Every Time We Kiss

by Christie Kelley

  “I have no need for a wife,” Somerton answered a bit harshly. “I don’t need money. I have too many cousins so an heir isn’t a priority, no matter what my father says. And if I need a woman, there are plenty who would love to warm this rake’s bed.”

  Matthew looked up and noticed Selby walking directly toward them. This could not be good.

  “Selby,” Matthew said with a nod. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “For the past two days, I have had two people whom I care deeply about do nothing but regale me with all your finer points, Blackburn. I still don’t believe them but thought a quick talk with you might allay some of my concerns.” Selby nodded to a quiet corner of the room.

  “Oh, this should be excellent,” Somerton remarked.

  “Stay out of this,” Matthew and Selby said at the same time.

  “Very well,” Somerton said, then skulked off.

  Matthew walked to the corner and behind the large palm. “What do you want, Selby?”

  “One simple answer,” he said, folding his arms over his chest. “Do you love my sister?”

  “Yes,” Matthew answered simply. “I have absolutely nothing to offer her but my love.”

  “And if I take her money away?”

  Matthew shook his head. “I would still love her and still ask her to marry me.”

  Selby smiled, revealing deep dimples just like his sister’s. “I believe my sources were right.”

  “Sources?”

  “My wife and Ancroft.”

  Ancroft defended him to Selby. The idea tilted his lips upward. “Good people.”

  Selby smiled fully. “Yes, they are. And they both care very deeply for Jennette and none of us would like to see her hurt.”

  “I will never hurt your sister.”

  “I’m starting to believe you,” Selby said, then stepped out in front of the large palm.

  Matthew sighed and shook his head, glad the interrogation from Selby was completed. He glanced around the room to find Jennette still in deep conversation with Lady Elizabeth and Lady Selby. Jennette leaned against the wall as if her knees were about to give out.

  Something was wrong with her. He stalked across the room to talk to her. The quintet ended their musical set, creating a crush of people moving off the dance floor. Caught in the crowd, he had no choice but to slow his pace.

  A woman dressed in a scarlet gown walked to the stage. She hammered a knife against her wine glass to garner the attention of the party.

  “What the devil?”

  Matthew stopped and turned to see Ancroft grimace. “Not an expected announcement?” Matthew asked.

  “No,” Ancroft answered. “And I have no idea who she is.”

  They both waited for the room to quiet and the woman to make her announcement. The woman held up her glass and smiled.

  “I am afraid most of you don’t know me, but I decided it was time for the truth to come out,” she said.

  “This cannot be good,” Ancroft commented.

  Matthew tensed. The woman’s voice, though distorted by the crowd and room size, sounded familiar. The sense of unease that had haunted him most of the evening returned with a vicious bite.

  “For too long now, a man among you has been scorned and his reputation has been left in tatters. But what most of you don’t know is that Lord Blackburn is and always has been the innocent party in the death of John Ridgeway.”

  Whispers circled the party and gazes moved from him to Jennette.

  “Oh God,” Matthew whispered.

  Ancroft stared at him. “What the devil is she talking about?”

  Vanessa cleared her throat and said, “Lord Blackburn was not the person who killed John Ridgeway. The woman who killed him duped Blackburn into protecting her name. Lady Jennette Selby did the deed. She is the one who should be scorned.”

  Matthew and Ancroft raced to the stage to stop her.

  “Lady Jennette killed Mr. Ridgeway because she was in love with Lord Blackburn,” Vanessa announced just before Matthew reached her.

  Chapter 23

  “Oh my God!” Jennette exclaimed as the curious gazes of the ton landed on her. Shock wrapped its fingers around her, holding her motionless. She wanted to move, leave the room, but her feet remained in their position.

  “Get her out of here,” Avis said to Elizabeth. “Take her to your house.”

  “Of course.”

  Jennette felt as if she were in a dream. Elizabeth led her out the side door and the numbing cold hit her in the face. Not even the wind and driving rain could awaken Jennette from her stupor.

  Everyone knew the truth.

  She would never be able to show her face in Society again. Her name was ruined, as well as her family’s.

  “Who was that woman?” she finally asked, once safely ensconced in Elizabeth’s carriage.

  Elizabeth looked at her gown. “I heard a man say the name Vanessa as we passed by him. I don’t know a Vanessa, do you?”

  “No,” she mumbled, unable to tell Elizabeth the truth. Matthew, the man who insisted she tell no one, had told his mistress. The woman he paid to have sexual congress with for the past year or two.

  “Jennette,” Elizabeth started slowly, “is it…true?”

  There was no point in lying to her friend about it any longer. The truth had been freed from its cage.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “John asked Matthew to protect my name. I couldn’t tell anyone.” She looked out the window, gazing at the passing homes. “I never even told my family.”

  Elizabeth reached over and grasped her hand. “I understand.”

  But Jennette didn’t understand. Matthew had impressed upon her the importance of keeping what happened secret. He’d told her no one could know or they risked the possibility of another inquest.

  Another inquest.

  She lied during the first investigation by agreeing that Matthew had killed John. If another inquest was called for, she might hang for lying to them. No one would believe her now.

  Why?

  Why would that woman have made her announcement now?

  Jennette clutched her stomach as the nausea returned. She could only think of one reason for Vanessa’s actions. Matthew had asked her. He’d been acting peculiar all evening. He didn’t know how to tell Jennette that he couldn’t marry her. If he believed Banning’s remarks about her grandmother’s will, he would not marry her. Vanessa’s announcement cleared his name. Now he had the freedom to marry any woman in the ton.

  Any woman, save her.

  Now she was officially ruined.

  And even worse, no one would believe that John’s death was accidental. Vanessa had made certain when she told everyone that Jennette loved Matthew.

  Sadness and remorse slowly turned to a burning rage. Matthew had ruined her. The man she thought she loved and would spend the rest of her life with destroyed her. The idea of living without money appeared more important than creating a life together with love. Even if Banning had found a way to take away her money, she and Matthew could have survived. She could have sold her paintings or taken up portraits to make money.

  Only none of that mattered now.

  Her life here was over. Staying would only create more issues for her family. They deserved better than a life of gossips talking about them behind their backs. Or people questioning them as to whether or not she was a murderer. As the carriage slowed to a stop in Hanover Square, she knew what she had to do.

  Matthew and Ancroft pounced on the stage just as Vanessa finished her vitriol-filled proclamation. They dragged her off the platform and down the hall to the study. Vanessa only laughed as they shoved her into the room. She slowly untied her red mask like the seductress she’d always been.

  “You are free now, Matthew,” she said, almost sounding giddy. She moved closer as if she thought to put her arms around him.

  Matthew took a step backward. He’d never been mor
e repulsed by a woman in all his life.

  “No, all you have done is ruin my life and Jennette’s,” Matthew said angrily.

  “Why?” Ancroft asked in a strangely soft voice.

  The door opened and Selby glared at them all. “Who the bloody hell is she?”

  “Vanessa Fulbright, my lord,” Vanessa replied with a flirtatious smile and curtsy.

  “I should have known.” Selby grimaced. “Is it true, Blackburn?”

  Matthew knew he couldn’t ruin Jennette. She had lived with her guilt long enough. This was one way he could protect her…again.

  “No. The lady here is nothing but a disgruntled mistress, my lord. When she discovered I loved your sister she decided to use the gossip to her advantage.”

  Vanessa’s blue eyes turned icy cold. “You liar! You told me what happened two years ago.”

  “I was foxed, Vanessa. I was trying to make myself appear better in your eyes, nothing more. I’m shocked you actually believed that story,” he said in a casual voice that belied his true feelings.

  “If you have ruined my sister, I will kill you,” Selby said in a low, feral tone.

  “You have nothing to fear, Selby,” Matthew replied, staring at Vanessa. “No one will believe a whore.”

  “Nor will anyone else want to be her protector,” Ancroft added with a smug grin. “After all, mistresses are supposed to keep secrets. Obviously, you can’t be trusted.”

  Matthew watched Vanessa’s mouth gape when she realized the mistake she’d made. Her face paled under the artificial color on her cheeks.

  “Go home, Vanessa.” Matthew opened the door for her. “While you still have one.”

  As soon as the door shut behind her, Matthew turned toward Selby and said, “Where is Jennette?”

  “Avis told her to go home with Lady Elizabeth.”

  “How was she?” he asked with dread. He couldn’t imagine what she must be going through. The urge to go to her overwhelmed him.

  “I was across the room. Avis had her gone before I even reached their position in the room.”

  “I have to go to her,” Matthew muttered. “I have to talk to her.”

  “Give her tonight to talk to my mother and her friends, Blackburn,” Selby requested.

  “I cannot do that, Selby.”

  “She needs to talk to them,” Ancroft added. “I know her. And now that Vanessa is gone, you can admit the truth.”

  Matthew dropped to a chair and raked his fingers through his hair.

  “Did she kill him, Blackburn?” Selby sat across from him, leaning forward in his seat. Worry for his sister etched deep lines into his face.

  Matthew nodded once. “It was completely accidental. She took my sword but then her foot slipped on the damp grass. John couldn’t react in time. The sword went through his lung.”

  Selby closed his eyes. “Why didn’t she tell us?”

  “John begged me to protect her name. When I told her there would be an investigation, she almost fainted. I impressed upon her the importance of not telling anyone, even her family. The consequences were too high. I knew there would be an inquest and if anyone had spoken the truth there would be doubt in the investigator’s mind.”

  “Then why did you tell your mistress?” Selby bit out.

  Matthew shrugged, glancing away from Jennette’s brother.

  “He wanted to look better in her eyes,” Ancroft replied. “I’m sure we both can understand that.”

  Matthew nodded again. “And let’s not forget the power of brandy to loosen a man’s tongue,” he said bitterly.

  “No one will believe Vanessa,” Ancroft said with confidence. “In fact, I need to return to the party and make certain all the biggest gossips know that Vanessa is nothing more than a drunken, disgruntled former mistress.”

  Ancroft quietly shut the door behind him, leaving Matthew alone again with Jennette’s protective brother.

  “I owe you an apology,” Selby said, sincerity lining his voice. “I had no idea what you did to protect my sister.”

  “You weren’t supposed to know. No one was.”

  “Why did you do it? Did you love her then as the rumors implied?”

  Matthew shifted in his seat. “I didn’t love her then. There was an attraction but that was all.”

  Selby laughed softly. “And yet you say you didn’t love her?”

  “I did not.” God, he wanted this finished. He needed to talk to Jennette, not her infuriating brother.

  “Then why? Why lose your name over an accident that you didn’t cause.”

  “Because no matter my feelings for Jennette at the time, John was my best friend. I could not let him die worrying about what would happen to her,” Matthew replied as anger laced his voice.

  “Damn, Blackburn. Are you deliberately trying to get me to like you?” Selby asked, then stood as if to leave.

  “I don’t give a rat’s arse if you like me, Selby. I only care about how Jennette feels about me.”

  Selby threw his head back and laughed. “Good man, Blackburn.”

  “I need to see her. She won’t understand why Vanessa knows what happened.”

  Selby shook his head. “Give her time. Avis will tell her why Vanessa knows.”

  “She needs to hear it from me,” Matthew insisted, rising to his full height.

  “And she will. Tomorrow. She is going to have to come to terms with what happened. If you try to see her too soon, she will only send you away.” Selby paused by the door. “My sister has a tendency to be a little stubborn.”

  “A little?”

  “Don’t worry,” Selby opened the door and smiled back at him, “you shall come to love that about her, too.”

  As the door shut behind him, Matthew whispered to the empty room, “I already have.”

  “I really must go home,” Jennette insisted to Elizabeth for the fourth time in the past fifteen minutes.

  “Your brother and Avis will come to get you soon.” Elizabeth looked anxiously out the window.

  Jennette clenched and unclenched her fists. There had to be a way to get home before her mother or brother. Once they arrived, there would not be a chance to leave. They would attempt to talk her out of going away. Everything will work out, they would say in condescending voices.

  But she knew better.

  Matthew betrayed her. And she had lied to the investigators five years ago. That was perjury. Even if they decided John’s death accidental, she could still be in trouble for lying to them.

  “Elizabeth, do you have anything I could change into?”

  Elizabeth turned and smiled weakly. “Of course, I should have realized how uncomfortable you would be in that costume. I shall find something. You’re so tall nothing will fit you in the length.”

  “Thank you. Anything is better than this outfit.”

  “Yes. I’ll fetch you something.” Elizabeth walked out the door.

  Jennette slowly stood and strolled to the threshold of the salon as if to follow Elizabeth up the steps. Once she saw Elizabeth reach the top stair, Jennette raced out the front door. She had to hurry. The white gown was like a beacon in the dark night.

  She stopped at the top of the square and wondered the best way to get home. Continuing down George Street seemed the fastest. Thankfully, she still had her mask. Quickly, she tied the mask on and prayed no one would notice the woman dressed as Aphrodite, complete with shell, hurrying down George Street at eleven in the evening.

  She couldn’t contain a giggle. It was the first time she’d even smiled since that bitch made her announcement. But thinking about Vanessa brought tears to her eyes. She’d been so certain Matthew loved her. Obviously, money mattered more than her love.

  And nothing mattered now except leaving.

  Her resolve strengthened with each step she took toward home. Wiping away her last tear, she lifted her head high and ignored the stares from the few people out tonight. She rubbed her arms as she walked, wishing the cold would numb her emotions, too. I
f she could just make it home before some unscrupulous person discovered her, out alone and dressed as if she had plenty of money.

  When she turned down Bruton Street, she half-expected a crowd of people with a noose in front of her house. Nothing looked different. The light of candles burning only in the foyer indicated that no one had arrived here yet. She grabbed the wrought-iron railing and walked up the steps.

  The door opened before her slippered foot reached the top step. “Good evening, miss,” Grantham said as she walked through the doorway.

  “Lady Jennette,” Grantham paused with a frown.

  “Yes, Grantham?”

  “Is everything well?”

  She finally reached home. Her sanctuary from the outside world. Tears flowed down her cheeks. This would be the last time she ever entered this house.

  “No, Grantham. Nothing is well.”

  “Would you like some tea brought up?”

  “No, thank you. Tea cannot fix this problem.” Jennette walked up the stairs to her room. Molly followed behind her.

  “Just help me dress and then leave me,” Jennette said to her maid.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Molly must have sensed her mood because for once the maid said nothing as she assisted her out of the costume.

  “I need my black wool dress,” Jennette said once she stood in her stays and petticoats.

  Molly turned and frowned. “At this hour?”

  “Yes.”

  “Very well.” Molly pulled out the black gown and helped her into it. “Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?”

  “No.” Jennette waited until the maid’s hand touched the doorknob. “Thank you, Molly. For all your patience with me over the years.”

  Molly stood there for a moment, her eyes narrowed with confusion. “Ma’am, you have never been an issue,” she said slowly.

  Once Molly left the room, Jennette raced to the linen-press. She pulled out several of her sturdiest dresses and tossed them into a portmanteau. Moving to her desk, she opened the secret drawer that held her traveling money. She had been putting half her allowance in here in case she ever needed it. This would be enough to get her settled in Florence. She could arrange with the bankers for her inheritance later.