Lucinda’s face fell. “No one has asked me to dance tonight. Apparently, after obtaining the age of six and twenty, I’m no longer in demand.”
“I have a friend here tonight who I know would love to dance with you.” Jennette glanced around for the scoundrel highwayman. After catching his eye, she nodded toward Lucinda.
“Who?”
Jennette laughed at her enthusiasm. “This is a masked ball, Lucinda. I cannot tell you his name.”
Her dull brown eyes lit with excitement. “Where is he?”
“Right here, my dear.” The sound of his deep voice rolled down Jennette’s back until she shivered.
“Oh my,” Lucinda whispered. She leaned forward and said, “Please tell me who he is, Jennette.”
“Not yet,” she replied.
Matthew held out his arm for Lucinda and Jennette watched the pair head for the dance floor. She wondered briefly at the little stab of envy that had pricked her heart, but she quickly brushed aside the feeling.
She had known even five years ago that she and Matthew were never meant to be.
“Did you hear the rumor circulating tonight?” Lucinda asked in a voice barely above a whisper. “It’s quite scandalous.”
“Oh?” Matthew leaned forward as if to listen better. Not that he cared about any gossipmonger’s tale. He’d been on the wrong side of the gossips’ tongues for far too long.
“Someone said they were certain Lord Blackburn was here tonight.” Her eyes widened. “Can you believe he would have the gall to come to Lady Jennette’s ball?”
“Perhaps,” Matthew said tightly. “Just perhaps, the gossips are wrong.”
Her brows knit into a cavernous frown. “Indeed. They have been known to be incorrect at times.”
“Many times.”
“Even still, I should never want to meet that man after what he did to poor Jennette. Can you imagine? The man impaled her betrothed.”
Matthew tried to relax his taut muscles and enjoy the dance. There was no possibility of that with Lucinda defaming him to his face. “Do you think there’s a chance that everything we know about Blackburn is all a falsehood?”
Lucinda looked up at him with confusion. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Maybe things aren’t as they appear with him.”
She shook her head. “The man is a killer. There is nothing more to know about him.”
“I believe you know nothing about the man.”
She glanced around the room and then back at him. She stiffened her back and said, “I am not feeling well. Please return me to my mother.”
“Figured it out, did you?”
“How dare you come here? Jennette will have the vapors just knowing she sent me to the dance floor with the likes of you.”
Matthew hurried to escort her off the dance floor and back to her mother. He should have known this would be the response from any decent woman among the ton. Any woman…except Jennette, his mind countered. Jennette hadn’t run from him. She had even defended him to her brother.
As they reached Lady Bartlett’s position in the matrons’ corner, he attempted to bow over Lucinda’s hand only to have her draw it away.
“Good evening, sir,” she huffed and walked off.
There was no use in staying here any longer. No doubt, the word of his presence would blow about the ballroom with the strength of a gale-force wind. While he should at least thank Jennette for trying, he didn’t wish to bring any gossip down on her. He would sneak out the terrace door, exactly as he’d entered.
Feeling the burning gaze of a hundred guests upon his back, he walked to the door. He made his escape quickly and silently. Or so he’d thought.
“Leaving already?” Jennette stood in the moonlight looking everything like the angel she’d dressed to be tonight. She rubbed her arms as if to keep the cold wind away.
“Yes. I wouldn’t wish to cause you any further distress tonight.”
She lifted one black eyebrow. “Am I to assume the dance with Lucinda didn’t go as I’d planned?”
He approached her slowly. She had matured into an exquisite beauty. She had delicate cheekbones and flawless ivory skin, a mouth too full to be perfect but just right for other things. The white gown outlined her slender body and slight fullness of her breasts. He shook his head to clear it of his sordid thoughts.
“No,” he finally replied. “She determined my identity.”
Jennette sighed, a delicate sound that brought his attention to her full, pink lips again. “I will have to do better at this matchmaking plan.”
He moved a step closer to her, knowing they already stood far too close. “Unless you don’t wish to do better?”
She looked up at him with a start. “What do you mean?”
“Perhaps you don’t want to find me a bride.”
“But…oh, no,” she said with a little smile and a shake of her head. “I will not marry you.”
“Maybe,” he whispered. “But don’t you want to know what you will be missing?”
Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Not particularly.”
He stroked her cheek with his gloved hand until she trembled. “Haven’t you ever wanted a scoundrel in your bed?”
“Like you?”
“Exactly like me.”
Her eyes darkened to the shade of sapphires as her face went somber. “But we both know you really aren’t a scoundrel.”
“If you say so.” He moved away from her, tipped his hat, and walked off the terrace. Before he was too far away, he turned and said, “Please let me know when I should expect another prospective bride.”
“Very well,” she answered. “I will send a note.”
“Or you could call on me in person.”
“You really are a devil, Blackburn.”
“You have no idea, Jennette.” He gave her an exaggerated bow and then walked to the back of the garden. He hopped the stone fence and headed for his crumbling home.
He’d thought this insane attraction to her would have ended after not seeing her for so long. Never had he imagined the draw would be stronger, deeper in an agonizing manner. His body never reacted in such an immediate way with any other woman.
Should he end up married to her, the attraction would make marriage so much more interesting. What was he thinking? He shouldn’t marry her after all they’d been through. The marriage idea was only a threat to get her to help him.
He could never marry her.
After all, she might even find him a suitable bride. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about his own guilt at finding John’s former fiancée the most attractive and desirable woman he’d ever met.
Chapter 4
“What is going on, Jennette?” Elizabeth asked as she sat down in the salon. “I have been hearing rumors all day that Lord Blackburn attended your party last night. Was he there? I never noticed him.”
“I have also heard the rumor,” Avis added, pouring tea for everyone. “I have a very good source who says he knows for certain Blackburn attended. And you danced with him.”
Jennette closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “My brother doesn’t know everything, Avis.”
“As his wife, I realize that, Jennette. But I also know how much he cares for you. He would never want someone to hurt you again as Blackburn has in the past.”
Jennette looked around at her roomful of friends. Avis, her dearest friend and now sister-in-law, handed tea to Sophie, who sat on the sofa with a small grin on her face. Of course, Sophie most likely had concluded that Matthew had gray eyes. Victoria sat primly in the chair by the window, looking completely uncomfortable with the conversation. While Elizabeth’s green eyes took everything in with eagerness.
“Mat—Blackburn and I talked for a few minutes. I did dance with him only to get him away from Banning’s overbearing attitude.”
Elizabeth twisted her lips. “But why was he there in the first place? Surely, you didn’t invite him.”
“No. He sneaked inside af
ter we talked in the garden.” Jennette clamped her hand over her lips when she realized how scandalizing that sounded.
“Does Banning know about that?” Avis whispered as if he might appear at any moment.
“Of course not,” Jennette said. “It was completely innocent.” And frightening. And somewhat sensual, especially when he trapped her against the column with his body. Or that brief instance on the terrace when his head leaned in as if he were going to kiss her.
“Jennette, you know better—”
“Elizabeth, you are not my mother,” Jennette retorted, then sighed. “He needs a wife.”
“Blackburn?” Elizabeth asked. “But he’s an earl. How difficult is it for him to secure a bride?”
“With his reputation, ‘difficult’ would be easy.” Jennette sipped her tea in hopes the liquid would help her headache.
“But why would he come to you?” Victoria finally spoke up. “He didn’t think you would marry him, did he?”
Well, she couldn’t tell them that awful truth. And she still didn’t quite understand his threat of marriage. With all that was between them, marriage would be dreadful.
“No. He wants my help.”
“Why would you help him after what he did?” Avis demanded.
“It was an accident,” Jennette said softly, staring at the folds of her blue silk gown. “We had been friends. He never meant for that to happen. He’s still distraught over John’s death.”
“As he should be,” Victoria said, crossing her arms over her chest. “He took a man’s life, accident or not.”
Jennette pressed her lips together. They would never understand what happened that day, nor could she ever tell them. If no one could believe Matthew’s killing of John was accidental, who would believe her?
It would look even more sordid in the gossips’ minds—the way she let Matthew take the blame to protect her. Everyone would assume he did it out of love for her. It hadn’t been love. Lust, maybe, but not love. And while she never loved Matthew either, she certainly had felt something with him that she’d never felt with John.
“Jennette, why did he come to you?” Sophie asked softly.
“He thought if I showed support for him then perhaps others might see him for who he really is and not just his reputation.”
“And did you agree to help him?” Sophie said with a knowing look in her eyes.
“Yes. I offered to help him find a bride.”
“Then maybe we can all assist you.” Sophie looked around at the women in the room. “There must be some woman among the quality who would marry Blackburn, reputation and all.”
“She must have money,” Jennette added. “His father and brother gambled their way into a huge debt. And she must have a sterling reputation. Anything less will not help him.”
“Very well,” Sophie said with a smile. “We need a wealthy woman with an impeccable reputation.”
“And not hard on the eyes for him,” Jennette said softly. He did deserve a pretty woman.
“That goes without saying.” Sophie looked at them. “Well? Any ideas?”
“Not Lucinda Bartlett,” Elizabeth said with a small giggle. “She is still causing such a fuss because she unknowingly danced with him last night.”
“Yes, she wasn’t my best idea.” Jennette leaned back against the chair feeling a little better now that her friends were helping her.
“You know,” Elizabeth said with a big grin. “My sister is having a fall country party commencing this weekend. I will get her to invite him. There will be plenty of unmarried women and a week to find him someone perfect.”
Avis laughed. “You must have something you’re holding over her head if you can get her to invite him.”
“I am her sister,” Elizabeth said with a big smile. “Of course I have information she would never want her husband to learn.”
“Excellent,” Jennette said. “I believe we should compile a list of names as there will be some who will reject him outright because of his reputation. Any other thoughts?”
“What about Susan Whitmore?” Sophie asked. “Her mother insists her daughter get a title since Mrs. Whitmore did not.”
Jennette pondered that idea. “She does have a large dowry. She is quite pretty.”
“But how will she feel about his reputation?” Victoria asked.
“I suppose we could inquire.” Elizabeth leaned forward. “Jennette, how well do you know her?”
“Not well at all.”
“I say we should call on her tomorrow afternoon. But first, I think we should get him invited to Lady Sheldon’s musicale. She has five daughters to marry off.”
Jennette smirked. “And how do we do that?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Leave that all to me.”
“Very well. So tomorrow night Lady Sheldon’s musicale and what do we do about Miss Whitmore?”
Elizabeth smiled brightly and said, “Avis could host a literary…” Her voice trailed away as she looked at Avis.
Jennette shook her head. While Avis loved hosting literary salons and talking about her own book, which hopefully would be published soon, she was now married to Banning. That would never work.
“No, Avis can’t do it. Well, I haven’t hosted a literary salon since before my father died.” Elizabeth turned toward Avis and said, “Surely you can assist me with this?”
Jennette turned toward Avis. “You cannot tell Banning about this. If he knew how involved I was in Blackburn’s life, he’d kill me.”
She felt dreadful asking Avis to keep something from her new husband. But Jennette knew her brother far better than Avis did. Banning would lock Jennette in her room to keep Matthew away from her.
“Of course, I shall help you, Elizabeth. And Jennette, it’s our secret,” Avis said, making a cross over her heart. “Banning will not hear about this from me. Although I still wonder why you are helping Blackburn.”
Jennette looked away, knowing she couldn’t keep the guilt from sweeping over her face. Since marrying Matthew was out of the question, assisting him might be the only way to help her forgive herself.
A few hours later, Elizabeth and Jennette sat in the salon of Miss Susan Whitmore, waiting for the younger woman to join them. Nervous energy filled Jennette as the time dragged. She tapped her foot on the floor, keeping time with the clock.
“What is the matter?” Elizabeth asked. “You’re as jumpy as a toad.”
“You haven’t told me how we will get them together.”
Elizabeth waved a hand at her. “At the literary salon. It won’t be a large gathering so we shall introduce them and hopefully they will sit next to each other.”
“But what if she doesn’t agree?”
“Then we will find someone else. Why are you so concerned?”
Jennette looked away from her friend’s prying eyes. “I feel rather sorry for him.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Why would you feel anything save contempt for the man?”
“What happened that day was a complete accident.”
Before Elizabeth could meddle any further, Mrs. Whitmore sailed into the room with Susan following directly behind her.
“Lady Elizabeth, I’m honored to have you here.” Mrs. Whitmore glanced over at Jennette and smiled tightly. “Good afternoon, Lady Jennette.”
Damn. She hadn’t counted on Mrs. Whitmore to be with them. Elizabeth flashed Jennette a cautious look.
Mrs. Whitmore and her daughter sat together on the sofa. Susan graciously poured tea into delicate china cups, then handed them to everyone. At twenty-one, Susan had a refined beauty. How was it that she had not married yet? She’d been out for three Seasons and was quite well-liked.
“Susan, we came on a delicate matter,” Elizabeth, the more decorous of them, spoke first.
“Oh?” both Susan and her mother said and then looked at each other.
“It’s nothing dreadful.”
Both Susan and her mother sighed and leaned back in the sofa. Jennett
e watched every move they made while Elizabeth talked. Susan’s hands trembled as she lifted her teacup to her mouth. Perhaps she was shy and that was the reason for her lack of a husband.
“I know a man whose reputation isn’t the best but he would like an introduction,” Elizabeth said. “He is an earl and looking for a wife. Preferably, one with an excellent reputation.”
Susan’s eyes grew large as she glanced over at her mother. Her mother patted her daughter’s hand.
“Exactly whom are we discussing?” Mrs. Whitmore asked before taking a bite of her biscuit.
“Lord Blackburn.”
The silence in the room almost made Jennette laugh. It wasn’t as if they were trying to introduce Susan to the devil. The Whitmores exchanged odd looks as if having a private conversation without words.
Finally, Mrs. Whitmore smiled and said, “I think my daughter would be most pleased to be introduced to such a fine gentleman.”
Jennette almost dropped her teacup. What the bloody hell was going on? No one had that reaction to him. Even Elizabeth sent her a curious look.
“Very well,” Elizabeth said, still looking puzzled. “I will be hosting a literary salon Thursday evening. He will be in attendance.”
“Then so shall we,” Mrs. Whitmore replied with a very satisfied look on her face.
A sudden chill crossed Jennette’s arm, raising gooseflesh. She had the singular feeling that this meeting was a very bad idea.
“Come along, Jennette,” Elizabeth said as she stood.
“Good day,” Mrs. Whitmore said with a positively evil grin.
What had she gotten Matthew into? She walked with Elizabeth in silence through the hallway. But as soon as the door shut behind them, she put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
“What were they about?”
Elizabeth frowned. “I am not certain. Their reaction to the introduction was not what I expected.”
“Something is very wrong.” Jennette walked down the steps and then into their carriage. Once Elizabeth had settled herself inside, Jennette gasped.
“What?”
“Have you heard any rumors about Susan lately?” Jennette whispered. “Scandalous rumors?”
“None whatsoever.”
Every Time We Kiss Page 4
