"I must apologize for my sister," he finally growled. "She's meddling where she shouldn't."
"She means well," murmured Allegra. "She simply doesn't understand that this is a matter that cannot be resolved."
Adam felt his spirits sink further. Allegra had said that she felt their estrangement was total. She must indeed be unwilling to be faithful to him. "Exactly. We are totally incompatible."
"Totally," agreed Allegra, picturing him as she had seen him earlier, riding so comfortably with Louisa, whereas now he was stiff and uncomfortable. Clearly he preferred women who could offer him more than she did. For one moment she considered offering to share him with Louisa, to tell him that if he taught her what it was that he wanted, she would be glad to oblige him. But then she banished the thought. It was too humiliating. Adam would probably only laugh at her.
A long silence fell between them. Adam thought for a moment of leaving the carriage, but he couldn't do it. He looked at Allegra's face, still turned down towards her lap, and longed to change her sorrowful look to a happy one, to see her eyes shine with the enjoyment and pleasure that he had seen at Gravesmere. Her hold over him was too powerful. Perhaps there was still some way to find his laughing lover again.
"Allegra--" he began, and then broke off. He didn't wish to make a fool of himself, to give her a chance to laugh at him.
Allegra looked up quickly. "Yes?"
"Nothing." Adam looked away, across the park, to where he could see Louisa's carriage still circling. Allegra followed his gaze, and the hopeful gleam in her eyes died.
"Perhaps we should return home," she said, her voice tight with disappointment.
"By all means." Adam leaned back in his seat as the carriage turned and left the park, silence blanketing its occupants.
In Caroline's carriage Tristan was eyeing his companion with a great deal of respect and a certain amount of alarm. "Allow me to congratulate you, my lady," he said.
Caroline blinked innocently. "On what, pray tell?"
"On a maneuver worthy of a field marshal. Well played, indeed. I'm quite in awe of you."
Caroline waved a hand airily. "Oh, that. It was nothing, I assure you."
"However did you pry your brother away from Lady Manning?"
Caroline shrugged. "I simply told him to get out of her carriage and into mine, which he was happy enough to do. He doesn't really care for her, you know. He's simply accustomed to being with her, and wishes to annoy Allegra. I could tell from his face that he wasn't enjoying himself with her. It's a pity he doesn't understand his own desires."
"I see you take the direct approach, ma'am." Tristan leaned back in his seat and stretched his long legs out in front of him.
"Of course. I've found that overly intricate plots lead to disaster. I'm sure you've discovered the same yourself."
Tristan assumed a look of injured innocence. "Me, my lady? What leads you to believe I'm in the habit of plotting?"
"It's just a suspicion," answered Caroline. She bowed politely to an elderly matron who was waving at her.
Tristan watched her appreciatively for a moment. Despite her lack of pretension, she was undeniably eye-catching, her large green eyes glowing above her fine cheekbones, her elegant figure swaying gracefully with the rhythm of the coach.
"Aren't you afraid that your reputation will suffer for being seen with me?" he asked casually. "The respectable Lady Eskmaine is usually not in the company of someone so disreputable as I."
"Nonsense. You come of excellent stock and are accepted in the best homes. It is you, Lord Gresham, who seem to have some sort of chip on your shoulder. My reputation will suffer not one whit, and I wouldn't care if I did. I choose my own friends."
"Are you calling me your friend?" Tristan leaned forward and watched her closely.
Caroline shook her head indulgently. "Hardly. Though we could be, perhaps, if you weren't plotting against my family. I think it a pity that a man so clearly intelligent as you should be wasting your time in this childish manner."
Tristan's expression grew dark. "If I were plotting against your brother, don't you imagine I would have a good reason?"
"There is no good reason for attempting to ruin the lives of others, particularly when innocents like Allegra are involved," said Caroline severely. "You are self-indulgent, my lord, a quality I don't particularly care for."
Tristan stared at her, stung. He had been called many uncomplimentary names in the course of his life, but most of them had implied a degree of fear. Caroline, on the other hand, seemed to find him amusingly contemptible.
"You have no notion of my motivations," he snapped.
"No, but I'm sure that all this is only because you're nursing some sort of ridiculous grudge. What did my brother do to you? Beat you at cards? Or perhaps he bought a horse you wanted. Maybe he insulted the cut of your coat. Really, it's too ridiculous. I don't know why you can't just let it be."
Caroline's tone was cutting, and Tristan grimaced. "I don't care to discuss this with you."
"Because a woman can't understand honor?" asked Caroline. "If this sort of silliness is honor, I'm glad we don't understand it." She shut her parasol with a snap and leaned forward. "Unfortunately, we still have to suffer for it. And believe me, Allegra is suffering."
Tristan struggled to regain his composure. He was used to dealing in innuendo and intrigue, and Caroline's calm directness was unnerving. And why should he care what she thought of him anyway? Once this matter was concluded he would never have to deal with her again.
"It seems to me it's your brother who is causing her unhappiness," he said lightly. "Perhaps you should berate him rather than me."
"Oh, I have, to be sure," answered Caroline cheerfully.
"I almost pity him."
Caroline smiled sunnily. "Don't waste your sympathy. You will need all of it for yourself shortly."
Tristan looked around. It wasn't too late to perhaps intercept Allegra's carriage and cause more mischief. "I'm sure you find my company tedious, Lady Eskmaine. Perhaps we would both be more comfortable if you allowed me to alight."
"If you wish to leave this carriage you will have to leap from it while it's moving. I have no intention of allowing you your freedom until I'm sure Allegra and Adam are safely out of the park. Between you and that wretched Lady Manning, enough damage has been done today."
"So I'm not the only villain in the piece."
"Not at all. And if I were forced to choose, I would have to admit that I prefer you."
"I'm honored."
"Don't be. Your behavior is still reprehensible, but at least you aren't vulgar. That woman actually tried to flatter me earlier! I've never been more appalled in my life. And I'm sure she's behind this latest split between Adam and Allegra--one that you, my lord, are taking advantage of."
Tristan bowed. "I seize opportunities when offered."
Caroline's eyes narrowed as she watched him. "It seems rather odd that you would both be here this afternoon. Lady Manning isn't given to appearing in the Park at this hour, and I don't remember seeing you often here in the past. It all becomes clear now. To think that I didn't see it before! You're working with that trollop, aren't you?"
A look of injured innocence covered Tristan's face. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't try to gammon me," ordered Caroline. "I can't imagine why I didn't see this before. Lady Manning is precisely the sort of woman you would be acquainted with, and she isn't clever enough to cause this sort of mischief on her own. No, I see it all now. The pair of you are operating in concert. Shame on you, Lord Gresham. I'd thought you the sort of gentleman who fought his battles alone."
Tristan looked wounded. "I'm unacquainted with Lady Manning. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Nonsense. I'm sure you're old friends. I'll have to look into the matter." Caroline scanned the park, her sharp eyes attempting to search out Allegra's carriage. "I believe that all is well. I have to thank you for your com
pany, Lord Gresham. It's been most enlightening." She signaled to her coachman to stop, and she waited patiently for Tristan to disembark.
"Lady Eskmaine, I must assure you that I'm not conniving with Lady Manning," said Tristan. "Your suspicions are completely unfounded."
"You'll have to forgive me if I don't believe you, my lord. And now, if you don't mind, I have other matters to attend to." She glanced impatiently at the carriage door.
Tristan sighed and climbed down from the carriage. "Thank you for the interesting visit, my lady," he said, bowing low.
Caroline smiled. "Certainly. I'm sure you'll see a great deal of me in the days to come, unless you're so wise as to abandon your plans. Until later, Lord Gresham."
Chapter 23
A Devil's Redemption
A week passed with a stony silence between Allegra and Adam. One evening Adam left his room reluctantly, his feet slowly measuring the distance to the front hall. He was only going to this ball to appease his mother, he told himself. He had no desire to be anywhere near Allegra, to have to look into her piquant face, to have to smell her delicate scent, to imagine the pleasures that had been his so very recently. It was hell, he thought angrily. Why was he unable to control his need for her? Nothing, not nights of debauchery with Louisa, or gambling drunkenly with his friends, could erase the pain he felt whenever he pictured his wife in another man’s arms.
He cursed under his breath, and then froze when he heard a light step at the top of the stairs. Unwillingly he looked up, and saw Allegra poised to descend, one white hand resting delicately on the carved wooden rail, the other holding a delicately painted fan. Diamonds shone in her hair and hung heavily from her ears and on her wrists, but her eyes outshone them, sparkling in her white face. Adam drew in his breath as he watched her, fighting the instant tightening of his loins as his gaze swept over the swell of her breasts and the tiny span of her waist. He looked again at her face, and paused for a moment, drawing in his breath. It seemed to him that he saw a hint of sadness there, a touch of entreaty, as though she too was unhappy. He hesitated, confused, wondering if he should say something, if the wall that had come between them might be breached. But then the icy look he had become accustomed to in the past days shrouded her eyes, and she flipped open her fan, holding it before her like a shield. She placed one dainty silk-shod foot on the top step and came towards him in a rustle of aquamarine silk.
“Good evening, Adam,” she said, her voice cool and detached. “You look very fine tonight.”
“As do you.” Adam bowed slightly.
She waved a hand dismissively. “I’m sure you don’t notice. You needn’t pay me empty compliments. Save your breath for Lady Manning. I’m sure she puts it to good use.”
“You little witch!”
Adam reached out before he could form a coherent thought and grabbed her naked shoulders where they rose out of the foaming lace of her décolletage. Her skin felt warm and smooth under his touch, like flower petals, and he gripped her more tightly, both welcoming and hating the wave of lust that swept over him. “How dare you fling her in my face when I know exactly what you’re up to?”
“What do you know, Adam?” Allegra taunted him. “Do you know anything? Or do you just wonder? I’ll wager you have no proof.” Adam’s grip was painful, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of admitting it. She glared up proudly into his angry face, defiance in every line of her body.
“I’ll have it soon enough,” snarled Adam. He shook her slightly, wishing he could turn this hard creature back into his gentle bride. What had happened, he wondered for the thousandth time. How could they have let what they had disappear so quickly?
“No, you won’t. If all you want me for it to bear you sons, I’ll make sure that you always have doubts as to who their father is.” Allegra laughed at the look on his face. “It’s a small measure of revenge, but it’s all I have.”
“Damn you,” Adam ground out. “I’ll see that you pay, Allegra. You’ll be sorry you did this to me.”
“I’m already sorry I ever laid eyes on you.” Allegra wrenched herself from his grip, and looked down at the red marks on her shoulder with a sad smile.
Adam flushed at the evidence of his lack of control. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said hesitantly.
“It’s far too late for that,” murmured Allegra, turning away.
Adam’s shame faded at her words. It was she who had betrayed him first, he thought angrily. He had been about to forsake Louisa for her when he had found her in Tristan’s arms. “You’re hardly blameless in this matter,” he sneered.
“You would feel that way. Women are nothing to you but useful receptacles for your passion, are they?” Allegra’s voice broke on a tiny, suppressed sob. “And the more experienced and debauched they are, the better you like them! I’m sorry I can’t compete with Lady Manning and her vast knowledge, Adam. Perhaps over time I’ll learn more in order to better satisfy you!”
“What the hell are you babbling about?” demanded Adam. “I never said you didn’t please me.”
“You didn’t have to! You’ve made it perfectly obvious.” Allegra turned back towards the stairs, unwilling to show him the tears that had welled up in her eyes. “I’m going back to my room. Tell your mother that I won’t be attending the ball with the two of you tonight.”
Adam’s hand closed over her shoulder again, and she flinched. At the sight he snatched his fingers away as though they had been burned. “Allegra, don’t go.”
She turned back towards him, hope and despair warring in her face. “Why not?”
Adam swallowed. He could be honest with her and tell her that he needed her desperately. But then she would be free to spurn him, to claim her victory and then turn away again. It was a chance he couldn’t take.
“My mother will be disappointed,” he said slowly. “We wouldn’t want that.”
Allegra’s heart sank to her toes. For one brief moment she had thought that she had detected a hint of tenderness in his voice. But it was only appearances that he was concerned with. “No, we wouldn’t want that,” she echoed.
At that moment Emily bustled into the hallway. She shook her head and sighed at the obvious constraint between the two young people. “Come along, children,” she said sadly. “And please, don’t disgrace me tonight.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it, Mother. Would we, Allegra?”
Allegra’s chin lifted. If their estrangement meant so little to Adam, then she wouldn’t let him know the pain she was in. “Of course. As a matter of fact, I’m quite looking forward to this evening. Lord Gresham is sure to be present.” With an angry flash of her eyes she was out the door, leaving Adam to follow in her wake.
Allegra stood against the wall, fanning herself pettishly. She had been at the ball for two hours, but it seemed like two weeks. The moments dragged as she made witty conversation with countless men, laughing at their jokes, tracing the intricate steps of various dances in their company, and sipping countless glasses of champagne. Adam hadn’t approached her once since their arrival. He had gone immediately to the card room with his friends, and she hadn’t seen him since. What good was it flirting with all these men if he wasn’t there to see her, she thought angrily.
“You don’t look happy, my dear. What’s troubling you?”
Allegra jumped and looked up into Tristan’s face. He was smiling at her knowingly, as though he had some idea of her thoughts. She flushed.
“I’m simply weary,” she answered. “My partner went to fetch me a glass of lemonade, and he’s slow in returning.”
“What a pity. I would never keep you waiting.” Tristan took her hand in his and patted it gently. “Shall we let that rude fellow go to the devil? You look as though you could use some quiet.”
Allegra hesitated. Tristan’s company was soothing, but she was uncomfortably aware that she shouldn’t encourage him unless she was prepared to follow through. And, despite all evidence to the contrary, she couldn’t
keep herself from hoping that somehow she could bring Adam to care for her.
“I don’t know,” she murmured. “It wouldn’t be proper. And I’m engaged for the next dance.”
“Coward.” Tristan signaled to a passing footman, and a full champagne glass appeared in his hand as if by magic. He handed it to Allegra. “You’re frightened of the gossip. But it doesn’t seem to bother your husband.”
He nodded across the ballroom, and Allegra followed his gaze. She stiffened when she saw Adam, who had apparently emerged from his seclusion in the card room. He was dancing with Louisa Manning, and they looked very happy together. A triumphant gleam shone in her violet eyes as she gazed up at him lovingly. It was almost a declaration of his intentions, thought Allegra dazedly, dancing with his mistress before the entire assembled ton. The color drained from her face.
“You’re right, my lord. Why should I worry about the gossipmongers if my husband doesn’t? After all, I have nothing to be ashamed of in claiming your friendship.” She took a sip of the champagne.
Tristan squeezed her hand. Louisa had played her part well, he thought. He had doubted her ability to lure Adam out onto the dance floor tonight, but he should have trusted in her poisonous tongue. No doubt she had simply told him another of her wild lies about Allegra.
“Indeed not,” he answered. “We have nothing to be ashamed of. Though, I must admit that I would wish it was otherwise.”
He smiled down at her, allowing just the right amount of longing to creep into his face.
Allegra sipped her champagne and shot another look at Adam and Louisa. Her rival chose that moment to throw back her head and laugh as though she hadn’t a care in the world. Allegra’s fingers tightened on the delicate stem of her glass.
“Perhaps I could use some fresh air after all. It’s rather close here in the ballroom. Is there a place where we might have some privacy?”
Tristan bowed, his eyelids dropping to hide the flash of triumph in his gaze. “Certainly, my dear. I know this house well. There is a charming sitting room which would offer us a chance to be alone.”
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