise. “What could you need from me?”

  “Understanding. I need to know what makes Juliet the way she is.”

  Her eyes flew open wide, probably at the familiarity he used to refer to her friend.

  “You needn’t look shocked,” he said. “When a woman creeps into my bed, naked, I’ll take the liberty of using her given name.”

  She gasped—loudly—and then covered her mouth with her fingers. “She did that?”

  “Don’t swoon. Nothing happened.” Not true. Something certainly had happened. “That is to say, I didn’t…we didn’t…at least, not completely.”

  “What was she thinking?”

  “Seduction, and I deserve a knighthood for resisting.”

  “Oh, Juliet,” she moaned. “I had no idea she’d planned anything like that.”

  “Why would she do such a thing? She doesn’t have to trick me into making love to her. I’ve asked her to marry me. Numerous times.”

  “That’s your big mistake,” she answered.

  Now, it was his turn to stare at her in wonderment. “What in blood—heaven’s name does that mean?”

  “Men have been proposing to her her entire life,” Miss Rhodes said. “A quick proposal of marriage is the fastest way to convince her that you don’t care about her.”

  “I beg your pardon.”

  “She assumes you want her money, and up until now, she’s been right every time.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” He rose, went to the fireplace, and rested an elbow on the mantel. “I have enough money of my own.”

  “In Juliet’s circle, there is no such thing as enough money.”

  He threw his hand up in a gesture of pure frustration. “So, she’d doom herself to a life alone for fear a man might disappoint her?”

  “It’s more complicated than that.”

  He sat again, leaning toward her. “I’m listening.”

  She sighed. “She wouldn’t want me talking to you about her.”

  He took her hands in his. Let her flinch if she wanted. “Miss Rhodes, I’m at the end of my tether.”

  She pulled her hands back. “You really do care for her, don’t you?”

  “Would I be sitting here begging a near stranger for help if I didn’t?”

  “All right.” She sat for a moment in thought. “You need to understand her family. Her mother loved the children very much, but she died when Juliet was quite young.”

  Much the same as what James had learned in his investigations. “She grew up without feminine guidance, I gather.”

  “Worse than that. Her father was a perfect bastard.” She straightened, as if she’d surprised herself with her language. “I’m sorry, but that’s what he was.”

  “You needn’t apologize to me.”

  “He took out his grief on his children. He blamed them for stealing time and love he could have had with his wife.”

  “That’s what the cook said.”

  This time, she put her hand on his. “You know about Ruth?”

  “When I was in New York, I made it my business to find out,” he said.

  “Juliet’s always told that story as if it were funny,” she said. “So like Juliet.”

  “Story?”

  “The story about looking for Ruth. Juliet searched the house for months after her father got rid of the woman.”

  “Oh, dear God.” If only the bastard could walk in at this very moment, he’d teach him something about how to treat children. His own parents had been conventional people, much like other people of their station in society. But they’d always tolerated him—even when the wild streak that arose in every other generation of Winslows showed in his temperament.

  Headstrong. Harry. He and his grandmother shared that trait. His father had always apologized to his mother for Harry’s behavior. Forgive her, my dear. She means well. She’s just headstrong.

  No wonder Juliet had captivated him since the first moment they’d met. No wonder every idiotic thing she did f
ascinated him. She was meant for him. She was the woman Harry had sent him searching for.

  “…Unlovable,” Miss Rhodes was saying.

  “I’m sorry. My mind wandered. Would you repeat that?”

  “And so, between her family and all the men who’ve only wanted her money, Juliet’s convinced no one can love her.” She paused. “She thinks she’s unlovable.”

  “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” He shot out of his chair again. “She has you, doesn’t she?”

  “Yes, we’re friends. That’s different.”

  “Perhaps I should try to be her friend, too.”

  She laughed, a deep and robust sound for such a modest, young woman. “I think it’s too late for that.”

  “Right,” he said. “Well, thank you.”

  She blushed. “I’d rather Juliet didn’t know I told you all this.”

  “Our secret. Now, you’d better take her that dress before she tries to go back wearing her disguise from last night.’

  She rose. “Was it awful?”

  “Dreadful.”

  “I’d better get upstairs quickly, then.”

  “Third door on the left.”

  She walked to the doorway.

  “Miss Rhodes, I hope we can be friends, or at least, allies.”

  She turned back to him. “I’m sure we can.”

  “Good. Tell Miss Foster I’ll call for her at tea time.”

  She smiled and curtseyed. “I’ll do that, Lord Derrington.”

  Chapter Nine

  The impossible man looked even more handsome than he had the day before. He wore the same tasteful sort of clothing he always wore—a suit of the latest fashion, cut precisely to fit his impressive frame. Not showy, not ostentatious, just elegant.

  No, nothing about his dress or his hair or his face had changed since the day before. But now, Juliet knew what he looked like by candlelight as he covered her body with his own and stared down at her, his eyes hot with hunger. She’d felt the velvet of his skin under her palms. She’d lain in his heat with the evidence of his arousal pressing into her flesh. And then, he’d done those amazing things with his mouth. Any woman would have to think him the most beautiful creature on Earth after all of that.

  Today she couldn’t take her eyes off him. And every time she looked at him, she found him staring back.

  Lord and Lady Mitford must have noticed. They’d suggested this private walk in the garden. The exact place where he’d first touched that intimate place between her legs, although her hosts couldn’t have known about that. No, the garden was simply the logical place for them to go for some time alone with each other. Miracle of miracles, Millie hadn’t volunteered to come along either.

  “I think we’re being maneuvered together, Lord Derrington,” she said as they walked between the roses.

  “Lady Mitford doesn’t seem to know you can manage that very well without help,” he answered.

  She couldn’t help but blush. “Last night.”

  “You really mustn’t try that again,” he said. “It isn’t safe.”

  “You’re right, but I’m glad I did it.” She stopped and took his hands in hers. “What you did…in your bed…it was so delicious.”

  “It was the sweetest torment imaginable.”

  She placed a palm on his cheek. “Torment?”

  “I wanted so much more.”

  “You can have it,” she said. “Any time you want.”

  “With my wife.”

  “This was going so well.” She dropped her hands by her side. “Don’t ask me to marry you again.”

  “Very well. Once a day will be my limit. I won’t propose again until tomorrow.”

  His eyes had that wicked twinkle in them. The one she’d noticed the first time they’d met. She’d watched him with several people now, and he only used that on her. It was endearing. Something special between the two of them. Maybe he’d twinkle even more when they’d finally become lovers.

  The twinkle turned into a devilish smile. “You haven’t kissed me yet today.”

  She rested a hand on his chest and leaned toward him. “Do you think Lord and Lady Mitford are watching?”

  “He may not be, but I’m sure she is.”

  “And we wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”

  He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Certainly not.”

  “Then, here you are.” She lifted her lips to his. It felt so natural to kiss him now. So inevitable. He put his arms around her and pulled her against him as his mouth led hers in the dance that always stole her breath and warmed her heart.

  The caress lingered, gentle enough for someone to watch and sensual enough to curl her toes. He nibbled on her lower lip and then touched it with his tongue. She sighed and moved closer to him.

  He stiffened and put his hands on her arms to move her away. “No more. Not with an audience.”

  “Afraid you can’t resist me?”

  “I know I can’t resist you,” he said. “Let’s find a more private place.”

  A thrill rushed through her. There would be more intimate kisses. He took her hand and led her to a bench. After taking his own seat, he pulled her onto his knee and took her in his arms again. Now, she had to look down at him. An odd feeling, but not unpleasant. She ran her fingers over his jaw. He must have shaved just before coming here because his skin didn’t have the least bit of stubble. He’d done it for her. The handholding, the kiss in front of someone else, the fact that he’d shaved for her—showed he did value her and want her.

  He gazed up at her with that same rakish light in his eyes, but something lay behind that. Tenderness, maybe. His lashes lowered, and his lips parted. A clear invitation for another kiss. Imagine. She could have his mouth any time she wanted. Any time they were together, she could have his touch. Eventually, she’d have the ultimate with him, too. He couldn’t hold out forever.

  She kissed him, fitting her lips to meld with his. His heat surrounded her as his hands roamed her back. She’d had his hands everywhere on her body and knew what they could do. She’d had his mouth, too, and it had done things she’d never imagined possible. This kiss held the promise of more. Even this gentle caress would lead to more and more if they let it. Already, the sweet lethargy enveloped her, fogging her senses and stealing her reason. She could so easily give in to it, lie on the grass, and let him undress her.

  He pulled back again, breathing hard. “I have a confession.”

  “Something serious enough to break off a kiss?”

  “Deadly serious.” He didn’t seem serious, though. Quite the opposite. “You’ve won.”

  “Won?”

  “Our battle. Marriage versus an illicit affair. You’ve won.”

  A thrill rushed through her. “Do you mean we can be lovers?”

  “After last night, I realized I can’t possibly resist you. I’m yours for whatever evil plans you have for me.”

  “Oh, David.” She threw her arms around him and hugged his neck. “I can’t believe it. I’ve wanted you so much.”

  “You shall have me, but I plan to keep proposing every day.”

  “Glory Hallelujah,” she said. “I guess I can live through one proposal per day.”

  “You are the oddest creature. Things always go the other way between men and women. Always.”

  “I can’t stand being like everyone else.”

  “So, I see.” He squeezed her a bit tighter to him. “I’d like to ask a favor, though.”

  “Anything you want.”

  “I’d like to make our first time as romantic and beautiful as possible.”

  “Dear man.” She kissed him again, just for a moment. “That sounds divine.”

  “Let’s go to Derrington Manor. Just the two of us, alone.”

  “Won’t you have servants there?” she asked.

  “I’ll make them wear blindfolds.”

  “Silly man.” What an image. She couldn’t help but laugh. “I wouldn’t wa
nt your valet shaving you while blinded.”

  He grinned. “Your concern for my health steals my breath away.”

  She ran her arms around his shoulders and hugged him with all her strength. “I don’t believe it. Finally. This will really, really happen.”

  “As soon as we can get to my ancestral home.”

  What a dream. She’d waited this long to have his body. She could wait a few more days. In fact, things would work out better this way. She wouldn’t have to worry about Millie snooping or a servant happening on something private. The staff at the manor would know she was there and would guess the reason for her presence. But they couldn’t easily get word back to London, and no one would send any cables to New York. She would have asked for this herself if she’d thought of it.

  “You look pleased,” he said.

  “Thrilled.”

  “Then perhaps you’d grant me one more favor,” he said.

  “All right. What?”

  “Once I’ve had you, I won’t be able to settle for one encounter,” he said. “Spend some time with me there. Please.”

  Why did that make her suspicious? It wasn’t an odd request, and she probably wouldn’t want to leave immediately, either. Maybe it was the fact that his eyes weren’t twinkling now. It didn’t seem the Derrington way of doing things. He ought to be either cajoling her or ordering her to bend to his will.

  She was being foolish. He’d scrambled her brain with promises of deep, sinful kisses and more sinful couplings. She’d go away with him. Enjoy his body until she was ready to move on, and she’d have everything she wanted. “All right. I’ll stay for a while.”

  “Good. Pack plenty of clothes. I may rip a few things in my haste to get you naked.”

  “Animal.”

  “Do you doubt it? Feel my cock and see.”

  She reached to his pelvis. He hadn’t lied, not an inch’s worth. “I can’t wait for this.”

  He made a low sound in his throat. “I can’t wait, either.”

  “When can we leave?”

  He grinned at her and pushed her hand away. “Can you be ready at midnight?”

  “Midnight?” she said. “Of course, I can. Earlier, if you want.”