“Ah, Lady Ardsmore, our accomplished ballerina,” she crowed. “Society has not had the pleasure of your company these many days. I feared we had lost you for good. I hope we may expect the delight of further performances from you in the future, my dear.”
“How kind of you to remember my small efforts, Lady Raymond.” Nicole smiled blandly dissembling her chagrin as best she could. “I fear my poor talents are too meager to be taken seriously.”
“Au contraire,” the dowager would not give up her sport at Nicole’s expense. “You are too humble. I am sure many of the ton were quite impressed with your talents.”
Nicole refused to be mocked further by the nasty crone. “Do you really think I showed promise?” Nicole questioned with false sweetness.
“Oh, indeed I do. You must continue your efforts to entertain, my dear.”
“Well, it is no small matter when a lady of your undisputed taste gives her approval to one’s efforts. You may be sure I shall place your name at the head of the list when next I entertain.” With that remark, Nicole walked off having routed her adversary.
Upon returning home, Valentin commented lightly on how well they had scraped through the evening and bid Nicole goodnight. She had hoped he would make some slight gesture in her direction, but Valentin stayed away. Several other engagements were attended by the two of them, but no further progress was made in their personal relationship. At the end of an evening he would wish her goodnight and withdraw to his chamber.
When Valentin attended a bachelor dinner for a friend one evening, Nicole, who had no engagement of her own, retired early. Nevertheless, sleep escaped her. Unconsciously she was waiting for the familiar sound of Valentin’s Hessians down the corridor. When it did come, she was surprised by the faltering footsteps—it was not the swift stride she had become accustomed to hearing. Slipping cautiously from bed, Nicole hastened to the door, opening it a crack, and looking out she saw her husband engaged in retrieving his sword from the floor. Spying her as he straightened, he bowed mockingly, “Ah, my beautiful wife, sorry, I did not mean to awaken you. Very clumsy of me to drop this.” His speech was slurred.
“You are foxed,” she commented.
“Mmmh, so it would appear. There were many toasts to old Martin. Poor old Martin! What a fool,” he sneered moving close to her. “I told him so. Love‘em—leave‘em. Less trouble that way. But he would not listen. Claimed she was an angel. Ha!” He took hold of her long dark curls. “Looks are deceiving. Aren’t they, my dear?”
She ignored his remark. “Let me help you to your room.”
“Good idea.” He smiled mischievously. “Perhaps I can entice you into my bed. Is there a magic charm that might work?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” she chided. Encircling his waist with her arm, Nicole led him to his room.
“Oh, madame.” The valet came forward to meet them. “I will assist his lordship.”
“No, I want my wife to help me. You may go, Jenkins!” Valentin waved his hand emphatically.
“But, my lord…”
“It is all right, Jenkins, I will manage.” Nicole dismissed him.
Valentin collapsed into a chair. “Woman, remove my boots.”
Smiling to herself, she obliged by kneeling at his feet and yanking at one and then the other boot.
“That is where you belong.” He studied her upturned face. “At my feet.”
“You are absurd,” she laughed.
Swiftly bending over her and grasping her painfully by the shoulders, he forced her to remain on her knees.
“Val, let me go,” she pleaded.
“What if I don’t?”
Nicole struggled to free herself, but his grip grew tighter.
“You are hurting me!”
“Perhaps if I beat you,” he threatened, “you would not defy me. Maybe it is not too late.” He no longer appeared drunk, just menacing.
“Take your hands off me!” Immediately he did so, and she stood up.
“I forgot.” He stood up, too. “You cannot stand to have me touch you. Can you?” He seemed to have tired of the game and, removing his jacket, turned from her.
“I… I did not say that,” she murmured.
“No? I seem td recall words to that effect on more than one occasion.” Valentin unbuttoned his shirt revealing his muscular chest.
“You do not understand,” she said breathlessly staring at him.
“Are you trying to tell me that I am not abhorrent to you?” He stepped toward her.
“Of course you are not! It is just that you… I, well, we always seem to antagonize each other,” she explained lamely.
“Yes, so it seems. I wonder why?” he mused stroking his chin.
“You see what I mean? You already have that gleam in your eye.”
Valentin paused, surveying her loveliness. “Forgive me. You’re right.” Then he added thoughtfully, “Do you think there is a chance we might be able to change?”
“I… I don’t know,” her voice was almost inaudible.
“I suppose we could try,” he suggested.
“I would like that,” Nicole whispered fervently. “But how…”
“Like this,” Valentin reached out drawing her against his golden chest. Then lifting her chin he kissed her lips gently. Releasing her lips and looking down into her darkened eyes, he whispered, “If love has escaped us, desire has not, Nicole.”
She stiffened in his arms as he sought her lips more aggressively, molding her body to his, and conquering her will to resist. She loved him! And if desire was all he could give her she would take it. Pride be damned! With a sob she allowed herself to be lowered to the bed and felt his lean hard body upon hers, inflaming her with his passion. Deftly and expertly Valentin aroused her ardor until the moment of climax consumed them both.
Arrogantly, he looked at her before drawing away. Clearly he was the victor, she the vanquished, but it did not matter. Tonight Valentin had been hers and that was what she wanted more than anything else. If only someday he would come to love her.
A kind of tranquility settled over the Ardsmore residence after that evening. Each was content to let the situation rest where it was for the moment. No great demands were placed on either party. Both remained cautious, carefully watching the reactions of the other. The tensions which lay beneath the surface could shatter the fragile harmony that was developing between them. Because of this, their lovemaking was infrequent, but rapturous. It was only as they came spiraling down to earth out of the clouds back to reality that Nicole grew bewildered, for a triumphant mocking look would appear on Valentin’s face before he relinquished his claim upon her body as its master. What did it mean? she wondered.
This shaky reconciliation continued until late one afternoon in May when their peace was abruptly ended. Nicole heard the voice of her husband in the outer corridor and the sound of voices warned her that he was not alone. The door opened and he entered looking a little harried.
“Nicole, my love,” he addressed her, “see who is newly arrived in Brussels.”
It was Cecily, looking flushed and happy, in the company of a pleasant faced young man who wore the same scarlet regimentals as Valentin.
Nicole rose from her seat at once and went up to the couple, extending her hand to Cecily. “How nice to see you again, Cecily.”
“Dear Nicole,” Cecily gushed. “Allow me to present my husband, John Tilford, to you. John, this is my cousin Valentin’s wife, Nicole.”
“Your servant, ma’am,” he smiled charmingly and kissed Nicole’s proffered hand. “The Viscount certainly has done himself proud, I must say.” He regarded her appreciatively.
Nicole felt a slight blush warm her cheeks as she cast a furtive glance toward Valentin.
“Old Tilford and I cut many a caper in our Oxford days together,” Valentin explained. “There was more than one occasion when we were forced to rusticate after some particularly vile escapade, eh Telly?” The Viscount gave Tilford’s shoulder a c
omradely squeeze.
“Oh, Val, I do wish you would refrain from that obnoxious nickname,” Cecily protested.
“Come, Cecily,” Valentin chided amiably, “with all due respect I cannot promise that I will cry off,‘Telly,’ but I do swear to forget my pet name for you,‘Peaches’.”
Cecily flushed hotly. “Monster! Am I never to live that down?”
“Peaches?” Tilford questioned. “How did you come by that particular name, my dear?”
Cecily looked even more uncomfortable. “Oh, la, John, you know how Val is always funning.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“There was a fellow at school we called‘Peaches’, Val. Remember? Always running to the headmaster with a tale on some poor bloke.” John stopped when he realized Cecily was turning even redder.
“Nicole,” Valentin intervened, “I have asked John and Cecily to stay with us. The housing accommodations in Brussels are shabby in the extreme, and since we have rooms that are unused, I assured Cecily that you would insist on their joining us here.” He looked meaningfully into her eyes, and she knew what he expected of her.
Nicole picked up her cue at once and spoke with forced enthusiasm. “Of course, Val, I would not think of allowing Cecily and her husband to take up residence anywhere else.” She hoped Valentin was satisfied with her response.
“You are too kind, Nicole, but I would not dream of imposing…”
“Nonsense,” Nicole cut off further polite amenities. “Come with me, Cecily, and we will locate the housekeeper and see to the rooms at once.” Nocole nodded to the men. “I am sure you will excuse us while we see to the rooms.”
Cecily was not the only family member to make an unexpected appearance in Brussels. Perry Harcourt arrived unceremoniously shortly after the Tilfords. He wore a uniform and proudly announced himself a member of the Carbridge Cavalry Brigade.
“Hell and damnation!” Valentin roared. “What do you mean by this rash act? Are the Harcourts to risk extinction?”
“Egad, Val, don’t be angry with me. I could not sit back and take no part in this exciting contest. Why, man, everyone is in it now—Whembley, Struthers, Addington —they are all here too. It is sure to be the grandest battle in history. You would not have me sit at home, a coward out of harm’s way, would you?” Perry coaxed.
“Indeed I would, sir. This must be seen to at once. I will have you sent turnabout to England on the first return packet leaving Ostend,” Valentin retorted with great heat.
“You will not do it, Val! I will not have you order me about like… like… a…”
“Hush, Perry,” Nicole interrupted. “Val, let us have peace.” She placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Your brother has just arrived and not a word of welcome.” The blue eyes were piercing her own with burning anger, but she did not relent. “Perry, my dear,” she said turning to him, “come give me a kiss hello. How glad I am to see you again.” Nicole held out her arms to him.
“And me, too,” Cecily chimed in. “La, but you are a handsome sight in those regimentals… I… er… mean you look, well, simply marvelous!” She ended with a defiant toss of her head in the Viscount’s direction.
Even Madame Lafitte sought to check the flow of the Viscount’s anger by calling for a place to be laid for Perry that he might join them at dinner.
Seeing himself outflanked in the present skirmish, Valentin relented and held out his hand to Perry. “It is not that the sight of you displeases me, for I am always glad to welcome you, Perry.” And giving him a hardy grin, he clasped the younger man about the shoulders in a veritable bear hug of brotherly greeting. “And how goes our illustrious parent, Lady Eleanore?”
“Famously, just famously.” Perry gratefully accepted the change of topic, realizing, however, that his brother would still have at him about his commission at a later time.
That night after Nicole had just retired, her husband entered the room. She watched him with glowing eyes as he came to her.
“You look surprised, my love,” he said ruefully as he untied his robe.
“I was not expecting to see you tonight.”
“Were you not?” he mused with raised eyebrows. “And why not?”
“I was afraid that encounter with Perry had put you out of temper.”
Valentin frowned. “As a matter of fact it does rankle. Why did you intervene between my brother and me?”
“Someone had to come to his defense,” she said rather defiantly.
“Are you suggesting my brother needs to be defended against me, and you are the one to do it?” he asked mockingly.
Nicole bit her lip, regretting the subject already, but she decided to ignore his flippant question and try to reason with him. “You must allow him to grow up, Val.”
“Must I?” There was a challenge in his voice. “What for? So that he can get himself killed? He is my heir.” When she did not reply, he continued, “I have no other.” Once more he hesitated before adding meaningfully, “Unless you and I have a child of our own.” Her downcast eyes flew to his face as he slid into bed beside her.
“Have… have I denied you… your husbandly rights?” she asked candidly as he pulled her down beside him.
His penetrating look held her. “No, but you still do not carry my child.” There was a suggestion of reproach in his tone.
She gasped, and jerking away from his encircling arms, sat up. “That… that is not fair! Only this past month have we… have we…” She blushed painfully and turned her back upon him.
He drew himself up beside her and said quietly, “you’re right, of course. I did not mean to cast aspersions. We have not had the time or inclination to discuss family matters; nevertheless it is one of our… obligations.”
She flung about to face him, her lips trembling with emotion. “Oh, of course… our duty, Colonel!” she retorted bitterly and put as much space between him and herself as possible in the big bed.
“Damn it, Nicole, I only meant… oh, hell, let’s skip it. I did not come here tonight to quarrel with you.” Reaching out for her, he pulled her roughly into his powerful arms. “I only know I want you. Now.”
“Don’t, Val.” She squirmed ineffectually to free herself from his embrace. “I do not wish to… not now… not after this… this conversation.”
“What better time?” he demanded hoarsely, drawing her closer and kissing the tip of her ear as she averted her face and continued to resist him. “Stop struggling!” He chuckled good-naturedly.
“I will not!” she cried wrenching free.
“You will!” Valentin insisted, the humor gone from his voice as he clasped her once more in his arms and placed his burning lips on hers, forcing a response. He was determined she would yield to his will.
Battling her own desire, Nicole fought against his tightening grip, only to find their bodies more firmly entwined upon the mattress—her breast crushed beneath his hard chest. Ardently he stroked her naked flesh, and whispered intimately to her. His own body trembled with the fiery torrent of his desire for this woman. Inevitably Nicole’s love for him swept away any of her lingering resistance, and returning his passion, she yielded completely to the ecstasy of his demanding body.
Afterward, as she lay within the circle of his arm, Nicole wondered if she could be with child. There was nothing she would like better than to present this arrogant Viscount with a son and heir. On this happy thought she drifted off to sleep.
Morning light was streaking the sky when she woke to the light touch of Valentin’s lips on her shoulder. She blinked and turned bewildered eyes on him. This was the first time he had ever remained with her through the night. Pleased by this, she greeted his smile with one of her own and wound her arms about his neck as he rose above her. This time she did not struggle against the tumult of his desire but reveled in the glory of their union.
Later, emboldened by her new found contentment, Nicole snuggled next to him and felt his immediate response in another breath-crushing embrace. Finally, releasing h
er, he sprang from the bed.
“Enough, woman,” he chuckled. “I promised to report to headquarters early, and I have Perry to see yet.”
“Val,” she sat up tugging the sheet above her breast.
“Mmh?” he smiled at her disheveled appearance.
“W… will you grant me a favor, please?” she coaxed.
“Anything in my power, my love.” He came over to her and began stroking her cheek gently. “What is it you desire?” His eyes danced mischievously as he brushed a kiss across her lips.
Thrilled by his affection, Nicole reluctantly put her request into words. “It… it is about Perry.”
His reaction was immediate. The contented smile faded from his lips. “Well?” he asked sternly then removed himself from her vicinity.
Unhappily she continued, “Do not be too harsh with him, Val. Let him explain how he feels… and… and do not scorn his opinions.”
“Scorn his opinions? You intimated something like that last night,” he claimed, puzzled and exasperated. “Is that what you think I do?” He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the bedpost.
“Well… sometimes,” she faltered.
His eyes gleamed coldly as he strove to control his annoyance. Seeing his reaction, Nicole quickly slipped from the bed affording him a captivating view of her full breasts and long limbs. Momentarily he forgot her insinuations as a more primitive urge flared and burned through him. Covering herself and pulling her dark tresses from her negligee, she came to him, and placing a tentative hand on his arm, Nicole looked beseechingly up into his brooding face. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he asked pensively, “Why does it mean so much to you how I treat Perry?”
“He was so good to me when…” Here was another subject she did not wish to speak of; nevertheless, she went on, “when I was in Paris. And I grew very fond of. him. I do not wish to see him hurt. Do try to understand, Val.”
He sighed deeply controlling a momentary jealousy of his own brother. It was absurd to react this way just because the boy held a place in her affections which he himself did not. “Very well, it shall be as you wish.” He managed to smile slightly.
Sweet Bravado Page 19
