Scandal of the Season

by Christie Kelley

  “I need a mistress,” he admitted quietly.

  She smirked. “Oh? And you think I will just fall into bed with you because you are a viscount and you made me an offer?”

  A part of him wanted to throttle her while another part wanted to reach over and kiss her smart mouth. He did his best to ignore both urges. “In order for me to attend a party in the country, I need a mistress.”

  “Well, I have to admit, I have never heard this excuse before.”

  “I would like you to assist me.”

  “And what do I get out of this?” she asked, staring over at him.

  He arched a brow at her.

  “Do not even think I will be your mistress in truth. What do I get out of this?”

  “If you perform this job with me and return my necklace, I will give you my word not to speak of your criminal activity. Nor will I tell your friends your true identity.” As she started to object, he added, “And I shall give you five thousand pounds.”

  Victoria’s mouth dropped. His offer was more than generous, it bordered on madness. She would have done this job for one hundred pounds. After being raised on the streets of London, she knew there was more to this than he presented. Five thousand pounds was a bloody fortune!

  “Why so much money?” she demanded. “What else do you expect of me?”

  “Think of it as an apology for my previous actions toward you,” he muttered.

  Guilt. She might be able to use that if needed. “Very well. I would still like to know what you expect of me.”

  He sat on the end of the bed. “All right, as I said, you would need to attend a week long party with me.”

  “As your mistress?”

  “Yes, but you may use an assumed name. I doubt very many people amongst the ton know you.”

  “A few but not many,” she admitted. “Still, I do not like the idea of people assuming I am your mistress. If word of this gets out to my friends…”

  “You mean the ladies Selby, Blackburn, and Kendal?”

  After all her words discouraging them from taking a man to their bed, they would be horrified. “They must not discover what I am doing.”

  “There is no other way.” He glanced away from her. “None of your friends would associate with anyone attending this party.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see. If you think I will allow you any advances, you are mistaken.”

  His face tinged slightly. “I would not expect that of you. This would be strictly a business arrangement. But realize that we will share a room and likely a bed.”

  Victoria closed her eyes. Sharing a bed with him would be a difficult task. Just being in the same room with him had her heart beating erratically. But five thousand pounds would keep the children clothed, fed, and warm for a very long time.

  “I will do it.”

  “We will need to leave on Thursday.” He perused her from head to toe. “I shall pick you up tomorrow for a day of shopping.”

  Victoria looked down at the rug. Until she had that money, she could not afford to spend a farthing. “I cannot—”

  “I will pay for the dresses.”

  She nodded slowly. “I will need to hire someone to help out with the children while I’m gone.”

  “Whatever expenses you incur because of this, I will pay for them.”

  “Very well, then.” Victoria needed to leave this room. The overpowering essence of him was driving her mad. Seeing him again after all these years served to remind her of her initial feelings for him. She would have done anything for him then. And had.

  Even today, she could have rejected his proposal. He had no proof that she stole the necklace. While most people didn’t know her personally, her works of charity stood out in this sordid town. No one would believe the rake. But instead of standing her ground, she gave into him like a weak coward.

  She had to remember that her true reason for doing this had nothing to do with him. Only the children mattered. She would be able to give them a true Christmas with a few gifts and a large holiday meal. She could even bring in some sprigs of holly on Christmas Eve to make the house look more festive. All things she never had the money to do before now. But more importantly, the money from this would keep them in coal and food for a very long time.

  “I should take my leave now,” she finally said. She rose and walked toward the door.

  He caught her wrist before she could reach for the knob. “Victoria, there is one more thing.”

  She inhaled sharply and turned to face him. His blasted grip was so tight she couldn’t get him to release her.

  “Oh?” she replied.

  “While in private, I promise not to touch you. Nonetheless, during the public aspect of this party you may need to get used to me touching you to make this believable.” He dragged her closer. “I might even have need to do this.”

  He closed the distance between them and lowered his mouth so quickly she had no time to fight him. And the hot sensation of his mouth on hers made her realize that she didn’t want to fight him. She had to resist him no matter how much she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and press her body closer to his.

  His tongue slipped across her lips as if searching for a sign of surrender. She could not give in to the desire seeping into her veins. Victoria moaned slightly. This is how everything started the last time, one simple kiss. Remembering that painful scene forced Victoria away from him.

  “As I said,” he muttered in a husky voice. “You shall have to get used to it.”

  “I do not think that is possible.”

  “You will pretend you enjoy my kisses or no one will believe us.”

  He tilted her chin up. In the pale light, his eyes were almost dark green, with no sign of hazel. And he was too handsome by far. She would need to shore up her defenses if she was to be that close to him again.

  Victoria twisted her chin out of his grip and took a step toward the door. “Don’t worry. I’m certain I can act the part of the doting mistress.”

  “Well, seeing your proficiency at lying, I wasn’t too concerned.” He moved and placed his hand on the door. Then he reached for her spectacles and removed them. Holding them up to his eyes, he laughed scornfully. “Just as I thought. Another lie.”

  She grabbed them out of his hand and placed them firmly on her nose.

  “You will leave them home. No mistress of mine is going to look like a bloody bluestocking.”

  “As you wish.” She reached for the doorknob only to have his large hand cover hers.

  “There is just one more thing,” he whispered harshly. “I despise liars. From this point on, you will only speak the truth to me.”

  She smiled. “You ask me to pretend to be your mistress yet you believe I should always tell you the truth.”

  “No, I insist on it.”

  Victoria stared down at his hand. “As you wish, my lord. But I demand the same respect.”

  “Of course.” He turned the knob and opened the door. “I shall pick you up at noon for shopping.”

  Slowly, Anthony walked to his study, wondering at his sense of melancholy. Perhaps it was the usual feeling that came over him every December. He couldn’t remember anything good ever happening in this month.

  Still, his meeting with Miss Seaton went better than expected. Although, had she given him the necklace, he would have been happier. He understood her reasoning and most likely would have done the same thing in her situation. Now she knew she had something to hold over him.

  He just prayed she didn’t realize the other thing she could use against him. If she knew the guilt he felt for his actions of ten years ago, she could use it to her advantage. He would be unable to refuse her anything. She must never discover the extent of his guilt.

  He sat down at his desk and perused the stack of unopened mail. A few invitations he might reply to but most of it was nothing he could be bothered with. He put the notes into a pile and wrote “no” on top. Hunt
ley also served as his secretary and could respond to the invitations for him.

  “Sir,” Reese said from the doorway. “Your sister is here.”

  “Genna?”

  Reese smiled. “She is your only sister, sir.”

  Well, not quite but no one else knew about Sophie. “Send her in.”

  He stood knowing his sister would come straight into his arms. The sound of light footsteps preceded her entry.

  “Tony!” And as expected, she threw herself into his waiting arms. “I cannot believe it’s been five months. And why didn’t you come by the house to see me?”

  He detached himself from her clinging arms. “Come have a seat on the sofa.”

  “I already told Reese to bring us some tea.” Genna sat on the sofa and waited for him. “You must tell me all about your trip. How was Florence?”

  As much as he hated liars, in his position it was sometimes necessary to be one. Soon he would be done with this business and the only lies would be the secrets of his family. “It was lovely. In addition to meeting with a business partner, I was able to see a wonderful museum.”

  Genna laughed softly. “You, in a museum? Come now, Tony, you must do better than that.”

  “Well, if I did anything else it would be rude to speak of it in polite company.”

  Genna reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’ve missed you, brother.”

  “And I you. How is your betrothed?” He waited for Reese to set the tea on the table. “Will you pour?”

  “Of course.” She reached for the teapot and poured two steaming cups.

  He watched, proud that his sister had become such a gentile lady. With her oval face, black curls, and big blue eyes, she was quite the thing during her Seasons. Until Lindal caught her.

  After handing a cup to him, she continued, “Lindal is well but distant lately. I fear he may be getting nervous with less than a month left to his bachelorhood.”

  “Lindal is a good man from an excellent family. I’m sure you are right about his nerves but he won’t do anything foolish.” Anthony sipped his tea and felt a sense of comfort. His sister was here and they had good English tea, everything was right with the world.

  Genna chewed on her lower lip. He knew that look. There was more to this than Lindal. “What is really wrong, Genna?”

  “I am feeling nervous, too.” She looked up at him with her blue eyes. “What if I am making a huge mistake? I tried to speak with Father about my concerns, but he just brushed them aside.”

  Of course, their father would do that. He wanted Genna married off. Lindal was an earl so more than suitable for his daughter. “Why do you think it might be a mistake?”

  “I cannot put my finger on it. Lately, I am just not excited to see him. I find myself relieved if he sends a note telling me he cannot call. Shouldn’t I feel happy to see the man I love?”

  Anthony blew out a breath. How was he to give love advice when he had never been in love? “Genna, I wish I could tell you what you need to hear.”

  “But you have never been in love, have you?”

  He shrugged. Infatuation with an orange seller scarcely counted as love. “Have you talked to your friends?”

  “I tried, but they all thought I was being silly. All they can say is what a catch Lindal is, and how proud I should feel that he picked me.”

  He wanted to tell her how wrong her friends were. She was the catch, not Lindal. “You are not being silly. Perhaps you should take the next week to really examine your feelings for him before it’s too late.” And if she delayed the wedding, then he would have more time to retrieve the necklace should Miss Seaton not return it.

  “Perhaps you are right. It’s just his family is so maddening sometimes. His mother pulled me aside at the Houghton’s dinner party to tell me the dress I wore was inappropriate.” Genna breathed in as if to calm herself then sipped her tea.

  “What was so wrong with your dress?”

  “It was a shade too dark for an unmarried woman,” she said in an angry tone. “It was not, Tony. Aunt Westfield would never allow me to wear something unacceptable.”

  Anthony smothered a smile. “I am sure if you and Aunt Westfield picked it out, the dress was perfect.” The poor girl looked terribly distressed, and Anthony didn’t believe it all had to do with a gown. “What other things are they driving you mad about?”

  She glanced away. “You. His mother has made a few comments under her breath about Lindal marrying Somerton’s sister. I think she wonders if it will look bad on them.”

  He fisted his hands wanting to throw something across the room. What he did should have no impact on Genna. Although, he knew it always would. More and more, the respectable wife idea was seeping into his brain.

  “Do you love him, Genna? And I mean truly deep down in your heart?”

  Genna stared at her jonquil gown.

  “Can you imagine your life without him?” he whispered.

  She nodded slightly. “I can. And sometimes I think it might be better.”

  Anthony closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the sofa. His father would be furious and probably blame her backing out of the wedding on him. According to his father, everything was his fault. Why should this be any different?

  “Genna, if you honestly believe that then you need to put a stop to this wedding before the plans go any further.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “I just don’t know how to tell him.”

  Anthony didn’t need to ask to which “him” she referred. Lindal would take her rejection with a stiff upper lip. Her father, however, would not.

  “If you would like to tell him before Thursday, I will stand with you. But I leave for a country party on Thursday and won’t return until the following week.”

  “Thank you, Tony. I shall let you know what I decide. I believe I may take the weekend to think about my feelings for Lindal. Aunt Westfield and I are also attending a party with Lindal’s family.”

  “Enjoy yourself, then.”

  “And you, brother.”

  Anthony knew he would not be able to enjoy himself this week. Along with getting this job done, he would also be fighting a damning attraction to a petite blonde.

  Chapter Six

  Victoria stared at the blue velvet material and sighed. She had never felt any fabric this fine. Somerton insisted that the dressmaker create a gown out of the velvet. While she would have the week to wear it, after she returned home, she would have to either give back the dress to him, or perhaps sell it. Of all the material chosen so far, this was her favorite. Maybe he would not mind if she kept just this one dress.

  “It will look beautiful on you,” he whispered near her ear.

  She started.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I did not realize you were so close,” she replied.

  “As I told you before, you must become used to it.”

  She would never grow accustomed to having him so near. His presence overwhelmed her senses and created unruly sensations in the pit of her stomach. Somehow, she had to keep their relationship on a professional level. Nothing personal.

  She almost laughed aloud at the thought. With Somerton, it was all too personal.

  “Come and see the other fabrics I have chosen for you,” he said, taking her elbow. “You will need two more silk gowns for the evenings and a riding habit if the weather is fair enough for riding.”

  “Somerton,” she said, coming to a stop. “This is all too much. Surely, I don’t need all these gowns for a simple house party.”

  He squeezed her elbow in warning and drew her nearer to him. “You need all this and more. Do not argue with me about it.”

  The dark sound of his voice made her realize that arguing would be futile. “Very well.”

  He brought her over to a table where the shopkeeper draped two silk fabrics. Victoria could not take her eyes off the deep red material. She wanted to reach out and stroke the fabric to see if it was as luxurious as she imagined
. The dressmaker insisted on green trimming to make the gown look more festive since the theme of the ball was Christmas.

  “This is too much,” she whispered.

  “It is perfect and will look beautiful on you.” He picked up the cloth and draped it over her shoulder. His lips turned upward.

  “Somerton,” she hissed as the shopkeeper turned away. “I cannot wear something as decadent as this. What will people think?”

  He arched an eyebrow at her.

  She knew what they would think. That she was his mistress and as such could wear a sensual gown. Before that fateful night, she’d tried so hard not to fall into the trap that most in her situation had already done. But it hadn’t been easy. She had known the money those women made for letting a man have sex with them. Had she agreed, she might have even found a position as a mistress of a wealthy man. Nevertheless, she hadn’t wanted that for herself. Yet now, she found herself in the same position, even if it was pretence.

  As always, she wondered what her mother would think of her. Victoria barely remembered the woman who died when she was only seven. After Father died when Victoria was three, her mother went to the tavern and served ale. If Victoria was truthful with herself, her mother most likely served more than ale to the customers.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “Nothing important.”

  She wandered the store again while Somerton gave the instructions to the woman. She wondered what it would be like if this wasn’t pretend. If she had the money to shop at a place like this. She had to stop dreaming. Only the daughters and wives of lords shopped here.

  She walked back toward a bolt of plaid wool and stared at it. Lost in thought of what it would be like to be a real lady again, Somerton suddenly dragged her away and into the back of the store behind a curtain. Before she could sputter a word, he backed himself against the wall with her in front of him. His hand covered her mouth. Her heart pounded against her chest.

  “Shh, or we will have something to explain,” he whispered sharply in her ear.

  Victoria heard the bell on the shopkeeper’s door and then some ladies chattering as they entered. The ladies’ voices came closer as they examined bolts of fabric. Oh, dear God, he had saved her after all. Jennette and Avis had entered the shop. If they had discovered her with Somerton…she shuddered to think about the consequences.