by Lavinia Kent
She gave him a nod. “I will manage. Do you care to suggest a time? I must admit I have little desire to stand about by myself waiting for you.”
“I am having dinner with my mother. Shall we say eleven?”
“I will see you then.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
She’d done it. She’d actually done it. She’d gotten Colton to take the lead.
Perhaps Ruby was right and she could do anything if she just believed—believed in herself.
Angela pushed to her feet and strode over to Maggie, her mind already plotting excuses to explain her absence the next evening.
—
Colton spurred his horse along the path. That had not gone well. He knew he had come off as something of an ass. He’d not been able to contain himself when Angela indicated she might be willing to experiment with another man. He’d felt a flush of anger such as he had rarely known and was not sure he had hidden it well. But perhaps that was for the best. It was clear that Angela had not the slightest idea what she was getting herself into and he must somehow persuade her to abandon the dangerous game that she played. It was far more dangerous than she realized. Not all men were as well intentioned as he.
That thought almost made him laugh out loud.
Well intentioned?
Well, he had been. He had parted ways with Angela as much for her own sake as for his. He truly had meant it when he said they were not well suited. When her spirit had faded, so had his interest.
He must admit, though, there was great temptation to take her up on her offer: When she smiled up at him, her eyes filled with mischief, it was hard not to remember how happy she had made him before it had all faded away—and it was all too easy to remember how she’d looked in the garden, her breasts bare and swollen, her face indicating her willingness to follow his every command.
And just now, when she’d sat on the grass before him, it had been hard not to imagine her rising to her knees, her lips parting…
Blast, “hard” was exactly the problem.
He slowed Goliath. If he wasn’t careful, he’d unman himself. There were some moments when a good cockstand was not desired.
Plans for getting rid of Angela should be filling his mind, not thoughts of exactly what he would like her to do if he ever gave in to her desires. He’d withstood temptation before and done the right thing. It might be difficult, but he would do it again.
Now, what would make the chit back away? Certainly it would take more than a simple appointment at Madame Rouge’s. This would require some thought and planning.
—
“Angela, is that you?” her mother called as she entered the hall.
What was her mother doing awake and downstairs? Normally her mother didn’t show her face until well after noon. And she was yelling, or at least speaking in a loud tone. Her mother never called from one room to another. She considered it the height of bad manners, something only the lower classes would ever do.
Knowing better than to raise her voice in answer, Angela walked rapidly to the back parlor, her mother’s favorite room.
“Yes, I am home,” she said, entering the room.
“Where were you? I was most surprised to find that you had already left. I needed to talk to you. Where could you possibly have gone at such a disagreeable hour?”
“I was restless when I awoke. I merely went for a walk. I didn’t wish to wake anyone else.” She could only hope her mother would not question her further. Something important must be going on to have her mother acting so out of character.
“We have received an invitation.”
“Oh.”
“Is that all you can say?” Her mother rose from the small breakfast table and began to pace about the room with small, even steps.
From the queen? It was hard to imagine anything else that would have gotten her mother into such a state. “I am not sure what else I am supposed to say.” Somehow this was far too reminiscent of her earlier conversation with Colton. She was beginning to fear that she might be the problem.
“You could express some excitement.”
Angela sank into a chair opposite the settee her mother had just vacated and swiped a piece of toast. “I am sure I will be excited if you tell me whom the invitation is from.”
“You must not have been listening. Lady Perse has invited us to a house party.”
Angela felt a pit open in her stomach. “Lady Perse?”
“Yes. I know you were disappointed that you didn’t find a husband, like all the other girls whom she invited to tea. I do believe she’s decided to try again with you. Perhaps she saw you in that red dress the other night and realized you must be getting desperate. Or perhaps it was the flush of color in your cheeks. Ah well, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she’s invited us, and you know what that means….”
Eligible men. Yes, Angela knew exactly what that meant. Blast. It was Lady Perse who had introduced Angela to Colton. And it was Lady Perse who had first made her believe that they belonged together. And it was Lady Perse who had made her feel a failure for not having a proposal weeks ago. No, the last thing she wanted was to have Lady Perse try to find her another man. She had no desire to attend another party, pretending to search for a husband, and certainly not one that would have her stranded in the country. “Oh, isn’t that wonderful.”
“I knew you would be delighted, dear.” Her mother smiled gaily, her shoulders relaxing. “You’re coming back to being yourself. I have been worried. I am happy to see your eyes spinning with hidden plans again. You’ve been faded for so long.”
Faded? She didn’t even begin to know what that meant. Well, best to ignore it or they’d probably spend half an hour talking about how sun lightened the furniture and she’d understand even less at the end. “Yes, perhaps things will work better this time.” Her mother did worry about her, and her mother didn’t need more worry. She had enough to worry about with Angela’s brother; the boy never could seem to settle on one thing, and his desire for gambling and opera girls did not seem to diminish with the years. And that was not even thinking of grandchildren: Her mother definitely longed to see the family continue, and Angela’s brother had made it clear he’d not be taking a wife for years, if ever. Angela forced her smile higher on her cheeks. She hated to disappoint her mother.
“Don’t worry, dear.” Her mother paused beside her and patted her cheek. “I know you will find that special man. How could anybody fail to see how perfect you are?”
Lord Colton could, that’s who. He certainly didn’t think she was perfect. “I am sure you are right, Mother. And I do intend to be a perfect wife.”
“You just need to be less picky—and perhaps you should not try so hard.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She worried, though, that perhaps she did. After she’d found out about Colton’s actress, she had tried so hard not to show that she cared, tried to be the woman society expected her to be, tried to be a woman who would never fuss, never complain. She had been so sure that if she could be perfect enough, then Colton would love her. She had worn herself out with trying, but she could not explain any of that to her mother.
“I think you do.” Her mother gave her a sharp look. “But it does not matter. And perhaps I will simply tell your father to accept the next proposal to come your way.”
“That will mean I’ll be wed to Lord Wilber. I do believe he is due for his monthly proposal on Wednesday. I know he proposed to Lady Bliss two days ago and she’s been married to Lord Duldon for some weeks.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “Now, that would not do. That man can barely manage to ride a pony. I am sure he could never handle a mare with spirit. Although I would love somebody to say yes to the man. He’d probably faint dead away. I’ve always wondered if proposing to every eligible young lady is not his own ploy to avoid matrimony.”
Angela found a genuine smile lighting her face. There was a reason she loved her mother so dearly. �
�I’ve never considered that. You may be right. He certainly never seems eager—more that it’s a duty. I suppose if he continually proposes, nobody can claim he isn’t trying, not even his mother.”
“Yes, and you know Lady James hounded the poor boy for years about getting married.”
“And then he started asking everybody.”
“Well, not everybody. I don’t think he ever asks anyone who might actually say yes.”
“I think you may be on to something. I heard he asked Sarah Swilp a few weeks ago, and he certainly never showed interest in her before she became attached to Mr. Perry.” Grinning quietly at her mother, Angela took another piece of toast and nibbled a corner. Missing her morning tea had left her famished.
“I hadn’t heard that.”
“I am surprised, Mother. I thought you knew everything.”
Her mother resumed her seat, settling her skirts in a neat half circle. “I must be slipping. But now we must talk about Lady Perse’s party. Everybody will be there, including more than a half dozen eligible young men. I am quite sure that she intends to help you find a husband, perhaps even a love match. I know her pride will be most upset if she doesn’t see you married by Christmas.”
Asking how her mother knew that would be pointless. She’d probably had a nice long chat with Lady Perse about Angela and what a failure she was. They’d chosen a husband for her and she’d managed to send him running in the opposite direction. “I will do my best, Mother.”
“I know that you will, Angela. You just have to be more accommodating. Men like an agreeable woman.”
“I’ve heard that before. I am working at being most agreeable.” And if only her mother understood exactly what she meant by that, she’d probably fall into a faint.
—
“Lord Colton, may I have a word?” The husky undertones of Madame Rouge’s voice caught him almost as soon as he stepped through the door.
“Of course.” In truth, he’d rather flee than face Ruby at the moment. She always seemed to see far more than she ought.
Ruby gestured to a door, just past the one that led to her parlor.
He followed obediently, if reluctantly.
The door led to a small room, hardly more than a closet with a small desk crammed in the middle, a chair on each side.
“Please sit,” Ruby said, gesturing to the seat nearest the door as she slithered behind the desk.
He raised a brow in question.
“It’s my porter’s office. I know it’s oddly placed, but Simms’s pride demanded a space of his own. I rarely use it, but there are already several gentlemen in the parlor, and what I need to say is not public.”
He made no comment, simply waited for her to continue.
She leaned forward, her magnificent breasts presenting a most pleasing view—although he found himself less interested than usual.
“I understand you are meeting Miss Ripon here this evening.” She stated it as fact, not question.
“I can only assume she told you that.” He would have to be careful of the odd relationship between Miss Ripon and Ruby.
“Yes, she sent a note asking my advice.”
“She seems to be asking for it quite often.”
“And you are surprised?” It was Ruby’s turn to raise a brow.
“It merely seems a trifle odd.”
Ruby laughed. “Far less odd than you would think. I have learned that the ladies of society are always looking for intimate information and are sorely lacking in sources. You’d be surprised how many seek me out.”
“But an innocent young lady like Miss Ripon?”
“I would admit that is less usual, but not without precedent. I do my best to fill a need for knowledge that our world seems unwilling to provide.” She leaned back, glancing at the oil lamp that cast a faint glow through the small room.
He waited a moment, but she remained silent, seeming lost in her own thoughts.
“You called me in here, Ruby. Surely you have more to say than to point out that which you already know.”
Ruby focused her blue eyes upon him again. “Yes, I do. I understand you have also invited Lord Granderson to join you this evening.”
How did she know that? “And?” He had no desire to explain his plans for the evening to Ruby. He was quite sure she would not approve.
“It is not to your normal taste. I know you have sometimes…worked with him in the past, but do you think it wise in this case?”
“I think it is what I want, and Miss Ripon told me that she was willing to do anything I wished, that she wanted to do whatever I liked. And I believe it was upon your advice. Will you change that advice to her now? I am sure if you talked to her and told her the full truth, you would have her running to the hills. Don’t act as if I am luring her to her doom; it was you, not I, who started this. I have never deliberately sought to ruin a woman in my life.”
Ruby studied him carefully. “You sound almost as if you want me to advise her to run. I would have thought you’d be delighted to have such a pretty girl at your beck and call. And I have advised her of far more of your tastes than you might believe. She seemed more curious than frightened.”
“Then why question Lord Granderson?”
“It simply seems a bit much, a bit fast. There is a great distance between having her show you her breasts and introducing another man to share in the fun. And there is the question of his discretion—although I admit I’ve never known Granderson to spread a rumor. It is almost as if you wish to scare her off. Oh my, that is your plan, isn’t it? You want her to refuse, to leave. You are trying to push her further than she will go.”
“Why would I want that? She is pretty and willing. Why would I wish to scare her away?”
Ruby only smiled. “I thought about stopping this, but I think I will leave you to your game. It will be interesting to see which of you backs down first. I do hope you have been honest with Granderson about what you truly desire. It could get messy otherwise.”
“I do not know what you mean, but I am always honest.” Why did he constantly feel that Ruby was one step ahead of him? Hell, she was one step ahead of everyone. It was probably why he’d never tried to proposition her. No man wanted a lover who saw right through him when he was at his most vulnerable.
“I know.” Ruby stood. “I’ll have Simms escort you up and then have Lord Granderson and Miss Ripon brought up in turn.” She walked to the door. “I do hope you know what you’re doing, Lord Colton. Although it will be equally fascinating if you do not.”
Chapter 6
Angela swallowed hard as she followed the porter up the wide stairs. Somehow she’d pictured Colton meeting her at the door and leading her up a quiet stair. Instead, she’d been let in the front door and forced to stand in the open hall, waiting for someone to tell her where to go. Shivers had run up and down her arms with all those men, many of whom she knew, milling about. Why the house was so crowded tonight, she didn’t know, but it had been most uncomfortable. Even in her deep hood, her face hidden, she’d worried about being found out, certain that the men had spent far too long staring at her, trying to see her shadowed face.
Her nerves felt frayed and exposed, her victory at having forced Colton to take this next step long forgotten.
The other night at the ball had been exciting. Yes, she’d been afraid of being discovered, but the sense of freedom and exhilaration had overshadowed everything. When she had gazed into his eyes, nothing else mattered. She had seen his desire, seen the fire that burned in him, and the rest of the world had faded.
And in the park, she’d felt a sense of victory.
That was definitely not the case now. Every step she took made her question herself more. Did she really mean to do this?
She paused and peered down the stair, trying to see beyond the edges of the hood, which hindered her vision. Ruby stood just outside the door to the parlor but did not glance up to meet her gaze. Perhaps that was the problem this evening: Every other time A
ngela had met with Ruby, the madame made her feel that she had hope. Tonight, she had seen doubt. There had been a strange expression on Ruby’s face. She’d sensed that Ruby wanted to say something, to give her some warning, but Ruby had stayed silent.
What would happen if she just turned and ran?
Nothing.
Nobody would stop her. They might question why the crazy woman in the cloak was running, but nobody would ever know it had been her—and Ruby would certainly never tell.
She looked up the stairs.
Fear would not rule her.
Two more steps and she would be at the top.
She glanced down one more time. Ruby was still not meeting her eyes.
Turning back, she plowed into a masculine chest. Her hood slipped and she grabbed for it just in time.
“Watch out. You should look where you are going.”
She knew that voice: Lord Thorton.
What was he doing here? Well, she knew what he was doing here, but he didn’t seem the type. He always seemed so proper. She’d actually vaguely considered him as a possible husband. Granted, she’d considered most currently unwed men as possible husbands. And while he was not the most attractive of men, neither was he ugly, and he’d always treated her with utmost courtesy. “Do pardon me.”
He stopped beside her, his eyes searching. She should have deepened her voice, but she had not considered her disguise beyond the hood that kept her face so fully in shadow. It had never occurred to her that she would need to talk to anyone other than Colton and Ruby.
Thorton kept his gaze locked on her. “You should be more careful.”
“I will,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice low.
“Are you looking for someone?” he asked.
How did she answer that? She lowered her head, so that she could see nothing but a square foot of floor. “I know where I am going.”
“Are you sure you don’t want some company?”
If he was heading downstairs, did that mean he’d already been with somebody? She would have thought that was how it worked.
“I am fine.” She tried to step forward, but his hand came down on her arm, stopping her.
