by Alice Gaines
“I’d say the cliff-hurling was mutual, too,” Rose added.
“All right, all right,” she said. “We each had one last fling before we marry. I’ll expect you to keep quiet about it.”
“For heaven’s sake,” Rose said. “We’re not going to tell anyone about this.”
“But we are going to use it to try to make you see reason,” Anna added.
“I have seen reason. Captain Northcross will marry Miss Swan, and I’ll marry Mr. Montgomery.”
Rose pounded her fist on the table hard enough to rattle the china. Both Bess and Anna stared at her. Rose never raised her voice, never used emphatic language. For Rose, this was a fit of rage the kind neither of them had ever witnessed.
“That’s not reason,” Rose declared. “It’s convention. It’s etiquette. It’s pig’s piddle.”
“Pig’s piddle.” Anna lifted a brow. “I’m afraid your soul is in grave danger, Bess.”
“And you may joke as much as you like, Anna,” Rose said. “You took your body’s greatest gift and treated it like a pleasant tea.”
“That was uncalled-for, Rose,” Bess said.
“Of course it was.” Rose went to Anna and hugged her shoulders. “Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. You weren’t entirely wrong,” Anna said. “Having watched Bess go through this, I think I’m beginning to understand what you mean.”
“Well, I don’t,” Bess said.
“Oh yes, you do,” Anna said. “Dishonesty doesn’t sit well with you.”
Was it dishonesty? While she hadn’t lied to them about why she’d agreed to marry Montgomery, she had refused to give them a reason they could believe. That omission raised her explanation to the level of a lie, even if she had done the whole thing for their good. Possibly the larger question, though, concerned her attempt to treat what had happened in her bedroom the night before like a fling. It wouldn’t last long, certainly. It had ended with that last kiss, him leaning through the window. But it occupied the larger part of her heart and always would.
“You have true love in your hand, and you’re letting it slip away,” Anna said.
“I have no choice,” she said, raising her voice to a level that the servants might hear. “Why can’t you two see that?”
“Because you won’t tell us why you’re marrying that bastard Montgomery,” Anna shouted back.
“This is getting us nowhere,” Bess said. “You’ll have to trust me. I insist upon it.”
“Of course. We live here on your charity,” Rose said.
“Someday, I’ll lose my temper and knock your heads together,” Bess said. “I swear I will.”
Upton cleared his throat. He’d probably heard the whole exchange. Possibly the entire staff had.
“Mr. Montgomery is here, my lady,” Upton said.
“Good Lord, not this early,” Bess said.
“He insisted on talking to you. I put him in the sitting room.”
“Thank you. I’ll see him in a moment.” Bess rose and headed toward the doorway.
Anna caught her hand as she went past. “Break off the engagement.”
“I’m not going to do that, so don’t ask me again,” Bess said.
“You’re a fool,” Anna said.
Perhaps so, but she could still get them good husbands and save Lily Northcross’s reputation. She’d endure this marriage. If she couldn’t, she’d make his life so difficult he’d insist on living apart.
“Bess?” Rose said.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. “What?”
“We’ll stand by you, no matter what happens,” Rose said. “You’re not alone.”
For a moment, she almost dissolved into tears. She took in the sight of her dearest friends. The women she’d called her family for years. The women she’d laughed and cried with. The women she’d lay down her life for. She could certainly survive an unpleasant marriage as long as she had them by her side. One thing she would insist on with her new husband. If she couldn’t be with them, she couldn’t write, and Jack Sterling would die a quick death, anyway.
For now, she’d best go and see what the man wanted so she could dispose of him. She had things to do, and she wasn’t his wife yet.
She found Montgomery in the sitting room, standing by a window, his hands behind his back and his hat clutched in his fingers.
“Good morning,” she said.
He turned and glared at her but didn’t say a word.
“Or not, as the case may be,” she said.
“There’s whispering among the servants at Hollyfield that Northcross didn’t sleep in his bed,” he said finally.
Good Lord, really? She might have expected as much. Hired local people wouldn’t have the same loyalty as servants who’d been with a family for a long time. They’d enjoy telling each other stories about their employers. “How kind of you to come all the way out here to keep me up on what the chambermaid told the footman.”
“Was he here?”
“How do you know he was anywhere at all?”
He did his best to tower over her, and with her small stature, he succeeded nicely. “Don’t toy with me.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.” A lie, but necessary.
He slowly relaxed, but his eyes still flashed with anger. “It’s a natural assumption. The last time he didn’t come home he was with you.”
“That was your fault, if you’ll recall.”
“Be that as it may,” he said. “Once we’re married, I expect no hint of rumor of any kind.”
“I don’t suppose we’ll keep company with Captain Northcross. Problem solved.”
“I’m deadly serious, Lady Rushford. I won’t have any taint of shame on my marriage.”
Imagine her, the virtuous wife. Always modest, always humble. Seldom opening her mouth, and never to express an opinion of her own. “I’ve always been an outrageous character. I don’t see how I’m to change that.”
He finally relaxed, or at least as much as he ever did. Placing a hand on a nearby chair, he assumed a casual pose. He really was a striking man—beautiful the way a snake was.
“You may drink and curse and shoot all you want,” he said. “But I won’t stand for any suggestion that you’ve cuckolded me.”
“Do you plan to be as faithful to me?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” He gave her a smile that chilled her blood. “I find I’ve developed quite an appetite for you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’ve known you as long as Northcross has,” he said. “I don’t imagine he needed to appreciate your mind to want your body.”
What could she say to that? It hardly mattered when Jason had started to desire her, when Roger Montgomery stood only a few feet away and was talking so intimately about her. Worse—he’d no doubt noticed how uncomfortable the subject made her and was enjoying the conversation.
“I’m equipped the same way he is, you know, and I have the same reaction to your . . .” He paused for a moment as his gaze wandered over her and then lingered at her bosom. “. . . your figure. I plan to take advantage of all my rights as your husband.”
She straightened and forced herself to stare him in the face. “I understand.”
“Good. We won’t discuss this matter again.”
“I certainly hope not.”
He set his hat on his head. “I’ll call for you tomorrow. I have to spend the rest of the day moving myself into the inn in the village.”
“You will?”
“My ankle’s quite recovered. I’ve accepted the captain’s hospitality too long, especially under the circumstances.”
Of course, he needn’t have come here at all. That way, he wouldn’t have had to defend his claim on a woman who clearly didn’t want him. He wouldn’t have had to listen to rumors about his intended. She wouldn’t win anything by pointing that out, so she remained silent.
“We’ll be leaving for London i
n three days,” he said.
“London?” she repeated. “Three days?”
“We’ll be married at my house in three days.”
“I can’t be married in three days. I can’t even pack myself and my household in that amount of time,” she said.
“I didn’t say anything about your household.”
“I won’t leave without my friends,” she said. “I flatly refuse. That’s the one thing you may not ask of me.”
“Of course. Two thirds of Jack Sterling.” He chuckled softly. “Very well, bring them.”
She let out a breath. She had no real power to make him accept Anna and Rose into their home. But without them, life truly would have been too bleak. At least, she’d always have her dears to keep her spirits up. Until she found them husbands, of course. Then she could inform her darling husband that she’d sickened of his presence and was returning to Carlton House, and he could retire to hell for all she cared.
“I can’t arrange a wedding in three days, either,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll want it to be an elegant affair with all the right people attending.”
He actually appeared not to have considered that point before. He took it in quickly enough now. She could fairly see the calculation going on in his head.
“You’re right. Two weeks here and then we’ll travel to London to do the planning.” He walked toward her and bent to place a kiss at her temple before straightening again and staring down at her with a clear heat in his eyes. “I’ll find the patience to wait for our wedding night somehow. By then, I imagine I’ll be quite randy.”
He was doing this to frighten her, or if he couldn’t quite manage fear, at least to irk her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, although picturing going to his bed was enough to roil her stomach. Especially after the bliss she’d experienced the night before. She simply stood her ground, doing her best to breathe easily.
Eventually, he tired of the game and nodded to her. “Tomorrow, then.”
“You’ll know where to find me.” She turned and led him out of the sitting room into the hallway. They almost collided with Anna and Rose and two new visitors—Jason’s friends, Peter and Vajra.
“Jolly good morning, isn’t it?” Peter clapped Montgomery on the shoulder. Montgomery immediately stiffened at the familiarity.
“Delightful,” Vajra added. “How could anyone fail to enjoy a morning like this one?”
“Slept well, did you, Montgomery, old fellow?” Peter said.
“Tolerably,” Montgomery answered.
“Glad to hear it. The beds are so comfortable at Hollyfield,” Peter said. Vajra barely stifled a grin. The two of them were obviously aware of what the servants were saying and had decided to nettle Montgomery about them. Bess could have kissed them.
Montgomery paled, and a muscle twitched at his jaw in his anger. He turned toward her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lady Rushford.”
She gave him a tiny curtsey.
“Good day to you, gentlemen,” Montgomery said. Then he brushed past them all and left the house. The two men burst into laughter, and Rose giggled into her hand.
“We’re off for a stroll,” Anna said. “Care to join us?”
“Not this morning. I have business to take care of.” For now, she wouldn’t tell them that the business involved starting the process of closing the house so they could all go to town for her wedding. Why ruin such a splendid morning?
*
Roger Montgomery had his few things packed and sent to the inn and then went in search of Lady Deauville. She was sitting in the garden with a few of the ladies. When he nodded to, she separated herself from the others and led him into the house. As soon as they’d found a quiet corner, he took her hand to turn her toward him. As usual, she took a step backward, as if she couldn’t stand to have him touch her. Damn the entire class, even if he would soon be entering it. He wouldn’t have to tolerate such treatment much longer.
“I’m done with our business,” he said. “I’ll be leaving today.”
“So early?” she said.
“I won’t stay here any longer, under the circumstances.”
She raised an eyebrow. “The captain spending the night with Lady Rushford in the cottage.”
So she hadn’t heard the staff whispering about the second time Northcross hadn’t slept in his bed. Interesting. He’d keep that information to himself. “That can’t make you happy, either.”
She shrugged. “It’s a temporary annoyance, I’ll admit. One you’ll rid me of soon, I hope.”
“In a fortnight,” he said. “I’ve given her that amount of time to prepare.”
She arched a brow. “London?”
“To make the arrangements for the blessed day that I can make her my bride.”
She laughed softly—the sound of a master at chess who’s just foiled her challenger before the upstart had even set his strategy in motion. The two of them were kindred spirits, though she’d never admit it. She thought herself so much more refined than he, despite the fact that he planned to keep himself to his wife and her plot involved swiving a younger man for what?. . . Sport?
No, the “lower” classes had to earn their virtue, while people like her took theirs as their birthright. She was a damned fine looking woman. He ought to seduce her on general principles.
“Why do you want Northcross so much, anyway?” he said.
“Sentiment, I suppose. And then, he is such a wonderfully talented lover.” She reached up long fingers and tucked a stray curl where it belonged. “You’ll have your work cut out for you matching him in bed.”
Curse her eyes. “You may have the same problem replacing Lady Rushford.”
The blow struck home. She seemed to reel for a moment and then brought her hand back as if to slap him. Amateur. At the last moment, she lowered it, and her brittle smile returned.
“Thank you for everything,” she said.
“Thank you for sending me word to come.”
“We haven’t discussed payment,” she said. “I’m sure we can arrive at a sum.”
“I don’t want your money, Lady Deauville.” One more insult and he’d forget himself and show her in the most basic manner possible that he was every bit the man Northcross was. “I have everything I want.”
“You can’t mean to say you love the ridiculous woman.”
“Of course not,” he said.
“Then what do you get out of the marriage?”
“Entrée into your class, my lady. You and I will be social equals.”
She brought her hand to her throat in a gesture of perfect horror. The mere idea—that someone like him, a man who’d made his money through trade—could join her set had never occurred to her. He’d exaggerated how high he’d rise, but not so much that she wouldn’t believe him.
That accomplished, he bowed to her. “Good day to you, madam.”
*
“Is it true?”
Jason glanced over from where he sat behind the desk in the study. It seemed like he’d been there for hours as he relived every moment of the night in Bess’s arms. Lily had flown into the room without so much as knocking and now stood on the carpet in front of him, wringing her hands.
“I’m sorry, pet. Did you ask me something?”
“Is it true what I’ve heard, that Lady Rushford will leave for London in a fortnight?” she asked.
“London, eh?” Town hadn’t seemed so far away when he’d taken Hollyfield, but the distance was enough to keep him from sneaking his way into the lady’s bed again. That truly had been their last encounter. A good thing all ’round. If only he could convince his heart and body.
“You’re not listening to me,” Lily wailed.
“I don’t see how I can avoid it if you keep shouting.”
“Oh my, yes.” She went back to shut the door and then returned to pace the carpet in front of the desk. “It’s true, then, that Lady Rushford’s leaving.”
“Where did you hear the news?”
/> “Lady Deauville. She seemed glad. I don’t like her. I shouldn’t have invited Harriett here.”
“Harriett’s decent enough, and Lady Deauville is probably telling the truth.”
“It’s terrible. Just terrible.” Lily continued walking this way and that, twisting her fingers together in front of her as she did.
“I know you’re fond of Lady Rushford and the others,” he said. “But this was bound to happen.”
“Do you mean to say you’re going to allow it?” she demanded.
“I don’t see how I can stop her.”
Lily stopped pacing and turned toward him. “But you love her, and she loves you, too. I can see it in your eyes.”
Lily would notice. She had excellent instincts. He’d been much too transparent. He’d best get control of his eyes and certain other body parts.
“Once and for all,” he said. “Who I love doesn’t matter. I’m sure the lady feels the same way.”
“If you don’t care about yourself, at least you could stop her from marrying that horrid man.”
“How do you think I could do that?” His own voice had risen and would soon match Lily’s in volume.
“I don’t know.” She threw her hands in the air. “You’re clever. You’ll find some way to keep her from marrying that man.”
“I admire how you care for others, pet, but what Lady Rushford does is not our business.”
“But it is.” Dear God, she’d gone back to wailing. “It’s my fault she’s marrying him.”
He caught her hands to still her aimless wandering. “Lily, be rational. You can’t have caused her to marry him.”
Her shoulders slumped, and her chin wobbled. “But I did. It’s horrid. I can’t tell you . . .”
“Tell me what?”
She nibbled on her lip and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh, pet, what’s happened?” he said. “I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”
“I have to.” She squeezed his fingers as if taking strength from them. “They’ll be angry, but I have no choice.”
“You’re scaring me, Lily.”
“All right.” She straightened and wiped the dampness from her eyes. “You must promise not to repeat this to anyone.”
