“How can I face him, Avis?” Jennette felt heat cross her cheeks as she thought about what he’d done. “He saw me naked. He kissed my body.”
“Which is what making love is all about,” Avis replied in a soft tone.
“How did you get over your embarrassment with Banning?”
Avis chuckled. “I woke up with him in my bed. We were all alone in the cottage so I really had no choice but to face him.”
“But weren’t you embarrassed?”
“A little,” she answered and then stretched out at the end of the bed. “But I overcame it rather quickly.”
“Was he?” Jennette asked.
“Embarrassed?”
Jennette nodded.
“I don’t think so.” Avis frowned in thought. “I don’t think men get embarrassed about being seen without clothes. Perhaps it’s because of all the layers we women wear. We’re used to having so much clothing on our bodies.”
“Perhaps.”
“Jennette, men enjoy seeing us without our clothing. Didn’t you find it pleasant to look at him?”
“Avis, I cannot believe the questions you’re asking me today,” Jennette said, then grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her friend.
“And you’re not answering them,” Avis muttered from behind the pillow. After removing the object from her face, she said, “So answer my question.”
Jennette glanced away from the prying stare of her best friend. “I did enjoy it. What I saw of him…”
“Hmm, it sounds as if you didn’t get to see everything you wanted.”
“Avis!”
Her friend chuckled from the end of the bed. “All right, I promise to stop asking such embarrassing questions.”
Avis stood and pulled on Jennette’s hand. “Now get out of this bed. I’ll ring for Molly to help you get dressed but you are going to walk down those stairs with me for dinner.”
Jennette rose slowly and then hugged her new sister-in-law. “Thank you, Avis.”
As Molly helped her dress, Avis waited patiently on the bed. Jennette turned toward her with a rose-colored gown in her hands. “What do you think about this one?”
“Perfect, now hurry. You have been up here all day and people will start to assemble for dinner in the salon in thirty minutes.”
Jennette scrambled into her dress then sat while Molly put her hair up into an artful chignon. She had decided on her plan of attack for the evening. Ignoring him definitely seemed the best option. No one would blame her for cutting him. All she had to do was survive dinner, then stay for a short time once the men had rejoined the women in the salon.
Once her hair was set, she stood and turned toward Avis. “All right, I am ready.”
“Good,” Avis replied walking to the door. “Now, should we run into Blackburn, you will give him a polite nod. If he attempts to draw you into conversation, you will allow it but only topics that are general in nature. If he should try to get you alone, find me. Unless you would like to be alone with him again.”
“Avis!”
Her friend smirked. “Well, I certainly wanted more than just one time with—”
“Avis, we had an agreement. You wouldn’t discuss the intimate relationship you have with my brother.”
“Very well.”
Avis’s plan seemed far too easy. But she had no idea how intoxicating Matthew’s voice sounded to Jennette. His raspy voice sent shivers of pleasure throughout her body. Somehow, she had to resist him. All of him, from his sensual gray eyes to his molded lips, to his hard, lean chest to his—
She could not contemplate any other parts of his body.
Matthew watched as Jennette entered the salon with Lady Selby. Their arms linked together as if to form an impenetrable force to resist all the gossipy remarks. Or to stand firm against him. That thought gave him pause. While he assumed she would still be resistant to marriage, he hoped a public compromising would change her mind.
What if it didn’t?
What if she still refused him?
He pushed aside the negative thoughts. Her brother would insist on marriage, if only to save her from more gossip. As he watched her again, she moved toward the sofa with exquisite grace. Her long fingers grasped a small glass of sherry and brought it up to her full lips. Ancroft approached them with a smile.
Matthew’s heart constricted as Jennette smiled back at the future duke. Matthew still had no idea what was between them. They obviously hadn’t been lovers even though they looked at each other with tenderness in their eyes. He hated the idea of jealousy, but no other emotion would make him feel this way.
The short missive burned a hole in his coat pocket. There had to be a way to get it to her without everyone in the room realizing. Perhaps he could get Somerton to deliver it for him.
Glancing around the room, he noticed Somerton missing. Damn. How was Somerton going to bring the dowager Lady Selby to the greenhouse if he wasn’t in attendance? Based on her bearing tonight, he didn’t think she would speak to him much less take a note from him.
“Don’t even think of approaching her after last night.”
Matthew turned at the sound of Selby’s voice coming from behind him. “Why would I speak to her?”
“I know all about your plan to have her help you find a bride. That ends now. You will stay away from her.”
Matthew turned and faced Selby’s glittering blue eyes. “I don’t think you have any say in what I do.”
Selby smirked. “When it involves my sister, I most certainly do. You have caused her enough pain.”
“And yet, you do nothing about Ancroft hanging on to her like a pup.”
“Because I know Ancroft is harmless.”
Matthew chuckled scornfully. “Harmless? The man has a bastard. With a vengeance, he’ll chase after any woman he wants. As he is a future duke, women fall shamelessly at his feet.”
“And still, I know Jennette is far safer with him than with you.”
“Are they secretly betrothed?” Matthew held his breath, praying for the answer he wanted to hear.
“I should tell you that she is.” Selby sipped his drink.
“Then she isn’t,” Matthew said with relief.
“No,” Selby admitted. “But I would far prefer a match with him than with you.”
Of course he would. Why would any man want a penniless earl with a scandal attached to his name for his sister? Especially if he could arrange for his sister to marry a wealthy marquess who would be a duke one day.
“If you attempt to do anything further to ruin her name, I will call you out,” Selby said before walking to his wife.
So much for thinking Selby might agree to the marriage should he find them in a compromising position. Matthew knew he would have to depend on the dowager Lady Selby to convince her son that Matthew would be acceptable.
Somerton entered the salon, stood at the threshold, and scanned the room with his usual arrogance. Matthew nodded to him and tilted his head so that he would understand his need to speak with him. Somerton inclined his head so slightly most people wouldn’t have noticed. But Matthew did.
After observing the room like a lion on the hunt, Somerton sauntered toward him.
“Yes?” he said with impatience in his voice.
“I need you to get a missive to Lady Jennette,” Matthew whispered.
“Good God, man, do I look like a footman?”
“There is no one else I can trust.”
Somerton shook his head. “Very well, hand it over.”
Matthew casually removed the small note and gave it to Somerton. “Don’t let anyone else see it.”
Somerton grinned. “And I thought you trusted me.”
“Only in the smallest measure.”
“As it should be.”
Somerton cupped the missive in his palm and walked away. Matthew continued to watch him as the footman announced dinner. Somerton neared Jennette and then appeared to trip, catching himself on her. Matthew supposed that Somerton ha
d handed the note to her while attempting to right himself.
Jennette assisted Somerton to his feet as a small paper floated down between her breasts. How had the man done that? She leaned in closer as if he needed more help.
“For me?”
He gave her a quick, knowing nod. “I apologize, Lady Jennette,” he said for the benefit of the room.
“It is of no consequence, my lord.”
He sent her a quick wink as people surrounded them. “Thank you for saving me from a most un-gracious fall.”
Jennette attempted to keep her lips from twitching in humor but doubted she succeeded. For all his scandalous reputation, there was something oddly endearing about Somerton. Walking out of the room, she headed for the ladies’ retiring room instead of the dining room.
Once there, she walked behind a screen as if to use the chamber pot. She pulled out the small note and unfolded it. Shaking her head as she read it, she could not believe he would ask her to meet him. She would never be so dim-witted again.
She had satisfied her curiosity regarding Matthew and their lust. But she couldn’t let that happen again. There had to be someone who would marry him. As much as seeing him with another woman would break her heart, it had to be done.
Walking back to the dining room, she entered from the side door. She ambled past the table, looking for her seat and with whom she would be eating. Her eyes widened as she found her place and Matthew across from her.
He smiled slowly at her. Her gaze slid to Lady Aston, who looked away, but not before Jennette noticed the malicious grin on her face.
Jennette glanced over at her mother, who sent her a sympathic smile. Baron Huntley, seated to her right, welcomed her.
“Good evening, Lady Jennette.”
Jennette slowly took her seat, attempting to ignore the blazing heat of Matthew’s stare. “Good evening, Huntley.”
“I’d heard you were feeling unwell earlier. I hope you are better now.”
“I am much recovered, thank you.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow at her. “Good evening, Lady Jennette.”
“Blackburn,” she replied curtly. But nothing could stop the heat from flaming across her face.
After the footman placed a plate of food in front of her, she pressed her hand to her stomach. She’d only eaten a piece of toast and a cup of tea all day. Now the rumbling in her stomach incited her to eat heartily, but, not wanting to look like a glutton, she slowly picked up her fork and cut a piece of beef.
As she ate, she attempted to ignore the glaring stare of the man across from her. Several times Matthew had tried to draw her into conversation, but she turned her attention to Huntley.
“Lady Jennette, I must tell you how impressed I am with your watercolors,” Huntley said before taking a bite of potatoes.
“Thank you, Huntley. Where did you see one of my watercolors?”
“Lady Elizabeth’s literary salon. She told me the watercolor above the sofa was your work.”
Jennette nodded. “Indeed.”
“Lovely.” He took a sip of his wine and turned slightly toward her before leaning in and whispering, “Almost as lovely as you.”
Jennette smiled tightly. “Thank you.”
Luckily, Huntley returned to his dinner and spoke to the lady on his right. She glanced over at Matthew, who tilted his head as one eyebrow rose in question. Why was it so hard to ignore the man? She had the oddest desire to ask him about his morning. Had he gone hunting with the men? Or stayed behind and practiced swords with Lord Aston?
“Did you have an enjoyable morning, Lord Blackburn?” She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth.
“Very much so. I went on the hunt with several of the other men.”
“Indeed.”
“And you?” he asked softly. “Did you enjoy your morning alone?”
Hearing the sensual undertones of his voice made her wish she could give him a proper retort. Instead, all that came out of her mouth was, “Yes, thank you.”
Dinner progressed more slowly than Jennette would have preferred. Course after course left her uncomfortably full and she wanted nothing more than to leave the awkward glances of everyone behind her. Finally, Lady Aston stood and commanded all the ladies to follow her to the great salon at the front of the house.
Avis caught up to her as she walked down the long hallway to the salon. “How did that go?”
“Dreadful. Between Huntley’s thinly veiled flirtations and Blackburn’s burning gaze, I am feeling quite exhausted tonight.”
“Oh my, Huntley?”
“Yes. He complimented me on the watercolor landscape above the sofa at Elizabeth’s home.” Jennette looked over as Avis frowned.
“But that’s an oil landscape.”
Jennette smiled tightly. “Exactly.”
Avis covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a grin. “Did you correct his assumption?”
“Of course not. You know as well as I that women don’t paint in oils. That’s far too masculine a pursuit,” Jennette said scornfully.
“Just as women don’t write books that might go against the mores of the day,” Avis replied.
Jennette patted Avis’s hand. “Your book will be published. And one of my oils will end up in a museum.”
“Lady Jennette, might I have a word?”
Jennette moved to Lady Aston’s seat. “Of course.”
After Jennette sat on the sofa next to her, Lady Aston began, “My husband’s mother is getting on in years and Aston believes she should live with us. Personally, I won’t have that woman in my house. So I have decided to refurbish the dowager house on the property.”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Jennette had no idea why Lady Aston was telling her this tale.
“I know you decorated your sister-in-law’s home. I would very much appreciate if you would take a look at the dowager’s house and make some recommendations.”
“I would be happy to.” A little thrill of excitement rushed through her. If she couldn’t paint, she loved to decorate rooms. “I will go out there first thing in the morning to have a look.”
Lady Aston gave her a condescending smile. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Jennette brushed aside the nagging sensation that something wasn’t right about her request. Instead, she excused herself to go to the ladies’ retiring room. After taking care of her business, she started to head back to the main salon. But as she passed a large window, her gaze landed on the greenhouse. A small light flickered from behind the glass.
She should not go to him.
And yet, even as she had that thought, she walked away from the salon and toward the exterior door.
Matthew paced the long gravel path of the greenhouse, passing the fall vegetables and the flowers forced to bloom out of season. All he had to do was wait for her to arrive, talk to her, and kiss her, until her mother and Somerton walked in on them.
Simple enough.
So why did his heart constrict every time he thought about compromising her?
She’d paid a heavy price for her actions five years ago. She had watched her fiancé die before her eyes. An action she’d caused. Her suffering ate at him.
And now he was going to cause her more pain.
He stopped and stared at a small red tulip almost ready to bloom. The color reminded him of John’s blood. John would despise him for even thinking about compromising her. Matthew had promised to protect her name. Ruining her would be breaking his pledge to John.
John was dead, he reminded himself.
Nonetheless, guilt washed over him. How could he do this to her? He touched the silky petal of the flower and thought about the texture of her raven hair. He yanked the bud off its stem and threw it across the room.
Why couldn’t he be the scoundrel? Why couldn’t he hurt her?
“Matthew?” her whispered voice sounded from the door.
He turned and stared at her, immediately comprehending the reason he could never see
her hurt. And more importantly, why he could never be the one to wound her. The wind had whipped strands of her black hair out of its upswept style and caused them to fall upon her delicate face. Her blue eyes sparkled in the dim light of the greenhouse.
He loved her.
He could not do this to her. He wanted her willingly, not because she’d been forced out of duty to keep her name secure.
“Get out of here.”
“You asked me to come here,” she replied, slowly walking into the room. “What did you wish to speak with me about?”
“Get out, now!” Couldn’t she sense the urgency in his voice? He had to make her leave.
“Matthew…”
“Jennette, I believe someone is coming. If you don’t get out now you know what will happen.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “I see. Good night, then.”
“Don’t take the main path back to the house.”
She turned and walked to the door. After cracking the door open, she paused, and said, “Thank you for not compromising me, Matthew.”
He watched her depart and prayed no one would see her leave the greenhouse. Hearing voices, he picked up the candle and walked to the door. He headed straight for the couple walking up the path.
“Somerton,” he said with a nod. “And the ladies Selby, nice evening, isn’t it?”
The dowager Lady Selby eyed him and the greenhouse. “Yes, I believe the weather has become so much more pleasant.”
“Indeed it has.”
“I’ve heard there are some interesting plants in the greenhouse,” the younger Lady Selby commented. “Would you care to join us?”
“Actually, I am just returning from the greenhouse.” He looked up at Somerton. “There is nothing much to see.”
Chapter 16
As the sun broke through the clouds the next morning, Matthew strode out of his room furious at himself for thinking Jennette would ever come willingly to him. She’d loved John, not him. The frustration he felt was eating at him. There was only one way to rid himself of the aggravation—a good long ride.
After walking to the stables, he waited while a lad saddled a gelding for him. He admired the horse, wishing he could afford such quality horseflesh again. At the rate this plan with Jennette was going, he might never be able to buy another horse.
Every Time We Kiss Page 16
