Velvet Embrace

by Nicole Jordan

  The conversation turned to other subjects and Brie tried to keep up the appearance of enjoying herself, but she found it difficult since she wanted to run and hide. Dominic had been so very angry when she had hit him. If he returned, he would certainly seek her out. But perhaps when he discovered she was the owner of Greenwood, he would see that she merited the respect due a lady. And as Julian's guest, he would surely behave like a gentleman.

  In spite of her rationalizations, however, Brie's nervousness did not diminish. When they had finished their tea, she rose and absently gathered up her belongings, hardly realizing when Julian draped her cloak over her shoulders. When he asked if she still wanted a fencing lesson on the morrow, she only nodded.

  Caroline had been listening and was shocked. "With swords?" she exclaimed, her brown eyes wide with concern. "Brie, you don't mean to fence with him, do you? Why, you could be killed!"

  Julian smiled down at Caroline. "There is no danger," he said gently. "The points of the foils are covered, and we are very careful. Your cousin has been working to develop her coordination and reflexes. In fact she is getting to be quite a good match for me." He threw a teasing look at Brie. "I get the feeling that Brie aspires to manhood. She already rides and shoots like a Cavalryman. I expect her next to try her hand at fisticuffs."

  His remark jolted Brie out of her abstracted mood, and she scowled at him. "Julian Blake, that was a wicked thing to say. If you don't wish me to come, you only have to tell me. Fisticuffs, indeed! I ought to give your blasted horse back and let you suffer."

  Surprised by her cousin's sudden outburst, Caroline glanced at Julian. She had seen the effect Brie's occasional flashes of temper had on men before, and she wondered how he would react. But either Julian had more self-command or he was accustomed to Brie's sharp repartee, for he laughed and held up his hands. "Truce, truce. Calm down, Brie. Caroline will think we fight like this all the time."

  "We do," Brie retorted. "But one of these days I shall best you, and you will be at my mercy."

  "I already am, m'dear," he replied, grinning.

  Brie was in no mood to be teased, though. Pulling on her gloves, she curtly thanked Julian for the tea, then marched from the room.

  Julian followed her retreating figure with his gaze. The odd look that crossed his face was gone in an instant, but Caroline saw it. Realizing he was still half in love with her cousin, she felt an urge to comfort him. "I think something is bothering Brie," she said quietly. "She argued with Katherine this morning, too."

  Julian shook himself, then smiled down at Caroline. "Well," he said, gallantly offering her his arm, "if you are interested in seeing an exhibition in swordplay, you may come tomorrow with your cousin."

  Dimpling, Caroline wrinkled her nose. "I expect I will find the sport a bit too arduous for my taste, but I should like to watch." When they reached the innyard, Brie was already mounted. Julian assisted Caroline onto her horse, but he barely had time to say farewell before Brie turned and rode out of the yard. Caroline had to spur her mare into a canter to keep from being left behind.

  "Brie, are you sure you're all right?" she asked when she caught up.

  Brie laughed shakily. "Why is everyone suddenly so concerned with my health? I am perfectly well, I assure you."

  "Well, you look pale, like you've just seen a ghost."

  Brie shook her head. Stanton was only a man, after all, not a specter. But she couldn't prevent her own silent thoughts from surfacing. "No, not a ghost, dear cousin," she murmured to herself. "Just my own, private devil come to haunt me."

  It was early afternoon when Dominic arrived at the Lodge. Homer Dawson was obviously pleased to see him, for the elderly man beamed and bobbed as he accepted Dominic's beaver hat and greatcoat.

  Dominic was in the process of asking about Mattie's recovery when he heard the sounds of clashing steel and feminine laughter issuing from the vicinity of the drawing room. When Homer explained that a fencing lesson was in progress, Dominic's curiosity was aroused. He followed the sounds to the drawing room, pausing at the door to survey the scene.

  The furniture had been pushed to one side to clear a space on the floor, while near the door, a pink-cheeked young lady was perched on the edge of a chair, trying to stifle a nervous giggle as she watched the action. In the center of the room, Julian was dancing across the carpet in his stockinged feet, gaily wielding a foil. But it was his opponent, a slender, auburn-haired woman, who captured Dominic's complete attention.

  His gray eyes narrowed as he studied Brie. She was dressed in breeches again, her hair tied back with a ribbon, her face flushed with excitement. Dominic's most immediate thought was that the image branded upon his memory did not do justice to her beauty. The delicate features were even lovelier than he recalled. He let his eyes roam freely over the shapely figure in male attire. She had been wearing a heavy coat that day in the meadow, but without it, her feminine curves were far more pronounced. Dominic's gaze swept downward, gliding over the provocative breasts, the narrow waist, the slim hips. Not voluptuous, certainly, but as enticing as any man could wish.

  He watched as she moved gracefully across the floor, realizing with surprise that she was responding skillfully to Julian's every action. Seeing the brilliant smile she bestowed on her opponent as she managed a particularly fine riposte, Dominic knew a moment of sheer envy. Julian was obviously well acquainted with her. Perhaps he was the one who was enjoying the vixen's charms, after all. It was obvious that he took pleasure in their relationship, whatever that might be.

  Dominic folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorjamb, prepared to wait for the contest to end. It was only a moment before Brie succeeded in disarming Julian with a rapid wrist action, sending his foil flying.

  Her exclamation of delight was met with praise from her opponent. "Brava!" Julian cried. "I couldn't have done it better myself." As he bent to retrieve his sword, he noticed his guest for the first time. "Dominic!" he said cheerfully. "Welcome! Come in, and allow me to introduce you to my neighbors."

  In the excitement of the match, Brie hadn't noticed Dominic's arrival, but at Julian's greeting she whirled. When her startled eyes locked with the gray ones she remembered so well, the jolt she received was so unexpected that she dropped her foil. Staring at Dominic, Brie could feel the color drain from her cheeks. He was just as striking as she remembered, with his black hair and dark, aristocratic features, but the piercing intentness of his gaze was unnerving. Only with great difficulty was she able to control a shudder. As she mechanically bent to pick up her fallen weapon, she vaguely heard Julian performing introductions.

  "Brie, Caroline, may I present my very good friend, Dominic Serrault, Lord Stanton. Dom, this is one of my neighbors, Brie Carringdon, and her cousin, Miss Caroline Langley. Caroline is visiting from London."

  Brie couldn't bring herself to speak. She could only stand there, staring dumbly as Dominic strode into the room. Caroline was not so stricken. Rather embarrassed by her cousin's rudeness, in fact, she rose and curtsied, politely offering her hand.

  Dominic bowed over it, then turned to Brie, one dark brow raised in question. He thought he understood the wary look she was giving him—she feared his retaliation. And no doubt she was worried he would reveal their prior acquaintance. But since she had gone to such trouble to conceal her identity from him earlier, he decided to play along with her for the time being.

  His eyes boldly swept her figure, lingering on the curves revealed by the close-fitting breeches. "Lady Carringdon?" he asked innocently, giving her a sardonic smile.

  Brie clutched her foil close to her body as if to shield herself against his mockery, but she met his deliberate stare without flinching. "Miss Carringdon, my lord," she replied coolly, inclining her head a fraction.

  "Not a lady? Forgive me for the mistake." The verbal thrust drew an immediate response from her, and Dominic was unaccountably pleased to see the sparks that flashed in her eyes. He smiled down at her lazily.
r />   Brie pressed her own lips together in annoyance, understanding his insinuation perfectly. But even if her behavior had been lacking, her antecedents were perfectly acceptable. "My father was Sir William Carringdon," she said, her voice edged with anger. "Perhaps you were acquanted with him, my lord?" Her disclosure did not have the effect she was hoping for, for there was no change in Dominic's expression.

  He was surprised, though. Brie had the bearing and beauty of a princess, but from her style of dress and the passionate way she had responded to his advances, he never would have guessed that she was a gently-bred lady of no mean social standing. She was an enigma, certainly. He wanted to know about her, a great deal more.

  But he had to be patient, Dominic told himself. "I had the pleasure of meeting your father some years ago," he said mildly. "I didn't know him well, but I was acquainted with his reputation. He was an excellent horseman, was he not?"

  "Many people thought so," Brie replied, lifting her chin.

  "And you, mademoiselle, are attempting to follow in his footsteps."

  It was a statement, not a question, and the accompanying grin that twisted Dominic's lips infuriated Brie. He might not have given her away, but he was still an arrogant, insufferable devil. She refused to respond to his taunt, however. Instead she glared at him in silent challenge.

  It was a challenge Dominic could not ignore. Realizing her status had not lessened his desire for her, although he had seen immediately the need to revise his strategy for seducing the haughty beauty. But how to turn this situation to his advantage escaped him at the moment. He studied her speculatively, noting the angry flush that stained her cheeks. The stubborn set of her jaw could not disguise the delicacy of its line, and he knew that if he stroked the creamy skin there, he could get her to relax those tight muscles. But he would have to get close to her first.

  Deliberately, he let his eyes drop to the swelling fullness of her breasts as they strained against the fine lawn of her shirt. She wore a chemise beneath, but he could faintly detect the coral outline of her nipples. He found himself hungering for the taste of those sweet buds. . . .

  Brie was a little shocked by Dominic's blatant perusal. Her skin seemed to burn where his gaze touched her, and she could feel her nipples hardening, just as if he were pressing his hot lips against her. When Dominic raised a smile to her glare, Brie opened her mouth to give him a scathing set-down.

  Julian spoke first. He had been growing uncomfortable with the flagging conversation, and now he stepped unwittingly into the silent battle. "I've been instructing Brie in the art of fencing, Dominic. In fact we were just wrapping up a match. She is proving to be a formidable opponent. Would you care to test her skill with a bout?"

  "No!" Brie gasped. Seeing Julian give her a puzzled look, she realized her refusal had been too vehement and felt compelled to offer an explanation. "We really must be going, Julian. I have taken enough of your time this morning as it is."

  The excuse sounded weak even to her own ears, and she wasn't suprised when Julian told her not to be absurd. "I enjoyed the exercise," he insisted. "Besides, you need the experience of trying your hand with other opponents. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to practice." Julian handed his foil to Dominic, then stepped back to watch the contest, grinning encouragingly at Brie. "Just relax and remember what you've learned. Dominic won't take advantage of you."

  "I wouldn't be too sure of that," she muttered under her breath. When she gave Dominic a sidelong glance, though, she flushed. His mocking half-smile told her that he had caught her words, and the low bow he made to her was the epitome of insolence. Brie lowered her eyelashes to hide her frustration. How she longed to wipe the smirk from his handsome face! Yet he owed her something for that day in the meadow when she had struck him with her whip, and she supposed it would be better to take her punishment here with witnesses present, rather than wait till later when she was alone with him.

  For a moment she stood in indecision, while Dominic awaited her with amused patience, enjoying the irony of the situation. Then she reluctantly prepared her stance. They engaged foils, and soon the room resounded with ringing steel.

  Brie did not expect to be victorious. She merely wanted to make a good showing. But from the start, there was no question of her doing anything more than preventing a rout. Dominic's superiority was evident in every feint and thrust he made. Brie was amazed at his strength. She was breathing hard after three minutes and sweat had started to blind her, but Dominic seemed as cool as if he were taking an evening stroll. There was no need even for him to exert himself. Brie was infuriated by the way he played with her, first letting her have the upper hand, then relentlessly advancing, his powerful arm driving her to retreat. She felt like a mouse caught by a jungle cat. He was toying with her now, she knew, but any moment he would pounce and make a meal of her.

  Dominic's cool gray eyes told her nothing of his surprised appreciation of her skill. She was obviously a novice, but she had been well rehearsed in technique. Her smaller stature was a definite disadvantage, but what she lacked in power and reach, she almost made up in agility and determination. Dominic had to concentrate to prevent her quick thrusts from reaching their mark.

  Brie tired quickly. She was at the point of willingly admitting defeat when Dominic asked with a provoking grin what prize the victor was to be awarded. His taunt goaded her into renewing her efforts. She began to fight with violent determination, feeling suddenly as if her very life depended on this one battle. She didn't hear or heed Julian's warning cry that the button had come off her foil and that the tip was unguarded. She was only aware that she had to defend herself against the dire threat her devilish opponent presented.

  She was unprepared for the fury of Dominic's response. He attacked with deadly precision, forcing her to make a desperate retreat. A moment later, her sword was torn expertly from her grasp.

  Her momentum was still carrying her backward, and when the backs of her knees hit the sofa, Brie went sprawling, the cushions breaking her fall. She was stunned to find herself looking up into Dominic's thunderous face, his blade pressed against her throat.

  For an endless moment, the room was completely silent. Brie could feel her heart slamming against her ribs, but she didn't even dare breathe with the tip of Dominic's foil in the vulnerable hollow of her throat. Petrified, she stared up at him. His eyes were glittering shards of ice, impaling her as his rapier might do at any moment.

  When Dominic finally moved, it was to raise his weapon only a few inches. Then with the point of his foil, he slowly, deliberately traced a line on Brie's cheek, reminding her of the welt she had raised on his own skin. "The score grows more uneven, my blood-thirsty vixen," he warned in a harsh whisper. "It must be settled."

  He let the tip trail downward till it rested between her heaving breasts. "Soon," Dominic added softly. His eyes flicked over the soft curves, then dropped lower to her spread thighs. His jaw tightened. Suddenly, without another word, Dominic tossed the foil away, making Brie flinch. Then he spun on his heel and strode from the room.

  Both Julian and Caroline stared after him speechlessly. During the entire match, Caroline had been sitting with her hand pressed to her mouth, but now that the danger had passed, she jumped up and went to Brie's side. "Darling, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" she asked, helping Brie to sit up.

  Silently Brie shook her head, her hand going automatically to her cheek where Dominic's foil had caressed it. "I think I have had enough lessons for one day," she said shakily. "Julian, would you be kind enough to hand me my boots and call for our horses?"

  The look Julian gave her was incredulous. "Lord, Brie, you can't just leave it at that! I could wring your neck. Why the devil didn't you hold up when I told you your point was exposed? Didn't you hear me?"

  "No, I did not," Brie replied stonily. "I am sorry to have disgraced you, Julian, but you may be assured I don't plan a repeat performance. I should have known better than to cross swords with that insuf
ferable tyrant in the first place."

  Perplexed, Julian stared at Brie. "Do you know Dominic?"

  Brie hesitated. If she had been alone with Julian, she would have told him about being stranded at his house with his friend. But Caroline was listening, and a confession about Lord Stanton's attempted seduction was hardly appropriate for the ears of an impressionable eighteen-year-old girl. "I met him when he was here two weeks ago," Brie said finally.

  "Two weeks—Damn it, Brie! Dominic was only here for a few days. What the hell did you do to provoke him so?"

  "I! Why do you assume I did anything?"

  "Because," Julian said with exaggerated patience as he handed Brie her leather boots, "I have never seen Dominic act so irrationally. He looked like he wanted to kill you."

  "He probably did," she muttered. When Julian continued to frown at her, she raised her hands in exasperation. "All right! I hit him with my whip. I was out riding one day and he tried to bully me. I was frightened, so I hit him."

  "And that's all?"

  Brie ground her teeth as she began to pull on her boots. "Yes! His servant came along and then he left."

  Pursing his lips, Julian let out a low whistle. "Well, you're lucky to have survived with your skin still intact. At least that explains—" Julian broke off. He had been about to say that he better understood the electrifying tension he had sensed between the two of them, but he decided there would be no point in stating the obvious. "I'm sorry now that I made you fight Dominic. I doubt after this he will forgive you."

  "I don't want his forgiveness! Who does he think he is, anyway? Besides, it wasn't your fault, so don't apologize." When Julian started to object, Brie raised a hand. "I know Lord Stanton is your friend, Julian," she said in a fractionally calmer voice, "but it does not mean I must like him. You would be doing me a great favor if you would just keep him out of my sight."

  "I can try. Brie, but I doubt you can avoid him for a full month."

  "A month! Must you suffer his company for so long?"