The short drive allowed her enough time to calm her emotions. She briefly wondered if Elizabeth’s aunt would permit her to enter the house. Until their engagement became official, she was a scandalous woman. All the proper ladies of the ton would scorn her.
“Avis!” Elizabeth peeked out from the salon as Avis stepped into the hallway. “I’m so glad you came to visit.”
Avis gave her a tremulous smile. “Oh, blast,” she cried and hugged Elizabeth. “I thought I had cried out all my tears.”
“Come along. I have tea and cakes and everyone is here.” Elizabeth led her into the room.
“Oh, Avis,” Sophie and Victoria murmured at the same time.
“We will get this all straightened out,” Jennette said in her usual authoritative manner. “He went out looking for Billingsworth. Had he returned home by the time you went to see him?”
Avis shook her head still attempting to control her tears.
“Can I assume by your tears that you have heard the gossip?” Sophie asked quietly.
“What gossip?” How much worse could it be than compromising yourself?
A hush fell over the room. Avis sat on the sofa and glanced around at the pale faces of her friends. “What gossip?”
Jennette spoke first, “The betting book at White’s is being flooded with wagers.”
“And?”
“About you and Banning,” Jennette finished in a whispered tone.
“And about a duel between Billingsworth and Banning over you,” Elizabeth said.
“So I’m officially ruined.”
Banning’s carriage rolled to a stop on St. James Street in front of White’s. Somerton had agreed to keep a watch in the club for Billingsworth. After only a day back in town, the bastard had already been seen here.
He entered White’s and found a quiet table in the corner. Several men nodded to him, or saluted him with their drinks, but he ignored them. After ordering a bottle of claret, he sat back and examined the room.
“Selby,” Somerton greeted him.
“Somerton.”
“May I?” he asked, pointing to the empty chair.
“Of course.” Banning waited until Somerton took his seat before interrogating him. “Where is he?”
“Patience, man.”
“I don’t seem to have any of that left.”
“I hear congratulations may be in order,” Somerton said then poured himself a glass of claret.
“Not bloody likely.”
“Oh?”
“I believe most people realize that Miss Copley was a spinster because she wanted to be. Apparently, she still wishes to remain unmarried.”
“I find that difficult to believe,” Somerton commented then sipped his claret.
“Why?”
Somerton drained his claret and then rose with a sardonic look on his face. “Even I heard the rumor that she compromised herself to save you from the delightful trap set by Miss Olivia Roebuck. Odd behavior from a self-proclaimed spinster, wouldn’t you agree?”
Somerton waited for a response but finally added, “Billingsworth is in the gaming room. And by the by, the betting book is aflame with wagers that you and Miss Copley will be married by weeks’ end. Since I put down a large amount on that bet, I would appreciate a Thursday wedding.”
“I’ll do my best, Somerton.” Banning only hoped he’d still be alive by Thursday.
Somerton nodded and walked toward the gaming room. Banning knew he had to walk into that room and confront Billingsworth but his feet wouldn’t move. He had always known that one day Billingsworth’s violent nature would show itself to Avis. Rage billowed over him as he thought about the consequences—pistols at dawn. His blood iced over.
He scraped back his chair and strode to the back room. Scanning the room, he finally found the bastard with his back to the door, playing whist. Banning clamped his hand down on Billingsworth’s slender shoulder.
“I believe we have a meeting to discuss,” Banning whispered harshly in his ear.
Billingsworth gave him a leer. “You mean to defend that whore’s honor? She’s a bloody vixen in bed. She couldn’t get enough of me, you know.”
Billingsworth stood and turned toward Banning. “And I daresay with you out of her bed, Miss Copley will be begging me to marry her and set her reputation straight.”
“Like bloody hell she will.” In one swift movement, Banning let his fist fly into Billingsworth’s chin.
Billingsworth fell back against the table behind him with a loud crash, breaking several dishes as he landed. Slowly he stood, and Banning was waiting for him.
“She will keep writing,” Banning said. “She will marry me. And she won’t give you another farthing.”
Billingsworth’s eyes widened. A thick vein in his neck bulged and pulsed in anger. He clenched his fist, and started toward Banning.
Before Banning could punch him again, Somerton pulled his arms behind his back and dragged him away from Billingsworth.
“Stay away from her, you bastard,” Banning hissed.
“Selby,” Billingsworth called, “to whom shall I send my friend?”
“Me,” Somerton answered from behind Banning. “Come along, Selby.” He continued to pull Banning until they were both outside.
“I suppose I should thank you for getting me out of there before I killed the man,” Banning said as Somerton released his arms.
“You have the morning for that pleasure.” Somerton smiled viciously. “I would offer to do the job for you, but I do have my reputation to think of. What would the ton think of me?”
“As if you cared.”
Somerton shrugged. “Not a whit.”
“Do you care about anything?”
“No. Not really.”
“I thought as much.” Banning’s carriage slowed to a stop in front of them.
“He only wants her money,” Somerton said.
“I know.”
“I’ll talk to his second and set everything up,” Somerton said in a serious tone. “And I’ll do my best to force the issue of weapons—swords only. I’m sure he only baited you so you would hit him first. Being the insulted party, it is his choice of weapons.”
“He knows.”
Somerton frowned. “Then you know it will be pistols. Drink a good amount of coffee or tea, no more claret today. I’ll see you in the morning.”
The carriage door shut behind him as the vehicle rolled across the cobblestones toward his home. Leaning back against the velvet squabs, he closed his eyes. He rubbed his hands over his face to erase the images he saw every time he closed his eyes. He would have to pick up a gun again. Possibly kill another human being. And even though the world might be a better place without Emory Billingsworth, the idea of shooting the man made Banning’s stomach roil.
Banning knew he had no choice. She would be his wife for this. Opening his eyes, he attempted to focus on the seat across from him, wishing the carriage would stop spinning.
By the time he arrived back at his home, the world had slowed its whirling pace. He stepped down carefully from the carriage and made his way up the steps, holding tightly onto the iron rail.
He had only hours to prepare himself to face his worst fear.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Battenford opened the door as Banning approached. “Good evening, my lord.”
“Evening, Battenford.” Banning continued down the hallway without stopping.
“My lord—”
“Tomorrow. I am in no mood to discuss anything at the moment.” Assuming he’d be in any condition to talk tomorrow.
“But—”
“Goodnight, Battenford,” he said as he reached his study. There was one candle lit in the room and he saw no need to light another. Crossing the threshold, a soft object bounced off his head. “What the—” Before he could even finish, another one hit him directly in the face. He looked down at the two pillows on the floor.
He slowly glanced up just as another pillow flew ac
ross the room, which he easily deflected. He stared at Avis. Her brown eyes glared nearly black with rage, as her chest rose and fell in quick succession.
“I take it there is a problem?”
“You bastard!” she shouted. “You ruined me.”
“Nothing more than you deserved after your little display on the terrace at Trey’s house.”
She flung another pillow at him. “I deserved being deserted? I deserved having everyone in the ton give me the cut direct because I was protecting you from that little tart?”
He caught the pillow and hurled it to the ground. Stalking her, he said, “Yes, you deserved that. Possibly even more.”
“For what? Foolishly opening my mouth to protect you from Miss Roebuck?” Avis stepped back as he came closer.
“For kissing Billingsworth on the terrace, perhaps?”
“You saw that and you didn’t assist me?”
He cocked his head at her. “You didn’t look as if you needed any help. You were clutching his jacket as though you hadn’t been kissed in years.”
“I tripped, you stupid fool. He grabbed me and kissed me.”
“And I suppose he forced you say you wanted him?” Confusion flashed across her face, widening her eyes.
“I wanted him to get his hands off my derrière.”
“And you were struggling ferociously to get out of his arms,” he added sarcastically.
Out of pillow ammunition, she stood her ground until he stood directly in front of her. “You said you were returning to town after you rescued me. Did you plan on standing me up?”
“At least I saved you from being beaten by the bastard.”
“And now you’re going to face him to defend my honor? Yet you would not even stay at the ball long enough for our engagement to be announced.”
“It was my understanding you wanted to ride out the scandal.”
“I never said that. When we talked about scandal, I thought we were discussing the fact that even if we announced our wedding there would still be rumors flying.”
He stepped forward as she stepped back again. This time, she ran into the table, knocking herself off balance. Banning reached for her, but she was just a breath too far away and he tumbled down on top of her.
“You oaf!” She pummeled his shoulders with her fists.
Grabbing her arms, he pinned them above her head and weighed her body down with his. “Enough!”
“Hardly. I still cannot believe you think I wanted to kiss him.”
“Oh? Why wouldn’t I believe it? He was your first choice after all. You believed him over everything I told you about him. So why are you here, Avis?”
“To stop the duel and demand you marry me,” she said in a tone that sounded nothing like an order.
“You demand it, do you?”
The urge to kiss her neck became too much for Banning to ignore. Slowly, he bent his head and touched his lips to her erratic pulse.
“Stop that this instant! We need to talk.”
“Never,” he whispered against the hollow of her neck.
“I don’t want you touching me,” she said in an unconvincing voice.
“But you just demanded I marry you. If I do, you are mine. Mine to kiss, touch, caress, fondle, make love to, any time I desire.”
“Not against my will.”
“Even against your will.” He placed feathery kisses down the deep line of cleavage exposed to him. “Not that I would ever need to force you. You are a very passionate woman,” he murmured against her breast.
“Are you going to marry me or not?”
He smiled against the soft skin of her breast. She had finally come to him. A brief feeling of relief skittered through him. He’d never felt so lucky because he would now have everything he’d ever wanted. Assuming he lived through the meeting at dawn.
Avis held her breath, waiting for an answer. Even when he brought her fully covered nipple into his mouth, she refused to breathe. Or maybe she’d just lost the ability to take air into her lungs.
“Are you?” she asked again.
He lifted his head up and stared at her. A small smile lifted his sensual lips upward. “No.”
“What?” She twisted and attempted to draw herself upward but his weight kept her trapped.
“No.”
She turned her head as he bent to kiss her mouth. She refused to kiss him. All logical thought and reason flew out the window once he kissed her.
“Why not?” she asked. “This is all your fault.”
“Is it now?” He arched a black brow at her.
“Well, most of it.”
“If I remember correctly, I asked you to marry me weeks ago in Southwold.”
“You did not. You said you needed a wife. A brood mare to have your children.”
“Which I do,” he whispered, placing a kiss on her chin. “Beautiful boys and girls with their mother’s curly hair.”
“Then you will ask me to marry you?”
He shook his head with a grin. That arrogant man was playing games with her!
“I’m afraid my reputation is in tatters over being compromised on the terrace at Trey’s house.”
She slapped his back and laughed. “Your reputation is intact. That is just one of the many joys of being a man. Your reputation is enhanced while mine is ruined.”
Lifting his head, he kissed the end of her nose. “No, I’m afraid my reputation is not undamaged. It appears since you kissed Billingsworth on the terrace, I’ve taken to drinking and sitting in darkened rooms. And worse, taking swings at men in White’s. I might even have my subscription revoked for that.”
“Whom did you strike?” she asked softly.
“A bastard of a man.”
“Billingsworth?”
He nodded.
“Did he call you out, then?” Avis frowned. She’d thought Banning had called Emory out for his attack on her.
“I really don’t feel like talking about him right now.”
“Banning, did he call you out?” she demanded. Fear flickered through her entire body, knowing she couldn’t lose him now. She was too close to having everything she now wanted in life.
“Yes.”
“Damn you, Banning!” She twisted in his arms but could not move off him. “You cannot meet him.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why not? Afraid I might kill him?”
“No. I am terrified that you will be killed,” she whispered.
He lowered her head toward his lips and kissed her softly. “No more talk of Billingsworth. We have far more important things to discuss.”
“Such as?”
He rolled her back onto the floor. “Special licenses.”
“Oh?” She would let him change the topic of conversation for a short while, but she would talk him out of this duel. She couldn’t let him do this, not for her.
“Hmm, would Thursday be soon enough to marry me?”
“I don’t remember being asked.”
“If I’m not mistaken, we both demanded that we marry each other. Do we really need a proposal?” He slipped her gown over her shoulder. “After all, we both have been compromised.”
“True,” she replied sweetly. “But a proposal is rather nice.”
“All right then.” Then he nipped her shoulder. “Propose to me,” he said in a teasing tone.
“Not me, you beast.” She couldn’t help but laugh.
His white teeth gleamed in the dim room. Then he sobered. “Will you marry me, Avis?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
His brows furrowed. “Do you want to marry?”
“Only you, Banning.” She kissed him softly. “I never wanted to marry anyone until you showed me that I do have the patience.”
“Love gives you the patience, sweetheart.”
“Your love,” she whispered. “Only your love.”
“I want to compromise you again,” he murmured in her ear. “Right now.”
“What about your mother and your sister?”
“Damn.”
He kissed her neck until she shivered with desire. Passion, she decided, was far better than she’d ever imagined. His lips skimmed across her bare shoulder.
“Banning,” she moaned.
“I must find a new house for my mother and sister just as quickly as I can.”
“I cannot wait that long. Did you close the door?”
Banning shot a glance behind him. “Damn.”
“Go close the door,” she whispered. “And lock it.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Banning turned the key and the lock clicked. He tossed his jacket on the chair by the desk. This was utter madness. With a duel only hours away, the last thing he should be doing was rutting like an animal. And yet, he couldn’t stop himself from making love to her no matter how much he knew he should. As he walked back toward her, he untied his cravat and unwound it from around his neck.
“Stand up, Avis.”
She looked at him with passion blazing in her brown eyes. “Why?”
“Because I want you naked in my arms. No barriers between us ever again.” He reached down and pulled her to her feet. Turning her around, he unhooked her gown and slid it over her arms and down her hips. The blue muslin pooled at her feet like water from the sea.
She shivered as he completely unlaced her stays and they followed the dress to the floor. Her shift and petticoats were next until she stood before him in only her clocked stockings and shoes. He turned her back to face him.
“Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted you?” he whispered.
“I believe I do.”
“Take off your stockings for me.”
She only smiled at his request. Taking a seat on the sofa, she unhooked her garters and threw them on the pile of clothing. She put one leg on the table allowing him a lovely view and then slid her stockings down one slim leg then the other. His cock pressed tightly against his trousers. Once she had completed the task, she stood up completely naked. He clenched his fists to keep from tossing her on the sofa and driving himself into her right then and there.
“Undress me,” he muttered, even though the thought of her fingers on him made him tremble.
Christie Kelley Page 23
