“Meaning?”
“I know you feel something for Dominic, or you wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of inviting me over. If it’s any consolation, know that Dom also feels something for you. But like yourself, he’s been fighting the attraction from the start. Perhaps out of honor, perhaps because he’s afraid that if he gets too close, you’ll flee.” He smiled softly. “You see, Dom hasn’t always been a notorious rakehell. In fact, once my good friend had a love, a woman whose beauty rivaled any in her time. Dom loved her desperately, perhaps too desperately.”
Arlie stopped abruptly and looked up at her friend. “Who was she? Is she someone I’ve met?”
Langley shook his head. “She was several years older than him, and she played the game of love well. She wasn’t titled, but he didn’t care—Dom would have given up everything for her. When she told him she was pregnant, he was ecstatic, thrilled knowing she would have no excuse not to marry him. Unfortunately that bliss was short-lived. Just one week before the wedding, Dominic found his love in bed with another man. Suffice it to say, the baby was not Dominic’s.”
Arlie put her hand to her heart. “How horrible.”
“Indeed, particularly since the man who betrayed him was his own father.”
Arlie gasped in disbelief. “His father…how could he be so cruel?”
“It matters not. But that is the past, and I told you only because I love Dom, and I hate to see him lose something he wants so desperately.” Langley lifted Arlie’s chin with a finger and smiled warmly. “I am flattered that you think me a good enough friend to confide in and a good enough actor to pull off this little charade.”
“I did not mean to—”
His finger moved to her lips, silencing her. “You need not explain. Though Dom may think otherwise, I would never hurt him. I care for him too much, and we have seen too many times together, both good and bad. We have never fought for the same woman, and I think what bothers him the most is that he would have, at one time, thought me quite suitable for you. But I knew the moment he hadn’t told me about you that he was keeping you for himself. My thoughts are confirmed every time I see him look at you.”
“He could never love me enough to marry me.”
“Dominic is scared of marriage—as well you understand now. But rest assured, as titled men, it is our lot in life to marry and have heirs. It matters not if we love the woman we’re bound to.”
“How can you stand it?”
He shrugged. “We stand it by taking young, gorgeous mistresses to bed.”
“Perhaps your wife will be different.”
“Perhaps…” he said, even though he sounded unconvinced.
He glanced past her shoulder, a bright smile coming to his face. “Guess who’s joined us,” he whispered. “He is so jealous, he could kill me.”
Without warning, Langley pulled her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips. A moment later he released her, a wolfish smile on his face. “Goodnight, dearest Arlie. Thank you for a most wonderful evening. Perhaps I will bring Rose over to meet you later this week.” He turned to Dominic. “See you, old boy.”
Silence fell over the gardens as Arlie watched Langley stride toward the stables. The hair on her arms stood on end, knowing that Dominic stood right behind her.
When Langley was out of sight, Arlie turned to face him.
He had loosened his cravat, his waistcoat was opened as though he’d started to undress, then reconsidered. He stared at her saying nothing. She felt wretched. Wretched for pretending to be someone she was not, for using Langley, and for trying desperately to make Dominic angry. How disappointed he must be in her.
She longed for the protectiveness of his arms, for the passion and longing she remembered so vividly. She’d be happy just to have his friendship again.
His gaze burned into her. “I was under the impression that you wanted Mr. Butler. Am I mistaken?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what I want.”
“That, my dear, is obvious.”
“I suppose the same could be said of you,” she replied, unable to keep the sarcasm from her voice.
His dark expression silenced her.
He took the step that separated them, making her lift her chin to look up at him. “I will live the life that I choose, Arlie. I am a grown man who is used to this way of life, but you are a young woman who has no idea how harsh the world can be. You have an opportunity now to marry a young man who can give you a good life. And as your guardian, it is my intention to see that happens.”
“But what if it doesn’t?”
His eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to marry someone and then regret it. I suppose that I can take lovers, but—”
His shoulders stiffened. “A wife should be faithful to her husband.”
“That sounds a tad hypocritical coming from a man who has just spent an entire week sleeping with another man’s wife.” To her surprise, her voice remained level, and she managed to keep a semblance of calm, when she felt anything but.
“The way I spend my nights should make no difference to you.”
But it did matter—more than he would ever know. How could he stand going from woman to woman, making love, but giving nothing of himself? What a hollow existence it must be.
“You’re right, it shouldn’t matter.” Having said as much, she turned and left him, knowing that if he called her back she would go to him. “But it does,” she said softly. “It matters a great deal.”
* * * * *
Dominic paced the length of his quarters. From time to time he glanced toward the bed where just last night he had brought a whore. He shook his head in disgust. A whore? It didn’t matter that he had sent the woman home before he could bed her. In fact, he had not even kissed her. What did matter was that he’d brought her here in the first place, and he had seen the pain on Arlie’s face. A pain he had caused.
Without Langley’s knowledge, Dominic had hired the courtesans with the intention of driving Arlie away. After loving her in the meadow, he had wanted her with a desperation that frightened him. And she would have even given herself to him, but he’d pulled out a thread of sanity and had stopped his seduction before it was too late.
Instead, he’d run away, straight to London hoping to drink and party away his confusion.
His grandmother was right—he had become his father.
Dominic closed his eyes and ran his hands down his face. Oh, but he was tempted to drown his sorrows in a bottle. Shaking off the urge, he went to the balcony wanting to cool his desire.
The night was clear, stars twinkling down at him, the moon shone down on the immaculate gardens below. He took a deep breath, his gaze straying to the bedroom window across the way. His heart jolted at the sight that met him.
Through the sheer curtains Arlie sat brushing her long hair. The silhouette of her naked form taunted him from across the garden, making him squint to see better. Already she was a natural vixen, sleeping naked while most women her age wore nightgowns that covered from neck to ankle. His body stirred to life, his cock throbbing as he continued to watch. She stood, and walked away—toward the bed. He held his breath and released it when he caught sight of her several windows down through the still-open curtains. For a scant second she stood there, staring out, and he saw all of her. The full breasts with rosy nipples, her tiny waist, the soft swell of hips, and the down of tight curls that covered her sex. His cock twitched and reared as he remembered the feel of her tight sheath against his fingers.
As though sensing his thoughts, Arlie drew the curtains, and a second later the room went black.
It would be so simple to end his misery. He could go to her, take her to bed, and be done with it. Maybe then she would be out of his blood.
* * * * *
The three months were over.
Arlie sat in her room and wondered if today would be the day that Dominic walked back into her li
fe and announced that he had posted an announcement in The Times.
She hadn’t seen him for weeks now. When she asked the servants where he was, they skirted her question, saying he’d gone off on business, but she knew otherwise. Daniel, along with other young beaux had commented about seeing Dominic here or there, yet he never came home, and she had to assume it was because of her that he didn’t. Why else would he stay away, especially if he hadn’t left London?
None of the young men who visited her would come right out and say it. It had been Langley who had told her Dominic had a townhouse near Hyde Park, a place Dominic stayed when he had business. But Arlie wasn’t fooled. She didn’t have to guess why he stayed there now. He obviously didn’t want to see her, and in London he could entertain his never-ending parade of women without having to worry about her. Why should he change his ways, when all he had to do was take residence up somewhere else and continue on as always? Well, he could just live his life and she would go on living hers.
Tonight she had agreed to attend a soiree with Mr. Butler. When Daniel picked her up, she would be charming and happy, forgetting all about Dominic. It was time to move on.
* * * * *
Though the ball was not on as grand a scale as the Banfield’s, still, the huge affair brimmed over with London’s elite. There were a few familiar faces and as Arlie spoke with acquaintances, she was aware of the firm pressure of Daniel’s arm around her waist. He had made it a point to touch her throughout the night, keeping an arm around her waist since they arrived. His possessiveness, though supposedly flattering, mostly irritated her.
But his behavior was only natural, especially since she had seen Daniel at least twice a week since meeting him. Apparently it had been just days ago when Daniel asked Dominic for his permission to escort Arlie to the ball. Dominic had readily agreed.
Daniel went in search of punch, and Arlie was grateful for the few moments she had alone. She stood near the veranda, closing her eyes, enjoying the cool wind that entered through the open window.
The room became quiet, though the music continued, a murmur raced through the crowd. Arlie opened her eyes. Dominic walked down the steps. Tall, dark and gorgeous, his gaze scanned the crowd.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as their gazes locked.
Then a virtual swarm of women ascended upon him, and the moment was forever gone.
“Miss Whitman, what a delight,” Langley said, taking her hand in his. “Where is that devil, Butler? I dare say he is a fool to leave you alone. But that is his problem.” He pulled her out on the dance floor.
“I’m so very sorry, Langley.”
He lifted a brow. “Hopefully you’re not referring to Rose, who by the way, is watching our every move.”
Arlie smiled. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Then what are you sorry about?”
“I should never have used you the way I did. I want you to know that I genuinely care for you. I would never knowingly hurt you, and I’m ashamed that I used you to get to Dominic.”
He grinned. “I appreciate your sincerity, but it is unnecessary. As I said before, I was, and remain, a willing participant.”
“How has he been?”
“I can only assume you refer to Dominic?”
“Yes,” she said wearily, feeling the heat race up her neck to her cheeks under his knowing grin.
“He is doing fine. Perhaps a little edgy of late, but he has a lot of business affairs to attend with. Apparently he just bought a good deal of stock in your intended’s company, or perhaps it was Mr. Butler’s rival’s company.”
“Daniel is not my intended.”
“Really? One would think so by the way he is staring daggers into me. The young dandy must try harder to contain his emotions. Someone should tell him that it’s not good to be so possessive early on. He hasn’t even asked for your hand.”
Langley kept her out on the floor for another dance, more out of spite than anything, she was sure. When the dance ended, Langley blocked Daniel. “Your guardian has asked for the next dance.”
“Indeed, I have,” the familiar voice said behind her.
Arlie turned to find Dominic standing with his hand extended, waiting for her to take it. Her eyes shifted from his strong, long-fingered hand up to his brutally handsome face. The sides of his mouth lifted and she was rewarded with a devastating grin. Why did he have to be so damnably appealing? His blue eyes appeared darker as he stared, and she wanted desperately to know what he was thinking.
She took Dominic’s hand and practically floated to the dance floor where he pulled her into his arms. Feeling strangely shy, she couldn’t keep eye contact and instead averted her gaze.
“How have you been?” he asked, his tone formal.
“Fine.”
“Joseph has told me you refuse to meet with your tutors.”
“I feel I know enough.” She met his gaze once more. “I always did, I only obliged before to make you happy.”
“And now?”
She lifted her chin a notch. “I’m making myself happy.”
He nodded. “So it would seem.”
What did he mean by that comment? Anger and resentment of his treatment of her made her brash. “I’ve been thinking about returning to Wales,” she lied, having no intention of returning to the village. She wanted to see his reaction.
Instantly the smile slipped from Dominic’s face, and he almost stopped in mid-stride before he danced them off the floor. Before she could object, he pulled her out onto the veranda. “You will not leave Rochford Manor.” It was a command, not a question.
Arlie took a step away from him. How dare he tell her what she and could not do?
“Are you so unhappy?”
She nodded. “I am.”
He actually looked startled. “I don’t understand. I’ve seen to your every need—”
“Must it always be about money with you? Yes, you have been most generous, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” She took a deep breath, pondering her choices. She could tell him the truth or she could lie. “I shouldn’t be in your home, especially since you refuse to stay there because of me. It isn’t fair to either one of us.”
His eyes searched hers as though he could see straight into her soul. She jerked as his fingers lightly brushed her cheek before moving lower to her neck, his thumb grazing her pulse that beat wildly. Slowly his lips claimed hers and she melted against him, opening to him, loving the feel of his velvet-smooth tongue against her own.
He pulled away slowly, staring down at her, his eyes dark with desire. “Dear Arlie, I’m not staying away because of you.”
Even his voice lacked the conviction she needed to hear.
Another couple walked out and he stepped away from her, but only for a moment before the couple passed. He pulled her around the side of the house. “I’ve been distracted from my work, and there are certain things that need my immediate attention. I felt it was easiest to stay at the townhouse until I had finished my business.”
“Dominic, don’t lie to me. Rochford Manor is not so far from London that you could not stay there. Before you always managed to attend business and then come home. You are merely staying in town because you wish to be away from me.”
He ran his hand through his hair, and then paced before her, leaving her to stand and watch him. Leaning against the stone banister, he looked out into the darkness of night. She almost wanted to leave him there, alone in his thoughts, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. For too long she had missed him. Now, being in his company, she didn’t want the moment to end. Not like this.
When he turned to her, she saw uncertainty in his eyes. “Do you want me to come home?”
She nodded, afraid to say something for fear she’d cry.
He took the few steps that separated them, and she resisted the urge to throw herself into his arms. He lifted his hand and his fingers lightly touched her lips. “I’ll be home tomorrow.”
Chapter Nine
With the dawning of a new day, Arlie’s spirits soared. Throwing open the curtains, she smiled out at the sunny day that greeted her. Dominic would return today!
The very thought made her want to dance around the room. No more lonely days and nights wondering where he was and what he was doing. Instead she would see his handsome face every single day.
Yet as the afternoon turned into evening, her mood soured and she wondered if he had once again lied to her. Here she’d worked so hard to prepare for his homecoming, taking extra care in her appearance, making sure the cook made his favorite dishes—and he hadn’t even bothered to send word that he wouldn’t be coming.
By ten o’clock that evening Arlie gave up hope that he would return. She went to the library, picked a book off the shelf, slipped off her shoes and plopped down onto a settee. The wind howled outside and she lay down on her side, resting an arm beneath her head, while she curled up and began the first chapter.
A door slammed in the distance, but she paid no mind. The door to the library whipped open and the book fell out of her hand.
Dominic strode toward her in long strides. Arlie stood abruptly.
He lifted her in his arms. His lips came down on hers, and she clung to him, releasing a moan while his tongue caressed hers.
Desire warmed her blood, swooping low into her belly.
“I’ve thought of nothing but holding you,” he whispered against her lips.
“And I, you.”
The words brought a smile to his face, making the creases at his eyes deepen. “Was I in your dreams as well?”
“Yes, my…Dominic.”
“My Dominic?” The side of his mouth lifted in a playful smile. “You sound possessive already.”
She wanted to tell him that she was. That she hated every woman that had stared at him last night, especially the ones she knew had a connection to him, either past mistresses, or perhaps current mistresses.
Dangerous Desires Page 12
