by Carol Finch
"Yer man must be somethin' special," she surmised as she circled around Rozalyn to view the creation from every angle. "I ain't seen you smile so much in years."
"He is," Rozalyn eagerly replied. She peered in the mirror to rearrange a renegade curl that had tumbled from the shiny ringlets pinned atop her head. "And I consider myself fortunate to have found him."
Tess chortled at the lovestruck expression on Roza-lyn's flawless features. "Lawd, I never thought I'd live to see the day you found a man to suit you. Yore gran'mammy must be delighted that her—" The housekeeper bit her tongue before it outdistanced her brain.
"If Grand’mere's wish is to see me happy, then it has come to pass," Rozalyn replied, without cross-examining Tess about the comment she had left dangling in midair.
When the butler announced Dominic's arrival, Rozalyn hurried down the steps, Tess waddling along right behind her. The housekeeper was determined to have a close look at the rake who had so quickly taken hold of Rozalyn's heart, but she very nearly tripped over her own feet when Dominic emerged from the shadows to strike a' pose at the bottom of the steps. Before her stood a man who could make the Greek gods bow their heads in shame. He was every bit as handsome as Rozalyn was beautiful. Tess nodded in approval as her dark eyes flowed over the powerfully built gentleman.
Rozalyn was just as awestruck as the housekeeper. She had thought Dominic dashing in brown velvet, but his deep green waistcoat and matching silk vest accented the vivid color of his eyes. The fine fabric hugged his hard, muscular chest and clung to his thighs, and he wore a roguish smile that melted Rozalyn's heart. She found herself returning his contagious grin though she felt like a child gazing upon her idol. The mere sight of him aroused her and stirred sweet memories of a night that bordered on fantasy.
“My lady, you have again bewitched me with your beauty," Dominic growled seductively.
Lifting Rozalyn from the step, he held her in his arms. Then his gaze drifted to the plump Negress who was beaming at him, and he nodded a silent greeting as he set Roz on her feet. Dominic had been so distracted by this vision in lavender that he had failed to notice they had an audience.
"Tess had to see you in person," Rozalyn teased playfully. "I think she believed I'd conjured you up after I described you as tall, dark, and undeniably handsome."
"Off with you," Tess sputtered, flicking her wrist to shoo them out the door. "Yore gran'mammy is short on patience. She'll be pokin' her head out the door every few minutes, wonderin' what's keepin' the two of you."
As Rozalyn bounded down the steps toward the carriage, Dominic grasped her arm to detain her. When she glanced up questioningly, he answered her with a kiss warm enough to turn her into a pool of liquid desire.
"Mmmmm . . . I feared I would die for the want of that kiss. God, how long has it been? It seems like months." He groaned before his lips devoured hers once again.
When he finally granted Rozalyn a breath of air, she laughed light-heartedly and then turned toward the carriage. "You, sir, are outrageous. One would think you starved for affection."
"Am I not?" Dominic chortled as he quickened his pace to keep up with her strides. "If I had my wish, we would not have said adieu last night. I shamefully admit I squeezed the stuffing out of my pillow while I slept . . . it was a poor substitute for the feel of your soft, shapely body."
Rozalyn slipped her small hand into his and then smiled up into his handsome face. "Grand’mere's party cannot last until dawn. With any luck at all she will grant us a few moments of privacy."
"I doubt that." Dominic pouted like a child who had been deprived of a treat. "She will flaunt us like two prize canaries in a cage. I predict we will be put on display the moment we set foot in the house."
Rozalyn"s gay laughter eased Dominic's sour mood, and when she smoothed the frown from his features with a feathery kiss, Dominic forgot the nagging feeling of apprehension that had plagued him throughout the day. He had been relieved that Aubrey DuBois had not yet returned from his warehouse on the wharf when he'd come to call on Rozalyn. There would be a better time to confront this adversary. But when? Dominic asked himself. He had to voice his grievances to the powerful furrier, but his preoccupation with Rozalyn had pushed that purpose to the corner of his mind. Patience, man, Dominic told himself. If he wasn't careful his intricate scheme would explode in his face. He had to proceed one step at a time. Soon he would confront Aubrey, but for the moment, he would enjoy the free-spirited pixie who occupied his thoughts.
When Dominic and Rozalyn stepped into the carriage, Mosley popped the reins over the horse's back, urging the steed into a trot. A sly smile lifted his lips for he'd witnessed Dominic's possessive kiss on the front steps of the mansion. Mosley could almost feel Chadwell's twenty-dollar gold piece weighting down his pocket. Dominic is hooked, Mosley assured himself. This gorgeous creature with shiny raven hair and bright blue eyes certainly had his master in a tailspin. Chadwell would be eating his words.
While the groom was gloating, Dominic was making use of the few moments of privacy. One kiss led to another, and Dominic would have sworn the carriage had sprouted wings for they seemed to have flown to the Rabelais mansion. Reluctantly, he broke the arousing kiss and dragged himself away from Rozalyn. But when he stepped from the carriage, Mosley was peering down from his perch, a wide grin stretched across his face, and Dominic could not fathom what the old man found so amusing.
"You have certainly been behaving strangely tonight," Dominic remarked. The man seemed to be harboring some juicy secret. "I didn't realize that driving a carriage was so highly amusing."
Mosley shrugged noncommittally as he climbed down from his perch. Dominic would have pursued his investigation if Rozalyn had not emerged from the carriage to distract him. Her bright smile could have illuminated the night sky, and it nearly blinded Dominic. As he propelled her toward the mansion, Mosley took a long draw on his pipe and then ambled toward the stables. A soft peal of laughter echoed in the darkness as Mosley disappeared into the barn to join the other grooms who were waiting to drive Madame Rabelais' guests home when the party drew to a close. Dominic doesn't stand a chance against Rozalyn's charms, Mosley mused as he sank down into a chair. And he was prepared to bet another ten-dollar gold piece against anyone foolhardy enough to take the wager.
Chapter 9
Lenore clasped her hands in delight when Rozalyn and Dominic appeared in the foyer. A perfect match, she said to herself. She had prayed for this moment and it had finally come.
When Rozalyn focused her attention on her ailing grandmother, she could not believe the drastic change in Lenore's appearance. There was lively color in her cheeks and her eyes twinkled with happiness. The beldame's face was no longer chalky. Indeed, she looked ten years younger than she had two days before! It seemed her expectation of Rozalyn's upcoming wedding had worked miracles. Lenore seemed to have drunk her fill at the fountain of youth.
A pensive frown puckered Rozalyn's brow for she wondered if there would truly be a wedding. Dominic had spoken of love, but he had not asked for her hand. Did he only presume that wedlock was inevitable since it was Lenore's intention to whisk them through a brief courtship? Marriage was what Rozalyn wanted, but what about Dominic?
Casting aside her worrisome thoughts, she approached her grandmother, giving the beldame a cheerful smile. Rozalyn was sitting on top of the world and nothing could spoil her festive mood. She was hopelessly in love, and she didn't care if all of St. Louis knew it.
"You needn't say a word," Lenore insisted as she accepted the kiss Rozalyn pressed to her left cheek. "I can see by the look on your face that all is well with you and Dominic." Her eyes circled back to the dashing rake who was garbed in rich green velvet, and for a moment she admired the awesomely built, strikingly attractive man Rozalyn had selected for her future husband. "Come here, young man, and pay your respects to this feeble old woman."
A wry smile caught one corner of Dominic's mouth as he strode forward to take up h
er hand and place a light kiss on her wrist. "You look charming this evening, madame," he complimented and winked subtly at Lenore. "Rozalyn has warned me not to let my eyes stray to other women tonight. I am not certain I will be able to keep my promise for I might be drawn into your enchanting spell. It is not difficult to understand how Roz inherited her beauty or to whom she owes her vivacious personality."
"Devil," Lenore teased, delighted with Dominic's playful attention. "I am much too old and decrepit to believe such nonsense. Now, have you set the date for your wedding? I would be heartbroken if I were to miss the occasion."
Sparkling green eyes drifted to Rozalyn. Then Dominic smiled tenderly as he wrapped an arm around her and drew her to his side. "Did you perchance invite a clergyman to this affair? I have already made it clear that yesterday would not have been soon enough to speak the vows."
When Dominic bent to press a kiss to Rozalyn's upturned lips, Lenore beamed. Silently, she applauded herself for having already considered what Dominic had suggested. This engagement party will serve a dual purpose, she thought, a cunning grin on her face. Nothing would make her happier than to hear Rozalyn and Dominic speak their vows this very night, and if everything went according to her scheme Rozalyn would have a husband this very evening. But where the devil is Aubrey? Lenore wondered. She had sent him a message early that morning, stating that under no circumstances was he to miss his daughter's engagement party. If Aubrey did not arrive to give his daughter away at her surprise wedding, Lenore vowed she would find someone to stand in his stead. The inconsiderate lout.
"It just so happens I have invited a man of the cloth," Lenore announced, and her smile broaded when Rozalyn and Dominic gaped at her in disbelief. "The Reverend Fletcher says he will be only too happy to—"
"Rozalyn!" Lenore was cut off in midsentence when Mariette Jarmon swept from the ballroom to meet the man Lenore had been raving about for the past half-hour. Mariette's footsteps halted when she peered up into a pair of incredible green eyes. Mon Dieu. She had never been as envious of Rozalyn as she was at this moment. Rozalyn had landed herself a most dashing prize, but Mariette had lost two beaux to this wealthy beauty and she considered trying to steal this handsome catch away from Rozalyn DuBois. "I am most anxious to meet your fiance," she purred as she sashayed forward, her violet eyes never straying from the attractive rake in green velvet. He was pleasing to the eye, and Mariette was already contemplating how it would feel to be held in his arms.
A twinge of jealousy sizzled through Rozalyn as she watched the curvaceous redhead ogle Dominic. Mariette was the type of woman who derived pleasure from causing trouble. She had always been an outrageous flirt and a tease, and Rozalyn had never particularly cared for her. Clamping a tight rein on her temper, Rozalyn forced a civil smile. She would view Dominic's reaction to this seductive redhead. If he found Mariette intriguing, perhaps she would reconsider the hasty wedding.
"Mariette Jarmon, I would like you to meet Dominic Baudelair. He is—" Rozalyn was unable to finish her sentence before Mariette pounced.
"Dominic ..." Mariette rolled his name off her sensuous lips in her soft husky voice. Then she strategically wedged herself between Rozalyn and her dashing beau. "I am so pleased to make your acquaintance, monsieur," she cooed as she batted her eyes at him.
Mariette's sticky-sweet smile was cloying to Rozalyn. The woman was so obvious she was disgusting.
"Come, Dominic, spare me just one dance. I want to know everything about the man who has stolen Rozalyn's heart."
Like a clinging vine slowly but surely wrapping itself around lattice, Mariette latched onto Dominic, and when she dragged him toward the ballroom, Rozalyn glared at her departing back. Then she turned quickly when she heard the beldame chortling behind her.
"Jealous, ch'erie?" Lenore queried as she arched a graying brow. "No need to be. Mariette is but a stuffy bag of silk and petticoats. I predict that Dominic will find her to be shallow company."
Rozalyn compressed her lips and frowned. Dominic was a man, wasn't he? And he had been tempted to seek out another wench the previous night. Who could say for certain that he didn't have a penchant for variety? He had claimed to love Rozalyn, but when tempted could he turn his back? And Mariette was tempting. . . . Her beauty attracted men and she had always been a mite promiscuous. She wouldn't think twice about dallying with an engaged man, not when she'd consorted with married ones!
"You do love him, don't you?" Lenore asked point-blank. Her bony fingers curled around Rozalyn's arm as she gave her granddaughter a sympathetic smile.
"Oui, Grand’mere, very much," Rozalyn confessed with a heavy sigh. "Mariette's flirtatious games never mattered until now."
"If you are concerned, why don't you march into the ballroom and steal Dominic back?" Lenore suggested. "There is no harm in allowing the man you love to know you care enough to protect your interest." The beldame snickered at the distraught expression on her granddaughter's exquisite features. "Dominic is worth fighting for. You know that as well as I do."
Like a cavalryman answering a command to charge, Rozalyn proudly drew herself up. She marched toward the ballroom and threaded her way through the crowd of guests who were studying the darkly handsome Dominic and the provocative redhead as they made their way around the floor.
Amusement danced in Dominic's eyes when he noticed the flash of temper in Rozalyn's blue eyes. Mariette had already propositioned him twice. If Rozalyn only knew the lurid suggestions that had flown from Mademoiselle Jarmon's pink lips . . . Dominic didn't want to think about what might happen in that case. Rozalyn already looked as if she were itching to sink her teeth into something, preferably Mariette.
"Ah, there is Rozalyn," Dominic announced as he forced Mariette back to a respectable distance.
Mariette's lips jutted out in an exaggerated pout when she spied the shapely brunette. As a wealthy heiress, Rozalyn had her pick of the crop, but this ruggedly handsome beau put all others to shame. How she envied Rozalyn's way with men. They flocked to her like kittens on the trail of fresh milk, but no man had met Rozalyn's expectations until this powerfully built rogue came along. Mariette wasn't blind. She knew Rozalyn cared deeply for Dominic, but the thought of causing Rozalyn distress delighted her. It would console her for all the times she'd gone home angry because her escort had spent more time dancing with Rozalyn than his own date.
"I hope you don't mind my intrusion," Rozalyn commented, an undertone of irritation in her voice. "After all, Dominic is my fiance."
"But I do mind," Mariette purred. "I was having a perfectly marvelous time getting to know Nicki. He seems to have led such an exciting life."
Nicki? Rozalyn rolled her eyes in disgust. "Hasn't he though." She chided herself for resorting to sarcasm, but her temper was simmering. It was difficult to overcome her urge to snatch up the punch bowl and dump it on Mariette. Rozalyn had the feeling it would take such a drastic measure to cool Mariette's lust for her fiance. She reflected that Mariette's scruples had been squashed flat because she spent so much time on her back.
However, using the same tactic Mariette had employed earlier, Rozalyn wormed her way between the pair. Then she practically led Dominic into the waltz in her attempt to put more distance between him and the sultry redhead.
"A mite obvious, weren't you?" Dominic's dark brow tilted mockingly as he gathered Rozalyn in his powerful arms. "Only last night when you warned off your unsavory friends, you praised my ability to defend myself. Didn't you think I could handle Mariette?"
"I did not doubt your ability to do so," Rozalyn assured him flatly. "Only your desire to resist temptation."
"You were jealous." Dominic laughed softly, his lips brushing over her temple.
Rozalyn's anger melted when he pulled her against him. "Extremely," she confessed.
"Put your fears to rest," he murmured, his voice like a velvety caress. Dominic bent Rozalyn backward, forcing her to clutch his shoulders or risk falling flat on her back, and his eyes glo
wed with lambent hunger as his head moved deliberately toward hers. "I know what I want, amie. Nothing or no one is going to distract me."
The seductiveness of his tone and the alluring sparkle in his eyes left Rozalyn limp with pleasure. She didn't care that the guests were grinning at them. Dominic was creating a spectacle for St. Louis' most distinguished citizens, but Rozalyn was oblivious to that fact. She accepted his flaming kiss, and her heart ran away with her as his questing tongue probed into the dark recesses of her mouth. In that warm, sensuous moment, time slowed to a crawl. The entire ballroom and Lenore's guests faded into a foggy haze. Only the two of them existed, expressing their intense love for each other.
Rozalyn finally returned to her senses when a wave of applause rippled across the ballroom. She fought her craving to escape to the terrace and continue what they had only begun for when Dominic touched her, all thought evaporated. Now she knew only the wild yearning he so easily instilled in her.
Dominic drew a ragged breath as he pulled Rozalyn back into an upright position. Then he flashed the grinning bystanders a sheepish smile before turning his attention back to Rozalyn.
"It is most fortunate that you are followed by a slightly scandalous reputation, cherie," he chuckled as he whirled her around the dance floor. "Otherwise, we might be tossed out on our backsides for that public display of affection.
"Are you complaining?" Rozalyn moved closer to the fire that was burning her inside and out. "Could it be that you are having misgivings about playing this charade for Grand’mere?"
"Complain about a fiery kiss?" Dominic grinned roguishly. "Certainly not, mademoiselle," he protested.
"My only complaint is that I am forced to do the gentlemanly thing and keep my hands to myself. Were we alone, I assure you, nothing could save you from my zealous attention."
A tingle of excitement raced across her skin. Lord, how she adored his rakish smile and the sparkle in his emerald eyes. "Were we alone, I assure you that the very last thing on my mind would be being saved."
