Darrington 01 - Marriage Minded Lord

by Sandra Sookoo

  No more. If she continued flirting, would that strengthen the bond she and Felix shared? Perhaps their situations truly didn’t matter after all, but she wanted to try, if only for herself.

  “Oh, Felix.” Clarice left the relative safety of her stool, ran around the table and more or less hurled herself into his arms. “I cannot abide the suspense any longer. Please kiss me and do so swiftly. I cannot sit here and watch you and know you’ve done this kindness for me without giving something to you.”

  “Truly, and if I do, you won’t think the worst of me?” He held her gaze. “Every other time I’ve kissed you, you’ve run away with fear in your gaze. It is crushing to my ego.” He smiled, but it didn’t light his eyes.

  Poor man. Her actions were probably hard to read. “No, no, for I want it too.” When he stood motionless, she sighed. “Mon dieu, kiss me. I want to know that I mean something more to a man than… well, it doesn’t matter.” She slipped her arms about his neck, tugged his head down and claimed his lips.

  Clarice fell into the heated wonder that was Felix. She threaded her fingers through the silky hair just over his collar at his nape and pressed closer to him until they were breast to chest, hips to hips and everywhere between. He overwhelmed her senses: hard, muscled torso and shoulders, the clean, slightly citrusy scent of him perfumed the air she breathed, the faint scratch of his stubble against her chin awakened her body, and still she kissed him.

  He stroked his hands down her back then gripped her hips and pulled her closer. “I’ve waited so longer to know you like this,” he whispered against her mouth.

  Clarice licked and nibbled his bottom lip. When he didn’t continue the embrace, she sighed then stepped away, putting space between them. “Why did you stop?”

  “Oh, ma petit innocente.” He tugged her back into his embrace and brushed her lips with his. “If I don’t exert willpower now, I won’t be able to stop until I’ve claimed all of you.” A feather-weighted kiss followed. “And I refuse to do that.”

  “Why?” She could barely think clearly while her heart beat a frantic rhythm.

  “Simple.” Felix grinned and the mirth danced in his eyes. “I respect you too much to sully what will be a beautiful expression of mutual trust and regard. And, in case you wondered, you are worth more than a hurried toss in the sheets.”

  Did that mean their coming together was a certainty? A shuddering sigh escaped her throat. She couldn’t reconcile all of her feelings on the matter. “Thank you.” Tears welled in her eyes from the unexpected treasure. He was much different than any man she’d ever known. His actions alone put him above them all, but it had been his words she treasured in her heart.

  As he turned away to tend to his paella, she pressed trembling fingers to her lips. Though she’d tried to resist, the unthinkable had happened anyway. She was in love with Felix Darrington.

  Don’t fall in love, Clarice. Men leave once that abomination occurs.

  A tingle slid down her spine and lodged between her thighs. For the moment, it was enough that she realized her folly. There’d be time enough to regret it later.

  Her good feelings lasted throughout the meal. Though Felix conversed with his friends and with Lady Drummond, oftentimes his gaze remained on her and glittered with heated promise. He’d made certain the talk of the table included her, and the evening passed in a pleasantness she hadn’t known for a long time.

  Everything shifted the second she and Lady Drummond entered their carriage. Olivia rounded on her as soon as the door closed behind her.

  “How dare you presume to steal Felix’s attention away from me tonight? You knew how much I’d looked forward to furthering his acquaintance.”

  “Perhaps you need to read the signs better, my lady. It doesn’t appear he shares your sentiments.” Clarice uttered the response before she thought things through.

  “Well, aren’t you a cheeky bit of baggage?” Lady Drummond shot across the carriage and slapped Clarice’s cheek. She sat on the bench next to her and slapped the same cheek again. “Do not presume you’ve won him over.”

  Hot pain radiated from Clarice’s cheek through her ear and the side of her head. Tears sprang to her eyes as she shrank back against the wall of the carriage. “I don’t think it’s my decision. He will go ahead with his plans regardless of what you want.”

  Olivia’s cry of rage sent more terror into Clarice’s heart than her touch had. “You need to remember your place.” She grabbed a handful of Clarice’s hair and yanked her head backward. Pain screamed along her scalp. “You are the daughter of a whore. You have nothing to recommend you, regardless of who you think your father was. Women like you are only good for pleasuring a man’s prick.”

  “You’re wrong.” Though it was difficult to force words out of her throat at the angle it was held in, she had to defend herself. “I deserve to be loved the same as any woman.” Her pulse beat out of control and she fought against the waves of panic washing over her.

  Lady Drummond snarled. “You deserve to have your tongue cut out for all you back talk.” She released Clarice’s hair but delivered another slap, this time to her other cheek. “You think you can flaunt your French beauty in his face, and he’ll run to do your bidding. You’re nothing more than gutter trash, do you hear? Whatever you think his interest in you is, forget it. This is my last warning, do you understand?” She struck out again.

  Clarice turned her face toward the wall in an effort to protect herself. The blow fell on the back of her head which made her forehead bounce against the carriage’s side.

  “Answer me, damn you!” Lady Drummond’s screech came in time to the dig of her knuckles into the small of Clarice’s back as she delivered a punch. “If I find you alone with Felix again, there will be hell to pay.”

  “I promise not to seek him out.” Clarice sobbed out the words while blow after blow rained down upon her back. Pain became her world as she huddled into a ball on the squabbed bench. The only saving grace was the drive from the Darrington townhouse to Lady Drummond’s home wasn’t a long one.

  She shut herself away mentally, and only the thought of Felix’s recent kindness and the wonderful feeling of his arms around her made Lady Drummond’s torment bearable.

  Chapter Seven

  Felix hid a grin behind his newspaper. As was customary on Sundays, he broke his fast with his mother and sister, only today, he was hard pressed to keep his newfound happiness to himself. Last night had been everything he’d hoped it would be. The dinner had impressed his guests. From all accounts Lady Drummond had been well-occupied thanks to his flirtatious friends, and he’d finally gotten another kiss with Clarice, but beyond that, he thought he’d finally made her realize his wish of courting her. At least he hoped he had. It had been a bit difficult to tell and break through her penchant for thinking she wasn’t good enough. That was the next part of his plan: to figure out why she was so afraid of allowing him close or letting herself give in to how she really felt for him.

  “Felix, did you hear me?” The annoyance in his mother’s voice echoed in the room.

  “I beg your pardon, Mother.” He lowered his paper. “I must have been absorbed in my reading.”

  Roberta glowered. “I had a letter a few days ago from Oliver.”

  “Oh? How is my dear brother?”

  “From all accounts, very busy and quite happy to remain in Brighton.”

  Felix lifted his cup and sipped the newly-poured coffee. “That’s hardly fair. I mean, Charlotte and I abided by your summons. Why does Oliver think he’s exempt?” By his second sip of the fragrant brew, Felix decided it didn’t matter. Had he not come to London, he wouldn’t have met Clarice or be hovering at the door to personal fulfillment. Being in her company made him feel as if he could conquer any obstacle in his path.

  “Nonsense. I cannot very well ride to Brighton and kidnap the boy to London. If he doesn’t want to come, I suppose he won’t. Besides, he’s hinted he’d like to tour the world before he settles
into duty.” She accepted another cup of tea from Charlotte. “Lauren hasn’t responded to my letters, though. She’s the one I’m worried about.”

  “Yes, well, she is a hoyden. We’d best send someone after her.” Petty annoyance stuck in Felix’s throat like a bit of bread. “You’ve always favored the younger two. Perhaps it was your plan all along to make Charlotte and I dance attendance upon you.”

  “Perhaps, but then you and Charlotte have always known where your responsibility lies. Soon, Charlotte will marry well, as will you. My duty to you will be done.” She pinned him with a hard glance. “Speaking of which, how does your courtship of Lady Drummond go? I heard you hosted an intimate gathering last night while Charlotte and I were out.”

  Charlotte snickered. “Yes, my dear brother, how did you spend your evening?” As if she didn’t have a hand in the planning, she buttered a piece of toast and calmly bit into it.

  “I had a lovely time.” He worked his jaw in order to keep from clenching it. “Lady Drummond kept herself occupied, and I made a dish from Spain.”

  “Ah, too bad we missed it. Observing you cooking a meal would have been quite entertaining.” Charlotte put a few slices of tomato on her plate. “Did Miss Delacroix accompany Lady Drummond? I do hope so. That poor woman needs to get out from beneath Olivia’s thumb. She’s far too pretty not to make some man’s life miserable.”

  Felix glared at his sibling. What game did she play? “Yes, Miss Delacroix attended the dinner. She enjoyed herself.” Her responses during their kiss had fueled his need, but he refused to admit anything while under the watchful eye of his mother. “And why do you assume she’d make a man miserable?”

  A smiled curved Charlotte’s lips. “Only because it appears she possesses quite an independent streak. If given a chance, I’m certain she could rule a household—and a husband—with some authority and skill.”

  Heat shot through him and his groin hardened at the thought of Clarice being his bride. “Yes, well, I suppose only time will tell.”

  Roberta rapped on the table. “If you’re serious about Lady Drummond, perhaps it’s time to ask that she leave her companion behind during future visits. That bit of muslin is too much of a temptation for you. In this you are very much like your father. He had an eye for exotic misses until I took him firmly in hand.” She nodded as if that settled the matter.

  “She’s not a bit of muslin.” Anger rose in his chest. Why couldn’t his mother understand it didn’t matter what side of the blanket or class distinction a person fell on? “Miss Delacroix is a lady even if her social status doesn’t proclaim her as such.”

  “Regardless, she’s not for you.”

  Charlotte softly cleared her throat. “Mother, you don’t even know her. How do you know she’s not the one for Felix?”

  “Because, my dear, she’s vastly unsuitable, and a bastard besides. Felix deserves better. Lady Drummond may not be the best choice, but she has the bloodlines. I forbid you to be in Miss Delacroix’s company from here on out.”

  He gaped at his parent. She obviously thought he’d follow her dictates without argument. Forbade indeed. Such gammon. What did one say in the face of such prejudice when he had held the same viewpoint not two weeks past? “Actually, I’m not certain Olivia and I will suit after all. Let’s get through the Amherst event then I’ll know for certain. I refuse to entertain more talk about either woman.” Why must she constantly meddle in his life?

  “Very well. You don’t need to fly into the boughs over it.” Roberta sniffed. She glanced at Charlotte. “I have a few errands I’d like you to run, darling, while I’m occupied this afternoon. I’ll need a new fan for the party, and perhaps a reticule to match the gray silk I want to wear. You should procure new ribbons as I think we’ll dress your hair in a Grecian style.”

  Felix cleared his throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to in the study.”

  “Oh, Felix dear, don’t forget, you’d promised to walk about Hyde Park with me this afternoon. I told Mrs. Bandyburrow you’d say hello to her daughter. If things with Lady Drummond don’t work out…”

  Dear Lord, this is outside of enough. He quickly took his leave. Something must be done, and soon. He didn’t want to meet any more women, especially not Miss Bandyburrow, who was rumored to have a horse face and was rather long in the tooth. Desperate, more like. The one woman he wished to spend time with was already on his mother’s blacklist. I have much to think about. The overwhelming question now was: when could he see Clarice again and did he have courage enough to be forthright and announce his intention of courting her to his mother?

  Clarice narrowed her eyes. The longer she stood ignored in Lady Drummond’s suite, the more her annoyance grew. She’d been summoned ten minutes ago, and as yet Olivia hadn’t spoken to her. “What do you need, my lady?” she asked quietly while she curled her hands into fists so tight her fingernails bit into her palms. At least that pain took her mind off the various aches of her body from Olivia’s beating in the carriage. No amount of Cook’s salve had managed to take the sting from the injuries. “I do have other tasks for the day I haven’t gotten to yet.” By the time she finished everything Lady Drummond wished for her to do, she’d be eighty years old.

  “What do I need? An interesting question, that.” Olivia cinched the sash of her dressing gown around her waist. Slowly, she turned to face Clarice. “I need you to stay away from Lord Swandon. What part of this order can you not understand?”

  Clarice heaved a sigh. This again? “I understand it very clearly as I told you in the carriage, but human nature isn’t so easily cowed. Perhaps you should issue the order to Lord Swandon, as he is the one who seeks me out.” A twinge of guilt passed through her heart at tossing him to the proverbial wolves. She needed to keep her position for a little while yet, at least until after they attended the Amherst rout. After that, perhaps she’d tender her resignation and leave to find other, more pleasant, employment.

  “Why he’d prefer you to me is the real mystery.”

  “Perhaps it’s because I don’t try to be something I am not. Men are not as stupid as you tend to believe.” Watch your tongue, Clarice. Had she not learned her lesson already?

  Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Have no fear. I do plan to have a nice, cozy chat with him soon. Things between us need settling. However,” she took a few steps toward Clarice, “if you persist on encouraging his attentions, I’m afraid I will need to take harsh action.”

  Clarice laughed. “More harsh than beating me in a carriage?” She resisted the urge to touch her cheek. Though the skin hadn’t shown signs of bruising, it was still tender to the touch and red. “If you should turn me out, I’m certain a few secrets you’re desperate to keep might find their way into circulation, and then what?” She had enough leverage against her employer to do more harm than Olivia could possibly do to her.

  “There are other, more unpleasant things I can do that you’d wish for another beating.” Olivia pushed a pin into the hair she’d piled on top of her head. “Do you wish to push me? You wouldn’t like what might befall you, Clarice.”

  “Ah, will you sell me into slavery then?” She couldn’t control her wild tongue, didn’t want to even try any more.

  “You are too mouthy for that, dear—with your tongue still intact, that is, but the men in that trade have been known to cut tongues out as I hinted at last night.”

  “You wouldn’t dare. Sooner or later your schemes will come to light.” Yet her stomach quaked with anxiety.

  “I dare almost anything, but today is not that day it would seem.” Olivia crossed her arms over her chest. “I’d forgotten you’d found out that little secret. Perhaps you’re smarter than I’ve given you credit for.”

  “Your flaw is thinking people below you have no other resources. We see and hear many things, and we’re capable of using that knowledge to our favor. And some of us are not desperate. Never forget that.” Clarice lowered her voice in case the butler or a mai
d lurked in the hall. “Oh yes, I know exactly where the Drummond fortune springs from, and you’d rapidly lose your place in Society if such things were to become common knowledge. I’d caution you to leave me to my business and I’ll do the same to you.”

  Olivia leveled a hate-filled glance at her. Ugly color blazed on her cheeks. “It won’t do for you to order me about, but I’ll let it pass for the moment. I have no time to deal with a little upstart such as you at the moment.”

  A tiny sigh left Clarice’s throat. “Will that be all, Lady Drummond?” All she wanted to do was lie gingerly on her bed and try to forget her aches.

  “Of course not, don’t be daft.” Olivia strode to her desk and grabbed a slip of paper from the top. “I’m in desperate need of a few items for my ensemble. The Amherst party is in five days and I simply will not have time to procure these things. My schedule is rather busy this week with accompanying Father about town.”

  Clarice bit her bottom lip to keep her smart mouth silent. It wouldn’t do to antagonize her employer further.

  “Please procure the items on the list, and be sure you start at the glove shop. I want a pair of fine lace ones plus the owner is holding a pair in ivory kid for me, but if they aren’t acquired by noon, he’ll put them back for sale.” She thrust the paper scrap into Clarice’s hand. “Well, don’t just stand there. Go!”

  An hour later, Clarice stood at the counter of an exclusive shop, waiting on the clerk to wrap the two pairs of gloves Lady Drummond requested. The crush of women in the small confines sent waves of heat and a myriad of odors sailing into her. Perfume, powder and sweat accosted her nostrils, and she held her handkerchief to her nose to combat the worse of it. Every time her arm or back was jostled, it set off a host of pain throughout her body. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the clerk handed her a small box bearing the scripted name of the shop.