Lillith woke to the sounds of someone moving around. She levered onto one elbow and looked around. The room was lit only by the fire, and it took several minutes for her eyes to become adjusted.
Perth stood by the mantel, gazing down at the flames. He was dressed for evening in black breeches, stockings and pumps. A white shirt glowed in stark relief against the darker colours. He held a box in his hand.
She sat fully up and pulled her wrapper up to her neck and clenched it shut. ‘What are you doing in here?’
He turned and gave her a sardonic smile. ‘The last I checked, this was my house.’
Her eyes narrowed, but she did not let loose the harsh words that sprang to her lips. ‘We have an agreement. We are not sleeping with each other.’
He sauntered toward her, his gaze lowering. ‘Just because I am in your bedchamber does not mean that I intend to seduce you. Although—’ he stopped at the foot of the bed ‘—the idea does have appeal.’
The heat he could so easily arouse in her flared. She jumped out of bed, rather than lie prone. ‘Then why are you in here?’
‘I have brought you something,’ he said, holding out the box.
She eyed it as one might eye a bomb. ‘What is it?’
‘A gift, Lillith. Nothing more,’ he said with the tone of one sorely tried. ‘It will not hurt you nor is it a bribe for your favours. It is freely given because I thought it would become you.’
‘Oh,’ she said, feeling ashamed of her suspicions. What made them worse was knowing that she wanted him to try and seduce her. No matter what she said, her body craved him.
She took the box, opened it and gasped. A parure of diamonds and opals flashed in the meagre light.
‘Do you like them?’ he asked, a note of hesitation in his voice.
This was the first time she had ever heard him sound uncertain. She looked up at him. ‘They are beautiful.’
It seemed to her that his body relaxed, although until that instant she had not realised that he was tense.
‘I had them made to go with the ring.’
‘But why? I have plenty of jewellery. You do not need to give me more.’ She spoke thoughtlessly, thinking only of the money these must have cost him. She had already cost him so much.
His voice hardened and he stepped away, putting his back to her. ‘Everything you have is from de Lisle. These are from me. I expect to see them on you this evening.’
Before she could think of something to say that would compensate for her previous words, he left. The door closed behind him with a definite click. She sighed. She could follow him, but she did not think that would solve the issue over the jewellery. And it would only precipitate another situation.
Instead she set the box on the bed and lit the candles in a candelabrum so she could see the jewellery better. A necklace, earrings, two bracelets and a brooch glowed in the yellow light. The opals were multi-hued and full of fire. The diamonds that surrounded the opal cabochons were white and clean. They were truly beautiful pieces. He must have taken time and consideration over this gift.
She set the candles on the table and lifted the necklace out. It cascaded over her fingers, heavy and seductive. She took it with her to the mirror and held it to her neck. The piece flashed, a perfect foil for her pale skin and silver hair. Yes, Perth had chosen well.
She whirled when the door opened, expecting it to be Perth. Relief, followed rapidly by disappointment, swamped her when she saw Agatha.
‘My lady,’ the maid said, ‘I have done the best I can with this bodice. I hope it will be enough.’ She glanced up from the gown in her hand and her mouth dropped. ‘My lady…did the Earl give you those? They are finer than anything you have.’
She gave her maid a rueful smile. ‘Yes, he did and wants me to wear them tonight.’
Agatha moved closer, her gaze riveted to the necklace. ‘It will be magnificent with your dress. Are they…pardon my asking, but are they because of your condition?’
She had not thought of that. ‘Perhaps. He did not say.’ She glanced at the delicate little porcelain clock by the bed, a feminine piece that seemed out of place in the room. ‘But we must hurry.’
An hour later, Lillith stood before the mirror in all her finery. Agatha had attached the bracelets, one on each arm over her gloves, and she had put on the earrings. The necklace still lay in the velvet box. She considered seeing if Perth would come and put it on her as an amends for her earlier words.
‘My lady, you will be late if we linger,’ Agatha said, picking the necklace up and moving to drape it around Lillith’s neck.
Lillith sighed as her maid hooked the piece. ’Twas just as well. Agatha’s impersonal touch was just that. Perth’s fingers at the nape of her neck, and his warm breath caressing her skin, would have only caused trouble.
Agatha draped a fine paisley shawl over Lillith’s shoulders and stepped back. ‘Perfect, my lady.’
Lillith eyed her finished toilet. She turned from side to side. She did look good and no one would know she was pregnant. That would come later when she bore the child five months after the wedding. Well, that was not unheard of either.
Perth waited downstairs in the foyer. When she joined him, he cast a quick glance over her.
‘The jewels become you,’ he said, taking his hat and cane from Simmons.
‘Thank you,’ Lillith replied, wondering why she felt as though something was missing. She did not want compliments from him, but she had to admit that she had expected more.
She preceded him outside and allowed the footman to help her into the carriage. Again she was disappointed. Much as she railed at Perth and at her reaction to him, it felt strange and incomplete to have someone else hold her hand as she got in the coach.
On their wedding night he had desired her above all else. Since they reached London, he had been, with a few exceptions, distant. He behaved as though they really did have a marriage of convenience. And then he gave her the magnificent jewellery. She shook her head in confusion.
‘What is wrong?’ he asked, sitting opposite her with his back to the horses.
She cocked her head to one side and studied him in the pale yellow light from the interior lamps. His expression was saturnine, his scar pronounced. He looked dangerous, and distant and distinctly bored.
‘You have changed since we got to Town.’ She spoke openly, not wanting to further complicate their relationship with lies and subterfuge.
‘I have tired of pursuing you and having to wear down your resistance. Our wedding night showed me that there is no pleasure in forcing you.’
‘You always did before and seemed none the less excited.’ Ridiculous as it was, she could not keep a tiny hitch of hurt from her voice. She was fickle.
He looked away from her to gaze out of the window. ‘That was before we married. I still want you.’ He turned back to her and his dark eyes pierced her. ‘But I am tired of fighting. When you are ready for more than a cold bed at night, let me know.’
His words hurt, which surprised her. This is what she had demanded. Unfortunately for her, she had never really thought he would give in to her demands. Now he had and she did not like it. But it was for the best. If he did not pursue her, she would not be tempted by him and give in.
Yes, this was definitely for the best.
Chapter Fifteen
Thankfully, they arrived at Ravensford’s house shortly afterwards. The gathering was larger than Lillith had anticipated. Fifty to sixty people milled about the Earl’s ballroom: some danced, some talked, and still others played cards in the alcoves.
Perth kept a light touch at her waist as he steered her towards their host and hostess. Even knowing he did not touch her with the intent to seduce her, the feel of his fingers was comforting. No matter what their marriage was, he would protect her and their child.
‘Ah, Perth,’ Ravensford said, breaking away from the small knot of people he had been with and coming toward them. ‘And the lovely Lady de Lisle.’
‘Lady Perth,’ her husband said firmly.
Ravensford’s green eyes widened before he smiled. ‘You finally did it. Leg-shackling becomes you, Perth.’ His smile turned wry as Perth grimaced. ‘And you, Lady Perth,’ he added, taking Lillith’s hand and raising it to his lips. ‘Congratulations to both of you.’
Lillith blushed under Ravensford’s scrutiny. ‘Thank you, my lord.’
He released her hand and stepped back. ‘Make yourself scarce, Perth, I wish to speak with your wife.’
Lillith thought that a fleeting look of concern marred Perth’s otherwise imperturbable countenance, but it was gone before she could be sure.
‘Then I shall go and pay my respects to your wife,’ Perth countered, sauntering towards Lady Ravensford and her court of admirers.
Lillith turned an inquiring look on Ravensford. He took her fingers and put them on his arm.
‘A walk around the perimeter will keep us away from all but the most curious.’ He guided her to the wall with the least people. ‘I see he gave you the opals. I was with him the day he ordered them. He was very concerned that they be good enough for you.’
‘Perth?’ she asked, incredulous that her husband could be so insecure. That was not the man she knew.
‘Opals were his mother’s favourite gem, but the family did not have the money to buy her many. The ring he very likely gave you for the wedding was all she had, and his father spent an entire year’s salary on it. A hardship for an army officer. Perth’s parents were long dead by the time he inherited the earldom.’
This was a window into her husband’s past that she had not expected. ‘I did not know any of that.’
‘You would not. He would not tell you, but I will.’ He stopped her and held her gaze with his. ‘He will not tell you this either, but I will. He loves you, but does not yet realise it. Give him time.’
She stared, nonplussed. ‘This is too private, Lord Ravensford. Please say no more.’
He shrugged. ‘I had thought you a stronger person than this. I also thought you would like to know.’ His voice turned cold. ‘I see that I was mistaken. Shall we return to the rest of my guests?’
He did not wait for her response, but guided her back to Perth and left her with a curt bow. Perth frowned.
‘What has got into Ravensford? That is no way for him to treat you.’ He took a step after his friend, but Lillith grabbed his arm. ‘What are you doing?’
‘I am keeping you from making a mistake, Perth. I provoked Ravensford. He is justifiably upset with me. Let it be.’
He studied her carefully for long moments. Lillith felt other gazes on them. She heard a susurration of voices. Word of their hasty wedding was spreading.
He eased and she released his arm. ‘See the older woman over there by the column,’ he said, his voice closer to normal.
She looked where he indicated to see a strikingly handsome woman with silver hair cut fashionably short, an ideal foil for the oval perfection of her creamy complexion. She wore Lillith’s favourite colour of lavender.
‘She is beautiful. Who is she?’
‘The Dowager Countess of Ravensford.’
‘But I thought she was against Ravensford’s marriage. I would not expect her to be here.’ She took a closer look. On second glance the Countess did not appear as happy as she might.
‘She was against the union and is still unhappy about it, but Ravensford made it plain that he would cut her from his life before he gave up Mary Margaret. He is an only child and was the delight of both his parents. He still is paramount in his mother’s affections, and she does what she must.’
Lillith felt a twinge of envy. She had never known her own mother and her father had never cared. So she had given all her love and devotion to Mathias and been betrayed.
‘He is fortunate.’
Perth looked down at her. ‘Our child will have that love and devotion, I swear it.’
She blinked in an effort to stop the sudden and inexplicable tears his words caused. She could not trust herself to say something in response without crying, so she turned away. She felt him move away and instantly felt bereft, but could not make herself call him back. Things were happening that she had never expected, and she was having difficulty absorbing them.
Lost in her thoughts, she wandered into one of the rooms where cards were being played. One table had four for whist. Another had a faro game. The woman who was bank smiled, the others either frowned or groaned. In faro, the odds were in the favour of the person who was bank.
She watched vouchers and coins change hands. In her mind, she saw fortunes being tossed away and futures being ruined. A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped. Only then did she realise that her shoulders had hunched and her fingers had fisted.
‘Lillith,’ Perth said quietly for her ears only, ‘not everyone who gambles loses a fortune. Most of the people play for fun. Not one of the people here tonight is in debt or has lost his or her inheritance.’
The comfort his words brought, silly as it might seem, allowed her to relax. She leaned back into the solidity of his chest and was glad for his support and warmth.
‘You are right,’ she whispered. ‘I just let myself get caught up in my own experience with Mathias.’
‘I know,’ he said softly, bringing his hand to the nape of her neck and gently massaging the stiff muscles there.
‘Here are the lovebirds,’ a bright voice said.
Lillith started and would have jumped away from Perth but his fingers tightened. She turned to see Madeline Russell with Nathan in tow. Lillith smiled in delight.
‘I did not know you were coming,’ she said, extending her hands to take Madeline’s.
‘I did not tell you because I knew that as Perth’s wife you would be here, and I wanted to surprise you.’ She grabbed Lillith’s hands and pulled her into an embrace. ‘I am so glad to see you looking so good,’ she murmured. ‘Marriage becomes you.’
Lillith looked swiftly at Perth from the corner of her eye to see if he had heard, but he and Nathan had moved off. ‘Thank you for the compliment, and you are as outspoken as ever.’
Instead of looking chagrined, Madeline looked supremely satisfied. ‘Now that I see you, I am glad I told Perth where you had gone.’
‘So you are the one. I thought so.’ But her words held no censure. Things had turned out for the best.
Madeline shrugged shoulders covered in very fashionable gauze thin muslin and spangled netting. ‘He was desperate to find you. I think he knew,’ she finished on a whisper.
Lillith nodded. ‘A lot has happened since I last saw you.’ She drew Madeline to an alcove where they stood with their back to the wall so they could see anyone approaching. ‘Mathias has gambled away my settlement from de Lisle.’
‘That snake,’ Madeline said. At Lillith’s frown, she added quietly, ‘I know he is your brother, but he is lower than a snake. He is…he is…I cannot think of anything that is worse than him.’
Lillith sighed and once more felt close to tears. She took a deep breath. ‘Perth would completely agree with you.’ She must have sounded weepy for Madeline put her arm around Lillith’s waist.
‘Oh, Lillith, I am sorry to upset you.’
Lillith blinked. ‘You are right about Mathias. I know that and should be beyond this. I do not know what is wrong with me, but everything upsets me more than usual. This is just one more incident.’
‘Well, smile,’ Madeline said firmly. ‘We are being watched.’ She flashed a blinding grin at two dowagers. ‘As for the moods, ’tis your condition. I swear, I cried from sun up to sun down.’ She laughed. ‘Nathan threatened to leave me for nine months.’
Lillith laughed. ‘Surely not. Nathan is besotted with you.’
‘True,’ Madeline said complacently, ‘but even he was sorely tried.’
Feeling much better for the laugh and for having told Madeline the worst that Mathias had done, Lillith allowed her friend to lead her to where Perth and Nat
han stood speaking with Carstairs, Chillings and Lady Annabelle. Noting that Perth stood beside Lady Annabelle, Lillith could not stop a twinge of jealousy.
She told herself that it was her condition that made her overreact. Then, always honest with herself, she admitted that it was not. She would be jealous of Perth’s interest in any other woman—Lady Annabelle was worse because the woman was so intriguing.
‘Nathan, darling,’ Madeline said cajolingly as she took her husband’s arm, ‘be a dear and go get Lillith and me something to drink.’ She cast an arch look at Perth. ‘Unless you would like to do so.’
Perth glanced from Madeline to Lillith and bowed. ‘I would be delighted.’
From the look on his face, Lillith knew he was far from delighted. But she was glad of Madeline’s manoeuvring. The errand separated Perth from Lady Annabelle.
‘Congratulations,’ Lady Annabelle said, moving closer to Lillith. ‘I understand that you and Perth are recently wed.’
‘Thank you,’ Lillith murmured.
‘My congratulations as well,’ Chillings said.
‘And mine,’ Carstairs added a trifle slowly. ‘His good fortune is our loss.’
‘Thank you again,’ Lillith said.
Perth returned with their drinks. He handed Madeline hers with a flourish. ‘Next time, I will let Russell do the honours.’
‘I normally do,’ Nathan said good-naturedly.
Madeline laughed.
‘Would you care to dance, Lady Perth?’ Carstairs asked.
Lillith flicked a glance at her husband who looked ready to step between her and the other man. Hastily, she said, ‘Please.’
Carstairs extended his arm and she accompanied him to where the dancing was taking place. It was a country reel. To Lillith the music went on too long and by the time they were finished, she was winded.
‘Would you care to go on the terrace for some fresh air?’ Carstairs asked.
She was sorely tempted, but thought better of it. ‘No, thank you, Mr Carstairs. I had best return to my husband.’
The Rogue's Seduction Page 18
